Victoria and Tasmania Fishing Monthly - February 2014 by Fishing Monthly

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Land-based estuary fishing • Keeping your cool • The glorious Gordon River •

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February 2014, Vol. 11, No. 3

Contents

Horsham 42 Mildura 43 Bendigo 43 Robinvale 44 Crater Lakes 44 Ballarat 45 Shepparton 48 Echuca 49 Yarra Valley 50 Melbourne Metro 50 Eildon 51 Bonnie Doon 51 Wangaratta 52 Yarrawonga 52 Kiewa Valley 53 West/South Gippsland 53 Central Gippsland 54 Jindabyne 56

TASMANIA WRAP-UP 58

REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics 39 Boating 80 Chappy’s Hotspot 47 Cooking with Jamo 38 Dam Levels 50 Fun Page 61 Kayak 40 Tasmanian Lake Levels 60 Tournament News 70 Trade and Services Guide 86 Victorian Dam Levels 49 Victorian Tide Times 88 What’s New Boating 83 What’s New Fishing 76

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to bump up prices of existing pay for stay locations and are trying to get through a clause that sees all sites needing to pay for themselves, back dooring a fee on free campsites. It’s a very involved debate and I will be researching this over the coming weeks – especially as this is an election year. I can’t stand the thought of paying for camping where no facilities exist. In fact I go to these places simply because there are no facilities. I don’t want rangers, I don’t want crowds, I don’t want power and I don’t want phone reception. I want space and a sense of freedom. Angry Boothy, irrational Boothy and annoyed Boothy just at the thought of this. Enjoy February with fewer anglers on the water, some amazing fishing opportunities and some great times and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram or subscribe through iSubscribe – check the front page of fishingmonthly. com.au for all the links.

AUST

Land-based estuary fishing Fishing with floats Keeping your cool The glorious Gordon River

11am through to 3pm. It’s simply too hot to do anything effectively so you may as well jump in the water, cool off and get out there when the sun goes down a little. I’ve got some of my best memories of sitting chin deep in the water under the shade of a river red gun. Plans are hatched, enthusiasm is regained and importantly you have steered clear of the worst of the heat and sun – sensible in our country at any time. Restarting fishing at 3pm still gives you around 6 hours more of fishing and it’s good to approach the best fishing times with a freshness. Evening gold and green with some redfin thrown in for good measure and a good feed! Does it get any better? IT NEVER STOPS It seems that certain government agencies want to impose fees on free camping again. I’ll make a note here that this is not from the Fisheries section, but Fisheries should be in there stopping this. It seems that DEPI and Parks Vic are using cost recovery as an excuse

ION

VICTORIAN FRESHWATER

into the bucket than I did looking into the water, but the first 10 minutes of the trip was fun! Makos are an amazing sportfish and a tasty treat if you want to keep one. Jumping, twisting and bad behaviour make these fish a great target before you get to hunt a southern blue. Also this month those amazing whiting will be in the thoughts of many anglers. In Port Phillip lightly weighted baits will be presented ever so carefully around the edges of sand patches while in Western Port heavier tackle and long leaders will be swung out amongst the rock, rubble and weed. King George whiting fight super hard for their size and I love seeing fish 40cm and over come into the boat. They’re a ripping fish but always remember to keep to your limits or simply take what you need for immediate use. In the fresh, February brings about some of the hottest days and I can clearly remember way too many trips fishing the Murray or Eppalock or the Loddon and having an enforced siesta from

NEW SOUTH COAST Tathra 36 Bermagui 36 Narooma 37 Merimbula 37

From the Editor’s Desk...

February already and the smell of tuna fever is starting to hit the nostrils. That much anticipated period when the southern bluefin tuna start to arrive in numbers. While February is not ‘the’ start month it is the month when you want to be stocking up on lures and servicing reels and making sure all your lines are ready to be used. It’s the excitement month where stories of old are told, where captures are relived, where losses are analysed and when plans are hatched. It’s a very significant fishery these days and next issue we will have a SBT primer feature to whet that appetite. And while you’re getting ready for the tuna to appear, you can get a bit of training in on the makos. These fiery and unpredictable characters will be about in February and if conditions are right, you’re more than a fair chance to tangle with one. I’ve fly fished for them with Adam Royter many moons ago in not so perfect conditions and I spent more time looking

EAST COAST Inverloch 30 Welshpool 31 McLoughlins Beach 32 Ninety-Mile Beach 32 Lakes Entrance 34 Marlo 34 Gippsland Lakes 35 Bemm River 35

Geelong 14 Port Phillip West 16 Rosebud 18 Port Phillip North East 20 Port Phillip East 22 Port Phillip Offshore 24 Phillip Island 24 Western Port South 26 Western Port North 28

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Land-based estuary fishing LAKES ENTRANCE

Tom Wilson

Why is it that when I flick through my favourite fishing paper, the fellow proudly displaying his catch is nearly always perched on a shiny new motorboat? It’s not a hard question to answer; having a boat gives anglers a huge advantage allowing them to access good spots and cover a lot more water than they otherwise could. Unfortunately for

some of us, the joys of boat ownership are yet to be realised and we have to make do with casting our lines from the edges of our many great estuaries. It’s not all doom and gloom though. Many years of fishing this way have taught me to use the varying conditions and terrain to consistently catch good fish from the shore. PIERS AND JETTIES Every estuary I can think of has some kind of a pier or jetty that can be fished from; most estuaries offer several. For this reason, using these artificial platforms to their

A weird and wonderful leatherjacket plucked from its rocky lair.

CaOtRcEh

full potential is important if you want consistent, estuary success. Rule number one is: don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the longest cast is going to produce the biggest fish. More often than not the best habitat for the fish is around the pylons of the jetty that you’re standing on. Bream and trevally in particular, love lurking in the shadows of an artificial structure, which is why the first place I drop my bait on most jetties is straight down. Another tactic that works well with lures and bait is to walk the length of the structure bobbing your offering along the bottom. Soft plastics like curl-tail grubs are particularly good for this and small metal blades are always worth a shot as well. If you’re looking for some really good purpose built fishing platforms the Tambo River in East Gippsland has some of the best around with plenty to choose from between the town of Swan Reach and the river mouth at Lake King. Another hugely popular spot is on the town jetties of Lakes Entrance. On a normal day here you’ll see anglers

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lined up around the boats bobbing weed under float in the hope of tempting some chunky luderick out from under the docks. ON THE ROCKS Near the entrance of many Victorian estuaries you’ll find a very different and interesting terrain. Rocky outcrops and rock walls provide fishing options that you don’t find in other spots. When the bread and butter species like bream, flathead and whiting aren’t biting, I use rock wall spots as an ace up my sleeve to get my rod bending. As with piers and jetties, don’t heave a cast out to the middle of the estuary when all the fish are feeding right under your feet. Species like parrotfish and leatherjackets live right in between the rocks so dropping your bait or lure straight down is the way to get amongst them. A basic running sinker rig with a small hook and a bait of

A beautiful morning to fish for bream on a Tambo jetty. There are so many options for land-based fishers. TAMING THE TIDES If you’re serious about battling quality fish from land-based estuary spots, using the tides to your advantage is of vital important. In some places, the difference between high and low tide is so dramatic that you could swear you’re in a completely different place between the two. On rock walls and jetties I usually go for the high

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pipi or prawn is the easiest way to tempt these species but if you’re into artificial options, a soft plastic grub drifted across the rock face is sure to get some attention. Although neither of these species are great table fare in my opinion, the challenge of wrestling them from their rocky hideouts is exciting sport and keeps me amused for hours. Now, time to put you in the hot spot. For this type of fishing my all-time favourite is the rock wall on Griffith Island at Port Fairy. It’s a 4 hour trip west from Melbourne but if you’re looking for some red hot rock fishing it can’t be beat. Simply drift a pipi, prawn tail or soft plastic in front of the rocks here at high tide and you’re sure to be hit hard by a ravenous parrotfish.

tide simply because you will have deeper water covering the structure at your feet. When fishing the banks of shallow estuaries low tide presents great opportunities because it allows you to walk out over the sand flats that are often under water and drop your line right into the deeper channels. Andersons Inlet at Inverloch is a classic example of this. At high tide it’s an expansive mass of water, at low tide it appears more like a sandy desert where you can walk for hundreds of metres before reaching the water’s edge. When you do reach the water at low tide you find yourself right on the edge of the channel where you can effortlessly flick your bait or lure into deep water giving you every chance of catching good flathead, whiting and other estuary species. READ THE SIGNS Lacking the ability that boaters have to search the water for fish means that land-based anglers need to be particularly versatile and take in as much information from their surroundings as possible. Little signs that might go unnoticed to many can either put you into a fishing hot spot or let you know that it’s time to move on. One day after a demoralising and

This ripper sand whiting caught drifting bait in a hard outward running tide.

unsuccessful surf fishing session on the Ninety-Mile Beach I drove into Loch Sport in East Gippsland to have a look around. When I gazed over the normally tranquil waters of Lake Victoria I noticed a patch of turbulent water where small fish were breaking the surface. Suspecting it was a school of small mullet causing the commotion I decided to flick a piece of peeled prawn in to see if there was a bite to be had. Sure enough, after a few stolen morsels I finally hooked into a little yellow-eyed mullet. A few minutes later I hooked up again and was shocked by the fight I was faced with. For a minute there I thought I was onto some kind of freak, record breaking mullet! It turned out to be a cracker of a bream, and it goes to show that taking notice of a small sign in a patch of shallow, seemingly structure-less water can put you right amongst the fish. WET A LINE If you’re looking for a relaxing way to wet a line you can’t match the ease and accessibility of fishing Victoria’s great estuaries from the shore. Be persistent; try different baits, lures, spots, and tide times and the lessons you learn will be sure to make you a master of the estuary.

Watch out for toadies, they will chop your soft plastic lures in half all day.

Rock walls like this one at Port Fairy are home to many fish.

This cracking bream was caught in amongst a school of leaping mullet on the banks of Lake Victoria.

Some jetties are sturdier than others. Watch your step!

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Snapper now, tuna to come ROBE

Daniel Peart

As expected the mulloway action at Salt Creek has definitely picked up over the last month seeing plenty of quality fish hit the sand. While I haven’t heard of any true monsters in the 50lb+ range myself, there has been excellent numbers of quality fish in the 20-40lb range. Small bronze whalers and average-sized gummy sharks have been plentiful and should continue for the remainder of the warm weather. Expect to see some large school sharks in the 5-6ft range arrive shortly. School sharks can make quick work off heavy mono, so I’d recommend adding 100-150lb wire trace to the tackle bag if planning on a trip to these waters in the coming months. ROBE Snapper will be a major draw card for anglers visiting these waters in the coming month or so as February/March are

Snapper will be a major draw card for anglers visiting Robe this February.

Bluefin tuna can be found close to shore in 40-60m of water, which gives smaller vessel owners a sporting chance.

Mulloway have been very quiet for this time of year.

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renowned reliable snapper months for this area. Fish can be found in very shallow water hanging around kelp beds adjacent to a pebbly bottom. Large King George whiting upwards of 50cm can be found using this same technique. High tides and low light accompanied by some light tackle should see you bring some consistent results home to feed the family. This time of year is a good time to spend the afternoon on one of the many beaches between Robe and Canunda, also targeting snapper. Again finding areas that consist of kelp weed, broken bottom or visible reef will be the best areas to target. Try using the everhelpful Google Earth to find your next fishy location. It’s surprising how well you can zoom in on gutters and pinpoint new areas to target. PORT MACDONELL Port MacDonnell is well known for its offshore fishing and this time of year is a favourite of many anglers. First reports of the bluefin tuna should not be far away, if they haven’t already started by now. Usually the first schools that arrive are in a better size class averaging around 30-40kg. Keep a close ear out if you want to get into the bigger sized fish as they usually don’t last long. Bluefin tuna are also usually found close to shore in 40-60m of water

giving smaller vessel owners a sporting chance. As always, anglers that are appropriately equipped and put in the hours can expect to tangle with barrels in the 100kg+ range. Albacore should also be in good numbers early in the season. They are a great tasty by-catch that give tuna a run for their money in the eating department. Usually where you find tuna you find mako sharks, and the South West is no exception. These feisty looking critters are a serious sports fish and put on a show for South West anglers every tuna season. It’s not uncommon to hear of makos in the 150-200kg range landed or at least hooked, but specimens in the 40-80kg range are much more common and are a great tasty meal at

this size. GLENELG RIVER Again mulloway have been very quiet for this time of year, as I have only heard of one good fish around the 7kg mark landed in the last month. Plenty of undersized fish have been on the chew but the larger ones are living up to their elusive reputation. Again bream and estuary perch have been the main target species for anglers concentrating their efforts on casting small minnows, soft plastics and surface lures. Both these species seem to spread far and wide through the system during the warmer months, so anywhere is just about worth a go. A wellknown haunt to target both these fish is around Wilsons Hall, early mornings have been bringing best results.

Karl Jung with a 52cm flathead he caught at Frenches Narrow near Marlo VIC. He caught the flatty walking the bank casting a 4” plastic.

Ashlee Sinclair landed her first southern blue fin tuna, weighing 25kg, over the continental shelf at Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania. Ashlee used the Black Magic Equalizer gimbal and harness.

A Black Magic Spinsect ‘fire grub’ was used to catch this 39cm black bream while fishing on Curdies River. Rod Shepherd also used Black Magic 8lb Fluorocarbon tippet.

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Warren Fenner landed this gurnard while fishing off Marlo, VIC. Warren used a Black Magic 8/0 Gummy Snatcher.

Allan McKenzie caught these 8.8kg and 9.4kg snapper while fishing from the Portland breakwater. Allan used a Black Magic Bleeding Pilchard 4/0.

A Black Magic C Point 1/0 hook and Black Magic 10lb Fluorocarbon tippet were used by Don Dean to catch this 80cm mulloway. Don was fishing in Botany Bay.

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Summer is all about the size: bigger and better WARRNAMBOOL

Mark Gercovich mgercovich@hotmail.com

February is the peak time for many summer species, in particularly the larger game fish like mako sharks and yellowtail kingfish. Some good specimens of these fish have already shown up in early summer, so hopefully this is a pointer to some excellent angling once the warm, calm, February days arrive. Big makos have already been brought into port. The crew on Airborne took a 133kg, Kevin McLoughlin caught a 94kg one, and an even bigger mako was let go when a crew sensibly assessed it was going to be too big to get home given the distance back to port and the prevailing conditions. Kingfish have also shown up with the first burst of

real summer weather. Scott Gray managed a magnificent 120cm fish to get the kingfishing season rolling. Most of the other early season reports have been of far smaller rat-sized kings, but they have been taken, or seen, in a number of normally productive areas, which all bodes well for February. A few southern bluefin were also kicking around this time last year so any big bust-ups you see are always worth investigating. But it has not been all about big fish, there are plenty of other options available for anglers. Cray divers in particular have been experiencing some great action with the recent lack of swell making for excellent underwater clarity in many well-known dive locations. Christmas crayfish dinners were commonplace with all the big ‘face huggers’ being fished out.

Whiting anglers, however, have found the going a little tough early in the season but these fish should provide some good sport during those warm February evenings. The Hopkins River has continued to improve and is a very productive location of late. Plenty of smaller bream from legalsize to around 34cm have been prolific for bait and lure anglers, however it has been good to see some decent kilo-plus blue noses, which were absent for a time, reappearing. Corey McLaren and Colin Hurtford both managed 1.4kg+ bream in the same week. I even managed a 44cm fish, which is the best bream I’ve got from the river for a while.

Perch have also been around with some good sport to be had on smaller fish using surface lures on calm evenings. Mick Wilkinson

caught some quality perch up to 1.5kg one evening in the deeper water. Perhaps the most interesting thing has been

Shape up for shark season APOLLO BAY

Daniel Kent apollobaysurfshop@bigpond.com

The continued presence of mulloway in the system has definitely added variety to the fishing.

The Hopkins River has continued to improve and producing excellent sized bream.

Anglers fishing out in 70m+ of water have been reporting plenty of blue sharks and the occasional mako swimming up their berley trails. Large numbers of aero (arrow) squid can be caught out in this depth by leaving baited jigs suspended mid water and these squid make great fresh baits for all of the shark species. If the sharks are playing hard to get, then down size your bait and hooks and they should grab it without hesitation. I have found that they sometimes refuse a whole squid head but will happily grab a single squid tentacle or even a single pilchard that has the hook well hidden inside it. Blue and mako sharks

can range anywhere from 30-200kg so make sure you are prepared if a big one decides to turn up. I normally leave the big fellows for braver fishos and instead concentrate on targeting specimens of less than 100kg. I find that at this size they are much more manageable for two anglers and tend to be far better eating. Large numbers of flathead have been taken out from Skenes Creek, Blanket Bay and the Lighthouse in 30-40m of water. Squid and fresh barracouta fillets have been the most reliable baits as they stay on the hook well allowing several fish to be caught on the one bait. The best results come from drifting through an area until you hit a patch of fish then use the GPS to retrace your drift over the same area several times until you have caught enough flathead for a feed.

Snapper have been biting on most of the offshore reefs between Cape Patton and the Cape Otway with the same baits that are used for flathead taking the majority of fish. The snapper have not been big fish but they are good eating size with an average fish between 1-2kg. Again drifting over the reef is a good way to locate the schools of snapper so make sure your GPS is ready to mark the spot once you start catching. The King George whiting were late this year but have now turned up in good size schools and are well worth targeting along the edges of the inshore reefs. Apollo Bay is known for its quality whiting fishing and anglers come from all over the state to chase these tasty little critters. You can catch larger numbers in other

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the continued presence of mulloway in the system. Most of these fish have been in the 50-55cm bracket, which makes them well under the 60cm size limit. However they do provide an interesting bit of variety to your estuary excursions and there have been a smattering of better fish between 60-70cm as well as the ever present story of bigger fish that have got away. The Shipwreck Coast Fishing Classic is the annual fishing competition run by the Warrnambool Offshore & Light Game Fishing Club. In 2014, the classic will run from March 1-10, culminating on the long weekend. There will be two boat package major prizes so get along and be part of the action.

February offers so many fishing options that mixed bags of fish like this are common place off Apollo Bay.

areas of Victoria but our whiting are bigger on average and obtain sizes of over 50cm in length. The most popular whiting locations are the waterfall reefs located between Apollo Bay and Skene Creek, The Bumbry Reef, Marengo and Blanket Bay but don’t limit yourself to just these locations because there are plenty of other smaller reef systems that offer excellent fishing as well. Other saltwater options for February include squid fishing inside the boat harbour, gummy sharks from 40m off Cape Otway and salmon fishing from Johanna or Glen Aire beaches. The local river estuaries have been producing plenty of bream on prawn baits and small hardbodied lures. The Aire River and the Barham River estuaries tend to fish best when the mouth of the river is opened to the sea. As the river level drops with the out going tide the shrimp and small baitfish get flushed out of the grass/reeds and back into the main river. This gives the bream an ideal place to chase an easy feed, making the edges of the river the best place to concentrate your angling efforts. In the past February has always been very reliable for bream fishing in this region so I’m very excited and looking forward to spending some time chasing bream in the rivers this month. Hopefully I see you out there!

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Bang on bream as spawning comes to a close COBDEN

Rod Shepherd

The bream in the Curdies River have certainly been on the chew in recent weeks, with the number one bait being local live shrimp. However, it appears that the spawning season is coming to a close with many fishos noting that at least half of the fish caught for the table are devoid of spawn or ova. Likewise, the bream are beginning to spread far and wide in the estuary with only a certain amount of fish feeding in the lake as the mouth is still open and under tidal influence. Other fish have been caught upstream in the river as far as

Lone Pine. Soft plastics, metal blades and minnow lures cast tight up against the river bank are also taking many bream. I fished the lake Sunday morning for 6 solid bream to 39cm with 2 each taking frozen prawn, live shrimp and small spider crab. Thanks to Bill Nelson for netting me some shrimp and crab; Bill managed his bag within 3 hours on Saturday using shrimp. The Hopkins River has been consistent for bream but many fish are undersize and care should be taken when releasing them. The average decent bream coming on board are barely topping 32cm, however larger bream approaching the high 30s

have been landed but these fish are the exception rather than the rule. Shrimp, cut crab, packet prawn and brown shell are accounting for many. So too are soft plastics and lures. The fish are spread far and wide throughout the estuary but some spots that have recently fired have been opposite the institute over the muddy shallows, Rowans Flats and the channel drop-off along the pumping station strait. The Gellibrand River at Princetown has estuary perch and sea run brown trout taking metal blades and shallow diving minnow lures fished extremely fast along the bankside reed beds in the lower reaches. Many EP are undersize so please keep the minimum legal

size (27cm) in mind. The trout are averaging between 400-700g and are very feisty little critters, especially on light gear. The whiting fishing has really picked up after being so slow. Many anglers are putting this down to lower than average temperatures experienced in the first half of summer. Since it seems that the seasons are all running up to two months behind it’s finally nice to experience a decent summer and all that goes with it. The whiting are averaging around 42cm with some elbowslappers coming in close to the magical 50cm mark. The bigger whiting prefer fillets of pilchard and thin strips of calamari over pipis. The snapper and gummy

The author with two solid Curdies bream that responded to fresh shrimp. shark scene is consistent over reefs sitting in 20-40m and plenty of juicy nannygai (red snapper) are still about with the bigger specimens weighing between 1.5-2kg.

The way things are shaping up it looks like autumn will be dry, warm and mild, which should make for some excellent angling opportunities.

Portland produces PORTLAND

Nigel Fisher

The summer fishing in Portland is well underway. The breakwater has seen plenty of fishers and

families catching squid, sharks, pinkies, salmon and the odd kingfish. The bay has seen pinkies, squid, whiting and flathead, and the deeper water has produced some great sharks, snapper, flathead and morwong. Most off these fish

have been caught from the rock to Bridge Water Bay, with some good shark fishing from the surf along the coastlines. The surf beaches from Fritzroy River to Discovery Bay are also fishing well for sharks, snapper and kingfish. For the bream angler, the Fitzroy and Surrey rivers are producing some good size fish. If you are thinking of fishing the breakwater, the common baits for the bigger fish are squid, pilchards, tommies, couta and salmon; for smaller fish, pipis, prawns, worms and white and blue baits. Also soft plastics and lures are well worth a try. Most common baits work well in the bay and deeper waters. If you are chasing kingfish, the fresh squid is always a killer and lures, such as stickbaits, poppers

The Lee Breakwater has been producing great catches and is an ideal location this month. and broken back lures work a treat. Good luck to all anglers chasing their favourite fish. If you are thinking of making Portland your next holiday destination jump on the internet and look up Portland and you will find some great places to stay.

• For all your bait and tackle needs call into Compleat Angler at 61 Bentinck Street, Portland or contact us on 5521 1844 or look us up on Facebook Compleat Angler Portland. The staff will help you on all your

fishing needs and help you in the right direction when fishing our great bay. We also stock a big range of kayaks and some boating needs. Also we can help you with fishing licences regulation books and stickers.

