Vic/Tas Fishing Monthly May 2017 by Fishing Monthly

16-PAGE LAKES ENTRANCE SPOTLIGHT FEATURE

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Big trout secrets • Part III: tackling fishing mistakes • Spotlight: Lakes Entrance • Big bass bite back •

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May 2017, Vol. 12 No. 7

Contents WEST COAST West Coast

Warrnambool 16 Apollo Bay

Cobden 18

CENTRAL Geelong 20 Port Phillip West

Port Phillip North East

Port Phillip North

Mornington Peninsula

Western Port North

Western Port South

Phillip Island

345

EAST COAST Gippsland Lakes

Marlo 41 Lakes Entrance

McLoughlins Beach

Bemm River

NSW SOUTH COAST Bermagui 44 Eden 45 Mallacoota 45 Narooma 46 Merimbula 47

VICTORIAN FRESHWATER Horsham 74 Ballarat 75 Robinvale 76

From the Editor’s Desk... Have you ever fished Lakes Entrance, Lake Tyers or Lakes Entrance offshore? We know that tens of thousands of anglers have over the years, and have experienced the flathead, bream, whiting, snapper and other fishing that’s on offer. But looking back, we’ve never published a detailed feature about the area. That’s been addressed in this issue, with the most comprehensive feature we’ve ever done on the Lakes Entrance and surrounds. For us, the beautiful thing about the Lakes Entrance area is that it’s not just a destination that caters for anglers and nobody else. There’s plenty for the whole family to do in and around Lakes Entrance, and if that makes you feel a bit better about dragging the family away to far-flung part of the state with a boat in tow, then it’s a win-win for all involved. The other attraction of Lakes Entrance is the variety of fishing available. With the town

itself as a hub, you’re no more than half an hour in any direction from fantastic fishing – be it a man-modified estuary in Lakes itself, offshore through the bar or whether you jump across to Lake Tyers to experience a wildernessfishing experience. There’s also a pile of accommodation options in town for every budget, and just as many land-based opportunities as there are chances to catch fish from the boat. It’s easy to find – look for the 16 gloss pages inside this issue.

READER COVERS KEEP ROLLING IN We’re getting a sensational response to the Reader Cover Competition – keep the entries coming! There’s still time to make the cover. All the details are in the ad inside this issue. DO YOU YOUTUBE? You may have noticed that we are increasingly using video content to augment the articles in the magazines. If you see a QR code (that little array of black and white dots) embedded into an article, make sure that you scan it with your smartphone. And if you

don’t have the app to do so, get the closest teenager to download it for you! Alternatively, if scanning codes isn’t your thing, you can just jump straight into Fishing Monthly’s YouTube channel to catch all of the video content we upload. Just search for ‘Fishing Monthly’ on YouTube. Between our current channel and our older channel (Steve Morgan) there’s been over 1.42 million video views in the last couple of years, so we must be doing something right. WHAT ABOUT INSTAGRAM? I’ve never been a huge Instagram user, but there are thousands of you who are. If you follow @ fishingmonthly, you can join the other 15,000 followers and see the string of fantastic fishing photos that Instagram will deliver to you. Got an image that you think needs to be in the feed? Send it to us and we’ll see what we can do!

Mildura 77 Yarrawonga 77 Wangaratta 78 Shepparton 79 Jindabyne 80 Eildon 81 Bonnie Doon

Bendigo 82

BOATING AND KAYAK

REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics

Chappy’s Hotspot

Dam Levels

Fun Page

Inland Fisheries Service

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Track My Fish

Trade and Services Guide

Spearfishing 48

Victorian Tide Times

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Paul is our second prize winner for the Front Cover competition. He caught this fantastic 90cm mulloway during a Mallacoota Hobie bream tournament.

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AUST

Part III: tackling fishing mistakes

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Trout

The big trout secrets WESTERN PORT STH

Jarrod Day jarrodday@iprimus.com.au

There really is nothing more addictive than squatting in the thick summer grass on the edge of a river bank watching a big buck brown trout

year they can be stalked in many Victorian rivers and streams. Sure, many of the fish caught will be your typical stream trout fetching a pound or so, but occasionally you’ll hook into a solid fish. It will be your tackle and ability that will decide whether the story has a happy

session with care and a stealthy approach. BEST TIMES Around the middle of the year and just before the onset of the winter rains, trout begin to get ready for their annual spawning. This is when you’ll encounter the majority of the larger fish in a river or stream.

When flicking small streams, always work the shadows and cast upstream, as this is where you’ll encounter the brutes.

Big bucks have sharp teeth, so ensure you upsize your leader. sipping insects from the surface of the water. As picturesque as that scenario may be, catching that trout was always going to be a challenge from the moment you laid eyes on him. Trout are quite a unique fish and for most of the

if the rivers only come up a few centimetres, this could be just enough water for the fish to get over all the hurdles they face such as fallen logs, rocks, waterfalls and more. In Victoria the trout season closes at midnight 12 June, so when beginning in May there really isn’t a lot of time to perfect your skill.

ending or not. Trout are quite a shy species and are easily spooked at the slightest movement, sending them into an undercut riverbank or under a submerged log. Rather than trampling up the edge of a river or splashing up a stream, tackle every

When you creep over the edge of river bank and spot a pair of spawning trout, you know you’re in the right place.

Big trout are majestic creatures and deserve respect. When handling, hold them gently and return them to the water with care. This magnificent brown was taken on a Yakamito 100mm Slim Minnow in a small shallow Victorian stream a day after rainfall. 8

MAY 2017

They begin to move upstream from around April where they look for females and gravel beds in which she can lay her eggs. Rivers and streams that run into lakes are certainly worth of trying, as the fish that have been living in the lake throughout the year will head out to spawn. May is a great time of the year and although you might go home empty -handed on a few occasions, just doing the research on a stream can give you a good indication as to whether it has the potential to hold big trout, like if there are any gravel beds. Most of the trout movement will occur when the rains first fall and the rivers rise. Even

TECHNIQUES If it takes you to get on your stomach and army crawl to the edge of a river to spot trout, then do it. The slightest movement can spook them, so do whatever it takes to get close enough 8lb fluorocarbon leader

45cm dropper of 6lb leader

There are no problems landing fish of this size providing you use the right tackle. for an accurate cast. Small streams can be very difficult to fish. Perfect your casting and bow and arrow casts to enable yourself to get a lure into tight areas. Trout will always face upstream. If you’re going to wade a river, it’s vital

that you do it by walking into the current. This will also help you spot trout ahead of you, so you can cast to the exact point and land a lure that will pass by where they are feeding to attract a strike. Finding the points to cast at, can take a while

Size 10 or 12 glow bug fly

Size 12 bead head brown nymph fly

60cm 6lb fluorocarbon leader

2 or 3 BB size splitshot crimped to dropper. Split shot amount will be determined by strength of river flow.

Trout to learn. Start by casting to small rapids where the water runs into slow running pools. A lot of the time, a big trout will be just at the head of the pool ready to make is way out. While there, it will hit anything worthy of eating as it flows through the rapid and into the pool.

action themselves. Larger males will attack and eat small males, hence anglers have had success using trout pattern lures in the 70-100mm length range. This won’t always work. On occasion, big males might be too focused on the job, especially in shallow water over gravel

The Goulburn River in all its glory. This river has plenty of locations to try your luck, especially towards the Eildon Pondage.

Working small waterfalls is where trout will school up throughout the season. In saying that, most trout will hit a lure out of aggression. During this time of the year when the larger males and females are spawning, smaller males try and get into the

beds. Nine times out of ten you can see the dorsal fins of trout in the shallow breaking the surface while they are attempting to spawn with a female and they won’t always be in

feeding mode. In this case, change the lure for a glow bug fly setup with a bead head nymph. This rig is ideal to cast in around any structure because it’s lightweight and will flow with the current pressure. If you snag up, you’ll only lose the split shot sinkers and not the entire rig. One thing you will find is that most of the fish will be taken on the nymph, so they’re taking small aquatic insects and not bigger lures.

LURES During spawning, both brown and rainbow trout are quite aggressive and will swipe at any trout that attempts to muscle its way close to the female. For this reason, trout pattern lures tend to be the most productive, as they look just the same as any other trout in a river. While small trout may be in the 10-20cm length bracket, a larger fish has no hesitation and will attack if he needs to. Lures like the Yakamito 100mm Slim Minnow and

the Yo-Zuri 90mm Pins Minnow are proven lures to use. If you need to go smaller, 60mm is great for the shallower runs and the Yakamito SXY Shad works for the deeper pools. In situations where the fish might be shy, opt for changing the rig to using the glow bug setup or try a Wordens spinner in fluoro orange, pink or a completely black colour to resemble any insects in the water. THE SETUP Big trout in small streams hit hard and are furious when hooked. Your traditional light tackle doesn’t always have the strength to land them. In an ideal world, fishing 6lb To page 10

Yo-Zuri Pins Minnow in action on a mountain stream trout.

MAY 2017

Trout From page 9

would be a dream, but because of the logs, rocks and other debris you will have to opt for 10 or even 12lb fluorocarbon on the end of your 8lb PE braid. Rods also need to be able to support good butt strength, otherwise you’ll have no control when trying

to pull the fish from a bunch of snags or out from under an undercut river bank. In his case, a fast to medium tapered rod with matching Shimano Stradic 1000 will have more than enough line capacity and drag strength to handle any trout. Rods with a medium slow or slow taper will

buckle under the pressure of a good fish. While it’s not impossible to land them, the fight will be drawn out too long because the rod strength is just not there, so try to use a fast tapered rod where possible. Fishing for trout, especially the larger ones, is certainly a lot of fun no

matter which state you’re targeting them in. One thing to note is that regardless where you’re fishing, the techniques are all the same. They just change depending on the day. Whether you’re hiking through the central Victorian rivers or perched on the river bank amongst

NSW browns are big and the techniques are still the same.

Having a small trout net with you is always a good option. Most fish are lost just prior to landing.

the snow on the Eucumbene River in NSW, the time to catch hefty trout is now. Just remember one thing, these fish are the brood stock that keep the fishery

alive, so if you’re stalking them, take a photo, release them and let them do their thing and help to preserve our magnificent freshwater fisheries.

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MAY 2017

Why fit a ‘lecky? NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.starlofishing.com

Those who’ve never used them sometimes look askance at the expensive electric motors mounted on other angler’s vessels and ask what the point is in owning one. In the first

and reel at home, or even give up our depth sounder, than be caught without a functioning ’lecky, as these wonderful devices are commonly known. This certainly hasn’t always been the case. Not so many years ago, I could judge how lightly-fished and remote a destination might be by the number of questions I fielded about the electric

motor in case ya break down? Or some kinda anchor?” Perhaps a little sadly, there are now very few corners of our big country left that haven’t seen at least a handful of boats sporting electric motors (sometimes referred to as “trolling motors” in American literature), and those wide-eyed questions and quizzical looks come far less

Bow-mounted electric motors have radically altered the way we fish from boats, especially when casting lures or flies. electrics are still available, and remain reasonably popular amongst the owners of lightweight car toppers, folding boats, big Canadianstyle canoes and even kayaks. However, it’s the more sophisticated bow-mounted versions of the electric motor that have really transformed

you’ve experienced the magic carpet ride provided by a modern bow-mounted electric motor, it’s hard to believe just how much difference it can actually make to your fishing. Of course, the downside to these tools is their need for an on-board power source. This typically takes the form of one,

most bow-mounted electrics can provide up to three days of low speed manoeuvring work from a full charge. The fishing benefits associated with this sort of stealthy mobility simply can’t be overstated. There are several brands of electric on the market these days and you tend to get what

You don’t need to own a big, flash bass boat to benefit from using a bow-mounted electric motor! of a two-part series on the benefits of using electric motors, let’s answer that important question. The level of ownership of electric motors amongst Aussie boat fishers has increased dramatically over the past decade or two. These days, many of us who live for our lure and fly fishing would rather leave our favourite rod

motor mounted on the bow of my trailer boat. If I stopped at a campsite or pulled into a servo for fuel and someone wandered over to quizzically check out the ’lecky, I knew I was getting off the beaten track. “Hey mate,” their query usually began, “what’s that weird lookin’ contraption on the front of ya boat? Is it a spare

regularly today. Electric motors take two basic forms. The earliest versions simply clamped to the transom of a boat right alongside the outboard (or in place of it) and were used to propel the vessel in much the same manner as a standard petrol donk, albeit more slowly, but with considerably greater stealth. Transom mounted

Bream fishing is so much easier when you have a ’lecky! That’s iconic Aussie actor and comedian Garry McDonald (aka Norman Gunston) with a hefty bream he finessed from the shallows on a hardbodied minnow.

The combination of electric motors and sophisticated sounders has radically evolved our fishing. Some say it’s unfair to the fish… But Starlo reckons we need all the help we can get!

our day-to-day fishing. Folded up onto the foredeck when travelling, these units are easily deployed once the vessel reaches the fishing area and used to quietly manoeuvre about while casting or slow trolling. As well as being whisper quiet, they allow pin-point placement of the boat. The best of them have cable or wireless foot or hand controls and some even feature a GPS interface that allows them to hold the boat in a fixed position against wind and tide, or track along a designated path at the operator’s chosen speed. Until

two or even three big, heavy deep-cycle marine batteries with ratings of at least 100 amp hours. You’ll need to be able to recharge these batteries, too, which can be problematic out in the bush. Happily, the advent of portable generators, reliable solar panels and vehicles fitted with dual battery systems has helped in this regard, but there’s nothing quite like being able to plug a charger into mains power overnight to re-juice those tired batteries. This mightn’t always be possible out in the back blocks, but with careful use,

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MAY 2017

you pay for. The best of them aren’t cheap. They also need a little more TLC than your average outboard. A good wash down with freshwater after use in the salt is essential, and it pays to protect them as much as possible from dust and excessive vibration. That typically means removing and storing the unit while towing your rig over rough dirt tracks. Luckily, most have quickrelease mounting plates. An electric motor might not currently be at top of your fishing gear wish list… but perhaps it should be!

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The fish are now moving into spawning mode species in our estuaries, which means great fishing. This time of year sees the fish well spread through the river. With inflows starting to increase slightly due to either rains or environmental releases from Rocklands Reservoir we should start to see spawning behaviours begin. In a nutshell this means estuary perch will start to slowly migrate towards the lower section

WEST COAST

Shane Lowery

May can be one of the best months of the year for fishing in the far southwest of the state as we transition out of autumn into winter. Cooler temperatures and fresh inflows into the rivers signal the start of recruitment and spawning behaviours from most fish

keener to bite than others. The preceding months have seen great mulloway caught and this should only improve through May. A bit of inflow and the water starting to colour up often sees some much bigger fish caught in the Glenelg. From the caves landing and right down to the estuary is the prime section of the river to target. Taylors Strait, Dry Creek and the poles area in the estuary are the most consistent places to target them. Larger hardbodies and live baits trolled slowly along the drop-off on the edges is a very reliable technique. Throwing larger soft plastics around the 5” size in those key areas is also a very successful way to target the mulloway.

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Bream will start to school up in the deeper water. slowly making their way to the estuary from the higher reaches and should be schooling up in big numbers. May will most likely see the biggest congregations in the mid section of the Glenelg River from around Sapling Creek down as they recruit and migrate. Targeting heavy timber snags with surface or shallow diving lures will be the key in May. Bream will also be on the move and starting to school up in large numbers out

wider of the banks. Fish can often be found out in around 2-4m of water and using your sounder to locate the areas where they are congregating is the key. Often they can be a bit harder to tempt when in this mode. Fishing deep diving hardbodies and soft plastics really slowly, with plenty of long pauses, will usually account for lots of fish. Moving regularly and finding other areas holding fish is the trick and often one or more schools will be

Keep in mind that you can drop off any bagged mulloway frames after you’ve filleted them to the kiosk in Nelson to be collected by Lauren Veale as part of her citizen science research program into the genetics of these elusive fish. This is very valuable research and I’d encourage anyone who’s lucky enough to catch a mulloway to donate the frame to a great cause, if you decide to keep rather than release.

Every Thursday Afternoon

WITH LUKE MCCREDDEN AND JARROD DAY

Take you through what’s biting in your area. Pl us in fo rm a tion on t he lat e st t ackle an d te c h n i q ue s .

SPECIAL GUESTS EACH WEEK. Listen online and get the podcast at

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MAY 2017

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Hop over to the Hopkins for hot fishing session WARRNAMBOOL

Mark Gercovich mgercovich@hotmail.com

May has the potential to be a great month for fishing locally. Sometimes we get protracted days of calm sea conditions before we head into the depths of winter. River species, like trout and estuary perch, also get on the move as we head into the cooler months. These days the southern bluefin tuna season offshore

of the South West Coast is almost a year round attraction. However if you were going to pick one of the most reliable months to try to tangle with a SBT then May would perhaps be it. Fish can be encountered in good numbers on the traditional deeper shelf areas and have also been found in 40-60m of water as well, which brings them into contact with smaller boat operators. When sea and weather conditions suit, cruising around in an open style boat

throwing lures at tuna bust-ups is an awesome sportfishing experience. There was at least three barrel-sized tuna landed off Port Fairy recently, including a 92kg fish taken out of a 4.8m tinny by Justin Nowell and Luke Smith, so getting out on the tuna water is even more attractive at the moment. The Hopkins River closed over mid-March for the first time in almost twelve months. Normally it closes over summer, but that wasn’t the case this year, with

May is a great time to target freshwater EP in the local waters. the constant tidal exchange perhaps being a contributor to the good fishing experienced there recently. Bream have been taken in good numbers, and there have also been plenty of 40cm+ fish encountered. The best I’ve heard of was a 1.77kg fish taken by Mick Wilkinson. Perch have been responding to the good old black crickets fished on the surface during calm evenings. May is often a great month to target the EPs in the freshwater

Luke Gercovich with a Hopkins River mulloway.

as they begin feeding up and moving down to the estuary in the winter months. The best thing about the estuaries recently has been the continued mulloway captures. The average size of the fish seems to be increasing from previous years. A cohort of fish from a good spawning year are coming through. Captures seem to range from high 60’s up to 80cm+. With the river closed these fish are going nowhere and hopefully

will still provide an exciting target throughout May. Good mulloway have also been taken in the Moyne River recently as well. As the water cools during May the trout in the local rivers will begin to fire up. It can be a great time to wander the local rivers, flicking minnow style lures like the Daiwa Presso minnow around, with the chance of a hook-jawed brown or a solid freshwater EP nailing your next cast.

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MAY 2017

Bream are spread throughout the system COBDEN

Rod Shepherd

The Curdies River and adjoining lake has been quite conducive for bream. Unfortunately, you could spend many hours trying to find a school on the chew as the fish remain well spread right throughout the system. The river mouth remains closed until the winter rains once again reopen the estuary to the sea. Until then, you’ll need to do some exploratory work and that could take time. Recently I spent the best part of five hours casting a wide variety of lures and soft plastics, thoroughly fishing at least eight different locations along the river’s length trying to find the fish. I wasn’t the only one. I eventually had success at a location called ‘the snags’ and they don’t call it that for nothing. I had that many hits and hook-ups it wasn’t

This is one of five bream boated on the Curdies recently using Damiki Vaults. The bigger ones took the author around the snags and cost him nine lures! funny. Sadly all the big fish wrapped me up around, you guessed it, snags. I managed a few smaller fish in the low 30s

on Damiki Vault blades as I could skull drag them towards the boat. The bigger ones had me truly wrapped up. Fish and

structure go together like vegemite and toast. I need a heavier leader! Bait soakers are still netting greyback minnows

with hauling nets in the shallows and catching plenty of bream mostly in the lake. This is an age-old method and still very effective as it is the bream’s favourite food with live shrimp coming in second. The Hopkins River has fired up in the bream department with excellent fish to well over 1kg being caught. Local resident angler Steve Moore caught some lovely fish recently by simply casting around the edges with hardbodied minnow lures. Steve landed some excellent fish and was broken off several times by something much larger losing several expensive minnow lures in the process, which he was not happy about. Steve has suspicions that these breakoffs were the result of hooking ‘soapy’ mulloway but he can’t confirm that. For those who ventured offshore it was certainly a mixed bag of fishy goodies that were up for grabs. The

inshore reefs are currently holding large schools of small juvenile snapper and mixed in amongst them are morwong of a similar size, rock cod, the odd large King George whiting, arrowhead squid and bluethroat wrasse, as well as the usual assortment of reef dwelling ooglies. Further out, depths around 40m have seen the odd school of southern bluefin tuna to 28kg caught on the surface while bottom bouncers have hauled up some nice gummies as well as small juvenile snapper. For those with larger boats willing to travel a bit further, more barrel tuna have been hooked, played and lost as well as caught with fish brought back weighing in around 90kg. Rapala X-Raps and large skirted octopus lures have been successful for many. All in all, autumn is going great guns with more settled weather. So wetting a line will be much more pleasant and productive.

Good fishing weather and great reports of fish APOLLO BAY

Wayne Diffey

We’ve had reasonable weather over the past month. Quite a few days were suitable to hit the beaches, streams or get out wide in a boat. There have been good reports of salmon off the beaches. I’ve had reports of decent sized fish off

Skenes Creek Beach and the rocks, as well as some good catches off Johanna Beach. Closer to Apollo Bay the far end of Wild Dog Creek Beach and Pirates Cove are still favourite spots. There have been a few nice King George whiting caught off the rocks at Skenes Creek. Riley Molino sent in a photo of a big specimen. I’m still getting good reports of lots of gummies,

A great Cape Otway tuna.

A wonderful whiting caught from Skenes Creek. 18

MAY 2017

snapper and big flatties caught around the 40m mark off Blanket Bay Reef and around the corner of Cape Otway towards Station Beach. One regular of ours took two mates out recently and they caught 12 gummies and a heap of snapper. A friend of mine had two good sessions on the flatties not too far off Skenes Creek in approximately 25m. The bluefin tuna were quiet for a while, but the last few weeks have seen plenty come in. They’re mainly school fish to 30kg. There have been a few barrels hooked and lost as well. So far the tuna have been taken on various coloured small skirts and deep divers. A few guys have told me that they have sounded up a lot

of big tuna down deep, around 70m out near Big Reef, but they just wouldn’t come up. The local rivers and streams are still fishing pretty well for bream. The few showers we’ve had have freshened them up a bit and I’ve seen photos of fish up to 38cm. Unweighted scubbies have been the most productive. • If you’re coming to Apollo Bay for a fish, be sure to pop in to get all your bait and tackle needs, as well as an up to date report, or call us on 03 5237 6426, or check out our website, www.surf-n-fish.com.au.

A beautiful day on the Rubicon River produced a PB for Ben Saunders with this 65cm, 6lb 9oz brown trout that took a black and gold Berkley T Tail.

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MAY 2017

Cooler fish are heating up GEELONG

Neil Slater slaterbunch@optusnet.com.au

The weather was pretty kind to us over the last month or so and plenty got out amongst the fish. Wurdiboluc Reservoir near Moriac has been fishing well for redfin from tiddler size to 35cm. Minnow lures and heavy spoons have done well due to their distance and water covered while fishing with live minnows has been best for bait fishers. Expect the fishing here to pick up over May as the water cools. Trout will move into the shallows and larger redfin will bite over the next month. The

Barwon River in Geelong has remained mostly clear making it good for lure fishing. Walking the banks and casting parallel to the weed beds has seen redfin to 35cm caught on minnow lures, metal vibes and soft plastics. Carp have also been biting well for those using bread and corn for bait. Eleven year old Lochie Cobb has caught the fishing bug and went down to the Barwon River at Breakwater with his dad Jason to test out his new rod after school. Using cheese for bait, he hooked and landed a ripper carp around 3kg after an exciting fight. His proud dad Jason said, “A tackle box beats an Xbox every time!” Ross Winstanley has been

fishing hard inside Stingaree Bay awaiting the arrival of King George whiting. Near Point Henry last month Ross caught six juvenile snapper and one 40cm whiting. The next day he fished further south in 2m of water for eight pinkies. Ross has also had hauls of up to 11 pinkies, quality whiting in small numbers to 40cm and yank flathead. Fishing down at Clifton Springs, Ross caught 12 calamari in two hours in 2.8m off the Clifton Springs Golf Club. Ross kept nine up around the 800g mark. Ross expects the whiting to arrive inside Corio Bay very soon, so keep an eye out for them. Craig Rippon from

Not bad for a 12 year old! Bill heaves his kingfish up for the photo.

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Apollo Bay spent the March long weekend at Indented Head and found calamari all over the place. Whiting were difficult to tempt. Phil Walters from St Leonards Angling Club says members have been catching quality whiting up to 43cm off Clifton Springs and around as far as the Prince George Bank. Rod Ludlow from Beachlea Boat Hire at Indented Head says there have been quality squid and cuttlefish caught over the last week with some fair sizes coming in. One of the better buckets of squid was caught using orange jigs. Rod says to try from St Leonards around to Grassy Point. Move around trying weed beds from close in and out deeper. Rod has also had a lot of juvenile snapper caught by clients in close at Indented Head on Governors Reef and near the Prince George Bank. Rod’s hire boats have also had their best bags of whiting since Christmas. The sizes are good with customers not throwing any back and high 30cm fish are plentiful. Either side of the high tide has been best and the Prince George Bank has been the area of choice while good quality pipis were the best bait. Justin Savage got an

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It’s great to see a few mulloway caught out of the Barwon. excited call from his mate Blissy one arvo about his mate who was off Barwon Heads with schools of non-biting tuna all around him. Within two hours the lads were

trolling skirted lures out off Barwon Heads. They dragged their lures around for ages and with heaps of bird life and a few bait balls, things were looking

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good. Nothing was happening until about 7.30pm when the lads had a hit, but the fish didn’t hook up. Then, just as they trolled over a large bait school, all four rods went off! A mad scramble saw the lads catch two out of the four-way hook-up on southern bluefin tuna to 20kg! They trolled back over the same mark where they had a few more tuna hook up in an exciting after work session! Tiger flathead have come back on the bite out offshore from Barwon Heads. Most

Grove Ramp and a long way upstream. The best bait has been raw chicken and pilchard fillets. This month, try near the mouth on the incoming tide for whiting. Trent Schiller has been hitting the Surf Coast estuaries where he has been catching and releasing some quality bream to 40cm using soft plastic lures. Australian salmon should be moving into the local beaches along the Surf Coast. Try fresh pilchards just on dusk

have been around the 50cm mark, so you can easily get a good feed. Mako sharks and southern bluefin tuna make up the rest of the offshore excitement with plenty of anglers trolling small skirted lures for tuna and laying long berley trails for sharks. Danny Skene had a cracking day in Barwon Heads last month fishing with Trevor and Natalie Holmes and Darren Brockway. First up, they headed offshore where they caught 40 squid, a stack of pinkie snapper, a couple

and above all, have fun! • Fish HARD – Die Happy! 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 997 348. 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).

Snapper are still a viable target out off Clifton Springs.

Expect the bream fishing to improve during May.

of kingfish and then retreated into the Barwon estuary where they caught around eight mulloway on a red hot bite! That wasn’t enough for Danny so he put his boat in at Clifton Springs and headed out for a night session where he caught a couple of quality snapper. What a day out! Andrew Sertic fished with Darren Green out off Barwon Heads recently. There was a slight easterly and they set about laying a decent berley trail. It wasn’t long before they had hooked up to a feisty mako shark that they

estimated to be about a metre long. Not long after this fish regained its freedom, another larger mako around 2m hooked up and put on a spectacular aerial display leaping clear of the water several times. Twelve year old Bill NunnJoud fished with his dad Khaled Joud out from the Rip in search of kingfish recently. Trolling a hardbodied lure and with a bit of help from dad Bill landed a monster kingfish of 10.55kg! The Barwon River estuary has been producing consistent captures of silver trevally to 40cm from the Ocean

Lochie has the fishing bug! He caught this carp on an after school fishing session.

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May the fish be with you PORT PHILLIP WEST

Andy Smith andy@ebbtidetackle.com

Autumn continues to produce the goods in and around the western half of Melbourne’s waterways. May usually sees the fishing

really fire up and produce plenty of options for anglers. All the signs are pointing that this May is going to be no different. Our autumn has lived up to its tradition of producing quality results from wide and varied locations, with something on offer for all

The super reliable shape of this Squidgy Fish produced the goods on this flathead from Point Cook.

anglers. Generally speaking, there are a couple of clear standout areas. These are the inshore shallow areas of Port Phillip Bay’s western half and also our metropolitan rivers. Also try the ever-consistent shallow reefs and sand flat areas that stretch from Williamstown all the way to Corio Bay. The shallow reefs of Williamstown and also Point Cook are renowned hotspots and probably the two most consistent areas along the western flank of the bay. During May, with plenty of baitfish present in the bay, schools of Australian salmon patrol the reefs. A great area to search is 500-800m wide of the reefs. The salmon will usually hold the outside edge areas to hunt the bay’s baitfish. Have a small metal lure or a soft plastic at the ready. Juvenile snapper hold a little closer along the reefs. The usual blue bait or half pillie is a great way to target them on bait. Soft plastic

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A classic metro bream caught by Jesse Rotin on a Daiwa Wise Minnow in iwana colour from Footscray. paddle-tails are hard to beat, with the ever-reliable curltail a great second option. These two types of plastics are regularly mentioned as they simply continue to produce fish! A huge bonus is the great-eating sand flathead we encounter in Port Phillip Bay also can’t resist these styles. Daiwa pro staff angler Jessie Rotin has had great success recently around Point Cook reporting he has found plenty of great-sized flathead. Fishing soft plastics over reef and mud in 3-8m of water has been the best for Jesse and he noted that bigger fish have been sitting down deep, so make sure you allow the plastic to go all the way to the bottom. ProLure Fishtails in mangrove gold and Squidgy Fish in killer tomato are

Violet Greene caught these fresh King George whiting on pipis.

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MAY 2017

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Get the kids out fishing! Violet and Dallas Greene enjoyed a great trip on the Werribee whiting.

catching Jesse their fair share fished on 1/8-3/8oz jigheads. Jesse also mentioned he has encountered Australian salmon in great numbers, although captures have been sporadic on locations and time with the fish moving around fast. Once found they can offer hours of enjoyment. King George whiting catches further west from Werribee to Point Wilson are still worthwhile, but numbers of fish will generally slow and become less consistent as the temperature drops in the top of the bay. Heading towards Portarlington, St Leonards and Queenscliff will see catches increase over the winter months. Glenn Greene has had a great time lately getting his twins Violet and Dallas out amongst some great eatingsized whiting. Exploring the shallow areas of Wedge Spit in around 2m water depth

proved productive with a range of King George whiting sized from 28-44cm. Glenn mentioned that they used pipis for bait, with the most productive bite period being the last hour before dark then they shut off. Moving towards the rivers, the river mouth transition areas of Williamstown and Hobsons Bay are great options

for a variety of species such as bream, flathead, salmon and trevally. A huge plus is they provide shelter from any southwesterly storm fronts that we receive and the piers around Port Melbourne and St Kilda can fish well in the rough weather. This area is a viable location during the windy periods and still produces good fishing opportunities.

Dallas Greene with a pair of whiting taken just on nightfall.

As winter creeps closer, the winter mulloway season will kick into gear. Initially the fish encountered are usually school-sized fish, but provide great sport and can be taken on a range of lures and baits. These schoolies (also known as soapies) up to 6kg are often a warm up for the upcoming season of bigger fish that have become a winter staple in Melbourne’s fishing calendar. Worm or paddle style soft plastics and small to medium sized metal vibes are great lures to target these fish. Bait anglers always maximise chances with small live baits and if you can’t catch any, a fresh squid strip is a worthwhile secondary option. Moving into the rivers, the quality autumn bream fishing along the edges of the rivers continues. The Maribyrnong River has been a standout from the mouth up to Flemington, with local bream specialists enjoying great catches. Toby McClure was enjoying a great session recently, with a red hot edge bite on small hardbodies along the river edge. Imakatsu Wasp 50s were the standout lure for Toby fished on a twitch and pause style retrieve. Toby mentioned maximising the time in the strike zone with these suspending lures was a cracker technique to encourage a bite from one of the wily resident bream.

THE FUTURE

Les Morrow with a bream from Dynon Road Bridge. Jesse Rotin has also spent plenty of time in the Maribyrnong River enjoying red hot fishing. Jesse reported the river has been firing on all cylinders, with bream moving up on the edges and taking a range of lures. Shallow and medium diving hardbodies have been accounting for the best results for Jesse. When conditions suit, even sight

casting with surface lures was an option. Jesse’s most productive lures have been Daiwa Wise Minnows and Yogiris, fished around structure and the rocks that line the edges of the river. Jesse has had good fishing all the way from the mouth to right up into the upper reaches of the river. Lightly weighted ZMan and ProLure Grubs

have been also working well, especially when the bream are flighty. BEEN FISHING? I’d love to see and hear fishing experiences in the local area! Send through fishing reports and high-resolution photos of your great catches to andy@ebbtidetackle.com with as much detail as you are happy to share.

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Cool water and elbow-slapper snapper time Wayne Friebe wfriebe@bigpond.net.au

While the warmer weather continued through much of autumn, the cooler daytime and night time temperatures arrived with little warning, like someone had flicked a switch and that was that. Even though some warm days were a feature for many during the Easter break, the colder weather is here to stay as we move towards winter once again. With this change in the seasons comes a change in the fishing and

shorter bite windows for many of the bay’s target species. The big plus is that for the most part fishing and especially boating conditions are more favourable. A wide variety of fishing options further afield continue to keep anglers busy away from PPB. Anglers focusing on their local waters have enjoyed great late season snapper fishing, especially out from Mornington and Mount Martha. The peak activity has been centred around deeper areas in 16-20m of water and the most productive times have been around the change of tide and the change of

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Good numbers of quality snapper up to 8kg have been keeping anglers busy off Mornington during the last month. Ryan Knights is happy with his lovely brace of Mornington reds. Photo courtesy of Mark Keaveny. light. When the two factors have been close together, the action has been red hot. This late season snapper run is something that many of the bay’s snapper anglers look forward to, even more so than the early season migration in some cases. Most anglers are currently reporting that time spent on the sounder to locate fish is crucial. The use of fresh bait and frequently changing baits during the session are also important. All of this is Snapper Fishing 101. It’s even more important at this time of year

on the late season snapper. Many of the fish taken recently have been in the 6-8kg size range. Let’s hope they stick around for some time to come, and with the amount of bait in the same area, they just might! The best baits have been fresh garfish and squid, as well as silver whiting and the good old pilchard. Just to even up the ledger a little bit, the landbased snapper anglers have been getting amongst the action as well on the windier days, although not with the same sized fish. They’ve

mostly had 2-4kg fish, but they are responding to fresh baits and peak bite times during the day. Both the land-based and boating anglers have also reported good numbers of whiting and garfish over the past month, so it’s worth being prepared with a lighter outfit or two at the moment. I have noticed big numbers of gars in the shallows, especially around dark, and have been doing very well on the whiting close to twilight too. Whiting have not been in great numbers. They are

making up for this in size with many fish around 40cm. Fresh bait is the key to both whiting and gars. Fresh squid strips and mussels are best for the tasty ‘ting’ and silver fish or maggots are the best pick for gars on a lightly weighted float. Peeled prawn pieces will also do at a pinch, especially when they are busy in the berley trail. Plenty of pinkies have also been reported on the inshore reefs over that past month, although many of them are undersized and can be positively annoying, especially when bait fishing and when targeting whiting. Your best bet is to move spots when the key-ring sized pinkies move in. Fishing soft plastics and even trolled lures on the reefs can be a productive way of getting a bite from the larger more desirable fish, and bait fishing from a drifting boat. The numbers of squid on the inshore reefs have been massive over the last month and seem to be growing as the water gets cooler. Plagues of smaller squid have been holding around the piers and shoreline rocks, especially Mornington Pier. Anglers have been shoulder to shoulder lately. Small green, red and black jigs have been the best bet, but please keep to your bag limit. I have seen and heard of a few cases of anglers going well beyond their limit lately. Patterson lakes and other rivers and creeks along the eastern shoreline have also been producing lovely bream on baits and lures and have also been hotspots for schools of feeding salmon, mullet and other forage species. The odd mulloway has also been reported in the ‘Patto,’ I would expect more to report on this front over the next couple of months.

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The squid fishing for both land-based and boat anglers has been exceptional and should continue for a while.

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Make sure you snap up the late season snapper PORT PHILLIP NORTH

Lee Rayner info@fishingfever.com.au

Cooler mornings and perfect autumn days have made their way into this part of the world. Just to keep us on our toes and let us know that winter is around the corner, the early southerly winds have

this is one of my favourite months of the year to be out on the water in this part of the bay. MORDIALLOC TO BLACK ROCK May sees the creek fish in good form. Big mullet are making their presence felt. Keep an eye out for the local anglers fishing with the long poles and you will soon be where the fish

up in the afternoons. As it rolls into evening, pinkies are turning up in good numbers. During periods of bad weather there is still a very good chance of getting a solid late season snapper. Garfish have been a bit hit and miss on the pier. This month will hopefully see them return in good numbers and there should also be some hungry salmon with them. If pinkies are your target, fishing around dusk will get you better fish, especially if you fish with larger baits of squid strips or whole pilchards. Out in the boats the shallow reefs have been fishing well for a variety of species. The Horse Paddock area through to Parkdale Pinnacles is fishing well for pinkies from 30-45cm. Interestingly, the better reports of bigger fish are from anglers fishing on the inside edge between the reef and the shoreline. These areas have also been fishing well for squid over the past weeks. Anglers have found big schools of garfish, so it’s well worth putting out a fine berley trail. It’s squid time off Beaumaris Pier. Most mornings and afternoons will see plenty of calamari hitting the deck. While most of the squid are on the smaller side, by fishing with larger jigs you will often find a few bigger models. Adding to the pinkies there have been some nice

Snapper are definitely the flavour of the month. These lovelies are turning up all over the bay. been absolute crackers. This month, I’ve got my fingers-crossed for more calm weather, because

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The pinkies being caught lately have been mostly small, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find cracker snapper like this. flathead taken land-based over the past weeks. As always, the big blue spot flathead should turn up for a few months and offer great fishing opportunities out in Beaumaris Bay for both lure and bait anglers. From Ricketts Point to Black Rock the pinkies have been going well and should only get better. While you will often find huge schools of fish in certain areas, these are usually smaller fish. They are great fun, but if you want better quality catches, fish away from the groups of boats and fish with larger baits or soft plastics and you will usually be pleasantly surprised with how big some of the pinkies will be. SANDRINGHAM TO ST KILDA The breakwall and all along the rock groynes at Hampton have been fishing well for juveniles over the past weeks and should only get better. I heard of anglers getting solid whiting while fishing from the sand and casting baits towards the patches of reef that lie just

offshore, especially at the northern end of the beach there at Hampton. Off Green Point the edge of the reef has been holding squid in good numbers for boat and kayak anglers, while further north off Brighton and its surrounds the reefy bottom has been holding very nice pinkies up to and over 40cm. There have been excellent whiting with them, and while the numbers haven’t been great, the overall size of the fish is good with most in the 35-38cm size. Trolling small lures through all these areas has also seen anglers catching stacks of snook in the 50-60cm size, they make good eating when fresh, and are excellent bait, so they’re sure to get a lot of anglers excited. Further north towards St Kilda anglers are finding plenty of pinkies at dawn and dusk. Over the past weeks they seem to be smaller with most of them in the 25-30cm size. Hopefully this will change

over the coming weeks. Adding to the pinkies there have also been good numbers of squid with some kayak anglers reporting that they are doing very well with brown and gold coloured jigs. ST KILDA TO PORT MELBOURNE With the water beginning to cool off the bream are sure to be quite active this month around the breakwalls and moored boats in this part of the world. Anglers fishing the reefy areas in 5-9m are sure to find some quality late season snapper. The best results are going to be for those anglers fishing at night, and it will be worth the effort. In these areas it will also be worth fishing some smaller baits, as there should also be solid whiting in the area too. Up at the cove between Station and Princess piers, this month is a great time to be fishing. Usually we see big schools of pinkies and even bigger snapper move into this bay to feed at night.

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MAY 2017

Don’t be afraid to mix things up this month MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Luke McCredden www.thelongline.net

The weather transition has well and truly hit as the hot days are seemingly behind us and the cooler temperatures start to set in. This isn’t a bad thing for fishing, just for the fishers in some cases. Personally the cool, crisp mornings of autumn and spring are what I love and what set the scene for some really solid fishing. SQUID AND WHITING It’s not only these bread and butter species that are on offer, but why look past them when they are biting the way they are through the April and May periods? Squid and whiting have been a mainstay since the start of 2017, but it’s this time of year when fishing for them can change slightly. Anglers have been enjoying more consistency on the whiting in slightly deeper water than over summer. Depths of 4-6m on gradual drop-offs near channels and sand banks out from Sorrento, Blairgowrie and

even up further toward the heads seem to be holding good fish. It’s all cocktail baits this month! Don’t be afraid to mix up your offering of baits and try the likes of squid, cuttlefish, pipi and mussel. Even a cheeky little bit of pilchard works a treat! When you are setting yourself up, it’s handy to have a couple of running sinker rigs cast out the back corners of the boat about 5m+ with a single size 6 long shank hook. While they are out there doing their thing, dropping a couple of paternoster rigs straight down with a small bomb sinker is a good option. This covers most of the area you’re fishing, because as long as you’re using a berley pot, you’re fishing the direct area near it, and behind it where the flow is dragging that berley trail. Squid have been almost ‘best on ground’ this year! Just when we thought they might back off and give us a bit of a lean period – nope! They haven’t gone anywhere and in fact, in a lot of areas, the bite has

been better and the squid have been bigger than other parts of the year. Why? No idea, but let’s keep enjoying it! In regard to what jigs are standing out, if you have taken notice of the majority of early morning conditions of late, there has been a lot of cloud cover and overcast mornings. This equates to simple jig selections; any dark foils like red, brown, black, blue and cloths ideally with greens and browns. In my experience, cloth colour and pattern isn’t as vital at this time of day in these conditions. Another tip is don’t be afraid to fish bigger jigs than you’d normally be comfortable with. It’s all about your jig being a presence down there! Peninsula anglers have been finding size 3.0 jigs in 2-6m of waterr are doing some damage! PIER SPECIES Another fantastic part of this season is the fact that what I call ‘pier species’, Australian salmon and silver trevally, really come out to play along

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the peninsula. I’d usually include garfish into this category, but I haven’t heard consistent reports of gars. I’m more than happy to be corrected on this and if you have some good reports please feel free to shoot them through! Now is as good a time as any to hit any of the piers or land-based fishing areas along the Mornington Peninsula and set yourself up with light tackle and have some fun. In a nutshell, it can be as simple as a berley log, berley bag, size 6 or 8 circle hook and bait like pilchard, squid, or pipi cut up into small

pieces. Late afternoons and early mornings are the time that many anglers have been enjoying this form of fishing. It’s only going to improve as we move away from the warmth into the chilly mid part of the year. Setting up shop and lowering your berley bag into the calm water around the pier pylons is how you start and some anglers are reporting fish appearing in literally minutes! From here dropping small unweighted baits and letting them drift down with the berley will almost guarantee a bite. So far I have received reports of tommy ruff

(Australian herring) appearing with silver trevally, calamari and salmon and even in places like Blairgowrie Marina. Whiting are popping up too. This is a great mixed bag of fishing for landbased enthusiasts or even weekenders who want a no-fuss fishing session! The standout Mornington Peninsula species at the moment are King George whiting, southern calamari, silver trevally and Australian salmon. An honourable mention goes to yellowtail kingfish for those willing to put in!

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MAY 2017

Whiting and gummies highlight a solid month WESTERN PORT NTH

Adam Ring

‘Steady as she goes’ is the theme for this month’s report. I wouldn’t say the fishing has been outstanding, but it’s far from being horrible. That’s what is keeping a heap of boats piling into the boat ramps of Western Port. Gummies and whiting are the main captures with pinkies and elephant fish also showing their faces.

THE TOP END I will start with the land-based guys and they are showing the way when it comes to catching an elephant fish. Grantville Jetty has welcomed anglers, especially those that are prepared to sit it out during the night, and it’s producing some beautiful elephants. High tide has definitely been the key with half pilchards or strips of squid being the deadly baits. There have also been great elephants coming in

A fantastic Top End gummy.

from Stockyard Point. Low tide is an absolute must, as it requires a bit of a walk down to the water to access the main channel where these fish like to sit and wait for the mud flats to fill with water. Again, pilchards and squid are by far the best baits. There are some really nice gummies right throughout the top end of the port and there seems to be plenty of them! The key to catching them is fresh bait. The port is stacked with salmon, yakkas, slimys and calamari, so no matter where you stop, have a fine surface berley to bring these baitfish right to the back of your boat. Smaller salmon and yakkas are best turned into chunk baits while fishing either a nice strip or tentacle of calamari. This is just irresistible to a passing gummy. Lachie Sheridan was another keen angler who spent some time on the gummies throughout the top end and he was rewarded with an absolute beast! Fresh bait was again the key and his big gummy would have been every bit of 20kg! Kallan Braid-Ball and his mate Thommo have been coming across some massive schools of salmon busting

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Murphy Johnson and his first ever snapper! up just outside of Warneet. He has been getting them by chucking around 25-35g metal lures. Keep this in mind and keep your eyes peeled on the way to your gummy marks, as salmon are exactly the type of fresh bait you want. Local legend Tom has been finding some really nice patches of whiting sitting just off Eagle Rock. They were there soaking some fresh slimy mackerel for a passing gummy when a school of whiting to 45cm started chewing on the gummy baits! You got to

love that. Well played, Tom! THE NORTH ARM One of the cooler reports has come from the North Arm of Western Port this month with a beautiful 87cm yellowtail kingfish taken off Lysaughts. John McInerney was putting in a few hours on the snapper when one of the rods took off. I love it when this sort of stuff happens! After the excitement of this cracker kingy, John pushed on and also ended up taking a couple of nice snapper too! Well done, John, great effort! The Middle Spit is still the place to be if you want

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Chris Rosenbrock with a handful of big Middle Spit whiting.

a solid bag of whiting. Pipi and mussels are great baits. Chris Rosenbrock had a cracker day on the whiting off the Middle Spit recently which resulted in him going home with a couple of handfuls of solid whiting. Most of Chris’ fish went over 40cm and cuttlefish did all of the damage in the bait department. For those that have not tried cuttlefish for whiting bait, you are missing out! They’re becoming easier to find in tackle stores as bait now and we are slowly working out how to consistently catch them. It’s a great bait for all species and whiting just can’t help themselves when a strip of cuttlefish is presented to them. Hastings has been doing its usual ‘spot of all species’ trick with plenty of pinkies and whiting schooling up in the deeper areas. Young five year old Murphy Johnson landed his first ever snapper and the smile on his face says a lot about what he thought of his catch! These are the moments that young fishos in the making never forget. Good on ya Murphy you little legend! It’s going to be very interesting to see what happens in the coming months as we inch closer to cooler weather. I would expect the last little run of nice snapper in the next month and the whiting just simply to refuse to go anywhere, which is great news. Good luck on your next outing and keep those reports coming!

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Sharpen up for shark season WESTERN PORT STH

Jarrod Day jarrodday@iprimus.com.au

It must be gummy shark month. Those fishing the port have been inundated with the opportunistic critters. Although gummy sharks are available to catch throughout the year, during the summer months it’s mainly smaller gummies that are caught. Sure, the odd larger model is caught here and there, but it’s now that you’ll catch fish in excess of 12kg if you’re fishing in the right location. Larger gummy sharks

caught at this time of year tend to be females that enter the port to have their pups before heading offshore again. In general, the fishery for larger gummies is from February until May and right now they are still about. In recent weeks, gummies over 20kg have been caught on a regular basis with the Western Entrance being the top area to find them. The Western Entrance is not an easy location to fish either, due to the force of the current. If you’re planning on a trip to this area, be prepared with the right boating equipment such as the right amount of anchor rope, anchor chain and a good anchor such

as a Sarca. The Western Entrance is full of honey holes that the gummies frequently pass by and it pays to do your research first. Areas like buoys 12, 14, 11, 7 and 5 are great areas to

set anchor and try your luck. If you do drop the pick, don’t up and move after an hour or so, just sit and wait. Gummies continually move throughout the entrance, so when the pick is dropped, expect to sit out a

Young Taj Catterson with a nice hammerhead shark caught recently off Elizabeth Island. Photo courtesy of Matt Catterson.

Heng with his nice gummy shark taken while fishing with Justin recently. Photo courtesy of Justin Blythe.