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Boat launching facilities at Boat Bay, Peterborough, have been upgraded following works by Parks Victoria funded through the State Government’s $16 million Recreational Fishing Initiative. Fisheries Victoria Executive Director Ross McGowan said the funds had been used to extend the concrete ramp and install a sloping apron which will assist vehicles and trailers in

gaining access to and from the beach launching point. “The upgraded ramp is good news for anglers and divers who chase snapper, gummy shark, King George whiting, sweep, abalone and rock lobster from this rugged part of the west coast,” Mr McGowan said. “The Boat Bay ramp is generally considered amongst the steepest and most difficult in Victoria and this upgrade will make it much easier for

four wheel drive vehicles to drive on and off the ramp to launch and retrieve their boats from the beach.” Mr McGowan said the improvements would make launching at Boat Bay safer, but boat owners, especially visitors unfamiliar with the location, should exercise caution and only launch boats using four wheel drive vehicles and only during favourable conditions. Now in its third year, the Recreational Fishing Initiative (RFI) has funded more than 80 projects to improve access and facilities but is also stocking more fish, building fishing reefs, undertaking more fisheries research and strengthening fisheries enforcement and education. Importantly this initiative

is additional to the range of projects already funded by recreational fishing licence fees to improve recreational fishing in Victoria. “Such projects are designed to keep Victoria a top fishing destination for the 721,000 Victorians who fish annually and the many tourists who travel to the state seeking quality fishing,” Mr McGowan said. For more information about the RFI visit www. depi.vic.gov.au/betterfishing If you, your fishing club or community organisation have a suggestion about how Fisheries Victoria can improve recreational fishing in your patch, please email your idea to improving. fishing@depi.vic.gov.au. – DEPI Fisheries

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The Barwon in Geelong has finally cleared up enough to use lures. There have been a few redfin caught by anglers walking the banks and casting parallel to them near Queens Park and Buckleys Falls. European carp have been biting well on the hot days. A fantastic day can be had by taking a barbeque down the river, flipping some snags with the family and lobbing the lines out. Take a bait trap baited with bread and see if you can get some gudgeon – redfin love these. Just hook them through the top lip and use a running sinker rig. For carp (and heaps of fun), try garden worms, sweetcorn and white bread. Keep your eyes peeled for blue-green algae sign posts and avoid contact with the water if these are up. CORIO BAY Ross Winstanley went out on the Stingaree Bay spoil grounds recently where he caught two sand flathead, two small whiting and, thankfully,

Aiden heaves a big Surf Coast gummy for a photo just prior to release. a 52cm rock flathead that saved the day. Ross headed out the other side of Point Henry where the snapper obliged and bit well from ‘lines down’ at 5.10am until 5.45am, by which time Ross had kept the best out

of 13 that measured in from 28-33cm. Then the big banjos moved in en masse, at that point Ross shifted to just north of channel marker number 11 off Point Henry to try for a feed of flatties but only managed a heap of undersized fish.

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Time to break out the heavy tackle – it’s kingfish time!

On another occasion, Ross managed to catch 4 King George whiting, 2 yank flathead, 8 sand flathead, and 1 Australian salmon, which is a great mixed bag for Corio Bay! Ross says his whiting are mostly 32-36cm and he’s happy enough to be catching a good mixed feed on a regular basis until things hot up this February. Ross made mention that there are lots of big bait stealing banjo sharks around too. CLIFTON SPRINGS AND PORTARLINGTON Work colleague, Adam Jordan has been enjoying some good Bellarine Peninsula angling of late. Adam crawled out of bed at 4 o’clock in the morning to fish with his son Will out off Clifton Springs. Adam says the undersized pinkie snapper were ravenous and Will managed a 37cm one, which was ok. Adam had another crack fishing the bend off Clifton Springs with his father-in-law

Tim Walsh picked up this beautiful fish on opening weekend in the Bendigo region. It took a 90mm Kingfisher Mantis and was released unharmed after a few photos.

FEBRUARY 2014

where they caught a 61cm snapper plus 2 at 50cm, 3 at 38cm and stacks smaller than that. Adam also fished with Trev Shell off St Leonards where they had ripping conditions and caught calamari, salmon and small snapper. Adam notes that the mutton birds (shearwaters) drove them nuts by diving deep to grab their baits before they had time to sink. Adam is pretty sure that the change of tide is the key for catching the larger snapper. ST LEONARDS TO QUEENSCLIFF St Leonards has been very busy with anglers fishing the deep water for flathead, snapper and gummy sharks, while in the shallow, there has been some good days and bad days on the whiting but worth a look all the same. Rod Ludlow from Beachlea Boat Hire at Indented Head says the fishing has been great with clients catching gummy sharks in 15m of water between Portarlington and Indented Head with high tide being best. Rod says best captures have been on fresh pilchards or squid. Rod notes that the calamari have also been going great guns over the shallow weed beds with a few clients bagging out drifting the shallows. Grassy Point near Portarlington and out wider

Quality calamari have been about the region of late. near the Prince George Bank have been most consistent but makes special mention of Queenscliff with some larger squid down there. Rod recommends packing a good

variety of jigs as they are super fussy, with the best time being first and last light with a low tide or a bit of cloud about. There have been a lot of snapper up to 1kg caught by

anglers drifting in the deep water from St Leonards back to Portarlington. Early mornings and higher tides were the best times, however there are a lot of undersize fish keen to pinch baits. Those after a feed of flathead at the moment are in luck as they can be in quite close and shallow with some fish around 50cm. There are large numbers of flathead available at the moment drifting out deep from St Leonards to Indented Head with pilchards being best bait. BARWON HEADS AND SURF COAST March can see good numbers of yellowtail kingfish hanging around the reef areas off Barwon Heads and the Surf Coast. Try tolling lures or strips of squid off Collendina, the Rip and Thirteenth Beach as there are some good reef structure there. In the deeper water off the Rip is also worth sending down some jigs as there are some patchy reef areas where they hold. Big King George whiting are also a chance in the shallow waters off Barwon Heads and the Surf Coast. First and last light is always best but I’ve caught them here all day when they are really switched on. Aiden Jarosinski fished off Anglesea recently with his mate Kevin McLaughlin.

Fishing in 25m of water they caught two big gummy sharks around 10-16kg. The one Aiden caught was a 16kg female so they decided to release her. The big female took a whole salmon and the gummy Kevin caught was about 10kg, which they kept for a feed. They also caught some calamari and a big seven-gill shark, which they also released as they already had enough flake on board.

• Catch a few around Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula or Surf Coast to Lorne recently? Send in a report to slaterbunch@optusnet.com. au with “VFM” in the subject field or give me a call on 0408 997348. Please include where (without giving away your secret spot!), when, what on and who caught the fish. Pictures are always great, but please make sure they are at least 1mb (file size).

Tony: 0421 335 500 www.boatworld.net.au

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Brenton Hodges blhodgey@hotmail.com

As the school holidays come to a close and boat traffic gradually eases, the fishing across the western shores of Port Phillip will only get better during February. Although the peak snapper bite tapered off considerably since the New Year, those searching for late season reds are certainly still in with a chance. This month, however, the chance of securing a feed of King George whiting is perhaps what gets most anglers going west of Melbourne. Areas such as Point Cook, Werribee South, Kirks Point and Corio Bay are renowned for producing good bags of whiting at this time of year and already there have been good numbers on the go in the shallows. A combination of patchy weed, sand and rubble in less than 6m of water are prime feeding grounds and the best baits include fresh mussel, pipi and small pieces of tenderised squid or cuttlefish. Speaking of squid and cuttlefish, there have been

plenty on offer from Point Cook right through to Corio Bay and along the Bellarine Peninsula of late and this should continue well into February. Drifting over weed beds in 2-6m of water has been highly productive with small 2.5-3 size jigs in natural tones doing most of the damage.

Squid tend to travel in numbers and after you hook one, the rest of the pod often spring into hunting mode and actively compete with each other for a feed. They have a habit of closely following their hooked counterpart all the way back to the boat and this is where teamwork and

Drifting over weed beds in 2-6m of water has been productive for squid with small 2.5-3.0 size jigs in natural tones doing most of the damage.

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coordination can contribute to doubling and tripling your catch rate. WILLIAMSTOWN TO ALTONA Big schools of Australian salmon have been patrolling the mouth of the Yarra River and nearby inshore reefs from Williamstown through to Altona and as long as the baitfish remain in the area, similar action can be expected this month. Melbourne Fishing Charters have been putting clients amongst the action of late with trolled skirts getting the job done. For those casting lures and soft plastics on the drift or under electric power, small minnow and worm patterns have been successful along with various top water presentations when the sambos have been spotted busting up bait on the surface. Joe Mallia reports that his father caught some impressive Australian salmon on pilchard while fishing the lower reaches of the Yarra River at Newport. Pete Mesto also confirms there’s been plenty of salmon herding bait in this area. At times, they’ve even been pushing bait right up again the rock walls and gorging themselves silly. POINT COOK TO POINT WILSON According to Jason Farrugia from Magnet Fishing Charters, the snapper have been a little tougher across the northern reaches of Port Phillip over the past month. Since the New Year, however, Jason and his crew have put clients on to a range of species including, King George whiting, flathead, gummy shark, Australian salmon and squid. Andrew Bonnici fished deep off Werribee where he was hoping for a few snapper. Although they proved tough to come by on this occasion, before the day was out a solid gummy shark was brought on board. Andrew says after the rod buckled over, the fish took off with several long runs stripping line from his spool. Almost 10 minutes later, a strapping 12.2kg (clean weight) gummy shark surrendered at the net. Matt Callus says Corio Bay outer harbour has been fishing well for pinkie snapper with his past half dozen trips each producing some good eating size specimens to about 1.5kg. Pilchard has been Matt’s bait of choice in 8m of water along Wilson Spit. METROPOLITAN RIVERS Bream have been active in the lower reaches of the Yarra River at Newport with the rock walls, channel markers and moored yachts each producing some quality specimens for anglers pitching small diving minnows and implementing a twitch and pause style retrieve. Further upriver, school

Big schools of Australian salmon have been patrolling the mouth of the Yarra River and nearby inshore reefs from Williamstown through to Altona. mulloway to 80cm or thereabouts continue to provide good sport for those prospecting the bridge pylons in both the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers. Further west, flathead have been providing good sport from Werribee South Beach at the mouth of the Werribee River. Drifting flesh baits and soft plastics across the adjacent sand flats from a small tinnie or kayak has proved effective. Finally, just a reminder Round 1 of the 2014 Vic Bream Classic Series gets underway in Melbourne during the first weekend in February. Launching from

the Warmies Boat Ramp at Newport, competitors are permitted to fish the Yarra, Maribyrnong, Werribee and Patterson rivers, or anywhere in between. The weigh-in and final presentation will once again be held at Docklands. BEEN FISHING? If you would like to see your name and/or photograph published, please forward reports and images to blhodgey@hotmail.com You’re certainly not obliged to give away your secret spot, but a please include a general description of when, where, the technique and bait used, and who caught the fish.

Mick Spagnolo at Golden Beach Victoria caught this snapper on the surf and was wishing the fishing competition had of been on that weekend!

All varieties available ROSEBUD

Dan Lee info@peninsulatotaltackle.com.au

It has been such a busy period over the last four weeks that it’s sometimes hard to decipher the genuine hot spots. We are getting reports from all over the peninsula and on such a variety of species. I kid you not when I say that we would have heard of almost every available species being caught in the last four weeks. KING GEORGE WHITING It’s pleasing to see that it has already been a far better whiting season that it was

last year. And that goes for both sides of the peninsula. Early on, the Middle Spit in Western Port was on fire but we are now seeing great catches of whiting in areas such as Rosebud, Blairgowrie and Portsea. Ebb tide has been, for the most part, the best tide to fish, but conversely Portsea can fish very well on the flood. While the usual baits of pipis, mussels or cocktails with a squid strip have been good, we have also been getting plenty of interest in whiting worms (basically a beach worm) that are available in most quality tackle outlets now. GUMMY SHARK Gummies have been a

Craig and James Purcell and mate Mark Gill hold up one of three threshers they hooked near the Nobbies.

standout with most anglers getting into a few if they put in the time. However, we have certainly seen more smaller size gumbos this year in the 3-8kg range. As we tell plenty of our customers, there are no secret spots – head to the South or Symmonds Channel, sit on the embankment using a Western Port style rig with fresh fish baits and you are in with a chance! Salmon has probably been the bait of choice this year. In the last month, we have also had multiple reports of school sharks lost and caught, as well as a thresher, all hooked as by-catch while fishing inside the bay for gummies! So go prepared you never know what is out there! Land-based anglers have also seen some mid-size gummies being caught at Gunnamatta Back Beach at night. Again, if you get there early and can catch a couple of salmon first, you really set-up yourself up with the best chance of catching a gummy shark later in the evening. AUSSIE SALMON So far a few salmon have started to show up in the Rip at the heads, although they have not been in abundance

Jay Furniss and Shae Holmes with a school shark caught on the South Channel while filming for Savage Seas Adventures. just yet. You are actually just as likely to find a good sambo trolling lures in the shark hole at the moment in front of the Blairgowrie Marina. Small barracouta have also at times been available, which make for outstanding baits on either your next gummy shark or snapper fishing expedition. OFFSHORE The tiger and sand flathead have been pretty good for those drifting off the Sorrento and Portsea Back beaches this year. As seems to happen every year, a few thresher sharks have also been encountered with follow-ups and hooks ups

often quite close to the boat. At this time of year, threshers seem to be available right along the length of our coastline with stories from as far as the Punchbowl and right through to Barwon Heads. Outside the heads, the best mako fishing seems to have been to the west. Pushing wide of Barwon Heads has seen good quality water with fish up to about 80kg encountered. LOOKING AHEAD It is about now that we start to see some genuine interest in the local yellowtail kingfish populations. Although we have not seen any real evidence of

the fish being here in any significant numbers it is worth remembering that those who do a lot of leg work to find the species often keep it under their hat for a while. There is now a lot of bait by way of slimey mackerel and yellowtail scad in the bay, so hopefully the big predators are not far behind! At the end of the day if you are keen to catch a local kingie it might be worth just getting out there and having a go! • For more information feel free to drop in and see the boys at Peninsula Total Tackle, 11 Boneo Road in Rosebud or phone 03 5981 1994.

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Your fishing licence fees at work Building better bass fisheries In December 2013, Fisheries Victoria stocked 82,000 Australian bass fingerlings into nine lakes and rivers in Gippsland to improve freshwater fishing opportunities. Since 2002, nearly 450,000 bass have been released into Gippsland waters. Angler reports suggest these stockings have been successful with catches of bass from the Avon and Macalister rivers, Lake Glenmaggie and Blue Rock Lake. Fisheries managers expect Gippslandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stocked bass fisheries to only improve with time and hope to emulate popular impoundment bass fisheries like those in New South Wales and Queensland. Stocking is funded by the State Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $16 million Recreational Fishing Initiative and fishing licence fees. Learn more at www.depi.vic.gov.au/bassstocking

Gippsland bass stocking history 2002

2003

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Total

15,000

3,000

24,000

25,200

10,000

30,000

15,000

25,000

135,200

11,000

2,000

17,000

29,250

15,000

22,000

22,270

10,000

118,520

Macalister River, below Glenmaggie

2,350

4,000

2,000

12,350

Mitchell River

15,000

5,000

10,000

35,000

Narracan Lake

20,000

10,000

50,000

Nicholson River

35,000

10,000

45,000

Tambo River

10,000

54,450

27,350

52,000

102,270

47,000

82,000

447,070

Avon River Blue Rock Lake Thompson River, Cowarr Weir Glenmaggie Lake

Total

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Wayne Friebe wfriebe@bigpond.net.au

It has been a strange and unusual summer in many ways in the bay, and this has been clearly demonstrated with the inconsistent weather we have been experiencing. So far we are still yet to experience any sustained periods of hot weather, and consequently water temperatures are generally lower than they normally would be at this timer of year. This shift in the normal pattern of things is not all bad news however; the regular intervals of rain continue to charge the bay’s food chain, especially around the inshore reefs and shoreline areas. Generally cooler conditions have also prolonged many of the expected bite periods and times than locations have been firing. I would expect that the hot temperatures will arrive soon, and I’m sure by the time you are reading this issue of V&TFM, the hot stuff will be upon us. Snapper reports and

regular captures have remained very consistent over the past month, with lots of holiday and visiting anglers getting amongst the action as well. In general, the deeper marks have been producing some quality snapper, especially further south around Mount Martha and Safety Beach. Anglers targeting these deeper areas nearer to the shipping channel have also reported that the fish have been generally following a schooling pattern, and are in large numbers. Time spent on the sounder is very valuable in this case, and can save some time when it comes to setting your spread of rods and getting your berley trail going once the pick has been dropped. Be prepared to upgrade your sinker weight if needed as well, as the tidal flow can be a lot greater on some days and tides, and is definitely a lot greater than in previous years. Other areas that have been consistently firing have been the yacht markers wide out from Mornington Pier, and also wide out from Frankston Reef, the hospital and Canadian Bay. While there has been a

Keep your eyes peeled for surface activity and feeding birds when fishing from the shore. These 2kg salmon were taken from the rocks within sight of Mornington Pier. strong presence of smaller schooling snapper in these areas, the larger models around and above 4kg have been common enough to keep the bay’s anglers interested. Your best chance for a bigger snapper is to concentrate your efforts in the 12-15m mark, and work around changes of light and tide. Fresh, quality baits, and even larger baits, like whole live squid, can also be the difference. I’m always confident when I can locate larger solitary

fish near bait schools and reef patches, and these are the key areas to target. Try the Pinnacles out from Mount Eliza, Frankston Reef and the very fertile areas out from the Royal at Mornington. Less boat-friendly weather has been very handy for the land-based brigade of late with some ripper reports coming in over the last month or so. While the consistency of snapper captures from various land-based spots has been well documented,

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the quality of whiting that can be obtained from similar areas seems to be less well known. Recently I have seen several landbased anglers getting

amongst some lovely (and very tasty) whiting from Bird Rock, Mount Martha, Mills and Fishies beach. Dusk is definitely the best time, and quality bait is the

Samuel Friebe about to land his first fish, a lovely bream from Balcombe Creek. Look out fish in the years to come!

key to success. I would also recommend the use of circle or ‘shiner’ style hooks that do a great job of hooking the fast biting whiting. Inshore areas have also been producing lots of other bread and butter species too lately, with garfish, salmon, flathead, and of course squid all being on the menu. I ran into a school of big salmon right at my feet at Mills Beach and had a ball landing them on light gear, much to the amazement of nearby dog walkers! Keep an eye out for any bird or surface activity when you are out on the water, as there are several schools of salmon in the area at the moment, and they are great fun to catch. The summer months are all about family fishing for me, and for many anglers, and it was with great pleasure that I introduced my youngest Sam, to his first fish, a lovely little bream from Balcombe Creek. Unfortunately, I was shocked to see the amount of rubbish that had been left by anglers on the bank during this visit; it’s not a good look at all. Us anglers need to preserve our great bay fishery for future generations to come, so please put your rubbish in the bin, or take it home with you.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Licence fees fund prawn stocking In December, the Coalition Government stocked 1 million more Eastern King prawns into Lake Tyers to improve recreational fishing opportunities, said Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull. Mr Bull said this brought the total number of prawns stocked into Lake Tyers since February 2013 to 1.3 million. “Anglers at Lake Tyers can expect Eastern King prawns as part of their catch this summer and at Easter,” Mr Bull said. “These additional 1 million prawn larvae will significantly boost the Lake Tyers prawn population and provide significant catch opportunities for recreational fishers in 2014. “Following a smaller stocking of prawns in February last year, this stocking is the largest of its kind in Victoria and will provide a useful benchmark..

“It has been funded from the sale of recreational fishing licenses, which demonstrates how the Coalition Government is putting fishers’ fees straight back into improving fishing opportunities across the state.” The previous stocking of prawns in February 2013 are expected to be catchable size this summer. They have been regularly monitored by the University of NSW. “The University has found that because the prawn larvae

were released in the upper reaches of Lake Tyers in February 2013, they should have escaped the flooding events of June last year,” Mr Bull said. “It’s estimated that less than 20 per cent of the prawns left the estuary when the entrance opened because most would have been sheltered in seagrass and sediment to protect themselves from high flows.” Prawn stocking in estuaries along the southeastern Australian coast, particularly in NSW, has been successful in recent times and yielded good results for anglers. The stocked prawns can be distinguished from wild prawns through genetic sampling methods. – DEPI Fisheries

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Forecasts spells open options PORT PHILLIP EAST

Lee Rayner info@fishingfever.com.au

Crazy weather patterns over the past weeks have had anglers left unsure if its winter or summer with some very hot days being followed up by some colder than wanted spells. This has seen plenty of wind coming from all directions. As an upside however, when the weather has allowed, anglers have had some awesome fishing over the past weeks. MORDIALLOC TO BLACK ROCK You have to love this time of year in this area as there

are plenty of fishing options on offer and best of all most of it is within a kilometre of the coast line. Mordialloc Pier has seen some small salmon and a few trevally being taken on small soft plastics and paternoster rigs baited with whitebait. During the rougher weather there have also been good numbers of 30-40cm pinkies taken late in the afternoon and into the night. I also had some anglers call into Fishing Fever for advice. I suggested they try getting a berley pot and load it with mashed pilchards and a fine bran and oil berley, hang it in the water then use unweighted baits of whitebait and pilchard fillet. Cast out and allowed to sink down naturally they caught

a load of pinkies, salmon and trevally, along with a few big mullet. Best of all, this technique allows you to fish the whole water column as your bait drifts down to the bottom. Recent weeks have seen a lot of anglers put a fair focus on the whiting in the area with scattered reports coming from locations such as the Horse Paddock Reef up to the Parkdale Pinnacles, then on the smaller structures such as the lump off Beaumaris boat ramp known as Brickies. As is often the case in this area, the whiting can be a bit hot and cold from day to day, however this season the size of the whiting on offer has made it well and truly worth the effort

seeing and hooking some yellowtail kingfish on the reef edges around Ricketts Point, down to Black Rock and this month will hopefully see plenty more starting to kick around, especially if we can get some warm calm weather to really heat up the shallows. Best of all you can effectively fish for the kings while you are chasing the whiting. Simply put a live garfish or whiting out under a small float while you fish and as the kings come in to see what’s going you should get a screaming run. Out wider there was still a few decent snapper reports filtering in during January and while the numbers of reds were not as good as in

There are still some good snapper to be found this month. Norm Rayner travelled from the ACT to experience the bay snapper. also been up there, with a lot of anglers saying they are finding plenty of fish in the 40cm size. Further north Green Point has been holding a few garfish for anglers who have been berleying across the shallow reef.

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Summer is family time and with plenty of pinkies around like this it’s well worth getting out on the bay. with a lot of the fish in the 35-44cm size. If you’re looking for a little bit of info that can really help you find consistent success on the whiting then I suggest it’s well worth the effort to get hold of mussels as bait. I just find they are very consistent producers on the whiting in this part of the bay. Adding to the whiting during late December and through January we heard a few sneaky reports of anglers

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previous months the size was still great, with a lot of the fish in the 4-5kg size. SANDRINGHAM TO ST KILDA It’s much of the same in this area as it is up in the Mordialloc to Black Rock stretch, however the whiting reports in this part of the world have definitely been consistent with some sensational catches of King George coming from the Yorkies Reef and even out at the Anonyma Shoal. While the numbers have been good, the size of the whiting have

Up off Brighton and towards St Kilda the shallow reef areas have been holding scattered schools of whiting, some decent pinkies and red mullet and some excellent flathead in the shallow water between the reef. Interestingly some of the better flatties have been taken by kayak and landbased anglers as they work the really shallow water with soft plastics, of which the 3” Z-Man MinnowZ in a colour called mood ring producing more than the odd good flattie.

Out wider fishing along the edge of the shipping channel has seen the odd snapper report. One species that seems to be making a bit of a regular appearance in catches in the 18-20m areas are gummy sharks in the 4-8kg size, with squid being the best bait that they are falling for. ST KILDA TO PORT MELBOURNE It’s a funny time of year in this part of the bay with its often dead flat conditions and thousands of people enjoying its warm shallow waters, either swimming or in boats and jet skis, it’s a wonder there are any fish to be found. However once the sun gets lower in the sky there are some great fishing options, with the past weeks producing a range of species. For the most part, the target species have been garfish and salmon during the daylight hours and whiting the focus of night catches on the shallow reef and weed areas just off St Kilda Marina. Pinkie snapper can be found on the cunjevoi beds that lie in 8-12m of water off Kerford Road through to Station Pier. Over the past month I have heard some keen lure anglers have been finding big bream holding up in the shadows of the moored boats in behind the breakwall and also up at Princess Pier, with small hardbodies and plastics all taking fish. Let’s hope that the coming month sees some great summer weather so that our biggest decision is actually where to fish and what species to chase.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Abalone thief sent to jail A fish thief has been jailed for six months after being caught in far East Gippsland last weekend with a commercial quantity of abalone. The 43 year old Sydney man was apprehended by Fisheries Officers and police on Saturday morning, in possession of 120 abalone. The man was interviewed, charged with trafficking and possessing a commercial quantity of abalone and breaching a court order under the Fisheries Act before being remanded in custody. He was banned from any

sort of abalone fishing activity in Victoria for ten years, when he appeared in the Sale Magistrates Court on Monday. Under the prohibition order he must not: · possess any abalone in Victoria; · possess any commercial fishing equipment within ten kilometres of estuarine or marine waters; · possess any abalone tool; · be on any boat less than 20 metres in length; · be on board any registered fishing boat in Victorian waters and not engage in any abalone fishing activity.

A number of other criminal offences were also identified which resulted in further charges being laid by police. All the abalone, equipment and a vehicle were seized. Senior Fisheries Officer Trudy Schmidt said the penalty reflected the community’s view in relation to those people who flout the law and steal abalone. Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing activity is urged to call the 24 hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474). – DEPI Fisheries

Mako the most of February PHILLIP ISLAND

John Dalla-Rosa

It seems like the main snapper run in Port Phillip Bay shut down in mid December. For a couple of weeks prior to that the fishing was hot, you could bag out on 3-4kg fish in about an hour or so. It’s been a funny season with the bulk of the fish staying in the northern section of the bay. The hot session was much shorter this year than last but the average fish size was bigger than last years. I have a feeling that we will get another run of fish in April and May this year in the Mt Martha and Mornington areas so don’t give up on the snapper just yet. SURF BEACHES There has been a great run of salmon on all of the surf beaches. Fish up to 4kg are being reported and they have been happily taking any bait that is being offered to them. With most fishos chasing

whiting and snapper, the few dedicated surf fishos have been having a ball. There have also been reports of a few gummies and pinky snapper being caught just before and after dark. SAN REMO AREA Below the Bridge Outside the entrance, anywhere between the 40-70m line, is the best place to drift for a mako when the weather permits. While you wait for a blue bullet to show up, you can also bag some tiger and sand flathead and arrow squid. The Clelland’s Bight area just below the bridge has been producing lots of calamari and pinky snapper. Above the Bridge Reports of snapper and a few elephants have been coming in from The Corals and Silverleaves but not in big numbers. The odd big gummy is being caught in the deep water between Cowes and Ventnor. Whiting are about all over the bay with lots of

smaller fish and a few good ones mixed in. If you move around a bit until you find the fish you will do okay. However, they have been very picky of late and are only taking the freshest of baits. The best areas have been Dickies Bay, Reef Island, Tortoise Head and Middle Spit. FLINDERS SHOREHAM AREA After a couple of trips to

Flinders and Cat Bay it’s been a bit disappointing, usually this time of year the big whiting are about in good numbers but I have had to work hard to pick up half a dozen. There are still some big calamari coming in off Flinders but not in big numbers. My next trip will be out to the 50m line to chase makos.

Heath Anderson with a decent 40cm whiting taken off the Middle Spit.

The bay fish are still biting PORT PHILLIP

Chris Vasilevski

Although the summer holidays are drawing to a close, it doesn’t mean the fish have stopped biting! It’s still summer and the fishing is great down in Bass Strait and Port Phillip Bay. SHARK With the weather being against us for most of the summer, we’ve been faced with fewer opportunities to head out on the hunt for these majestic beauties. Heading into February, and the end of summer, take up one of the last opportunities (weather permitting) for this season and head offshore. There is no feeling quite like reeling in a shark.

As always make sure you take care going out the heads and go with someone experienced, particularly when heading out to set up a shark trail. SALMON The salmon have been showing up in good numbers so far. A school of salmon can be spotted by keeping your eyes peeled for activity on the surface. If you see birds working an area and the water appearing to bubble, it will most likely be a school of salmon feeding below. At the moment they can be found in and around the rip. The best way to go about targeting the salmon is by trolling the area and using white ockies and 2-4kg light outfits. KINGFISH The yellow-tailed

kingfish are the prized catch of the month. They require a lot of patience, as you need a lot of time and effort to capture this species. They are a good fighting fish and, if last year is any indication, the rip will be the place to find them. They range in the 10-15kg mark. WHITING The whiting are starting to come through with some consistency and February will see them coming in greater numbers and in good size too. So to catch these delicious species arm yourself with some fresh squid for bait on light tackle. While we are still in the midst of summer, take the opportunity to head out and enjoy the large variety of species of fish we have to choose from at this

time of year. Whether you dream of catching your first mako shark, or a kingfish for the season, there is only a small window of opportunity for the conditions to be right. So be on the ready and head out when the opportunity strikes, for those winter months tend to creep up very quickly and the smorgasbord of fish we have on offer at the moment will be vastly limited. I am now signing off, thank you to all our readers I have enjoyed writing this monthly article. Don’t forget to come and visit me on Gone Fishing Charters www.gonefishing.com.au or you can keep up with the Gone Fishing Charters action on Facebook.

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More estuary perch to improve fishing The Victorian Coalition Government continues to improve freshwater fishing opportunities for recreational anglers with 50,000 estuary perch fingerlings released into five southwest lakes in December 2013. Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh said the fish had been released

into Lake Bolac (35,000), Lake Struan (9,000), Lake Hamilton (4,000), Lake Beaufort (1,000), and Lake Pertobe (1,000). “The Coalition Government is committed to improving recreational fishing opportunities for the 721,000 licensed anglers across the state, now and into the future,” Mr Walsh said. “These stockings of estuary perch fingerlings, between 2-5cm in length, will reach the minimum size of 27cm in three to four

years time. “A second batch of estuary perch were also scheduled to be stocked into Albert Park Lake and Devilbend Reservoir in January.” “These stockings have been jointly funded by fishing licence fees and the Coalition Government’s $16 million Recreational Fishing Initiative. “The Initiative is not only stocking fish but is also improving access and facilities, upgrading boat launching facilities, building new fishing reefs, undertaking

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more fisheries research and strengthening fisheries enforcement and education. Mr Walsh said estuary perch stockings into Lake Bolac were progressing well and some fish had already reached 20cm, most likely from a stocking in early 2012. “This is encouraging for anglers and bodes well for Fisheries’ expanded stocking plan, which includes several waters not previously stocked with estuary perch,” Mr Walsh said. “This expanded program is possible due to the efforts of volunteer anglers who have generously helped to catch wild brood stock perch each year. “Dubbed ‘The Great Perch Search’, the brood stock collection has involved teams of keen anglers who caught mature male and female perch for transport to the Narooma hatchery.” For more information, and to watch a video about The Great Perch Search visit www.depi. vic.gov.au/estuaryperch. – DEPI Fisheries

Offshore options are open WESTERN PORT STH

Jarrod Day jarrodday@iprimus.com.au

As quick as a Western Port tide, Santa came and went, so have the snapper with anglers now heavily focused on Western Port’s other most highly prized species. Although it is time for ourselves and our children to get ready to go back to school, February is a great time to be on the water. OFFSHORE The offshore scene in Bass Strait has been quite productive, although some anglers have been doing it tough on occasion. There has been plenty of offshore action with some solid mako sharks caught right out the front of both the western and eastern entrances. For consistency, depths ranging 50-70m has seen a lot of shark action off Cape Schank. This area always produces a lot of fish each season and once again, has done so. Regular Tackle World customer Kristian Perez and his son Zach fished out wide off Cape Schank and managed a cracking mako that pulled the scales down to 82.7kg. Brendan Wing from YouFish TV and brothers Dave and Brad Standing headed out for a shark session one fine day and came up trumps with a 105kg beast landed.

The boys had a great day and proved that there are some thumping mako’s within Bass Strait’s waters. Although not a common target around the Phillip Island coastline these days, thresher sharks are everywhere. Customer Craig Purcell had an awesome offshore session at the Nobbies catching three thresher sharks with the largest estimated at 50kg and the smallest around 20kg. The reef, which runs from Kilcunda back to the Eastern entrance, has been productive for a wide range of species. Flathead, snapper and salmon have been welcomed catches but it is the occasional catch of kingfish that has been most outstanding. One angler by the name of George had been trolling for pike and snook in 15m of water just off Black Head when he managed a kingfish around the 8kg mark. George reported that when landing he could see more under the boat but they took off quickly once landing his fish. Other reports of kingfish were reported around the bommie just out from Cape Woolamai but most were small fish in the 50-65cm range. These were caught trolling small occy skirts for the striped tuna, which haven’t been a reported capture just yet. The Flinders Bank has been fishing exceptionally well for tiger flathead.

Tristian Cincotta displays his personal best gummy shark caught recently.

Craig Purcell displays a decent thresher shark caught from the Nobbies. Fishing the run-out tide and drifting baits over the ledge has seen many good models caught. Most are good sized with a typical paternoster rig working well. WESTERN ENTRANCE Those looking for some real line screaming action inside the Port should hold off until the lead up to the full moon. February and March full moon cycles tend to be when the larger gummy sharks enter the Port. Remember, many of these bigger models are females looking for somewhere to have their pups, catch and release is good practise and will ensure the species doesn’t become over fished. Larger gummy sharks do prefer a faster running current, which is why the Western Entrance is one of the more productive locations to fish for them. Running sinker rigs made up from 80lb trace is about the standard as encounters of seven-gill sharks are common, 80lb might prevent a bite off if used in conjunction with a 6/0 or 8/0 size circle hook. CAT BAY Cat Bay has been a productive location yet the ocean swells have dictated whether or not anglers can get to it. When the weather has been nice, Cat Bay has certainly turned it on in a big way. This area, set just inside the Western Entrance on Phillip Island is a haven for big whiting, silver trevally,

If it is a mako shark you seek, look no further than Cape Schank.

Zach is pretty chuffed with his 82.7kg mako. pinkie snapper, gummy sharks and school sharks. In close over the sand patches, whiting are abundant but it can take a little time to locate them. Berley will help immensely in this situation. If you push further out into 10m of water and fish the last of the run-out tide, you’re always a good chance of some solid gummy sharks. Be prepared though, some other big bities can often snaffle your offerings.

TORTIOSE HEAD BANK If it is whiting you seek, then look no further than the Tortoise Head Bank. Although a tricky location to find whiting, the sand patches are quite visible up on the shallows. This location has been fishing its best on the last two hours of the run-in tides. In saying that, if you push back into 5m of water during the first of the run-out, you can encounter some larger models. This bank will fish well for the

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next few months but the water begins to cool further towards March, so head back to the middle spit. SOUTHERN MIDDLE SPIT The southern end of the Middle Spit rarely gets a lot of angler attention but yields a great catch of whiting at this time of year. Anglers fishing for whiting do tend to fish shallow but if you want larger whiting set your anchor in 10-14m and fish in the same manner. Heavier sinkers up to 6oz will be required but the average whiting caught will be around 40cm. Berley is required to bring them to your location but there is no need to go to the extreme. Keep things simple with just a block of mashed up pilchards in the pot. RHYLL Rhyll is still producing some nice snapper on the ebb tides with most fish coming from The Corals. This location is particularly popular with holidaymakers and continues to produce snapper right through until late March. The only downfall to fishing the Feb/March period is that the elephants also move into this area driving out the snapper. Still, for those keen on catching an elephant, this is the location to be fishing. Over the next few weeks the fishing will continue to get better and better and with plenty of species on offer, it is time to keep the lines wet rather than having them gathering dust.

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Your fishing licence fees at work More fish habitat for Gippsland rivers The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority has used recreational fishing licence fees to install 150 double log structures into the lower Mitchell, Nicholson and Tambo rivers as part of the ‘Gippsland Lakes Tributaries Fish Habitat Improvement’ project. The structures are expected to become homes for several species including black bream, estuary perch and mullet. The logs installed into the Nicholson River complement other submerged logs previously installed nearby and sections of natural fish habitat in the river. The East Gippsland CMA has a strong track record of fish habitat improvement work in local rivers having used more than $700,000 of licence fees to deliver seven projects since 2001. There is more to come with another licence fee contribution to a three-year project called ‘Habitat Harbours for Recreational Fish’. It will result in the installation of 120 woody structures into the Snowy, Tambo, Mitchell and Nicholson rivers.

www.depi.vic.gov.au/fishinggrants

Steady as she goes WST PORT NTH

Adam Ring

It has been another month of trying conditions and the fishing has been patchy at best, but that does not mean the fish aren’t there. Those who are willing to stay on the move have made the most of the break in weather and come home with the goods! The whiting have still made up the bulk of most bags with a few nice gummies rounding out a good feed. THE TOP END: We all know that the top end of the Port holds some brilliant whiting grounds and again they have been producing a lot of fish. Most of the whiting around the top end have come from within the bigger channels and arms running off them. The banks of the Tooradin Channel have fished well and though most of the whiting have been on the smaller side there has still been small pockets holding bigger fish to 42cm. Lyalls Channel has been the home of some nice gummies of late. Most fish caught are within that just legal category but there was a massive 25kg gummy caught recently. Gummies of this size

are not a common capture in this area but it really does show that anything can happen. That’s two big gummies in two months in this area and the fresh baits have taken the bigger fish, in this case it was a fresh piece of salmon that did the damage. Moving further along the top end it has been a similar story on the whiting front. Gentle Annie and Warneet Channel have both fished fairly consistently but trying to find bigger fish has been a little difficult. There seems to be endless amounts of whiting in these areas but the average size has been ranging between 26cm and 32cm, so a little on the small side. Pipi and mussel have been the preferred baits amongst most anglers but I do know of a few local boys who have been pumping their own bass yabbies and turning them into a few better sized fish, so it is always worth investing in a bait pump and getting the kids down to the Warneet pier at low tide and you will be surprised at just how fun catching your own bait can be! THE NORTH ARM The North Arm has easily been amongst the most productive water in the whole Port last month and some of the bags of whiting that I have

seen have been phenomenal. The charter boats have been doing most of their work along the banks of the Middle Spit and up on the Tyabb Bank and more often than not they have been treating their clients with a full bag of really good quality whiting. There has been a lot of weed floating around the Port lately and this can make hard work of it in some spots so the run in tide has been a little bit more productive as the weed is not as bad. I fished with a really good mate of mine recently and also found the fish were rather hard to hook. There were plenty of whiting around but they were biting very tentatively. If this is happening to you there are a few ways that you can combat this. A squid strip over the top of your bait will most time instigate a second, far more aggressive bite. You should also hold the rod and strike early! We started our mission in 2m of water on the Tyabb Bank and finished around the top of the Middle Spit. Like I said, they were hard to hook but there were plenty of fish around. Apart from the whiting the gummies have been quite good as well and a few snapper still continue to pop up. Just below Crawfish Rock, down through

Some seriously nice whiting coming from the Tyabb Bank. Lysaghts and to Hastings have all produced good, legal gummies and snapper. If it is the bigger fish that you crave, then there has been some next level gummies to 15kg taken under the cover of darkness in the deeper channels. Fresh bait is always best and there hasve been plenty of squid, salmon and trevally hanging around and more often then not these ‘bait’ species will come to you. A

fine surface berley while you are at anchor for the gummies can most times result in some of the freshest bait available. We have been getting plenty of reports of anglers witnessing a lot of bite offs recently. There has been a rather large influx of both seven gill and school sharks lately which can provide plenty of fun when the fishing is tough. We are in that time of year where we can also expect

to see the odd thresher shark too so it would pay to have a bit of wire in the tackle box! Like I mentioned at the start of this report, the fishing has been tough, but as you have read there is still plenty to do and catch. Let’s just hope for a bit of warmth and consistent breaks in the wind and the fishing will heat right up in no time! Good luck and keep the reports coming.

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For some time there has been a plague of mullet; but no one is complaining as they are great on the table and also make great bait for all size fish. Just before this report I came across Matt Toft who was with a mate and trying his luck at Pensioners Corner, which is inside the entrance at Andersons Inlet. This has been a very popular spot and, although they had just arrived, Matt had hooked into a size gummy shark that took a squid bait that was meant for a whiting or something similar. There were quite a few other landbased fishers trying their luck with most having some degree of success. The best time in this area is generally when the tide is not running too quickly, which makes sense as when the flow builds it is very hard to get to the bottom. There have been very good reports further down towards the entrance, which should continue. Danny Graham is a regular visitor and has a favourite spot not far from the steps in an area known as the Bathing Boxes. I am quite often asked by visitors where they are – the Bathing Boxes have long since gone due to the heavy hand of authority but the name given to it by the locals remains. The area is located a short distance from the beach just inside the entrance. Back to Danny though. He says that on his recent visits he has been catching very good numbers of whiting with some being to the 40cm mark, which have been bagged on Bass yabbies. He says that he has some trouble convincing his mates that the whiting have been this big but assures me that this is no fishing tale. He says that the salmon have almost been a nuisance when after whiting but I haven’t heard any other complaints. It is true however that there are plenty

of salmon being caught with best results being at low water and of course mullet are everywhere and taking virtually anything they can get into their mouth. In last month’s report I mentioned that the Inverloch jetty had undergone a facelift. As a result and no doubt part due to the holiday season there has been standing room only as far as land based anglers are concerned. Mullet have been the main catch and have been well into the 30cm range, as well as a sprinkling of salmon and flathead. There have been encouraging numbers of perch being caught further up the inlet where they have been to the 1.25kg mark and taking a variety of presentations with Bass yabbies being very successful and a mixture of sand worms seem to be a fatal attraction. Inverloch fisherman Wayne Park is a mad keen lawn bowler but is always out on the water whenever he can. I came across him and a mate when I last visited Mahers Landing. They had just returned from a trip up towards the Double Islands looking for whiting or whatever might come along. As is turned out they failed to trouble the weigh master as far as the royals were concerned but had a mixed bag of silvers, mullet, pinkies and flathead and were happy. Land-based anglers have been reasonably successful when trying their luck to the left of the boat ramp. There have been mullet, silvers, flathead and, as the run-in tide reaches its peak, a few gummies have been making an appearance. The results will be that much better if this coincides with late evening or dark. This may be a bit late, but better late than never. There have been some positive reports from the Tarwin River, which is great

Wonthaggi angler Gary Frankie with a very nice bream caught at Inverloch on a Bass yabby. news. Perch are being caught by boaters and land-based anglers with best results being above the highway bridge. The best time to try your luck has been on the run-out tide and to a lesser extent the first of the run-in water. Bass yabbies and soft plastic lures have been the best of the presentations. For those interested in surf fishing, anyone of the five beaches at Venus Bay have been well worth a visit. The run-in tide has been giving up good numbers of 1kg salmon with whitebait and squid being the most successful baits. There have been a few reasonable size flathead making an appearance, as well as gummy sharks that are being caught on the run-in tide. I like to keep in touch with Shallow Inlet where Karen and Andrew Starrett run the local caravan park and have up to date information. Andrew is out on the water whenever the opportunity presents and he says that there are very good numbers of whiting being caught to the 40cm mark. Bass yabbies, pipis, squid and silver fish have been among the most successful baits. Salmon are also in very good numbers and being caught on both tides. Andrew

says that he can’t help but notice the huge numbers of very small flathead that are in the shallow water. They are nowhere near size at the moment but what a great sign this is for the future. He also says that there seems to be similar numbers of small gummies everywhere, which is another great sign. Outside the entrance in Waratah Bay is also very productive where big kingfish have arrived. There are also good numbers of whiting being bagged along with flathead. Just before this report I received a call from a regular visitor Ian Harvey who had just returned from a trip to Walkerville. He said that there was a bit of a battle to get a fish but did get a big fright. He explained that he and a mate were in Ian’s boat close into shore on what was a flat calm day. He said that suddenly out of nowhere came a huge wave that was on the verge of tipping them both into the water but for some reason they remained afloat. Ian said that he would like to pass onto others to never take your eyes off the water as the unexpected can happen when it is least expected. Thankfully everything turned out all right, but this is a timely warning to others.