Justin Blythe displays a cracking gummy shark taken from the beach near Balnarring. Photo courtesy of Justin Blythe.

good five or so hours. Gummy sharks will eat practically anything you offer them. Results show that fresh fillets of salmon, trevally and yakka are best. In saying that, you can’t go past a fresh calamari ring either. Local angler Matt Catterson took his boys, Liam (4yo) and Taj (7yo) out in search of gummy sharks and the fish didn’t disappoint. In

fact, Taj managed a beautiful hammerhead shark. The fish were caught off Elizabeth Island in about 12m on fresh slimy mackerel. There’s always a mixed bag to be caught in the Western Entrance. On one trip, a group of anglers managed some nice gummy sharks followed up by a cracking sevengill shark. It’s important not to lose focus on the whiting yet either. The

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Middle Spit and surrounding areas can produce excellent results. Most of the whiting have been holding a little deeper, but despite it taking a little longer to find them, their size and numbers have been sensational. On most whiting trips catching your bag is common. Pipi and mussel baits work best. The Western Entrance has also been producing some sensational calamari fishing, but at this time of the year, few anglers take advantage of this

fishery. While the calamari are quite scattered throughout the Western Entrance, Ventnor Beach, Flynns Reef, Cat Bay, Flinders and Balnarring are producing plenty. For this time of the year, larger size jigs in the 3.0 and 3.5 sizes are recommended. Drifting is the preferred method. Don’t discount setting anchor and bait fishing for them, as often this is the technique that catches the larger ones. If you are going to bait fish for calamari,

Liam Catterson couldn’t let his brother Taj take all the glory and matched it with a nice gummy shark. Photo courtesy of Matt Catterson.

up in a big way, especially from Flinders to Somers. Many of the beaches along this stretch fish differently, so prior research is required. Local land-based angler Justin Blythe has been out again doing what he does best and

year it is all about catching elephants. This point is a low tide fishery only, but it’s currently producing plenty of elephants and the odd gummy shark. Fishing for elephants from Stockyard requires the use of a surf rod. For best

It’s shark week. These happy anglers caught plenty of nice gummies and this monster giller. Photo courtesy of Shaun Furtiere. head close to a weed bed, set anchor and start a berley trail of mashed pilchards. Then, with a silver whiting on a squid jig suspended a metre under a weighted float, let it sit in the berley trail. Then cast an artificial jig about and you’ll be surprised at what you’ll catch. ELEPHANTS It’s fair to say that the elephants are now on and while you might be out fishing for gummy sharks, whiting or snapper, the elephants won’t be too far away. If you’re after a solid ‘ellie sess’, head to the ‘Corals’ or at least into the Coronet Bay and Rhyll area. This is the habitat they love. With an established berley trial, they’ll sniff it out in no time. Matt Cini recently headed

to the area with Fisheries to conduct some scientific research. In a short amount of time they had enough fish caught and released to satisfy their needs and were reduced down to one rod with the amount that were about. The coming weeks are really going to ramp up even more and while it is early in the season, it’s set to be a cracker. The one thing that anglers tend to do when fishing for elephants is they use too big baits. Elephants have a small mouth so reduce the size of your baits down to just one pipi, a small strip of squid or a half pilchard rigged on a 3/0 circle hook for best results. LAND-BASED OPTIONS During this time of year, the land-based fishing hots

There has been no shortage of whiting about if you’re willing to look. Photo courtesy of Shaun Furtiere. that is catching gummies. Justin recently fished through the night with his mate Heng. Together the boys managed a few cracking gummies from the sand. Stockyard Point is also another popular land-based location and at this time of

results, use a running sinker rig to keep the bait close to the bottom. This really is a top time of the year to be on Western Port. Whether you’re land-based or in a boat, there are plenty of opportunities to off anglers of all levels of experience.

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BOATS FOR SALE Species are ever-increasing on PHILLIP ISLAND

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In the shop we get asked many questions. The one that stands out more than others is, “What could I expect to catch?” It’s a question that is getting more and more difficult to answer and not because the fishing is getting harder, but because it’s getting so much better and the list of species in and around Western Port Bay is ever increasing. We are seeing more baitfish than we have ever seen. This is adding up to quality fish and species that you wouldn’t usually expect to find here. There are obviously days when the fishing isn’t as good as you would like, but that’s normal and it might just be down to some simple fixes. Maybe it’s the wrong place or wrong time, baits and rigs. The best way to fix some of these problems is to go into the local tackle shop, because the ideas you bring with you from elsewhere might not be any good in this area. Western Port Bay is a unique place and can take some major changes to the way you have been fishing to be successful. Most of the action this season has been offshore. Each time you head out, take everything with you and expect anything. The fish that have got everyone excited have been southern bluefin tuna which have shown up in numbers. Back in September last year there was a couple of barrel bluefin caught just outside

Western Port Bay is known for its quality gummies. the Heads. While this was something to take notice of, generally these fish will just follow the food – pilchard schools – and be somewhat of a loner. The bluefin caught over the last few months have been 10-20kg school fish and we have seen some very good pictures of large schools on sounders, which is something to be more excited about. Most of the tuna have been caught off Flinders, but we have had several reports from between the two bay entrances. Small skirted lures in various colours have worked and the same goes for hardbody lures. No one colour is standing out. We have had the odd reports from those who’ve had schools busting up using stickbaits or poppers. The by-catch reports haven’t been too bad either with several very large salmon around 3kg and kingfish, mostly rats. If the

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MAY 2017

Tom McCord caught this 2.2lb, 47cm long redfin at Wimmera.

bluefin aren’t unusual enough, there have been several mac tuna, bonito and even a report of a small black marlin hooked up and lost. As the water cools closer to 16°C over the next few months maybe the tuna fishing will get even better, as it doses further down the coast around Portland. The best advice if heading offshore is expect anything! For those not after the tuna it’s well worth the trip offshore for a feed of flathead. Both the numbers and quality this year are very good. You don’t need to travel too far. Most fish come from inside the 45m line and from Kilcunda to Cape Woolamai. The fish are quick. To get a good bag you will need to concentrate. If you’re on them as soon as your baits hit the bottom, you’ll get a bite. There isn’t a lot of time for a second rod for the flathead anyway. Use your second rod with a big bait strip on a couple of 8/0 snelled hooks for a gummy or sevengill. The couta have thinned out a bit and it isn’t quite so costly to go chasing flathead. The slimies haven’t slowed at all and there is also a mixture of the larger blue mackerel too. For those who head out to catch the silver whiting numbers are good, when you find them. They have been a little difficult due to the amount of couta. If you fish in a bit closer in 25-30m of water you will find better numbers. Unlike last year the whiting have been very hot and cold and for no apparent reason. Even those who have chased whiting around this area for many years are trying to work it out and are catching many more than someone new to the area. The best of the reports have come from in Cleeland Bight below the bridge in the very early morning. One day you’ll bag out and the next few days you’ll hardly lose a bait. Some of my better reports are coming from my kayak customers who are getting better numbers and bigger fish, which may explain something. They are much

quieter than a boat engine. Several customers have told me that the whiting are taking baits like it was their first food for days, hitting very hard. Circle hooks are coming into their own. There have been a lot of couta and plenty of pike around, which might explain why the whiting are so flighty and aggressive. It’s not a lack of whiting in the bay, because if you were to name an area for whiting, I could tell you a day when they were caught there. It’s like they are more concerned about their own safety than food. Juvenile snapper have done a bit of a Houdini act and disappeared, which is expected even though they hung around a lot longer than previous years. The end of the pinkies generally signals the start of the elephant fish and we still have the possibility of a late autumn run of pinkies. If we do, traditionally it’s short. Elephant fish reports have been a little slow. With so much action offshore, the bay has been empty of boats on the better days. I have had more reports from land-based fishers of elephants than the boating ones. The same is for the gummies with very few people spending the night on the water in favour of putting in a full day offshore. The best gummies reported have come from the channel off French Island between Tortoise Head and Elizabeth Island. There are plenty of small undersized ones on the corals, but very few that are legal size. Winter is approaching and I hear the same thing from many customers at this time of the year. It’s time to reduce the insurance and put the boat into storage. While winter can bring some of the worse weather it can also bring some of the best days, just a bit colder. It also brings some of the better fishing for table fish, gummies, flathead, whiting and for those who like their salmon. It’s also a good time to spend try out a new sounder and GPS looking for new ground to fish. And it’s 100% better for you than sitting on the couch all weekend.

Hot Spot

Hazelwood Pondage CRANBOURNE

Mitch Chapman

After years of talk, speculation, and wondering, it was done. Victoria got its first-ever barra sports fishery. The iconic sportfish known for being in waterways a little bit north of Melbourne can now be targeted and caught only a short one hour drive from Cranbourne. This is such a special fishery and everything needs to be done to keep this going for years to come, as we will never get an opportunity like this again. What this has done for the surrounding towns in such a short period of time has been so important for the community, that if it were to establish itself for the long run, then look out. People from all over the world will travel to the quiet town of a Morwell hoping to tangle with the barra of the south. PRIME TIME As the pondage has only been open for fishing for a few months, it seems so far that anytime you can get down there is the best time

Will Thompson in Traralgon with one of eight fish caught over a couple hours after work rolling plastics. magical 1m mark, so 20-30lb braid and 30-50lb leaders are a must. We have already been roasted on a few big fish on 30lb. BAIT AND LURES Just like fishing up north, the barra here love hardbodied lures and soft plastics. Deep divers have caught their fair share of fish. A 4 or 5” paddletail plastic on a strong 1/4oz jighead is a must. The barra, no matter what size, will make short work of your gear if it’s not suitable. BEST METHOD Working the rockwalls

Quality fish like this are on offer for those that put in the work. It won’t be long until they are pushing a metre in length. Let’s hope they make it. to fish. With the warm water from the power station that was getting pumped into the lake, the water held a good hot temperature, making it prime time all the time. Now that the power station is off, the warmer months will be the best, as the barra like the heat and warmth. Hopefully the lake holds enough temperature over winter for them to survive. If not, something needs to be done now by the powers that be, to give this fishery the best chance of survival. THE GEAR Both bait cast and spin outfits work well and can be used here, and 6-12lb and 10-20lb spin rods like the NS Amped range are perfect. Spool them with 20lb braid on a 3000 sized outfit then you have the perfect barra outfit that can double up as a snapper outfit. THE RIG You can’t fish too light in here as there are already fish pushing 10kg and 85-90cm in length. The growth rate on these fish is phenomenal. In six months’ time we should be catching fish close to the

and the drop-offs with lures and plastics is the best way to target the fish in the pondage. Remember to work an area thoroughly as they can be pretty tricky to tempt. Fishing surface lures in low light conditions is by far the most exciting way to fish. It gets the heart and senses going, especially if you fish in the dark and can’t see anything.

MOTHER NATURE There is a bag limit of one fish per person, but this special fishery is more a sports fishery than a meat fishery. It’s one of a kind and we will never have another place like it, so let’s give it the best chance and practise catch and release. Once these fish are gone, there is a chance we’ll never see this again. HOT TIP The use of a good quality sounder helps a lot to locate schools of fish. Once they are found it may take one cast or could take 100 casts. Just work those fish and don’t give up. They can be stubborn and take a bit of work to get a bite but it’s all worth the effort when you slide an 80cm fish into the net. As I have mentioned, Hazelwood Pondage is a one of a kind fishery and we have been so lucky to have this in our state and on our doorstep. Hats off must go to the people involved in getting this up and running. Now we need to do whatever needs to be done to keep it going for the future. So far it has brought so much money and people to the townships of Morwell, Traralgon and surrounding towns. This fishery will only bring in more for the community if it’s an ongoing thing. How good is it saying that we have barra in the state of Victoria? Let’s hope we can continue to say this for years to come.

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A quality sounder can pick up individual fish. As you can see there are some pretty big barra about. If you look hard enough you can see the shape of the fish. MAY 2017

Fishing mistakes: Looking at the one percenters PART 3 BRISBANE

Sean Thompson

In the final instalment of this series, we’ll be looking at bait and lure presentation, and the other little one

save you money, but it can also be a heap of fun too! For tips on catching a variety of baits, check out my July 2015 article in QFM on bait collection tips, tricks and tools, which is available online. When presenting baits, make sure the point of your

Peter Phelps has ticked two boxes here: the natural colour in the clear water covers sight, and the noisy rattle of the lipless crankbait covers sound. percenters that give us an edge when we’re out on the water. This is an area often overlooked by anglers, but in reality it can make all the difference. BAIT PRESENTATION The old adage that fresh is best is very applicable to bait fishing. What is also important is how the bait is presented on the hook so it looks as natural as possible. Unfortunately, some anglers mistakenly think they are in with a good chance of a few fish when they throw out huge globs of frozen squid (or similar) on their hook or toss out prawns that go increasingly black as they leave them in the sun beside their bucket. Alternatively, some anglers may go to the trouble of catching live bait (or even buying it) like live worms or yabbies, but they then present it in such a way that it either flies off the hook during the cast or sits unnaturally in a ball at the bottom of the hook. To maximise your chances of success when bait fishing, anglers should use live baits, or very fresh or quality frozen baits. Catching live baits can not only be productive and

hook is exposed and the bait lies naturally along it. For live worms, this means you should thread the worm up

funnier moments I’ve had fishing was when I went fishing with a mate for trout once near Goulbourn, NSW. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him tie on a Wonder Wobbler, cast it out, then sit down and have a beer. After a couple of minutes when I realised he wasn’t going to retrieve it. I asked “Aren’t you going to retrieve that back through the water?” he answered with, “You mean I have to retrieve it?” It cracked me up at the time, but seeing similar incidents since then has made me realise we shouldn’t assume that everyone knows what to do with a lure! Another mistake I have seen involves anglers using the wrong lures for the area they are fishing, or the fish they are chasing. If I see this, I will always offer some words of advice, as it saddens me to think that businesses are happy to sell them lures, but not explain where or how to use them. It is another reason that anglers should do their research before handing over

When the water turns brown, anglers can’t expect to use the same techniques to get the same results they achieved in clear water. and over the eye of the hook and present it straight, leaving 1-2cm dangling off the end. For bigger baits like tailor slabs off the beach, snooding two hooks is a good option to keep the bait straight. Baits such as a live prawn, shrimp or even a pilchard tail can also be presented neater and stop them flying off or tearing by tying a half hitch around the bait. LURE PRESENTATION Probably one of the

their hard-earned cash. Once again, presentation is critical when lure fishing, probably even more so than bait fishing. Anglers who hurriedly put their soft plastic tails on that are so bent they are almost at right angles to the hook, should not expect the fish to jump on their hooks. Likewise, anglers using hardbody lures need to check if the lure tracks straight in the water first before casting it out or trolling it. At times, the bib can move slightly off centre and cause the lure to swim to one side. This can easily be corrected by ‘tuning’ the tow point of the lure with a pair of pliers by bending it the opposite direction to which it is swimming, i.e. if the lure runs left, bend the tow point to the right. SIGHT, SCENTS AND SOUNDS How fish react to movement, smells and noise is probably one area where the fishing fraternity is still learning. What we do know is that fish tend to perceive When the sweep and swell is too big, fish like Australian ‘good’ (potential food source) and ‘bad’ (danger) signals from salmon will enter river mouths chasing baitfish. 36

MAY 2017

Setting a rod, low and flat to the water will mean less resistance to fish like whiting and bream. what they see, smell and hear. Sights While we still have a lot to learn about what fish see, we do know that fish use their eyes to spot and chase their prey and can also differentiate between colours in clear, shallow water. This means two key things for anglers, we want to avoid the fish spotting us, and we want to think about what the right colour lures to suit the water colour. I think it would be fair to say that there would be very few saltwater anglers that have not seen the puff of mud or sand and the blur of a flathead speeding off into the distance after they have spooked them at the waters edge or while wading. What anglers don’t realise is they have quite likely spooked other species of fish close to the shore over the years that they didn’t even see. Whiting are one species that will feed right on the edge of the shore where waves from a small inner gutter are breaking right on the sand. Trout will also feed right on the water’s edge, particularly at night when the water is rising over new ground exposing new food sources. For this reason, anglers chasing such fish should approach the shore cautiously and even throw their first casts 10-15m back from the water’s edge. After you have worked the edge of the shore, you can then move a bit closer to cast a little further out. Once you are in the water and wading in an estuary or a lake, you want to move very slowly so as not to splash or thump the bottom and spook the fish. Lure colours and accessories When it comes to

choosing lure colours, I’ve heard skeptical anglers claim a tackle shop is just trying to sell them more lures when they suggest different lure colours for different water conditions. I believe you should carry a few different colours according to the water conditions. Basically, natural or clear colours are best for clear water, while at the other end of the spectrum, fluorescent lures are better in dirty water while dark colours like dark blue, black or purple lures will present a silhouette if fished in very dirty water or at night. A couple of coloured accessories can also help the fish spot your bait. This includes the addition of red tubing or beads just above your hook for whiting, and

adding a small green glowbead just above your hook and charging it up with a light source for fishing at night. Berley Using berley off a boat, wharf, rockwall or from the shore of a beach or estuary is a great option, provided it is done the right way. The scent of the oils and sight of the berley can bring fish to you. Unfortunately though, anglers can make the mistake of too much berley, or use it in that in such a way it takes the fish away from you. For example, I’ve seen boat anglers on an artificial reef throwing out pilchard pieces or handfuls of mashed berley during the middle stages of the tide, only to see it drift past us well down current and still floating near the top of the water. They not only didn’t catch fish, but we had to move as well as it took our fish away with it. The other thing that can happen is that anglers throw out berley intermittently resulting in a ‘broken trail’, and once again lose any fish it might have attracted. A better option during the mid stage time of the tide is to use a berley bucket or cage and anchor it on the bottom near your boat, or stake it to

Yabbies (with their colour and smell) and bright red tubing above the hook accounted for this nice whiting in discoloured water.

‘Set and forget’ can be good, or bad, depending on what species you’re targeting.

the beach and let the waves roll it around and disperse the berley close to shore. During the slower periods of the tide you can throw out handfuls of berley, but make sure it is a consistent stream. Start with a couple of handfuls and then throw some more out every few minutes. Discoloured water To be a successful angler you need to think like a fish. That includes thinking about where fish might be at a certain stage of the tide, or, where they go when conditions change due to a change in water temperature or water colour. This means that just because you might have got a nice catch of bream on yabbies near some sunken timber in your local estuary one day, it doesn’t mean that will catch them on the same bait in a couple of days time after there has been a major downpour that has discoloured the water. If the fish can’t see their potential food source, they need to sense it by some other means and this includes smell. Therefore, in times where the water is dirty, be it an estuary, dam or river, anglers need to adapt their baits accordingly as they should lure colour. Oily fish baits, or baits marinated in tuna oil can really come into their own in these circumstances. Good and bad smells Transferring unnatural smells onto baits and lures is another in the fishing mistakes category that anglers don’t even realise they are making. Catching fish can be hard at times, so it is important that we give ourselves every chance to maximise success, and that includes not transferring unnatural smells onto our baits and lures. Before you touch a bait or lure, make sure you wash your hands well after applying sunscreen; filling the car, 4WD or boat up with fuel; or after having a cigarette. Better still, you can apply one of the many fishing scents now on the market to the bait and your finger tips, or sacrifice one of your baits by squishing it and rubbing it over your finger tips and hands. You then simply wash your hands in the water and dry them on a rag so you don’t make your rod and reel handle greasy from the oils. I first started using scents 20 years ago when fishing for trout with bardi grubs at Lake

Jindabyne and Eucambene. Halco Freshwater Catch Scent was especially designed for freshwater fishing and was said to attract trout to your bait from the oils and scent it permeated. Interestingly, despite using the same rigs, bait and tackle as my mates fishing side by side with me, my results using the scent were consistently better. The cause, my mates claimed, was my use of ‘cheat bait’. Unperturbed by this sledging, I continued to use it and despite some stubborn resistance, my mates evidentially joined the fold! It works! I now also use scents, such as Pro-Cure and S-Factor on all my lures, whether they are soft plastic, hardbodies or metal vibes. My reasoning is that it masks the unnatural smells mentioned above such as sunscreen. Further, I find especially with soft plastics, that fish such as bream and flathead will come back for a second or third hit on the plastic covered in scent with much more consistently than fishing without them. There are also scents such as Ultrabite, which is said to contain fish pheromones and stimulate fish to feed. I’m not sure about the validity of those claims, but I have used it on my lures and in my berley and it does seem to be effective. Noise I have seen and heard all too often well intentioned anglers giving clear instructions to fellow anglers to keep their voices down and the radio volume low or “it will spook the fish”. Yet these same anglers will bang about on the bottom of their aluminium boat to get the anchor out, throw around gear (such as steel yabby pumps) or otherwise move about clumsily or noisily. Once located, they will then give the anchor and chain an almighty swing and toss into the distance that even a champion rodeo cowboy would be proud of! Once the anchor is down, they will then toss out a bait with a lump of lead that could almost act as an anchor for the boat, which of course causes another almighty splash. Another mistake I see boat anglers (including more experienced anglers) make quite regularly is ignoring the impact of the noise of the motor on the fish. All too often I see them roaring up at full

The ‘set and forget’ technique can work in calm water of estuaries but protect your spinning reels from the sand.

speed to their desired location having scared off any fish in the immediate location. A better option is to slow down when you are within about 50m of your spot, and if you have an electric motor, use that for the last 10-20m or so. Similarly, I see anglers who are drifting over a spot, return to the start of their drift by motoring directly over the water they are about to start drifting again. A far better option is to swing around in a wide arc and again slow right down as you approach the start of the drift. From the shore, I’ve seen fellow trout anglers get up before the crack of dawn, drive their vehicle right down to the lakes edge then thump about setting up their rod and chairs inches from the shoreline.

When fishing for small fish, like whiting, it makes sense to use a small presentation like this. a holder in an estuary, lake or calm water flats, keep the rod low and parallel to the water, allowing fish like whiting, flathead or freshwater species to take the bait and run and thus

Make sure your bait sits naturally on the hook with the point exposed. After a while, they then look across and ask each other why my mates and I seem to be catching fish only 20m away while they haven’t got a touch in the first hour of their arrival. I have also experienced first hand the effect of anglers wading very noisily on the flats either between locations or making their way back to shore to land a fish from the flats. When they get to their desired spot, often next to their disgruntled mate who they have ‘claim jumped’ they then wonder why neither they nor their mate (who was catching fish consistently), can now not get a bite! The answer lies in the fact that fish can hear and feel sounds whether they come from above or below the water (including vibrations from the water’s edge). So keep the music down, tread softly and move about in your boat as quietly as possible! TECHNIQUES Finally, there are a couple of fishing techniques that I see some anglers adopt that can cost them fish. The first is the ‘set and forget’ technique with rods. While placing your rod vertically in a holder off the beach can make sense to keep your line above the first breakers and stop it getting washed in, it can also help hook fish that hit the bait hard like tailor and salmon. However, it is not always the best technique to use for all species yet I see it all the time. When setting your rod in

not feel the resistance of an upright rod. Switched on trout anglers also use baitrunner reels or open the bail arm of their reel and lightly bluetac the line to the rod so the fish can pick up the bait and feel little resistance as they move off with it. Secondly, sweep from the beach can be an area that frustrates anglers to no end, having their lines washed sideways into other anglers lines or into the shore. In such conditions, anglers should ditch ball sinkers for star or breakaway sinkers to get a better hold. Sometimes even this doesn’t work so it is then best to move along the gutter or channel until you find a rip, where the sweep is dragging water out to sea. From here you want to fish the side

opposite to where the sweep is running out to sea. You will find this area much easier to fish with much less sweep. SUMMING UP So there you go! Fishing is a fantastic pastime and can be very rewarding and relaxing. But it can also be frustrating if you keep losing, or not catching fish and not understand why. I hope these tips and tricks help you catch more fish and learn from your mistakes. I hope it also encourages you to keep learning more from time on the water, with guides or reading magazines and books. For more tips, reports and giveaways, check out my Facebook page, w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / ontourfishingaustralia. Until next month, bag your mates – not your limit!

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News

Lowrance gearing up to celebrate 60th Anniversary Lowrance, a world-leader in fishing electronics since 1957 — is celebrating its 60th Anniversary. Over six decades this brand has built a reputation for product innovation, and has supported professional anglers around the globe and dominated the tournament trail. Founded by Darrell J. Lowrance, the company revolutionized the fishing industry with the design and manufacture of the original FISH LO-K-TOR – the first transistorized sonar product to display individual fish and show their depths. The FISH LO-K-TOR is one of the most popular fishfinders ever created, with over a million sold from 1959 to 1984. Over its long history, Lowrance continued to break new ground in marine electronics and is credited with introducing the first sonar unit to include a micro-processor; patenting a low-profile Skimmer transducer capable of high performance at boat speeds up to 70 mph; introducing the world’s first handheld GPS for under $500; developing the world’s first LCD product with integrated GPS, mapping and sonar capabilities; and patenting a sonar system with an interactive display. Today, Lowrance continues to push the envelope. Recent innovations include the award-winning StructureScan 3D, SideScan and DownScan Imaging, independent dual channel CHIRP sonar, StructureMap, Broadband Radar and SiriusXM Weather Chart Overlay. The company’s current line of multifunction displays and fishfinders range from the affordable and reliable Hook series, to the standalone Elite-Ti series to the full-feature HDS series. Coming a long way from the days of the FISH LO-K-TOR, the company’s latest release,

the revolutionary HDS Carbon series, adds a highperformance dual core processor, multi-touch SolarMAX HD screen, dual channel CHIRP and Network Dual Sounder to the proven features that have made HDS multifunction displays the choice of anglers at all levels around the world. The first and longestrunning sponsor (47 years) of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), Lowrance anglers have won the last five Bassmaster Classics, and more competitors fishing the B.A.S.S. tournament trail continue to use Lowrance than any other brand. Lowrance is also the official electronics sponsor of Major League Fishing (MLF) and FLW Outdoors. “We are so proud of every moment, every new development and the millions of Lowrance

customers who have become life-long friends along our 60-year journey,” said Leif Ottosson, CEO, Navico. “We put our customers first, and that has been the key to our longevity. We will continue to innovate. We will continue to streamline our products to offer even more exciting features and make them easier to use. That is a promise made in 1957 and that is a promise we continue to make today.” At events throughout the year, Lowrance will offer clothing and gear emblazoned with a 60th anniversary logo, host contests and giveaways on social media, and distribute a commemorative 2017 master catalogue. For more information on the entire Lowrance line of marine electronics visit www.lowrance.com/ en-au. - Navico

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MAY 2017

Sight fishing for bream in clean salty water GIPPSLAND LAKES

Brett Geddes b.geddes@bigpond.com

It’s the ultimate in bream fishing when you can watch fish and their every move while catching them. It can also be frustrating to see them ignore everything you put in front of them! With no significant rain for nearly three months now, the Gippy Lakes are in prime condition for bream and flathead sport. Sadly the kingfish have stayed rather elusive

method was to get out of the kayak and work the jetties on foot. I walked up very slowly and approached each jetty almost on hands and knees. Big bream were so easy to see just milling around close to structure or under boats and I had to try and cast to them before they could see me. I used mostly unweighted 2” plastics, which are light and hard to cast accurately. It’s fair to say I spooked a lot of bream and most of the cranky buggers would follow but refuse to eat. Gradually I worked them

hooking one or two big bream from about every second jetty. It was a little slow going, but so rewarding. I quickly learnt that once a bream was hooked most of the other fish would shut down, so quickly moving to new jetties was a must. In fact when you leave a jetty and look back into the water, the bream disappear into the depths. They are smart and evasive fish. This only adds to the challenge and reward. On the last morning my partner Leanne joined me for some stealthy jetty

Plenty of medium sized bream have been taking bent minnow lures like the Switch 66. Early morning is the best time to get some surface action.

Blades are starting to account for a lot more bream. This Sting 37 in cracked black colour has hooked lots of bream and just about lost all of its paint. except for a few down near Lakes Entrance. Tailor, big trevally and juvenile snapper are still thick from Metung to Kalimna. First up I want to talk about fishing jetties land-based. BREAM AROUND THE JETTIES April and May every year see bream feeding high in the water. They’re easy to find around jetty pylons and tucked right up under boat hulls. I’ve just spent four days at Paynesville targeting all the moorings in Newlands, Duck Arm and particularly Paynesville and Raymond Island. I found the best

out and starting hauling in some ripper models from 35-43cm. I had to work up to 10lb leaders because 6 and 8lb line were no match for the mussel coated pylons. The only downfall of fishing jetties on foot is that you are fighting big bream right in amongst the structure, unlike in a boat or yak, pulling them away from danger. The upside is that you can sight fish to big bream and watch them, learn from them and adapt your retrieve by their every positive or negative reaction. Eventually I was

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work and we saw hundreds of bream in all sizes. We fished over a dozen jetties and even caught the ferry across to Raymond Island. She was so keen to get her first bream on a lure but after five hours and her pulling out of four good fish, we threw in the towel! I only landed two but was so proud of her perseverance. It’s a tough gig not meant for all. Jetty bashing is quite intriguing when you can see every fish you cast to and often gut-wrenching, because you also see bream panic then run and hide with just the slightest movement of your lure. We bumped into a savvy local bait angler. Andrew was dropping unweighted prawns around these fish and pulling up some impressive bream to 42cm. In the weeks ahead I can’t help but think live shrimp would be an even deadlier bait to work the jetties with. BENT MINNOWS ON THE SURFACE I teamed up with Mickey Dee on the Mitchell

River recently and we threw Switch 66 surface lures at first light. We landed five small bream and missed as many before sunrise. Soon after we had to use blades and soft plastics to put a modest tally of 16 bream together before we gave up at lunchtime. The next day I joined Justin ‘Dinga’ Dingwall on the Nicholson and we threw bents once again before sunrise. I had two big boils under my lure and missed a bream hook up after a noisy slurp. Dinga watched my near misses while rigging up and then nailed a 28cm bream with his first cast and first twitch of the bent minnow. I hate it when he does that! As far as surface action that was it for both of us. We then peddled the kayaks about 5km upstream that day and

although we only caught a handful of bream each at least, a few went 40-42cm. We had to eventually fish light weighted small plastics to get them chewing after they totally refused hardbody lures. Once again we saw hundreds of bream of all sizes in the super clean salty water. None were really in the mood for eating. Slow frustrating action and cranky shut down bream have been common for most of the last four weeks or so. I’ve had a dozen or more other keen bait and lure anglers reporting the same. Probably the most success was with anglers using hardbody lures out on the Mitchell or Nicho flats or at the mouth of the Tambo when the wind started pushing a few waves up. Bream get lockjaw at times

when conditions are calm. BLADE TIME Looking ahead I’m certain the bream action will start to fire up big time. Of course it will! I’m an ever-optimistic, hopeful and positive angler, just like you! It better improve, because I’m running real low on hair to pull out. The good news is that bream are starting to head into deep water and these fish are typically not as fussy with lures or bait. A few of us have finally scored some big bream to 44cm on blades in water from 3-4m in depth, especially using Sting 37 blades in any of its black coloured types. Hotspots at the moment, and certainly into this month, include Hollands Landing and the lower Tambo or Mitchell rivers.

This 51cm rainbow trout was caught by Cooper New on a 5.0 Redfin Bullet lure at Lake Wendouree.

So quiet on the water MARLO

Jim McClymont mcclymont@net-tech.com.au

For the first time in several months I have to report the fishing is not as good as in previous reports. As the water cools the fishing is quietening off. Bream seem

to be patchy. Some anglers are getting their bag and others are reporting getting very few to take home. Some anglers suggest that the bream have moved up the rivers and they have been getting good bags using sandworms, black crabs or live prawns fishing from the river bank. There

have been reports of good bream captures down at Frenchs Narrows on frozen prawns. Most bream are over 36cm. For the angler targeting luderick, it’s another matter. Schools of big luderick are throughout the whole system with anglers reporting many over 40cm and several a lot

Jess and Harry caught four kings over a metre off Cape Conran.

Kingfish have been harder to come by, but Jess is still pulling them in. FISHING FILL-ITS

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to view on your computer. Login to Lakebook, choose your locations, then click on specific spots for depth and GPS data, plus exact distance measurements. You can also download your raw data from Lakebook. You’ll get GPS coordinates plus depth readings, which you can then upload to other mapping programmes and apps. Best of all, your maps are always accessible, even if something happens to your phone. Here’s how it works: Go to maps.deepersonar.com, login using Facebook, Google+ or the username and password you use for the Deeper app then choose a map from the menu on the left. To print,

just press ctrl+P (cmd+P on a Mac), or click ‘Download’ at the top of the menu to get your raw data. If some of your maps are missing, don’t worry. You can manually upload data through the app. Just go to the history menu and click ‘Initiate Upload.’ A few words about your data We understand how important your data security is. That’s why you can only access your own secure data on Lakebook. No other Deeper users have access to your data. If you have questions about how your data is used, please go to our support page or contact our support team at http://support.deeper. eu/. – Deeper

bigger. The best results have been fishing the mud banks and rock groins along the river banks and the islands using sandworms. Golden eye mullet are still in good numbers throughout most of the system. The best results come from using a paternoster rig baited with sandworms. Plenty of salmon and tailor are taking metal lures down towards the entrance. Prawns are still here and most seem to be bait size. They can be found on the sand flats that run from the Marlo Jetty all the way down to Frenchs

Narrows. Dusky flathead can be found in the same area preying on the prawns. The surf beaches seem to fish well all year round with big schools of salmon and tailor patrolling our coastline. As well as salmon and tailor, anglers have reported getting plenty of decent mullet, flathead and gummy sharks. The best results come using surf rods baited with blue bait, white bait, squid, pilchards, fresh fillets, pipis and accompanied with a popper, or spinning with metal lures. Fishing offshore,

weather permitting, has also slowed. Kingfish are either in smaller numbers or just harder to capture. In saying that, anglers have been getting a few on both Tamboon Reef and Marlo Reef using knife jigs, flutter jigs, hardbodied diving lures, surface lures, poppers, soft plastic lures and live baits. With the pelagics slowing down anglers are targeting the local fishery. There are plenty of flathead, gurnard, barracouta, juvenile snapper, morwong, blue head wrasse, salmon and gummy sharks here all year long.

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Salmon and tailor schools back in for a term LAKES ENTRANCE

Steven Pryke

Over the past month the weather has changed and colder days have gradually brought the lake’s water temperature down. Massive whitebait schools have turned up and schools of Australian salmon and tailor have followed. LAKES ENTRANCE Recently huge schools of whitebait have moved into the lake system bringing with them large numbers of Australian salmon, tailor and silver trevally. Areas such as Bullock Island have been extremely productive with anglers flocking to the island nearly every day in search. Consistent success has come from spinning with a 15-20g metals that imitate a panic stricken baitfish. A major key to success is to target these areas around the start of run-out tide and through the whole tidal cycle. The run-out tide forces whitebait and other food sources out into the channels and towards the entrance and Bullock Island. This is where salmon and other species have been hiding in wait for

bait schools to cruise past in the tide. LAKE TYERS The lake is fishing consistently with better

results coming from further up in the system where steep rocky and timbered edges provide plenty of cover and food for hunting fish. I have

usually comes from studying your fish finder and learning what active school fish look like. For those who don’t know what active fish

Tailor and Australian salmon are following the whitebait schools.

This juvenile trevally fell for a brightly coloured paddle-tail.

Rug up and settle in for some cold water action.

experienced a consistent season around areas such as the power lines and the island. Lures such as the Lucky Craft Bevy Shad and Berkley Sandworm have been extremely productive fished tight to cover. Casting is key when fishing these densely timber covered edges. Casting makes a huge difference. Being able to put your lure or bait into areas where other anglers simply can’t reach will usually give the best results for size and numbers. With the lake’s water temperature beginning to cool we should see large schools of bream and other species moving throughout the main lake and the higher reaches of the Nowa Nowa Arm. A quality depth sounder will become invaluable and make the search for these fish a lot easier. It’s just up to you to figure out a bait or lure that will get the job done. Consistent success

look like, school fish that are slightly scattered and suspended throughout the water column are generally active. When you see fish tightly fixed to the bottom

MAY 2017

a fish lately and have a great pic, please send it to stevenprykefishing@ gmail.com with a short description and you could be in the next edition of Fishing Monthly.

The bream are coming on strong this month and paying attention to your sounder can be the key to success.

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it generally means that they are resting or shut down and are usually hard to get to bite from. HAVE YOU BEEN FISHING? • If you have been out for

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Changing weather means changing water MCLOUGHLINS

Will Thompson

hitting the 40cm mark. They can be caught on pipis, squid or fresh pieces

of salmon, slimy mackerel or tailor. Gummy sharks have

allwaysangling@bigpond.com

It was a great summer of fishing and now we are on the other side of it. The water temperature is changing and so are the species. At McLoughlins the entrance has become very unsafe over the past few months. It’s now going hard to the left making safe passage tough on rough days. If you’re going to go offshore, take great caution. For this reason a lot of anglers are opting to just fish inside. The whiting are going good and are taking pipis and squid strips in around 3m of water. There are still stacks of big flathead inside and they should continue for the start of this month, unless we have a big temperature drop beforehand. PORT ALBERT The whiting have slowed down a little bit for some reason, but there are still tonnes of juvenile snapper inside with a few

Zander Barnes with a decent gummy caught in 20m of water on squid.

been going really well with the Snake Channel producing plenty to around the metre mark. Fishing close to the tide change seems to be producing the most as well. There are some good gummies on the drift in Whale Bay and out the front of Manns Beach. With plenty of bait out there, like slimy mackerel and yakkas, it’s worth trying to get some fresh bait for the gummies. Offshore has been fantastic fishing with plenty of pinky snapper to 45cm being caught on the reefs in 24-30m and in shallower near Rabbit Island. There are still kingfish offshore around the islands being caught trolling small skirted lures and jigging knife jigs. Hopefully they hang around for another month yet, which is probable due to the late season we are having. • For more information, contact Will at Allways Angling in Traralgon on 5174 8544. You will get expert advice and great deals on fishing bait and tackle.

Ryder Thompson with a nice gummy caught during the run-out tide on salmon fillet.

Fresh baits are winning mates BEMM RIVER

Robyn Sturgess

Anglers have had to work hard in the past few weeks for their catch. The easterly wind has been whipping up of an afternoon, so early morning has been the ideal time for fishing. Frozen prawns have been good for bait in addition to slices of pilchard. Some of the anglers have been bringing sandworms with them and this has also been a winner. The entrance recently remained closed so the water level is ideal to access most areas. Over the past few months there have been reports of

Yellowfin bream are still an option this month.

There are plenty of tailor about.

whiting around the weed beds and down the channel. There are still yellowfin bream to be taken and they appear to be enjoying the larger peeled prawns. There are plenty of tailor about. When it has been possible to access the surf beaches, large salmon have been abundant. One salmon reportedly weighed 4.5kg. This is great fun on light gear. The river has been quiet, although at the mouth and towards Swan Lake along the reeds has been fishing very well. • For up to date reports, please view the fishing report on our website, or alternatively, our Bemm River Holiday Accommodation and Boat Hire Facebook page.

Early morning has been an ideal time to get out for a fish. MAY 2017

Golden fins bringing anglers in BERMAGUI

A U S T R A L I A

Darren Redman djsxstreamfishing@bigpond.com

Margay 2017

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Pilgrimages have been a part of human life around the world for ages and for decades now, an annual journey has been made to Bermagui. Anglers from all around the country and overseas come to our shores in pursuit of the golden fins of the mighty yellowfin tuna and what else may be on offer. This season has shaped up to be one of the best in years with even the smaller tunas being around in good numbers through the warmer months. The smaller striped tuna have been the mainstay through these warmer months and when this occurs the larger tuna will follow. Already plenty of mid-range albacore are starting to show along with the mighty yellowfin. Recently, most fish are being taken on the troll with

nearby. Berley heavy with tuna frames if you want a shark, as makos will respond to this along with tigers, blues or whaler sharks. Staying out at sea, the table fishing is excellent. Snapper are increasing in numbers by the day. Most of the reefs now have these fish around them providing good angling. The pick of them have been to the south of Goalen Head. There are plenty of morwong to be had as well as a mixture of other species. Outwide around the 12-Mile you can expect a few of those Tassie trumpeters from these deeper reefs. Don’t forget about Montague Island, as there is plenty of action there. Kingies have been in good numbers most of the season, although at times some weeding is necessary to find the larger fish. Bonito are also there to be found and can easily be taken on the troll. Out from nearly all the beaches you find plenty of

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MAY 2017

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a variety of lures working. This method allows anglers to target a variety of species including any late season marlin that are still around. It shouldn’t be long before these fish start responding to berley trails. Cubing is a popular form of targeting tuna. With motors turned off on a calm sea, this is the best way to experience the true beauty of the ocean, until the scream of a reel rocks you back into reality and exactly what you’re out there for. Once hooked up, be prepared. This is where you prove yourself. Over the years I have seen many a grown man brought to their knees with these great fish, mainly due to the lack of technique. Most anglers believe strength is the way to beat a giant tuna, whereas short powerful strokes leading the fish will beat a tuna quicker. Along with the yellowfin, expect others like albacore big-eye tuna. You can be sure wherever there is tuna, a mako shark will be

sand flathead lurking around to fill anglers’ bags. Mixed in have been some lovely gummy sharks, mainly around the moon, but expect

they may turn up at any stage. Red gurnard will also feature in the catch and make excellent table fare. On the beaches, there is fun to be had with plenty of salmon around to keep you occupied. They will take lures or bait. Lures will give you the freedom to explore more. This has been one of the best seasons for whiting whether on the beach or in the estuary. Most of the beaches have good numbers, as do the rivers and lakes. Up in the estuary systems things are starting

to cool down and fish are migrating out to sea. There are good schools of bream in most estuaries towards the entrances that will respond well to berley on the incoming tides. Trevally are mixing in with the bream, as are some large mullet, a few duskies and the odd large salmon to keep you on your toes. Also, this season has been one of the best for garfish with Wallaga Lake full of them. They are of a very large size and extremely tasty on the dinner plate.

There are still a few flatties to be found. As the water cools, we’ll be seeing less of these lovely lizards.

Sudden temperature changes take their toll MALLACOOTA

Kevin Gleed captainkev@wildernessfishingtours.com

Once again the town is busy. The caravan park is still full. It’s worth noting this is one of the biggest parks in Australia with over 800 powered sites all booked out. This year has been a bumper year for all businesses in Mallacoota. The past month has seen some good fishing both offshore and in the lake with a few fish also caught off the beach. Fishing the beach has seen good salmon caught on lures with anglers walking the beach and tossing lures

into the gutters until fish are found, the average size has been around the kilo mark. The big news at present is the big fish kill. Small leatherjackets washed up on the beaches as far south as Marlo and up to the NSW border. The reason is unsure, but it looks to be related to water temperature, as the water has been over 20°C and it dropped to 15°C overnight. Out wide the temperature is around 24°C. The fishing out wide has been good with broadbill being caught by anglers prepared to do the long run out there. A number of mahimahi have also been caught along with some striped tuna. The coming months should see the

southern bluefin tuna make an appearance. Fingers-crossed the weather is good over this period, allowing boats to get amongst them. The flathead fishing for both tigers and sandies has been great with good numbers of big fish caught. With the water temperature dropping out, fish have gone off the bite. The same could be said for the yellowtail kingfish with a few caught and hooked earlier in the month with little to report since then. The boat launching ramp at Bastion Point is being dredged, because it was too shallow and making the access near impossible at low tide. The entrance to the lake is getting very shallow

Plenty of decent trevally are turning up anywhere in the system.

Dead leatherjackets drifted into the lake on the tide.

and it wouldn’t surprise me if it closes over the coming months, if we don’t get any significant rain. In the lake there have been big sand whiting caught along with silver trevally. The bottom lake along with Harrisons Channel have been fishing well. Streams of dead leatherjackets are also drifting into the lake and yellowfin bream have been caught with stomachs full of leatherjackets. While guiding in the

bottom lake I recently spotted a big tropical red spotted turtle. With the water temperature at 22°C, it’s still swimming. When it drops in the coming months, I don’t fancy the turtle’s chances. Flathead are still being caught throughout the top and bottom lake with plenty of good eating-size fish around 36cm. The native bream fishery hasn’t been up to scratch for a number of years. Some anglers haven’t noticed with better than usual runs of the

visiting yellowfin bream. I’ve been lure fishing for bream along this system for 30 years, back even when netting was allowed, and I have never seen it this bad. Fisheries tell us these big bream are over 15 years old, so I dare to suggest things are not going to improve in a hurry. It needs to be remembered that at some stage over the past 10 years, every big bream has spent a number of weeks in front of the caravan park!

More pleasant weather tidings from Eden to the wind and swell. When boats have managed to get out there they have come across striped marlin, mahimahi and sharks. The cooler water should see the yellowfin tuna turn up. The rivers have still IN

R E V A L LY . S N A P P E R . E S G.T TU A

. WH AD

been fishing well with good sand whiting being caught. Beach worms and nippers are a good choice as bait. Flathead are still being caught on a variety of lures. Soft plastics are catching their share of fish.

PE R RY

The great weather just keeps on going. We’re into autumn, but you wouldn’t know it with little rain and warm to hot days. It’s hard to tell that winter is just around the corner. There are still plenty of visitors around. With the rain further to the north, the far south coast has been the place to be to avoid the bad weather. The water temperature was over 21°C over the past few months and it has only just dropped

from the flathead grounds most anglers are heading home with a good feed. The coming months should see the cuttlefish washing up on the beaches and once they are about the fishing for snapper will only improve. There has been good fishing for gummy sharks. The new moon and full moon periods are the best times to wet a line. Kingfish have been pretty quiet this year with anglers hoping they put in an appearance before the water goes cold. The conditions on the shelf haven’t been the best with few fishable days over the past month, due

. BASS . JEWFISH . F LA

captainkev@wildernessfishingtours.com

down to 18°C. Out wide it’s over 24°C. There are plenty of good deep gutters on all the local beaches. With the water cooling, the salmon are starting to turn up. Bream and sand whiting are also being caught in the same areas. Fishing the rocky headlands has been good with some big drummer being caught along with yellowfin bream. Fishing the same gutters for luderick has seen good catches of 1kg+ fish. Chasing a feed on the inshore reef has been good with snapper morwong and leatherjackets making up the catch along with the sand and tiger flathead

EAM . BR

Kevin Gleed

EDEN

Yellowfin bream, silver trevally and tailor are also being caught. With good fishing to be had over the coming months, visitors to the area won’t go home disappointed.

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MAY 2017

May’s stable weather will produce big bags NAROOMA

Stuart Hindson stuart@ausfishing.com.au

It’s a cracking time to fish the waters off Narooma with the sportsfishing fraternity licking their chops in anticipation of what’s on offer over the coming month. May is traditionally the start of tuna season, although over recent years it’s been a little later. The water was still quite warm and hovering around 22°C recently. Don’t worry; this is good. There are still plenty of marlin being caught with a few smaller yellowfin starting to show up too. I’ve talked to plenty of skippers and most think the seasons are getting later as each year passes. In some cases it’s a 12 month proposition depending on currents, bait, water temperature and quality. The beaks seem to be wider lately with the shelf the place to fish. There have been good reports that the Kink, southeast of Montague Island, is red hot some days. Trolling has been the go as the marlin

are thinning out a bit and you get to cover the ground to find the fish. The added bonus here is yellowfin tuna and decent albacore will hit the same pushers, so you’re opening up the egg basket. I’d expect to see bigger tuna later in the month with jumbos to 90kg certainly possible. May usually sees stable weather so a berley cube trail along the shelf line is worth a go. Closer to shore the kings at the island were very good but they have slowed up a bit recently. This is likely due to a cold current that edged up the coast. Once this cool water moves on expect the kings to fire back up with jigs, live bait and squid fished on flasher rigs all working at times. I’d be concentrating around the southern pinnacles or Fowl House Reef for best results. Anglers fishing the rocks have had mixed results with the water temperatures we’ve experienced of late. Some days it’s a warm 20°C and the next back to 16°C. It all depends what the currents are doing and what’s being pushed in close. Hopefully it will

This is what 15kg of mulloway looks like head on.

move on so anglers can again get amongst them. When the temperature does rise, expect school sized kingfish and bonito with a chance of mackerel tuna. Smaller chromed lures and whole pilchards fished on ganged hooks work well. Yellowtail and slimy mackerel are awesome if live baiting. The best ledges to fish include Mystery Bay and the Golf Course Rocks in town. The washes are holding good blackfish and drummer with cabbage, cunjevoi and lightly weighted nippers getting good results. Berley has been a key ingredient to better catch rates as well. It’s a little more work, but the end result makes it all worthwhile. Dalmeny Headland to the north of Narooma has been the pick of the spots to fish. In the estuaries it’s all systems go with Tuross fishing extremely well at present. Anglers using fresh bait like striped tuna, prawns and Bass yabbies have caught bream, whiting and flathead. The best time is when the fresh saltwater hits the slightly dirty water on the incoming tide.

There’s still some fresh water coming down the river after recent rains, so fishing that tide line is working well. Anglers using soft plastics have caught nice flathead although they are hard to entice at times. We’ve had pretty good fishing on deep running hardbodies fished around the shallower margins away from the stronger flow areas. Concentrating in water from 2-4ft has been good with a methodical slow retrieve. Intermittent pauses are working better. Darker colours are the go, but as the water clears further I’d be using more natural colours. There are still a lot of mulloway being captured mainly by bait anglers. The soft plastic brigade are getting their fair share too. The lower reaches are definitely the place to fish. The tide change is the premium bite time. If you can coincide that with an early morning, all the better. Wagonga Inlet just south of Tuross is holding some very big flathead with the upper reaches being the To page 47

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Water temperatures dropping to a new degree MERIMBULA

Stuart Hindson stuart@ausfishing.com.au

The Merimbula region has received some much needed rain over recent weeks giving the local estuaries a good flush. This has really fired the fish up. Both Merimbula and Pambula lakes are fishing extremely well. The rain has discoloured the water to a degree and the water temperature dropped, but fish don’t seem to mind. The top lake at Merimbula has been a standout for all species with bream, snapper, trevally and greenback tailor all succumbing to a variety of techniques. Anglers fishing smaller blades and soft plastics are definitely doing better than the bait fishos. I’m From page 46

prime area to fish. Live poddies and larger soft plastics have accounted for most of the fish, however bigger blades are worth a go in the cooler dirtier water. If you’re after a feed I’d suggest Dalmeny or Corunna Lake. They are full of flatties from just on legal to 50cm – great eating size and ideal for the kids. This month the big tailor will enter the system with fish in excess of 10lb possible. These greenbacks can play havoc on tackle so beef it up and you should land a few.

not to sure why, but who’s complaining when their eating artificials with gusto? I had a recent guide there with regulars Fitzy and son Bailey and the fish were really playing the game. We managed 20 odd legal fish for the morning session with the best being a 44cm black bream. Now Merimbula Lake is not known for it’s black bream with this beast being the best I’ve seen come out of there for quite a long time. It’s possible this fish plus his mates got pushed down out of Boggy Creek with the recent heavy rains but one will never know it’s only an assumption. What is good, is that there’s some quality black bream around and best of all their chewing too. We got most of our fish on smaller grubs fished on It wouldn’t surprise me to see some sizable mulloway following the tailor schools too. Again, large softies or bigger vibed presentations should entice a strike or two. For those anglers targeting the sambos off the beach, Coila and Blackfellows have fired with the latter a standout at the southern end. There’s a cracking gutter there that’s been fishing well for a few weeks now. A paternoster rig, rigged with bait and poppers will work, as will shiners cast amongst the suds on light gelspun line. This is a great way to target salmon. It’s easy and

Black bream can be finicky to catch, sometimes you need to change it up and think outside the box to get results. loads of fun. Sure you will lose a few when they get in the shore dump, but if you change the trebles to single hooks you will land more fish. If you’re after a feed, the entrance to Brou Lake on Brou Beach has been excellent for bream. It’s a bit of an effort to get there. The results will soon fix that. This coming full moon is worth a look for mulloway and gummy sharks. This same section of beach has produced plenty of both over the years so it may be worth taking the big sticks with you.

light jigheads very close to the bottom with only the smallest of lifts required. If you moved the lure any more than a foot off the bottom you didn’t get a bite. This was paramount to having a solid session compared to just a good session. It just proves that

that are causing havoc to anglers with bite-offs being the norm. This does become quite expensive when your loosing rig after rig but hopefully they will move on so anglers can get a feed and keep the family happy. Sportfishers fishing wider are having no trouble

May is well known as the start of tuna time so if early indications are anything to go by we might be in for a cracking yellowfin season, only time will tell. The local beaches are red hot at the minute with salmon and monster tailor both chewing big time. There’s been reports of tailor to 4kg, which are true greenbacks with a few bigger models lost as well. One visiting angler told me he lost five big fish before landing one, it went 8lb the one he landed and said the ones he lost earlier were bigger. Now they’re big fish and exciting stuff! I’d expect these fish to be on most beaches with a half decent gutter that’s holding bait but Tura Main and North Tura would be the pick to fish in my books. For the rock hopping brigade it’s all systems go with salmon, tailor, smaller kingfish, bonito and mackerel tuna all viable opponents. May is the best month for all the above with Tura Head definitely the place to fish. It’s a deep headland that holds stacks of bait and some very big fish at times. The northern ledge is the deepest and perfect for

This little 42cm cobia was caught and released by Jonno on a recent trip.

Blades have been around a long time now. They work well on finicky deep water black bream.

variance to the norm can reap you rewards when playing this game. Offshore anglers fishing the close in reefs and gravel beds for snapper, morwong and kingfish are doing it tough at present with a cold band of water hitting our coastline. This will certainly move on, but it also shows that winter isn’t that far away. What is a nuisance is the amount of leatherjackets

at all with the water still 22°C at the shelf. Marlin is still the word, not as many as last month but most crews are still getting a few shots a day which is great to see. I’ve heard of sporadic catches of smaller school sized yellowfin tuna to 30kg being caught when trolling pushers for marlin so it might be time to lay a berley trail down with cubes and fish strips.

live baiting either under a balloon or bobby cork. You will catch all the bait you need here but they can become a little tricky once that sun gets high so you’re better off getting in early and not running out. Casting bigger shiners and poppers is another option with some anglers doing very well on whole ganged pilchards wound in slowly. Good luck with whatever technique you’re using. MAY 2017

Divers surprised to find kingfish and tuna WEST COAST

Brett Illingworth

What a difference a month makes. The weather recently has really turned it on. The easterlies have been a little annoying, but the elevated temperatures, along with quite a few low swell days, have put the smiles right back on the faces of the local diving population. I am fairly certain that the local crayfish and kingfish populations are much less enthused. Hordes of divers, both shore- and boat-based, have been out in force in an effort to espy and hopefully capture these iconic species. Kingfish have been surprising many an unsuspecting diver right along the coast. The water is warm, and the fish are being seen quite literally anywhere. It has certainly paid dividends for those who take their king busting gear on any and every dive. You just never know. The usual hotspots have been good.

Rock, Cat Bay and a sleazy little no-named reef all offer excellent opportunities now and perhaps for another six weeks. The seasons appear all out of whack, so I am hoping for a prolonged, mild to warm autumn. And, I am hoping for no winter whatsoever.

searching on a couple of times for zero result, yet have again seen them while diving the shallows for crayfish. There simply is no justice! The boys on the west coast are still having the best of it. Tom Dawson recently managed his first SBT after several unsuccessful

but not playing the game. Mauro jumped in with trusty gun and managed a pair of identical twins, two tuna at 21kg each. Even if tuna are not evident, it’s still fun to be at these offshore areas. Bait balls, dolphins and seals all make for an unforgettable diving experience.

Tom Dawson with his first SBT.

A cracker bait ball off Torquay. attempts. To say that he was happy would be a gross understatement. Closer to home, the smile is still to leave the face of my good friend Mauro Molent. He was line fishing in 40m of water off Barwon Heads. The fish were around,

The Victorian Spearfishing Championships were also conducted recently. For the first time in many years, the sun shone and the seas were calm. This led to one the most enjoyable competitions in a long, long time. To witness

competitors exiting the water with smiles all around is a pleasant change, one which makes for a much more relaxed weigh-in and postdive appraisal. The competition was held over two days. Each

at Pyramid Rock in ideal conditions. Day two was a hard fought affair at Kilcunda in conditions which were more trying, but mellowed considerably throughout the day. Congratulations

Brad Gardner with a kingy from great Glennie Island. Portland, Port Fairy, Barwon Heads, Point Lonsdale and Phillip Island have all been producing the goods. Great Glennie Island has a deserved reputation as Victoria’s kingfish Mecca. Although many fish have been speared this year, the going has been quite tough with fish numbers looking considerably lower. A persistent pool of dirty water out here hasn’t helped much either. The hottest spot close to Melbourne appears to be the rocky reefs and headlands of Phillip Island. The Pinnacles, Pyramid 48

MAY 2017

The bait concentration along the northern reaches of Bass Strait has shown little sign of abating. Small schooling southern bluefin tuna are still turning up in the oddest of locations, again catching unsuspecting spearos by surprise. A lucky few are still managing to shaft these magnificent fish. The right place and right time pretty well sum up your chances. Many a dedicated trip has failed to locate fish, yet on other occasions, targets of opportunity have come out of the blue. I have gone out purposely

Mauro Molent with a heavy pair of tuna from Barwon Heads.

Stoj Pavlovski with his very first kingfish.

competition day was six hours in duration. This is a species competition, where only one fish of each species counts on the scorecard. We have a restricted species list, confined only to edible varieties. No fish are wasted and the minimum sizes allowed are much larger than the minimum legal limits. Day one was fished

to Murray Petersen, of the Southern Freedivers Club for defending his title. Congratulations also to Blake Riddle from the Shipwreck Coast Club on taking out the junior title. It was heartening to see so many juniors competing this year. These young guys will be the backbone of our sport’s future.

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LAKES ENTRANCE

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MAY 2017

LAKES ENTRANCE

Gippsland Lakes

Welcome to Lakes Entrance FMG

Peter Jung pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

The East Gippsland Lakes system is the largest lakes system in Australia and its final destination before entering the Pacific Ocean is Lakes Entrance. For those in the know, Lakes Entrance has probably been their holiday destination for generations. There are numerous reasons for this and in many cases the variety in fishing options plays a big part in the choice, however

Lakes hasn’t become the hub of East Gippsland purely on being a multifaceted fishery. There are plenty of activities for everybody in the family, fun things to do, great food to be eaten and most of all, an amazing array of accommodation options from unpowered campsites to private island living. Lakes Entrance is 4-4.5 hours from Melbourne with the majority of the trip on multilane motorway roads. The appeal of Lakes becomes immediately apparent when you first start your descent into town. The views of

Top: Ferryman’s Café is a popular lunch and dinner venue and also sells fresh seafood. Above: The Fisherman’s Co-op on Bullock Island is a great place to buy fresh seafood and also provides the unique chance to watch the day’s catch being unloaded. 52

MAY 2017

the Lakes Entrance Bar and Ninety-Mile Beach are the first things you see and you can almost feel holiday mode kick in. It’s time to explore what Lakes has to offer. THE WATERWAYS The waterways, whether it’s the lake system itself, Ninety-Mile Beach or either Lake Tyers or Lake Bunga, are a big part of the appeal of the area and there are numerous ways to explore them. First and foremost there are a number of cruises available for you to take in this amazing waterway. They cover everything from the history of the lake system, winery cruises, lunch, dinner and sunset cruises, to taking in the amazing wildlife that calls the Gippsland Lakes home. Many include a meal and all provide you with a clear picture of how large the system is and the beauty of the area. Although cruising the area is a very civilized way of exploring, for those with a bit more energy and a sense of adventure, a kayak or paddleboard can give you a different perspective. These craft allow you to get into all the nooks and crannies that larger vessels can’t. Outside of the exercise component, there is just something about being close to the water. You almost feel that you are part of it and as you make very little noise, you blend into the environment and the wildlife just goes about its business. It is not uncommon to see deer, kangaroos, dolphins and a vast array of fish and birdlife on any outing. The lakes are also quite safe, as tidal flows are quite small, but always take into consideration the wind and be aware of other craft on the water.

You can hire a boat! There are three boat hire operators in Lakes. This again allows you to experience the various waterways at your own pace, or if you’re looking for something that is fun for the whole family, you can always try a paddle boat. This is great way to get the kids involved and also gives you a different look at the town from the water. WALKS AROUND LAKES ENTRANCE There are a number of short walks around the town that are well worth doing and can be sandwiched between a meal or a coffee. The Entrance walk Cross the footbridge from town and then head along the foreshore of the Cunninghame Arm to a picnic area. Continue on to the Entrance wall past the sand pump house. You have great views of the ocean, Ninety-Mile Beach and the Lakes Entrance Bar. Then for a different perspective, walk back along the beach. The walk is approximately 3km. Town walk This walk takes you along the main esplanade past the fishing fleet, the RSL wood sculptures (these honour the memory of those who gave their lives or were injured during the first world war) and then along the edge of North Arm with its boat ramps and jetties. This walk is approximately 3km. Kalimna Jetty This is a short 2km walk from the Kalimna Jetty picnic area. It takes you along the edge of the lake to North Arm and back. It is a popular walk to view the sunset and you are likely to encounter plenty of marine life. Eastern Beach Starting from Lions Park,

Main: First light is a beautiful time of the day and can offer some amazing light displays. Above: Fresh prawns can be bought direct from the trawlers. The locals are quick to take advantage of this opportunity. this is another lovely stroll along Ninety-Mile Beach towards the footbridge, back to town and then along the north side of the Cunninghame Arm back to your starting point. All the walks are family friendly and good for any age group. You can work off a meal or work up an appetite. SWIMMING Lake Tyers and Lake Bunga offer safe swimming for young children. They are enclosed waters with sandy areas for the kids to wade, swim, build sand castles and generally run amuck without you worrying too much. Picnic areas are also situated at both Lakes so you can

combine a bit of food into your outing. Ninety-Mile Beach is the third largest uninterrupted beach in the world. It has a patrolled swimming area during the summer months and is a playground for all things surf. Board riders and kite surfers take advantage of this vast playground and families take advantage of the fact that they can have their very own little piece of sand. GOLF, MINI GOLF AND BOWLS I think the best way to start this is to talk about the mini golf. There are four options for mini golf in Lakes Entrance. I would like to say that I went and experienced

LAKES ENTRANCE each one, but time didn’t allow (I wish it had). Mini golf is simply fun for the whole family and you can make it as competitive or as social as you like. Footbridge Mini Golf, Lolly Shop and Ice Cream Shack is the newest of the venues and will be a children’s favourite. What more could you want? Ice cream, lollies and hitting a ball around all in one place! Lakes Entrance Golf course was nationally recognised in 2011 as one of

and beverage outlets, but as a closet lawn bowler, it is the artificial lawn greens that interested me. Recognised as world class and when first laid in 2009, an Australian first, it would be a new experience for most to bowl on an artificial surface. The club offers social and serious competition for visitors and is well worth a visit. BIKE RIDING The entire area in and around Lakes Entrance is bike friendly. Many of the

The commercial fishing industry is a big part of Lakes Entrance and a large fleet of trawlers operates from there. Australia’s top public access courses by Golf Australia magazine. Although not overly long, it has plenty of water and sand to contend with and the prevailing wind adds their own natural element. Other than trying to make a birdie, there is also plenty of wildlife to be seen as you walk the course, so if your swing is a little off kilter you can always enjoy seeing the resident raptors, parrots and water birds. Lakes Entrance Bowls Clubs is a bit of an institution in Lakes. It offers the usual gaming and food

walking paths are shared by pedestrians and bikes, meaning you don’t have to compete with vehicles on the roads. It also means that a bike is a great means of transport. If you prefer a bit more of a challenge then the main roads from Lakes towards Bairnsdale or to Lake Tyers fit the bill. Lakes Entrance is also a component of the Rail Trail bike trails. The Lakes Entrance section of the trail runs from Colquhoun to Lakes Entrance. It is 17km long and is a mixture of compacted earth and road trails. It is suitable for most standards of rider.

THE UNUSUAL I have been lucky enough to experience camel rides along Cable Beach in Broome WA and you too can experience the same thing in Lakes Entrance. It is seasonal, and I suggest you look up availability, but it is a unique experience and one for the whole family. PLAYGROUNDS AND PARKS There are a couple of fantastic playgrounds and parks in Lakes that I have to mention. Both have toilets, electric BBQs, sheltered areas and big play areas for the kids. Apex Park is opposite the visitors centre on Marine Parade and Lions Park is at Eastern Beach. If you have smaller children, there is no doubt that there is plenty to wear them out. FOOD As you can imagine, fresh seafood is a big part of the Lakes Entrance experience. What I can guarantee is what you buy is fresh from the trawler. There is a large fleet of trawlers based out of Lakes and any fresh seafood you buy will come from one of these boats. One of the best places to buy and see the whole process is at the Fisherman’s Co-op on Bullock Island. There is a viewing platform for you to watch the day’s catch being unloaded and you can then buy it directly through the Off the Wharf shop. Other seafood outlets are Ferry Seafoods or some of the trawlers sell prawns direct to the public. You have many options as far as dining opportunities go in Lakes. There are numerous cafés that offer a nice cup of coffee in a friendly

Top: There are a number of walks that take in the town and Ninety Mile Beach. The footbridge across the Cunninghame Arm is part of a couple of them. Below: Gippsland Lakes are a huge waterway and there is no better way to check it out and learn more about the area than on one of the cruises available.

Gippsland Lakes

Top: Eastern Beach is a great place to fish, catch a few rays, go for a walk or to simply get a feel for how big Ninety-Mile Beach is. Left: There are two great playgrounds and parks. This is the one located at Eastern Beach. Right: These Cypress Pine wood sculptures dotted along the esplanade are a tribute to those who died or were injured during World War 1. atmosphere with a bit of a treat on the side or a lunch menu. Many of the cafés are based along the esplanade, so park your car and go for a walk. There are a couple of cafes that deserve special mention. They are Funky Monkey Bakery Café on Myer Street and Albert & Co in Kalimna. Both serve superb coffee and the food at Albert & Co is magnificent. The same goes for dinner. Lakes is truly multicultural and you can have Mexican, Chinese, Thai or takeaway seafood and hamburgers. Freshly made pizzas are always a nice family treat and I have to recommend Pizza on Myer; it was one of the best pizzas I have had for quite a while. The RSL and Bowling Club also offer great value for money meals. If there is a special occasion or you really want to treat yourself, Miriams on the esplanade or Ferryman’s Seafood Café were the pick for me. A good menus, nice atmosphere, good service and reasonable pricing always make for a good night out. It would be remiss of me not to mention the Waterwheel Tavern at Lake Tyers. Recently refurbished, it has a well put together menu and having a meal with a cold beer on the deck looking at the view is something most people would enjoy. ACCOMMODATION We take a more in-depth look at the accommodation that is available in Lakes

Entrance a little later in this feature, so I won’t go too far into it now. The main thing I want to mention is that pretty much any style of accommodation is available. There are bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels, resorts, caravan parks and cabins. The majority of them understand that fishing is a big part of why people come to Lakes and offer boat parking/storage and in many cases power to charge batteries and wash down areas to clean your boat. The things I have found with most of the providers is that they are proud

of their town and want you to enjoy it as much as they do. COME VISIT! The thing that you will find out about Lakes Entrance is that although the fishing offers many opportunities, it’s not only the fishing that will keep you entertained. Whether you just want to chill out, need to keep the children amused or indulge yourself, with a little digging you will find something that fits the bill. More than likely you will be like me and wish you had a few more days to explore it.

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LAKES ENTRANCE

Gippsland Lakes

Lakes Entrance inshore options LAKES ENTRANCE

Steven Pryke

The seaside town of Lakes Entrance is located 3.5 hours’ drive east of Melbourne, and while small, this village offers a wide variety of activities and accommodation. East Gippsland has all

mullet and bream. Those chasing trevally and mullet usually rig up a float rig (diagram 1), which suspends bait from 6-10ft under the surface. Baits of pilchard, prawn or chicken will see anglers catching fish around our local wharves year round. Our local wharves are quickly becoming home to

extract larger bream, as well as other species around wharves. It can be extremely messy business, with some fish absolutely destroying your tackle by running your line around a pylon before you even get the chance to start winding. This normally calls for an angler to start the day with heavier line, around 8lb, and gradually

refuse a bait, and this is when lure fishing comes into its own. You can work your lure through a school of fish and get an aggressive response from shutdown bream and other species. I usually use small vibes in black and orange, and occasionally natural colours. SURF FISHING We’re lucky enough to have the Ninety-Mile Beach right at our door step, which allows for great beach fishing throughout the year. The beach produces a variety of species, including salmon, tailor, mullet and sharks. Usually, the most popular species to target is the Australia salmon, due to their fighting ability and how easy they are to catch. A simple rig is all you need, and a two-hook paternoster rig (diagram 2) is perfect. The great thing is that this rig allows your bait to sit

Top: Lakes Entrance has options to suit almost any type of fishing. Above: Fishing around Lakes Entrance, you’re likely to see beautiful wildlife. higher in the water column and avoid the sand crabs that litter our local beaches at times. Due to Australian salmon being a highly migratory species, I prefer to spin, as this allows me to cover a larger amount of water in a short time. You’ll also come across more salmon than if you were to stay in the same area for the day.

The best lure for the job is a metal slice or slug in a variety of weights, depending on the size of the baitfish around. Usually 15-25g is about perfect, as it matches the average size of our local baitfish. Your choice of gear is up to you, but I like a light 7ft, 2-4kg spin rod matched with a 2500-3000 size spin reel with 10lb braid and a

The local wharves are home to some of the biggest bream in East Gippsland. manner of options to suit whatever style of fishing you enjoy. Throughout the season, there is a multitude of species available from prawns in the estuaries to billfish off the coast. TOWN WHARVES In the centre of town are the major wharves, which provide ideal fishing access, and depending on the season, you can catch everything from luderick to kingfish. Around the Cunninghame Arm wharves, the majority of anglers target silver trevally, 54

MAY 2017

some of the biggest bream in East Gippsland. These fish usually respond to crab imitations, stick minnows, micro vibes and soft plastics or creature baits. These offerings should be cast up tight to structure and allowed to simply flutter down to the bottom, then rest on the bottom. Most lures can be worked with a series of hops along the bottom, making it easy to know when you’re getting bit. Once hooked up to a bream, you’re in for a real battle trying to

work down towards 3lb if you are not getting the bites. Throughout the winter months, our town wharf still produces great fishing with large schools of bream and silver trevally around wharves. It just takes a little bit more effort to find the fish. Once you’ve caught one fish, you can normally be certain there are more fish down there. Repeated casts in the same area will most likely produce more results. In the winter months, fish will sometimes completely

The sunset at Lakes Entrance is an experience not to be forgotten.

LAKES ENTRANCE 10-20lb leader. This allows you to have heaps of fun with these energetic fish. CRABBING Crabbing has become a major drawcard to Lakes Entrance as many people enjoy how easy it is. All you need is a hoop style net, rope and bait. Regular fresh chicken meat is best, but other baits such as fish frames are productive too. All you need to do is fix the bait to the bottom of the pot, place it in the water for half an hour, and then check to see if you have fresh sand crabs. This simple but effective method works wonders and keeps many people coming back to the town year after year. A good tip when crabbing is to focus your effort on the start of the low tide and crab through the tidal cycle. Some people find better results at night, as the darkness can make the crabs more confident to go out and search for food.

The Gippsland lakes are perfect for kayak anglers. There are plenty of options for launching. areas such as Cunninghame Arm and North Arm. These locations produce quality numbers of prawns and are extremely easy to access. If you haven’t prawned before, the first thing to do DIAGRAM 1

Main Line

a net with a long sock. A deeper net like this will make it difficult for the prawns to escape. Other than that, you just need something to keep them in while you look for more. Usually people rig

for prawns. Depending on seasonal weather conditions, the season for prawning may run slightly earlier or later than the previous year. November to April generally sees the

DIAGRAM 2

majority of prawns run. With prawning there are few tips that can help you produce more next time. First of all, you should always try to avoid prawning on a full moon stage, and try planning your efforts around the run-out tide. This will force the prawns to move as they get swept up with tidal water. During the peak of the prawning season it can be more productive to anchor on the edges of the main channel and wait for the run-out tide. This will force the prawns down with the tidal flow. It makes for the easiest method of prawning, as once the prawns are flowing down with the current you just place your prawn net in front them and they simply flow to the back of the net. MAIN CHANNELS The main channels, Reeves and Hopetoun, connect Lakes Entrance to the rest of the Gippsland Lakes. These channels are

extremely productive and nearly every species that is in our lakes is available to catch there. The massive grass weed beds above Kalimna Jetty and towards Flanagan Island produce great numbers of King George whiting along with flathead, trevally, leatherjacket and Australian salmon. All you need to catch them is a simple extended paternoster rig (diagram 3) with a 6-8lb leader or main line. Sinker size can make a massive difference to your catch rates when fishing in these tidal areas. It’s best if you can find a sinker that will get you to the bottom while still allowing some movement. A major key to consistent success is to use fresh bait. Local worms and mussels are extremely effective, producing results even when the fish aren’t biting freely and the lake system is all but shut down. To page 56

DIAGRAM 3

Main Line

Swivel Stopper 25 cm

Gippsland Lakes

Running Swivel Knot

Float

10 cm

Knot Fixed Swivel Knot

10 cm

20 to 40cm long

25 cm

Balance with split shot

40 plus cm

Spider Hitch

Knot

Size 4 to 8 long shank

PRAWNING During the summer months, many people travel to Lakes Entrance and the nearby towns to take part in the annual prawn run in

is get yourself a wireless prawn light, which allows you to cover a lot of water in your search. When choosing a prawn net, it is extremely important to use

up a floating bucket. You can do this by using a pool noodle or car wheel tube as a float, then attach a short length of rope and just tow it along behind you as you look

“Fresh fish straight from the trawler”

CHECK OUT THE FRESH CATCH GETTING UNLOADED

www.lefcol.com.au

Lakes Entrance Fishermen’s Co-Operative Society Limited Bullock Island, Lakes Entrance – PO Box 1125, Victoria 3909

The waterways can become very busy, but you can find your own private fishing space with a little searching.

Phone: (03) 5155 1688

MAY 2017

LAKES ENTRANCE

Gippsland Lakes From page 55

Lure fishing in the main channel is extremely productive, with a mix of species on offer. Flathead and pinkie snapper are quick

sit in front of weed beds or behind a piece of structure that will create an eddy in the current, where they can wait for food to come down with the tidal flow.

create very little noise on the water, allowing you to get closer to those spooky fish. BOATING FACILITIES Lakes Entrance is blessed with three boat ramps. Two of them are perfectly suited to larger boats, and the third is ideal for smaller craft such as tinnies. All three ramps are reasonably well looked after, with good fish cleaning facilities, public toilet blocks, ample parking and no parking fees. Throughout the Gippsland Lakes there are multiple on-water fuel stations, allowing

The views around Lakes Entrance are spectacular.

The expansive beaches around Lakes Entrance offer plenty of space for anglers to have a go. to get onto the action. I’ve consistently had success with soft plastic minnows rigged on a 1/12-1/8oz jighead, depending on the tidal stage. You want just enough weight to ensure you are getting to the bottom, and need to keep consistent contact as you work your lures along the bottom. Because the tidal flow is extremely strong through the channel areas, it’s pretty easy to predict where the fish will position themselves. They will either

KAYAKING The Gippsland Lakes are perfect for kayaking, due to the number of options for launching, as well as the range of species on offer. Depending on the time of year, anglers will find there are great advantages to fishing from a kayak in the Gippsland Lakes. The waterway gets a lot of fishing pressure during the busy summer months, but fishing from a kayak can see you get a better catch rate than other anglers due to the stealth of a kayak. These small craft

This bream is singing for joy and you will too at stunning Lakes Entrance.

Lazy Acre Log Cabins 1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM SPACIOUS COTTAGES ♦ Solar Pool ♦ Free Wi-Fi ♦ Air-Con/Heating ♦ Fishing Advice ♦ Boat Parking

people to spend long periods of time on the waterway. Areas such as Paynesville, Metung and Lakes Entrance all have their own on-water fuel stations and waste disposal areas. Locations such as Barrier Landing and other camping spots along Gippsland Lakes offer heaps of mooring areas, public toilet blocks and picnic areas. HIRE BOATS Holidaymakers heading to Lakes Entrance are spoilt for choice when it come to hire boats. There’s everything from small tinnies right through to 34ft, liveaboard boats that you can spend a few days on while you explore the beautiful Gippsland Lakes.

Quiet central location Ideal for all the family Close to 90 mile beach 5min drive to boat ramps

(03) 5155 1323 ♦ 0418 516 555 ♦ 35 Roadknight Street, LAKES ENTRANCE

MAY 2017

Far Out Charters – Lakes Entrance ion t a r e p O In 03 since 20

Far Out II is a purpose built 9m Bass Straight for fishing charters out from Lakes Entrance. Our main target species is Snapper, Gummy Shark and Flathead but we also have up to 100nm seaward to chase Marlin/Broad

bill and deep dropping for blue eye ling and other deep water fish. We offer a five hour charter on the snapper and gummy`s or full day out wide to chase the fish of your choice – booking essential.

30ft Bass Straight Offshore All Fishing Gear Supplied Tea & Coffee Supplied

For Bookings Phone Tony or Jan – 0428 401 819 or 5155 4564

www.faroutcharters.com.au MAY 2017

LAKES ENTRANCE

Gippsland Lakes

New South Wales

DISTANCES - BY CAR Melbourne Lakes Entrance 319km = 4hrs

Traralgon Lakes Entrance 157km = 2hrs Eden Lakes Entrance 242km = 3hrs

Victoria

Eden Lakes Entrance

Melbourne

Traralgon

A440

Top: Eastern Beach is a popular location for a walk along the beach and for anglers chasing salmon or other bread and butter species. Above: Main beach is patrolled in the summer months and even during the peak season has plenty of room for everybody.

Not to scale 100 km

Lakes Entrance

11 Wyanga Park Winery

KEY

Places of interest

ACCOMODATION KEY

THINGS TO DO

Boat Ramps Not to scale

Far Out Charters

A Lazy Acre Log Cabins

500 m

Fishermans Co-op

B The Esplanade Resort & Spa

Peels Cruises

C Echo Beach Tourist Park

Riviera Bait Supplies

Albert & Co

Funky Monkey

Miriams

Ferrymans Seafood Cafe

Bowls Club

Blairs

Parking

Ski Zone Anchorage Fishing Spots Walking Tracks Winery Cruise Capes Rd

rth

ers

D BIG 4 Waters Edge E Lakes Entrance Tourist Park F Eastern Beach Holiday Park

11 Wyange Park Winery

12 Mini Golf 13 Lonsdale Eco Cruises

Kalimna

Lake Tyers 4km

Myer S

Lakes Entrance

Palmers Rd

14 Griffiths Museum

in ce sH wy

Albatro

ton reigh

Coate

ss Rd

kn Road

9 5

Lookout

A North

P Ape 1

Rigby Island

k Par

Mar

ine

Bullock Island P 2 Fishermans Co-op

Par

Chur

ade

ch St

wy Princes H

P 8

P.O. Jetty

Espl

ana

500m

Princes H

Footbridge to Island

Cunninghame Quay

ight

s Rd

ter Eas

eac

dge tbri led Foo i-golf trol - Pas only min h c a th n B e mon M a i mmer Su

Drews Jetty

MAY 2017

Flagstaff

LAKES ENTRANCE

Gippsland Lakes

Lake Tyers KEY

ACCOMODATION KEY

Boat Ramps

G Lake Tyers Camp and Caravan Park

Good flathead

H Lakes Beachfront Holiday Retreat

Bream in snags Troll for tailor Prawns in summer

u se

Lake Ty e rs

oa d

Places of interest

These magnificant sculptures were made from Cypress Pine. They commemorate the fallen and injured from the first world war. They are made from the trees planted by the RSL for the same reason. eR

Ty er

sH ou

Lake Tyers State Park Campsite

Lakeview Holiday House

Lake Tyers

Prin c es

Lake

H wy

Tyer

Fisherman’s Landing Water Wheel Tavern 10 G H

A very popular place to head when in Lakes Entrance is across the footbridge to Main Beach. There are plenty of facilities to cater to the entire family.

Lindsay Pryke showing off one of the quality flathead Lake Tyers is famous for.

1 km

Eastern Beach has a couple of car parks with beach access. There is also a playground and picnic facilities.

Lakes Entrance is the home base of a large fishing fleet. Seafood is a big part of the Lakes Entrance experience.

Lake Tyers is a very scenic fishery and offers a wide variety of species. There are plenty of fish that can put a bend in your rod.

SCAN FOR BOATEST

591 SPORTSMAN CUDDY

Not to scale

Casting surface lures around the margins and structure in North Arm is a fun way to catch a few fish.

SCAN FOR BOATEST

581 CROSSOVER CUDDY

If you are looking for a bargain or just a coffee and cake, go for a walk along the esplanade.

Steven Pryke showing off a solid bream caught on a Bent Minnow.

SCAN FOR BOATEST

591 SPORTSMAN HT

CALL & ASK ABOUT THE MANY OPTIONS AND FEATURES AVAILABLE 172 Queen St, WARRAGUL VIC 3820

651 CROSSOVER HT

24 Sturt Street, Echuca

www.warragulmarine.com.au

172 Queen Street, Warragul

03·5623 6250 | www.warragulmarine.com.au P 5623 6250 | E info@warragulmarine.com.au

03·5482 23333

www.xtrememarine.net.au

MAY 2017

LAKES ENTRANCE

Gippsland Lakes

Taming the mighty Tyers WESTERN PORT STH

Jarrod Day jarrodday@iprimus.com.au

Situated around 3.5 hours drive east of Melbourne, Lake Tyers is a quaint little town, boasting some amazing fishing. Hidden amongst the wild forest, Lake Tyers is an anglers’ dream. From big flathead, bream, silver trevally, mulloway, tailor and a host of others, it’s no wonder why many anglers head there throughout the year.

Although the fishing is top notch, it can change rapidly. Blocked off from the ocean for most of the year, winter rains and king tides bust open the sand dune to the sea every few years. This gives the lake a flush out, which improves the fishing weeks after it re-closes. The Victorian DEPI continue to keep Lake Tyers as a sustainable fishery with the continual stocking of fish into the system. The most recent stocking was the release of 25,000 estuary perch in November 2015 along with

16,000 mulloway in 2015 and 2016. These fish have thrived in the system and despite the mass of fish released into the lake, catching them is still a challenge. WHAT TO CHASE For such a little waterway, Lake Tyers has endless fishing opportunities. Dusky flathead and bream might be the most highly sought, however, silver trevally, mullet, estuary perch and the elusive mulloway are also a possibility. Flathead Dusky flathead would stand out as the most prized species, mainly due to their size, as catching a fish of over the metre mark isn’t uncommon. The population of flathead in Tyers is of epic proportions, however they are most active during the warmer months of the year. For the cooler months, they go into hibernation and you’d be lucky to catch one in ten trips. Throughout the summer months, they can be caught using a variety of techniques.

Main: Prawns are a natural food for flathead in Lake Tyers and you’ll find you get the best results when using prawn imitation style lures. Above: Boat ramp number two offers the best launching facilities in the system. Some anglers prefer to use bait with a running sinker rig. A small size 1 ball sinker can be threaded onto the leader and allowed to freely run down to a size 1/0 bait style hook, and this will cover most of your bases for flathead. This rig is particularly productive in the deeper section of the lake, as well as up both the Toorloo and Nowa Nowa arms when

you set yourself on the edges of the banks. Flathead tend to sit themselves on the edges of the banks waiting for prawns and minnows to swim over the edges where they ambush them. Finding the right ground is equally important, otherwise you could be getting yourself caught up in snags and on the weeded

bottom. Where possible, try to locate the most shell gritridden bottom, as the soft mud and sand makes it easier for them to hide. Flathead respond well to most baits, but with a huge prawn population in Tyers, freshly brought prawns from the local bait shop are a sure bet. Prawns can also be caught in the lake itself if you’re up

BOAT RAMPS

Bream are abundant throughout Lake Tyers and are a willing lure taker. 60

MAY 2017

Lake Tyers number 1 Lake Tyers number 2 Mill Point Fisherman’s Landing Nowa Nowa

Small concrete ramp that is not in operation. Best only used to launch kayaks. Excellent two lane ramp with floating pontoons, fish cleaning tables and public toilets. Dirt ramp with good access to Toorloo Arm. Smaller craft recommended to launch here. Mill Point has fewer facilities with just one fish cleaning table. Launching can be difficult as it has a high angle into the water. A good ramp located in the southern reaches of the lake to the east of Boat Ramp Number 2 and is located just off Mill Point Road. Mainly used by smaller to medium sized boats, but is well maintained. Facilities include a floating pontoon and fish cleaning facilities and a public toilet. Located in the township of Nowa Nowa near the top of the lake, this ramp gives good access into the Nowa Nowa Arm. It is about a 20-minute drive up the Princes Highway towards Orbost. Facilities include a playground and toilet facilities. There is also a floating pontoon.

LAKES ENTRANCE there during the new moon period. A simple net and torch will do the job, and just waking in the shallows at night can see you easily catch a few kilos. When using them for bait, don’t forget to peel them. Leaving the shell on won’t be as effective a peeling it off. Lure fishing for flathead is one of the most effective and popular techniques used today. Those fishing from a boat or kayak can access the more out of reach locations as opposed to those fishing from the bank. Lure fishing is a lot of fun, and arming yourself with the right selection is as important as peeling the shell from a fresh prawn. Lake Tyers isn’t that deep in the locations you’ll find flathead, so you can comfortably great away with using a 2/0 1/4oz jighead. Soft plastic selection should be based on what the flathead are eating and with an abundance of prawns and small smelt in the system, prawn and baitfish imitations are deadly throughout the entire system. Hardbody lures are also extremely effective, however selecting the right one is imperative. Because you’d be casting from the deep into the shallows, a diving lure that reaches a depth of around 1m is ideal. Hardbody lures work best with a slow winding retrieve and a long pause. This will allow the lure to dive down to the bottom and when left, will slowly rise up (assuming the chosen lure is a

best when worked similar to soft plastics, however they do require a slower lift and a longer pause. Lifting the rod tip around a metre into the air at a slow pace will have the vibe do its thing. When lowering the rod tip back towards the surface, slowly retrieve the excess line until taught. Once you feel

When flicking the edges, always ensure you are within casting distance of the bank. the resistance of the lure on the bottom, stop winding and pause for up to five seconds, then begin to lift the rod tip once again and repeat the process back to the boat. When you are starting out on Tyers in search of flatties, a good place to begin is along the bank to the north just out of boat ramp number two. I usually begin on the point to the left just before heading up the Toorloo Arm and work it back towards the Nowa Nowa arm on first light. From there, I like to drive the boat over

Bream are a common catch for all anglers. Flicking the snags is where you’ll find them schooled up. floating model). Another effective lure is a small metal vibe. Commonly used on bream, metal vibes attract flathead to them because of the noise they emit when being retrieved. Vibes in the 30-50mm length are very effective, however many anglers tend to use them for bream rather than flathead. Flathead are quick to devour them, but due to the light leader used when targeting bream, flathead are often lost. When using vibes for flathead, upsize the leader to 12-15lb to ensure you’re not chewed off during the fight. Vibes work

rather than working the banks, the snags and coastline is where you’ll find most of the action. Bream tend to be targeted more in winter, mainly due to the hordes of anglers focusing on flathead throughout the warmer months, but can still be caught in summer on the shallow flats in the

the shallow bank to the right of the Nowa Nowa Arm, pull up on the bank, anchor the boat and jump out to wade the edge, casting out into the deep water under the powerlines. Following that, I like to travel up either arm, stopping and hitting every point or bend that I round as I travel up the system. Most of the banks extend from the hills out into the water and while shallow, I work the edges as they drop off into the deeper water. Bream Bream are secondary to flathead when it comes to flicking about Tyers, except

early morning rather than in the deep. Throughout summer, bream tend to hide and become quite cagey. Whether that’s something to do with the increased sunlight making them shy I’m not quite sure, but I do know that at first light, fishing the flats is where you’ll tend to catch most of them. As the morning wears on, you’ll need to hit the banks, especially the snags where they seek shelter and can hide from birds that might fly down for an easy meal. While bait fishing is popular among the older generation, it is very productive when using freshly peeled prawns in the same manner as you would when bait fishing for flathead. Pulling the boat up onto the edge of the bank will give you a fair area to flick out baits back into the deeper water. If you’re near a bunch of fallen trees, flick an unweighted prawn among the timber limbs, and hold on. The fight will be fast and furious and most end up getting busted off, but if you want big bream, you have to cast into these areas. Bream have quite a small mouth, however they still have no worries devouring a 5” prawn in one mouthful. Hooks should be kept quite small though, with a no. 4-5 size the biggest you should go. Lure fishing on the other hand is a much more popular fishing technique used these days and is very effective in these areas. Knowing that bream mostly inhabit the bank edges and snags, anglers have to be super quiet when hitting these features. Sitting a good 10m from the bank or snag will give a good area to cast lures to. Depending on the time of day, different lures will work best. In the morning, 40-50mm shallow diving crankbaits will work wonders.

Towards the afternoon, you may want to hit the snags and use deep diving models and or sinking stickbaits, however the snags are often covered with barnacles and this can be costly for those throwing hardbody lures. As an alternative, 70mm grub style soft plastics will still get their fair share of fish and won’t hurt the bank account as much. Throughout the winter period, bream tend to come away from the banks and snags and school up in the main body of the arms. Locating them is easy with a good fish finder and when you do, metal vibes in the 30-40mm range are deadly. Tailor Lake Tyers has quite a healthy population of tailor and many tend to be lost due to anglers using light leader that doesn’t stand up to their sharp teeth. Tailor are usually caught as a by-catch by those fortunate enough to stay connected, however to specifically target them, trolling small 17-90mm diving lures is the most effective technique. Tailor tend to be found in schools in the bottom lake and as soon as you leave from boat ramp number two, your lures should be deployed. Trolling between the Toorloo and Nowa Nowa area is where you’ll find the majority of them and while the majority aren’t that big, you do strike it rich with a solid kilo model from time to time. Silver trevally Trevally are another species that are abundant throughout the Tyers system, but rarely specifically targeted. Once again, they tend to be caught as a by-catch while flicking hardbodies and soft plastics for bream and flathead. Although they can be caught throughout the system, specifically targeting them can be a challenge. Most of the trevally caught are from the deep channels in the main lake around the two islands as well as up the Nowa Nowa Arm in the Devils Hole. If you are going to try your hand at targeting them, stick to throwing 3”

Gippsland Lakes TYERS TACKLE Flathead Rod: Wilson Magnum 7ft 2-4kg spin or equivalent Reel: Shimano Sedona/Stradic 1000/2500 or equivalent Line: Mustad Thor 6lb or equivalent Leader: Wilson FC 15lb or equivalent Lures: Yakamito SXY Shad, Zerek Live Shrimp, Squidgy 100mm Fish. Bait: Live or freshly peeled prawn. Bream Rod: Wilson Magnum 6’6” 1-3, 7ft 2-4kg spin or equivalent Reel: Shimano Sedona/Stradic 1000/2500 or equivalent Line: Mustad Thor 6lb or equivalent Leader: Wilson FC 6lb or equivalent Lures: Yakamito Intruder S, Yakamito SXY Shad, Yakamito Slim Minnow 60mm, Zerek Flash Minnow. Bait: Live or freshly peeled prawn. Trevally and tailor Rod: Wilson Magnum 7ft 2-4kg spin or equivalent Reel: Shimano Sedona/Stradic 1000/2500 or equivalent Line: Mustad Thor 6lb or equivalent Leader: Wilson FC 8lb or equivalent Lures: Yakamito SXY Shad, Zerek Live Shrimp, Squidgy 100mm fish. Mulloway Rod: Wilson Magnum 7ft 2-4kg spin or equivalent Reel: Shimano Sedona/Stradic 1000/2500 or equivalent Line: Mustad Thor 10lb or equivalent Leader: Wilson FC 15lb or equivalent Lures: Zerek Live Shrimp, Squidgy 100mm Fish. Bait: Live mullet or tailor. soft plastics throughout the deeper channels. Prawns Prawning is an extremely popular affair in Lake Tyers and while they are not available all year, any month with an ‘r’ in it is when they are out and about. Prawns grow around an inch a month, so the later you leave it to catch them in season, the bigger they will be. February, March and April tend to be the better times to catch the larger ones. During any night, you can catch prawns, however the lead up to a new moon is best. Catching prawns is very easy, providing you have all the gear. Waders, a prawn net and an underwater light are mandatory, and although you can use a torch above the water, they can be difficult to see especially if there is any wind. In Lake Tyers, the

popular location to catch prawns is right in front of the Waterwheel Tavern. From here, just walk in the shallows around the edges and you’ll be sure to pick up a good feed. BOATING TECHNIQUES Lake Tyers is quite a popular fishery year-round, but it does see an influx of anglers in the summer months. Keep in mind, the lake is not mapped on any GPS Mapping System, so navigating around should be done with care. When you’re embarking on your first mission to Tyers, follow the channel markers out from the boat ramp, then stick to the middle of the arms as you travel up the system. The shallow banks jut out on each point quite some distance from the shoreline and you shouldn’t try to take any shortcuts, you could end up running aground! While any size boat can To page 62

Known as ‘lure thieves’, big tailor can be caught throughout the system. MAY 2017

LAKES ENTRANCE

Gippsland Lakes PLACES TO STAY

From page 61

be launched into Tyers, those specifically set up for lure fishing are recommended. An electric motor is an essential bit of gear, especially if you are lure tossing, so you can keep concentrating on specific features rather than having the wind blow you off course when drifting. Working points and flats also requires certain techniques too. Don’t go in with all guns blazing, rather you should sneak in quietly and focus your casts on areas you think will hold fish like snags, sandy patches and the edges of weed beds. Don’t be in a hurry to leave if you don’t get a hit on the first ten casts either, as flathead and bream can stay in the one area for quite some time before striking. This is the whole reason for ensuring that with every cast made, the retrieve makes the bait look as natural as a live bait swimming about. LAND-BASED OPTIONS There are many nooks and crannies land-based anglers can access for a spot of fishing, and while the usual haunts do get a few anglers at them on weekends and during holidays, you can always head down the access tracks to find your own little hideaway away from the crowds. Roads

Lake Tyers Lake Tyers Camp and Caravan Park 558 Lake Tyers Rd, Lake Tyers Beach VIC 3909 laketyerscaravanpark.com.au (03) 5156 5530 Lake Tyers Lakes Beachfront Holiday Retreat 430 Lake Tyers Rd, Lake Tyers Beach VIC 3909 lakesbeachfront.com.au (03) 5156 5582 Lakes Entrance Lakes Entrance Tourist Park 127 Princes Hwy, Lakes Entrance VIC 3909 lakesentrancetouristpark.com.au (03) 5155 1159 Lakes Entrance Eastern Beach Holiday Park 42 Eastern Beach Rd, Lakes Entrance VIC 3909 easternbeach.com.au (03) 5155 1581 Bush Camping Bush Camping is also available along the Trident Arm but check local regulations first by heading to www.parkweb.com.au or http://www. exploreaustralia.net.au/Victoria/East-Gippsland/ Lake-Tyers-Forest-Park/Trident-Arm-camping-area such as the Burnt Bridge Track around 5km from the Lake Tyers township give good water access. Bream and flathead are the main species to be targeted. Bait fishing is popular, but so is flicking around soft plastics along the edges. There are many access tracks off the Princes Highway that lead down to the Lake.

Early morning is the best time to begin to explore, as there will be fewer anglers, giving you peace and quiet and an ability to explore without interrupting other anglers. Following the Princes Highway up past the Nowa Nowa township will lead you to the Lake Tyers House Road on your right. This leads down through the forest

with many dirt tracks such as Morgans Landing Track, Ironbark Track, Reedy Arm Number Two Track and the Trident Arm Track, which all lead down to the lake. Once again, you can find your own secluded area and get to work wading the shallows while flicking to the edges. It is recommended that a 4x4 be taken down here, especially during winter, as the roads are dirt and can be tricky if wet.

If you’re a less adventurous angler, there are many opportunities around Lake Tyers township itself. The jetty located at boat ramp number two is a hotspot for bream and flathead during the night. Bait fishing is preferred, with a running sinker rig and peeled prawn bait the best rig. Stick to using small hooks when you’re bait fishing. A #6 sized bait hook in a red colour is ideal for bream, while a 1/0 long shank hook is perfect

for flathead. Lake Tyers is full of potential and whether you’re fishing from a boat, kayak or land-based, there are plenty of locations to explore and flick. Being a year-round fishery and a nice place to stay either by yourself or with the family, Lake Tyers is one place that should be high on the agenda the next time you’re looking to find that little piece of paradise to relax.

Throughout the summer months prawns are a viable option to catch in the shallows at night.