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Entrance opens opportunities WELSHPOOL

Alan McFayden amcsayte@bigpond.net.au

The weather conditions in this part of the coastline have not been all that inviting, as far as fishing has been concerned, and as a result the reports have been infrequent. Having said that, there have been some pleasing stories. Just before this report there was a very impressive mako that weighed in just on the 100kg mark caught outside the entrance under a balloon. There have not been any other reports of a mako but by the time this report hits the street there will be others no doubt. Still outside the entrance, when conditions have allowed there have been very good numbers of salmon being caught on surface lures as well as flathead and gummies. The entrance has been productive with good size flathead making an appearance, along with snapper and plenty of gummies, making a trip to the area worthwhile. The Franklin Channel has also been good for flathead and

pinkies that are in very impressive numbers. Whiting have been making a trip to the Lewis Channel worth the effort, where they are up to the 38cm mark and are taking Bass yabbies, pipis and squid. The jetties have been very successful as far as land-based anglers are concerned. This is where there have been mullet in very good numbers as well as silvers, flathead, squid and the occasional whiting. On the other side of the inlet at Yanakie, where the caravan park is run by Locke Roberts, the reports are positive. The beaches have been going along very well and land-based anglers are having a ball. This is where good size flathead, gummy sharks and pinkie snapper are being caught in pleasing numbers. Good numbers of whiting have also been landed in the Middle Channel. If you happen to come across a successful boat crew and ask where they caught their fish you will probably get a sweeping hand in the general direction of the inlet. Of course this will be of no real help at all, but that’s fishing! Like other areas in this region there are huge numbers of juvenile gummy sharks and

this is a positive sign for the future. The same can be said for the flathead population, so at least we have something positive to look forward to. Port Albert a short distance to the east where Rob Killury runs the general store. Rob has his finger on the pulse as far as fishing is concerned. He has installed a gantry that handles just about any size shark and scales to cater for the smaller fish. He says that the fishing season is in full swing and a visit to the area would be well worthwhile. A visiting boat crew called into the store to buy some fresh bait that Rob always has on hand and asked for directions as to where they might catch a fish. Rob pointed them to a spot about 300m from the jetty and off they went. A short time later they returned to the store for some more bait and were very happy with their efforts and full of thanks as they had already a very nice mixed bag of fish that included a 50cm flathead, salmon, silvers and mullet. They said that from now on they will be back as often as they can and call in for directions. Rob says that inside the entrance has probably been better than outside where

there has been a very good variety of fish being caught. Pinkies are in very good numbers in the 3kg mark and taking a variety of baits that include pilchards, fish fillets and squid. Gummies seem to be everywhere, as well as mullet. Outside the entrance there have been pleasing numbers of gummies and snapper, which is welcome news. The 20m mark seems to be the best spot to try your luck. I am still receiving reports from those adventurous souls who like to try their luck at night. They bait up a line with a variety of presentations and swim out to deeper water well beyond casting distance, drop the bait and swim back to shore. All that needs to happen then is a bite, on the bait that is, and good luck to them. Phil Janson runs the Seabank Caravan park with wife Elisha and says that whenever he can get out he has been doing very well on flathead and silvers mainly. There have also been a sprinkling of whiting, silvers and mullet, but he always targets the gummies and flathead; these are the only fish that his wife Elisha will eat!

Tigh Liddle with a decent squid caught on the run-in tide.

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Will on the whiting MCLOUGHLINS

Will Thompson allwaysangling@bigpond.com

It has been the best gummy shark season in memory, but the whiting have been a little slow off the mark, however with the water temperature increasing, they are now finally on the chew. WHITING The whiting suddenly came on in a big way going from nothing, to getting caught in bagged out numbers. In the Mcloughlins neck of the neighbourhood it has still been slow, yet a few kilometres west to Manns Beach and the numbers have been strong and plenty of anglers have been bagging out. The end of the run-out tide has still been the favourite, however plenty of whiting have been caught during the run-in tide. Recently, the run-in tide has been better for some reason. Both pipis and Bass yabbies have been sensational baits with fresh calamari doing the job as well. If I had my choice of locations, I would be hitting Manns Beach and Robertsons for the whiting as they have been far more consistent than at Mcloughlins or Port Albert. They will continue to go good until April so you guys still have plenty of chances to tackle some whiting. They

are averaging the 35cm and I have seen some photos of fish over 50cm in length recently as well, but only a few. GUMMY SHARKS The gummies have been absolutely sensational this year and January was no different, and I can almost guarantee that we will have a great season over the next 2 months as well. The biggest surprise has been the amount of gummy sharks caught shallow inside Manns Beach by anglers chasing whiting and flathead. There have been plenty around 1m in length. Port Albert in the Snake Channel has been dynamite, especially around the Blue Hole area. There are plenty of gummies getting caught on the run-in tide using pilchards, squid and salmon fillet. Most are around 1m however there have been some better fish of 1.2m caught. Outside has produced a lot bigger gummies. There have been gummies up to 1.5m in length caught in Whale Bay and also out around the islands by anglers drifting for flatties. Offshore Mcloughlins, the gummies have been in 15-21m mainly and are responding well to pilchards, salmon and trevally fillet. Some bigger gummies are getting caught out there at the moment and I have seen fish to 1.5m caught in good numbers.

Mitch Blomquist had a ripper day offshore on the snapper bagging out on fish to 70cm.

FLATHEAD Offshore, the flathead are going great with plenty of blue spot flathead to 45cm and over. Slow drifting with paternoster rigs has been the go in 35m+ of water. Inside, I’m hearing a lot of negativity about the flathead, with anglers saying there are not as many as last year. It does seem that way as they have been harder to catch and harder to find in good numbers, especially when talking about southern blue spot flathead. They have been caught to 65cm however I wouldn’t say any angler is smashing them. They should come on strong again throughout February and March. SNAPPER There have been some big snapper caught, but the numbers are backing off now with a lot of pinkies around 35cm being caught. Inside Port Albert there are some bigger snapper to 4kg still around and getting caught on the early morning tide changes. Offshore in 15m of water there are a lot of pinkies and further down near the hedges and further east, the bigger snapper are getting caught in 18m. There have been some real beauties caught in the latter location and fish to 85cm have been caught in good number in the late afternoons using pilchards. Next month is going to be time to chase the mako sharks out wide and there has already been a few hooked this month, which is a good sign. As long as the currents turn up and the water stays warm, we should be in for some good mako shark fishing and maybe even some kingies with any luck. • 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. Tune into Rex Hunt and Lee Rayner’s Off the Hook on 1242 to hear Will’s report on what’s going on in Gippsland!

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I had to put this photo in for everyone to see. A good mate of Paul caught this fish very recently in south Gippsland, it weighed 22lb and would have to be one of the ugliest and best looking snapper ever.

Surfs up this season NINETY MILE BEACH

Will Thompson allwaysangling@bigpond.com

This season has seriously become the best surf fishing season I can remember – you can catch anything from large blue spot flathead to massive bronze whalers – who wouldn’t be happy with that? One of the things that has made this season a success has been the lack of weed. That slimy weed has not been persistent like in other years and even when the weed has been there, there has usually been a period of the tide that is fishable and the weed has no effect, which is normally the run-out tide. Due to the mild weather so far, the weed has never had time to settle in with those horrible easterly winds, we simply get a westerly blow a few days later and it blows the weed away. But most importantly, we have plenty of fish as well. The gummy sharks have been nothing short of remarkable this season; they are everywhere. I’d hate to pin one beach out as better than the next as it would be unfair. Gummy sharks have been caught in excellent numbers from every beach, but especially Woodside, Golden Beach and Paradise Beach. The gummy sharks are taking squid legs very well, and I have still been doing well using surf poppers with a bit of squid leg on the hook for flavour. Fresh salmon and trevally have also been standout baits, and some anglers are doing well on eel. The gummies were going good in the late afternoons, but recently since the days are getting longer, the hot bite seems to be from 9pm onward. Most of the gummies are 1m in length with the odd bigger fish measuring between 1.2m and 1.5m in length. TOOTHIES There are some massive sharks swimming out there. There have been a huge

number of bronze whalers in excess of 100kg and up to, and even over, 8ft in length caught. The method of choice these days is land-based game. It seems it’s the flavour at the moment and everyone is doing it almost to a point that there are more anglers paddling out baits on skis, yaks and rubber ducks more than surf fishing. Everyone has big shark fever and hence a lot of sharks are being caught. There is no need to take your baits out a mile, just behind the last breakers. Wire traces between 1m and 3m in length with hooks between 8/0 and 12/0 depending on your bait size will do the trick. Whole bonito has been very good as bait, as has whole salmon, squid and eel baits. Over the next few months, the hammerhead sharks will turn up and they usually range from baby pups to 1m in length, however paddling out baits has resulted in massive hammerheads during February in past years. The bronzies should hang around until April provided the water temp holds. FLATTIES Those beautiful blue spot flathead are around in good numbers now and Woodside, Reeves Beach and McLoughlins Beach are the best beaches to chase large flatties. You will still get them on the other end of NinetyMile, just not usually as big.

Whitebait, blue bait and surf poppers have been the go, and anglers specifically targeting the flathead use lighter line, smaller hooks like 1/0 and 2/0 long shanks and slowly retrieve their bait or at least keep it moving. There have been some good flatties measuring up to 65cm,C however they will average a little smaller over the nextM 2 months around the 45cm mark, but are still greatY eating fish. CM SALMON There have been some big MY schools of salmon swimming past over the last month and CY some lucky anglers have been there with a metal lure andCMY a 9ft spin rod at the right time to have some of the best sportK possible. There have been fish caught to 2kg regularly and bigger ones lost. I have met some anglers that have hooked fish on metal lures that are unstoppable – so I wonder if there are a few kingies mixed in with the salmon? It’s happened nearly every January and February for the past 5 years so it’s definitely possible. • For more information, Contact Will at Allways Angling in Traralgon on 5174 8544. You will get expert advice and get great deals on fishing bait and tackle. Tune in to Rex Hunt and Lee Rayner’s Off the Hook on 1242 to listen to Will’s report on Gippsland.

James Hearn continues to catch monster bronzies off the surf. After all the photos James has sent me recently, I don’t think I’m going to go swimming in the surf again!

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Sharks are warming up LAKES ENTRANCE

Lucas Smith squidgy_man1@hotmail.com

The warmer months are shark time with gummies, school shark and huge bronze whalers making their presence felt. With the gummies up to 6ft long and bronzies up to 10ft, there is some serious flake cruising our beaches! For those crews paddling baits out with a kayak, big baits like whole salmon, tuna and trevally are all scoring fish, and are best anchored about 200-300m off the beach. In closer, the gummies have been cruising the gutters and can be caught on baits of eel, pilchard and the most effective bait is Californian squid. Fished as whole baits these little squid are dynamite and hold up well against the crabs and small flathead that have been tearing softer baits to shreds. From Marlo to Lake Tyers there have been huge schools of mega salmon and big numbers of pilchards in the breakers. It’s quite a sight seeing waves completely blacked out as the salmon, tailor and sharks herd the bait into the shallows. Spinning with metal lures is proving the best method for salmon, but when they are in this close try soft plastics closer to the bottom as you may pick up a larger salmon, trevally or even a big flathead as they pick up the scraps from the mayhem. Lake Tyers has been fairly slow with a few flathead and some nice bream taken around the channel markers on soft plastics and deep diving crankbaits. Live prawns have seen some good fish taken but most have been caught at first or last light on the drop-offs. The upper reaches of the Nowa Nowa Arm have been fishing well for garfish and tailor. The gars are easily caught on sandworm under a float and the tailor can be caught

either spinning with metal lures or live garfish. Lakes Entrance has seen the annual whiting run start slow, but some good bags have been taken by the anglers putting in the time. Fresh bait is always a winner and live shrimp or fresh mussels are about as good as you can get. Finding a good weed bed with a deep channel running parallel to it is essential to catching whiting. Either a paternoster or running sinker rig is fine for whiting, and the best times are 2 hours either side of the tide changes. Berley will help hold them in the area, and mussel shells are perfect for this. You will also pick up flathead, mullet, salmon, leatherjacket and some thumping big luderick along these same weed beds. The rock walls have been red hot with big luderick the common target. Some have been up around the 50cm mark, which are serious fish, in such a tough spot with sharp rocks and fast tide. Green weed fished under a running float rig is the traditional way, but drifting a peeled prawn along the rocks with a light running sinker rig will see a few caught too, along with whiting, bream and trevally. The prawns have been thick right throughout the system. Best areas to walk the banks are the Old Club Hotel Bank, Bullock Island Creek, Eastern Beach and Kalimna Jetty. Those with boats should head over towards the barrier as the sandbars over there are loaded with prawns and big flounder. Be aware travelling at night as the prawn boats have their gear set at night and you don’t want to be running these over! Offshore has been fishing well with big snapper down at the pipeline caught on slimy mackerel cubes and fresh squid. The local reefs are slow but nannygai, pinky

snapper and morwong have been caught, along with huge numbers of coota and mackerel. Rumours of striped tuna have filtered through from the east so they wont be far away. Anchoring up in around 20m and berleying will put you in with a good chance at a bag of gummies. Again, fresh is best and coota chunks are awesome bait and stand up to the bait pickers that follow the berley trail.

Mixed bags at Marlo Reef MARLO

Jim McClymont mcclymont@net-tech.com.au

The New Year’s warm weather has caused the whole system to explode into a fishing frenzy. Maturing prawns are moving out of their breeding nurseries up in the small creeks and reedy lakes and gathering down towards the entrance waiting for the right night and tide to run to sea. With all the prawns moving about huge schools of fish have entered the system to gorge themselves while the annual prawn season lasts. Anglers have reported getting excellent mixed bags of fish.

system on sandworm, shrimp and small pieces of prawn. Trevally have moved a fair way up both rivers and can be taken on prawn and salted baits. Salmon and tailor are moving in and out on the tides, and anglers have reported getting best results either trolling or casting metal. Anglers have also reported getting plenty of sea flathead down at the entrance using blue bait, white bait and squid. The surf beaches are firing with plenty of salmon, tailor and flathead biting during the day using blue bait, white bait, pilchards, squid and pipis accompanied with a popper. The evening is the time

for gummy sharks and of all the reports coming in, it’s ‘gummy galore’ most anglers are reporting. The best results have come from squid, pilchards, eel and fresh salmon fillets. Offshore is fishing excellently with anglers catching plenty of flathead, gurnard, squid, pinkie snapper, morwong, leatherjacket and barracouta. But the really good news is anglers are reporting a surplus of gummy sharks; most boats are managing to get their bag limit. For those who like a bit more action, the kingfish are firing at Marlo Reef and taking knife jigs, soft plastic lures, hardbodied lures and live baits.

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Bream can be found all the way from the Marlo entrance up into Lake Corringle, up the Brodribb River to Lake Curlip, and all the way up the Snowy River to the highway bridge at Orbost, making the fishing platforms along the Snowy prime fishing spots. Best results have come on sandworm, local shell, black crab, live or frozen prawn and pipis. Big schools of luderick are gathering in big numbers around the rock groins that surround the islands and riverbanks and mud banks. Use sandworm, shrimp and small pieces of prawn for solid results. Schools of yellow-eye mullet can be found throughout the whole

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dusk and operate until dawn and will be placed to give the best possible visibility from the water to aid boaters find ramps in low light conditions. The installation of navigation lights continues with installation complete at Lake Barrington (Wilmot, Weeks Reach and Kentish Park boat ramps), Dee Lagoon (Spillway Bay), Lake Echo (Dam wall) and Lake Pedder (Edgar Dam and Scotts Peak boat ramps) completed. A full list of the light installations will be available upon completion (Early 2014) along with GPS coordinates for loading into on-board navigation aids as an extra back up. These lights have been jointly funded by Hydro Tasmania and MAST with in-kind support from IFS for installation and maintenance. Please report any operation issues to IFS on 1300infish or infish@ifs. tas.gov.au. - IFS

Bream and bass on the boil GIPPSLAND LAKES

Brett Geddes b.geddes@bigpond.com

Now is that magical time of year when the weather settles down and the hottest months are ahead of us. Flathead are hungry after spawning, whiting are starting to peak and best of all the bream are up in the shallows and looking for anything that moves! It’s also a busy time for those of us chasing prawns and flounder There is plenty of bass news as well and these fish look like making a regular appearance in my reports now. BREAM START TO FIRE It seems like an eternity but bream anglers are now starting to see some much better results, especially with lures because the perfect angling scenario is now with us. It’s that time of year when you can sight cast for bream and also target them with surface lures.

There are times when bream are right up in the shallowest of waters digging holes and they will be hungry; not just for shellfish, they will happily eat nearly any lure put in front of them. The trick is to find them, so you need good polarising sunnies and look for shallow banks with multiple fresh bream digs. Even if you can’t see fish at the time, return to that area at first light the next day and expect tight lines. If you see feeding or cruising fish then make a strategic cast so that when the lure lands it will not spook them and then slowly bring the lure into their field of vision. Sometimes the lure will scare the hell out of them and that’s the last you see of your quarry, but then sometimes you will witness pure joy when a big bream will swagger over and engulf your lure like it was a wounded prawn. It’s fair to say this sight fishing is hard to master and it may take hours to find where the fish are feeding but you

can always blind cast while you are looking. SURFACE ACTION One of the best searching tools for shallow water bream is a surface lure like a Bent Minnow. Cast it out as far as you can across shallow water and work it fairly quickly. Often you will see the head of a bream push a wave of water up behind the lure and sometimes smash the lure with real aggression. If the fish turns off the lure then stop winding immediately. Wait a few seconds and start a few slow twitches because the bream will still be there looking at your lure like a dog with pricked ears. When you least expect it the fish will most likely crunch your lure and you will start giggling like a little kid! It has to be the best bream fishing fun anyone can have. The biggest mistake a lot of people make is to wind faster when the bream first appears behind the lure. More often than not they will lose

interest or even spook so always remember slower is always better. You may also be shocked with your possible by-catch when surface fishing because I often have flathead smashing my top water lures and also the odd whiting and estuary perch. WHERE TO? The best places to find this shallow water bream sport are well known, like the Mitchell Flats, out around both sides at the mouth of the Tambo River, Duck Arm, Raymond Island and the edges of the Silt Jetties. Lesser explored country includes the lower Nicholson River downstream from the ramp and the vast sand flats around Metung and Bancroft Bay. All these areas will work well for bait anglers but no matter your technique, always plan to be on the water as early as possible. Even in the dark of morning will be deadly; it also means you avoid those nasty easterly winds that rise around lunchtime.

Owen Pierce takes advantage of an overcast early morning, shallow water bream session. Fishing lures can be at its best during late summer. AUSSIE BASS Just a quick mention about the incredible bass fishing that is now playing a big part of the Gippsland area. Nearly half a million bass have been stocked into this area over recent years and it’s all starting to have a fantastic impact. I’m talking about guys releasing 10-50 bass a session, mainly using lures but also ordinary old worms. Rivers like the Nicholson, Tambo and Mitchell have received

another 10,000 bass this year. Both Lake Glenmaggie and Blue Rock are fishing hot and it looks like they will become well established bass fisheries. Their stocking has become a huge success and most of the fish caught are each side of 30cm with some closer to 40cm. We expect them to grow a lot bigger yet and I even anticipate some wellorganised competitions to start in the next few years, just like the huge bream comps around.

Open harvest at the entrance BEMM RIVER

Robyn Sturgess

Anglers have certainly not been disappointed with the fishing in the past month. So far the entrance remains open. The flathead have become prominent again, as per last year. They are

being caught on frozen prawn and soft plastics. Bream are also out and about, being caught on frozen prawn, sandworm and soft plastics. Some quality fish have been landed from our fishing platform and on the riverbanks, so those who don’t own a boat won’t necessarily miss out. Some

big fish have been caught in the shallows. The channel remains a ‘hot spot’ for the salmon and tailor on the incoming tide. This is great family fun and good exercise. Flicking lures from the bank into the entrance provides hours of entertainment. You might also be lucky enough to pick up a trevally or flatty

for your efforts. Even though the entrance has been open for the past nine months, I have received recent reports of nice ‘eating size’ prawns being caught in the channel. The surf has produced lots of salmon at First Beach. The Burkett family experienced another fantastic holiday with bags of salmon from the first day of arriving in Bemm River. They have also had excellent bags of bream up to 43cm, which are some of the best quality bream we have seen for some time.

Kane Jones with a 40cm perch, which he caught near Reggies Rest in the channel using a vibe.

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This 20lb snapper was caught by Kai Stamp out from Warrnambool while fishing with Dad and Uncle Rick. The fish was one of 15 pinkies and a nice gummy caught throughout the session.

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FEBRUARY 2014

The crowds have all gone TATHRA

Darren Redman djsestuaryfishing@bigpond.com

The Christmas holiday period around Tathra is a good party time for all to enjoy, but if you’re after serious fishing in a quieter environment, now is the time to be here. Things go pretty quiet around here in February but the fishing is great. Whether you like going out to sea, bobbing around in an estuary or fishing from the shore, now is a perfect time to capitalize on the warm weather and water temps. In the Bega River, all throughout, the system is firing. The upper reaches towards and into the fresh are producing good bass as well as estuary perch. Some days it’s so good that just about every lure placed to a snag will get smashed,

while on other days when the barometer is down, your only reward may be exercising that casting arm. That’s why it’s important to choose your day carefully when targeting these fish. In the mid reaches through to the entrance of the river you’ll find that most estuary species are only too willing to feed. Lures will do the job on most species like flathead and bream although for best results fresh live mullet, nippers and prawns will attract the most attention. Speaking of prawns, the river is holding good stocks for those who want to go chasing them. With the dark being in early February, go and enjoy. Beaches around the area are also fishing well, with the highlight being whiting on beachworms adjacent to the Bega River. These fish are of a good size and there

is plenty of them. Mixed in are some sizeable southern yellowfin bream and big sand mullet. Salmon and tailor are prolific on most of the beaches in the area, and are being taken on strip baits, pilchards and lures either side of the high tide. Tathra Wharf is well worth a visit now that the crowds have departed. A whole host of species are available, from pelagics in the form of tuna, kingfish and sharks to the lessor bonito, frigates, salmon and tailor. Live baits or lures will both perform for these speedsters. Mackerel and trevally are playing havoc around the pylons, and there are sand flathead on the bottom plus luderick and garfish closer to the rocks. Lots of these species can be caught from the adjacent rock platforms, especially the gamefish. Live baiting is

by far the best approach, drifting them out under a float or a balloon. Time can be spent chasing groper, drummer, leatherjacket and wrasse while waiting for that big bite, or you can cast lures to passing schools of salmon. Out to sea, warm water has provided the right conditions for both bottom fish and gamefish. Small tuna schools and baitfish have been attracting large predators like marlin, sharks and large tuna in very close to shore. Using live striped tuna has been accounting for some large hammerhead sharks plus the odd marlin, particularly blacks. For better results, go to lures to cover the water more effectively, and target a greater range of species. Blue marlin are more likely to be captured this way, hitting large skirted pushers with gusto.

The Spencer family from Canberra regularly enjoy days on the coast catching a variety of fish. Around the reef complexes the bottom fishing is also excellent, with a variety of species gracing anglers’ bags. Flathead are the most highly prized table fare here, with grounds both north and south producing tiger and sand flathead with the odd red gurnard thrown in. North to Goalen Head, this complex system is providing anglers with plenty of fun with nice snapper, morwong and some excellent

kingfish. Be prepared here as gamefish like marlin will come close to shore. And a visit to Tathra wouldn’t be complete without a day trip to Brogo Dam chasing Australian bass. Evenings are providing good surface action for both fly and lure anglers. Casting to snags or weed beds will also produce, or you could just lay back, soak a worm and enjoy the beauty of this picturesque waterway.

Billfish on the bucket list BERMAGUI

Darren Redman djsestuaryfishing@bigpond.com

If marlin fever has ever taken hold of you and you just ‘gotta’ have one, well this February is primed! Now is the heart of the season, so let’s go get some. Stripes, blues and blacks are all there following the many schools of baitfish. Out over the shelf in the deep water of the canyons, blues are patrolling searching for large prey in the form of striped tuna, small yellowfin, albacore and mahi mahi. This is the time to troll lures, big ones at that. If you want a big blue think big! The more commotion you make out the back the more likely you are to attract a fish to your pattern. Big blues will often turn up from nowhere to just scoff a lure, so time on the water and distance travelled is often a must. However don’t expect frantic action, if you want excitement maybe think about the small stripes concentrating on the Twelve Mile Reef. R E V A L LY . S N A P P E R . E S G.T TU A PE R RY

. WH AD

The beauty of the stripes is just that, at close quarters the colours on these fish are truly spectacular from the electric blues, subtle purples to golden bronze they are amazing creatures. Often schooling in vast numbers, methods of targeting them will vary from live baits to lures and now the more exciting switch baiting. This is where anglers will troll lures without hooks, teasing the fish to the back of the boat where the lure is replaced with a pre-rigged bait resulting in an instant hook up. Blacks are lurking around with the stripes and

are varying in size. They will respond to lures although live baits in the form of mackerel, frigates and small striped tuna will produce best. If gamefish is not your scene, plenty of activity can be had fishing the reefs and around Montague Island. Fishing for kingfish up at the rock has been good this season producing great sport. They have been responding to most methods from jigs to bait fished in various ways. Leaving the Island, try out from Tilba on The Step for sand flatties, these fish are in good numbers in depths around 40-50m.

The Nipper Flats in the Bermagui River can produce quality whiting while you gather bait.

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There is an influx of bream along the coast at present, which are easy to catch from the beaches and the estuaries. South of Bermagui, most of the regular reefs are holding good stocks of morwong, snapper, perch while out from them large tiger flathead and gummy sharks are also gracing anglers bags. If you don’t own a boat big enough or if offshore is not your scene, try the estuaries. There are plenty of them to choose from and you would need a couple of weeks to explore most of them. Bream and flathead are most prolific although most other species are also common. How you wish to target the estuaries is up to the individual. Fish are responding to wellpresented lures (hard and soft bodies), but fresh bait is producing best. The hot spots are the Bermagui River for flathead, bream, trevally while around the bridge and break walls have good numbers of luderick. Wapengo Lake south is firing, while fresh live prawns are providing good angling in Wallaga Lake. Match the hatch and use what is on offer, there are plenty of

prawns in Wallaga at present, which are of good size. If you are anything like me then you would rather eat the bait. Prawning is good in the dark, starting the first week in Feb. Beaches and adjacent rock platforms are being visited by a host of species ranging from small pelagics like bonito, kingfish, tailor and frigate mackerel, mainly off the stones through, to salmon, tailor, large whiting, bream plus even a few mulloway. South the beaches of Barragoot, Cuttaggee

and Murrah have been producing most species, while up north at Camel Rock has seen the action with the mulloway. The main headland at Bermi has had most of the land-based action just inside Horseshoe Bay around the old wharf providing plenty of entertainment. Mystery Bay and Goalen Head have produced their share of action with the odd good kingfish being captured, or lost, plus a few sightings of marlin patrolling the coast line, although no reports of any hook ups.

Flathead are abundant in the lakes and offshore.

NSW South Coast

Top lake turns it on MERIMBULA

Stuart Hindson stuart@ausfishing.com.au

Despite the increased boat traffic that both the Merimbula and Pambula Lakes have copped over the last few weeks, it amazes me how both these systems still produce the goods. Some cracking fish have been caught this year. Flathead are still abundant, with some solid models up to 90cm being caught. Anglers using soft plastics up to 100mm and live poddy mullet have fared best, though the odd fish has succumbed to blades, especially in Merimbula Lake. Fishing the shallower margins early in the morning has been the go, with lighter leaders a must for consistent results. You do lose the odd fish, but you will definitely get more bites on light leader than using heavier gear. It’s not unusual to get bag limits inside a session, but thankfully these days more anglers are keeping only what they can eat and releasing the rest. Bream and whiting have been abundant, with the channels fishing well on a rising tide. Using live

nippers and squirtworms has been dynamite but with these softer baits you may need patience and persistence to get through the pickers. If re-baiting all the time isn’t for you, use fresh striped tuna cubes in conjunction with berley for good results on bream. Bream find it pretty hard to resist fresh stripy, particularly during low light periods. If lure fishing is more your thing, surface walkers and poppers have been the go-to lures, especially in Pambula. You can expect bream, whiting and the occasional flathead when surface fishing, with a few of the whiting upwards of 44cm – solid fish in anyone’s books. The better areas to concentrate on are spots that have a mixture of sand bottom with intermediate patches of weed covering it. These types of spots hold plenty of prawns, which in turn attract whiting and bream. The top lake at Merimbula is fishing extremely well despite its size. Tailor numbers have been on the improve with the odd mulloway being caught as well. I know of several quality fish caught up there recently, with the best a

cracking 16kg. This fish fell to a visiting angler fishing mid-range soft plastics aimed at flathead. After a 30-minute fight he got a surprise when a gleaming jewie came up the side of the boat. This angler would be well and truly hooked now, as a mulloway of that size in any estuary is a great effort. There have been a few bruiser bream around the racks but they have been a little gun-shy of late with all the boat traffic. That should now improve as we head further into February, with fewer boats on the water. Use smaller hardbodies and poppers on a rising tide. The last 2 hours are the best. BEACHES On the beaches it’s all systems go with bream, whiting, salmon, tailor and mulloway all chewing at times. With the warmer water the whiting action is full on. Fish to 45cm have been caught, with bag limits reached inside a few hours. Live beachworms and fresh pipi have been the better baits, and a little berley used sparsely helps things along. Some decent yellowfin bream are mixed in with the whiting, with fish to 1.2kg falling victim to the softer baits. It can be hard getting

Bec Canham with her best flattie to date, a 73cm fish that she released. You can expect bigger fish like this over the coming weeks. your own bait but the end reward will make it worth it. Most beaches are holding fish but the better ones to try include Haycock, Merimbula main and North Tura. OFFSHORE Offshore the marlin action is hot to trot, with multiple captures occurring daily. Both blacks and stripes have been caught, mainly by boat crews trolling lure spreads of pushers. The beaks are wide though; the 70-fathom line and further east has seen most of the action. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if a few fish get caught in closer over the coming weeks. The water is 23 degrees in close, loaded

with bait and the current is pushing south – all the ingredients needed for marlin fishing. There were a few marlin last season caught only a stone’s throw from shore, so let’s hope this season is the same. Those anglers after a feed of bottom fish won’t have any trouble. Snapper, morwong and kingfish are plentiful on the reefs, with sand and tiger flathead in good numbers on the sand. Fish in 30m straight off the Pambula River mouth for the sandies, and the gravel edges along the reefs in deeper water for the tigers. ROCKS The rocks are still firing

well for the pelagic species like salmon, tailor, striped tuna and kingfish. Short Point and Tura Head have seen most of the action, with anglers using live bait faring best on kings. I know some big fish around the 15kg mark have come from Tura Head of late, and a lot of luck needs to be on your side to land a fish like that. Casting smaller chromies up to 50g should also work, especially on the smaller pelagics. The rock fishing will only get better as the weeks pass. February to May is prime time so if a decent fish off the stones is for you I’d be heading down there for a look.

Solid fish are on the prowl NAROOMA

Stuart Hindson stuart@ausfishing.com.au

Narooma and its surrounds have copped their fare share of boat traffic lately, but with quite a few visitors finishing their holiday it just may be the time to get out there and wet a line. The estuaries have been a bit hit-and-miss of late, with Wagonga certainly fishing better than its northern cousin Tuross. Anglers fishing the deeper water in Wagonga have been rewarded with legal snapper, bream, flathead and flounder. A mixture of bait and lures has accounted for the fish, with bream responding well to blades fished deep around the whitebait schools. You do lose the odd lure to tailor, but the trick is to fish it hard on the bottom with smaller hops of 1ft or so. Some of the bream are nudging 1kg and better. They’re solid fish for around here and great sport on the light stuff. The flatties have been a little quiet but I suspect this will pick up this month. Those anglers who have done well have been fishing lighter leaders,

which seems to be making a real difference, although you have to expect to lose the odd better fish. Still, if you’re getting fish, losing the occasional one doesn’t hurt too much. Over the last few weeks the Longmores from Junee have nailed a few 80-90cm duskies, but they had to work for them. I’d expect mulloway encounters to increase too, now that there’s less boat traffic on the water. Concentrate your efforts around the tailor schools, which are plentiful in the main basin and Fosters Bay. Anglers fishing surface lures have done OK of late, especially on afternoon rising tides. We had a solid session there recently that netted us over 30 fish for the afternoon. That’s solid fishing but the key was wind. When we had it the fish went on the chew, and when it backed off so did the bite. That’s why the afternoons have been better when the northeasters get up; the wind provides plenty of ruffle and better fishing. Up at Tuross the fishing has been hard. There’s still the odd flattie around with bream and whiting but you do have to work for them. The river section has been the better area to fish, especially

for lure casters. If you’re there at the right time you will do OK, but expect to put a lot of casts in to get results. Bait fishos have fared better, with whiting all the go at the minute. I have seen good bags come in by local anglers in the know. These fish are in shallow water but the freshest of bait is the key to success. Live squirtworms and bloodworms are the gun baits, and a few whiting have succumbed to live nippers as well. BEACHES Over the last few weeks the beach action has certainly turned around; before that it was a little slow. With the water temperature increasing, whiting have really turned it on with some quality bags being caught. Fresh pipi and live beachworms have been the best baits. Some good bream are mixed in with the whiting. Beaches to try include Narooma main, Tilba and Brou. The southern end of Blackfellows beach (Tuross River entrance) has also produced some solid results. Salmon and tailor have made a welcome return with pilchards, surf poppers and metal lures getting results. The salmon action had been very quiet with calm seas, but with more swell

and whitewater it has really turned around. Fish to 3kg can be expected, though the average fish will be 1.5kg or so. Still good fun on the right tackle. BOTTOM FISHING Outside anglers fishing for the table have had excellent results, with snapper, morwong, kingfish and sand flathead being caught in numbers. The bottom end of Montague has been the pick of the reefs, with Potato Point and Brou reefs also producing. Those after the flathead can’t go wrong, with great captures right along the coast. Fishing in depths of 30-35m straight off Kianga and Dalmeny has seen most of the action. At Montague Island the kingfish population has woken up, with fish to 7kg succumbing to live baits and jigs. The better sized kings have been slow thus far, but with the water now warming up we can expect the action to be more consistent. The north and western side of the island are the places to fish, with some of the better kings in close on the northwest corner. Remember the Marine Park rules here with live bait. It’s an exclusion zone until the end of April so jigs are the go here.

Young Jake had some great fishing at Tuross. He managed these whiting, plus bream and flathead all taken on surface walkers. He released everything he caught. BLUEWATER Out wider, game anglers have had good results when the weather has allowed. The water temperature is hovering between 22-26 degrees; very warm and perfect for marlin. All 3 marlin species have been caught, though stripes from 70-100kg are the most common. Trolling skirted lures and switch baiting with live slimy mackerel have again been the best methods for the beakies. The fish have been widespread along the shelf, though the Tuross canyons and Kink grounds have had some memorable days of late. There have been reports of yellowfin tuna but the fish are on the smaller side. What has been interesting this season is the abundance of mahi mahi (dolphinfish). I know of several fish over the 20kg mark being caught

and some monsters hooked while trolling for marlin. We don’t see too many of this species this far south, and it just goes to show how good the water is out wide. ROCKS Off the stones the pelagic speedsters are keeping the rock fishing fraternity happy. All platforms are producing, with the Golfie Rocks in town, Dalmeny headland and High Rock near Mystery Bay all worth a look. You can expect bonito, salmon, frigate mackerel and smaller kingfish. Chromed lures, pilchards and live bait have all been working at times. There’s definitely the chance at a northern bluefin tuna as well, especially with the water quality and bait concentrations we have in close at the moment. FEBRUARY 2014

Cooking with jamo

Smoked salmon and apple salad with blue cheese COOKING

Jamison Godfrey

There are many varieties of pre-sliced smoked Tasmanian salmon available state wide, but I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go past Mures. It is really good quality, definitely not frozen, which is a sin from where I stand. Make sure that you have some fresh new season green apples that are not as sweet and a nice medium strength blue cheese to really make this dish stand out.

METHOD 1. Cut 6 discs of smoked salmon and put aside. 2. Core the apple and INGREDIENTS 8-9cm cookie cutter and a mandolin for slicing apples Pre sliced smoked salmon Green apples Blue cheese Walnuts Borage flowers Sprigs of fennel Prepared horseradish Cream Lemon juice ( fresh )

cut 6 even slices of apple on the mandolin and put aside. 3. Mix equal quantities of horseradish and cream together, put a squeeze of lemon juice in and combine. 4. To build the salad, stack the apple and smoked salmon together to form a small tower and place in the middle of your plate. 5. Spoon some horseradish dressing around the plate and then with your fingers crumble some blue cheese around, now place the other ingredients on the plate and serve.

4 38

Freshly opened walnuts.

Slice the apple on the mandolin for even pieces.

FEBRUARY 2014

Core the apple. Make sure itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not too sweet.

Use only premium smoked salmon, not one that has been frozen.

Perfectly presented and delicious.

Shut up and just fish NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.starlofishing.me

Over the past couple of issues we’ve looked closely at the critically important senses of sight and smell in fish, and examined how these senses impact upon our success (or otherwise) as anglers. Before leaving this fascinating area, it’s worth considering one more fishy sense: hearing. Hearing is definitely a significant sense in the fish world although, like sight and smell, it’s importance varies between species and habitats. A quick look at the way fish detect and translate sound waves travelling through the water (in other words, how they ‘hear’) is helpful in understanding the importance of this sense. Fish’s bodies have roughly the same density as water, so any sound waves moving through the water also tend to travel right through their bodies. It’s reasonable to assume that fish can therefore ‘feel’ at least some sounds, much as we actually ‘feel’ the thump coming from a big bank of amplifiers at a rock concert. Fish with large swim bladders (gas sacs located near the gut cavity) are likely to be able to ‘feel’ sound much more readily than those without, as these hollow, low density organs will be momentarily compressed by the passing sound waves. Even more importantly, fish also have an inner ear mechanism specifically designed to detect sound waves. There are small bones called ‘otoliths’ suspended in jelly within the inner ear

Mulloway have a particularly keen sense of hearing.

We can use sound to our advantage, too, and rattling, noise-making lures can be highly effective at times. of most fish, and these are considerably denser than either water or the rest of the fish’s body. As a result, these ear bones move more slowly in response to sound waves than the rest of the fish. The difference between the motion of the fish’s body and the otoliths bends little hairs or ‘cilia’ on the wall of the fish’s inner ear. That movement is interpreted by the animal’s brain as sound. Most fish also have lateral lines, used to detect vibration and water flow. One source of vibration is obviously sound waves. It’s

Avoid rattling anchor chains over gunwales when anchoring up.

thought that fish’s lateral lines are mostly used to detect and analyse low frequency sound waves generated fairly close to the fish, typically within a few metres. This sense is particularly useful for maintaining a tight school formation, but probably also aids in detecting both prey and potential predators. It’s also worth thinking about the way sound travels in water. For starters, did you know that sound travels more than four times faster in water than it does in air? Under specific conditions, sound waves can also travel a lot further underwater than they can through the air. But what about the old story that sound can’t travel from air into water, so you can scream your lungs out up above and the fish won’t hear a thing down below? Well, remember when you were a kid swimming at the busy local pool, diving down to the bottom of the deep end and still being able to hear your mates shouting, yelling and skylarking above? The sound was garbled and subdued, for sure, but it still reached your brain, even via ears that had evolved purely for above water applications. Certainly, when any wave reaches an interface between two media with different properties, it splits. Much of the wave is reflected back into the original medium by the interface, while the remainder is transmitted across the interface into the second medium. This is exactly what happens with sound waves at the air/water interface. Interestingly, the

waves that make it into the water begin to travel much more readily, because of their increased speed. So, what’s the bottom line? For me, the answer seems obvious: fish can definitely hear and react to sounds, whether they’re generated beneath or above the surface. Furthermore, fish with larger otoliths (ear bones), big gas bladders, linkages between the two and well-defined lateral lines obviously have extremely keen hearing. One such species that springs to mind as ticking all those boxes is

the mulloway. And, as if to confirm the importance of sound in the mulloway’s world, these are also highly ‘vocal’ fish, capable of producing a distinctive drumming or croaking sound, no doubt as a form of school communication. It seems to be a lot more than coincidental that most of my more memorable mulloway luring sessions have occurred when there was very little boat traffic in the area and I approached as quietly as possible, using a fortuitous wind drift or an electric motor operating at low revs.

In fact, I’ve even been known to switch my depth sounders off for ‘silent running’ when hunting these fish. I’m a great believer in stealth when fishing for any species in any environment. I heartily dislike (and avoid) rattling anchor chains, booming doof-doof music, heavy-footed companions and even shouted conversations from boat to boat. While there may be plenty of exceptions to such rules of thumb, I believe that you’ll generally catch more and better fish by turning the volume down.

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FEBRUARY 2014

DIY kayak cradle AYR

Steve Farmer

I knew I needed a better way of transporting my Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 kayak the day I picked it up from the retailer. Unloading it at home a couple of hours later highlighted two problems that needed addressing if I was going to enjoy kayaking and kayak fishing. Firstly, despite being firmly tied upside down on the roof bars when I left the shop, the kayak wasn’t as secure as I would have

liked by the time I got home. It wouldn’t have come adrift, but it had worked itself lose, despite a web of tie-down ropes. Secondly, (and probably the cause of the first problem) the plastic hull was now warped where it had been lashed firmly to the roof bars. The heat of a hot shed soon saw the hull return to its correct shape, but I knew I needed a better way of getting my yak to the water. Ideally I needed something that would make loading and tying down the 26kg craft easier and more secure.

Transferring the hull shape to the cardboard.

I could have just purchased a set of kayak saddles, but these have their problems and limitations and I believed I could come up with something better and easier to use. The final product is a cradle which drops onto the roof bars, the kayak is then positioned in the cradle and finally both the kayak and cradle are strapped or tied down to the roof bars. The specially shaped cradle positions and supports the kayak, allowing it to be strapped down firmly without warping. I began by positioning the roof bars about 1300mm

Half templates of the hull shapes where the two cradles will fit.

FISHING FILL-ITS

New limit for abalone and shellfish The Department of Environment and Primary Industries has introduced a new limit on the number of abalone and the amount of shellfish that can be possessed in vehicles in south-west Victoria. These limits will help protect these resources and ensure that they are appropriately shared amongst users. Under the new regulations, no vehicle may have in it more than 10 abalone and 10L (2L if shucked) of

FEBRUARY 2014

other shellfish such as periwinkles, dogwinkles, snails and limpets. The vehicle limit does not apply to mussels, pipis, scallops, octopus or squid. This new limit is being introduced because Victorian Fisheries Officers have, in recent months, observed large groups travelling in single vehicles to harvest abalone and shellfish in the southwest part of the state. Although the individuals in these groups did not exceed their daily catch limits, they had been returning to

The kayak travels up the right way in the cradle.

harvest shellfish regularly and their collective catch was exerting pressure on the fishery. The vehicle limit applies to the area bound by the Victorian coastline, the South Australian border, the Hamilton and Glenelg highways (inclusive) and a line running north from the Aire River as displayed in the map below. The new rules have limited impact on local fishers but will discourage large groups from acting in a way which puts the resource at risk. This limit does not affect the daily bag limit per person for abalone which remains unchanged at 5, of which no more than two can be greenlip. Similarly, the daily catch limit for other molluscs remains unchanged at 5L per person (1L if shucked). Fishers are reminded that restrictions on the harvest of abalone and other shellfish from the intertidal zone still apply. Shellfish can only be taken in more than two metres of water to protect these vulnerable areas. Fishers and the community are encouraged to report illegal fishing anytime to 13FISH (133474). – DEPI

apart. This, I believed, was a good spacing to support my kayak in its mid-section. Obviously this spacing will vary with different kayaks. You should also try to position the bars so that there is minimal kayak overhanging at the front or rear of your vehicle. I then built a frame from 25mm RHS or box section steel which would sit on the roof bars and to which the cradle supports could be bolted. I made this frame about 50mm wider than my kayak’s beam, making for a stable base but not taking up any more of the roof bar space than was necessary. The length of the long sides

The cradle positioned on the roof bars. was the distance between the outside faces of the roof bars plus about 100mm at each end. These overhangs on the longer sides are simply to reduce the risk of inadvertently missing the roof bars and dropping the frame onto the roof of your vehicle when fitting it. The narrow sides of the frame (the front and rear sides) were butt welded to the longer side rails so that when the frame was placed on the roof bars the narrow sides were positioned on the top of the roof bars. Short tabs of 25x6mm flat steel were then butt welded at right angles to the long sides so as to locate

the frame on the roof bars and prevent it from sliding forward or backwards. Allow a clearance of about 5mm between the locating tabs and the forward and rear faces of the roof bars. At this stage I also welded a single chain link to the frame above one of the roof bars. This allows me to easily secure the frame to the roof bar with a short length of light chain and a padlock, meaning I don’t have to store the cradle inside the vehicle for security reasons while I’m away paddling. The next step was to create the two cradles which would hold the kayak. Firstly I had to get

The kayak and the cradle are both tied or strapped to the roof bars.

a template of the shape of the kayak hull at the spots where I wanted to position the cradle. Once I had those spots marked I transferred the shape of the hull onto a sheet of cardboard. This was done by clamping the cardboard to a piece of light plywood which acted as a backing. The same clamp also secured a short piece of timber which braced the plywood against the hull, making it easier to hold the plywood and cardboard stable and at right angles to the hull while the shape was traced. Transferring the shape was done by taping a pencil to a short piece of timber. The timber and pencil were then moved across the hull with the pencil tracing the shape onto the cardboard. It is important to hold the timber vertical to the hull shape to get a reasonably true reflection on the cardboard. Cut the shape out with scissors and check it against the hull, trimming it as necessary to ensure a neat fit. Assuming your hull is symmetrical (and you would certainly expect this) it might be easier to create half templates and flip them over when transferring the hull shape to the timber cradles. I made the actual cradles by gluing and screwing two

pieces of 20mm plywood together and marking the hull shape with the templates. It’s important to keep the kayak as low as possible on the roof bars, so make the distance from the bottom of the kayak cradle to the bottom of the curve where the centreline of the kayak will sit about 50mm. The width of the cradle timbers should be a neat fit between the long sides of the frame, allowing for the thickness of the carpet to be fitted later. Round the corners where the vertical sides of the cradle join the hull shape. This will eliminate sharp corners which can mark your yak and will also make it easier to slide your kayak up and into the cradle.

Small tabs of flat steel welded to the long sides prevent the cradle from moving forwards or backwards.

Tying down both the kayak and the cradle.