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LAKES ENTRANCE

Gippsland Lakes

Lakes Entrance and surrounds accommodation You’ve got your bags packed and even the kids are ready to go – they’ve been saying that for days, but this time they’re really, really ready. By now it’s just a matter of getting from home to holiday. If you’ve got your tent in the boot, or your caravan ready, there are caravan parks with plots available. There are no free plots

inside the Lakes Entrance area, but Burnt Bridge and Logs Crossing nearby have free spaces with no amenities. If you prefer a stay with four walls and no wheels attached, you can find everything from a holiday house to a hotel room or a fully furnished apartment. Many of the places to stay in Lakes Entrance are

fully self-catered so you can cook for yourself and save a penny. Many of the places to stay are near shops or have cafes (not to mention the bed and breakfasts here), so you can also opt for the no-effort full holiday experience. Lakes Entrance is a popular place for holidaymakers, so remember to book your trip in advance. Many places can be fully

ACCOMMODATION AND CAMPING LAKES ENTRANCE

Lazy Acre Log Cabins 35 Roadknight Street, Lakes Entrance P: 03 5155 1323

booked if you don’t plan ahead and that can cost you a sea view and downstairs cafe. Bush Camping is also available along the Trident Arm but check local regulations first by heading to www.parkweb.com.au or www.exploreaustralia.net. au/Victoria/East-Gippsland/ Lake-Tyers-Forest-Park/ Trident-Arm-camping-area. Refer to map for location

The Esplanade Resort & Spa 1 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance P: 03 5155 3533

E: info@lazyacre.com W: lazyacre.com

E: holiday@esplanaderesort.com.au

Price: from $128

W: esplanaderesort.com.au

Price: from $179

ATTRACTIONS

Lakes Entrance Esplanade Mini Golf 461 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance From: $8 per player P: 03 5155 2294

Wyanga Park Winery 248 Baades Road, Lakes Entrance, Cruise tours from Post Office Jetty P: 03 5155 1508 Lonsdale Eco Cruises Cunningham Quay Jetty, Lakes Entrance From: $45 (Adult)

Refer to map for location

W: lonsdalecruises.com.au

P: 0413 666 638

Echo Beach Tourist Park 31 Roadknight Street, Lakes Entrance P: 03 5155 2238

BIG 4 Waters Edge Holiday Park 623 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance P: 1800 679 327

E: info@echobeachpark.com W: echobeachpark.com

W: watersedgepark.com

Price: from $85

Price: from $90

Griffiths Sea Shell Museum 125 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance Open 10:00AM - 4:00PM

P: 03 5155 1538

SERVICES

Lakes Entrance Tourist Park 127 Princes Hwy, Lakes Entrance P: 03 5155 1159

Eastern Beach Holiday Park 42 Eastern Beach Rd, Lakes Entrance P: (03) 5155 1581

W: lakesentrancetouristpark.com.au

W: easternbeach.com.au

Price: from $90

Price: from $103

Water Wheel Beach Tavern 577 Lake Tyers Beach Road, Lake Tyers Beach

Refer to map for location

W: thewaterwheel.com.au

P: 03 5156 5855 Farout Charters Skate Park Boat Ramp, Lakes Entrance,

W: faroutcharters.com.au

P: 0428 401 819

ACCOMMODATION AND CAMPING LAKE TYERS

Lake Tyers Camp and Caravan Park 558 Lake Tyers Rd, Lake Tyers Beach P: 03 5156 5530

Refer to map for location

Lakes Beachfront Holiday Retreat 430 Lake Tyers Rd, Lake Tyers Beach P: 03 5156 5582

W: laketyerscaravanpark.com.au

W: lakesbeachfront.com.au

Price: from $43

Price: from $145

Peels Cruises Post Office Jetty, Lakes Entrance. 3 cruise boats to choose from.

W: peelscruises.com.au

P: 03 5155 1246 Fishermen’s Co-Op Bullock Island, Lakes Entrance. Viewing platform Check out the catch!

W: peelscruises.com.au

P: 03 5155 1688 MAY 2017

LAKES ENTRANCE

Gippsland Lakes

Spoilt for choice offshore! OFFSHORE

Tony Kemna

Although the Gippsland Lakes system is huge, with fishing options around every corner, the true anglers’ paradise can be found through the Lakes Entrance Bar. Bread and butter species such as snapper, gummy sharks and flathead are all within easy reach of the entrance with pelagic species like kingfish, mako sharks and marlin seasonally available on the outer grounds. Add to that the broadbill swordfish fishery and the deep water species like blue eye trevalla and ling, and it’s easy to see we are spoilt for choice. Having fished the area extensively for many years and chartering from Lakes

Entrance since 2003, I am also well aware that local knowledge, fresh local baits, and a good understanding of how the weather patterns affect the fishery are key factors in a successful trip. I pride myself on putting my clients onto fish, so I hope the following insight will help you enjoy the bluewater fishing that the waters off Lakes Entrance have to offer. LAKES ENTRANCE BAR The entrance is an artifical structure built in the 1800s and can be very dangerous at times to cross with the wind, swell and tides all playing a big part in whether you head out or not. Gippsland Ports have maintained the entrance by using the first dredge the April Hamer, which was a side cast dredge that was decommissioned a few years

Once you find one flathead, chances are there’ll be many more! 64

MAY 2017

back, and since then they have got the Pelican Hopper dredge contracted to deepen the entrance for the commercial fleet and recreational anglers who use it. Gippsland Ports are now in the process of building their own suction hopper dredge to maintain the entrance all year round, and it will be based in Lakes and operational around February 2018 if all goes to plan. The lake system is a whole system of water going through that small entrance, so caution should be taken departing and returning to Lakes Entrance. The weather plays a big part in your planning, and my rule is if you’re not sure, give it a miss. The fish will always be there next time. Better to be safe than sorry. SNAPPER The snapper fishery in Lakes Entrance is one of the best, if not the best in Victoria. We have the largest snapper turn up in late October through to April, and for the rest of the year there is a consistent pinkie snapper fishery. The key to the strength of the fishery is the vast amount of reef structure in the area. From the Six-Mile Reef to the pipeline 25km west of the entrance, there are multiple areas of reef that hold not only snapper, but other species of fish like rubber lip morwong, nannygai, leatherjackets,

trevally and the list goes on. I believe bait fishing is the best option to fish these areas. I have fished these reefs both with the charter and privately for many years, and a paternoster rig baited with either pilchards or squid will come up trumps more often than not. I know that fishing soft plastics and jigs are very popular methods to target snapper, however they are very technique driven, so I tend to keep it simple for my clients, and even for my own fishing. I have no doubt that with the quality of the fishery, anglers catch plenty of fish with plastics and jigs. The best times of the day are early morning and late afternoon. Sometimes the bite periods last for 20 minutes and sometimes for an hour if you’re in the right spot at the right time. In most instances, you will be heading in with a great feed of fish to clean at the boat ramp. GUMMY SHARKS The great thing about heading offshore in Lakes Entrance is once you’re over the bar, there are 90 miles of beach and where there is beach, there are crabs and gummy sharks love crabs. The key to success is water depth. We like to fish water that is between 16-20m in depth. The area 10km west of the entrance and 20km east of the entrance are known hotspots. You can use many baits for them such as pilchards,

Main: Big reds will always put smiles on faces. Above: The billfish fishery off Lakes is just icing on the cake to a lot of anglers. squid, fresh barracouta or slimy mackerel fillets; the main thing is to make sure your anchor is holding and that you’re keeping the berley trail going slowly. You don’t want to berley too hard or you will be plagued by crabs and baitfish picking your baits off. Gummy sharks are great eating and also great fun to catch. Once on board, if you intend to keep a fish for a

feed, it is important that you know how to look after your catch. We net all our gummies with a big landing net and our catch rate is excellent. We have found that this is a lot better than gaffing, because they can roll off the gaff resulting in a lost fish. Once in the boat, give them a few taps on the nose with something solid, take any pictures you may want, and

LAKES ENTRANCE remove the head, gills and guts before putting it into an ice slurry. This preserves the fish beautifully and ensures that it is at its best for the plate. Commercial shark boats use this practice because the gills and guts can spoil the taste of the fish if not removed. Ask any Victorian and they will tell you can’t go past a nice piece of gummy shark. SAND FLATHEAD Sand flathead are a favourite target species for many anglers and they are within easy reach once you are out of the bar. Drifting is the best way to target them, and you have the entire 90-mile expanse of beach to drift along once you are outside. The key is to have the sinker of your paternoster rig bouncing along the bottom. Sand flathead sit in large groups, so once you find a patch of them, you will soon see your rod buckle over. Vary the depth of water you drift in, as they can be caught in water 12-50m deep. Tiger flathead can also be amongst the sandies. Tigers

around March. It’s also during this time that they can be targeted from the Six-Mile Reef down the west out to the pipeline area. When the kingfish are around, it is not only the local Lakes Entrance offshore grounds that produce, the many reefs down to Marlo and Tamboon also fish very well and are well worth the effort with the weather permitting. Although the fish this year have been in good numbers, the ones we have caught this year have not been overly big, but still great fun when targeted on light tackle nonetheless. Any trip to Marlo and Tamboon reefs should be well planned and a good look at the weather forecast should be top of your list, with Marlo Reef being around 50km and Tamboon Reef around 100km from the Lakes Entrance Bar. In good weather, going to both these locations is a fantastic trip and is safer than trying to navigate the Snowy River Bar at Marlo (it was almost closed recently) or using the Cape Conron Boat Ramp if

deadly, but require a bit more work by the angler. It is not uncommon to come across large bait balls as you motor around. Dropping a bait jig down into these bait balls will soon see you with plenty of baits. It is then just a matter of dropping them back in with a hook in them. The kings won’t be too far away if the bait is there. Another popular method this season has been trolling squid. Fish up to 15kg have been reported, so buying some fresh local squid before you head out is a good idea. MAKO SHARKS January to May is the prime time if you want to catch yourself a mako shark. They are a spectacular fish to catch, but they require big baits and wire. If you haven’t caught a mako shark, then you are in for a bit of fun. They are an extremely powerful fish, produce blistering runs and it is not uncommon for them to jump out of the water and put on a spectator air show. They can be caught anywhere from the beach out

Most who venture offshore of Lakes return with great mix of fresh fish for the table. grow much larger than the sand flathead and are a great bonus to any bag of fish. The best time of year for the sand flathead is October until the cooler months. They are a superb eating fish and great entertainment if you have the family on board. Take a little bit of care when handling these fish. They have a spike on either side of their head that can cause a fair bit of pain and they have a good set of dentures as well. Although flathead aren’t too fussy when it comes to what they will eat, the best bait to use is pilchard and squid, but any fresh fish fillets also work well. KINGFISH Kingfish have become regular visitors to the system in the last few years. They have tended to turn up in Lakes Entrance in the actual lake system in good numbers from November until

you have not used it before. It can be dangerous, as it is an ocean boat ramp and has many submerged rocks that can cause you grief if you are unaware. The best practice is to go with a couple of boats. Safety in numbers is always a good thing just in case something goes pear-shaped. There are numerous ways to target the kings, with our favoured method being to use jigs. Weights depend on the depth of water and the amount of current. Basically, you drop your jigs to the bottom and either work it quickly or slowly to the surface and repeat. The action can be pretty full on when you find the fish. Hooking one tends to fire up the whole school and mayhem can follow. When you do find them, set up a track on your sounder so you can repeat the drift you have done, to hopefully repeat the fishing as well. Live baits can also be

to the continental shelf. The ones we see on our charters are normally a bit smaller, but are still great fun to catch and are great eating. Makos normally turn up at the back of your boat when you least expect them too, normally when you’re winding in other fish from the bottom. It therefore pays to have a shark rod ready to go with a wire trace ready to hook up a fillet or just about anything as a bait, as they are not fussy about what they eat. I saw a few fish the other day at the boat ramp caught by guys who had ventured out to the shelf. The fish they had caught ranged from 50-130kg, so they will be eating fish and chips for a while. MARLIN AND BROADBILL SWORDFISH Over the last few years, deep dropping for marlin and broadbill swordfish has really taken off. The improvement

Gippsland Lakes

The Lakes Entrance Bar can be dangerous in certain conditions, so local knowledge is required before even considering crossing this bar. in sounder technology and the fact that boats are now being made with larger fuel capacities and outboard motors are also using less fuel means that areas 80-100km offshore can now be explored. I believe the fish have always been there, it’s just that switched on anglers have now worked out how to target them and this is exciting for those who love fishing out of Lakes Entrance. Bass Canyon is where most people have been targeting these fish. It is about an 80km run from the bar and it has so far produced some amazing catches. Common methods to target them involve heavy game tackle and big baits. I for one am excited about the broadbill fishery. Catching one of these amazing fish would tick off a species from my bucket list that I have wanted to catch for a very long time. As with any fishing this far offshore, the weather plays a big part when organising a trip. Weather reports for Lakes Entrance mean very little when you are fishing 100km offshore, so checking the Bureau of Meteorology site for East Gippsland is a good start and Buoy Weather is another website that will give you a better indication of what is happening in the area you are heading. Always remember there is nowhere to hide out there, and it can be a very slow trip home if the wind and swell pick up. Even if the weather is good, it pays to have two boats, just in case something goes wrong. Fuel is your other consideration. You should always have a third spare on your return, if not, you need a bigger tank, because rough weather always means you burn more fuel. DEEP DROPPING – BLUE-EYE TREVALLA, GEMFISH AND PERCH The best part about heading to deep water is that it also provides you with the opportunity to target some of the tastiest fish in the ocean. By this I mean blue eye trevalla, gemfish and deep water perch. All are prized

species for their eating qualities and are a fantastic plan B if the marlin and broadbill swordfish don’t play the game. Electric reels are almost a must when targeting these species. It can take an enormous amount of time for your bait to get to the bottom and on most occasions, you’re on pretty quickly. Bringing a fish up from these depths, if you were winding by hand, you would soon be looking like Popeye, so using an electric reel is a very pleasant experience. You can enjoy a nice cup of tea as it does all the work, and then you can be amazed at the size of the fish that come from the depths. The angling experience may well stop there, but you will forever have a family and friends that love you more after eating any of these fish. All have beautiful firm white flesh and taste amazing. After eating them, you will start planning your next trip! CONCLUSION Fishing out of Lakes

Entrance can be daunting. Once you’re out of the bar it is a vast ocean that is full of opportunity. If you don’t know the area, there are three tackle stores in town that can provide you with some local knowledge. Riviera Bait Supplies have a fantastic range of locally caught baits, and there is no doubt that this can make a difference when you are out on the water. There are also a number of charter operators that work out of Lakes Entrance, one being my operation, Far Out Charters. We pride ourselves on catching our clients fish and ensuring they enjoy their time on the water. Going out on a charter is a great way to get a feel for an area and can make that vast ocean seem just a little smaller. So next time you are in Lakes Entrance, don’t be afraid to head out into the briny, I am sure you will most probably see me out there!

Not many Victorians will turn down a gummy for the plate. MAY 2017

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FUN PAGE AND COMPETITIONS SONGS THAT COULD BE ABOUT FISHING

BORN TO RUN EVERYBODY HURTS GOOD VIBRATIONS HELP I GET AROUND IM A BELIEVER IM STILL STANDING IMAGINE HURT JEALOUS GUY

LET IT BE LITTLE LIES LIVIN ON A PRAYER MY HAPPINESS OOPS I DID IT AGAIN RECKLESS RUN TO PARADISE SHUT UP YOUR FACE THRILLER WHY

Name: Address:

P/Code:

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

VIC MAY 2017

Phone (day):

BARRA COUNTRY by Brett Currie

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

SPOT THE

10 DIFFERENCES

GEORGE & NEV by Michael Hardy

ORIGINAL

FIND-A-WORD

Congratulations to Andrew Bartos from Delahey, who was last month’s winner of the Find-a-Word Competition! Monthly winners receive a sponsor prize. Prize delivery can take 8 weeks. – V&TFM

SUBSCRIBER PRIZE

The subscriber prize winner for March was B Mundy Heathcote Junction, P Gardiakos of Altona, R Palmer of Derrimut and R Barns of Euroa, who won a Salt-Away kit valued at $97.45 SRP. All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – V&TFM

Strathdale, P Amos of St Arnaud, J Hines of Leopold, K Morrison of Moama, A Haughton of Morwell, I Wild of St Arnaud, H Skeer of Millicent, G Rippon of Colac, L Gruar of Portland, B Gillam of Flowerdale, H Kirk of Hadspen, J Randall of Torquay, M Neil of Armstrong Creek, R Moore of Greenvale, A Pollard of Darley, B Riley of Jamieson, D Robinson of Carisbrook, P Gigliotti of Coburg North, L Milkins of

Wonthaggi, T Dron of Alfredton, J Kellett of Parkdale, F Oleszko of Baybrook, K Green of Benalla, L Bennett of Traralgon, C Gios of Myrtleford, A Gee of Goornong, J Darch of Altona, P Musgrove of Casterton, P Finn of Numurkah, B Bell of Wodonga, P Geale of Georgetown, G Bannister of Lorne, S Andrighetto of Inverloch. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – V&TFM

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS

FIND THE DX POINT LOGO

The answers to Find the DX Point Logo for March were: 8, 12, 17, 18, 27, 30, 34, 38, 44, 55, 61, 66, 84, 89, 92. – V&TFM

Guess the Fish Answer: Brown trout

The Find the DX Point logo prize winners for March were: L Creaves of Doreen, A Grant of Geelong West, A Foster of Drouin, J Jenner of Drummond, G Andrewartha of South Morang, P Merrick of Shearwater, M Fryer of Balwyn North, C Frewin of

GUESS THE FISH?

Answer: MAY 2017

Go Behind the Scenery

Tasmania

Catching tasty Tassie plate fish TASMANIA

Kelly Hunt

May is the start of the colder weather. It’s a fact that summer has long since departed, but there is some good news for

fishing here in Tasmania at this time of year. May is where the Tasmanian autumn has really kicked in and weather patterns are fairly settled. The wind conditions can actually be very good in May and this combining

with clear blue skies and solid sun can make for some excellent fishing. The mornings will be chilly. As soon as the sun starts to go down it can be frightfully brisk, so pack and dress accordingly. Another bonus for

mainlanders is the accommodation prices come down as the demand really starts to fall off the tourist trade. With good weather and great places to stay around the coast, let’s look at what we can target.

many areas around Australia and New Zealand and have a few different names. One of the names is a testament to their good eating: ‘Antarctic butterfish.’ So what are you going to need to target blue-eye? A reasonable boat is the obvious answer. Even with sensational weather and great conditions you are going to do well offshore. These fish are found in 400m+ over the continental shelf. This is going to mean traveling at least 11nm. The vessel chosen will need to be able to handle weather and sea conditions, should the weather change and also be in good sea-going condition. Fishing gear will vary depending on your wallet and levels of keenness. The big trend of late is electric

fishing reels with swivel tip rods. Back in the day we would use big Alvey reels mounted on a rail or rod holder mount. You can even use a big eggbeater and take turns reeling up whatever you have hooked. It won’t matter what you decide, as a day’s bottom dropping can be a huge amount of fun and also provide plenty of really tasty fish flesh. Circle hooks are the only way to fly here. Even with braid setting hooks at that depth is going to be tricky. The idea of a circle hook is to use the pressure of the sinker and the fish taking the bait and swimming off to pin the fish in the corner of the mouth. These hooks are also designed to be hard to de-hook and fish will stay on during the wind up. Baits are a hotly contested topic, just have

a few options. Squid and octopus are awesome and will stay on the hooks really well. Strips of striped tuna go very well as do chunks of couta. So don’t get caught up thinking one bait is best. Have three or four hooks on a deep drop rig. Mix and match a few and see what is working on the day. One thing to be careful of is not to jam the gape up of the circle hook. Pin the bait once or twice on the point but have the bait sit down in the bend. Doing this allows the hook to work properly and will deliver much better results. It doesn’t really matter what method you use, getting your baits down to the bottom will take a little while and a keen angler fishing braid will often see the baits hit on the way down. This is normally

OFFSHORE Still conditions and very little swell lead to some solid opportunities to fill the freezer for when the weather really cranks up. Lately I have been enjoying deep dropping for deep sea species. When the weather window is right, fishing is enjoyable and you never really know what is going to come up. What you can be certain of is that it will be strange looking with big oogly eyes. The good news is that most of what comes up is very tasty! Blue-eye trevalla are the top of the target species list for me in this style of fishing. The fish that you encounter along the way while chasing blue-eye are also great eating, so it makes a great day out. These fish are found in

A handful of whiting makes a good day. evidence of another species we have in abundance in Tasmania – Rays bream. Rays bream are often found up a lot higher in the water column around what is called the scatter layer. The scatter layer is will show up on a good sounder unit nowadays. It’s made up of a variety of marine

animals. It used to do the sonar operator’s head in during the second world war, as they were puzzled with what looked like the sea floor rising at night. The movement is caused by the small mesopelagic fish with swim bladders that show up on sounder equipment. These are the fish

INLAND FISHERIES SERVICE

Hydro Tasmania upgrades access for anglers IFS

Tim Farrell

Hydro Tasmania has undertaken maintenance work to improve angler access at Arthurs Lake Dam Ramp, Penstock Lagoon Ramp and the Liawenee open weekend overflow car park. The work was undertaken by Stornoway Maintenance on behalf of Hydro Tasmania and involved re-sheeting and grading of the existing roads and car park. Anglers are reminded to limit their speed to 40km/h or less on boating facility access roads for safety and to preserve the condition of the roads. YABBY CLOSURE OF LAKE LYNCH The Inland Fisheries Service is reminding Tasmanians it is illegal to move, possess, import or release Mainland yabbies (Cherax destructor) into waterways following the recent detection of the introduced species in a new area. A small artificial water body in the Central Highlands will be closed for a period of time to allow the Inland Fisheries 68

MAY 2017

Service (IFS) to manage an established population of the introduced pest. The pond, commonly known as Lake Lynch, was created in a disused quarry and is situated on the southern side of Poatina Road, near Arthurs Lake. The mainland yabby was first found in Tasmania more than 30 years ago. It is a burrowing crayfish and is known for breeding at a fast rate, weakening earth dams, lowering water quality and competing with native crayfish. Director of the IFS John Diggle says it is considered a noxious species and is a controlled fish under the Inland Fisheries Act 1995. “This species has been found in other areas of the state over the past three decades. This is the first established population found in the Central Highlands, which is why it is important for us to act at this site now to reduce the risk of further movement in this area,” Mr Diggle said. “Unfortunately, their increased distribution is being helped by people moving them into new waterways unaware of their potential impacts. “Mainland yabbies can occur in a wide variety of

Common yabbies (Cherax destructor) are a noxious pest in Tasmania. natural and artificial habitats including creeks, rivers, lakes, swamps, farm dams and irrigation channels. “They are known to form large populations quickly under Tasmanian conditions and have the potential to compete with, and carry disease and parasites harmful to native crayfish.” The IFS was alerted by a report from a member of the public. Mr Diggle said the IFS is managing the introduced pest by enforcing the controlled fish provisions under the Inland Fisheries Act 1995 and by educating

anglers of the risk posed by the pest species. “We thank members of the public for providing reports and we remind everyone that fisheries compliance officers conduct on-the-spot inspections across the state,” Mr Diggle said. The Inland Fisheries Service requests that any information relating to the possession of controlled fish, the transfer of fish around the state’s waters, or any other illegal activities be reported as soon as possible to Manager, Compliance and

Operations on 0438 338 530. Lake Lynch is closed below its high water mark and access is restricted. BEDS READY FOR RAINBOW REDDS When built in 1976 the Zig Zag Channel at Liawenee was described as “a novel design in that the channel follows a zig zag course to enable the greatest length of spawning ground to be located in a fixed area of land.” In the spring of 1997 the first adult rainbow trout were allowed to spawn in the new channel. In December

the new hatching fry were noted to be very healthy and active. On top of that, far more fry were caught in the downstream traps than in the previous year. It was reported that there were a few problems causing the deterioration of the Liawenee Canal spawning ground. Large sections of the canal had been concrete lined. Work has recently been done to freshen up the rainbow trout spawning beds at Liawenee. Around 140t of gravel has been placed in the Zig Zag Channel to improve spawning opportunity for rainbow trout when they commence their run in September this year. Keeping the wild status of rainbow trout in Yingina/Great Lake is important and this work is expected to help. TROUT WEEKEND Come and see hundreds of brown trout on their annual spawning migration in our Central Highlands at Liawenee, Yingina/ Great Lakes on 20-21 May, 10am-3pm. The IFS Trout Weekend has free entry and includes kids’ fishing, cooking tips, insights into fisheries management and hatcheries and much more.

Go Behind the Scenery that the Rays bream are obviously interested in. When the Rays bream are thick you will see them on the sounder and work out quickly at what depth they are sitting. If you have metered braid that is a different colour every 10m you can count down to them. This is even easier with an electric as you can just watch the digital display and stop at the right depth. This can be the case for any biomass that you see mid water and makes for easy targeting. While sounders are an absolute godsend in finding and targeting fish, don’t despair if you don’t have the gear to pound a decent signal down and back off the shelf. Units like the ones from Simrad and Lowrance have great maps. Find the contours when fishing down the side of the shelf and park on the deeper contours around 450-500. I have managed to find blue-eye by just blind dropping off contours at this depth and when I haven’t seen anything on the sounder. The bottom depth has a wild array of crazy creatures and as I said earlier they all taste pretty good. Even the ones that are not highly favoured by most people taste quite

good and this is the case with ribaldo. These fish are also known as ‘ghost cod’ and will be found quite often when looking for blue-eye. They’re normally treated with disdain. This is misinformed. While they’re not a treasured species, they still eat ok. The secret here and with all fish is the post-capture care. Bleed out the fish as soon as you can and where possible place it into a saltwater ice slurry. If this is not feasible, the fish bin or esky with some frozen water bottles will suffice. Dragging down the temperature and keeping the fish chilled before and after processing will mean a better result every time. The other great invention in recent history is the affordability and access to home vacuum sealers. These little machines are worth their weight in gold when processing and freezing fish. Pink ling are another great by-catch when bottom dropping off the shelf, as are blue grenadier. These fish look like a cross between eel and fish. The pink cusk-eel is the proper name for the ling. It’s also known as ‘New Zealand ling’ and even ‘kinglip.’ The other usual suspect that hangs around with all these great fish is the scary

Blue-eye bring smiles to dials. looking gemfish. These fish are often found in good numbers and varying size. The gemmy is another species that is good to eat. Now I am sure you are wondering just where you can start looking for these fish. Here is some more great news! They are everywhere along the coastline of Tasmania. The only factors you have to really take into account are weather conditions and possibly accommodation. If you have friends with a shack along any of Tasmania’s seaside towns that has good access to the shelf then you are in great form. We here in Tasmania are very spoilt with the shelf being so close to boat access points from

St Helens, Bicheno and Eaglehawk Neck. You can come out of Coles Bay, there’s just the added distance. St Helens has long been seen as the place in Tasmania to nail some good numbers of deep sea delights, but other areas are starting to find favour. People are quickly realising just how widespread these fish are and it is more about the depth of water than a sounder mark from a friend of a friend. Each destination has its own appeal so do some research. If you don’t have a mate with a shack, take advantage of some good end-of-tourist-season deals. Don’t for one second think just because we have less daylight and the weather is getting a little colder the

Tasmania fishing stops. Make a plan, get the weather right and enjoy the calm days of May. Lastly, we don’t talk about offshore fishing in Tasmania without discussing the southern bluefin and albacore tuna. These fish are around in good numbers and, as always at this time of year, the albacore are big and are great fun to catch and eat. You know a fish is good when even the fussiest eater in your clan will wolf it down with gusto and ask for more, please! These fish are thick right now and it’s a good time to have the kids rug up and come out and catch a few for themselves. I love taking family and friends out to show them where the fish comes from, and what we go through to get it. There doesn’t seem to be any great rhyme or reason as to where the school size fish can be found lately. The shelf and area of sea into the 100m line is holding very good numbers of fish. Those looking for albacore can try Bicheno and the area north of the Hippolytes. The traditional skirted lures are always a great way to find a few fish. The albacore can be shy and on occasion won’t want to get their backs out of the water. When they are like this try bibless lures that run

sub-surface, allowing the most nervous tuna to find some brave pills. This season was not as exciting as last season in regards to striped marlin. The currents are at the whim of a number of factors and the East Australian Current just didn’t come down as strong or as wide as in previous years. This was possibly due to the southern ocean current pushing up and stalling it out and pushing most of the really warm water quite wide. The amazing number of marlin captures and sightings of the previous season were missed this season. I can’t recall a marlin or yellowfin tuna capture. That being said, the broadbill swordfish have ignited anglers’ imaginations. There were some early catches towards the end of March and they started to thicken up through April. May is set to be a great month for deep dropping for swords and the calm settled weather should be an advantage. These fish are a very specialised proposition in regard to tackle and gear. You must have a reel that will hold a considerable amount of line when fishing to 600m To page 70

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Go Behind the Scenery

Tasmania From page 69

and beyond. You need braid line to feel bites and be able to get your breakaway sinker system to work. You then must splice on a top shot of mono. Top shot is a fancy word for a section of mono that you tie on after you have spooled on your braid line. This in effect gives you an amount of stretch and a bit of give. This allows the mono to behave like a shock absorber when the broadbill jumps or throws its head from side to side violently. Without this you would pull a lot more hooks out of fish, as they can be hard to keep a hook in. All this line gets wound onto a large overhead reel with a good return of line ratio. The PENN 70 is a great choice as it holds more than enough line and can still be used for large mako sharks and jumbo tuna. The bigger 80 and 130 size reels are ok, but are an expensive item to be a one-trick pony. Gaffs and gaffing technique aren’t spoken about much, so I thought I’d spend some time this month doing so. There is often a

mentality that gaffs can be a one size fits all approach and this is just not the case. A boat set up for fishing needs a minimum of two gaffs. If you’re super serious, you should be running four! The two gaffs to get you out of trouble are a big one and a small one. I say ‘big,’ but that can be open to interpretation and depends on what you’re targeting. If you’re out looking for some striped trumpeter, you’ll use what you would think is a big gaff with a 4” gape. That gaff becomes fairly small when a mako comes up to see what all the commotion is about and you decide to throw it a bait. There are a heap of different designs and materials that gaffs are made from and you can make up your own if you are handy like that. When thinking gaffs you need to obviously take into account what you fish for, but always keep in mind things may happen that are out of the ordinary. On a boat that goes to the shelf and targets bottom species as well as a few tuna, I would have four gaffs. A 2ft gaff with a 4” gape

NORTH WEST TASMANIA The area in and around Port Sorell has always been a great haven for super keen fishos. The people that go out and explore the place are growing in numbers, and they’re not being let down. The sportfishing for big Australian salmon on light line is well known and so is the flounder fishing at this time of year. Glen Saltmarsh has been really setting the coast on fire with his snapper catching exploits. Glen is a mad keen fisher and loves all forms of fishing. He says that snapper are going to be around until the end of May when they will start to slow down. Here are some words from Glen after he had a very successful trip one night in April.

“I have no secret. Truth is I have had plenty of trips for donuts, but putting in the time is rewarded with results. Every trip out off Devonport is a fact finding mission. “There are plenty of others out there that catch as many fish and bigger fish than me, but here are a few tips I’ve worked out. “There is no secret spot. They have been caught at Port Sorell, in the Mersey and all along the coast in all sorts of depths. There is no magic hole off Devonport where the snapper are sitting there waiting for you to drop your bait on their nose. It’s just where I have had all my success, because it’s where I put in the time. I have had the most success in 25-35m

Naomi with a nice blue grenadier. is a general all rounder that is easy to use and can take on most species and situations. I would then have a 4ft gaff with a 3” gape. This gaff is great for smaller fish and fish on three or four hook bottom rigs. The extra length is handy for getting the last fish on a string and de-weighting them over the gunnel. This gaff can also be used as a general tool in hooking ropes and buoys of water. Sometimes I sound fish up. Other times I will anchor on a mark where I have done well in the past. “Once the location has been decided on, anchoring is a must. They feed on scallops, crabs, shellfish and small baitfish, so areas where these are found are prime. Berley is a must and needs to be deployed near the bottom so it doesn’t drift away, but it attracts and keeps the fish near your boat. Cubes of fish sink quickly and most of the fish I catch have our cubes in their stomachs. “Fresh bait is best – mackerel, salmon, couta or squid. We have had good success on blue bait as well! I like the Snapper Snatcher Flasher rigs with the smallest sinker possible to hold the bottom. “Fishing the rod in the

on moorings and cray pots. A big 8” fixed gaff is handy to have in a gunnel in case you come up against a barrel tuna, big school shark or a smaller mako. The last gaff to have on board is a small flying gaff. Flying gaffs are very handy on bigger mako sharks and jumbo tuna. Let’s not forget that having a number of gaffs on board means you are ready for any

Johnny Valentine with a solid pink ling. holder with a light drag set at about 1kg lets the fish take the bait. Increase the drag to hook the fish. This where the bait runner type reels work the best.

ALL HAIL KING GEORGE The fishing on the northwest coast of Tasmania has been taken to a new level these last few seasons. You would have to be living under a rock to miss this. The influx of these species isn’t usually associated with Tasmania. Kingfish, snapper and King George whiting have been nothing short of sensational. In particular, the whiting have really started to fire at Port Sorell and anglers have had great success this season. These quality fish are hard fighting, delicious to eat and extremely fun to catch. Fishing for whiting is a great way to get the whole family involved in this great 70

MAY 2017

pastime of ours. You will find whiting all the way from the mouth of the estuary up past Squeaking Point to where the estuary branches off into the Rubicon River and Franklin Rivulet. The type of ground you are looking for is a patch of sand amongst the weed beds which has plenty of current. The best areas seem to be fairly close to the channels, in about 2-3m of water. I prefer to find a patch of sand that has weed all around it, as it allows you to spread your baits all around the edges of the sand hole resulting in fewer tangles. I find these holes hold more fish than open sand adjacent to weed beds.

occasion and they can often be used in tandem if needed. The bigger the fish the more you have to think about your technique with gaffing. With each species comes a slightly different game plan. If the fish has teeth then that’s something to take into consideration as well. Bigger fish will need to be drawn to the side of the boat and lifted vertically.

It doesn’t matter what the gaff is made from or how strong it is, if you try and use a gaff as a lever you are going to do damage and possibly lose a good fish. Get the fish over to the side of the boat. Sink another gaff in the fish if possible. Make sure the gaff is sunk well into the fish and the weight is on the bend of the gaff hook and not the tip. Lift on the count of three together and the fish, no matter how big, will be in the boat. Adrenalin can do wonders and all of a sudden there is a monster fish at your feet. May has the sun going down early and with the right tide and no moon you can do very well. May is a month where you can take full advantage of the autumn weather. Get up early during the week or plan a weekend trip around a good forecast. Make sure you have a plan and are well organized. That way you will use the reduced daylight hours to your full potential and have good success. See you out on the water. Whip ‘em!

Tristan Cocker and his friend found the whiting in good numbers.

“The prime times are first and last light and tide changes. I have had the best results with a high or rising barometer and leading up to the full or new moon.

Courtesy – give all other boats a bit of space and definitely don’t anchor up in behind another boat, as this is where their berley trail will be heading.”

Technology has really changed our lives in so many different ways, and fishing is no different. I find the best way to find new and likely ground is to use the satellite overlay on your maps on your smart phone. The weed beds and sand patches show up quite clearly in the satellite imagery and this gives you a great starting point for when you hit the water. The rig used in catching these fish is fairly simple. Use a modified single dropper paternoster rig tied with 10-12lb fluorocarbon. Attach your sinker to a short dropper. Then have a 50cm trace below the sinker and slide a piece of red tubing or bead onto the trace. Then tie on your hook. I prefer to use an Owner

Mutu Light Circle hook in size 6, however these really need to be fished with the rod in a snapper rack style rod holder to allow the circle hook to work properly. If you are going to be holding the rod while fishing, you’re better off to use a red long shank hook in a size 4 and strike when you get a bite. A light 2-4kg 7ft rod matched with 2500 reel and 8lb braid is the perfect setup for this type of fishing. If you’re using a long shank hook a rod, a nibble tip will help you pick up on some of the more subtle bites resulting in a better hook-up rate. There are two main ways to find whiting. One way is to find a likely area, drop the anchor, send down some

Go Behind the Scenery berley in the form of pellets, tuna oil and perhaps some pipi shells or mashed up pilchards and wait for the fish to come to you. This method definitely works. Often you will waste a lot of time waiting for the whiting to find your trail and you will likely be harassed by pufferfish and mullet. The other way is similar in that you anchor up in your chosen spot. Fish for 10 minutes and if you haven’t caught any whiting pull the anchor and move to another spot. Once you have caught

a whiting, put the berley down and make sure you only put down enough to hold them in the one spot. If the bite shuts down, make another move. One important thing to remember is that whiting are easily spooked. Be a little careful when lowering the anchor so you aren’t banging and clanging the anchor and chain on the way down or you will likely scare the fish away. If you have a little boat and the conditions allow, you can even set up a quick drop and go anchor. This is just a fairly heavy weight with a soft

DERWENT RIVER BREAM REPORT I haven’t fished competitions in a few years due to various commitments. The boat has been upgraded and I had the weekend free from work, which is a near miracle. I placed up a Facebook post looking for a partner for the Derwent round of the Tasmanian Bream competitions. A long bus trip and a bit of organising led to a bloke by the name of Jarvis Wall showing up on my doorstep. Jarvis had never fished the Derwent before. We had lots to discuss. I had pre-fished solo and managed to find good fish numbers, but only two solid fish. I left the shores alone pretty quick smart hoping to preserve them for the weekend. I may be too cautious, but it’s the one-percenters right? Jarvis had arrived keen as mustard. We developed a game plan and got rigged and ready for the weekend. Covering all bases we had a rod with a vibe, a deep minnow, a shallow minnow and a mid. The talk was about vibing jetties, but that’s not my favoured style of fishing. I hoped if we plugged away, the minnows would cover us. On Saturday, with wild

wind forecast and becoming stronger throughout the day we knew we had to get fish early. The only problem was the dead low tide. I had four spots that I wanted to hit in the lower reaches of the Derwent. They don’t provide big fish numbers, but the fish there are usually nice. With the smaller sizes I had been getting up river on pre-fish, and the difference in water clarity between the upper and lower reaches, I hoped this gamble would pay off. The first shore was on the money with Jarvis dropping a fish. I pulled a reasonable bag starter. The fish came on an Atomic Hardz Shiner 45SP in silver wolf. The next shore saw another dropped fish. Another one fell to the Shiner. This built the confidence. The nerves from not competing for a few years began to fade. The other two spots were too windy to fish. Needing to fill the bag we starting chucking vibes on a yacht club breakwall, pulling three fish in five minutes. They weren’t big but they filled the bag. It’s a nice feeling having a bag by 8.30am in a competition. A break in the wind

paracord rope as in this sort of depth it is quick and easy. You really need to cast your bait right on the edge of the sand adjacent to weed bed, as this is where the whiting love to feed. It’s best to have an assortment of baits, as some days they can be quite picky about what they will take. I have successfully used pipis, mussels, bass yabbies and thin squid strips. Small pilchard fillets can be dynamite on larger whiting. I like to have a few baits ready to go covered by a wet towel on my bait board, as

when the whiting come on the bite the action can be fast and furious for a short time, before the school moves on. Being prepared will increase your catch rates. If you are going to all the effort to target and catch these beautiful eating fish, it makes sense to treat your catch with the utmost respect in order to ensure it retains its eating qualities. The last thing you want to be doing is leaving these fish lying around on the deck or in a bucket exposed to the sun. I like to put my catch

occurred and we jumped onto the shore. We wanted to get our first upgrade at 9.15am. This got the spirits up. The rest of the day was spent plugging away in the lower reaches between Montagu, Geilston, Lindisfarne and the domain shoreline with my fish falling to Atomic Hardz Shiner SP and the Atomic Hardz Jerk Minnow 65S both in silver wolf colour. No prize for guessing my favourite Derwent colour. We ended up with a reasonable bag. It wasn’t what we hoped, but with the weather, we were happy. Other teams felt the weather as well and luckily 4.74kg saw us sitting in fifth after day one, with not much ground between teams. We went home and crashed hard. It’s unbelievable how much fishing in the wind and swell knocks you for six. On Sunday the weather looked promising. We stuck to the game plan and fished the four shores I had picked out from the beginning. We rotated through them, rested them and hit them again. We repeated this until time was up. Each shore provided a fish and the lower bays were holding decent schools of bream. We managed to boat a lot of fish and started to find upgrades with three decent

fish to build a bag around. Fish were falling to the Zipbait Rigge 70S-039R (silver with a black top and orange belly). The formula we cracked was casting as close as possible to the shore. A quick twitch and rip and it was game on. They were cruising hard on shore. I was surprised by the fish holding on shallower patches even on dead low tide, and the aggressive way they hit the lures. With a day two bag weighing in at 5.62kg we finished the competition with a total bag weight of 10.36kg. This placed us third for the event. Happy days! Well done to all the teams that found fish on the Saturday – it was not pleasant. It’s good to be back on the scene. I forgot how friendly and fun the environment is. It’s so cool how different people can fish so many different ways and fill their bags. I’m not good at flicking Cranka Crabs or vibes, but I love hardbodies. I got lucky and was able to pick a few up on a vibe on a breakwall. It’s definitely out of my comfort zone but you need to adapt and have an array of skills and techniques to suit different conditions. I loved the pressure and ups and downs that came with the day. Having to fish through

Tasmania straight into a saltwater ice slurry, which not only keeps them fresh, but also makes filleting much easier as it firms up the flesh. I hate wasting fish, and nothing that I keep goes to waste. I generally fillet and skin my fish. The frames go in the freezer for berley, while the heads make sensational gummy and snapper baits. There you have it – a bit of a head start on how to find and catch some whiting and not just your everyday, Johnny-come-lately whiting, either. We have some very solid specimens here in

Tassie and they are ripe for the taking. If you get onto some don’t make a pig of yourself and remember to limit your catch to the five you are allowed to take. We have some new and interesting fish species being caught with more frequency that I can remember. Were they here all the time and we haven’t bothered to extend ourselves and think about what we’re doing? A little bit of organising and sticking to a plan will see results. – Tristan Cocker

These handmade Zacataks are going overseas to Florida. These have been a popular lure for offshore anglers. weather, I probably wouldn’t have bothered launching if I had the choice! Meeting a new mate that loves fishing and the

lifestyle just as much as I do was an added bonus. I’m looking forward to the trout series. – Leighton Beer

HYDRO TASMANIA WATER STORAGE INFORMATION Water Storage Information as at 11th April 2017 Lake/Lagoon

Metres from full

Comment

Lake Augusta................................................. 2.43...................................................... Arthurs Lake.................................................. 1.28...................................................... Great Lake..................................................... 13.16.................................................... Trevallyn Pond............................................... 1.43...................................................... Shannon Lagoon............................................ 0.11...................................................... Penstock Lagoon........................................... 0.31...................................................... Lake Echo...................................................... 6.68...................................................... Dee Lagoon.................................................... 0.07...................................................... Bradys/Binneys/Tungatinah........................... 2.83...................................................... Bronte Lagoon............................................... 0.93...................................................... Pine Tier Lagoon............................................ 2.5........................................................ Little Pine Lagoon.......................................... 0.86...................................................... Laughing Jack Lagoon.................................. 5.63...................................................... Lake St Clair.................................................. 1.85...................................................... Lake King William.......................................... 5.82...................................................... Lake Liapootah.............................................. 0.27...................................................... Wayatinah Lagoon......................................... 0.44...................................................... Lake Catagunya............................................. 0.88......................................................

Lake Repulse................................................. 0.4........................................................ Cluny Lagoon..................................................................................................Spilling Meadowbank Lake........................................ 0.2........................................................ Lake Pedder................................................... 1.43...................................................... Lake Gordon.................................................. 28.89.................................................... Lake Burbury................................................. 4.65...................................................... Lake Plimsoll................................................. 7.79...................................................... Lake Murchison............................................. 15.26.................................................... Lake Mackintosh........................................... 3.78...................................................... Lake Rosebery............................................... 0.43...................................................... Lake Pieman.................................................. 1.98...................................................... Lake Mackenzie............................................. 5.94...................................................... Lake Rowallan............................................... 8.26...................................................... Lake Parangana............................................. 0.74...................................................... Lake Cethana................................................. 2.05...................................................... Lake Barrington............................................. 2.16...................................................... Lake Gairdner................................................ 1.92...................................................... Lake Paloona................................................. 2.98...................................................... Woods Lake................................................... 1.23...................................................... Whitespur Pond............................................. 7.93...................................................... Lake Newton.................................................. 4.68...................................................... Lake Margaret............................................... 6.72......................................................

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 MAY 2017

BASS

The big bass bite back GIPPSLAND LAKES

Brett Geddes b.geddes@bigpond.com

“I’m convinced that this liberation of bass is the greatest stocking success of native fish we have ever seen in this state.” This is what I said during my recent conversation with Gippsland’s Senior Fisheries Officer Errol Parmigiani. He agreed and told me about the countless number of bass caught in

promising and I doubt that anglers have ever caught this many bass in Victoria before. For now, anglers will most likely encounter bass either side 30cm. The years ahead will see this huge population of fish grow bigger and provide the best sportfishing we have ever seen. It’s time to talk about where and how to get into some serious Victorian bass fishing. Before I talk about the wild fish, let’s look at the stocked population.

Lake Glenmaggie is fast catching up to Blue Rock and a lot of anglers even prefer to fish for the better number of larger 35-40cm bass. Anglers are finding plenty of bass biting at the moment in Glenmaggie and a few brown or rainbow trout are also turning up. Take particular note of the big release into Lake Narracan, because this impoundment is very much underrated. It’s only a matter of time before anglers crack its secrets and there’s a huge number of bass in there now. As for the stocked rivers, there are so many bass being caught in all of the streams and there are too many streams to mention. It’s easier to refer to a complete list of stocked streams, which you can find on agriculture. vic.gov.au. To name just a few, the river hotspots this year include the Thomson, Tambo, Snowy, Mitchell and Nicholson streams. The list of stocked waters

This 36cm stocked bass was caught on a deadly spinnerbait lure. fingerlings into the Snowy River late in 2016 added to that impressive total. The incredible bass fishing in the Snowy starts just downstream from the Orbost Bridge and no doubt

Justin Dingwall with a prime example of a typical stocked river fish caught recently. Bigger fish are very fat, well-conditioned and hard fighting bass up to 40cm. rivers, creeks or dams over the past few years. Victoria is now on its way to being a bass fishery that may one day challenge states north of the border. Since 2002 well over one million bass have been stocked into impoundments and streams throughout a wide range of Gippsland. A lot of those early stocked bass are now over 40cm and

WHERE RELEASED BASS LIVE Over 20 sites have now been stocked with over one million bass, into what would be considered their historical natural range. We’ve all heard that Blue Rock Lake is the jewel in the crown of all the bass impoundments and improved access for bigger fishing boats has contributed to its reputation. There are

HATCHERY BREEDING PROBLEMS No fish were released for 6 years after 2003. I asked Fisheries about this and was told that the program failed due to a few reasons, including diseased fingerlings that were not going to be released and potentially contaminate the wild population. The bass broodstock caught in the wild were first sent to a Victorian facility in East Gippsland in the early days with some success. Narooma Aquaculture is now the only hatchery in Australia successful in producing commercial quantities of bass and estuary perch fingerlings. It’s a real credit to see how science has

that bass also live on the mid Victorian coastline around the Wilsons Promontory area. I can confirm all those reports now. Over the last 20 or so years, I’ve been amazed at where I have found them. After much exploration between myself and close mates, we have caught them along the whole eastern coast of Victoria from Western Port Bay right over to Mallacoota. The stocked bass in most streams are currently dominating captures, but there is still a significant background population of native wild bass in those very same rivers. The naturally spawned wild bass can only really be identified by their size. They are often gnarly,

Small 1/8oz spinnerbait lures are a must-have item when you get serious chasing bass. does not include the Snowy River, which has been given 500,000 bass fingerlings between 2007 and 2013, when Victorian and NSW agencies joined forces to repopulate the river. A further recent release of 40,000

continues right up to the dam wall at Jindabyne. That’s a mighty stretch of river to explore and discover prime bass habitat. It remains fairly untapped to this day. I look forward to unlocking a few of its mysteries in years to come.

The author uses these lures during most bass sessions. Take note of the two Beetle Spin lures with soft plastics and the spinnerbait lure. These are must-have lures for any bass angler. Mick Dee swears by the Beetle Spin lures and has caught over 190 stocked and wild bass to 49cm in all the East Gippy rivers and creeks. This stocked fish might be little, but could not be any fatter! this year I’m sure the first few 45cm bass will start showing up. The stocking will secure bass populations well into the future and hopefully fish can start breeding again. Maybe re-seeding is here for good. Whatever the case, the future looks very 72

MAY 2017

speed restrictions on the dam for boats and it’s very popular with kayak anglers. Right now reports are coming in thick and fast about bass taking surface lures on early morning and into the night using lures like poppers, cicadas and bent minnows.