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Ready to go. The cradle is padlocked to the roof bars. When you’re happy with the shape of the cradle pieces, use a jigsaw to cut them out and then smooth off any rough surfaces with sandpaper. Now is a good time to paint the frame and the timber cradle pieces. Wire brush and grind the welds to eliminate any blobs of splatter before painting. Apply an undercoat or primer and at least one top coat of oil-based, gloss paint. Next I cut strips of indoor/outdoor carpet to

cushion the kayak hull against the timber cradle. These strips were then glued in place with contact cement. Finally I drilled the cradle pieces and the frame so they could be bolted together with 6mm bolts. Use spring washers or nylon lock nuts so they don’t vibrate lose while travelling. The kayak cradle is now complete and you could lift your kayak into place and head for your favourite fishing hotspot. However that can be a bit of a struggle, especially

when lifting some of the heavier yaks onto high 4x4s or vans alone. To overcome that problem I built a loading arm which makes it relatively easy to load my Prowler 13 by myself. Details on that next month. By the way, while my cradle suits my situation, it may not be suitable for your kayak, vehicle or personal abilities or requirements. Carefully assess your own situation and requirements to decide if this design is safe and suitable for your needs.

The cradle is easily lifted on and off the roof bars.

“2 World Champions, 5 Australian Champions and 7 AFC Anglers can’t be wrong!”

e. steve@duffrods.com.au FEBRUARY 2014

Terrific trout and redfin rumble beaut trout and some very nice redfin as well. Trolling early morning and late afternoon will also produce both species. LAKE BELLFIELD Just out of the Halls Gap township, Bellfield is the home of many smaller redfin, some rapidly growing chinook salmon and some hard to tempt larger trout. Scrub worms on the bottom or under a float work well. Hardbodies, plastics and vibes are the

HORSHAM

Trevor Holmes

With summer finally making a much-awaited appearance, water temps are rising as the days get longer and warmer. Redfin are starting to school up and get active with more comfortable conditions prevailing. Trout continue to dominate the reports across the board but they are becoming increasingly hard to tempt. Warmer days bring insect and mudeye hatches making the salmonoid species a bit fussier and temperamental. With an abundance of food in all forms blow into the waterways lure fishing becomes a little less productive but still very efficient in first/last light scenarios. Fly fishers come to the fore and the smart lure/plastic fishos matching the hatch still reap the rewards with cunning. Mudeyes under bubble floats are the dominating way of connecting with big trout and with correct placement and presentation results continue to roll in. TOOLONDO This lake continues to shine with most methods taking fish consistently. We recently filmed an actionpacked show with Paul Worstleing and the IFISH crew here capturing some of the best trout action you will see! So look out for it going to air around June/July. Mudeye under bubble floats and lures are doing the job here of late. Tassie Devils in white clown, holographic and blue/pink combos as well as the yellow winged are best. The barometer seems to dictate the mood here and in my experience rising above 1015 produces optimum results.

Jet Waters, 8yo, with his 1.87kg Toolondo brown. With low water levels and massive weed growth, fishing is becoming restricted to the main larger area on the southwest end of the lake. Of late, a few redfin are starting to appear in catches. We have taken browns and rainbows up to 3.1kg in the last few weeks. TAYLORS LAKE Taylors also has improved with the warmer weather with some great yellowbelly and redfin falling to scrub worms, yabbies and lures. RMG Scorpions and Jackalls, as well as StumpJumpers, have been the best tempters. ROCKLANDS RESERVOIR After a very docile spring a few redfin are being taken now the water temps are on the rise. As it is a deeper lake it takes longer to warm, so it’s to be expected, and should produce redfin right through until April/May. StumpJumpers, RMG and most hardbody lures of all diving depths will produce but my favourite are the Stumpys in size 3 working amongst the trees in around 3-4m of water.

LAKE FYANS Fyans is staring to produce the fish it was once known for a decade ago, before drought and overfishing reduced it to its knees. Trout to 2kg and redfin not far behind are becoming common but the average is probably half these sizes. Browns and rainbows freely take Tassies and the Diawa Double Clutch has also been a winner. LAKE LONSDALE I’m sad to have to report that the authorities have once again gone with the ‘environmental flush’ excuse to drain this lake that produced so many trophy redfin over the last few months. There is still water there but becoming almost impossible to fish by boat. Yabby hunters will have to get in quick as the pelicans and cormorants will soon take all tasty offerings in shallow water. LAKE WARTOOK Nestled in the Grampians is this beautiful lake, which is worth a drive just to look at, but the fishers who prepare with mudeye, scrub worms, Powerbait and even prawn and yabby tails, are taking their fair share of

Sean Kenadjian was very happy with his brown trout taken on a Fish Arrow plastic. 42

FEBRUARY 2014

Michael Evans with a cracking Toolondo offering.

Trevor Lumb from Geelong Taxidermy with a cracking 3kg brown taken at Toolondo on a damsel nymph fly.

Paul Worsteling with a couple of Toolondo monsters.

choice in lures and colours can vary from day to day. What worked yesterday and filled the bag won’t raise a look the following day, hence the frustration of a day at Bellfield. Remember electric motors only allowed. LAKE BOLAC Just prior to Christmas some cracking rainbows were taken in Bolac after some settled weather improved its clarity. Fish were around the 3kg mark and taken on gudgeon fished on the bottom and under a float. Mudeye also accounted for one as well as a Tassie Devil in lumo pink. Hoping everyone had a safe and enjoyable New Year and look forward to seeing you out on the water soon. Please remember to take your rubbish with you, be very careful with fires and observe local restrictions/bans. Very importantly watch out for snakes! • To book a trip with Vistorian Inland Charters, contact Trevor at trev@victorianinland charters.com.au, visit their Facebook page or log onto www. victorianinlandcharters. com.au.

Hurray to the Murray MILDURA

John Menhennett goobyfish@hotmail.com

River levels have fallen and are back in their banks. Flows are to a minimum and water clarity is good enough for catching good fish on lures. This year is gearing up to be a fantastic summer of fishing around Mildura, particularly for the iconic Murray cod in the mighty Murray River. Some very nice yellowbelly have been caught all around Mildura during the warm conditions, especially around the Merbein and Wentworth areas. These fish have mostly been caught on lures big and small, but bait fishos are having the best time with some cracking fish being

caught upstream of Mildura on grubs and worms. Trolling with smaller lures, intended for catching yellas, have been working well around the timber and clay banks, but quite a few anglers have reported catching large Murray cod on these small lures. There is no doubt, however, that bigger lures are one of the keys to catching big fish. Biggest of the yellas of late has been around the 55cm mark, which is a great river fish. Others have been coming in at the usual 40-48cm range, typical of summer yellowbelly. A lot of yellowbelly have been full of eggs and catch and release should be practised where possible. The yellas have been hitting the large lures very hard, which is indicative of their aggressive behaviour at this time of year.

Quite a few Murray cod have been caught on grubs up stream of Mildura but lure casting and trolling for this species is a bit far and few between at the moment. Some fish have been up to 25lb caught on bait; others caught on 120mm trolled hardbodied lures have been between 15-20lb with the odd one coming in at over 50lb. Running a combination of 50lb braid and 50-60lb leader seems to be optimum for targeting big fish at this time of year. Lighter gear will also see you land the big one, but with so much cover in the river, like snags and rocks, to contend with, the chances of line breakage, probably with a nice fish on the end of it, are high, and no angler wants that. Good-sized catfish are also being caught on bait around Mildura in multiple locations,

Jack Menhennett, 5 years old from Mildura, with a lovely river yellowbelly. Fish around this size are plentiful in the Murray River during the summer months. even on large lures intended for Murray cod. Reports from local anglers indicate that this

Improvements increase fishing BENDIGO

Roger Miles codhuntertours@bigpond.com

The fishing has continued to improve at all of the most popular fishing destinations in the Bendigo area. We have finally received some improved weather conditions and this has seen the overall productivity in the fishing increase. LAKE EPPALOCK The redfin fishing has been slow but we have started to see an increase in catch rates over the last few weeks. The productivity in the redfin fishing should continue to improve in the short term. While the numbers of redfin being caught has been low there have been small numbers of some very big redfin being landed by anglers. Some of the larger redfin are measuring up to 48cm, these are cracker redfin! While anglers have to work hard for these fish, they are definitely worth the effort. The majority of the large redfin have been caught in deep water. Trolling deep diving hardbody lures, such as Custom Crafted Basshunter and Australian Crafted Invaders, has been productive. When a concentration of redfin has been located, casting soft plastics has also been an effective method. Increasing numbers of small redfin are being caught around the edges of the lake. The number of golden perch captures has remained good. The majority of the golden perch being caught have measured from 40-45cm

with the occasional larger golden being landed. Trolling medium-sized hardbody lures in depth ranges between 3-5m has been productive. Casting small hardbody lures and lipless crankbaits around rocky shorelines and standing timber has also been a productive method. It has been encouraging to see small numbers of Murray cod continue to be caught at this location. While the fishing is currently good,

fishing the shallower sections of the river. Casting spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits and hardbody lures have all been effective. Small numbers of Murray cod have also been caught by anglers fishing a range of surface lures during periods of low light. At the present time, white coloured lures have been the most productive. I believe the productivity of the fishing should remain good for the next few weeks.

This quality redfin was caught at Lake Eppalock trolling a Custom Crafted Basshunter. if water levels start to drop too quickly there will be a negative effect on the fishing so get out and wet a line while the going is good. CAMPASPE RIVER The fishing in the Campaspe River has improved dramatically in recent weeks. Water clarity is currently good at most locations; typically at this time of the year rainfall is low and only has minimal effect on the river. However if large volumes are released from Lake Eppalock water clarity can deteriorate. At the present time reasonable numbers of golden perch and Murray cod are being caught. The majority of these have been caught by anglers walking the banks

CAIRN CURRAN It is pleasing to report there has been a significant increase in the numbers of golden perch and Murray cod caught at this location lately. The largest Murray cod that I have heard of measured 75cm; the majority of cod have measured between 45-55cm. Some anglers who have had good days have managed to land up to six Murray cod in one day. This is very encouraging for the future fishing opportunities. The numbers of golden perch being caught lately has also increased with some up to 60cm long. Trolling hardbody lures around the edges of the lake in depth ranges between 2-4m

has been productive. Casting lipless crankbaits around the edges has also produced. With water levels continuing to fall, the majority of fish will start to move into deeper water. The redfin fishing has been spasmodic with the schools moving a lot lately. Anglers who have located a good school have experienced good fishing at that location for a day or two then the school moves on. The majority of large redfin have been caught in depths greater than 8m. Again like other locations anglers are encouraged to make the most of the productive fishing while it lasts. If water levels continue to drop, this will have a negative effect on the productivity in the fishing. LODDON RIVER Good numbers of golden perch are currently being caught in the Loddon River. Their average size has been from 40-48cm on lipless crankbaits and medium-sized hardbody lures. Water clarity has improved in recent weeks. It can change very quickly depending on water releases from impoundments along the system. If increased volumes are being released from Laanecoorie, the water clarity will deteriorate. The numbers of Murray cod being caught in the Loddon River has also increased in recent weeks. The majority have been caught by anglers casting spinnerbaits and hardbody lures. Anglers fishing at night with surface lures are currently catching increased numbers of Murray cod. Good results have been reported by anglers fishing with the new Jackall Pompadour surface lure with the colours black bone and tonosamagaeru being the most popular.

iconic species are still around in decent numbers. The best smaller lure lately has been the Koolabung 90mm Codbait. But larger lures have done most of the damage in catching and releasing large Murray cod. One lure that has dominated the cod season so far has been the Koolabung 120mm Codzilla in all colours.

The next month should see the continuation of one of the best Murray cod seasons ever, due to the old river getting back to normal; flows at a minimum and levels normalised. This summer is set to be a cracker of a season, so get out there and wet a line, you may be surprised what puts a bend in your rod.

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Wrangling the wrath of summer ROBINVALE

Rod Mackenzie codmac@bigpond.net.au

The Murray River continues to fish well as we head into the full wrath of summer and its relentless heat. Up until now Robinvale has good numbers of golden perch on bait and some sizable catfish. The later, a protected species, seems to have made a big comeback these past few seasons. Carp too are back in big numbers and there are no shortages of these bait-gorging pests to keep a bend in the rod while drowning bait. On that note it seems a common habit for anglers to pile these fish on the bank and leave them to rot. Not the most pleasant of smells when you go to roll your swag and pitch camp, believe me. It would be far more practical to either

Dave Savage with a decent mulloway landed from the surf at Salt Creek. We prefer to leave the cod alone when the temperature is high. bury your catch with a shovel or break their necks and return them to the river for shrimp and yabbies to feed on. Anglers fishing below the Euston Weir have reported Murray cod to

Kenna Mackenzie with a solid silver perch she caught from the Murray River on worms.

15kg on lures and bait. Golden perch too have been plentiful in this area with most sessions providing a feed for those inclined. There have also been good numbers of smaller perch in the mix, which is a good sign for seasons to come. Water clarity is improving so the catch ratio on cod has swung towards lures over bait. Large shallow divers are working best in a range of colours from pink right through to purples and browns. The one that gets closest to the hungry fish, is the best colour of the lot I believe. Anglers fishing the Darling River with bait are catching good numbers of cod to 20kg. Grubs and large yabbies fished close to the snags at first and last light are working best with several unstoppable greenfish rampaging their way back through the timber. That’s just a part of cod fishing and one of the things that makes these giant fish so special. The Edward River at Moulamein has also fished very well since the opening with cod up to and over a metre caught on lures and grubs. Moulamein angler Bryden Whitfield

has caught several nice fish on spinnerbaits and small hardbodied lures cast along the snags. Much of Brydens fishing is done walking the banks, so a boat is not a prerequisite for catching some nice cod along the Edward River. In the Wakool River it’s a similar story with several cod landed on bait and lures around the Kyalite Reserve area. Golden perch too have been hot to trot at this location, with shrimp and worm cocktails the most effective bait closely followed by scrub worms.

Some good-sized golden perch have been landed on bait in most local sections of the Murray River. As the weather continues to heat up we will pack the cod gear away and head to the coast in pursuit of other desirable fish species. Midsummer temperatures are hard on both anglers and cod alike; over the years we’ve found that you are in with an evenmoney chance of losing a big cod to stress regardless of your best efforts when it’s hot. Not worth the risk in my books!

Snapper and mulloway from the beach is a whole different story, and one that I hope to unravel over the next month or so. Our first session from Salt Creek along the back of the Coorong this season provided some great action under much more temperate weather conditions. Until it starts to cool down I will leave the cod fishing to those who don’t mind getting fried.

Jock Mackenzie with an average-sized cod taken locally in the Murray River on a Cod Dog lure.

Belated blessings CRATER LAKES

Rod Shepherd

FIND US ON FACEBOOK! Bassman Spinnerbaits Official

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The late arrival of summer has been a blessing when it comes to chasing our freshwater species. Water temperatures are currently below par and this is good news for our lakes, especially the shallower ones. As a general, by February overly warm waters often stress trout populations to the point where minor fish kills Continued page 45

A typical Elingamite rainbow taken on a Strike Tiger soft plastic.

Night right for summer BALLARAT

Shane Stevens

Now that we are in the middle of summer, anglers in and around the district really have to choose the right time to head out fishing to get the best results. Ballarat’s waters are all very shallow and during the warmer weather the water temperature rises and the trout slow down their feeding habits during the day. However, in the cooler evenings and throughout the night is when they feed, so all the smart anglers change their fishing times to when the trout are feeding and reap the rewards. Lake Wendouree is still on fire. As previously mentioned, all anglers are

fishing the evening right through the night and early morning for some cracking rainbow and brown trout up to 6.5lb. The trout in Lake Wendouree are feeding on mudeyes that crawl out from the mud and weed swim through the water and attempt to hatch into dragonflies on trees, sticks, reeds, whatever they can find. The trout cruise around feeding on the mudeyes, as this is when the biggest hatches occur, and the best nights are the really dark ones. Avoid the really bright nights when the moon is very full, the mudeyes just don’t hatch in the same numbers and the trout are very wary in the shallow water of the lake. The flyfishers have been catching some of these magnificent trout on mudeye patterns retrieved very slowly.

They have been caught from the shore and from boats and float tubes. Successful shorebased flyfishers have caught the trout in very close to the shore, sometimes only 2-3ft from the edge. The trout cruise in that close eating the mudeye just before they leave the water to hatch, so have your flies in close to shore, sometimes the closer the better. Bait fishers have been having a ball on and after dark using mudeyes for bait suspended under bubble float. They are matching the hatch and the trout are once again cruising around just eating every mudeye they can. At Lake Burrumbeet the redfin are still biting and, opposite to the trout, the redfin love the warmer weather and seem to bite better in the warmer months.

Justin and Thomas at Lake Burrumbeet went redfin fishing on local whitebait. Photo courtesy Rodney McNeight. From page 44

occur but fingers-crossed we may just have escaped that annual threat. Lake Purrumbete has been reasonably quiet with few big fish caught. In saying that some solid rainbows to just over 2kg have been taken right along Hoses Rocks and out from the bay nearby. Mudeyes have been the number one bait but casting deep diving minnow lures as close as possible to shore has also picked up a few. Lake Bullen Merri has rainbows to 1.4kg and chinook salmon to over 1kg taking locally sourced gudgeon and minnow suspended under a float. And you don’t need a boat as bank fishers are reaping the rewards. Flat line trolling at first light is picking up quite a few chooks and rainbows of similar weight.

Anthony Atkinson at Lake Wendouree fishing with the aid of a float tube. Photo courtesy Wayne Atkinson. Early morning and evening have been rewarding the anglers most with some lovely redfin around the 1lb mark on either local whitebait or good old reliable garden worms. Rodney McNeight has been taking his two young sons Justin and Thomas out after work and landing some excellent redfin. Lake

Burrumbeet is only about 10 minutes from Ballarat and is well worth the drive for a feed of redfin. Hepburn Lagoon has had an outbreak of blue green algae over the last month; hopefully it disappears soon. We are coming into one of the best times for flyfishers. The resident trout feed on the massive

Max Mason at Lake Wendouree caught this brown trout with mudeye while fishing from the shore. Photo courtesy Brian Rivett.

population of mudeyes and it can be absolutely awesome fishing out there, going on last year’s results. I know we are waiting for it all to happen again and there is a chance of catching that fish of a lifetime in the lagoon. Newlyn has been overshadowed in recent years by Hepburn, but the reservoir holds a very healthy population of redfin and also trout during the warmer months. When the redfin come on the bite, they can be caught casting soft plastics off the dam wall or fishing worms or a yabby fished on a running sinker rig on the bottom. Once again early mornings and evenings are the best. The trout normally cruise in around the edges on the evening chasing caddis moths, mudeyes and whatever insects are hatching at the time, so be prepared to changed your fly to match the hatch that is happening at that time.

FISHING FILL-ITS Deep Lake at Derrinallum is suffering from poor water quality, but plenty of rainbows exceeding 2kg in weight are falling to bait anglers using worm, mudeye and Powerbait fished under a float from the bank. The question is should people be, are you taking these fish home to eat? I think not. A similar situation is occurring at Lake Tooliorook near Lismore. A real pity really as this lake was shaping up to be the next trophy trout lake and nearly pulled it off. Rainbows to 3kg+ were the big hit and so too were an almost unlimited amount of redfin approaching 1kg. Then brown trout were released and quickly reached weight of 2.5kg+. Bait fishing from the bank or boat caught heaps and so too did trolling or casting a wide variety of lures. Fly anglers also

certainly reaped many fishy rewards. However, today it’s a totally different matter. The redfin seemed to have disappeared. The browns are scarce to the point where some say that their life cycle may appear to be over. Some rainbows are still being caught but the number one bait, the local smelt, have also disappeared. Weed is almost choking parts of the lake and blue green alga is again threatening. Lake Elingamite’s water levels are steady and angling from a boat is the only way to go. The redfin have finally come on the chew with some thumpers to over 1.5kg are being landed. So too are browns and rainbows that are well and truly exceeding 2kg. All fish are taking lures either flat line trolled or cast and retrieved and bait, such as mudeye, fished under a float.

13FISH call gets results A call from a member of the public to the 24-hour fisheries offence reporting line 13FISH has resulted in 13 Melbourne people being fined for taking cockles from Port Phillip Bay’s protected intertidal zone. The 13FISH call was received on the afternoon of December 26 last year to inform Fisheries Officers that the group were taking large quantities of cockles from the intertidal zone west of the Rosebud Pier. Fisheries Officers quickly travelled to the scene and upon inspecting the fishers allegedly found they were in possession of approximately 100 litres of cockles. As a result, each of the 13 men and women will

be fined $289 for illegally taking cockles from the intertidal zone. The Fisheries Officers seized the cockles and returned them to the water. Fisheries Victoria Director of Education and Enforcement Ian Parks said fishing restrictions applied to the intertidal zone because of its importance to marine ecosystems. The intertidal zone of marine and estuarine waters is defined as the strip of land from the high tide mark to where the water is at least two metres deep at any given time. “In Port Phillip Bay, fishers may only collect marine worms, burrowing shrimp, squid, octopus and cuttlefish and only by approved methods,” Mr Parks said.

“All other invertebrates are protected in Port Phillip Bay’s intertidal zone and penalties apply to fishers who ignore these restrictions.” Mr Parks said the fines issued to the group at Rosebud on December 26 were a good example of the important role that the 13FISH reporting line played in hindering illegal fishing. Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing is urged to contact the 24-hour fisheries offence reporting line 13FISH on 133 474. For more information on the regulations that apply to the intertidal zone go to www.depi. vic.gov.au/fisheries. – DEPI Fisheries FEBRUARY 2014

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Andersons Inlet CRANBOURNE

Mitch Chapman

A quick drive down the South Gippsland Highway from Cranbourne and one and a half hours later you will find yourself in a magic part of the world, Inverloch – a lure and bait fishermen’s dream. There are abundant schools of massive salmon that frequent the inlet, with whiting, trevally, gummies and snapper that both locals and holidaymakers take the time to target. A few more elusive species, such as estuary perch and bream, are also available. You can see why this is a destination that anglers have to fish at least once in their lifetime. PRIME TIME The winter months are very popular to fish the inlet as the mass schools of salmon enter the inlet and can be caught from the mouth all the way through and provide some of the best sports fishing that we can have down here in Victoria. The waterway is also a lot quieter as the holidaymakers and jet skiers tend to stay clear of this area compared to others in the summer months. GEAR A 2-4kg graphite spin rod and 2000-2500 sized reels loaded up with 10lb braid will cover most things when lure fishing the inlet. Bait fishers like longer soft rods for the whiting but will still need to be able to fish 3-4oz of lead at times if the tide is pumping. RIG If bait fishing, a light running sinker rig is best used when targeting

Gez Hawthorne with a typical salmon caught on plastics out of his yak. whiting and pinkies. If chasing gummies then the same rig just beefed up with a heavier sinker fished in deeper water is the go. Trolling metal slugs around with a short 15lb leader is a good way to find the salmon if you can’t see them working the surface. BAIT AND LURES Blue bait, pipi and live Bass yabbies are some of the preferred baits in the inlet when chasing the main species, like salmon and whiting. If lure fishing for perch further up the inlet and towards the river, then small hardbodies and surface lures are the go as well as Squidgy Wrigglers and flick baits from 80-100mm. BEST METHOD When chasing salmon, the best method is to troll metal slugs and hardbodied lures until you find a school of fish. Once the school is located then, with the aid of an electric motor, sit off the school and cast lures into

them. They can be fairly finicky at times so if the fish can be seen on the surface, do not troll right through the middle of them and spook them. MOTHER NATURE Andersons Inlet is a very tidal system. Depending on what you are targeting plan your trip around the tides, and keep in mind when the next tide change is. You don’t want to be up a channel or in the shallows for a few hours and when it’s time to leave not be able to get back out into the main body of water. It’s a long wait when you are sitting there in no water waiting for the next high tide. HOT TIP Always keep an eye on your sounder and GPS. As you venture further up into the inlet. Just be wary of the gutters and sandbars that are scattered throughout, which can be easily run aground on if you’re not paying attention.