Neil Morrison from Sale with a cracker 46cm wild local bass caught on a Kimikaze spinnerbait. This is a very old bass. It’s long with a huge paddle-tail and not like a stocked fish at all.

been able to improve and master breeding techniques and it must have taken a lot of trial and error to get it all right. It’s awesome to see our fishing licence money go to such a good cause. Long live the bass breeding and stocking program! BIG NATIVE BASS Scientists say the natural range of Australian bass is from southern QLD right down the coast into East Gippsland. Some sources say

old and tough fish! Recently I saw pictures of a mate who lives in Sale where he caught a local wild bass that was 52cm. Over the last five years I have seen photo proof of a few incredible bass close to 60cm. The more anglers that chase the stocked fish over the coming years, the more these huge wild fish will show up. The sad thing is that Fisheries has discovered that the wild stock were not breeding and there has been

BASS little or even no natural recruitment of baby bass in most of Gippsland’s streams for possibly twenty years or more. Researchers can use otolith (ear bone) microchemistry analysis to establish the source of some juvenile bass to verify if they are hatchery-bred fish or if they are natural wild recruits. The average size reported

is flaunting a big loud bass banner that says these wild and rare fish need looking after. As long as I keep hearing about dead wild bass, I will keep my lips firmly and proudly shut just like all other bass loving anglers. My secrecy is not selfish or inconsiderate and here’s why it’s a good thing; it will make your search and discovery a special and

Kayak fishing in the Mitchell River for fat stocky hatchery bass. This one ate the author’s ugly homemade surface Alchopop lure.

A tiny remote creek that is home to bass and a joy to discover. for wild bass ranges from about 27-40cm for males and from about 35-57cm for females. The largest recorded Australian bass was a 3.78kg fish caught in the Clarence River in 1980. DISCOVERY – THE GREATEST REWARD Wild Victorian bass are still out there to discover and plenty of water in central and far East Gippsland proves that to this day. South Gippsland is another stronghold where I’ve caught most of my big bass to 49cm, while chasing estuary perch. So would I blow the whistle on where to catch wild bass? Not a snowball’s chance in hell! It’s important to know that they are still out there in viable populations for us to enjoy. What I’m really doing

rare Victorian angling prize. When you find bass, I bet you end up as ‘swampy’ as me! As far as stocked bass go, everyone is happy to share some of the love. You see the more we catch, the more fisheries are inclined to keep stocking. In dollar terms, it’s a real reward for effort. SEASONAL OPTIONS The height of summer is prime bass time. Keen anglers know to start searching early in October for success. November and December really start to produce and only the crazy spring weather beats you with cold fronts and days of high wind. The best bass months start in

Searching for bass comes with surprises. This beautiful big black snake cruised past the author’s kayak and he was glad it kept swimming and didn’t want to come aboard! enthralling triumph. I would have had no exciting rewards if I was told exactly where and how to find wild bass. My days of fishless pain made the rewards better than gold. Let’s protect, cherish and revere what is left of a

January right through to May, when water temperatures are peaking and the weather is at its settled best. I’m sure bass can be caught in the colder months. In years to come, angler effort will increase during winter with

Another trophy wild bass from South Gippsland caught by Mick Selzer.

making a similar sort of lure, you may well be shocked. Surface methods include fast rolling your lure, rip-stoprip-stop action, or a twitchpause. It’s probably best to try a mixture of them all. Let the bass tell you what works best each time. Often bass will smash a lure as soon as at hits the water. I’ve also found fishing open water as good as targeting structure or snags. Anglers that keenly chase bass in the dark well after midnight often pull in very big numbers and sizes. One more tip when surface

Some of the bass country the author discovered is a real wilderness experience. surprising results. TECHNIQUES AND LATEST LURES To target bass, you need specific angling techniques. Lure fishing is by far the most rewarding and is more successful than bait angling. I hear plenty of stories about lots of bass eating worms and a few caught on floating crickets or cicadas and even live yabbies. It’s fairly common knowledge that bass bite best a few hours around dawn and dusk. They can be sensitive to barometer movements and shut down totally, or they can fire up madly just before an evening storm. Cold or hot water can shut them down or have them sulking in the deep. All these factors need thinking about when choosing lures and employing specific techniques. GET ON TOP Surface lures are the best fun and almost any type will work at some stage. Cicada patterns are the most popular at the moment. Poppers and walk-the-dog lures will also work, as will bent minnows and even unweighted plastics. I’ve seen them all work. I make my own surface lures with foam glued to the top of a hardbody lure with its bib cut off. I also glue a bit of lead to the back end of the lure to make it sink in the rear slightly. The extra weight also lets me cast it a very long way. I replace trebles with two w hooks so I can drag the lure through and over the thickest timber snags. I made these ugly lures for bream and perch many years ago and I called them Alchopops, because I was fairly full of beer when I dreamed them up and made the first few. I can assure you they are deadly. If you play around

luring, mainly under very shaded spots next to major timber or deep undercuts, is to cast right in close and don’t move the lure. Let it sit there for a long time. It will surprise you just how long it may take and then a big angry bass may appear from nowhere! GETTING DOWN I’ve got two critical must-use lures for you when going underneath searching for bass: spinnerbaits and Beetle Spins. If you haven’t tried them yet, just do it! They

does he catch the hell out of bass. Beetle Spins are just as good and they require you to add a soft plastic lure in place of a skirt. Both lures are often hit on the drop with their flashy blades attracting a quick response. Beetle Spins are an excellent cheap lure, because you can change the colour or shaped plastic and jighead size in seconds. Once again, all coloured plastics seem to work. Black is just as popular with anglers as orange, white or pink. My favourite colour is chartreuse. Get confident with these lures because they are your best bass tool in the tackle box. Again, start off with everything really small and light when you first use spinnerbaits and Beetle Spins. Too often new anglers buy the wrong types, either way too heavy or large or even both. Outside that, all the trusted proven bream hardbody and soft plastic lures will all work a treat. DAYTIME DOLDRUMS The sad thing about bass is that they can and often do shut down for most of the daylight hours. You would swear not a single fish lives in the system, but come evening or morning and they bite like mad again! When using lures during the day, try sinking spinnerbaits, soft plastics, hardbodies or Beetle Spins around the snags and close to the deeper edges, especially under heavily shaded areas. Work lures much slower than you would normally. Very cloudy and even rainy days can see bass stay on the chew for hours. In my limited

Face-to-face with a 43cm brawny dark coloured bass caught on a homemade lure in deep wild tannin water. Life’s good! look weird and almost stupid, but jeepers do they work. Bass love them. They have skirts and blades of all types. I’m not going to discuss colours, because I reckon they will all work, but sizes are critical. Start off with the smallest and lightest spinnerbaits you can find – a 1/8oz will sink fast and deep enough to catch you plenty of bass. Bass guru Joel Petzke lives in Sale and has years of local experience under his belt. He has shown me some very neat tricks using bigger spinnerbaits and he only uses 1/2 or 1/4oz models. Boy,

experience, this is rare. The most critical factor for chasing bass is to make sure you time your attack for first or last light. This is crucial and actually more important than any type of lure or technique. Finally, with all the angler effort and focus on the Hazelwood Pondage barra at the moment, a very interesting by-catch has shocked quite a few anglers. Bass to 50cm and slightly bigger have turned up there. Although only a handful have been caught, I’m thinking we will hear more about those Hazelwood bass in the coming months. MAY 2017

Best time to chase trout is on frosty mornings HORSHAM

James Perry

Cold foggy mornings are here. There’s no better time to chase trout! While the Sunday fishers are still tucked up in bed, we get out on the water to watch the sunrise, along with a trophy trout or two. The chilly mornings we come to expect of May are like a doorbell to the big trout that call our lakes home. Now the hard part is deciding what lake to choose. We truly are spoilt for choice when it comes to lake trout, whether on the mountain lakes of the Grampians, or Rocklands and Toolondo further west. Without a doubt, Toolondo is always first to mind when planning an early start with the hopes of a new personal best brown trout. It’s all too easy to get blinded by the aura that surrounds this mighty pond. Lately I have been drawn to Lake Wartook. There are no crowds and plenty of solid fish to be talked about for many

moons. Wartook doesn’t get the wrap that Toolondo gets, and there is only one reason why – those that fish it with great success are generally tight-lipped

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Mount William Creek has been receiving environmental flows from Lake Lonsdale to connect the summer pools to the Wimmera River and reduce

Jarrod Potter fools another solid Rocklands brown trout.

The ever-popular Finesse StumpJumper tricked yet another redfin.

with whom they share their results! Sorry guys, but I can’t hold this lake back any longer. Wartook deserves to be in the spotlight. This

lake offers shelter from wind in any direction due to the island within it. It has deep water along the wall, varying shallows from stump strewn sections to reed beds, rocky points and the deeper depressions of the sunken creek bed. Any method of fishing will work on this magnificent lake, be it bait fishing from the wall, flyfishing the shallows in waders or flicking your favourite lure from a kayak or boat. Plan to get out on the water before sunrise and take a moment to sit silently and listen for surface activity. In low light conditions matching the hatch isn’t as important as when the sun is at its highest. Unweighted soft plastics in darker colours are a fantastic surface and subsurface choice, along with the usual go-to trout lures like the everpopular Tassie Devil or bent minnow. As the sun gains some height and warmth, start to look for deeper waters and match your lure selection to suit. For the angler that would rather a warm bed, this time of year still has a good chance of a yellowbelly in some of the region’s lesser-known waterways. Yarriambiack Creek has been fishing well of late with some great catches of yellowbelly. A bunch of fresh scrub worms fished off the bottom are a proven method that should get you a result.

salinity. This has also given fish the opportunity to travel from the Wimmera River up Mount William Creek. For the adventurous angler, now is a great time to throw on the hiking boots and gaiters and wander the banks for the creek. Redfin and yellowbelly are the target species. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself in a battle with a catfish. Be it floating worms of flicking lures, you will sure be in for a back to nature experience walking

Mount William Creek. Due to the snaggy nature of the creek, weedless rigged plastics or small spinnerbaits are great choices. For the boat-based fishos, now is a great time to try to get your PB redfin. The schools of redfin will be slowing down, thus making it easier to target the larger ones. If the wind is down, Lake Fyans is well worth the effort. Purple StumpJumpers or Ecogear SX40s are a favourite among locals. Alternatively, plastics are always a winner at Fyans. Curl-tail grubs are hard to beat when selecting a plastic here. Watermelon, red flake or pumpkin seed colours normally get the job done. Don’t discount

catching a big trout here either. It might just be worth trolling a pink Tassie Devil or finesse StumpJumper. You never know your luck! If you’re looking to get away for a night or two, have a good think about Rocklands Reservoir. This time of the year could see you land a reddy, bass, trout or cod. Bring all your tricks and try to bag the big four! For the tech savvy angler, this is the place to know how to read that hightech sounder. You can learn a lot from this lake and it will get you on the fish much faster. Work exposed points and heavy timbered areas and aim to swim your lures in the bottom third of the water column.

The author caught this skinny water brown trout.

Big reds are still biting BALLARAT

Shane Stevens

Ballarat and district anglers have been scooping the pool over the past few months when it comes to catching quality big redfin in the district. Most of the reports I have mentioned over the last couple of months have been on Lake Wendouree. District anglers are now reporting catches in many of our other fisheries in the district. Wendouree isn’t the only water producing the goods. Redfin (English perch) are an introduced fish species to Australia. They breed prolifically and can take over a waterway in plague proportions like the European carp, except they don’t do the environmental damage that carp do and the redfin are one of the best, if not the best, freshwater table fish to eat.

pull hard. As I have mentioned previously they grow to large sizes with 50cm being regarded as a trophy-sized redfin. I have only caught one that size over all my years of fishing, but you never know when the big one is going to come along. Last year I received reports of at least six fish that measured over that magical 50cm mark. Cosgrove Reservoir is located approximately 10 minutes from the Ballarat CBD and is a small water storage, which is stocked annually with trout by Fisheries Victoria. The water is a land-based fishery with a rough walking track that follows the shoreline all the way around the reservoir. In some areas you nearly need to be a mountain goat, but the majority is easy walking Cosgrove has a resident population of redfin that are generally small in size. There are plenty around the 20cm size with the odd larger one

Trev Crawford nailed this lovely rainbow trout casting Woolly Bugger fly patterns on Lake Wendouree loch style flyfishing out of a drifting boat. Photo courtesy of Scott Xanthoulakis. Redfin are classed as vermin. You are encouraged not to return them to the water when caught. Unlike some other species we fish for, redfin travel around in our waters in schools sometimes in the hundreds. If you are able to catch one, you can normally catch a bag full. Redfin are caught using all different methods of angling. For anglers that fish bait I recommend worms, yabbies, shrimp and minnows (smelt). They can be used on a variety of rigs. The common old running sinker rig is the easiest to set up. Anglers using bait can target the redfin in lakes and rivers, they can be caught out of a boat, canoe or kayak or from the shore. Redfin are a great fish to target when introducing new anglers to fishing. For anglers that cast lures or soft plastics, redfin find them irresistible at times and you can catch a big bag full in no time when you locate the schools of redfin. I have been able to catch redfin on fly, so they are a great all-round freshwater fish to catch. Obviously the bigger they grow, the better sport they are and they really

thrown in as well. Peter Voterakis, a good friend of mine, likes to target the redfin in Cosgrove over the autumn months and generally does really well casting soft plastics along the shorelines. This year has been no different to other years with Peter making numerous trips and bagging out on every occasion. Peter said this year he had quite a few bigger fish – bigger than in previous years with redfin in the high 30cm range not uncommon. Peter now has plenty of redfin fillets to eat throughout the winter months. Cooper New, a very keen young local angler, has also been hitting Cosgrove on almost a daily basis, either riding his bike from Creswick or after his parents drop him off. Cooper likes to cast soft plastics or hardbodied lures. The deeper shorelines are his favourite areas to target reddies. Cooper recently snagged an absolute stonker of a redfin for this small water body. It was 39cm caught on a 5cm Redfin Bullet Lure pattern. Mayfly time has arrived in the Central Highlands Region of Victoria, which includes waters such as Wendouree,

Moorabool, Hepburn, Dean and Newlyn reservoirs. These are all fisheries where mayfly hatches occur. Flyfishers from all over the state will head to the Ballarat district to fish these waters. The hatches that occurred back in our spring months were the best for over a decade, which suggests to me that our ecosystems in many of our fisheries have totally recovered from the drought quite a few years ago. Lake Wendouree’s mayfly hatches are a standout. Flyfishers will be looking forward to overcast or intermittent cloudy days with a little bit of wind. The mayfly hatch can start anywhere from around late midmorning to around 3.30-4pm, which gives the flyfishers plenty of time to catch a fish. Normally the biggest part of the hatch is around 2.30pm. The mayfly hatch starts with the nymph stage where the nymph crawls out of the weed and heads towards the surface to hatch into the mayfly. The next stage of the hatch is where the nymph wing case opens to allow the wings of the mayfly to open out. Flyfishers initially use nymphs to replicate the first stage of the hatch. During the next stage I have just mentioned flyfishers use emerger type patterns. For the final stage the mayfly totally hatch out of their shuck and fly above the surface of the water. Flyfishers at this stage use dry flies to replicate the hatch. The whole mayfly hatch is fascinating to watch and understand. To give you the best chance of being able to catch a fish you need to know these stages of the hatch period. I really enjoy this style of fishing. Flyfishing for mayfly or dunn feeders occurs all over the world and we are very lucky to have it only five minutes from home. Trout certainly regard these small insects very highly if not top of their diet when they hatch. Moorabool Reservoir I have mentioned over past reports as a place that should fire up. The action has

Brock Reed is one of the keen young anglers coming through the ranks. He landed this horse of a redfin trolling Bullet lures in the main rowing channel on Lake Wendouree with his best mate Ben Cochrane. Photo courtesy of Ben Cochrane. finally started. Moorabool was heavily stocked during the winter months with both rainbow and brown trout sizes ranging from fingerlings to yearlings. The reservoir over the winter slowly filled, which allowed the fish to forage in the shallows and put on weight very quickly. The water level in

evening they are feeding on red and black spinners for the flyfishers. The next couple of months should make very exciting fishing. For the anglers who like to fish bait, mudeyes suspended under bubble floats will nail lots of trout and redfin. The ever-reliable garden worm is well worth trying and should

Cooper New landed this magnificent 39cm redfin from Cosgrove Reservoir only 10 minutes from Ballarat casting a 5cm Tiger Bullet Lure. Photo courtesy of Cooper New. Moorabool is still very high due to a reasonably mild summer that we have had. The abundance of food is endless with both trout and redfin feeding extensively. The trout are starting to feed on the mayfly during the day and on

Team McNeight, brothers Justin and Thomas landed this magnificent 44cm redfin on Lake Wendouree under the guidance of dad Rodney. The boys landed this chunky redfin on a Silver Bullet lure trolled behind the boat. Photo courtesy of Rod McNeight.

result in some good catches as well. For those guys casting plastics and lures you should be able to snag a few as well. Moorabool holds some very big redfin going on previous year’s fishing reports. Also there are some very big trout lurking around, so be prepared to catch a trophy fish, because they are there. I have saved the best for last for this month’s report. Lake Wendouree, or Lake Wendy as many fishers call it, continues to produce some of those big reddies that I have been talking about over the past few months. Anglers have been catching these big redfin from the shore, as in previous months most have been from boats. What is great to see is a lot of young anglers are catching these fish. I refer to them as the young guns who frequent Wendy every chance they get after school, on weekends or any time that permits. A lot

of negatives are put out there about the younger generation of today. Here we have all these kids fishing all the time, not getting into any trouble and having fun, enjoying the environment, practising catch and release and just generally enjoying the pursuit of their chosen sport – our next generation of fishers. Young guns Riley Sternberg, Riley Makrai and Brock Reed have landed some absolute crackers ranging in size from 39-42cm on a variety of soft plastics and hardbodied lures. This is great to see. Rodney McNeight with his two young boys Justin and Thomas have been getting amongst the thumping big redfin that are lurking in Wendy trolling lures in the main rowing channel with the Redfin Bullet Lure bringing them undone. The boys have been bagging lots of smaller reddies as well. Over the next month I expect to see a lot more of these big redfin being caught as they start to go into pre-spawn mode and feed more aggressively. Lures and plastics will be attacked aggressively over this period. I have spoken solely about redfin in this article. On Wendouree over the next few months we should see Wendouree’s rainbow and brown trout really fire up chasing mayflies. Trout also start to target the smelt/minnows that live in Wendouree. These small baitfish are one of the main food sources that they feed on for the next 3-4 months. I will mention this in the coming months when anglers need to match the hatch. We will need to use the bait, flies or lures that represent this food source. Trev Crawford has been flyfishing Wendouree stripping Woolly Bugger fly patterns with excellent results catching and releasing some lovely rainbows. Exciting times are ahead of us anglers in and around the Ballarat district with many of our waters really starting to fire up before the winter slumber arrives. MAY 2017

We’re still waiting for the Robinvale cod show ROBINVALE

Rod Mackenzie codmac@bigpond.net.au

The Murray River at Robinvale has good numbers of golden perch taking bait, but Murray cod still remain a no show so far this season. Downstream towards Wemen, anglers can expect good numbers of perch on bait amid a mountain of carp, with no reported cod captured this past month. Further downstream to Nangiloc, where 300 competitors hit the Murray River for another competition during mid-March, numerous golden perch and carp were landed, but by competition end the large field of mostly bait anglers managed to raise only one legal sized Murray cod, measuring in at 56cm. The real truth of the black water kill down this area is starting to hit home. Other than the Swan Hill area, cod captures of any notable

size have remained all but non-existent from below Boundary Bend all the way through to Renmark in South Australia. The good news is there have been some good cod landed down lower in the South Australian lock system, where the black water was eventually shandied out. On another note, it’s a sad but true fact that fishing lines catch far more than just fish. As an angler, it shames me at times to arrive on location only to be confronted by the mess left behind by other anglers. Often I’ll see plastic bags, bait containers, discarded lure packets, empty cans and bottles and last but not least, tangles of fishing line. Every year many animals fall foul of discarded fishing line and the numbers continue to grow as angling becomes more popular. In the past few years, I have rescued several different varieties of birds including a pelican that had its beak tied shut in a tangle of hooks and line. Unable to feed, this poor

bird had wasted away and was very light for its size. Another memorable incident involved a large shingle back lizard trailing a tangle of line and bark from a fish hook lodged in its front leg. On a recent trip to the river we by chance came across a white cockatoo whose screeching calls from the steep clay bank drew our attention. It was early morning and the large red gum root close by had been stripped bare of most of its bark by the panicked bird. On closer inspection, we found the cockatoo was bound by the foot and tethered

ending, but one that need not happen in the first place had the line not been left lying around the river bank! On almost every trip to the river, I come across discarded line, be it tied off a branch or stick or just simply left lying on the ground. Often there are hooks and sometimes bait connected, which will intern attract the interest of a host of animals that are likely to eat the baited hook. Surely it is not that hard to take home these materials and put them in the bin. At some coastal locations, PVC containers

Mildura angler Gareth Lynch travelled above Echuca to catch his first metre-plus cod for the season. He reckons there are no decent cod left in his local waters.

This cocky was tangled by the foot in braided line and had spent at least one hot day baking in the sun before we rescued it the next morning. The irate bird had torn all the bark from the large red gum root in its bid to escape.

There are plenty of big carp in the mix as well, and they’re great fun on the line, but very poor in the pan.

to the root by some braided fishing line. Judging by the bark striped root, we guessed the bird had to have been there for at least a day. With the temperature set to once again soar above the high 30s, it would no doubt have succumb to the heat and lack of water if we had not happened along. Although our intentions were good, the tethered cocky took great displeasure in our attempts to cut him free, latching on to a wayward thumb during the procedure. With the line cut and unwrapped from around its foot, the cocky flew off to a noisy reception from the rest of the flock. It was a good

have been placed on piers and near cleaning tables so as discarded line can be placed in them for collection. Next time you are down the river feeding the ducks and birds, take note, as if there are a

There are literally millions of juvenile carp in the system. This net full is the norm when trying to catch yabbies.

good number of them on location you can almost be assured that at least one will be sporting fishing line or the injury’s derived from it. SWAN HILL COMP It was smiles all round for anglers competing in the Swan Hill Services Club Fishing Competition during March at the Pental Island caravan park. An impressive 69 boats hit the mighty Murray River, loaded with all manner of secret bait and lure in the hopes of catching a few fish. There was 55 legal sized Murray cod landed over the two days, the biggest stretching the tape out to 69cm. There were five legalsized golden perch landed as well, along with numerous carp. There were a good number of undersized Murray cod captured, also providing hope that in time we might once more see some larger cod in our local waters.

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Mulwala is cod central YARRAWONGA

Tony Bennett codclassic@bigpond.com

You could be forgiven for thinking that each month I just rabbit on about the same old thing. There’s plenty of cod, surface lures, Mulwala this and Mulwala that. It’s hard to report anything but the truth and the truth is Lake Mulwala has never fished as good as it’s fishing this season. The past month has been nothing short of outstanding with plenty of cod being reported. The best tip available to any angler fishing Lake Mulwala at present is to target waters no greater than 2m in depth. Weed beds or fallen timber add to the equation. Put these together and you are in with a great chance of plenty of green fish encounters. The problem targeting the shallower water is the majority

of fish are small. The average size is between 40-50cm. On a positive note, returns of 55cm+ cod are about one in every five. Lure selection is not critical, as every type, style shape and size has encountered for as many as the next. While the bite is hot, it’s a great chance to try some new techniques. Swimbaits are the latest craze. Talking about the latest craze, while surface fishing has traditionally been seen as an early morning, evening or nightly activity, all these theories have been thrown out the window recently with a visit from Dutch angler Hugo Hegeman. A super keen and competent fisho, Hugo spent plenty of time on the lake with the majority of anglers throwing surface lures around the weeded areas. He had numerous strikes throughout the day with a 73 and a 75cm fish taken at 12 noon and 1pm. This proves that they will hit

a surface lure any time of the day. Since this visit the word has gotten around with plenty of other daylight surface cod being taken. There are many who deserve a mention for their captures over the last month. Without wanting to offend, I’ll reel off a few of the bigger ones. Pete Luczkowski took to the daylight surface fishing and was rewarded with a 114cm pig at 4pm in the afternoon. Marcus ‘Motor’ McMillan was another to land a 114cm off the top and. These were both caught on Koolabung Cod Crackers. Berrigan boy Harley Middleton attained his PB with a beautiful 113cm falling to a well-presented surface lure. Coming into the 112cm bracket were both Marshall Elliot and Dean Steegstra with surfacecaught monsters. Chris Zammit also boated a 109cm beast on a recent Greenvale Angling Club trip.

Waiting on winter MILDURA

Darcy Scherger

As the chilly mornings and cool evenings are becoming more frequent leading into the winter months larger Murray cod specimens should be on the prowl for a decent feed. As the average outside temperature continues to drop this will also decrease the water temperature of the river enticing the larger Murray cod that are left to move about and hit the odd lure cast or trolled past their face, increasing the numbers of encounters and happy fishers. Although it’s not as easy as it sounds, a lot of hard

work will still need to be put in to reap the rewards. The cooler water temperatures should help the lure fishers out there chasing that trophy fish. There have been several encounters with solid fish after the black water event, though the quantity and sizes haven’t been anything to brag about. Things have still been reasonably quiet recently, although hopefully this will change. Many anglers have been convinced that the larger Murray cod have really taken a massive hit due to the recent black water. This winter will show how bad they suffered as keen anglers will be still out there on the hunt for them. Hopefully more and more stories start to kick around the town about the elusive Murray

cod being caught, so more anglers will be keen to tackle the cold mornings. Despite the downs of the black water and the effects of it, anglers within the region are still having plenty of fun with smaller Murray cod and golden perch, proving that there is still reasonable water around for them to live and cope through the hard time. Local angler James Mason has been out on the water trying to crack the code and catch a mighty Murray cod and has only had luck on several smaller specimens. This is a very good sign that the big ones can still be out there and we just need something to trigger them to hit.

Hugo ‘Dutchie’ Hegeman with one of the midday cod (75cm) that has helped reinvent the surface fishing wheel! Donnie Blackie didn’t quite make the 1m mark but his 96cm fish was a pleasant surprise while out fishing alone. Failure to mention Daneka Robinson would be an insult, as she managed to land back-to-back a 94cm and 90cm cod off the surface. Looking back, early March saw the running of the His and Hers Partners Classic with 62 teams participating. The results were outstanding. The ladies caught the better numbers of fish while the fellas caught the bigger ones this year. Jack Pyle and Kate Small from Team Mad Chooka

cleaned up the field with Jack’s 93cm beast being the biggest for the day. The middle of the month saw the running of the Great Northern Cod Nationals. The cream of Australia’s cod fishos descended on the lake and returns proved the field’s capabilities. Over three and a half days 415 cod were recorded with 84 of them over 55cm. Rick and Rueben Doyle of McGrath Lures came out on top taking home close to $10,000 in cash and prizes for their efforts. Rick also landed the biggest fish for the event measuring in at 974mm.

Another father son combo in Derek and Kade Blow of team KD Fishing finished creditably in second place. Matt Pejkovic and Mick Massier rounded out the top three with their consistent fishing. • 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.

Little Murray cod like this beaut are a good sign that the big ones are still out there. MAY 2017

It will be just like the good old days this May WANGARATTA

Robbie Alexander

I am totally pumped by the insane fishing action that we have seen in the Wangaratta region this autumn. In all of my life I have never seen anything quite like it. In the last two weeks I

and 1970s, and said that yesterday’s fishing session was equal to the ‘good old days’ of redfin fishing. We kept around 40 and released probably five times that many, and we were only fishing for three hours! At one stage, dad ran out of bait so he ripped the gills out of a redfin, put them on the hook and

A lovely brown trout caught in a small tributary of the Ovens River on a Strike Tiger Froglet soft plastic. have had one of my most memorable Murray cod fishing sessions for my entire life, with my mate Brett Corker and I both landing Murray cod over 80cm in the one evening, only 10 minutes apart. Best of all we were five minutes from home in Wangaratta. I then went trout fishing in a small tributary of the Ovens River with my great young friend Will O’Connor a week later where we had a sensational day catching heaps of wild brown trout on small soft plastics. Just yesterday I went fishing at Lake Buffalo with my dad where we experienced the best redfin fishing that either of us had ever seen. Dad is 66 and often speaks of the great redfin fishing of the 1960s

continued to catch heaps of redfin on fish gills. Now, let me look into my crystal ball and see what might happen in May. It usually sees the beginning of frosty mornings here in the Wangaratta region. Everything has cooled right down, the water is very cold and the fishing can be very slow, and also very hit and miss. Don’t despair, there are still plenty of great fishing options around. MURRAY COD The Murray cod fishing around Wangaratta can be very hit and miss in May. Overall it is a quiet time of the year to fish in the Ovens and King rivers. I’ve had some great cod fishing sessions in May, and the cod will still feed in May, so don’t write the month off completely. In fact, some of the biggest Murray cod in the river tend to get caught in the colder months, including May. I am hoping to do a bit of cod fishing this May, provided we do not get too much autumn rainfall in April, which may

MAY 2017

render the rivers too high and dirty. If I can get out, I am expecting to have quite a few fishless trips, and to most likely pick up a few cod. It is all about reward for effort during May in the

In some of the streams, the trout actually start spawning around mid to late May. Usually this can be visible to the angler by the way of freshly disturbed gravel in the shallow fast running water. If you do see evidence of trout spawning, it is probably a good idea to head to a different stream, perhaps further downstream and leave the spawning fish to do their thing. As stated, this spawning usually takes place late May. REDFIN May can be an awesome time of the year to target redfin in the Ovens River catchment with Lake Buffalo and Lake William Hovell both being viable fishing options. I have

water in May where the water at the bottom of the lakes is often warmer than the water at the top where it is exposed to the cold air. I find 25-30ft of water to be productive. Just to clear up the biggest misconception in freshwater fishing in Victoria, it is not illegal to release a redfin into the water in which it was caught. It is illegal to be in possession of live redfin. You can’t put your redfin in a bucket of water, and technically speaking you can’t put them in a live well, but there is no law prohibiting an angler from unhooking a redfin and throwing it back into the water where it was caught. It is very much illegal to

Will O’Connor with a lovely brown trout caught in a small tributary of the Ovens River on a Strike Tiger Nymph soft plastic.

A great feed of redfin caught by the author and his dad at Lake Buffalo. These redfin were caught on a whole variety of different methods. 78

Brett Corker with his 81cm Murray cod that he caught on a homemade spinnerbait on what was a truly memorable evening of fishing.

Ovens and King rivers. Just a stone’s throw from Wangaratta, Lake Mulwala often fishes very well in May and can still produce good numbers of Murray cod. I consider Lake Mulwala to be a better option for Murray cod fishing in May than the Ovens River, however the Ovens is definitely worth a try if the water conditions are favourable. TROUT May can be a great time of the year to fish for trout in the streams. It can also be an unpredictable time of the year as well with the trout swimming upstream and preparing to spawn. The later in the month we get the more unpredictable the fishing tends to be.

Terry Alexander with one of many redfin that he caught on redfin gills at Lake Buffalo in March. had some of my best ever fishing sessions in both lakes in May and even June. I find the numbers of redfin tend to drop away a little bit. However, the average size of the redfin increases as the big fish like to come out and play. Try fishing in the deep

relocate redfin from one waterway to another. All up, May still has some great fishing options in the Ovens River catchment. Lake William Hovell and Lake Buffalo are the standout fisheries for redfin, and Lake Mulwala for Murray cod.

Up and down around Shepparton SHEPPARTON

Nick Brown teamriverrats@hotmail.com

With environmental flows being pushed down the Goulburn, fishing has been a bit tricky this month. There have been good reports of fish on the rise of the river and next to no reports for the next week. The water seems to look good for two weeks a month lately, but that seems to be a big enough window for those fishing locally.

areas. Bait fishing was best in early autumn with plenty of smaller yellowbelly caught around the Moira Park area. Fishing Downstream of Shepparton around Undera has been hit and miss with some catching one or two fish in a weekend. Some have caught three or four in an hour. I think in coming months it will be very hit and miss in our area as it’s always a quiet period. We are still yet unsure of the full effects of the black water. Last year I mentioned using big single bladed

into the deep cover. It’s risky as you may lose more tackle, but I find this time of year you need to get right into the fish’s faces deep in the timber. Surface fishing and flyfishing have dropped off as the temperatures have cooled. There is still the odd report of cod being caught off the top right on dark. WARANGA BASIN This is the time of the year where I fish the basin the most. There is minimal wind and minimal boating traffic. There have still been plenty of reports of redfin

Shane Bergamin had a great day on the water. This is one of two 51cm yellowbellies he caught on Reaper Spinnerbaits. Reports of fish up to 70cm being caught in previous black water affected areas are very promising. Trolling Codgers straight up the guts of the Goulburn has worked best for the lure fishos. Some have been getting closer to the edges trolling spinnerbaits. This has not been as effective but it’s a great option to cover all water

spinnerbaits in the Broken River and yet again it has been successful. Plenty of local fishos upsize their lures in the hope they entice a fish to strike in anger. Spend plenty of time in the snags, as you may just annoy a monster enough to smash your lure. Casting your lures and letting them drop off the timber into the water is the best to get

being caught in the dozens with some boats landing over 100 fish in a day. The size of the fish hasn’t been huge lately. There are still some bigger ones being caught on the edges of the schools. Over the next couple of months I expect to see more big cod being caught at the basin. A few Murchison locals had success trolling

bigger cod lures last winter. It’s probably somewhere that not many have really gone to target big cod. They’re certainly in there and have a huge amount of food. The crayfish will start to move at the basin in June and July, so it may be worth packing a few big cod lures to troll around in between checking your cray pots. KIALLA LAKES The lakes have seen a lot more fishing traffic over the past two months and that’s all because of one thing. That one thing is that it’s fishing the best it has in years with many landing 3-5 fish a night. Walking the edges casting spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits has worked a treat in recent times and I think the only thing that will turn the fish off is cold weather. In early autumn we had plenty of smaller storms and this sent the fish crazy. I keep saying get out there before or after rain – that’s the number one time on the lake. Those bait fishing have also caught plenty of fish and unfortunately a lot of the catches have been small carp. Let’s hope that more and more of these carp get caught and removed from the lakes system. The small lake number three is very hard to access but it has plenty of carp in it. If you’re looking for some fun on light gear, cast a floated bunch of worms near the weed and hold on. SHEPPARTON LAKE The Shepparton Lake has had some weed removed which has helped with the fishing lately. In previous months it has been almost unfishable. The removal of weed gives us some corridors

Anton Bell caught this fantastic cod from his kayak while fishing the Goulburn River. to troll small lures through. Those fishing from the bank will still have trouble with weed. If you can land your bait and lure in a patch without weed you should be able to land a fish. The lake is now stocked with silver perch so I would expect to see more reports of them getting caught on bait in coming months. There are still plenty of trout rising of a morning and if you know how to flyfish you can have plenty of success. If not, floating PowerBait or casting small spinners works well on the stocked trout. LOCAL CHANNELS The channels are due to be fully dropped this winter to allow for weed removal and spraying. This will see fish congregate in pooled areas, so if you fish those waters you should have a field day. The channels have been fishing very well, especially for

natives. An old work mate of mine caught 20-30 cod over a couple of weeks using bulk worms and yabbies as bait. The channels near Waranga Basin are still fishing well with plenty of cod, yellowbelly and redfin caught on lures. Smaller hardbodies and vibes have worked best in these channels. TOOLAMBA FISHING CLUB 11TH EASTER CLASSIC The Toolamba Fishing Club yet again ran a cracker of a competition over Easter this year. There was a good turnout of competitors with plenty of families attending the event. A huge congratulations has to go to all the sponsors and volunteers involved that supported the Toolamba Fishing Club. The event seems to get stronger every year and it’s a credit to all those involved.

DAM LEVELS brought to you by w w w. b a r g a i n b o a t b i t s. c o m . a u

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

LAKE/DAM

Feb March April

Mulwala

Cairn Curran

(Yarrawonga) 99 91 95

88 79

Dartmouth 78 77 77

Newlyn

Eildon

75 70 66

Nillahcootie 95 88 81

Eppalock

95 91 89

Rocklands 41 39 37

Fyans

77 74 68

Taylors

73 67 60

Greens

72 61 59

Tullaroop

94 92 79

Hepburn

76 67 59

Upper Coliban 98

Hume

82 74 61

Waranga

63 54 26

Lauriston

91 98 88

Wartook

88 82 72

Malmsbury 40 26 13 An awesome little Murray cod caught by Max Shannon on a Pirate Spinnerbait in the Broken River.

80 70 65

William Hovell 97

92 90

88 73

(All levels correct at time of going to press. Dam levels can change at any time, so please check with local authorities to ensure safe boating and fishing.) MAY 2017

Our local trout fishing could be under threat JINDABYNE

Steve Williamson swtrout@airlan.com.au

Do we have Snowy Scheme Mark II? I’ll believe it when I see it. There are far too many questions to be answered before I get too excited. We might have a big problem though – our world-class trout fishery might be under threat! So far we have been very lucky. Guthega, Island Bend, Tantangara, Eucumbene and Jindabyne dams are all free of vermin fish. These are pristine trout lakes! While there is no definitive plan yet, it seems that the most likely solution will be to pump water from Talbingo Dam to another dam such as Tantangara or Eucumbene. The other alternative might be reusing the water from Khancoban Pondage. Most of you will be aware that both Khancoban and Talbingo have redfin. Redfin have been responsible for the decline of many trout lakes across NSW and are carriers of Epizootic Haematopoietic Necrosis Virus (EHNV), which has a significant

impact on rainbow trout and Macquarie perch. My concern is that any water from Khancoban or Talbingo pumped to any dam that does not have redfin poses the threat of introducing redfin into a new waterway. Once that happens they will be everywhere and the problem is compounded if the destination dam is either Tantangara or Eucumbene, because Tantangara feeds directly into Eucumbene via the Providence Portal and from there Eucumbene can service every other dam in the system. A redfin explosion across the whole of the Snowy Scheme is a distinct possibility if not managed appropriately. This could be a disaster! At the moment the Monaro Acclimatisation Society is onto the problem. In the past Snowy Hydro have been supportive of our supposedly annual 70 million dollar trout fishery, but hey – this is politics. There’s no way they’re worried about a few trout fishers. MAY RULE CHANGES Thredbo River rules change this month, so only one fish is allowed to be kept

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MAY 2017

and that fish must be over 50cm. All other fish must be released, no matter what species. The close of the rivers and streams to fishing occurs at midnight on the Monday of the NSW June long weekend. The rivers open to fishing once again on the Saturday of the October long weekend. FISHING REPORT Meanwhile, Lake Jindabyne’s water level has been reasonably high over summer and has only now started to drop as we prepare for winter and the eventual snow melt in spring. How fast the water level drops will of course depend on how much rain we get over coming months. Let’s look at what we should expect for fishing over the coming month. This month is one of the best months for bait anglers fishing the edges of the lake. Big brown trout are cruising the edges looking for a feed before they head into the rivers on their spawning run. Worms teamed with artificial baits and fished off the bottom are working well at the moment on Lake Jindabyne. The best areas to try over the next couple of months will be Waste Point at Creel Bay, as this is where a lot of the trout will congregate in readiness to move into the mouth of the Thredbo River on their spawning run. Hatchery and Hayshed bays are also both worth a try. When trout move into the river on their spawning run they get very territorial. If you’re a lure angler, minnow lures like Bullet Lures and the small 3” StumpJumpers and a variety of others are all worth a throw. Pick the right colour and get the right depth. Use sinking or deeper diving minnows when the river is high and stick to smaller lures when the water is low and clear. Don’t worry about the size of lures if the river is in flood, because you might find that bigger is better. Metal blades cut through fast flowing water and get down easily. When you can’t get depth out of a minnow, try a blade. The Thredbo River is my river of choice from now until rivers close on the June long weekend. On the Thredbo River, another method that works well when you have fast flowing water is the drift

Nadine Lindsay with a rainbow trout caught trolling a holographic Tasmanian Devil. This is typical of the size of the rainbows currently being caught. rigging technique. Team up a fly like a weighted black nymph with a Glo-Bug (artificial egg) and let the rig bounce along the bottom with the aid of some split shot. This is one way to catch trout on artificial flies using a normal spinning outfit. On the lake, the water is cooling down. The lake spinning will improve, but lure colours have been a little different to previous years. Orange and pink are always regarded as aggression colours for when the trout are in spawning mode. Holographic lures have been good too. Good spinning areas to try are Creel Bay, Waste Point, and the Snowy Arm. For fish that are still actively feeding try Curiosity Rocks, Wollondibby Inlet, Hatchery Bay and the Claypits area. Lake trolling is interesting in autumn as some days the fish will strike out of aggression and some days they will be feeding. Knowing what the weather is about to do will help. If there is a cold front approaching the fish will often get territorial and this is big lure time. Big jointed lures are well worth a try for

big browns. The weed beds are close to the edge. If you’re trolling early in close you don’t need any lures that dive too deep. Even at this time of year the day will often warm up and the fish will still go deeper. Lead core lines and downriggers will still be very useful over the coming month. Trolling deeper to 4m will also help during the middle of the day, but make sure you don’t troll too fast. Lion and Cub islands always fish well in autumn for rainbow trout and as the brown trout move to the end of the lake ready to spawn, Creel Bay and the Snowy River Arm are well worth trying. The flyfishing on streams and rivers will still have good days even this late in the season. Fish will still take a well-presented dry fly. Over recent weeks most fish however have been taken on brown or black nymphs out of the running water. As the rain comes, and more trout move into the Thredbo, anglers’ minds will change to chasing big trophy fish and fly anglers will have the best success

using Glo-Bugs and nymphs. Black and brown nymphs in about a size 10 or 12 are good. Make sure you have some weighed flies for when the river is flowing hard, as you need to get the fly down to the fish before you will catch them. Lake Jindabyne will fish better this month as the edge water cools down. Water temperatures have a big effect on how close to shore the fish come. It’s cooler now and the fishing is much better and will continue to improve as the water cools even further. Flies to try over the coming months will be the purple or black Woolley Bugger and Mrs Simpson. • For the very latest day to day fishing reports, call into my shop at Discovery Holiday Parks Jindabyne next to the Shell servo. For tour bookings call us on 02 6456 1551 or send details to Steve Williamson P.M.B. 5 Jindabyne 2627. For more info you can email me at sales@swtroutfishing.com. au. Check out my new website at www.swtroutfishing.com. au. Also join me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ LJTFA for daily updates.

MAY ROUNDUP – THE BEST OF THE BEST! Best Method Best Depth Best Lake Lure Best Lake Area Best lures Thredbo River Best Wet Fly Method Best River

Surface trolling early and then using lead core lines at 30m out Trolling at 10ft deep in the deeper middle of the day Tasmanian Devil pink number 55 or Holographic Hatchery and Hayshed bays Bullet Minnows in bright spawning colours or Strike Tiger soft plastic nymphs Glow Bugs and nymphs on the Thredbo River Thredbo River

Pesky trout are picky pouters EILDON

Daniel Piazza

As we prepare ourselves for the cooler months, the fishing on and around the Lake Eildon district can be some of the best. Of course I’m talking about the pesky trout. As we all know, it can be difficult to wrangle a nice feed from a morning’s session, but what better way

is there to spend a day with the family or your best mate, than chasing Eildon trout? On a recent trip with a mate I thought we might go check out the Big River Arm as the cooler water flows out of the Eildon rainforest and makes its way into Lake Eildon. The easiest place to launch is Jerusalem Creek Boat Ramp. I couldn’t believe my eyes as we made our journey up the main arm. The

Bob Hazler with his 90cm Eildon cod.

water was busting with fish and the wind was blowing a southwesterly at around 10km, so it was going to be good – I could just feel it. I started to rig up a range of hardbody lures ranging from 1-5m in depth. All our fish were small with the biggest being 3lb and smallest was 400g. This fish smacked a size 3 55mm solid purple StumpJumper. All the fish were caught in 3-4m depth. As the water still flows out hard into the Goulburn River don’t be deterred. Trout will still feed up on snails and worms on all the new ground that has recently been drowned by water. This can mean the best fishing areas are around Walnut Reserve and Thornton. Remember to take your rubbish home with you or dispose of it in one of the site’s rubbish bins. The last thing that beautiful river needs is our food wrappers. The Goulburn is Melbourne’s trout fishery and there is great fishing to be had by all. Look after the river and the river will reward you with healthy fish.

Most fishers who persist through the low barometer and poor weather have been rewarded with some nice cod ranging from 65cm all the way over the magic metre. Bob Hazler landed three cod of a good size and in pristine condition. They were caught on a slowly rolled green spinnerbait. The biggest measured smack on 90cm. Bob was walking around like he’d won the lotto. That’s not a bad effort for a few hours fishing the lake of a thousand casts. Keep your eyes peeled for the massive schools of redfin. If you’ve got a good enough sounder pull up next to some trees and side scan them. Reddies are one of the best tasting fish and make a fun day fishing for the kids. They can be caught on worms, yabbies and even on small grub-tail soft plastics. Don’t go too big on the hook. Sometimes cod and yellowbelly are commonly the by-catch. Go down to the local tackle shop for all your fishing needs and friendly local advice with a smile. Remember as the cooler

A very hungry redfin biting off more than it can chew. months approach, natives slow down in numbers. Tying up to a good size tree and just having

time out from our busy lives can be a great way to relax and reconnect with Mother Nature.

Rely on the staple reddies, yellas and cod BONNIE DOON

Andy McCarthy

As soon as the irrigation season draws to an end and the water level starts to rise, the cod fishing should go absolutely off its head. With a bit of luck the lake will still be

around 65%, which puts it in a great position to go close to filling even with an average winter. It seems that quite a few yellowbelly have been taken recently around trees. They seem to school up with large numbers of redfin. On a recent trip Melissa White picked herself up

filtering through on a very regular basis with some crackers up to 50cm getting caught up near the pines. It

won’t be long now before we will be flatlining for trout in freezing temperatures, so rug up and stay safe.

Relax and enjoy delicious food and warm hospitality.

Brett Reilly with a chunky cod.

Melissa White with a good little yella.

a nice yella and a lazy 50 or so reddies – not a bad session at all, well done. Brett Reilly loaded up on a great conditioned cod just as a storm was coming through. It’s always a great time to fish for natives as it sends them into a frenzy, but don’t take any unnecessary risks and stay out in a bad storm. Be very aware of your limitations and judge accordingly. As the water temperature drops significantly over the next 6-8 weeks. Make sure you have all your wet weather

gear on hand and your PFDs are in good working order. Shaun Eva also picked up a few nice yellas over the last month it has probably been the most productive MarchApril on the yellas for the last 5-6 years but I’m sure they will slow down pretty quickly now and it will be interesting to see if they come back on the chew in August like they did last year. Who knows? Depending on the weather, anything is possible. The reddies are still on fire with loads of reports

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MAY 2017

Hazelwood barra attraction CTL GIPPSLAND

Will Thompson allwaysangling@bigpond.com

After the boat ballot finished, anglers flocked to Hazelwood pondage to try their luck on catching a Vic barra and the results were amazing. The Hazelwood Pondage has become a truly

awesome barra fishery. It’s nothing short of a worldclass fishery that has produced barramundi in excess of 80cm. Over the past month we’ve seen plenty of barra caught both land-based and from boats, especially since the removal of the boating ballot. An array of lures has been successful from poppers to soft plastics. Mitch Chapman with a cracking Victorian barramundi from Hazelwood Pondage.

Jess Love with a great barra caught on soft plastics.

A decent Vic barra caught on a soft plastic slow rolled along the bottom.

In soft plastics, the most successful ones have been in the 3-4” range and green, black and pink colours are preferred. In poppers, small to medium sizes have been the most successful. Bank anglers have been doing the

best with the surface lures. TROUT AND BASS With the barramundi fishing so successful, a lot of anglers have forgotten about the poor old trout or bass. After summer was late this year and autumn being very dry, our small

streams have run pretty low, so the best times to fish for them have been after a brief rainy period. On these days we have still seen that there are good numbers of trout in our small Strzelecki streams from Merrimans, Traralgon or Morwell rivers. This shows how resilient the trout have been this season. The fly anglers have been doing well in

the low water situations with dry flies such as stimulators, red spinners and Dads Favourites while the spin fishers are doing well on Mapsos and Vibraxs after some rain. • For more information, contact Will at Allways Angling in Traralgon on 5174 8544. You will get expert advice and great deals on fishing bait and tackle.