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Estuary perch are in good numbers and can be found by anglers putting in the time. FEBRUARY 2014

Comfortable conditions for anglers and fish SHEPPARTON

Nick Brown teamriverrats@hotmail.com

We are well and truly into the New Year and over the past month we have been jam-packed with quality fishing conditions. It was not really hot over the Christmas break, which made fishing much more comfortable for us all. As well as the quality weather conditions, the fishing has been just as

good. Over the Christmas and early January period the fish in our local area were out to play with plenty of reports from the Broken and Goulburn rivers. There seemed to be a lot more reports from out towards Moira Park/ Toolamba area. This may have been due to more campers and anglers out there, but it’s always a very productive area during the warmer months. Bait and lures are working well with bardi

Harlee McRae had a cracking session on the cod.

grubs being the bait of choice recently. Unlike past years the silver perch don’t seem to be as annoying, last year you would have to move spot to spot to get away from the grubsucking fish, which was very frustrating. There have been plenty of reports of good-sized fish caught out at the Broken towards Benalla and in Shepparton itself. My Facebook newsfeed has been full of great photos from younger fishers Ethan Peters and Harlee McRae. Both boys have been landing good-sized fish on surface lures and on mostly orange and black Pirate Spinnerbaits. The Broken in town at Shepparton has less access points, which makes the fishing sometimes difficult but that indicates to me the fish have seen less lures compared to some of the highly fished areas. If you don’t mind walking knee deep you can access a lot of great spots in town but just make sure you fish with a friend when getting in the water as accidents can happen. As well as the good fishing, there has also been

Ethan Peters and (the red-headed Tackle World guru) Andrew Dalton with a decent cod. some quality fishing events held in the area recently. Some people argue against fishing competitions but if run correctly they have a minimal effect on the rivers, lakes and fish. Just in December and January alone, there was an event for everyone from casual fishers to the more serious types: Eildon Invitational and Lure Casters Rnd 2 to the family-orientated

Mooroopna FC Comp out at Pyke Road. All events promote the message of catch and release, and I believe the message is so well known due to fishing events. So before you judge and bad mouth events, get along to a competition as you will find they bring new people into the area that helps small businesses, promotes the catch and release

message, and gets young kids fishing, which is the most important thing of all. The tournament season has just started with plenty more quality fishing events coming up in February. The River Rats are running their much-loved event after a few years of not hosting it. It has a new name and a new format, The Greater Shepparton Family Fishing Classic, will be held early Feb with an aim to build up the profile of the local fishing and to get as many families out on the water for a fish. The Dash for Cash is on again at Lake Mulwala and, just like all of Tony Bennett’s events, it’s a cracker. It’s more for the serious fishos but on the same weekend there is a family event at Deni. Thrown in the middle of all of them is the Lure Casters Super Series, which holds events within an hour of Shepparton. This next couple of months is competition season so I hope you all can get along and support the hard work that’s put into the events and support the local communities that host Continued page 49

n o e b o t t Wan f o r e v o C e th ? y l h t n o Fishing M

INSER T YOUR FACE HERE!

Do you love your monthly issue of Fishing Monthly? Do you think it’s about time you were on the cover of it? Well, we think that too and are offering readers the chance to do just that. The June, July and August issues of Queensland, NSW and Victoria/Tasmania FMs will all feature readers’ pics on the front covers. And there’s no reason why it can’t be you... Entry is simple. Email us your cover-worthy pic. Remember, though, that it needs to be the right composition and resolution to work. After that, it just needs to get through the Grumpy Old Men committee (of Steve Booth and Steve Morgan) and then BOOM, you’re the latest cover model.

Be creative - we like images that aren’t just ‘person holding fish’. • • • • • •

Other parameters of which you need to take note: Portrait format (turn camera on its side). Leave enough room for a magazine masthead at the top of the image. Shoot in the highest resolution your camera can take. Use fill-in flash to help remove any shadows under caps or biminis. Live fish look way better than dead ones. Any fish must be legally captured (within season/size limits).

Head not too high in the shot to allow for Masthead Portrait format showing focus area

And then email your image to: frontcovercomp@fishingmonthly.com.au with a description of the what/when/where/how of the capture. Be sure to include your details, too, because we’ll post out a framed copy of the winning covers to the entrant.

THAT will be going straight to the Pool Room, we bet.

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FEBRUARY 2014

Local species are firing on lures ECHUCA

Ian Page

The summer is well under way with some great weather, and our native fish are really firing. After a slow beginning to the season, due mainly to fluctuating water levels and clarity, the lure fishers are now coming into their own. I notice a lot of anglers tend to troll lures too far from their boats so if you are having little or no success try placing them about 15-20m away and let the lure get to its desired depth, which will mean it is bouncing on the bottom and over structures. Hold your rod horizontal to the water and you will feel the lure hitting and hoping

over logs. A good lure retriever or poll is a worthwhile option in any angler’s armoury; it only has to save 2-3 lures and the retriever has paid for itself. There is always a lot of discussion on which are the best coloured lures to use. I don’t think there is any correct answer, I always suggest to try different options and, especially if fishing with a friend, to start with two different lures and change them every 20-30 minutes into your session until you find what is working on the day. Having said that, if the water is clear I always try my purple and yellow lures as they have always served me well.

Most importantly look at your sounder to know the depth of water you’re trolling to make sure the lures are getting to where the fish will be. Don’t be afraid to troll big lures, such as Oargee 25+ or 15+ Custom Crafted Hammerheads, Predatorsor, the good old StumpJumpers or, if you’re more prone to casting lures, any of the above or spinnerbaits. Cast over the same snag many times as cod will sometimes turn and attack a lure just to get it out of their territory. For those of you who love to baitfish, I would try scrubworms, yabbies or bardi grubs and, if the shrimp are plentiful, put in a shimp net and gather a few. Be prepared to put 2-3 on your hook with a running

sinker rig. There have been some good reports flowing into the shop of catches 2-3km up from the east ramp in Echuca and 4km down from the 5 Mile ramp. Gunbower is still patchy but on the right day is good, the mouth of the Goulburn and upstream for a few kilometres are all going well. The Campaspe around Rochester and Elmore are seeing some good redfin catches on lures and yabbies. So take advantage of these great conditions and get out and get amongst them. • For the latest fishing and boating information in the Echuca/Moama region, drop into Boats and More’s Echuca store at 76 Northern Hwy or give them a call on (03 5482 1992.

water consistently for the past 3 months. I hope this is the reason for the lack of fish being caught and not because most fish are no longer there. It’s very important we all work together to make sure the Shepparton Lake is mostly a catch and release lake as the number of fish will decrease as every day goes by.

I have only had 2 reports from members of the public of 2 undersized cod caught while trolling TN60 Jackals, which are very effective. KIALLA LAKES The lakes are still hit and miss, which is no surprise. I know there are a handful of people who fish the lakes weekly and have had some success on

worms towards the newly upgraded road in lake 1 and 2. The disappointing thing it’s not yellowbelly, it’s redfin and carp being caught. I will be pushing to get the lake back to where it was years ago – lovely clean water with healthy solid fish that can be caught regularly. In coming months keep your eyes

Deano from Bendigo caught this well conditioned cod on a spinnerbait near the 5 Mile at Echuca.

From page 48

them. I will be trying to get to 2 or 3 events in coming months so it would be great to catch up for a chat. Just look out for either River Rats/VFM shirt or at a Mac’s Lure’s display. SHEPPARTON LAKE The lake has had a lot of traffic on it over the summer months. Boats, kayaks, rowers and sailing boats have been on the

open as there will need to be a joint effort to make sure this can all go ahead. WARANGA BASIN The basin has been very hard to get good reports from lately. We are experiencing late afternoon winds that are turning a lot of people off from heading over for a fish after work during the week. Those who do fish the

early mornings have been catching fish but still only managing 5-10 in a session with the average fish being 15-25cm. For those still keen to chase redfin, the inlet and outlet channels are producing some goodsized fish; not in huge numbers but large sized fish up around the 30cm mark.

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The natives are restless YARRA VALLEY

Ian Loft ringwood@compleatangler.com.au

The Yarra River has been harder to pick than a broken nose over the last few months. This is all due to the weather and how it works for and against the old girl. One thing’s for sure, the carp have been on the chew more this year than in the last 10 years. Many customers to the Compleat Angler Ringwood have been buying berley and worms and heading down to join in the fun with kids in tow. Carp are a great resource for teaching kids the ins and outs of fishing. It also gives them a human nature and a biology class at the same time as you will need to dispatch these fish before you dig a hole to put them in! The trout fishing in the upper river has been good all summer; although I wish that people wouldn’t take as many as they do. People need to respect the waterway and realise that it’s quite fragile in its trout stocks and it’s not likely to be stocked with trout ever again. The last time it was stocked by the department was in 1966 and that was in a tributary! I don’t really care how much little Johnny likes catching trout, good on him, but I do care if he stuffs them all in a bucket with no water to take home to show mum – who will feed him Maccas for dinner and toss the trout in the bin! The natives have been restless. Goldens and cod are on and off without really getting a chance to fire right up and any amount of time before it rains again. The water flow is critical for these fish to set up a feed station and be consistent.

Some places do this better than others and the fish are more consistent but for the majority, it’s still hit and miss. At this time of year the trout fishing fires up in some more localised areas, like Warrandyte and Wonga Park because of the rivers slightly clearer moments. Keep the lure in the faster water and use brightly coloured bladder spinners like Rooster Tails and Mepps Black Fury or small hardbodies like Berkley 3B Puppy Dog and Cranka Shad. Working the water is the key to catching fish in this river. You can’t expect them to come swimming at you and jump head first into your bucket. And I’m not talking about walking up the bank 50m or so, you have to put a good walk in. You probably need it after Xmas and New Year, fatty! So get on it and walk for a few kilometres. You can navigate the edges of this river almost the whole way up and down in any direction so there’s no excuse, and beside the idea is to catch fish, not be within listening distance of the car radio (unless the cricket is on). Casting everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE is what will get you connected. Don’t always look for the long cast. The short cast along the bank or into the current can be far more affective. Getting your tackle set isn’t as hard as it may seem. If you haven’t got the rods out for a year or two the first thing you’ll need to do is replace the line. Look for some 3kg, no heaver, lighter if you can. The hook will be the next concern; get some new ones and make sure they’re good quality. Ask the person at the tackle store to sort it out if you’re

not sure. The next and most important thing is your knots and the only way to make them better is to practise them at home. Last but not least is to remember that you can’t lift any fish out of the water that’s bigger than your foot. Use a net or get to the water’s edge and grab it. For more info on how best to fish this wonderful river, drop into the Compleat Angler Ringwood for all the local info.

The trout fishing in the upper river has been good all summer.

Warmer weather fires up lakes MELBOURNE METRO

Ian Debar iand@gottabite.com.au

As both water and air temperatures around Melbourne reach their peak this month, the sweet water fishing will be worth a look. Warm, still afternoons are always worth a shot if you’re a trout angler, along with an afternoon/evening session on local golden perch or Murray cod waters too. The Yarra River around Eltham or Warrandyte is good water to tempt a Murray cod out with either bait or lures. A few nice cod have come from this region this summer by anglers putting in the hard yards, with 3/8oz spinnerbaits doing most of the damage. A tip for anglers fishing the snaggy reaches of the Yarra for cod: when ‘slow rolling’ your lures back hold your rod tip up at around 11 o’clock. This way, you will be able to see the lure working its way back and see if it starts fouling up on a snag or

rock, which is when the tip will slowly load up. If it does wind fast and give a few quick ‘rips’ and 90% of the time your lure will ride out from the snag and keep going. The Woori Yallock to Warburton region on the river is still producing some decent trout during the day, with early morning and late afternoon being the prime times. Anglers letting scrubworms drift into the deeper pools during the warmer period of the day have caught trout to 2lb along with the odd redfin. A few anglers fishing deep with small stickbaits and vibes have also been catching trout and redfin just above Warburton. Sugarloaf Reservoir has been a little on the quiet

A great option for most dams are yabby-imitating Squidgy Lobbys. Many golden perch have been fooled by a small grenade coloured Lobby, slowly hopped back along the edge on a 1/12oz jighead. Devilsbend Reservoir has been a bit quiet recently, but a keen angler knows that it is still worth persevering. Brown trout close to the 10lb mark roam around the edges of the weed beds under low light conditions. With the amount of insects around in the neighbouring bushland, fly anglers will have a good shot at hooking a few quality trout in this clear waterway. Karkarook Park Lake has produced some reasonable redfin for

into coarse fishing. All species including carp, redfin, trout, roach and the odd tench can be caught once a good berley trail is started. Lucky angler Trevor recently caught and released 32 roach using a fine grit berley trail laced with maggots, and another angler near him landed a carp over a metre long using the same method! If you have had some success in these areas lately send me a photo and go into the draw for your chance to win a HD Sports Camera valued at $129.99. Email it to: admin@fishingcamping. com.au include, angler’s name, species, and the area you were fishing. • For up to date fishing

DAM LEVELS Lake/Dam % Full

Dam % Full

LAKE/DAM Nov Dec Jan Cairn Curran 79 82 77 Dartmouth 98 98 94 Eildon 89 90 85 Eppalock 85 87 84 Fyans 82 73 73 Greens 42 62 59 Hepburn 73 96 85 Hume 97 78 66 Lauriston 97 99 91 Malmsbury 96 88 66 Mulwala (Yarrawonga) 96 96 96

Newlyn 74 97 89 Nillahcootie 101 97 91 Rocklands 43 43 39 Taylors 40 63 75 Tullaroop 63 66 63 Upper Coliban 101 99 98 Waranga 88 69 52 Wartook 79 82 73 William Hovell 102 100 97

FEBRUARY 2014

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

This Sugarloaf Reservoir golden perch was caught by Jordan Cervenjak. side recently, but is still worth a prospect if you want to have your lure hit by a golden perch. Most anglers catching goldens here at the moment have been throwing lures like spinnerbaits and medium running hardbodies; but if the fishing is slow try changing to a small soft plastic.

anglers over the past month. Baits of scrubworm and small freshwater yabbies have been the way to go for the reddies, with the odd lure angler getting amongst the action as well. The gun lure for anglers here lately has been the lava coloured Squidgy Wriggler in 80mm. Rowville Lakes has been the spot for anglers

information, contact the guys at Compleat Angler in Dandenong on 9794 9397 or drop in and see us at 241 – 243 Princes Hwy, Dandenong, we are open 7 days a week. For our other latest fishing reports and to download information sheets, go to www fishingcamping.com.au.

January was disappointing but still delivers EILDON

Andy McCarthy

January didn’t quite deliver as I thought it would, it was very tough indeed. Over the first couple of weeks the wind was relentlessly blowing right up to 40 knots at times, which made it tough going that’s for sure. It turned out to be a sporadic bite with very small windows; the bite would turn on and off at the click of your finger. The golden perch have tapered off significantly with nowhere near as many fish being caught. The top of the

lake was delivering more numbers of fish right across the board. One of the most surprising things is the redfin are very few and far between. The same time over the past few years the reddies were going gangbusters, but not this year. Hopefully in February they will come on the chew – I’m missing my Sunday redfin and salad for lunch! Probably the highlight lately has been the cod fishing. The biggest report lately was a cracking 94cm model caught somewhere near Jews Creek and quite a lot of small fish from 35-55cm, which is great news. A massive thanks to

folks, it is becoming far too common on our waterways. THE PONDAGE Surprisingly it has been going quite strong considering

how the level has been fluctuating so much. There have been quality browns and rainbows up to 5lb on local dough and Powerbait.

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Jess Proudlock with her first golden perch. They are now starting to taper off towards the end of summer. Fisheries once again as the fruits of their labour are paying off in spades. Recently there has also been quite a few decent trout caught; a few browns around the 4-5lb mark and some nice rainbows in slightly lesser scale. So let’s hope

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Getting deep this summer BONNIE DOON

James Dainton

With the summer heat well and truly kicked in, the water temperature is at its peak, which means a lot of the sports fish are holding in deeper water. Working in close along the edges is no longer the most productive method of choice for chasing natives, or trout for that matter. Redfin are in full swing and with the limited amount of structure within Bonnie Doon it’s a matter of finding a school, but when you do there are plenty of quality reddies to be caught. Fishing baits, such as worms, yabbies and shrimp, off the bottom around structure is ideal. Move from tree to tree in 20-30ft of water spending no longer than 10 minutes per tree. In the process of chasing redfin don’t be surprised to tangle with a golden perch as they are more commonly found around structure at this time of year. If you’re sounding up quality fish on your sonar, an absolutely deadly method to employ on goldens is a lightly weighted bait loaded with worms that is allowed to sink right to the bottom and slowly wind it right up against the main base of the tree; if there are goldens present on the structure they

Large goldens like this are not rare in Lake Eildon. The Balista Dyno 60 with the flashing LED tail claimed this fish right on dusk. cannot resist this method. This is also works really well with lightly weighted plastic worms. I find it terribly hard to sit still and find this method great for keeping engaged while waiting for a bite. If you’re after a big native then lure fishing after dark is a great way of targeting the bigger fish. Under the cover of darkness cod come out from their lair to search for a feed, and if you’ve got the right presentation you can be in for a real treat. If you’ve fished during the afternoon pick yourself one or two banks for later and when it does get dark head back to these banks and fish the bank heavily. It is well worth employing a number of different methods, including casting the banks with lipless crankbaits, big hardbodies, spinnerbaits as

well as surface lures. If there is an active cod roaming the bank for a feed it will have no problem engulfing a surface lure off the top. Surface fishing after dark is something else, you can hear the boof and all you can do is hold on and wait to feel if the fish has hooked up. The feeling of anticipation between hearing the strike and waiting to feel the weight is an unbelievable feeling. If you haven’t had any luck casting the bank then it’s time to start trolling large hardbodies. Start in close around 3-4m for a run, move out to 4-5m for the pass on the way back and so on until you get to 8m. Dark lures like blacks and purples create a silhouette against the top of the water, if a fish is looking up towards the surface then a darker profile is easier to see.

If you’re catching fish you can be out on the lake well past midnight, if you get to midnight without any luck it’s time to call it a night. And when you’re selecting a night to do a night troll, try and time it so that you will be fishing one hour either side of the moon rise. It’s a great time of year to be out on the water, as always it’s all about time on the water. Lake Eildon can be a challenging waterway to go for one afternoon and bag out on fish. It takes time to work out your spots, and either when you have it takes more time to catch the fish on a sharp bite. If you have any photos or reports from Bonnie Doon I’d be delighted to hear from you. • Our Balista range of lures feature LED technology and are designed specifically for natives. View the range at www.balista.com.au or join us at facebook.com/balistalures

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Cod, cod, glorious cod being caught downstream closer to Bundalong and in Lake Mulwala. In February the fishing should remain really good provided it does not get too hot. If it does get ridiculously hot, like it did last year, then try fishing early in the morning or late in the evening, with the mornings the most productive. I have been having a lot of success on spinnerbaits and surface lures lately, so give both of them a go. The Ovens River is very clogged up with logs, so boating is really only an option early in the season. During February, when the river is really low, kayaking is very popular, as is walking the banks, unless you are scared of snakes because there are plenty of them around here. As mentioned, if it is larger fish you want, head down to Bundalong and don’t expect to catch a lot of fish but, when fishing in the big deep holes, hold on tight because you never know when your lure or bait will get nailed. If you are after some great sports fishing, try fishing the Ovens River anywhere upstream of Bundalong, right up to Myrtleford. The King River has been fishing equally as well, and should continue to fish very well throughout February, however access is much more difficult and the banks much

WANGARATTA

Robbie Alexander

Cod, cod and more cod have been making headline in fishing news in the Ovens River catchment. Never before have I seen so many Murray cod in the rivers here, as well as the protected trout cod, which seem to be in plague proportions. A few years back, the black water event went through the lower Murray River and various other waterways killing plenty of Murray cod in its path. It was a very sad sight. At the same time, the water flowing down the Murray River upstream of Lake Mulwala and the Ovens River was not that great either. As a result, the millions of small Murray cod that were frequently caught in Lake Mulwala have pushed upstream at that point in time looking for fresher, more oxygenated water. As a result, we now have a river system that is absolutely packed with small cod, and the lower reaches are now much quieter. What I am eluding to is that anywhere along the Ovens River is worth fishing at the moment, but do not expect to catch anything too big. The lesser numbers of cod in the far lower reaches of the Ovens, and in Lake Mulwala have led to better than average growth rates, meaning that fewer, but bigger cod are

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more overgrown. The Edi cutting is a great place to access the river and camp. There are plenty of cod there, the water is very clear and dogs are allowed, making it a very family friendly spot to camp and fish. The trout fishing has remained quiet right across the region with just one or two tributaries of the Ovens River producing fish on a regular basis. Most streams have been producing the odd trout, but they really have been few and far between. During February, head as far upstream as you can and look for some shaded small waterways with a decent flow. The upper reaches of the Buckland would be an ideal starting point. The Rose, Dandongadale and Buffalo rivers have seen a few fish caught, but nowhere near the numbers they were turning up in a few years back. The Ovens River upstream of Bright has remained exceptionally quiet. In all of these rivers, make sure you

Brett Corker with an Ovens River cod caught on a Bassman spinnerbait at sunset. These small cod should still be biting well in February. concentrate on the low light periods of the day during this hot time of the ear, with the mornings offering the coolest temperatures. A few redfin have been turning up, and by February Lake William Hovell should be starting to fish quite well. The lake usually starts

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YARRAWONGA

Tony Bennett codclassic@bigpond.com

With things starting to settle down and resemble some sort of normality after a hectic Christmas/ New Year period, it’s time to get back in the boat and attack the home of the Murray cod, Lake Mulwala. Traditionally, January through to May is your prime time to be chasing the Mulwala legends and there is no time better than the present. For the beginners, mums/ dads looking to put the kids onto a fish or those who haven’t got access to a boat, bait fishing from the shore is your best bet. Areas on the NSW side of the lake that have good access and prove

productive for the bait fishos include the Train Park, the foreshore around the Mulwala swimming pool and the park opposite Club Mulwala, directly at the end of the main traffic bridge. On the Victorian side, the Yarrawonga foreshore, Hogans Road foreshore and the Yacht Club give great access. Those with boat access have unlimited options and plenty of area to explore. Bait anglers are best served seeking out some water with good depth and current flow. Choice baits, according to Cod Classic catch cards, include bardi grubs, cheese, scrub worms or yabbies. Lure fishing, where do I start? The choices and applications are endless. Easiest bet, and surprisingly one of the most productive, is trolling the open water

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In February, try bobbing soft plastics off the bottom if you are in a boat or kayak. If you are land-based, try angling using very small yabbies for bait, as well as casting small soft plastics from the bank, allowing them to sink and retrieving them close to the bottom.