Quick changing conditions for Lodden River BENDIGO

Roger Miles codhuntertours@bigpond.com

Fishing conditions can change very quickly and the Loddon River is a perfect example of this. In last month’s report I wrote about how productive the fishing had been in this river system. Soon after writing the report a significant flush of water was released down the system. This flush reduced water clarity and the productivity of the fishing in the Loddon River has

really dropped off. On a positive note, I’m happy to report that the productivity in the fishing continues to be good at the majority of the most popular destinations around the Bendigo area. LAKE EPPALOCK There have been blue green algae warnings in Lake Eppalock recently. With these warnings in place there has been a reduction in the amount of boat traffic on the waterway. The fishing is still productive. Redfin continue to be the target species for the majority of anglers. If you are prepared to hunt around to find a good concentration of redfin, catches of over 100

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MAY 2017

Good numbers of golden perch are being caught in the Campaspe River on lipless crankbaits. redfin a day can be made. The condition of the redfin being caught is excellent. The redfin are feeding up on good amounts of juvenile redfin and are putting on good condition. The best concentrations of redfin are currently being caught in deep water. I have been finding the larger redfin in depths of around 10m. Deep diving hardbody lures such as Custom Crafted Basshunter and Australian Crafted Invaders have been working well. Trolling is a good technique to find a school if you don’t already know where some fish are holding. Other techniques that have been working well on the redfin are casting soft plastics, blades and jigging ice jigs. The productivity of the golden

perch and Murray cod fishing continues to be low. Most of the golden perch have been caught by anglers casting the rocky shorelines with lipless crankbaits. CAMPASPE RIVER Fishing in the Campaspe River is continuing to be productive. Good numbers of golden perch are being caught along the Campaspe River lately. The most productive lures for the golden perch have been a combination of both spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits. The most productive fishing times have been the first couple of hours in the morning and late afternoon. The fishing has been slow during the middle of the day on most days. Small numbers of Murray cod are currently being caught in the

Campaspe River. Productive lures for the Murray cod have been a combination of hardbody lures, spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits. A few Murray cod are still being caught on surface lures. The productivity in the fishing will start to decline by the end of the month when water temperatures start to drop. CAIRN CURRAN Water clarity is still only average at this location. The productivity of the fishing is still good. The majority of anglers are targeting the redfin at this location. Lately the best concentrations of redfin are holding in shallow water. The most productive depth range has been 2-4m of water. Trolling shallow diving hardbody lures has been working. Casting soft plastics and

blades has also been good on the redfin. While the majority of anglers are targeting the redfin there are a few anglers who are concentrating their fishing effort on the native species. Small numbers of golden perch have been caught by anglers casting around the rocky shorelines. Likewise, Murray cod have been reportedly caught by anglers trolling hardbody lures and casting lipless crankbaits. LODDON RIVER As I wrote earlier in this report conditions can change very quickly. Water clarity is currently poor at most locations along the Loddon River system. For those anglers who are still fishing this destination, a few golden perch have been caught. Most of these captures have been by anglers casting lipless crankbaits and brightly coloured spinnerbaits along the edges of weed beds and around fallen timber. The occasional Murray cod has also been caught. It’s a lot of work for little action. What happens to the productivity in the fishing at this destination will largely depend on the water releases over the next two months. If the releases are minimal then water clarity will improve again and the productivity in the fishing will also improve. If we see another large flush go down the system the fishing will continue to be disappointing.

Redfin to finish up this autumn CRATER LAKES

Rod Shepherd

Late autumnal weather continues to provide some excellent fishing opportunities for many and none more so than chasing the redfin at Lake Purrumbete. The reddies are in full spawning mode and plenty of schools can be easily located by a boat’s sounder in depths of around 10-15m, which can be easily located by a similar length from the shoreline. Bait anglers are setting minnow traps in nearby Lake Bullen Merri and catching plenty of minnows.

Suspending the minnow just off the bottom on or near a school of fish one usually doesn’t have to wait too long for a strike. Lure enthusiasts are using a variety of lures and plastics jigged just off the bottom, some of which include metal blades and ice jigs. Grubs in 2” and 3” have been proven by many to take cricket score catches of redfin out of the lake. Trevor Holmes has taken many anglers to Purrumbete with most taking home several feeds of redfin fillets at the least. The plus side to chasing reddies using the bottom bouncing method has been the distinct chance of hooking up to either a

Chinook salmon, rainbow or brook trout or all three if you’re fortunate enough. Once a school has been located it doesn’t really matter the time of day. It’s simply a matter of fishing until the fish switch on, which usually doesn’t take that long at all. The blue-green algal bloom in Lake Bullen Merri has all but dissipated. Thanks largely to a mild summer, a thermocline layer did not fully form. This meant that it has been largely unnecessary to fish much deeper than 10m in order to locate fish. Chinook salmon to over 2kg on average are rounding up baitfish at various times of the day quite close to shore.

Flat line trolling or casting medium to deep diving minnow lures to 70mm in length has attracted quite a few hits. Fishing soft plastics in minnow patterns such as Pontoon 21 3” Shads and Huddles have also worked, especially for bait anglers. Cast out into the deeper water and allow it to sink almost to the bottom. Then a slow and steady retrieve back into the shallows will produce some action. The Gellibrand River in around the hamlet of Chapplevale has been firing for river blackfish to 1.46kg. The prime time has been right on dusk and often lasts for a good hour before a lull kicks in. Using small, bait

This is prime river blackfish territory. sized live yabbies as well as scrub worms fished vertically next to any structure such as submerged logs is a good place to start.

All in all the freshwater fishing looks great as we approach the winter months. This points to some great times ahead on the water.

The Yarra running hot in cooler weather MELBOURNE METRO

Dylan Brennan

Most people will be aware of Melbourne’s mighty Yarra River, or rather the ‘upside down river’ as it is sometimes called. While upon face value it can appear discoloured and less than inviting, underneath it’s murky surface it offers Melbournians some appealing fishing options, considering its upper reaches are just over an hour from the CBD. The cooler months of the year can provide excellent fishing around the Warburton section of the upper river for trout and luderick. Generally from about mid April through to the closing of the trout season this fishing gets better. The onset of autumn rains trigger the instincts of

A chunky spinnerbait - caught Murray cod from the Yarra River around Eltham. Photo courtesy of Jordan Cervenjak. the trout to feed up and start to move for their spawning runs, and during this period they can become a bit more voracious towards your offerings, especially artificial lures. As cooler water comes down from higher altitudes the trout will also occupy some of the more open runs and shallow glides instead

of just the deeper holes that they prefer during the warmer months. Finding the deepest section of the river isn’t really necessary. Solid browns to over 1kg have already been caught by a few switched-on anglers fishing larger than average hardbodied lures down between Launching Place and

Millgrove. Lures around the 90mm size aren’t too big for a hungry trout, especially when these fish are looking to put on condition to push their way upriver to spawn. In between the trout fishing there have been some big redfin caught in the Yarra. The river holds some nice sized redfin at times, although not in plague proportions. What they lack in quantity they seem to make up for in quality. Most of the redfin I have seen out of the Yarra over recent years have been 35cm+, with the largest going 47cm, which is a really nice fish. That fish was caught down around Christmas Hills. The redfin have been mainly caught between Warrandyte and Healesville, but I have heard of the odd one up around Warburton as well. Medium sized scrubworms seem to get their attention

fairly quickly along with just about any hardbodied or soft plastic lure, especially if they imitate small aquatic insects or galaxia. While not normally seen as a cool water target, a few Murray cod have also been been caught in the Yarra over the past few weeks. The warmer months can be productive for cod, but the changing of seasons and slight cooling of the river temperature normally sees a bump in their feeding activity. The cod can and have been caught all the way from Kew up to almost Yarra Glen. The more productive stretch of water seems to lie around Eltham and Warrandyte. Fishing the structure in the river is paramount to success with Murray cod, unless the fish are up off their stations and actively moving about. While this does happen

it isn’t the norm for Murray cod so accurate casting will pay off, whether it’s for lure or bait fishing. Fishing with cocktail baits of scrubworms and yabbies on a large wide gap style hook can be a good tempter for a hungry cod. Pinpoint casting of lures around their snaggy haunts will normally get a response faster. The ‘in your face’ action of most native style lures has the ability to annoy an otherwise full and lethargic cod into striking savagely. • For any of the latest metro reports and information pop into Compleat Angler Dandenong at 241-243 Princess Highway, Dandenong, give us a call on 0397 949 397 or jump onto the ‘Melbourne Metro Freshwater Fishing’ page on Facebook.

Stream trout season soon ends WST/STH GIPPSLAND

Steve Haughton steve@habitatcreations.com.au

Our last full month of stream trout fishing has begun, as the trout season closes on midnight 12 June. The season reopens midnight 1 September, so it’s a long wait for those who love their stream trout. I always take this opportunity to remind stream anglers this time of the year that the streams and rivers of the West and South Gippsland region are not stocked with trout and rely solely on natural spawning. It’s important to catch and release so we have some fun for the season ahead. The seasons this year have been three to four weeks behind, so we hope for a late autumn break to

top the streams up and get the trout juices flowing for when they begin to make their migratory move upstream to spawn. As they begin shifting their attention from feeding to spawning, they’ll become more difficult to entice with lures, fly and bait. In fact many catches this time of the year are more from aggressively protecting their territory rather than the need for a feed. As they back off feeding, often live baits and more natural flies or nymphs will out-fish your traditional hardbody stream lures. In any case, you’ll need to get your lure, fly or bait right in front of their mouths and even then there are still no guarantees of a strike. This can be frustrating when sight fishing, particularly if you’ve stumbled across a beautiful big trout sitting in the shallows that has no interest

in what you’ve got to offer. As an angler that appreciates trout, not just for the sport of catching, it can be rewarding just watching and learning as they go about their business. Not all is doom and gloom with the wind up of the stream trout fishing season for another year. Eels and luderick are still good targets in all of the streams around West and South Gippsland and provide a lot of fun for anglers of all ages using light gear. Luderick are an exciting winter target species in streams and can be caught using the same techniques for targeting eels. Simply use your trout spinning rod and fish in much slower moving water. Both luderick and eels tend to hang around the bottom of the streambed in and around stream structure like fallen timber and rocks, therefore

ensure your bait is presented within their feed zone. Eel in these streams commonly grow to up to 70cm. Luderick vary in size greatly and don’t be surprised if you pull a big one out of a small stream or a small area. Both species are often targeted late afternoon into the evening, but can be targeted all day if there is little sunshine about in the hills. The best bait by far for both species is live garden worms. Put as many as possible on your hook. Blue Rock Lake will still fish well over winter. If fishing from a boat or kayak, tie up to trees and drop baits down to target bass, redfin and large eel. Early winter is a great time for trolling up trout out on the lake or up the arm. Land-based anglers will still have plenty of fun too with

Dan Moore landed this beauty recently on a 1” Strike Tiger Nymph in black caviar. trout and redfin patrolling the shallows looking for a feed. Feel free to send me a report or photo, particularly if

you have any success stories from recent holidays with the family. Please email me any questions. Happy fishing! MAY 2017

Melbourne Marine Centre (03) 9703 2003 Regal Marine (03) 9874 4624 Streaker Marine (03) 9729 8288 Triple M Marine (03) 9465 8787 Warragul Marine (03) 5623 6250 Wes Frost Marine (03) 5976 4622

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ONLINE TACKLE PRODUCTS Specialty Fishing Products

Hunter Marine Boat Builders (03) 5032 2320

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HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION EAST GIPPSLAND

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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. 84

MAY 2017

NSW SOUTH COAST

CHARTER BOATS

Reel Affair, Merimbula freecall 1800 233 247

EAST GIPPSLAND

Espirit Charters, Bermagui (02) 6493 4104 or 0407 260 110

East Gippsland Charters 0400 564 032

Freedom Charters, Eden (02) 6496 1209 or 0415 602 446 Headland Fishing Adventures, Merimbula (02) 6495 1134

WEST COAST

Island Charters, Narooma (02) 4476 1047 or 0408 428 857

Portland Fishing Charters, Portland (03) 5523 3020

K9 Fishing Charters, Merimbula (02) 6495 1681

CENTRAL

Merimbula Marina, Merimbula (02) 6495 1686 or 0427 951 080

South-West Fishing Charters, Portland 0418 306 714

Narooma Charters, Narooma 0407 909 111

Gone Fishing Charters 0409 007 068

O’Brien Charter Service, Bermagui 0407 214 124

Able Fishing & Charters, Williamstown (03) 9502 3777

FISHING GUIDES

ACE Fishing Charters, Bonbeach (03) 9773 4183 Adamas Fishing Charters, Barwon Heads (03) 5254 3320

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Big Red Fishing Charters, Queenscliff 1800 805 587

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FRESHWATER Angling Expeditions Victoria, Tawonga (03) 5754 1466 Highland Trout Lakes, Ballarat (03) 5368 9574 Millbrook Lakes Lodge, Ballarat (03) 5334 0404

TASMANIA & FLINDERS ISLAND

TRADES AND SERVICES ADVERTISING Line listing from $90 + gst 6 months* 2cm x 2 from $195 + gst 6 months* 5cm x 2 from $320 + gst 6 months* 8cm x 2 from $590 + gst 6 months* Rates exclusive to Trades and Services Directory *Conditions apply Call (07) 3387 0835 or email pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

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99 PAIR

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Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0800 or email pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au MAY 2017

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2017

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

6-7 May

Round 2 Central Vic Pro Series

David Nelson 0418 378 944

Mulwala

20-21 May

Rnd 3 Central Vic Lure Casters Super Series

David Nelson 0418 378 944

Mulwala

roundy@cvlcss.com

20-21 May

Round 7 Hobie Kayak Bream Series 9

hobiefishing.com.au

St Georges Basin

20-21 May

Manning River BREAM Qualifier #5

Manning River

3-4 Jun

Cania BASS Pro Qualifier #2

Cania Dam

7-8 Jun

Boondooma BASS Pro Qualifier #3

Boondooma Dam

10-11 Jun

Round 8 Hobie Kayak Bream Series 9

Port Macquarie

1 Jul

Rnd 4 Central Vic Lure Casters Super Series

David Nelson 0418 378 944

Torrumbarry

roundy@cvlcss.com

5-6 Jul

Lake St Clair BASS Pro Qualifier #4

www.abt.org.au

Lake St Clair

8-9 Jul

Glenbawn BASS Pro Qualifier #5

Glenbawn Dam

15-16 Jul

Richmond River BREAM Qualifier #6

Richmond River

22-23 Jul

Round 9 Hobie Kayak Bream Series 9

Gold Coast

5-6 Aug

Round 3 Central Vic Pro Series

Eildon

13 Aug

Round 10 Hobie Kayak Bream Series 9

Mooloolaba

19-20 Aug

Gold Coast BREAM Qualifier #7

Gold Coast

26-27 Aug

Round 11 Hobie Kayak Bream Series 9

Swan River

2-3 Sep

Clarence River BASS Pro Qualifier #6

Clarence River

16 Sep

Rnd 5 Central Vic Lure Casters Super Series

David Nelson 0418 378 944

Eildon

roundy@cvlcss.com

16-17 Sep

Round 12 Hobie Kayak Bream Series 9

hobiefishing.com.au

Forster

30 Sep-1 Oct

St Georges Basin BREAM Qualifier #8

St Georges Basin

7-8 Oct

Round 4 Central Vic Pro Series

Lake Hume

14-15 Oct

BASS Pro Grand Final

Richmond River

www.abt.org.au

hobiefishing.com.au

www.abt.org.au

hobiefishing.com.au

David Nelson 0418 378 944

hobiefishing.com.au

www.abt.org.au

hobiefishing.com.au

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David Nelson 0418 378 944

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Add your tournament or competition to this list by emailing jthomas@fishingmonthly.com.au or calling 07 3387 0800 in office hours. Just supply a date, venue, tournament name and a telephone number and contact name. 86

MAY 2017

I AM ON A MISSION

Advertorial

A camera that just clicks with fishing adventurers Whether you fish from the boat, beach or hanging from a mess of mangrove branches in the estuaries, you’ll find yourself presented with amazing environments, and of course, your incredible catches. You’ll never forget your first catch or the look on the little one’s face when they catch theirs, and you’ll never forget that awesome trophy fish that nearly got away! But what better way to remember these moments than in full, detailed high definition? Now thanks to technology

you won’t miss a thing, and you’ll want everyone to see it. The KeyMission 80 is the ‘entry level’ camera in this incredible range. This nifty little gadget, in line with its name, has an 80° field of view and full HD video. If you’re a little accident prone, or you like to fish for hard fighters that knock you around a bit, the KeyMission 80 is shockproof for drops up to 1.5m and waterproof to 1m. You can fit the KeyMission 80 in your shirt pocket, so you never forget it when you’re packing the boat. It

good base for the range, because the 170 and 360 get even better! The KeyMission 170 offers an ultra-wide angle of view, making it the perfect device to record all the action when your intrepid spirit strikes. Whether you attach it to yourself or on

and start shooting with the press of a button. With a waterproof device like this, it’ll survive any splash damage at the front of the kayak without worries. If you’re out for a little dirt road four-wheel driving on the way to your favourite hidden fishing spot, the KeyMission cameras

SPECIFICATIONS The Key Mission 80 in action. Its second camera makes taking a selfie quick and easy.

Key Mission

The 170 on a mount. These cameras aren’t fussed by the splash damage. from Nikon, sharing these moments with your friends and family is easier than ever with the KeyMission range and Nikon’s new SnapBridge app. The KeyMission range consists of three cameras, the 360, 170 and 80 which are all named after their degree of view. The KeyMission 360 takes a full 360° photo that seamlessly combines images from two cameras to create an equidistant cylindrical image, meaning you see every detail in one picture. It’s an incredible feature for an action camera, and it means that when your reel is screaming, the camera will capture you at the front as well as your mates running around the boat like lunatics behind you. With the KeyMission 360,

weighs basically nothing and is surprisingly hardy. It’s compact enough to be operated one-handed and doesn’t sacrifice the size of the image or quality. You can have bigger lures than this beaut, so don’t let it drop in front of a hungry cod! We all know cod will eat anything. The KeyMission cameras are designed to handle surprises. The KeyMission 80 comes equipped with quick picturetaking capabilities, and even has a one-step shooting function so you can cut out the tense button pressing between you and the cover photo. The KeyMission 80 has two cameras so you can film in two directions with none of the buttons mashing. The KeyMission 80 makes a really

Key Mission

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80 (front)

(rear)

170

360 (both)

Image Sensor Focal Length F Number View

12.4MP 4.5mm f/2.0 80.9°

4.9MP 1.8mm f/2.2 90°

8.3MP 2.4mm f/2.8 170°

23.9MP 1.6mm f/2.0 180° x 2 = 360°

a moving vehicle, you’ll be sure to capture the heart of the action as the KeyMission 170 is waterproof up to 10m for 60 minutes (40m in its optional waterproof case) and be dropped from 2m. The hero of the range, the KeyMission 360 is the ideal partner in crime for the outdoor enthu siasts and the adrenaline junkies in the family. Designed to take on anything you throw at it, the KeyMission 360 can go to depths of 30m and can be dropped from 2m without you breaking a sweat. These cameras can even shoot pictures in shallow water for up to 30 minutes to capture your catch in action. Wind noise during recording is reduced and the software’s electronic Vibration Reduction (VR) function also uses information recorded by the KeyMission 360 during shooting to calculate horizontal, vertical and rotational camera movements, allowing it to compensate for vibrations in the video. Kayak anglers can put any device on the front of their yak

The Key Mission cameras are action-ready and super portable for whatever adventure awaits you.

I AM A WINNER! Appox. actual size

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are dust-proof and freeze-proof against temperatures as cold as -10°C, which is a bonus if you tend to fish colder water. All three cameras will fit inside the palm of your hand and even the heaviest camera in the clan, the KeyMission 360, weighs less than 200g. When you’re ready to share your photos, Nikon’s SnapBridge technology will automatically download your images to your smart device via a constant Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection. You

can take easy panorama shots, quality stills or even time-lapse movies (a visual diary for hot bite times, perhaps!) Those are just a couple of the modes for your recording pleasure. Your photos can be as interesting and varied in style as you like! Each camera comes with rechargeable batteries and an AC adapter to charge them, a USB cable to connect to your computer and other supplied accessories. An LED light in the camera will help you take photos in low light and dark places. Who says you can’t have a photo of a nighttime mulloway battle? All KeyMission cameras are compatible with several devices including your Apple iPhone or Android device and can even connect to Wi-Fi. There are many accessories available

across all cameras including a tripod adapter for the KeyMission 80 so you can film the big fight (or take a selfie), or a backpack clip for those big hikes, when you simply don’t have enough hands for all the tackle. In terms of the battery life, the KeyMission 80 will take up to 220 images or up to 40 minutes of footage before you’ll need to recharge. It’s interesting to note that the KeyMission 170 takes up to 250 images and an hour of footage, while the KeyMission 360 takes up to 230 images and 70 minutes of footage which is likely due to the camera’s greater field of vision. Overall, the KeyMission 80 is a really a cool option for a small waterproof adventure buddy. You don’t need the casing like you would with another camera as the KeyMission 80 covers all bases. If you’re looking for something in-between, the KeyMission 170 has an ultra-wide angle that would capture awesome fish pics while the KeyMission 360 is your all-round full image camera to get every last detail. These cameras are designed to survive the most-challenging conditions, because when the opportune moment arrives, nothing should stand in the way of your perfect shot. For more information head to mynikonlife.com.au.

Thanks to our friends at Nikon Australia, we have 3* KeyMission 170 cameras to give away! Simply fill out the below coupon to go into the draw and post to:

Nikon KeyMission Giveaway, PO BOX 3172, LOGANHOLME, QLD, 4129 Name: Address: P/Code: Phone (day): Email:

Shot on a Nikon Key Mission 170

Entries Close 31 May, 2017. * One in each state magazine: QLD, NSW and VIC. Drawn 1 June, 2017. Winners will be published in the following months publication. Full Terms and conditions can be viewed www.fishingmonthly.com.au/pages/nikoncomp MAY 2017 87

Lake Wendouree Two Fly was so much fun The 2017 Lake Wendouree Two Fly, hosted by the Ballarat Fly Fishers Club and exclusively sponsored by Hurley’s Fly Fishing, was held on 25-26 March. With lake and weather conditions looking the best since the competition was established in 2015, 34 flyfishers from Ballarat, Bendigo and Melbourne gathered with the expectation of some great fishing on the iconic Lake Wendouree. The Lake Wendouree Two Fly is a unique competition where flyfishers can only use two flies for the weekend. The twist is they are randomly allocated their two flies to use from those submitted by each flyfisher! While the flies are vetted prior to being submitted, there’s always plenty of anticipation to see what flies you’ll be allocated. Will it be a combination of a Magoo, Woolly Bugger, Coral

Barby had a great afternoon, registering six fish, the biggest being a 41cm rainbow. The gala dinner on Saturday night was a great opportunity for everyone to relax with a great meal and a couple of drinks, reminiscing over flies used and fish lost! The evening ended with the chance to grab a fantastic prize from the raffle. Thanks again to our exclusive sponsor, Gavin Hurley from Hurleys Fly Fishing, for supporting our event and providing some great raffle prizes. The proceeds from the raffle go towards supporting those club members who represent our club in national flyfishing teams. Sunday morning

Gordon Whatley being presented with the Jim Thomas memorial trophy by Greg Armstrong, BFFC President. pattern, Tom Jones or a Lake Wendouree specialist fly from one of the locals? Recently, there had been plenty of fish moving around,

either taking duns or smelt. When the gun went off, flyfishers moved off to various areas of the lake to try out their allocated flies. Early results were encouraging with good numbers of both rainbows and browns recorded. Allan Townsend was out of the blocks early with a lovely 41cm rainbow. Royce Baxter then landed and recorded a 48cm brown. As with previous events, there were some hard luck stories of lost flies and lost big fish. Doug Kimberley is making it an annual tradition to drop a fantastic brown at the side of the boat! While the fish were being registered right across the lake, a band of Ballarat members led by Andrew Borg were making

Mick Hall and Andrew working on the BBQ lunch for anglers.

ROUND 3:

Location: LAKE MULWALA – DC ON THE LAKE

MAY

20-21

INCLUDES DAILY DOUBLE (Pre Fish Only)

Saturday Night Entertainment feat. Joshua Andrew • Wood Fired Pizzas will be Available • Raising Money for the Starlight Foundation • Each round will have a target species, either Murray Cod or Golden Perch • Catch and release lure tournaments • Conditions Apply

NEW – PRO SERIES

Round 2 May 6 & 7 (Mulwala -DC on the lake)

Check out our Facebook pages: • Central VIC Pro Series • Central VIC Lure Casters Super Series

For more information contact David Nelson 0418 378 944 roundy@cvlcss.com • www.cvlcss.com 88

MAY 2017

The fantastic Stalker Glide fly rod by Trevor Martin was part of the first place prize. sure that the BBQ lunch was ready for the hungry anglers. In fact, Andrew and his team did a fantastic job over both days delivering a BBQ lunch as well as bacon and eggs on Sunday morning. When you combine the brekky, lunches and a catered sit down dinner on Saturday night (which are all included in the entry fee) there certainly weren’t any flyfishers going hungry over the weekend! At the end of day one, there were around 20 fish registered on the scoreboard. Gordon Whatley lead with a lovely 53cm brown. Vern

were recorded, Gordon was crowned the winner and duly presented with the Jim Thomas memorial trophy by Greg Armstrong, BFFC President, and the fantastic Stalker Glide fly rod by Trevor Martin from Hurley’s Fly Fishing. Gordon caught the winning fish on a fly entered by Gary McKay – a black nymph variant. By providing the winning fly, Gary received the handmade bull-oak pen, once again provided and crafted by Jeff Willey. Overall 33 trout were recorded, 16 rainbow trout (lengths from 34-45cm) and 17 brown trout (31-53cm) with 22 of the 34 flyfishers registering fish for the weekend. A special thanks to all the

arrived with great promise, with a ripple on the water and good cloud cover – perfect conditions for Lake Wendouree. Again, the fish were on the move early, with more excellent trout registered on the scorecards. However, as the morning wore on, the cloud lifted and the wind dropped to make conditions difficult. As the finish time approached and the flyfishers returned to the club house to report their catches, anticipation was high, particularly from Gordon Whatley who had caught the 53cm brown on Saturday! When all the fish

BFFC members who helped over the weekend to make the 2017 Lake Wendouree Two Fly a great success, from both a fishing and social perspective. As one of the visiting flyfishers from Melbourne said, “Where else would you get two days of great flyfishing on one of the state’s iconic flyfishing waters, with all meals catered for and based at one of the best flyfishing clubrooms in Australia? When you throw in the raffle and the great format, all for $50, it’s a wonder that you don’t have to turn away flyfishers from entering the competition!” – Lake Wendouree Two Fly

The winning trout was a 53cm beast.

Hobie Round 3 at Mallacoota Over the weekend of 25-26 March, 74 anglers from all over Australia headed to Mallacoota in East Gippsland, Victoria to compete in the Mortgage Corp Round 3 of Hobie Kayak Bream Series 9. After a tough pre-fish day, where a lot of anglers struggled to find abundant fish, the first day of competition saw conditions that looked promising for a good catch, with overcast skies and a breeze on both Top and Bottom lakes. By the end of the session a reasonable number of anglers pulled in solid bags, with other competitors struggling to find enough fish to fill theirs. Nevertheless, 55 anglers brought back fish to the Strike-Pro weigh-in, 18 with full bags of four fish. The field was led by Richard Somerton with his full bag of four fish for 3.64kg, followed by Bogdan Zisu with four fish for 3.50kg and Tony Pettie sitting in third place with four fish at 2.97kg. As the sun rose over the Pro Lure Arena and competitors raced away from the Power-Pole starting, with clearing skies and very little wind expected throughout the day, anglers were in for a second testing day of competition. There was very little cover to entice fish to venture out of hiding. Despite a second hard day of fishing that didn’t produce the Mallacoota magic that anglers expect from the inlet, 28 full bags were still brought back to the Strike Pro weigh-in, with a total of 121 fish weighed in on the day. Of the 74 anglers, only 65 caught fish over the two days

day out on the water on Friday making to most of the pre-fish day. “Pre-fish day on Friday was so-so, I went down to the Dead Finish on a little reef back in there. I found there were a couple of fish on it and I threw topwater at them. I pulled it away and left them alone. I continued to check out some locations and ended up with about a dozen fish by

plenty of other anglers who went down to the Dead Finish. “There were a least a half a dozen yaks down there first thing in the morning with me. So, I decided to leave and hit Gravelly Point. When I got there, I dropped a fish, which was certainly a good legal, on probably my fourth cast. Then I got a little one in the yak and I was on my way.” Somerton then managed

Only 65 of 74 participating anglers caught fish over the weekend. the end of the day. I thought to myself, ‘Ok, great! They’re around,’ and I was ready for day one of the comp. “On day one of the competition, when it was announced that we were chasing four fish, I knew I had to go at it hard. So, I virtually just worked the whole of Dead Finish Bay, slowly and methodically hitting everything that I could. I found a lot of muds, and fish mudding in there, and I managed to get a bag nice and early, which brought a smile to my face. From there I just slowly

a fish weighing 750g from around the corner caught on a plastic. He made his way to the other side of Dead Finish Bay where there were some muds. There he got his bag and a small upgrade. He was just under 2kg and the fish stayed there, in my live well, from 9:40am right through until about 1:30pm. Then he pulled into two bays at the top of the Narrows. He upgraded one of the fish straight away, with a 850g fish. Then he headed into the next bigger bay. He found plenty of fish were feeding actively and he scored two cracker 1kg+ fish. He upgraded his other two

a full lap of Bottom Lake and only found one fish in one area and decided to leave that area alone. I headed to Top Lake and again just found a single fish. I just couldn’t back it up. So for the competition on Saturday and on the Sunday I decided to start by going back to Bottom Lake. “When I got back there, on day one of competition, the fish were there, in good average size. I grounded it out, landing a fish every hour to an hour and a half, throwing brown suji shrimp Jackalls. I was just taking them over a drop-off, slow rolling from very shallow to 1.5m and they were just hitting it. They loved it! “About 1pm, when the wind picked up, I made my way to ‘the Sands,’ Goodwin Sands, and there were fish all over it. I was throwing ZMan Slim SwimZ and managed to upgrade two or three times in the last hour and a half of competition. “I pretty much had a mirror day of that, on Sunday. I went straight back to the same spot I started at on Saturday and got my bag of reasonable sized fish. Again, at about 1pm when the wind picked up, I got back on ‘the sands’ and caught plenty of fish, but I wasn’t able to upgrade. I headed back home hoping I had enough in my bag to at least hold my second position from day one, and I did it!” Zisu used a Millerods rod with a Daiwa Steadz and a Daiwa Certate reel. For line he used Sunline FC 3lb straight through. The lures of choice were the Jackall Chubby in brown suji shrimp and ZMan Slim SwimZ in bloodworm.

Richard Somerton took out the win again with some cracker 1kg+ bream. in Bottom Lake. The fish was caught rolling a lure down the side of a fallen dead tree. As soon as the lure got to the end of the tree, the fish chased it and hit hard. The fight was on! “I got the nose of the Hobie facing out to open water and started pedalling the MirageDrive like mad. I got it out in the clear before it tried to head back home to the tree. I had no choice but to lock up, drop the rod tip under the

A reasonable number of anglers pulled in solid bags, while other competitors struggled to find enough fish to fill theirs. water, and pedal hard and turn the fish before it got back in under the tree.” “I got it out in the middle of the bay and wore it down before getting it in the yak. I thought, ‘no wonder the thing

DIVISION WINNERS Category Womens Youth Masters Grand Masters

Day one had promising overcast weather and a good breeze for fishing. of competition. A total of 260 fish were caught over the two days and weighed 162.36kg all up. SOMERTON’S SECOND SEASON WIN Richard Somerton from Mount Martha, Victoria took out his second tournament of the three that have been contested so far in the 2017 series. Somerton spent the

upgraded throughout the day.” In the last 45 minutes, Somerton managed two slightly better fish, which made him even happier. He caught one on a Cranka Crab, which he had changed the hooks on. The other was caught by rolling a Cranka Crank in beer bottle colour. On day two of the event, Somerton was joined by

Angler Tameika Purnell (NSW) Jack Gammie (NSW) Gary Hanson (VIC) John Whelan (NSW)

fish in the well and with half an hour to get back, he motored on back to the event site Over the day, Somerton tried a variety of tackle options, finding that the fish were spooked easily. He had a few majors to go to. His winning tackle consisted of a 1-4kg Duffrods rod and a Duffrods HySTIX rod, Daiwa Exist and Daiwa Certate reels, Daiwa braid, Sunline FC 3lb straight through, a Cranka Crank in beer bottle colour and a Cranka Crab. BOGDAN ZISU BAGS SECOND Like Richard Somerton, second placegetter Bogdan Zisu took advantage of the pre-fish day on Friday to test out locations where fish may be congregating, see how active they were and what presentations were enticing the bite. “It all started for me on pre-fish day, but it was a very tough day on the water. I did

Fish Total Weight (kg) 6 3.21 5 3.43 6 3.91 3 1.58

ATOMIC BIG BREAM Glenn Allen from the New South Wales Central Coast caught the largest fish of the tournament, and won the Atomic Big Bream $100 cash prize. His Atomic Big Bream came out of a back bay

II. His reel was an Ecooda Black Hawk 2 2000. He used Samaki 6lb braid, Samaki 4lb leader and an Ecooda Mini Crank in pearl shrimp colour. MORTGAGE CORP MONSTER MOVER The Mortgage Corp Monster Mover prize went to Michelle Gamble from Mallacoota in Victoria. Michelle moved up from no fish and 55th place on the Rhino-Rack Leaderboard at

went so hard,’ it was a big yellowfin (bream), which can pull a black bream inside out. First thing that came to mind was, ‘how did I land that?’ I think I just got lucky.” Allen’s rod was a 6’10, 2-6lb Samaki Zing Gen

the close of day one to finish in 38th place with a three fish bag of 1.82kg. SPECIAL THANKS The Mortgage Corp Round 3 of Hobie Kayak Bream Series 9 could not have gone ahead without our generous sponsors, Daiwa Australia, Berkley, Atomic, Lowrance, Rhino-Rack, Strike Pro, TT Lures, JML Anglers Alliance, Power-Pole, Mortgage Corp, Pro Lure, Hobie Polarized and ABT. Thanks also to Leaf and the team from Compleat Angler Merimbula for providing Hobie dealer support over the weekend. Thanks to all the anglers for your participation and support of Hobie Kayak Bream Series 9. – Hobie Kayak Bream

Anglers had to look hard for areas where the fish were biting. MAY 2017

Back-to-back for Morgan

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STORM

Steve Morgan made it back-to-back wins on the Costa BREAM tour, with the 44 year old Brisbane bream fisher adding a win at Albany to his last start victory at Gippsland Lakes in February. Compiling a 10/10, 5.615kg limit for the tournament Morgan used a two-prong approach to catch his tournament winning fish, fishing both bridges and oyster racks each day to fill his limit. Heading straight to King River Bridge on day one, a spot that he shared with Warren Carter, Morgan didn’t have to wait long for the action to happen, and to fill his limit. “The bridges were one of the few places that I was confident I could catch fish at low tide, so that’s where I went first up,” explained Morgan. Fishing the opposite side of the bridge to Carter, Morgan cast his lure out and fished it down deep under a school of anchovies. “The bream were down there eating the anchovies, and they were hungry and super keen to eat my Cranka Crab,” explained Morgan. It only took 25 minutes

Steve Morgan with a brace of his Albany winning bream. for Morgan to fill his limit, a limit that included a 1.37kg fish and two fish over 30cm. As the tide rose Morgan changed location, and he changed to what he really loves, throwing Ecogearaqua Bream Prawns at oyster racks and fishing OSP Bent Minnows on the flats. “Before the water got high enough to fish the racks I fished the edges of the channel with Bent Minnows, intercepting the bream as they moved up onto the flat. Once the water got high enough

BIG BREAM R

Steve Morgan secured the Big Bream Prize adding $500 to his event winnings with his 1.365kg kicker on day one caught on a Cranka Crab on the bridge.

I moved in and fished the racks,” explained Morgan. Morgan’s rack technique involved throwing his Ecogearaqua over the top of the rack. He’d then pop it over the edge and it was as it was sinking down after the pop that the fish would eat it. “You’d see the bream come out, sniff the Aqua, then choff it down and eat it. If it was a little bream you wouldn’t set the hook, you’d pop it out of the fish’s mouth and hopefully a bigger fish would eat it. If I didn’t get a bite on the initial drop I’d twitch the Aqua across the surface to the middle of the racks, then deadstick it, and a fish would often charge out and eat it,” explained Morgan.

While Morgan’s rack approach saw a tonne of fish (50-70 fish), it was the early morning bridge pattern that put the big fish in his well, and saw him weigh in nearly 4kg for the day. Heading back to the bridge on day two, Morgan lasted about an hour. “It didn’t really happen on the bridge on day two, so I pulled the pin and headed to the racks,” explained Morgan. Putting together a limit throwing Ecogearaquas, Morgan compiled a 1.63kg bag to hold onto to the lead and claim his second victory for the year. Morgan cashed in at Albany, picking up the winner’s cheque, the Big Bream prize, 1st place Pro cheque, and the Duffrods Big Bag.

Carter cruises into second Warren Carter brought his fishing form west from Victoria, adding another podium finish to his tournament CV to help put behind him the bad memories of the long roadtrip. Compiling a 10/10 bag at 4.88kg for the event, Carter started his tournament fishing the King River Bridge on day one. “I fished here for the whole day throwing Cranka Crabs and had my limit by about 9.30am,” explained Warren.

It’s hard not to smile like Warren Carter when you’re catching bream like these.

TOP 10 BOATERS

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 90

MAY 2017

Place Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 9 7 8 10

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

5.615 4.880 4.015 3.910 3.780 3.695 3.495 3.205 3.170 3.005

$1600 + $500 Big Bream (1.365kg) + $400 Pro + Costa Sunglasses $1100 + Merc Bonus $250 $750 + Merc Bonus $150 $500 + Yamaha Bonus $300

Steve Morgan Warren Carter Greg Cooper Cam Whittam Kim McIntyre Callum Dowell Charlie Saykao Mark Crompton Tom Palfrey Nigel Kelly

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

Using his new Minn Kota electric motor fitted with the new Spot Lock, Carter positioned his boat out and up current from the bridge then drifted his crabs back under the bridge. “This was a different approach to what I usually do. Usually I position the boat down current then throw up current towards the bridge. The new Minn Kota allows you to hold the boat up from the bridge and present the crab in a more natural way,” explained Carter. With his boat up current Warren would drift his crab in under the bridge. He would then occasionally tighten up on the line, then lay out some slack line and continue to drift it back. “The fish would swim up on the crab then pick it up and I’d then set the hook and try and muscle it out,” explained Carter. Carter paid a high price for fishing that deep in cover, landing half the fish he hooked. Despite the losses Carter weighed in a 5/5, 3.19kg bag to be sitting Continued over

From previous page

in second place at the end of day one. Returning to the bridge on day two it wasn’t until 8.30am that he boated his first fish. He put one more fish in his well then at 10.30am he moved location and fished the backside of some oyster racks, in an

area where he found some bream digs. “I threw a bunch of different lures in this area but it wasn’t until right at the end of the session that I caught the fish to complete my limit. I had three fish at 1.30pm, and in the last half hour I bagged out and upgraded twice,” explained Warren. The lure that did the

damage was a 70mm Smith Panish, while the outfit he used to present it was an Edge Rods 702, Shimano 2500 Stella, and 4lb leader. Carter weighed a heavier

bag than Morgan on day two, but didn’t have enough to peg back the lead Morgan had established for the final day. “I’ll take a second any

day, especially after the trials and tribulations we had on the drive across. The next stop is Blackwood and I can’t wait to get there,” explained Carter.

BREAM Presente SERIES d by BKK

Ecogearaqua Bream Prawn Cranka Crab

Current

Tom McIntosh dominated at Albany to claim the non-boater title.

Tommy Mac Tops the Field The only non-boater to weigh his full limit, Tom McIntosh fished shallow to catch his tournament winning bag, throwing OSP Bent Minnows and shallow Cranka Cranks around shallow weed beds. “I’d used the wind to make long wind assisted casts with the Bent Minnow then work it with a rip, twitch, pause retrieve. The key was to make plenty of casts and cover as much water as possible,” explained Tom. The outfit he used to throw his Bent Minnow included a 6’10”, 2-8lb 13 Fishing Envy Black rod, Daiwa 2004 Luvias reel, 6lb Unitika Bream Jr PE, and 3lb Gamma fluorocarbon leader.

While the Bent Minnow produced plenty of fish there was a limit to its use, and that limit was dictated by the wind. “You wanted the wind to blow for the Bent Minnow to work, but once the wind got too strong you couldn’t work the Bent Minnow properly,” explained Tom. Once the wind got up Tom put the minnow down and picked up the Cranka, fishing a smoke prawn coloured shallow Cranka Crank across the top of the weed. The lure would dive to about 1m, occasionally touching the weed and getting hung up. “Sure it’s a hindrance to get hung up on weed, but

DUFFRODS BIG BAG Steve Morgan valued added his event winning claiming the Duffrods Big Bag for the event with his 5/5, 3.99kg day one limit. The heaviest sack for the event came on a combination of Ecogearaqua Bream Prawns and Cranka Crabs.

that’s where the fish are,” explained Tom. It’s when the lure became hung up on the weed that Tom’s choice of rod played in his favour. “I prefer to use a slow taper rod when cranking because it allows to you pull the lure off the weed more gently than when using a fast tapered rod. A fast taper rod will pop the lure out too fast. It’s when the lure comes out off the weed in a slower more measured manner that the fish will often eat it. That’s exactly what happened during the event,” explained Tom. Tom’s crankbait outfit included a 6’9”, 2-6lb, 13 Fishing Muse Gold rod, Daiwa 2004 Luvias reel, 6lb Unitika Bream Jr PE, and 3lb Gamma fluorocarbon leader. Tom’s multi-lure approach paid off delivering him a 5/5, 2.80kg limit on day one, and a 5/5, 1.86kg limit on day two. His victory punched

his ticket for December’s Costa BREAM Grand Final at Lake Macquarie and was a sign of things to come for the second half of the WA leg of the 2017 Costa BREAM Series.

WINNING TACKLE Outfit 1 (Cranka Crab), Rod Millerods Bream Buster, Reel Daiwa 2506 Luvias, Line 6lb Unitika Silver Thread fluorocarbon, Leader TBA, Lure Cranka Crab. Outfit 2 (Ecogear Aqua), Rod 7’5” Nordic Stage Artist, Reel Shimano Stella, Line 4lb Berkley Nanofil, Leader 6lb Chinu Harris, Lure Ecogear Aqua Bream Prawn rigged on a straight-through fluorocarbon, rigged on a Van Fook #1 worm hook.

Steve Morgan caught plenty of fish in the racks on Ecogear Aqua Bream Prawns.

TOP 10 NON BOATERS Place Angler

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Fish

Weight (kg)

Payout

Thomas McIntosh 10/10 4.650 Costa Sunglasses + Prize Pack + $100 Hobie Bonus Brenton Madaus 9/10 3.915 Prize Pack + $300 Pro + $50 Hobie Bonus Nick Penprase 8/10 3.290 JML Rod + Prize Pack + $35 Hobie Bonus Jesse Choy 8/10 2.695 Prize Pack Wally Fahey 6/10 2.375 Prize Pack Joseph Gardner 5/10 2.325 Prize Pack Jenny Gardner 6/10 2.310 Prize Pack Adam Smith 7/10 2.050 Prize Pack Chris Hill 5/10 1.755 Prize Pack Mike Sutcliffe 4/10 1.585 Prize Pack For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

One and two, Morgan and Carter fishing the King River Bridge on day one. MAY 2017

Carter crushes it at Blackwood

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Warren Carter showed himself as the king of the west, with the 50-year-old Victorian fishing the edge at Blackwood to claim victory in the second of the two WA rounds of the 2017 Costa BREAM Series. Going one place better than his second at Albany, Carter jumped from third at the end of day one, to top spot on day two to finish the event as the king of the west. Hitting the water on pre-fish with the goal of trying to key in on the technique that delivered him victory in the last ABT event on the Blackwood, it didn’t take Carter long to realise that lightning was going to strike twice. “In 2013 I fished upriver working crankbaits parallel along the timber lined banks. Unfortunately I only caught three fish, perhaps it was because of all the rain that had been through the system. I then went down river and caught fish,” explained Carter. Caught between two options on day one, to go up or down, Carter spent the first hour and a half on day one up river for no result. He cranked up the Mercury, headed down

Warren Carter jumped from third place at the end of day one, to top spot on day two to finish the event as the king of the west. river and fished there for the rest of the day. “I fished shallow laydowns in 2ft of water with a Jackall Chubby and ended up getting my limit in the last hour and a half,” explained Carter. Day two saw a change of plan. He had little choice. “There was a pro fishing the flat that I was going to fish

WINNING TACKLE

Rod: Edge Rods 702; Reel: Shimano 2500 Stella; Line: Varivas PE; Leader: 4lb Varivas Absolute Fluorocarbon; Lure: Jackall Chubby brown suji, Smith Camion SR (black).

so I moved to a spot known as West Bay,” explained Carter. It was definitely a cloud with a silver lining. Carter filled his limit by 8am and then made his next change for the day, swapping from a Chubby to a black Smith Camion. “They black Camion was the switch that really turned them on. I would have caught 30 legal fish throwing it,” explained Carter. Delivering the heaviest limit (5/5, 3.54kg) and the Duffrods Big Bag to the scales on the final day Carter once again showed his dominance on the

Blackwood, claiming victory and stamping his name as the hot contender for the 2017 Power-Pole BREAM AOY points race. “My worst result so far this year is third and we’ve got four events to go, so I’m feeling good about my chances. But there’s definitely no certainties in this sport,” explained Carter. With Carter the defending AOY champion and with 396/400 points from the first four events and in career best form, only a brave person would bet against Carter for the AOY title.

Whittam cranks to second Victorian breamer Cam Whittam had a successful first visit to WA’s Blackwood River with the tournament veteran claiming a top two finish to end his western visit on a high. Day one saw Cam focusing on rock clumps, but it wasn’t the clumps themselves that he was fishing. “The tide was a little lower on day one and the fish seemed to be holding wide of the rocks waiting to move up with the water, and it was here that I caught my bream, plus a bunch of by-catch early in the morning. There was a lot of salmon, herring and

Cam Whittam had a successful first visit to WA’s Blackwood River claiming a top two finish.

TOP 10 BOATERS Place Angler

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 92

MAY 2017

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Fish

Weight (kg)

Payout

Warren Carter 10/10 6.125 $1,650 + Costa Sunglasses Cam Whittam 10/10 5.730 $1,200 Alex Griesdorf 10/10 5.515 $775 Greg Cooper 9/10 5.090 $500 Shane Owens 10/10 4.800 Blake O’Grady 7/10 3.810 Mark Crompton 10/10 3.685 Ben Scott 10/10 3.535 Charlie Saykao 5/10 3.515 Callum Dowell 8/10 3.370 For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

bait in the area, and the bream were there as well,” explained Cam. With his limit in the well by 8am, Cam followed the fish as they moved further up the bank with the incoming tide. Throwing small cranks at the flooded rocks, Cam upgraded his initial small limit to finish the day with a 2.52kg limit. Aiming to repeat his day one success and pattern on day two, Cam Continued over

From previous page

once again found the fish willing to play the game, picking up his limit early then upgrading throughout the day as the tide rose and the fish gravitated towards the rocks. Acknowledging that the luck was on his side on day two with the hooks sticking in the big fish, Cam finished the day with his heaviest limit of the tournament, a 3.21kg bag. The main rod that

Cam used to do the damage on the Blackwood was a Duffrods T-8522, a great all-round rod that he can’t praise highly enough. “This rod suits my style of fishing perfectly, and it’s the first rod I reach for whether I’m throwing small crankbaits, large jerkbaits, vibs, or crabs,” explained Cam. I addition to his beloved Duffrods Whittam was very acknowledging post event of his sponsors and the

integral role they play in his tournament fishing career. “I can’t speak highly enough of my sponsors. EJ Todd, Humminbird, Minn Kota, and Tonic contribute greatly to what I do and I can’t thank them enough for their support. I’d also like to thank Yamaha for their support of ABT. Like all the Yamaha boaters on tour, I really appreciate the money they put in and their sponsor bonus program,” Cam Whittam concluded.

BREAM Presente SERIES d by BKK

Tom takes the title Making a clean sweep in the west, 21 year old Victorian breamer Tom McIntosh compiled a 10/10, 6.13kg limit to claim the non-boater title at Blackwood. McIntosh fished to his strength using many techniques that he had plenty of confidence in. He fished with good friend and BREAM Classic teammate Charlie

Saykao on day one. “Charlie and I had a chat after the draw at the briefing to nut out a plan for the day. With the rain that had been through the system we decided to fish the lower end of the river with the objective of filling our bag with limit fish, then head up river later in session in pursuit of bigger fish,” explained McIntosh.

Fishing sunken timber and rock bars Tom threw an ayu coloured Smith Jade, throwing it into the gaps and slots left by his boater and working it with a series of twitches and a pause. It was one such gap left by his boater that McIntosh caught his kicker fish for the day, a 1.46kg Blackwood monster. “There was a little gap at

Jackall Chubby

Making a clean sweep in the west, Tom McIntosh took out the number one spot for non-boaters.

Smith Camion

BIG BREAM

DUFFRODS BIG BAG Champion boater Warren value added his event winnings by claiming the Duffrods Big Bag for his outstanding day two bag. The limit that anchored his victory, his 3.54kg heavy weight sack came on a Jackall Chubby and Smith Camion.

Champion nonboater Tom McIntosh secured the Big Bream Prize at Blackwood, adding $500 to event winnings for his 1.46kg day one kicker fish. Caught on a Smith Jade in ayu colour it was muscled from a small gap next to a flooded tea tree bush.

the back of a tea tree bush. I cast the Jade in, twitched it down to a little branch and the fish hit it like a freight train. I applied pressure to him as soon as he struck and he came out with little fuss. Once he was out in the open it was game over.” In contrast to the Albany event where McIntosh used a slow taper rod for his crankbaiting, Blackwood saw him opt for a rod with a faster taper. “I was fishing tight to cover so I wanted a rod with a bit more backbone and a faster tip so I could apply pressure quicker than with a slower tapered rod,” explained Tom. McIntosh’s approach paid off and he delivered a 3.285kg bag to the scales to lead by over a kilo heading into day two. Paired with Steve Morgan on the final day, McIntosh’s plan was to fish the same structure as day one – timber and rock bar – but he was conscious of not hitting locations that his day one boater, Charlie Saykao, and other boaters, had fished the day before. While the pattern was the same the lure differed

with McIntosh throwing a shallow diving Cranka Minnow in rusty gold colour around submerged rocks. The approach paid off with McIntosh weighing in a 5/5, 2.845kg limit to claim a comfortable victory. His stunning last day delivered him a perfect 20/20 limit for the two WA rounds and fueled his back-to-back victories. “To do this well was beyond my wildest dreams. As a uni student it was a struggle to gather the funds to make the trip across, and these events were going to be the limit of the ABT events I could afford to do for the year. With two solid AOY scores under my belt, I’m now seriously considering how I can make it to more events,” concluded McIntosh. With his current hot streak who can blame him for wanting to try and make hay while the sun shines? Costa BREAM Series anglers now turn back to the east coast with ABT making a long overdue return to Taree in May for the Mercury Manning River BREAM Qualifier, 20-21 May.

TOP 10 NON BOATERS Place Angler

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Fish

Thomas McIntosh 10/10 Massimo Salomone 8/10 Joe Franco 6/10 Joseph Gardner 6/10 Mike Sutcliffe 6/10 Carey Nolan 7/10 Blake Coomber 5/10 Mirek Soucek 5/10 Rebecca Fazio 5/10 Rod Pickering 3/10

Weight (kg)

Payout

6.130 3.280 3.120 2.585 2.565 2.335 2.245 2.200 2.160 1.280

Prize Pack+ $500 Big Bream (1.46kg) Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack

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

Winners are grinners in WA. There were plenty of sponsor prizes and cheques handed out. MAY 2017

WHAT’S NEW FISHING SUNSET EUROPA SEA RODS

Designed in France to support drift fishing with big lures or live baits, the Europa Rod Series were built with thin high modulus HMC40 blanks and have 3 sections and 3 interchangeable power tips. They each provide a perfect curve and an impressive reserve of power when needed! Moreover, these rods are equipped with quality fittings such as original SEAGUIDE SIC guides, non-slippery high density EVA handle and high-quality Nylon/ABS and stainless steel tubular reel seat. But what this rod is best at, is that you can use this marvel in any circumstances! Big fish, shy fish, fast fishing and retrieving techniques using artificial lures or fresh baits, it doesn’t matter! A super high end, high quality, special rod for any occasion! Sunset Europa High End Sea Rods come in 2 lengths, 3.8m and 4.2m, and can cast weights up to 200-300g, respectively. Price: RRP from $224.99 www.adoretackle.com

ZMAN BAIT BINDERZ

ZMan Bait BinderZ are the ultimate storage solution for your ZMan soft plastics, allowing you to find the model and colour you’re after in seconds. Bait BinderZ feature nickel-plated, corrosion-resistant rings that have been spaced to fit the reinforced, pre-punched holes in the bottom of standard size ZMan packets. This means you can store your ZMan plastics in their original packs, away from other plastics. There’s no space taken up by plastic sleeves and no double handling opening sleeves to get packets out, or leaving loose packets where they can blow out of the boat. Quick, simple and more time for fishing. Constructed from 500-denier nylon for durability, embroidered with the ZMan logo and featuring a carry handle for easy transport and securing to your vessel, the Bait BinderZ will hold 10-15 packets of ZMan plastics, depending on model. Price: SRP $16.95 www.z-man.com.au

ECOODA INNA

The Ecooda Inna diving lure has an erratic jerkbait swimming action, a lifelike digital finish, an internal ball bearing plus a cylindrical metal chamber. The internal cylindrical metal chamber not only helps with the lure’s casting distance and accuracy, but also aids in the twitching and jerkbait motion from side to side. This is enhanced by the internal ball bearing, which sends out a vibration noise, attracting species out of snags and enticing them to strike. The Ecooda Inna comes in two sizes: a 115mm, 23.3g model with a diving depth of 4ft; and a 140mm, 36g model with a diving depth of 5ft. Both sizes are available in three unique colours – slimy, pilchard and blue striped snapper. With 3X VMC hooks and heavy-duty stainless steel split rings, the Inna is extremely durable and hard wearing. It’s ideal for casting off rocks, long distance casting or chasing species like barra while utilizing its great twitching action. www.ecooda.com.au 94

MAY 2017

DAIWA STEEZ A TW

PRODUCT GUIDE

In 2016, over a decade since the first Steez model was launched, and then Steez TWS took the reins. Now in 2017, the new A version arrives with all new features including a high precision machine cut aluminium frame. Steez baitcasting reels have dramatically evolved with the introduction of SV Spool. Composed of G1 - Duralumin material, the spool has a diameter of 34mm for a much faster rotation and greater strength. With the addition of TWS, which reduces friction for longer casting and extreme free falling ability, you have both of Daiwa’s latest innovative technologies combined in the Steez A for ultimate casting performance. In addition, Steez A TW boasts Magseal, ATD and Air Rotation, making it one of Daiwa’s most sensitive, technically advanced, saltwater friendly baitcaster reels ever developed. Improving on something that’s already fantastic, the new Daiwa Steez A TW is a must have for any keen lure caster. www.daiwafishing.com.au

ASARI BLUEWATER WIND-ON LEADERS

New to the Asari range of wind-on leaders is the Asari Bluewater series. These leaders are designed with the serious bluewater angler in mind. These longer length leaders come in poundages ranging from 100lb all the way through to 400lb, and they can be up to 7.5m in length to cover most bluewater fishing situations. These leaders are perfect for anyone who spends time out on the blue chasing big fish, from the beginner through to the expert. With wind-on leaders, you can wind the leader through the guides and onto the reel and bring the fish much closer to the boat where you have better control. This means there’s a higher likelihood of landing the fish, which ultimately means you’ll land more fish! Asari Bluewater Wind-on Leaders are available now, so make sure you don’t leave the shore without some! www.jmgillies.com.au

MEGA COD ANGEL BAITS

Insanity Tackle have come up with a new game changer for the native luring market, this time for plus sized Murray cod! The new Mega Cod Angel Baits are designed with big fish in mind, and this bigger model has all the same fish catching characteristics as their smaller Angel Bait brothers, however these guys are rigged with Insanity Tackle’s Dongas. Dongas are giant 8” curl tail soft plastics, which will bring the Mega Cod Angel Baits to life in the water! Combine the unique realistic attraction of the Angel Bait with these amazing curl tails and you have a big fish cocktail. For a lure with a big profile that draws in big fish from afar, make sure you look at the new Mega Cod Angel Baits from Insanity Tackle. They’re only available from the Insanity Tackle website, so make sure you get in now while stocks last. Price: RRP $17 www.insanitytackle.bigcartel.com

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING FISH INC. WING

The Fish Inc. Lures Wing is a 120mm, 50g sinking stickbait that resembles a pilchard in both size and profile, making it dynamite on everything from tailor and salmon to kingfish, tuna, mahimahi, mackerel and reef-dwellers. The colour range and finishes are first class, from natural baitfish colours such as sardine red belly, natural and bonito, to more reaction colours such as gold back and pink back. The Wing comes fitted with heavy-duty Owner trebles, ready to fish straight out of the packet. In the water it comes to life with a sweep or punch of the rod tip, and will be a go-to in the arsenal of beach, rock and boat anglers, with its generous casting weight and the versatility of being able to fish it fast and high in the water column or sink it to the desired depth. Check out the Wing and other models in the Fish Inc. Lures range at the Tackle Tactics website. Price: SRP $25.95 www.tackletactics.com.au

SHIMANO SEDONA FI 9

The Sedona has stepped up a gear for 2017 with the new FI series. Shimano has again raised the standard with the incorporation of the Hagane cold forged gear, which is free from any machine cutting or imperfections. This was once exclusive to Shimano’s premium range, and delivers incredible smoothness, strength and durability. The Sedona FI also features G Free Body, which shifts the reel’s centre of gravity closer to the rod, improving casting performance and reducing angler fatigue. The AR-C Spool produces longer casting distances and prevents backlashes and wind knots, whilst Varispeed II ensures even line lay. There are six models in the series, dedicated to all light tackle pursuits, ranging from bream on bait to snapper on plastics. All models feature 3+1 bearings, and the drag output varies between 3kg and 11kg depending on the model. To top it all off, these reels represent excellent value for money. Price: from SRP $119 www.shimanofish.com.au

DAIWA EMERALDAS 9 STREAM RATTLE

Daiwa’s latest premium Emeraldas Stream Rattle is truly unique, and features many design innovations that make it one the most effective jigs on the market. The Emeraldas Stream Rattle is a visual and action jig, its unique lifelike pattern design incorporated with a rattle system is designed to attract a squid by sight, sound and action. Unique to this jig is the new gliding wing design. Rather than traditional feathers on the jig, the Stream uses plastic wings. These wings allow the jig to glide smoothly when ripped and glide in current more naturally compared to a standard design. By attaching the Agorig sinker to the keel eye the jig will glide slowly at a 30-45° angle, but when attached to an EG-Snap the lure will sink rapidly at a 75° angle. This is ideal for deep water or fast current situations. There are currently 12 colours in the range, and they’re in tackle stores now. www.daiwafishing.com.au

SHAKESPEARE LAZERTIP

Featuring a glow-in-the-dark tip section, Shakespeare’s Lazertip series is ideal for detecting bites in low light conditions. An innovative feature, the glow-in-thedark tip section means no need to attach glow sticks, bells or other gadgets to your rod tip during low light and night fishing sessions. Lazertip rods are as reliable as ever. Built on a composite E-glass and graphite blank with integrated solid tip, Lazertips have double foot stainless steel guides with aluminium oxide inserts, and durable, lightweight EVA grips. Lazertip combos are factory balanced for optimum performance. Lazertip spin reels feature a two bearing system, aluminium spool and thick bail wire, and come in 20, 40, 60 and 80 sizes. The 13 model rod and combo series encompasses a wide range of popular bait fishing situations including lightweight estuary, surf, rock, jetty and boat. Price: SRP $49.95 RRP (rod), $99.95 (combo) www.shakespeare.com.au

STAINLESS BALL BEARING SWIVELS

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

BLACK MAGIC SOFT 12 HEAD LURES Last month we told you about Black Magic’s new Soft Head lures, but the photo we ran was of the Jack Slammer. Although the Jack Slammers are great lures, we felt our readers would probably like to see an actual pic of the Soft Heads – so here it is! It’s commonly believed that if a marlin misses the lure on its first strike, it is far more likely to make a second strike if the lure head is made of a softer material, rather than a harder resin. That’s where Black Magic’s new ‘soft head’ technology comes in. The first of the new lures is the 270mm Soft Slammer. It has been modelled on the popular Grand Slammer range, which is responsible for many large fish and numerous records. The second model is the 300mm Soft Pusher. With its reverse tapered head, it has a pronounced wiggle action, making it attractive to a wide variety of pelagics. Both lures come in five striking colours and are available either rigged or unrigged. www.blackmagictackle.com

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

WHAT’S NEW FISHING SHIMANO TWIN POWER XD

STORM GOMOKU 13 DENSE

In Shimano’s pursuit of the ultimate in durability and performance, the Twin Power XD has been born and set a new benchmark for saltwater spinning reels. The battle-tested, cold forged Hagane Gear has received a significant upgrade through advancements in Shimano’s high precision technology, resulting in a strength rating that is comparable to one size larger in the previous model. To further protect the engagement of the XD’s internals, the Hagane Body acts as a rigid aluminum armour that firmly suppresses any distortion and twisting when under load. To oppose unwanted saltwater intrusion, X Protect provides the Twin Power XD with Shimano’s highest degree of protection. Developed specially for the XD series, X Protect leverages a waterproof labyrinth structure that blocks any internal saltwater entry. This is also combined with a new water repellent treatment that is applied to the body, line rollers and roller clutch, making the reel ideal for saltwater applications. www.shimanofish.com.au

BFG 3-TRAY BACK PACK

The Bigfish Gear Back Pack is perfect for land-based anglers making long treks to waterways off the beaten track. It’s also great for boat-based anglers who like to throw in just the one bag with all the essentials. All you have to do is load up the trays, chuck in the drinking water, hat, gear and camera into the main compartment, leader line in the side pocket, then pack the sunnies and phone and wallet into the zip-up side pockets. You will still have plenty of room left for pliers, fish grips, sunscreen and heaps more. Features include three adjustable tackle trays measuring 255 x 180 x 38mm, a 22L main carry compartment, eight various zip and Velcro compartments, and adjustable shoulder straps with chest lock. This bag is lightweight and comfortable to wear, and measures 450 high x 350 wide x 250mm deep. Price: SRP $99.95 www.bigfishgear.com

BLACK MAGIC SQUID 15 SNATCHERS Black Magic’s new Squid Snatchers come in seven proven colours covering four size options. Five of these have ‘super lumo’ bodies, giving that extra glow when night fishing, and these can be recharged simply by holding them in front of your lamp or torch before you cast. The colours available ensure you’re able to choose the best jig for the conditions you are fishing in (i.e. light, current and depth). Black Magic Squid Snatchers feature a luminous cap on the hooks, a luminous band around the tail, black hooks, red/black wings and sapphire blue eyes, making them more attractive to hungry squid. All seven colours have been rigorously field tested by Black Magic’s team with great success, and have been developed specifically for Australasian squid species. www.blackmagictackle.com 96

MAY 2017

PRODUCT GUIDE

Storm’s commitment to their Gomoku concept is very evident, and one of their latest additions is the unique Gomoku Dense, a sinking minnow bait unlike any other. The traditional slim minnow profile hardbody has been a staple for light line lure anglers since the early days of the bream luring boom. But, as has been evident over the last few years, the desires of anglers at the forefront of these techniques to fish a hardbodied lure deeper than ever before has seen the market develop for a sinking minnow style bait that can be retrieved at any depth the angler desires. Weighing a hefty 6g for a 48mm lure, you simply cast it out and allow it to hit the bottom, and then let the lure’s bib do all the work. Available in six great colours, the Storm Gomoku Dense looks to open up new ways to target deeper depth light line estuarine species. www.stormfishing.com.au

JML SENSATION AND 17 ADDICTION Two of JML’s latest releases are the Sensation and Addiction rod ranges, which give anglers a lot for their money. The Sensations feature Toray Carbon, Fuji K Alconite guides, Fuji reel seats and a bonus JML Rod Sox. Spin models range from the Sensitive Tip (7”, 2-piece, 2-8lb, 1/24oz-3/8oz cast weight) through to the Donkey Hunter Spin (7”, 1-piece, 18-25lb, 15-40g). There are two baitcaster models, the Trophy Hunter (6’8”, 1piece, 16-25lb, 10-30g), and the Donkey Hunter (6’8”, 1-piece, 20-30lb, 15-40g). JML Addiction rods boast a premium grade carbon blank, Fuji reel seats and quality components. Baitcaster models range from the Bass (6”, 1-piece, 10-16lb, 7-15g cast weight) to the Barra & Cod (6’8”, 1-piece, 14-20lb, 7-25g). Spin models range from the Bream & Whiting (7”, 2-piece, 3-8lb, 2-10g) through to the River & Bay H (7”, 1-piece, 1625lb, 15-40g). Price: SRP $189.99 (Addiction), $299.99 (Sensation) www.jml.net.au

OKUMA MAKAIRA

16 17

The new Okuma Makaira is built to the highest standard, using the very best and toughest materials, ready to do battle with the largest fish in the ocean. The Makaira’s fully sealed waterproof body is built tough to handle the 30kg of maximum drag pressure that the sealed, dual-force carbon element drag system can deliver. The drag system won’t ever leave you guessing either, with Okuma’s Dial-In drag system allowing you to pre-set maximum pressure so you can just crank it up and hold on. The main gear is like nothing else in the heavy-duty saltwater spinning reel category. Its stainless steel construction means that every ounce of force you apply to the HD machined handle gets transferred to the drive train with zero slop and maximum torque. Available in 20,000 and 30,000 sizes, the Makaira is perfect for throwing poppers at GTs, jigging for dogtooth tuna, and even trolling for marlin. www.okumaaustralia.com.au

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

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING

Too tempting not to try – Tempt Industries Powder Paints RE ONLINE MO

CA N T H E Q R

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FOR EXTR

When you need to build, repair or service something, I’m not the first person you would turn to. I am more than happy to spend the money and pass everything over to the experts who have those skills. The other thing I would not call myself is artistic. However, I recently got the chance to be both a DIY-er and an artist when some containers of Tempt Powder Paint came into the office. As soon as I saw them, they piqued my curiosity. As a fan of using painted jigheads to further enhance the appeal of the soft plastics I use, I was intrigued to find out more. I read the instructions, and found the concept to be very straightforward. You simply heat your jighead, dip it into the container of paint powder, remove it and you now have a jighead which is coated in a colour that matches your plastic, or provides a contrast to the colour plastic you are using. I liked the fact that the instructions contained the word ‘simple’. Still, I knew from experience that something described as ‘simple’ could sometimes turn out to be more complicated than I had first thought.

Everything you need to powder coat some jigheads. heat gun from a hardware store (it would normally be used to heat shrink tubing or soften adhesives) and it has been great. Temperature-wise it is perfect, and the

range have a UV component, many don’t. If you want to add UV to those, there is a separate, clear UV coat available. It can be used directly on an unpainted jighead, but

TESTED

I have been using it as a second coat on some of the colours. I use a little bit of heat on the paint, then a light coating of the UV coat and then finish it with the heat gun. The result under blue light is awesome. CONCLUSION I have never used a lot of non-painted jigheads, as my preference has always been to have the jighead either continue the profile of the plastic or provide a complete contrast. I was disappointed the painted version of my old favourite heads was discontinued, but now it doesn’t matter because I can colour them myself. Additionally, in the case of some other jigheads, I can colour the head a different colour from the grub keeper, and have it provide a contrast inside the plastic. All of this helps improve my confidence when I am fishing, and that can only be a good thing. For me, the Tempt Powder Paints have been a godsend. Tempt Powder Paint comes in 50g containers and retail for $16.50 per colour. It is currently available in 21 colours, and more information can be found at www. temptindustries.com.au. I know I’ll be getting more colours soon. - Peter Jung

Left: The key to heating the jighead is to focus the heat solely on the head, and not heat it too much. Right: Once heated, quickly dip the jighead into the Powder Paint and tap off any excess. Next, slightly reheat the head to remove any imperfections and create a gloss finish.

The ultimate result you want to achieve: a quality fish deceived by your jighead and plastic combination.

The end result after using the optional clear UV coat. Fortunately, this wasn’t the case with the Tempt Powder Paints. Minimal experimenting was required before the finished product looked just the way I wanted it to. Here are a few tips I discovered along the way. HEAT SOURCE Any heat source can be used to heat the jighead – anything from a lighter to a hair dryer. However, I have found that the key is to have something that provides a consistent temperature and can be channelled, but also isn’t too hot. The jighead doesn’t need to be very hot at all for the paint to stick to it. I bought a

added bonus is that after you have dipped the head you can gently reheat it to get a beautiful gloss finish. LESS IS MORE This relates to both how much heat you use and the amount of dipping time. After heating the jighead, a quick dip in the powder is all that is required. Make sure you cover the area you want, but remove it quickly and tap away any excess. This ensures that the paint will be smooth and not lumpy. A little bit of heat can be used to smooth things out if lumps occur. CLEAR UV COAT Although a number of the colours in the

The effect of using a second colour on the grub keeper (top). The value of continuing the profile of the plastic with the jighead (bottom).

MAY 2017

WHAT’S NEW FISHING

PRODUCT GUIDE

TESTED

Lowrance Elite 9Ti - A perfect mix of design and intelligence RE ONLINE MO

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My formative fishing years didn’t provide me with a lot of exposure to, nor a need for sounders or fish-finders. It wasn’t until several years later when I moved to the coast, with its unfamiliar and ever-changing saltwater environments, that I really started to see their value to the modern angler. My most recent move to Southeast Queensland and the impoundment fishing available has only made me crave the best gear I could afford even more. If I’m fishing strange water with tactics I’m not accustomed to, I’m going to need all the help I can get. You can imagine the delight on my face when I was asked to review one of the new Lowrance Elite 9Ti units with a Totalscan transducer. These units have a high-res, 9” touch screen, GPS and many different options on how to view the bottom, structure and finned creatures that lie amongst it. The fish didn’t stand a chance. WHAT’S INSIDE? The Elite 9Ti unit has a lot of gadgets and tricks up its sleeve. All your sonar needs are covered with support for StructureScan HD, Low/Med/High CHIRP and the TotalScan all-in-one transducer. With built-in C-MAP charts and reliable Lowrance navigation technology, it even has integrated Bluetooth and wireless connectivity which allows you to download software updates directly to the unit. This is amazing when you start to tap into other Lowrance users’ data through the Insight Genesis network.

The Elite 9Ti mounted at the bow allows easy reading when underway or while fishing. Below right: The Lowrance TotalScan transducer is sleek, easy to mount and can be folded up for easy storage when not on the water. battery and I was down the rabbit hole of features, modes and on screen displays. JUST ADD WATER Sitting under the carport for setup I thought I’d sussed out exactly which layout would best suit my style of fishing, so I was ready to ditch the simulator mode and hit the boat ramp. The first launch and power-up of the unit on actual wet stuff was pretty cool to watch. It was only a matter of

on the water, YES, the Elite 9Ti will help you to find more fish. If they’re around and you know what to look for, it will show them in fantastic detail. Then you’ve just got to entice them, hook them, and land them. Easy, right? INSIGHT GENESIS AND GOFREE This is a clever concept allowing Lowrance users to help map waterways to not only enhance their own knowledge and fishing experience, but also that of

other Lowrance owners. It’s a growing community with members who all believe in the ‘who shares, wins’ motto. Everyone putting in the effort and sharing information will mean we all catch more fish. Using the GoFree app available in the app stores on your phone or tablet gives you another way to view your sounder from anywhere on the vessel. You don’t have to be Albert Einstein to see just how valuable this free download could be. Its mobility is matched by its clarity. It’s super impressive. WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT TO PAY FOR ALL THESE SCANS? The Elite 9Ti package used for this review comes at a price much lower than you might expect for such a feature-packed unit. The RRP on this bad boy is listed on the Lowrance Australia website at $1699 with the TotalScan transducer included, but recently I’ve been able to find them in local retailers for as little as $1349! It’s not that long ago that such capabilities would cost you twice that, and they didn’t always include a transducer for that money either! THE VERDICT I am so glad the opportunity to test this unit came across my desk and onto my little poly boat Donut King. With every trip it demonstrates its value more and more. Although I’ve always been good with technology, I doubted I’d find the Elite as easy to use as some other brands I’d used, purely because I had no experience with Lowrance menus. However, it really is a cinch – and navigation is only made easier with the touch screen, which is another thing I hadn’t been exposed to before. I’ve been so impressed in a relatively short period of time that I’ve already recommended this exact package to a couple of mates who were in the market. The sheer amount of technology, adaptability and ease of use combined with the price tag make it a no-brainer for me. You should absolutely check out the Elite range of Lowrance sounders the next time you’re in a local dealer or find them online if need be. I’m sure you’ll be just as happy with them as I am with mine. - RUPE

There’s a number of split-screen options to choose from, depending on how you want to see the feed. GETTING STARTED The unit I received was to go onto a Bushman Stubby poly boat, and used primarily in the ABT BASS Electric series, and social fishing on the same bodies of water. I mounted the head unit at the bow so it would be in my field of vision from just about anywhere on the boat. If the technology is on board it may as well be utilised and easily accessed as you traverse the waterway. Inside the box was everything I needed except a battery. Screen, transducer, cables, brackets and even the screws to mount it. Taking the time to determine the placement of the head unit and transducer is important, but once you’ve decided the install is very simple. Within about 20 minutes the unit was plugged into a small

MAY 2017

seconds before the Elite 9Ti was collecting, sorting and displaying the impressive amount of data it’s capable of processing. ENTERING THE MATRIX With the flood of information at your fingertips it would be easy to look at the screen and ask yourself, “But what does it all mean?” I recommend spending some time reading the manual provided or, if you’re the impatient gen-y type like me, check out some tutorials on YouTube from the Lowrance pro-staff. You can scan the QR code on this page to see what I mean. WILL I REALLY FIND MORE FISH? There’s only one thing that will guarantee you more fish hitting the deck – going fishing instead of sitting on the couch refreshing your social media feeds. But once you’re

Trusty tackle testing assistant Bob Thornton picked up a great bass in the trees after we saw them on the screen.

boats & kayaks

In the skipper’s seat 90 Kayak hotspot Inside story...

Bar Crusher leads the industry in design and quality to produce some of the most advanced plate aluminium fishing boats on the market. Incorporating exclusive innovations, Bar Crusher Boats are renowned for their superior performance.

Made for...

Bar Crusher’s philosophy is all about ensuring the buyer ends up with a boat that’s ideal for their offshore boating needs. Bar Crushers deliver a super-smooth ride – a far cry from the uncomfortable, pounding ride of traditional aluminium boats – and superior stability at rest.

This month...

Steve Morgan takes the Barcrusher 730HT with Suzuki 225hp 4-stroke for a test flight.

Corey Gallagher revisits an old favourite - the warm upper waters of Warrnambool.

102 Deep vs edge bite

Venturing into deeper water, Justin Willmer explains why kayakers need a new ‘edge’ to their fishing.

106 Hobie Mirage Outback review

Take a first look at the new 2017 Mirage Outback as Corey Gallagher puts it through its paces.

108 Right boat for you Wayne Kampe continues from last month’s feature on how to find the right boat for you.

110 Bonito 5m tiller with 90hp Suzuki Steve Morgan test drives the new Bonito 5m with 90hp Suzuki.

MAY 2017

WHAT’S NEW BOATING NEW LOOK BAR CRUSHERS

LOWRANCE HDS CARBON 16

Bar Crusher has introduced a new folding targa rocket launcher for the Wavecrusher 490C and 535C. Offering a stylish alternative to traditional bimini tops with polished alloy tubes seen on most boats in this size range, the new rocket launcher is available as an option with or without the forward bimini extension. The targa rocket launcher is also stronger than most rocket launcher designs seen on smaller boats, so it can provide another secure grab rail. The ability to quickly fold down both the roof and the toughened safety glass windscreen of each model – to reduce height by up to 1m for storage in most garages – is one of the many reasons Bar Crusher’s C series is so popular. The new targa rocket launcher retains this functionality. Built on the Gen2 hull with Delta Flare, Wavecrushers deliver an ultra-smooth ride, maximum hull strength, and excellent stability at rest. They come with a custom trailer, and the Bar Catch system allows for singlehanded launch and retrieve. www.barcrusher.com.au

Lowrance HDS Carbon 16 boasts a massive 16” HD screen display, which gives you the equivalent of four 7” screens when set up as a four-panel split screen. To drive high-tech features, like StructureScan 3D with SideScan and DownScan Imaging, StructureMap, Broadband Radar and SiriusXM Weather Chart Overlay, there’s a powerful processor that lets you easily switch between applications and simultaneously view independent sonar feeds. SolarMAX HD display technology features HD views and clear visibility in all conditions and angles, and it can withstand higher temperatures than conventional units. With superior colour accuracy and boosted highdefinition reproduction, these screens are perfect for viewing picture-like sonar images. HDS Carbon 16 lets you view and control two independent, live sonar sources at different locations from a single display. Check out the website to find out more. Price: from SRP $6799 www.lowrance.com/en-au

STAR BRITE BOAT GUARD

HAINES SIGNATURE 495F

Star Brite has released a number of new marine cleaning products featuring PTEF – the slickest, non-stick material ever developed. It repels water and oil-based stains and deposits, making future cleanup quick and easy. It’s specially formulated for use on fibreglass, metal, plexiglass and painted surfaces, and can be applied over old wax or polish. One of the new products featuring PTEF is the Star Brite Boat Guard Speed Detailer and Protectant. This product uses high-tech polymers that bond to fibreglass, polished metal, plastics, rubber and painted surfaces to add shine, enhance colour and provide a barrier to UV damage. Just spray on and buff off to keep the boat looking its best, and extend the time between having the boat waxed or polished. Another new release is the Star Brite Premium Marine Polish. It provides excellent protection against UV, seals the surface to repel stains and delivers a deep, long-lasting gloss. You just apply once a year, let it dry to a haze and wipe off. Price: SRP $31 (Boat Guard), SRP $44.60 - $71.00 (Premium Polish) www.bla.com.au

ZIPWAKE V-SHAPED 3 INTERCEPTORS AMI have announced that the new Zipwake V-Shaped Interceptors are now available for Australian marine consumers. Complementing the existing highly effective modular Interceptor system, the new V-Shaped Interceptors are centreline mounted, and ideal for filling the gap between twin outboards or stern drives. Available in four models, the interceptors cover deadrise angles between 11-24°. The V-Shaped Interceptor can be included within new installations, or retro-fitted within existing builds, further increasing the flexibility of the system. Since its introduction in 2015, AMI have had notable success with Zipwake’s Dynamic Trim Tab System. This system has been installed in a wide range of vessels, from smaller, highly agile pilot craft through to larger recreational and commercial vessels, utilising Zipwake’s modular capabilities to extend multiple interceptors across a wider transom. www.amisales.com.au 100

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Haines Signature’s new 4th generation 495F delivers an extra 6” of cockpit space, a redesigned dash and more storage than its popular predecessor, the 493F. The 495F features more modern styling and cleaner lines including a reworked bowsprit. It also has full-length cockpit side pockets with shelves, two live bait tanks in the transom and a large cockpit/cabin area with improved bow access. The revamped dash can also now cater for larger electronics. It can easily be towed with the family car or SUV on a single axle trailer and is small enough to be garaged. The 495F can easily be launched by one person and is perfect for day trips. It boasts the same soft ride and stability at rest as its big brothers, with a power rating of 60-90hp. Options include a bimini, bait boards, stainless steel rails, transom steps and more. Price: from $43,923 with Suzuki DF90A (excl. on waters) thehainesgroup.com

NEW GARMIN GPSMAP UNITS

PRODUCT GUIDE

Available in 7” (752xs) and 9” (952xs), the Garmin touchscreen GPSMAP 752xsv/952xsv are equipped with 1kW traditional CHIRP sonar, CHIRP ClearVü scanning sonar, and support for Panoptix all-seeing sonar. Built-in wireless connectivity for Garmin mobile apps and VIRB action camera integration is also standard. A 10Hz GPS/GLONASS receiver delivers smooth on-screen navigation, while preloaded premium mapping features include Aus BlueChart g2 HD charts, and Quickdraw Contours personalised HD mapping software. The units offer full-network compatibility for the Garmin Marine Network, which allows support for sharing sonar, maps, user data, radar and IP cameras across multiple units. There’s also NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 support for autopilots, digital switching, VHF, AIS and other sensors. For those who prefer a keypad/rotary control knob interface, the new 10” (1022xsv) and 12” (1222xsv) units have the same GPS, connectivity and sonar features with the addition of CHIRP SideVü scanning sonar. They come preloaded with a worldwide basemap, with SD card slots to accept Garmin BlueChart g2 Vision HD charts. www.garmin.com/au/products

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

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Warm water Warrnambool is worth the wait MELBOURNE

Corey Gallagher

In last year’s September issue, the Kayak Hotspot featured Warrnambool’s Hopkins River and specifically focused on the downstream sections of the river and in particular the ski run – definitely one of the better places to fish along the river during the cooler months. As the water warms, fish spread out through the entire system, offering kayak anglers many different angling options. This makes summer and early autumn on the Hopkins a genuinely exciting time of year to be on the water. Recently I travelled back to Warrnambool to target fish further upstream while the

search of bait. It always pays to have a heavier rod on standby just in case the silver shadows show up. TECHNIQUE For a smaller system, the Hopkins River has a lot of options for kayak anglers. One of my preferred techniques is to target fish holding on the rocky edges during the warmer months. The Hopkins River features many rocky banks, including several high limestone cliffs. Due to the limestone’s susceptibility to erosion, the cliffs are riddled with plenty of undercuts, caves and rock falls – a plethora of nooks and crannies – all perfect ambush spots for a hungry predator stalking its prey. Casting a variety of hardbodied and soft plastics lures in amongst all this natural structure is a

Jubilee Park is the perfect launch site for kayak anglers wanting to fish the upper saltwater reaches. be the perfect place to target estuary perch during periods of low light. Casting surface walkers, bent minnows or shallow diving hardbodies across the flats and working back to the kayak with an erratic twitch and pause retrieve is a great way of enticing a feeding perch.

Narrow profile paddletail plastics are another excellent way of fishing the flats. Rigged on a 1/12oz jighead and allowed to sink to the bottom, simply slow roll these across the bottom to get a result. Both bream and perch love minnow style soft plastics and they

are a great way of actively targeting both species at the same time. If a mulloway is your intended target, use your sounder to scan the deeper sections of the river looking for large returns. Normally the mulloway will be schooled in small groups, so finding them is the easy part. Getting them to bite on the other hand can be a very challenging task. If you’re fortunate enough to get a hook-up, the resulting fight is well worth the effort and one of the most exciting experiences for any kayak angler. Mulloway will respond to a range of lures. A 4” paddle-tail plastic hopped along the bottom is my go-to technique. SAFETY The Hopkins is a popular waterway, for both anglers and other recreational users. The river can become busy with boat traffic, particularly during holiday periods. Taking measure to ensure you are highly visible and taking care during times of low light is recommended. As always, wear a good quality PFD and always carry a bailer on board, as

Corey with an excellent example of what the Hopkins has to offer, a 1.4kg beast taken from a rocky point on a Cranka Crab. water remained warm and fish were actively feeding on the edges. ACCESS Jubilee Park is the perfect launch site for kayak anglers looking to explore the upper reaches of the river. Home to a large caravan park, this area has plenty of accommodation options. Jubilee Park also features a well-appointed boat ramp. The ramp is concrete with twin floating pontoons as well as ample parking for trailered kayaks. Jubilee Park is positioned high in the tidal reaches of the river and gives anglers immediate access to some of the river’s most productive water. TARGET SPECIES Bream are a regular catch in the upper tidal areas of the Hopkins and most anglers fishing this area will have them high on their target list. Estuary perch are also prevalent in the area and fish to 40cm are regularly caught. Larger fish to 50cm are also a possibility. Mulloway enter the river regularly and if they are in the river they will often move high in the system in

dynamite way of catching a bream. Crab imitation lures such as the Cranka Crab are a great starting point. Not only do crabs love to hide amongst all the rocks, they are also a favourite for any hungry bream looking for a meal. When working crab lures I like to cast as close as possible to the edge, specifically looking for any crack or crevice that may be holding a waiting bream. Allow the crab to sink to the bottom and pause before twitching the lure subtly across the top of the rocks. Remember to pause regularly, as long pauses are often required. Be sure to use heavier leaders in the 6-10lb range. Bigger bream will quickly bust you off, so tight drags are best. This gives you the power to extract the fish from their snaggy homes before they bust you off on a jagged rock. Grubs rigged on a weedless jighead such as a Decoy Nailbomb are another productive way to fish the rocky edges. Similarly, there are also a number of rocky

reefs that extend out from the edges and are another excellent spot to target a bream with a crab or grub. The reefs are clearly marked with buoys and are always worth a look. Along with the rock wall edges, the upper reaches are home to a number of shallow flats. These flats can

Nathan Wright working his Pro Angler along a likely looking rock wall.

The author with a 1kg+ bream extracted from a rocky nook.

required by Victorian law. CONCLUSION Any system that offers anglers a chance to hook and land the big three of Victorian estuary species all within a relatively short paddle must be worth a look in my opinion. The Hopkins has improved as a fishery in recent years and offers kayak anglers an outstanding, feature-rich, intimate waterway. The town of Warrnambool itself also has plenty to offer and is the perfect destination for a family holiday or a weekend away with friends. Make sure you remember to take the yak and experience firsthand what the upper reaches of the Hopkins have to offer. MAY 2017

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Deep Bite Man and Edge Bite Kid BRISBANE

Justin Willmer Find me on Facebook at Yaks On

You might be wondering who Deep Bite Man and the Edge Bite Kid are. Many moons ago I was on a fishing trip with a couple of characters – skilled anglers – and they were discussing how they often debate where to fish when bass fishing. One of them likes to fish deep schooled fish, while the other favours the edge bite. They both had their reasons for preferring one or the other and also acknowledged their strengths in that particular technique, while still being competent in the other.

rainfall, wind and a variety of other variables. I had hot bites sometimes and then occasional fishless sessions, where I was left wondering where the fish had gone. I began to realise the importance of being able to fish deep and shallow water, using a variety of techniques, so it was time to venture into deeper water. I read loads of articles about fishing deeper water, asked questions of those who consistently caught fish in deeper water and made a point of venturing out of my comfort zone. In the process I landed snapper, bream, trevally and a variety of other species and caught fish when the edge bite wasn’t happening.

It wasn’t instant success though and I needed to work on controlling the kayak and holding position, reading the sounder, selecting lures, staying in touch with them and better understanding the structure I was fishing and the species I was targeting. With the influx of freshwater into my local system recently, courtesy of Cyclone Debbie, my normal shallow water bite shut down and I was forced to revisit

also the winter bass season when the bass often bulk up, school up and at times feed aggressively in deeper water. If you normally catch fish on an edge or flat and the fish aren’t biting, try fishing the deeper water in close proximity to this edge. HOLDING POSITION Anchoring devices that commonly secure the kayak in shallow water, such as grab anchors (made from spring-loaded builders

Snapper become more common as you start fishing deeper.

This is another great example of an edge bite structure.

With freshwater floating on top, it’s time to fish deeper. After spending a few days with these guys I walked away and thought about my own fishing, which is predominantly kayak fishing and based around the edge bite. I fished channel edges, mangrove edges, the edges of sand bars, edgebased structure and very rarely ventured into water much deeper than 2m. I was regarded as a flathead fisho in the saltwater and caught plenty of bass in the fresh, but there were times when the bite wasn’t on the edge, due to season, weather, water temperature,

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clamps), stake out poles, electric pole anchors and lightweight anchors, give way to heavier anchors and drift chutes in deeper water. I run a Cooper 1kg poly anchor when fishing the shallows and adding half a metre of chain to this setup is an effective option when fishing deeper water and faster currents. Downrigger bombs or similar lead weights are an option when fishing deep in lakes and impoundments without current. Much of my deep water fishing is drifting productive areas. A drift chute (sea anchor) is effective for slowing your drift in windy conditions, while also controlling the drift angle of the kayak when used in conjunction with an anchor running rig. The anchor running rig is simply a pulley toward the nose and another toward the tail of

An anchor running rig makes control and positioning easier. the kayak with a loop of cord running between them and a tag line to which the anchor line or drift chute is attached. The anchor running rig allows you to swing the anchor to the front or rear of the kayak, to fish up or down current, while also allowing you to adjust the angle the kayak sits to the

controlling the kayak angle when drifting. It is a compact paddle that can be used with one hand, allowing you to leave your larger paddle stowed when fishing. LURE SELECTION When it comes to lures I mostly fish soft plastics due to their versatility, affordability and ease of

This selection should cover you for edge and deeper bites.

Scent can make a difference when fishing slow and deep. MAY 2017

some of the deep water techniques I had developed after my first encounter with Deep Bite Man and the Edge Bite Kid. STRUCTURE AND BAIT Just like in shallow water there will be areas that hold more fish in deeper water. Keep an eye on your sounder for schooled fish and also bait balls that may attract predators. Structure is commonly a key element when fishing and in deeper water this can include

drift chute, which can make fishing more comfortable in rougher conditions, or make casting, line management and staying in touch with your lure easier. I generally anchor facing up current when lure fishing, bringing the lure back naturally with the current, and facing down current when bait fishing. A Backwater Hand Paddle is also an inexpensive and simple option for

changes in bottom structure such as rock, rubble, weed, snags, depressions and channels. Structure can also be artificial in the form of wrecks, bridge pylons, artificial reefs and rock walls. Structure creates current changes, eddies, shelter and also attracts bait. River mouths, seaway entrances, deeper holes and the main river channels are also consistent producers and at times the go-to spots to be fishing. Prime examples include the winter bream spawn, where bream often school in large numbers in deeper water toward the mouths of systems and

Bridge pylons are prime deep water structure.

fishing. They can also have plenty of action built into the lure. A soft plastic that catches bream on the edge bite will also catch them on the deep bite. It’s the same with other species and

will put through the rod tip and they tend to fish them too aggressively. I have had success fishing them more subtly, in the same way I fish a plastic, with small hops and pauses or slow lifts and drops.

of time to watch that plastic descend toward them, move in and eat it. This technique can be dynamite on bream, snapper and a variety of other species. Kayak control is crucial when fishing light and

There they are, a bit deeper. plastics, it’s just a matter of adding some heavier jigheads to your kit if the current and depth require it. I have a selection of 1/12, 1/8, 1/6 and 1/4oz jigheads for fishing the edge bite and these can also be used in deeper water, however I also include a handful of 3/8 and 1/2oz jigheads in my kit in case I venture into deeper water with stronger currents, or if stronger winds restrict casting distance. It’s also a good idea to include a few plastics with less action for deeper water, including a few jerkbait profile (straight tail) plastics. Paddle-tails and curl-tails have loads of action, which is great for fishing the shallows. However, this action slows the sink rate of the plastic, where the jerkbait can get

Other deep water lure options include micro-jigs, metal slugs and deep diving hardbodies. Hardbodies will generally have a diving depth marked on the packaging, giving you a starting point. If you have a sounder on the kayak you can troll the lure at different speeds until it hits the bottom, giving you an idea of what depth the lure runs at behind the kayak. This can be handy when targeting deep structure, bait and schooled fish. There are four main techniques I use when fishing deeper water. FISHING LIGHT Taking the light plastics you are fishing in the shallows and allowing them to slowly glide and swim toward the bottom in 3, 4, 5, and even more metres of water can be

a drift chute or hand paddle can help avoid the frustration of a spinning kayak. DREDGING This is the opposite of the first technique and involves fishing heavy, so that the lure is bumping and ploughing into the bottom. This technique can

lures vertically I was hopping, twitching, lifting and moving the lure all over the place… with little success. Nick Whyte from Tech Fishing taught me that less is more and that by using minimal movement and keeping in touch with the bottom occasionally, almost driving the lure just above the bottom, your lure presents a lot more naturally. Success followed with this much more natural approach… after all baitfish don’t spend their time rocketing around all over the place. HOP AND DROP The last technique is basically the same technique that I use when fishing the shallows, with a little more jighead weight to handle the depth. I make long casts ahead of the drift, either directly in front of the drift or slightly across the drift to cover more ground. Then I allow the lure to sink on a slack line, while managing the slack to keep an eye on the line and feel for any takes. Once the lure touches down on the bottom I give it a double hop, allow it to settle on the bottom again and repeat. It’s a matter of selecting a jighead that’s heavy enough to reach the bottom, while light

Who will catch these bass when they’re bigger, Deep Bite Man or the Edge Bite Kid?

An anchor can allow you to hold position and fish more effectively.

A hand paddle allows you to adjust your drift angle with one hand. down much quicker if you are targeting species that are holding deeper in the water column. Another favourite for deeper water is metal blades or vibes. I run 1/12, 1/8 and 1/4oz blades when fishing the edge bite. The 1/4oz also transfers well to deeper water, along with a few 3/8 and 1/2oz for deeper water and faster currents. A lot of anglers get excited about the vibration a blade

extremely effective. You need to be patient and position your kayak so that you can stay in touch with the plastic on a slack line, while feeling or watching your line for any bites. This can be especially effective in the low light conditions of dawn and dusk, when fish are feeding higher in the water column, and also on those glassy days and slack tides, when the bite can be finicky. The fish have plenty

be effective when targeting bottom dwelling species or species that are holding tight to the bottom. It is also a great technique for beginners. Get it down there and in their faces. Many big bass have been caught slow rolling a plastic through schooled fish on a 1/2oz jighead. The heavier lure can also help keep the kayak in position, by simply keeping the rod tip toward the nose of the kayak when retrieving the lure. FISHING VERTICAL Fishing vertical is extremely effective and it’s about striking a balance to find a jighead that will hold directly below the kayak as you drift with the current. When I first started working

enough to create that natural drift and sink that attracts the bite. Once the lure is below the kayak, give it a couple hops and retrieve it. Fishing behind the drifting kayak (dragging it with the drift) makes it difficult to work the plastic naturally and keep any contact with the bottom. As much of my fishing has been in the shallows, that is what I have mainly written about, so I figured I would cover some deep water techniques in more detail in this article and I hope this encourages those other edge bite kids out there to give some deeper water fishing a crack, especially when the edge bite is shut down. So who are you, Deep Bite Man or Edge Bite Kid? Is there a species, technique or water depth that you would like to explore more? Fish on!

This ramp is a good example of structure where you’ll find an edge bite. MAY 2017

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Quintrex 2017: bigger, brighter, bolder, better For decades Quintrex have set the standard for the others to follow. Advanced hull designs, stunning performance, and styling that is both market leading and innovative see no weakening of that trend, and the release of their new models

stretch forming technology with the strength of pressed aluminium side sheets, the Blade hull design results in a boat that is sleek and streamline in looks and equally impressive in performance, handling, and ride. The legendary

610 is rated to a staggering 200hp. With ratings of this size the 570 and 610 are impressive to say the least. A favourite with keen anglers, the Renegade range has stepped it up to another level with the release of two new models. The Renegade 530

The Freestyler 550 launches into action.

Spacious and comfortable, the forward section of the 630 Freestyler is impressive to say the least. continues to see them as one of the forerunners of the aluminium boat industry. Upcoming in 2017 is the release of new models within existing line-ups, many of which are an answer to the calls from customers for a specific model or models, while the release of a whole new concept in hull design heralds a new dawn for Quintrex of aluminium hull design and performance. “We’re always very conscious of listening to our customers and dealers and many of the new models are a response to us listening to what our customers wanted,” explains Quintrex’s Account Manager Drew Jackson. While the expansion to existing line-ups has helped strengthen proven ranges, it’s the introduction of the new Apex hull concept that’s destined to chart out new water for Quintrex and its customers. “We’re incredibly excited about the Apex hull design and what it offers. It offers a level of comfort, stability and performance like we’ve never been able to offer before. It’s definitely next level stuff when it comes to aluminium hull design and performance,” added Jackson. MORE BLADE, MORE CHOICES Quintrex’s famous Blade hull design technology goes from strength to strength in 2017 and features heavily in the new line-up. A design that combines advanced 104

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Runabouts range takes full advantage of the Blade hull design with two new models, a 570 and 610 Fishabout now offer buyers two larger models. Designed with South Australian and Victorian boaters in mind the 570 slots perfectly in the range and offers a tonne of space, particular with its large rear deck. Like all Fishabouts in the range the 570 and 610 feature 3mm sides, while the larger of the two, the 610 offers boaters an offshore hull, without the usual hefty offshore boat price tag. With the same hull as the 610 Trident Plate boat, the 610 Fishabout now puts an offshore boat in reach of those on a budget. The 570 will take up to a 150hp outboard, while the

supersedes the previous 520 model, while the 570 introduces Quintrex’s biggest Renegade ever. Available in side and centre console configurations the Renegade boats are fussfree fishing platforms with a host of features that

come standard including a large carpeted floor complete with casting platform, live bait tank, rod holders, anchor well and transom step. Built tough with 3mm topside and bottom sheets, and high sides for safety and angler security, the

The 570 Renegade will take up to a 115hp outboard and offers anglers plenty of power, speed and range.

The 530 Stealth Hornet is a sportfish angler’s dream with large decks, plenty of storage, and exceptional comfort, making it hard to go past.

new Renegades are hard to go past for those looking for a 5m+ trouble-free, clutterfree, fishing platform. The largest of the two models, the 570, will take up to a 115hp outboard, offering anglers ample power, speed and travel range. HORNET HEAVEN Perhaps the most famous name in the Quintrex line-up over many years is the Hornet. A game changer when it was released in the 1990s, the new models show that the Hornet name has lost nothing when it comes to performance and ingenuity in design. The range has been buoyed by the addition of three new models with the Stealth Hornet 470, 510, and 530 models

taking Hornet design and performance to a new level. Standard features include a 30% longer front casting deck, a folding rear casting platform with fixed rear seats, 30% more storage and folding cleats for a cleaner look and work space. The console on the new Stealth models will accommodate a sounder up to 12”, while the largest model in the range, the 530, has the option of a dual console and a centre rod locker in the front casting deck. The new Stealth Hornet models aren’t short on power either with a 75hp (470), 115hp (510), and 150hp (570) maximum horsepower rating on each of the three models. Large, clear, clutterfree front and rear decks, voluminous storage hatches, stability, power and sure-footedness through chop and corners are the trademarks of the new Stealth Hornet models, and are attributes that are sure to see the Hornet name retain the reputation and following that it has enjoyed for many years. YELLOWFIN FEVER Quintrex’s Yellowfin offshore plate boat range welcomes two new family members with the 7000 and 7600 Southerners designed to handle the rough conditions of Southern Australia. Featuring the refined hull design that was released with the range in 2016, the two new models for 2017 feature a 300mm longer cabin for extra driver and passenger protection, and a now-standard carpetlined hood on the hard top models that improves looks and comfort. Optional features include a portside wiper option, external handwash featuring a foot switch, while a lockable bait station

on the stern provides ample tackle storage and a large, well thought out baiting and rigging area. All HT (Hard Top) models feature a rain deflector for added protection and dryness, while the largest of the two new models, the 7600 Southerner, is rated for a 300hp outboard. If a single 300hp is not to your liking there is the option for twin 150s. Strong, powerful and uncompromising, the new Yellowfin Southerners are designed for those who aren’t willing to settle for anything but the biggest and the best. A NEW HORIZON The release of the new Apex Hull design

at the bow provides greater lift, resulting in better boat position and attitude on the water. The Apex Hull features RSDs (Raised Side Decks) that increase overall internal volume by 20%. It’s also fully welded for improved strength and rigidity. The new Apex Hull is a step above what has come before with its modern styling and design elements delivering a significantly progressive, contemporary look to the Quintrex brand. The Apex Hull is available in two ranges, the Frontier and Freestyler. The Frontier is available in five different sizes, 510, 530, 550, 590, and

a super comfortable, super roomy watersports vessel. THE NEW FRONTIER The console of the new Frontier has a tonne of storage room and can accommodate a 12” sounder, while the front casting platform has room for your favourite Eva Kool esky. The 510 and 530 will accommodate a 50L, while the larger models will take an 85L, and even an impressive 110L if the raised casting option is selected. Four stainless steel rod holders, and aluminium live bait tank with viewing window, and Sea Tread kit on the transom and front further enhance the Frontier’s list of standard options to make it an excellent choice for those

The inside of the Freestyler is sleek and modern and offers more space and 80mm more freeboard thanks to Quintrex’s RSDs (Raised Side Decks). Featuring all the elements of the Apex Hull design including RSD, sweeping chine, increased hull flare, and outstanding comfort, stability and cornering ability, the Freestyler looks as good as it performs. The RSDs increase the space substantially, while providing a greatly level of

user safety and confidence, making it ideal for families. The lines of the Apex Hull combined with the forked bow of the RSD and sleek windscreen profile provide a modern contemporary aesthetic. The Freestyler doesn’t scrimp on storage either with plenty of storage throughout including

up), barn door, bow ladder, ski pole and bait board, picnic table, and Fish Pack Rear Lounge. The Freestyler is the showpiece of the new Apex Hull design and is a range that impresses you with both when at rest and in action. Quintrex’s Nathan Shaw gave us an insight the company’s thoughts on the

Sure-footed and with plenty of power through the corners, the Quintrex Freestyler eats up the conditions. is Quintrex’s newest evolution in hull design since the introduction of the Blade Hull in 2011, and it’s one that Quintrex is ecstatic about. “We released the Apex Hull to our dealer network at a recent conference on the Gold Coast and we were overwhelmed with their response. I encourage anyone to test drive one of the Apex Hulls, because the results speak for themselves,” explained Quintrex’s Account Manager Nathan Shaw. The key design element of the Apex Hull design is the flare of its hull. Carried further aft to maintain continual contact with the water, the result is a smoother more comfortable ride. The wider, sweeping chine design of the Apex Hull opens the front of the hull that allows the flaring to carry further along the stem to significantly enhance rough water performance and capabilities. The widening of the chine has greatly improved boat stability and grip when cornering, while the increased surface area

630, and is available in both side or centre console configuration. Featuring the Apex Hull’s flared bow, 4mm bottom and 3mm side sheets, and RSDs that deliver 80mm more freeboard and allow for concealed controls and wiring, the Frontier is a range that is equally at home as a fishing platform or as

looking for a boat that’s a multi-use all-rounder. For those looking for a bit more flash and splash in their life, the Freestyler range has the Apex Hull for them. Available in five models, 510, 530, 550, 590 and 630, the Freestyler series is serious fun and shows a side to Quintrex boats that we’ve never seen before.

Like nothing we’ve seen before from Quintrex, the new 630 Freestyler is a huge leap forward in design and performance.

Clear, clutter-free decks with plenty of holeshot, the new 470 Stealth Hornet is an impressive sportfishing boat.

a console storage hatch that allows for quick easy access to your valuables. The Freestyler ’s performance and style are equally matched with power. The 530 is rated to a 130hp, while the biggest model in the range, the 630, takes up to a 200. The 630 running a 175hp Evinrude G2 E-Tec, for example, is impressive when it comes to hole shot, powers through corners and top speed when run wide open. With a 200 on the transom, the performance and power will be next level again. For those looking to pimp their ride, the Freestyler offers a long and impressive list of optional features including a wakeboard tower on the larger models (550 and

Freestyler and who it will appeal to. “The Freestyler features a unique, modern look with sleek sporty lines. The performance of this boat is unbelievable; the way is handles corner and rough makes it suitable for a variety of uses.” Quintrex’s new models for 2017 see the evolution of this famous brand continue. The addition of new models within the Blade Hull series further enhances the famous hull design line-up, while the creation of the innovative Apex Hull design heralds a new future in performance, function and style. To find out more about the new models visit your local Quintrex dealer or visit www.quintrex.com.au. MAY 2017

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Hobie Mirage Outback with 180º capabilities

MELBOURNE

Corey Gallagher

Hobie have a long tradition of quality and innovation. Their products have dominated kayak angling markets worldwide since the introduction of the first purpose designed, pedal propelled fishing kayak, the Mirage Outback in 2001. In the 16 years since its introduction, the Outback has undergone several key upgrades transforming it into one of the best kayak angling platforms available. The 2017 model saw the evolution continue with the introduction of the Mirage Drive 180 and the new Camo Series edition. Like its bigger brother, the Mirage Pro Angler, the Mirage Outback was designed purely as a fishing kayak. Its hull design and deck layout have been carefully considered and the result is an exceptional kayak that appeals to both tournament and social anglers alike. As a regular participant on the Hobie Kayak Bream Series I have witnessed the growing popularity of the Mirage Outback amongst kayak tournament anglers in recent years. The Outback offers many advantages over rival kayaks and its lightweight hull design is a major contributor to its success. The Mirage Outback can be easily transported to and from 106

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your favourite fishing spot on roof racks. Its manageable size and weight make launching that much easier when fishing solo and very little room is required when storing the kayak at home. The major upgrade to the 2017 Mirage Outback is undoubtedly the addition of the Mirage Drive 180. The MD180 differs from past Mirage Drive units in that it has the ability to move the kayak in reverse. For many years this has been the thorn in Hobie’s side with more conventional pedal and propeller propulsion systems in rival yaks always having this ability, just with less power.

The Mirage Outback angler can pull the reverse shift cable on the MD180 to pivot the fins 180 degrees, allowing the kayak to be propelled in reverse, at full power. Simply pull the forward shift cable to return the fins to their original position and continue. I have been using the MD180 for several months now and have been surprised just how much I am engaging reverse. I often use the reverse feature to negate the effects of tide or wind pushing me past a snag, rocky point, pontoon or pylon. This keeps me in the hot zone longer. I have also found the reverse drive invaluable when hooked up to a fish, as

reversing allows me to clear the fish of any structure before any potential bust-offs. The new fin design produces more thrust allowing the angler to reach their spots faster. The second major upgrade on the 2017 model is the introduction of the new Camo Series. The Camo Series Outback features the new camo colour styling. It’s an olive kayak with grey and black mottling throughout and non-slip pedal pads creating a striking kayak both on and off the water. A larger Twist and Stow rudder and large pad eyes for attaching accessories in the cargo area are also included

The Outback is exceptionally stable for a smaller kayak, allowing anglers to stand in their yaks – an important feature for anglers wanting to cast and retrieve lures.

SPECIFICATIONS Length Overall.............................................. 3.68m Beam.............................................................. 0.84m Crew.................................................. 1 (single seat) Capacity.........................................................181kg Fitted Hull Weight............................................37kg Fully Rigged Weight........................................45kg Vantage Seat CT Capacity............................125kg Hull Construction.......... Rotomolded Polyethylene RRP................................... $3390 (+$200 for Camo) in the Outback Camo Series package. The 2017 Outback is also available in its standard configuration in these colours: Caribbean blue, golden papaya, red hibiscus and ivory dune. The other key feature of the Outback out from its rivals is the Vantage Seat CT. With three-way adjustment and two seating height adjustments Hobie have taken comfort to a new level. The Lowrance Ready system remains in the 2017 model allowing anglers to easily mount compatible transducers in a built in mount with through-hull wiring plugs provided. This system can also accommodate Lowrance Totalscan transducers, which solves a long-standing problem with anglers wanting to run side scan in their kayaks. Other key features of the Outback include the Twist and Stow rudder – a retractable rudder that swings out of the way when it’s not needed and is perfect when launching from a bank – a large front hatch, 8” twist and seal centre

and rear hatches, port and starboard mesh pockets and a rear cargo area with bungee tie downs and pad eyes to secure accessories. There is plenty of room to store all the equipment needed for a day on the water. The kayak also features four moulded rod holders which double as a great place to store nets, gaffs and other gear. Please note that the reviewed kayak featured several aftermarket accessories including the Micro Power Pole Anchor, Hobie Livewell and Lowrance Elite 9 Ti Sounder. The Hobie Mirage Outback is an extremely versatile kayak that appeals to a broad range of anglers. It is feature packed in a lightweight package adding further to its appeal. The Outback has long been a favourite among the kayak angling fraternity and the 2017 model with its upgraded reverse drive and appealing Camo Series will ensure that this kayak continues as one of the best options for kayak anglers.

The major upgrade to the 2017 Outback, the Hobie MD180 featuring ST Turbo fins moves the Outback along effortlessly and with improved efficiency.

Hobieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Twist and Stow rudder can be retracted when not required. The Camo Series model includes an upgrade to a larger rudder.

Recessed rudder control with soft touch grips allow the kayak to be easily stored or transported upside down.

A large cargo area behind the seat gives the angler plenty of storage options. Hobieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Livewell or H Crate fits perfectly into this space. The Camo Series includes larger pad eyes for tying down these aftermarket accessories.

The seating position and angler cockpit is large enough to accommodate most anglers and mount plenty of aftermarket accessories such as camera mounts and fish finders.

Reversing in the Outback is now possible, anglers pull the reverse shift cable pivoting the fins 180 degrees, instantly moving the drive into reverse. Simply pull the forward shift cable to return the fins to their original position.

The Hobie Mirage Outback Camo Series includes several upgrades over the standard kayak including the striking camo colour.

Camo coloured non-slip pedal pads are included in the Camo Series edition.

A large front hatch with bungee tie downs allow anglers to store all the equipment needed to enjoy a day on the water. MAY 2017

107

How to choose your next boat from the get-go PART 2 BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

In last month’s issue I covered a lot of ground in considering some of the more important factors that can influence the selection of the right fishing boat for a given fishing situation. Pretty obviously this is one mighty big topic given the differing fishing

boats about with differing designs, attractively useful features (or otherwise) and standards of finish and fit out that can go from terrific to terrible. In the sun shirt stakes some of us like really flashy ones with a trendy design, the maker’s logo prominent up front and maybe a fish or two being flashed on the back. A comparable boat might well show off so much bling it fairly shines on the darkest night, and why not? There are quite

Plain alloy dressed up with a decal shows the versatility of this sort of rig. scenarios that exist and the fact that we use virtually everything from paddleboards to big ocean-going rigs to chase our fish! Between those widely spaced parameters there is always just the right fishing boat for the job. It’s merely a matter of making the right selection from the get-go. If things are assessed correctly from the start, the chosen craft should be on the money when it comes to chasing those fish. SO MANY BOATS! The trouble is that boats are about as plentiful as those sensational sunproof shirts we anglers like to wear. And just like the plethora of sun shirts in the tackle and water sports shops, there are just as many

job, as many bells and whistles as possible and enough fishing features onboard to warrant regular envious inspection. It’s not everyone’s boat, naturally, but guess what? The owner catches a lot of fish because the rig is perfect for his or her fishing requirements. On the other side of the picture, the sun shirt is old, faded and perhaps a bit tatty. Close to being declared the next cockpit hand wipe in fact: but the nonchalant owner still wears it happily whether on the water or not. The tatty sun shirt style of boat will likely be faded fibreglass or weather worn alloy with a few dings, dents and stains within and without. If it’s a small tinnie the seats might have seen some brief duty as cutting boards and it’s no surprise that the engine cowling is faded. Yet the boat seems to have a lot of large fish scales within its crusty sides, dried crab legs are tucked into the odd corner and the boat

the selection of a just-right rig often comes with one major decision. Do we go with glass or alloy? Last month’s issues of freeboard, sea keeping ability, ride quality and fishing room are still very much in the mix, naturally, but in this piece we’ll look further into the pros and cons of both glass and aluminium products. This is not a glass versus alloy debate. It’s to show what they can offer a potential owner. IS ALLOY FOR YOU? It’s not hard to comprehend the popularity of alloy boats. Versatility of design ensures that the buyer can usually find a rig within the proposed price range and intended purpose without too much expenditure of precious time or money. Factors favouring alloy craft include less weight per metre of hull length and there’s the sweetener of reduced requirements for care around the ramps and rocks, especially with an unpainted hull. Beware of a painted hull touching one of those pontoons with yellow buffers, especially if said buffer is weathered. These things can scuff paint terribly, so keeping the hull from prolonged contact is wise. All alloy craft still need some TLC with overall use and storage. Battery isolator switches are essential to keep power from leaking and causing electrolysis. A good clean

Modern alloy welding techniques offer rapid production, minimal waste and the assurance of a well-finished and sturdy end product for the angler. the-art stretch formed hulls and MIG and TIG welding techniques that offer strength and neatness of finish in spades. Enhanced second and third generation hull designs promote good riding characteristics and the old days of rough riding

to hot showers and a marine toilet. In between these extremes are craft that meet every conceivable need from family fishing rigs to specialised finesse fishing outfits for true enthusiasts. From sub 4m roof rack riders through to well

Just like our fishing shirts, alloy craft come in all sizes and shapes. This well built pontoon rig combines immense stability with ample fishing room. a few dollar’s worth of lights tucked under those gunwales! Our bling boat naturally sports the best possible finish in gleaming glass or an awesome alloy paint

even smells like the sea at low tide. Again, the owner certainly knows how to score a feed of fish or crustaceans. And again that craft is not for all. While boats might vary,

From kayaks to mighty offshore rigs, anglers align their choices with their needs to get the most from their fishing.

Sea Jay’s mighty 6.8 Pursuit is a big boat with big everything. If there is anything lacking in this great plate alloy it hasn’t been invented yet. 108

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after use also keeps paint in good condition. Avoid leaving tackle with little metal bits on the floor of the tinnie – again, because of electrolysis. SOME OF THE BIG PLUSES The greatest steps forward with alloy craft in the last decade would have to come down to overall design improvements thanks to today’s state-of-

tinnies are well in the past. Variation in available sizes is another factor to consider. It’s a fact that alloy craft range from 2.5m tenders (seen any 2.5m glass craft lately?) through to 7m+ oceangoing fish fighters that come bunk equipped, pack immense fuel supplies and ample freshwater and feature every comfort from refrigeration in the galley

powered plate alloy trailer rigs, the potential buyer is spoilt for choice. DESIGNER HULLS Design diversity is a big plus with alloy craft. A manufacturer can offer the same basic hull (in, say, a sub 5m craft) with options for tiller steer, side or centre console with forward controls or, with as many or as few additional features as that craft’s

price point allows. The same hull can be painted to perfection or left as bright alloy, yet either style could feature additional niceties such as a flat floor, rod holders, plumbed bait or catch wells, useful storage areas, an electric motor mounting point, auxiliary motor mount and even bimini shading. Modern alloy craft are also built to last thanks to time-proven and wellengineered structural arrangements throughout

that ensure the most basic alloy rig has guaranteed rigidity. Even the lightest hull, where side thickness might be as fine as 1.6mm will maintain total integrity in the toughest working conditions. PRICE POINT ISSUES Cost overall is often where an alloy craft can leave some change in the pocket, compared to a glass rig of similar size and spec level. Reduced hull construction time along with designs that involve

as little waste material as practical mean quicker turn over of product and value added production. Aluminium’s lighter weight also means that suitable outboard engines can be less powerful and therefore less costly for optimum results. For trailer craft, which is the domain of most alloy rigs, a less involved trailer with lighter weight also sees many tinnies on the tow ball of the family sedan when it’s fishing

Never think that only larger alloy craft come in plate construction: this little Mojo features 4mm plate all round.

Standards of finish in many alloy craft are right up there. Carpet within the storage compartments is standard in most such rigs.

time, with only the big plate alloy ocean goers requiring a big 4x4 to get them to the ramp. EASY REPAIRS Another matter for consideration must be repairs and modifications. If an alloy craft needs this sort of work, flatter surfaces are easy to work on. Cutting, welding, sanding, grinding and even painting are all feasible. Given that aluminium is such an easy material to work with and so many skilled welders are available, it’s not out of the

question that a competent alloy welder might be located for repairs or other work even if you’re far from home. On a glass craft modifications can involve far more. Firstly the right materials need to be on hand and, as the material needs to be applied or reworked in a state of flexibility, specific expertise is necessary. Moreover, colour matching of older or weathered surfaces can be tricky. In some cases the craft

might need attention by the original manufacturer to bring things up to speed. IN A NUTSHELL Alloy craft are deservedly popular given the advantages I’ve outlined. These factors should make selecting the right craft for the job easier, but let’s not overlook fibreglass either. In next month’s issue I will outline what fibreglass boats offer the angler. From smallest to largest, there are quite a lot of things to consider, so don’t write glass rigs off just yet!

The perfect boats Fishing with Nitro is a blast! Whether you’re a tournament pro or a weekend warrior, Nitro boats will ignite your passion and pack more fun into your day. Just getting there is half the fun! For more than 20 years, Nitro have continually refined and delivered serious fishing boats for serious anglers. Nitro boats are foam-filled to exceed US Coast Guard survey requirements. This gives you the safety of level floatation, security and comfort – and additional fishing stealth – all backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

The world’s #1 aluminium fishing boats! Tracker’s outstanding quality and unique manufacturing process have made them the world’s largest boat builder – producing more than 40,000 aluminium fishing boats per year. Their foam-filled, unsinkable, 3mm plate alloy hulls are robotically welded to deliver superior quality at a lower cost – and are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Tracker’s Pro Guide series is designed with a deep-vee hull for exceptional performance, even in rough waters. Their Diamond Coat finish is a Tracker exclusive that resists oxidation, providing protection and a shine lasting 70% longer. Standard features include a Minn Kota trolling motor and Lowrance colour sounder, plus tournament-ready live well systems and rod lockers.

Contact dealer to arrange a test drive today

Hopefully it will be rough, as you’ll be stunned by the performance of these boats when the weather gets challenging! VICTORIA’S AUTHORISED DEALER

3 SATU WAY, MORNINGTON VIC PH: 03 5976 4622

www.wesfrostmarine.com.au MAY 2017

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Bonito’s new 5m tiller steer with 90hp Suzuki - SC

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Built on the banks of Queensland’s famous Jumpinpin, fibreglass Bonito boats have carved a nice little niche for themselves in both the commercial and recreational fishing markets. There’s a handful of crabbers that put serious miles on their Bonitos in their local area – running 150hp tiller steer outboards. That’s on the 5.6m version, which we’ve tested over the years at Fishing Monthly, and you can Google “5.6m Bonito” to see the article and videos. The latest Bonito to grace their range is the 5m (or 500). It’s not necessarily brand new, but this is the first opportunity

s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

that we have had to get one out on the water for a test. To do so, Roger and Martin from Bonito Boats talked local Bonito owner Adam Webb into going out for a morning on the water. Adam is a Jacobs Well local and knows the ‘Pin like the back of his hand. He spends a lot of time fishing, crabbing, prawning and camping in the area and needed a boat that could do all of those things – both with the family and without. His Bonito 500 is perfectly set up and versatile enough to do all of these things and more. Hand laid with high quality glass, a self-draining floor and an attention to detail, let’s examine how this Bonito ticks all of Adam’s boxes. FISHING AND CAMPING If Adam is in ‘sportfishing’

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mode, there’s a small, front casting deck that he can stand on and use his Minn Kota iPilot, which is located frontleft. Also a keen whiting angler, it’s a simple transition to move the seats to the front bases, add the bimini top and you’re hanging a couple of Alveys and sloppy joe rods over the transom, waiting for a whiting to load up. Adam’s tip SPECIFICATIONS Length.................. 5.0m Beam.................. 2.05m Weight................ 510kg Max hp....................115 Fuel (underfloor)....110L Freeboard........600mm Internal beam.... 1.65m PERFORMANCE RPM..............SPEED 700.......................... 3 1000........................ 4 2000........................ 9 3000...................... 15 4000...................... 36 5000...................... 48 6000...................... 60 6400...................... 64 was that you have to dig your own bloodworms to get the best whiting. Adam’s a big fan of camping locally on Straddie, and you don’t need to stretch the imagination very far to see that the space on this boat would swallow up the camping gear for the bulkiest of packers. CRABBING AND PRAWNING Adam also explained that while crabbing, there’s the beam on board to carry

Top: Adam Webb knows the ‘Pin like the back of his hand, and took the opportunity to show us around on the test day. Above: The soft ride of glass made it comfortable up front sitting on the casting deck while travelling. his large, hand-made crab pots, and the boat draws little enough water to get up into the shallowest creeks that often yield the best crabs. Adam has two daughters, who are 8 and 9 years old. They can cast their own nets and, understandably, after a solid session on the crustaceans, the boat can be a bit of a mess. “I love that no matter how dirty the boat gets, you can hose it out, give it a quick scrub and it comes back gleaming,” Adam said. “One polish a year and she is back to near-showroom condition.” ON THE WATER Not surprisingly, the 90hp Suzuki on the transom shoots this boat up and onto the plane. With both seats back, I expected this boat to be a little bum-heavy, but the Bonito jumped up onto the plane and maintained an efficient attitude in the water. Hitting 6400rpm at wide open throttle, the Bonito

skipped along at 64km/h and cruised comfortably at 4000rpm where it sat on 36km/h. No fuel usage gauge was available to test economy. As with most Bonitos I’ve been in, I loved the swingaway sounder arm. Adam’s was fitted with a Garmin 95CV, which has a 9” colour screen and gives you great bang for your buck. The Bonito is simple in

its layout, simple to drive and simple to fish out of. There’s a reason why Bonito boats are becoming increasingly popular, and their simplicity (and a nice finish) definitely has something to do with it. If you want to go and check out the Bonito factory or talk about their range, talk to Martin Slennett on 0416 099 908 or visit www. bonitoboats.com.au.

The Bonito will turn heads at the ramp and on the water. The bow is low enough to board the boat from the front reasonably easily.

You can see the scupper balls for the self draining deck under the duckboards. There’s enough vee in this hull to make the ride very comfortable – and it continues through to the bow.

On paper, a 90hp tiller would be brutal to handle. In practice, it’s well balanced and responsive.

Some people call them side pockets, but Adam Webb calls it a footrest. He’s very comfortable in the Captain’s Chair!

While not holding live bait, this live bait tank holds the earmuffs for the outboard.

Prime real estate on the transom is taken up by a transducer (L) and a venturi pickup (R) for the live bait tank.

Little luxuries like a deck wash make it easy to clean up after a session on the cast nets in south east Queensland.

Adam keeps his valuables in the plastic box and inside the under-seat hatch. Safe as houses.

Trim, throttle, a gear lever and a tachometer are all located in the tiller. The gear change lever is ergonomically spot-on.

This might look like a standard anchor well, but you may not notice the home made stainless-steel anchor. There’d have to be a few cartons’ worth of work in that!

The Garmin 95SV is mounted on a stainless steel swing arm. Awesome idea and available on all tiller-steer Bonitos.

The front casting deck isn’t huge, but it’s totally suitable for one-up fishing. MAY 2017

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Bar Crusher 730HT with Suzuki 225hp 4-Stroke

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Victorian built Bar Crusher boats have definitely carved themselves out a solid niche amongst discerning plate aluminium boat buyers nationwide. You can get tied up as much as you like in the registered and trademarked features on the website and catalogue, but the long and the short of it is that they have a reputation for making quality boats from quality materials and the self-draining hull combined with the water ballast system ensures that the compromise between ride and stability at rest is bridged as

s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

well as possible given current materials and technology. The fact that you’ll break before a Bar Crusher does is just a bonus. So with that in mind, let’s state first-up that there’s absolutely nothing different between the previous iterations of the 730 hull and this model. As they say, ‘if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it,’ but there’s a suite of changes above the waterline and 20º transom deadrise that will enhance your boating experience in this, the Hard Top (HT) model. Warren Cleland took the time on a recent boat test to take Fishing Monthly through the changes. Most of the noticeable alterations are in the hard top itself. It’s been redesigned to

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drain better (and not dump sheets of water on your head), look better and to accommodate your marine radios and stereo systems in the space above the windscreen. The dash is more upright and this lends itself to better visibility of your electronics – both from the helm and from the cockpit where all of the fishing action happens. SPECIFICATIONS Length................... 7.30m Beam.....................2.45m Internal Freeboard..............72cm Bottom....................5mm Sides........................4mm Transom.................... 25” Fuel..........................330L Dry Tow Weight................2,250kg Min hp.................. 200hp Max hp..................250hp LOA on Trailer.......8.90m WOA on Trailer......2.45m HOA on Trailer......3.40m Also, there’s three versions of the hard top that can be ordered – from open cabin, through to a rollerdoor lockable cabin and right through to a fully enclosed pilothouse. Smaller changes, like a graduated folding on the inside of the gunwales to eliminate harsh angles and make the edge more comfortable to lean against, will be incorporated into more and more models without much fuss, but all the time adding to the angler experience. Although the test day on Port Phillip Bay was

Main Pics: The boys from Bar Crusher love showing off the undersides of their boat hulls. Warren Cleland demonstrates just how this is done in this sequence of shots. Above: Don’t be fooled by how calm the water looks in this pic. She was a wild and woolly day on Port Phillip Bay. awesome for confirming the rough water chops of this boat, it didn’t allow us to gauge any of the performance statistics from the 730. With that in mind, the factory claims low 70km/h top speeds with the Suzuki 225. Guiding the rig through the washing machine seas, the motor definitely felt powerful enough while spinning a 16” three-bladed propeller. Warren navigated the nasty conditions with ease and offered some tips on driving boats in rough seas. “It’s best to keep the boat just above or just below planing speed and with your engine trimmed out as far as possible,” he said, “but remember that if your propeller starts ventilating then you need to trim back down a little.” This keeps the bow up as high as possible and lets the hull do the work. Supplied on Easytow twin-axled trailer with an I-beam frame, the 730 used Bar Crusher’s superlative Bar

Catch system to truly make this boat able to be launched and retrieved by one person. With a dry weight of around 2,200kg, it’s able to be towed by most twin-cab 4WDs, although a larger tow vehicle will make life easier on the dodgier ramps around town. With packages starting from low $100Ks, the test model weighed in at around $125,000. For more information on all Bar Crusher boats, visit

your local Bar Crusher dealer or go to www.barcrusher.com. au, where you’ll find extensive collection of videos, reviews and the ability to sign up for regular updates. • 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.

You can see the steep bow angle doing its job on the way back into the Patterson River.

The trim tabs are neatly tucked away under the duckboard and you can see where the water enters the ballast system as the bottom of the transom.

The boys from Bar Crusher are in love with the Suzuki 225 for this hull and on the test day, it performed faultlessly.

The test model was built with the lockable roller-door cabin. An Open Cabin and Full Pilot House models are also available.

If you’re paying $125K for a boat, there’s no way you’re pulling up that anchor by hand.

Bar Catch truly makes the Bar Crusher/ Easytow combination a one person deal.

Amongst changes in the dash include a more vertical attitude, which aids visibility from both the helm and the cockpit.

The transom bench seas folds away to make 270o fishing access possible.

Self-draining decks are made for plumbed deck washes. This one will help keep the deck slime-free, no matter how many snapper you’re catching.

If you’re a marine radio junkie, try filling up these slots!

We’ll give Bar Crusher the benefit of the doubt and call the can holders here ‘scent can holders’, not ‘beer can holders’.

Although towable by a twin-can 4WD, the bigger the better in the tow vehicle department. MAY 2017

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Victorian Tide Times

2017 2016 Local Time

POINT LONSDALE – VICTORIA POINT – 144° VICTORIA LAT LONSDALE 38° 18’ LONG 37’

JANUARY Time m MAY Time

Time 0305 0529 0850 1108 SU 1452 1815 SU2050 2346 0343 0616 0928 1151 MO 1534 1903 MO2125

11 22

0032 330419 1004 0716 TU 1615

1244 TU2200 1959 0455 0128 1042 0830 WE 1657 1347 WE2237 2101 0530 0235 1118 0951 TH 1740 1501 TH2317 2207 0607 0347 1157 1107 1827 FR FR 1623 2311 0000 0458 0645 1213 1238 SA 1738 SA1921

44 55

66 77

18’ of High LONG 144° TimesLAT and38° Heights and Low37’ Waters Times and Heights of High and Low Waters MARCH FEBRUARY JUNE JULY Time Time m m Time m Time m

Time m m 0344 1.70 1.61 0017 0.47 0.64 1.38 0920 0.63 0701 1.49 1.35 0.43 MO 1537 1.37 1226 0.20 0.61 1.53 MO2130 0.27 1936 1.47 0.67 0427 1.69 1.64 0109 0.41 0.66 1.35 1009 0.57 0810 1.48 1.31 0.49 TU 1627 1.39 1315 0.26 0.71 1.48 TU2215 0.27 2025 1.41 0506 1.66 1.65 0208 0.37 0.67 0.66 1054 0.52 0915 1.46 1.31 1.33 WE 1715 1.40 1413 0.33 0.80 0.56 WE2257 0.29 1.44 2115 1.37 0543 1.61 1.63 0313 0.35 0.65 0.64 1135 0.47 1018 1.42 1.35 1.35 TH 1801 1.41 1523 0.41 0.86 0.64 TH2335 0.32 1.42 2206 1.35 1.61 0616 1.54 0415 0.35 0.61 0.58 0.43 1214 1117 1.37 1.41 1.41 1.40 1849 FR 0.70 FR 1637 0.87 0.38 2256 1.35 1.43 1.57 0014 0.50 0509 0.55 0.49 0.39 0649 1.48 1208 1.48 1.52 1.39 1251 0.36 SA 1740 0.85 0.72 SA1938 2344 1.32 1.38 1.47

16 16 17 17

18 18 19 19

20 20 21 21

0.45 0052 0.38 0555 1.52 0724 1.64 1252 0.35 1329 0.70 SU 1828 SU 1.37 2030

22 22

0.58 0.49 1.41 1.56 0.38 0.82 1.29

Time 0437 0129 1031 0839 TH 1658 1329 TH 2236 2015 0510 0221 1108 0937 FR 1738 1427 FR 2312 2103 0540 0321 1143 1034 SA 1816 1536 SA 2347 2156 0611 0420 1216 1128 SU 1854 SU 1648 2251 0023 0513 0644 1215 MO 1251 1747 MO 1936 2345 0101 0600 0719 1259 1328 TU 1835 TU 2024

m 1.60 0.62 0.32 1.34 1.50 0.84 0.37 1.41 1.56 0.62 0.30 1.36 1.47 0.91 0.43 1.38 1.52 0.60 0.30 1.41 1.44 0.95 0.49 1.36 1.47 0.56 0.31 1.47 1.39 0.95 1.36 0.56 0.51 1.41 1.54 0.33 0.91 1.35 1.39 0.63 0.46 1.35 1.61 0.37 0.86 1.31

0036 0.61 1.55 22 0142 0034 77 0126 0754 0634 1.42 0.25 22 0800 0641 1358 0.25 1408 TU WE

0.70 1.42 1.29 0.42 0.41 1.67 1.27 0.81 0.77 1.45 1.23 0.40 0.45 1.71 1.26 0.76

Time 0359 0017 0945 0706 WE 1603 1229 WE 2147 1928 0435 0112 1023 0819 TH 1646 1329 TH 2229 2025 0511 0214 1102 0937 FR 1730 1439 FR 2310 2128 0546 0323 1143 1048 SA 1817 1556 SA 2353 2233 0625 0432 1224 1153 SU 1909 SU 1711 2337 0038 0536 0706 1253 1308 MO 1816 MO 2009

22 33

44 55

m 1.62 0.60 0.44 1.41 1.46 0.64 0.30 1.52 1.62 0.56 0.37 1.43 1.48 0.73 0.33 1.49 1.61 0.50 0.31 1.49 1.49 0.80 0.38 1.48 1.58 0.44 0.26 1.57 1.48 0.84 0.44 1.49 1.53 0.36 0.23 1.67 1.45 0.82 1.52 0.52 0.29 1.48 1.76 0.23 0.77 1.41

1347 1.81 TU 2116 1913 1.39 0.72

16 16 17 17

18 18

19 19 20 20 21 21

1340 WE 2119 1918

0229 0133 0130 0.69 1.58 0121 0010 0.53 1.52 0027 0.67 1.41 88 0219 880048 0850 0801 0729 23 0728 1.36 0.24 23 0851 0720 0600 1.47 0.28 23 0635 1.34 0.44 WE 1455 0.28 TH 1455 SU 1324 0.32 MO 1411 0.41

Time 0252 0058 0837 0809 1505 1313 2050 1955 0331 0155 0918 0921 1552 1417 2133 2056 0410 0301 1000 1030 1637 1530 2215 2204 0447 0413 1042 1134 1722 1646 2259 2312 0525 0519 1125 1234 1808 1755 2342

m 1.54 0.46 0.45 1.47 1.49 0.77 0.35 1.52 1.58 0.43 0.35 1.51 1.56 0.85 0.35 1.49 1.60 0.40 0.26 1.56 1.60 0.88 0.37 1.47 1.60 0.36 0.20 1.63 1.61 0.87 0.41 1.49 1.57 0.32 0.17 1.69 1.58 0.81 0.46

0605 0015 6 1207 6 0618 MO 1858

1.53 1.51 0.17 0.30 1.53 1.74 0.74 0.53 1.54 1.48 0.30 0.21 1.77 1.47 0.68

WE FR

TH SA

FR SU

44 SA

SU TU

WE 1329 1855 0026 0112 0647 0712 1252 TU 1419 TH 1954 1948

Time 0330 0130 0923 1600 TH 0844 2138 SA 1339 2007 0403 0221 1000 1637 FR 0942 SU 1438 2214 2100 0434 0321 1035 1711 SA 1040 MO 1548 2247 2201 0504 0423 1108 1744 SU 1135 TU 1659 2322 2304 0536 0519 1142 1226 MO 1817 WE 1758 2357

16 16

17 17

18 18 19 19

20 20

m m 1.54 0.56 0.34 1.36 1.56 0.89 0.43 1.38 1.54 0.56 0.30 1.37 1.57 0.95 0.46 1.35 1.52 0.54 0.29 1.41 1.56 0.97 0.49 1.33 1.49 0.51 0.29 1.47 1.53 0.94 0.53 1.35 1.46 0.47 0.31 1.54 1.49 0.88 0.57

Local Time APRIL Time Time AUGUST m

Time 0343 0243 0932 1625 SA1011 2200 MO 1508 2145 0323 0357 0918 1611 SU1115 TU 1628 2144 2256 0404 0505 1004 1658 MO1215 WE 1739 2228

11 22

0447 0000 4 1049 4TU0605 1746

TH 1309 2313 1841 0533 0059 1135 0658 WE 1840 FR 1358 1933 0000 0152 0627 0745 1224 TH 1440 SA 1940 2021

0610 1.41 0003 1.38 21 1215 0.34 66 21 0608 0.42 TU 1855 1.45 TH 1312 1847 0032 0057 0646 0652 1248 WE 1355 FR 1938 1931

22 22

1.61 0.80 0.62 1.43 1.36 0.39 0.38 1.66 1.39 0.72

0052 0732 7FR70240 0829 1318

SU 1516 2044 2103

m Time m m 0259 1.49 1.59 0220 0.39 0900 0.52 0.32 0.19 1.49 1543 1.35 1.64 1.73 SU0949 0.86 2123 0.91 0.58 0.47 TU 1452 2119 1.29 1.42 0331 1.48 1.59 0.39 0324 0935 0.51 0.33 0.15 1.53 1615 1.39 1.62 1.72 MO1052 0.84 2158 0.89 0.60 0.48 WE 1605 1.42 2229 1.30 0405 1.46 1.57 0.37 0432 1008 0.48 0.35 0.15 1.58 1647 1.46 1.59 1.68 TU1149 0.78 2231 0.82 0.63 0.51 TH 1715 2336 1.35 1.53 0441 1.42 1.45 0533 0.19 1040 0.43 0.38 0.36 1.61 WE1240 1724 1.53 1.55 1.63 0.56 FR 1813 2306 0.72 0.66 0.69 1.48 0518 1.38 1.48 0036 0.26 1112 1.42 0.43 0.35 0626 1.53 1804 0.39 1.50 TH 1.67 1.60 SA 1327 2342 0.69 0.62 1902 0.60 0.61 0600 1.33 1.51 0130 1.50 1.41 1145 0.47 0.37 0714 0.37 0.35 1850 1.65 1.44 FR1409 1.68 SU 1.46 0.55 1947 0.49 0.66 0020 1.57 0.72 1.52 0220 1.34 0649 0.37 1.28 0.40 0800 0.46 1226 1.67 0.53 SA 1.67 1450 MO 1942 1.40 1.40 0.51 2032 0.39 0.69 0107 1.61 0.73 1.52 0308 1.30 0750 0.39 1.26 0.45 0846 0.55 TU 1317 1.67 0.60 SU1530 1.64 1.38 2041 0.32 1.37 0.48 2118

16 16 17 17

18 18 19 19 20 20 21 21

22 22

0112 8 0204 0737 0801 WE 1340

0.60 1.55 1.41 0.33 0.27 1505 1.77 FR 2058 0.62 1.41 2039

0157 0110 1.48 0.68 80324 23 0146 0850 0727 0.37 1.30 8 0907 0733 SA 1426 TH 1324 0.42

0203 9 0254 0836 0847 TH 1436

0316 1.50 0.68 0205 1.62 0.72 0151 1.52 0.74 90404 24 0233 240356 1008 0.50 1.31 24 0904 0.43 1.27 0815 0.38 1.25 9 0945 0932 0816 SU 1545 0.60 MO 1422 0.66 FR 1405 0.48

0445 0441 0316 0310 0.76 1.57 0249 0154 0.72 1.60 0149 0.82 1.47 10 1119 0915 0939 10 100240 25 0907 1.31 0.32 25 1105 0835 0748 1.37 0.18 25 0750 1.23 0.38 10 1728 0.31 1708 1517 0.28 1558 0.44

0307 10 0342 0951 0930 1547

0434 1.47 0.62 0313 1.61 0.66 0242 1.54 0.78 100444 250444 25 0319 1118 0.56 1.36 25 1024 0.49 1.35 0916 0.40 1.21 10 1020 0900 1017 1701 0.62 1538 0.70 1459 0.53

0029 0359 1.46 1.53 0331 0242 0.77 1.61 0229 0.86 1.48 11 11 0045 110350 260426 1023 1041 0607 0952 0.71 0.40 26 0600 0914 0839 1.35 0.19 26 0826 1.20 0.38 11 1630 0.26 1705 0.43 1217 1233 1.34

0430 11 0428 1112 1010

0346 1.55 0.78 0538 1.44 0.54 0423 1.56 0.56 110523 260536 26 0405 1030 0.45 1.21 11 1221 0.62 1.44 26 1135 0.55 1.46 0945 1057 1103

0415 0329 1.48 1.59 0309 1.34 1.48 0447 1.52 1.48 0122 120001 270021 12 0144 12 0956 0928 0.78 0.24 27 0900 0.84 0.39 12 1035 0.61 0.48 27 0705 0545 0510 0717 1652 1631 1.78 1555 1.71 1733 1.66

0019 12 0514 1048 0553

0500 1.54 0.73 0034 1.40 1.44 0527 1.51 0.43 27 0453 120605 270633 1149 1030 1134 1150 0.51 1.26 12 0629 0.68 0.46 27 1236 0.63 1.60

0416 1.56 1.54 0348 1.40 1.47 0540 1.58 1.42 0502 0209 130105 280113 13 0236 13 1014 0.72 0.31 28 0933 0.78 0.41 13 1116 0.51 0.57 28 0754 1040 0816 0626 0651 1717 1.71 1633 1.69 1813 1.59 1731

0118 13 0602 1126 0701 1803

0024 0005 0039 0.31 1.51 0038 1.52 1.38 0116 0.47 1.47 28 0546 13 28 0738 1116 0652 0623 1.45 0.32 0614 0.59 0.63 13 0712 1.37 0.40 28 1239 0.71 1751 1.60 1214 0.75

1.47 0.60 1.60

0209 14 0006 0654 0757 TH 1206

0044 0117 0129 0.37 1.56 0130 1.49 1.45 0153 0.49 1.48 29 0647 0746 0844 1204 14 29 0715 1.42 0.23 0712 0.67 0.50 14 0750 1.35 0.35 29 SU 1257 0.82 MO 1337 0.77 FR 1837 1.55

0.49 1.46 0.68 1900 1.56

0253 15 0046 0748 0843 FR 1249

0128 0223 0215 0.42 1.59 0217 0.37 1.51 0227 0.50 1.49 30 0042 0845 0949 0755 15 30 0805 1.41 0.17 0800 1.47 0.37 15 0826 1.34 0.33 30 MO 1348 0.88 TU 1450 0.80 SA 1256 0.76

SU 1312 1.75 2025 1840 1.37 0.66

MO 1330 1.63 2125 1909 1.26 0.78

WE 1438 1.84 2229 2004 1.38 0.67

TH 1419 2222 1959

0328 0220 0221 0.75 1.59 0205 0103 0.63 1.57 0109 0.75 1.44 99 0325 990140 1000 0817 0845 24 0818 1.32 0.27 24 0953 0758 0656 1.42 0.21 24 0714 1.28 0.40 TH 1607 0.31 FR 1555 MO 1416 0.30 TU 1459 0.43 MO 1405 1.82 2138 1933 1.38 0.63

TU 1406 1.68 2223 1947 1.26 0.75

TU TU 1456 1.85 WE WE 1442 1.71 2251 2323 2023 1.42 0.60 2024 1.29 0.72

WE WE 1545 1.83 TH TH 1518 1.72 2111 0.58 2100 0.70

TH1137 1.35 FR1146 1.21 FR TH 2157 0.22 0.58 2137 0.40 0.68 1810 1745

FR1246 1.38 SA1248 1.24 FR SA 2243 0.19 0.59 2214 0.36 0.67 1851 1903

TH 1526 1.82 2339 2054 1.41 0.64

FR FR 1611 1.78 2142 0.61

SA SA 1653 1.72 1839 2228 0.29 0.60

SU 1338 1.39 SU 2313 0.27 0.60 1939

MO 1435 1.45 MO 2357 0.27 0.61 2031

0.82 1.48 1.19 0.39 1.73 FR 1459 0.48 2328 2038 1.28 0.71

0.83 1.49 1.18 0.39 1.73 SA SA 1537 0.48 2117 0.66

1.33 1.50 0.78 0.42 1.72 SU SU 1615 1.22 1822 2157 0.45 0.62

1.49 1.40 0.46 0.68 1.69 MO 1321 1.30 MO 2237 0.41 0.57 1919

1.48 0.52 0.57 1.65 TU 1415 1.40 TU 2320 0.37 0.53 2007

0505 1.63 1.48 0429 1.47 1.45 0638 1.61 1.38 0555 140202 290159 14 0321 1059 0.64 0.41 29 1010 0.70 0.44 14 1157 0.43 0.67 29 1127 14 0906 0730 0743 SA 1803 1.63 SU 1712 1.65 TU 1851 1.52 WE 1814

SA 1348 1.43 SU 1343 1.30 2330 0.17 0.61 2251 0.32 0.65 1950 1949

TU 1528 1.49 2117 0.29

0600 1.68 1.41 0514 1.54 1.43 0041 1.62 0.62 0006 15 0401 150256 300241 1142 0.55 0.51 30 1050 0.62 0.49 15 0739 0.36 1.35 30 0658 15 0951 0828 0826 SU 1849 1.55 MO 1752 1.61 WE 1240 0.76 TH 1217

SU 1445 1.47 2043 0.17

MO 1432 1.36 2331 0.30 0.63 2030 0604 1.59 1.41 0320 1136 0.53 0.56 0906 1837 1.42 1.56 TU 1519 TU 2108 0.29

31 31

WE 1615 1.51 1931 0.33 1.46 2159

0.67 1.54 1.34 0.37 0.34 1546 1.74 SA 2207 0.58 1.37 2126 0.72 1.52 1.29 0.44 0.41 FR 1624 1.70 SU 2315 0.56 1.37 2209

0.72 1.48 1.28 0.51 1710 1.65 0.44 SA 1658 MO 2249 0.55 1.44 1.40 0.58 0.66 1225 1.59 1.32 TU 1730 SU 2328 1824 0.54 0.44

1.40 1.45 0.66 0.57 1.40 WE MO 1330 1.54 1926 0.42 0.54 1.50 1.37 0.47 1.47 TU 1428 0.74 1839 2016 1.48 0.41

0.55 1.53 1.36 0.39 1.53 WE 1516 0.82 1919 2100 1.43 0.42

SA 1436 1.70 2028 0.63 1.34 2014

SU 1515 1.71 2127 0.56 1.30 2057

SA 1554 1.71 MO 2232 0.49 1.30 2139

1606 1.68 0.56 SU 1631 TU 2338 0.43 1.32 2223

1724 1.65 0.57 WE MO 1710 2307 0.39

TH TU 1259 1.36 2353 1840 0.37 0.54

WE 1358 1.49 1939 0.50

TH 1450 1930 2029 0137 0300 0903 0847 1356 SU 1538 FR 2033 2115

1.61 1.49 0.48

MO 1549 2146 2142

23 23

TU 1619 1.60 WE 1608 1.65 2248 0.46 1.38 2145 0.27 1.37 2218 2203

MO1650 1.56 WE 2345 0.45 1.41 2253

1804 1.52 0.60 TU1722 TH 2329 0.46

1315 1.47 1.52 FR WE1757 1855 0.59

TU1647 1.62 TH 2248 0.26 1.40 2249

1659 1.56 0.69 WE1730 FR 2346 0.27 1.45 2335

1807 1.50 0.66 SA TH1817

SA FR 1331 1.72 TH 1400 1.59 SU 1913 1836 1903 1.43 0.63 1937 1.41 0.58

FR 1438 1.63 1921 2014 1.36 0.57

SA 1512 1.64 2015 2048 1.31 0.57

0.38 1.56 1.47 0.27 0.83 1.69 1.44 0.46

CopyrightCommonwealth Commonwealth of of Australia Australia 2015, 2014, Bureau Bureau of of Meteorology Meteorology Copyright Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Timesare areininlocal localstandard standardtime time (UTC (UTC +10:00) +10:00) or or daylight daylight savings savings time Times time (UTC (UTC +11:00) +11:00) when whenin ineffect effect New Moon First Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon New Moon First Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon

SA 1422 1.80 2019 1953 1.37 0.60

SU 1511 1.83 2133 2040 1.34 0.58 0339 0.45 1053 1.43 WE 1613 0.77 2245 1.35

Last LastQuarter 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. 114

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