Chase the Mulwala legends

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dropping in February as low rainfall increases demand for downstream irrigation. My favourite time of the year to fish this lake for redfin is when it starts dropping, and then by late March, when the water starts to cool a few trout start turning up, but I will go into that next month.

Harry Snook was very happy with his 70cm Murray cod.

in front of the Yarrawonga/ Mulwala townships. Even though there is no visible structure (trees) above the water there is a plethora of timber below. Lures that troll to depths of 5-6m are your best option and will keep you from continually being snagged. Don’t discount casting this open water, as the cod in this area have not seen as many cast lures as those in other parts of the lake. Those that like ‘active’ fishing casting any style of lure, whether it is a hardbody, spinnerbait or crankbait, have endless options. Important things to remember are lure presentation, as close as possible to the snag, current flow, lure choice and ‘slow’. Keep things fairly simple and rewards will come for those who put in the time. Looking back, early December proved tough due to the unseasonal cold snap but as the weather warmed, so did the fishing action. Numerous cod were reported by happy customers but none happier than young gun 11yo Harry Snook from Gunnedah. Harry and his father David spent a few days here pre-Christmas and did very well landing numerous cod measuring well into the 70cm bracket. Surface fishing is very popular this time of year and should not be discounted at any time, especially dawn or dusk. Doing some homework on wind direction and fishing areas will always

find you with pockets of calm water to fish even when it is a tad windy. After reading my own report over and over again, I can’t stress enough how handy the new Lake Mulwala mapping system from Charted Waters is, even if you think you know the lake like the back of your hand or are only new to the waterway. For the ability to help you chose your preferred water margins, sneaky creeks or just for basic navigation is priceless. With the competition season upon us, there are a few events coming up over the next couple of months. The first is the ever popular Lowrance Da$h 4 Cash, Feb 15-16. Following this is the His & Hers Partners Classic, March 1, a great day for understanding couples to share time together in the boat. To round out the comp season is the Cod Nationals, five days of serious tournament fishing for the dedicated green fish angler. • 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.

Good flow continues at Kiewa KEIWA VALLEY

Robbie Alexander

The fishing in the Kiewa River has remained pretty consistent in recent months with the upper reaches from Mt Beauty to Dederang producing trout on a regularly basis, with a few bigger fish in the mix. The lower reaches from Dederang down to the Murray have produced Murray cod, which has also been consistent. Neither species have really ‘boomed’ so to speak, but they have been ticking over nicely. Even the odd yellowbelly has been caught in the far lower reaches of the river near Wodonga. Come February and everything will be stinking hot. The days will be hot, the grass will be brown and the Kiewa Valley will be at its most arid. Despite this the fishing should still be okay as the Kiewa River has one of the strongest,

and most reliable flows in this area. In the upper headwaters above Falls Creek, a few of the tiny alpine tributaries are diverted via a series of aqueducts, diverting water that would usually flow into the far upper reaches of the Mitta Mitta River, and sending it down the Kiewa River instead. Because of this the Kiewa River is quite a drought-proof river, and in the severe drought of 2007 the Kiewa maintained a decent flow. TROUT Anywhere upstream of Dederang is worth a try on the Kiewa River, but in the extreme heat the closer you get to Mt Beauty the cooler the water will be, and the better the fishing will be. Try fishing close to the spillway in Mt Beauty, where the Kiewa River runs out of the Mt Beauty pondage. This spillway acts as a barrier and the trout cannot swim any further upstream. As a result trout are often caught here regularly. Bladed spinners should

work well, so too should small soft plastics. Fly fishers usually do quite well in the Kiewa River in February, especially of an evening, and bait fishers should try floating a few grasshoppers. The Kiewa River is not big on numbers so don’t expect to catch 30 trout a day. It is however, a very well balanced trout fishery with a good combination of big and small trout. Ten trout per day is quite a good day on the Kiewa. Across the hill to the Mitta Mitta River and it is a similar story anywhere upstream of Eskdale. There are not big numbers of trout in the Mitta Mitta, but there are some quite big fish. The water in the Mitta Mitta River is usually a bit warmer than that found in the Kiewa in February though, so the trout fishing could be a bit slow. Concentrate your efforts on the low light periods of morning and evening, and don’t be afraid to let your lure or bait sink to the very

bottom of some of the deep Mitta Mitta holes. Should we get a decent rain event similar to the one we experienced in December, or even a decent thunderstorm, head out and fish the cooler freshwater as this can often trigger the trout feed vigorously. NATIVE FISH The Kiewa River and Lake Hume have been dominating in this area for native fish. The lower reaches of the Kiewa River have been producing quite a few Murray cod, including a few large fish. Spinnerbaits and surface poppers have been doing most of the damage. My mate Brenton Richardson, who lives in the Kiewa Valley has been catching a few cod on Bassman Spinnerbaits and Koolabung Codwalker surface lures, while his mate Browny has been picking some nice fish up on a Kingfisher Mantis surface lure. Brenton says that the cicadas have been so noisy that it is deafening and he

A Kiewa River brown trout caught on a 40mm Metalhead soft plastic. Expect a slowing in the trout fishing in February. There will still be a few around, but the warmer water will slow them down a bit. contributes this to one of the reasons the surface fishing has been so good. In February I would expect that the fishing will remain the same and that not much will change. Enjoy the Kiewa River water as a way of escaping the February heat. Downstream at Lake Hume and keen Wodonga angler Cliff Karnatz has been cleaning the table catching decent sized golden perch on a regular basis. Cliff has been trolling up his golden perch

on a wide body McGrath lure with the standout being the cobra colour. Cliff has also been catching quite a few redfin, including a few decent fish. Once again I am expecting little change to this in February. As March and April get here and things start to cool down there will be a few changes in the fishing, but I will mention that in the coming issues. For now just enjoy the great February fishing this wonderful corner of the state has to offer.

Freshwater fishing fires up WST/STH GIPPSLAND

Steve Haughton steve.haughton@hotmail.com

There are plenty of great fishing opportunities over summer in the West and South Gippsland region and being able to cool off after a hot day’s fishing is a bonus in this region’s icy cold and clean waters. We have all the cool streams and rivers, which are great places to fish on a hot summer’s day. Venturing along a valley with rugged hills either side with the trees offering shade and protection against the sun is a nice way to get through a hot one. Wearing an old pair of shoes and shorts instead of waders also helps! There is an abundance of stream trout throughout the

tributaries and although not huge, they are a tonne of fun on light gear. All rivers and streams are worth fishing over summer but you can’t go past the Toorongo, which has been fishing beautifully lately and has terrific access for wading; important so that you avoid contact with snakes. The Tanjil River will also become a bit easier to fish as the stream flows slow down. This river has been flowing very hard for over 8 months so the fishing pressure has been minimal. The Latrobe River in town at Noojee will also be quite popular and always seems to fish quite well despite the number of people who visit the area over summer to swim, fish and play in the water. Remember to practise catch and release with stream trout

to ensure there are enough fish stocks to continue future spawning. Blue Rock Lake is also on the summer fishing hit list with inviting cool lake waters providing the ideal place to take a dip when the sun is at its peak. Lake trout tend to go down to deeper, cooler waters but they will come out to feed on the surface when there is a hatching of insects on those balmy humid summer evenings. Bass will be the main target for many anglers with kayaks or boats suitable for the lake. Although difficult to find for first-time anglers to the lake, many who have been successful in the past are now able to have repeat success. Difficulty mostly comes down to where to start casting on the lake given the vastness of dead trees and structure where bass

could potentially be hiding. Redfin will also be fun over the summer months as they become more aggressive as the water temperature increases in the lake. The only big redfin I’ve ever seen on the lake was at least 2kg but was very ill and floating on the surface. Most redfin that are caught are only around the 15-25cm mark, but there must be some big fish out there up the Tanjil Arm in amongst the dead trees. Catching them is as simple as dropping a garden worm alongside a dead tree or casting lures at structure; a bass just might be a very nice by-catch. The infamous carp are also everywhere in the lake and are very active over summer. In February you’ll see them schooling in coves as they prepare for breeding. This is often the best time to strike as

Adam Neville has been enjoying his summer holidays catching and releasing a heap of stream trout along the Toorongo River. His lure of choice has been the Ecogear MX48 in a redfin coloured pattern. they are quite aggressive and hungry. A small soft plastic or lure cast right at their nose can be enough for them to strike. Corn on a hook cast from the bank is also a nice way to spend a day relaxing by the water. Remember to keep the rod in a secure rod holder as a stick propping

up the rod just won’t do if you’re not paying attention; too many times I’ve seen anglers lose their rods to the depths because of a carp. Feel free to send me a report or photo particularly if you have any success stories fishing the streams or Blue Rock. Happy fishing!

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Beginning of a new fishery CTL GIPPSLAND

Will Thompson allwaysangling@bigpond.com

The work by Fisheries has actually paid off and, guess what? We have a Gippsland bass fishery!

few more in the 30cm range. It’s very interesting to see we have a size range well spread from baby 10cm specimens to the magical 40cm mark. This is good news as there is going to be a Hobie Bass tournament held on Blue Rock Lake in March, people have been sceptical if it’s worth it, but I can assure you from the reports and photos I have that it will be a cracker of a tournament. Doug Phayer and a few friends of his had a blinder of a session on Blue Rock recently where they landed over 50 bass between them,

Doug Phayer holds up one of many Blue Rock bass that he and his mates caught during a ripper session recently. SA005

Nikita Cassidy with her first fish, a 35cm brown trout from Lake Dartmouth.

We have had reports all year and this summer has seen Blue Rock turn into a bass Mecca of Gippsland. The fish that have been coming out of Blue Rock Lake recently have been nothing short of incredible, especially considering we have really only had consistent stocking for the past 4-5 years, and of course the original 2001/2002 batch that started it all. The bass have been measuring up to and over 40cm. We have a huge number of bass in the low to mid 20cm size range and a

Chesney Fung holds up 2 ripper bass caught from Blue Rock. The tournament in March is going to be a ripper by the look of these fish. too many bass are getting caught in the middle of the day; 3pm onwards and early morning before 9am are the best times to catch the bass. That’s all the info I’m allowed to divulge, check out the photos and get out there and have a go. • 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. Tune into Rex Hunt and Lee Rayner’s Off the Hook on 1242 to hear Will’s report on what’s going on in Gippsland!

with bass sizes ranging anywhere from 10cm long to the high 30cm mark. Doug tells me that all methods were working great, from spinnerbaits, surface walkers and hardbodied divers and soft plastics. Dave Wilkinson and his crew of kayakers have been smashing the bass as well in Blue Rock and they are doing very well on small spinnerbaits and little Rapala Originals and Countdowns. The key is to fish the sticks, especially around Willow Grove. The other important thing has been the time of day. Not

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FEBRUARY 2014

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Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Skin cancer is a pretty grim topic to be discussed in a fishing magazine but we anglers – on that lovely blue water on a cracker of a summer’s day – are right in the firing line.. The trick, of course, is to dodge the bullet. Skin cancer is rampant in Australia. Statistics show that 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer prior to age 70. Does that mean skin cancer only affects older people? Think again: I had a stage two melanoma diagnosed at age 27 with the usual post surgery prognosis for the disease: if I survived five years I was regarded as cured. Since that time I have excluded, as much as possible, any sun exposure from around 7am until after 5pm of an afternoon. This has been an enduring and uncomfortable at times commitment. I’ve always used sunscreen, naturally, but my sun protection regime involves long sleeved shirts, long trousers, footwear and socks. Footwear? Yes, as the skin is an organ sun damage in one area might lead to a skin cancer elsewhere. STAY COOL WITH THE ADAPT A CAP ULTIMATE Most sun conscious anglers do find that the face is the most difficult part of our bodies to protect. It’s so tempting to enjoy some breeze in the face while travelling in the boat but I find that even

WHEN: SUNDAY 23 MARCH 2014 WHERE: RIGHT ACROSS AUSTRALIA Over Kampey lowered the face cover section of the cap so he could be photographed with this barra taken up north last September. and these days Denise and I have one each. The Ultimate features side vents plus an adjustable band on the cap. There’s a very wide visor to offer best shading of the face plus it’s made from lightweight, antibacterial, yet quite breathable fabric with a UPF of 50+. In essence it’s a cap, visor, and lower face cover section that can be moved up to cover the face and neck, or eased back over the upper cap section if not required for face cover. On a trip to north in September I used the Ultimate extensively, enjoying total face protection by drawing up the face cover (lower) section and holding it comfortably in place - and enjoying plenty of air

Even with the face completely covered the Adapt A Cap Ultimate is surprisingly cool. with sunscreen applied it’s an unacceptable risk, so I upgrade my sun protection by covering my face as much as possible to simply exclude sun exposure. The problem is that some sun protection caps or wraps I’ve used were somewhat restrictive and caused annoyance from feeling too tight, or with crinkly or scratchy material causing other discomfort. The breakthrough in my sun management came when I tried on an Adapt A Cap Ultimate. I was amazed at the feeling of freedom I experienced from the outset

flow through it - with the cap’s draw string and toggle. In that situation the Adapt A Cap Ultimate was much more comfortable than any previous garment I’d used on my face. Half day stints were no problem even when the temperature was in the low thirties. To enjoy a drink or meal, and maybe photograph a fish the draw string was slackened, the face cover section eased downwards, and with mission accomplished, I covered my face again by tightening the draw string. With its inherent comfort and coolness, total protection for neck face and lips, the Adapt A Cap Ultimate is an asset for anglers wanting to protect themselves against skin cancer. And isn’t that all of us these days? Sun Protection Australia also market, along with other clothing items of course, excellent 50+ UPF Sports Gloves which provide full sun protection for the backs of hands. The Sports Gloves feature a non slip rubber like palm area and have a Velcro wrist adjustment. Light and comfortable is how I would describe them. Sun Protection Australia can be contacted on the phone on (02) 6685 6666, fax (02) 6685 8966 or at www. sunprotection.com.au.

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25 years and counting JINDABYNE

Steve Williamson swtrout@airlan.com.au

Welcome to February and welcome to the 25th Anniversary of my business, Lake Jindabyne Trout Fishing Adventures. Those 25 years have seen a whole lot of trout being caught, and many a story I could tell you about the varied people I’ve guided. Some good anglers and not so good anglers, anglers willing to learn and a few who just wouldn’t listen! Famous people, rich people, poor people, disabled people, and a whole lot of really nice people – some of whom have become good friends. I was blessed in the early days to have great mentors, whose help contributed to the successes I have achieved over the last 25 years. I won’t mention them all here as some may want to remain anonymous. Looking back, I can say there haven’t been many fishing TV shows, videos and DVDs that I have not been featured in! Many of the TV shows weren’t even fishingoriented. I have written articles for many a magazine, published 2 books and written thousands of fishing reports. My achievements as a business have been many, with national business awards and tourism awards with the biggest achievement being the National Micro Business of the Year award presented to me at Parliament House in Canberra in 2001 and I even have a Lifetime achievement award for Services to Tourism. Hopefully if there is interest I might even write a book about my experiences as a fishing guide one day. There would be some interesting tales to be told.

I have been writing for NSW Fishing Monthly for many years, and it was a shame to see Tony Zann move on. Thanks Tony – we will all miss you. I have also been working with [Fishing Monthly Editor] Stephen Booth since he started working in the industry with Freshwater Fishing magazine. Stephen was just a boy at the time and I guess I am sounding a little old right now! But life goes on for an old trout fishing ‘guru’ as they say, and hopefully you have all enjoyed my reports over the years. I always try to be as honest as possible with how the fishing has been, and what anglers can expect in the coming weeks and months. As the now President of The Professional Fishing Instructors and Guides Association of Australia, I have many things that I would like to achieve before I retire. First of all, I would like to see fishing guides licenced or regulated in some way. I am sick to death of selfconfessed ‘experts’ claiming to be experienced guides. These operators, with minimal experience in fishing and a lot less in business practices, often damage the guiding industry. It’s time for Fisheries agencies to support accreditation and professional guiding, as is done with maritime and the charter boat industry. I believe it’s also important that we support nationally recognised fishing courses that are within the guidelines of the Vocational Education and Training system. It is about time the recreational fishing industry realises that fishing is not just a recreational pastime, or even a sport – to thousands of us, it is a professional career. As such, it is time that the government recognise that fact and introduce fishing in one

form or another into schools. So as I head into the 26th year of my career, I would like to talk further about what I think is a way forward for recreational fishing in Australia, and how we can improve our fishing opportunities. Meanwhile, let’s look at the fishing for February. THE MONTH AHEAD As reported last month, the river fishing season was very late this year and is only now about to peak. Due to the late season and cooler conditions the flyfishers are only now experiencing the best flyfishing for years. With lots of bugs about now, the trout are leaping for joy! The water level on the streams is lower and clear, but river lure spinners are still doing OK with small spinners and small minnow lures. Over the last month Lake Jindabyne’s water level dropped a tad, but it’s still high and fishing well. It was also a late start to the boat fishing this season but the trollers are now doing OK early and late with surface lures and on lead core lines and downriggers in the middle of the day. We have seen some very big rainbow trout caught over recent weeks. Overall it is the time to hit the mountains for a little trout fishing while the weather is warm and the fish are biting, so I hope to see you on the water soon. Let’s now have a look at how to catch one in a little more detail. The boat trolling this year has been very good and we are still catching trout on the surface because the water isn’t as warm as it has been in previous years. We have

Glenn Cahill and Bec Hontaxis with a great rainbow caught on a Steve Williamson black and gold Tasmanian Devil. Summer mornings can be cool in this neck of the woods. been using downriggers on the really hot and bright days, but the downrigger depth hasn’t been as deep as in previous years. Around 25-35ft is about perfect. We should see this formula continue over the next month or so. Start off early in the day with surface lines, and the trick is to have at least 60m and even up to 100m of line out to get best results when trolling the edges of the shoreline. After about an hour add a lead core line into the equation. With lead lines you should start with 2 colours (20m) early and 3 colours (30m) later in the morning. The Tasmanian Devil number 111 ‘Willy’s Special’ is still about the best Tasmanian Devil colour at the moment followed by the yellowing brown bomber. My new black/ gold Tasmanian Devil and the holographic have been the best for darker conditions and also have been good for downrigging. I have also been doing well with 9cm Rapalas down off the downrigger and lead lines. The best colours are rainbow trout and brown trout. Gaden

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Trout Hatchery released the baby rainbow trout fingerlings into Jindabyne last month so all natural rainbow trout colours are working well. With water levels still high, some of the better trolling areas this month will be Hatchery Bay and Hayshed Bay and Sid’s Bay through to Rushes Bay. Just be sure to watch the rocks as the East Jindabyne Islands start to reappear as the water levels drop.

The best lure spinning on the lake has been in the shallow bays early and late in the day, and you can start by spinning the edges with Celtas or flicking floating Spotted Dog Rapalas. The best spinning late in the day is where there are steep drop-offs with plenty of rocks. Bays like Creel, Hatchery and the Snowy Arm all fish well. On brighter days, change to a Tassie and cast further out over drop-offs, letting the lure sink before you slowly retrieve. The best areas have been down at the South Arm or near Banjo Patterson Park. Fish are still being caught in the Thredbo River also on small Rapalas in the floating variety, with the best colours being rainbow trout and perch. You can also try some Vibrax Glow spinners very early and late in the day or some soft plastics like the Strike Tiger in olive pepper. On the smaller streams like the Moonbah or upper Snowy, a variety of lures will work, but the best will be small bladed spinners, like the Gillies Spina or Celtas in numbers 1 or 2. For deeper water, I recommend the Rapala CD5 Spotted Dog or Gillies Tailbender. Bait fishing on lake Jindabyne has been good over recent months with the higher water levels. Mudeyes have been good used under a float or even worms under a float. You can either let the waves move it about or, if there’s no wind, try to wind it in very slowly with a pause every turn of the handle. Some anglers have been getting good results on the new Ecogear Bream Prawn 40 under a float. These look very much like a real mudeye. Another bait worth suspending under a float is the old faithful grasshopper. It’s a bait you don’t often see used these days but it works a treat. There are plenty about at the moment but you might need the kids with a butterfly net to help you collect the bait. The newer artificial Dynamite bait is gaining favour, with the bloodworm and honey work flavours working well over the past month.

The best bait fishing areas are Creel Bay, Hatchery Bay and Curiosity Rocks. Another great area is the bottom of Discovery Holiday Park near Widows Creek Inlet. Some of the best lake flyfishing is during the coming months, and this year with the steady lake level we should see some big fish caught. Try any of the streamer patterns such as Mrs Simpson and Williamson’s Snowy Mountains Gold Fish. Olive green nymphs and shrimp patterns are also worth a try. The South Arm, Creel Bay and Kangaroo Bay are all great. On the rivers, the Thredbo River has been spectacular. The season has been late and we should continue to see some fantastic dry flyfishing again this month. The Alpine streams are still at their best and plenty of small fish are being caught on dry fly. Fly selection is not too critical in these streams but placement is critical or else you’ll just scare all the fish. Flies you must have are brown beetle patterns, Snowy Hopper, Stimulator, Royal Wulff and Parachute hoppers. Maybe a brown and a black nymph if the fish are not rising and a white moth or white Wulff. You had better throw a midge pattern, brown mayfly and an Adams in as well to make certain you have most circumstances covered. All in all, we are looking good for at least some great lake fishing over the coming months, so get your gear together and come and try some our fantastic trout fishing. If you would like some personal guiding, I will be available over the coming months for flyfishing tuition and lake trolling trips. Lessons can be booked from 2 hours and trolling trips from 3 hours to a full day. If you want to know more about the latest in fishing conditions, give me a call on 02 64 561551 or visit www.swtroutfishing. com.au. We also post daily updates on Facebook – just search for Steve Williamson’s Trout Fishing Adventures and like the page. Until next month, hope you catch the big one.

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FEBRUARY 2014

Reap the benefits of a wet year TASMANIA

Neil Grose vfmeditor@fishingmonthly.com.au

While the start of summer was more spring than spring was, we should now be seeing the benefits of a wet 2013 and a hot East Australia Current running down the east coast. FRESHWATER STREAMS The main focus for fly fishers is on the grasshopper. Streams have had plenty of rainfall to keep them at good levels, and with dry conditions and dry grass along the best streams, there will be masses of ‘hoppers plopping onto the water. In the north few can go past streams like the North Esk, South Esk and St Pats, although if some of the smaller creeks surrounded by pasture can be accessed then the fishing should be good. While many streams are down on numbers due to the

cormorant plague of 2012/13, the fish that do remain are quite fat. The best flies are those that make a nice plop when they hit the water and stay floating. Apart from that some casual resemblance to a grasshopper is good. Fish them along the shallow banks and anywhere near over hanging grass. Down south the grasshopper is still the prime focus, but on streams where the ‘hoppers are absent stick with the generic flies such as the Royal Wulff and Elk Hair Caddis. The Tyenna is the nymphing equivalent to the MCG, and many anglers have already found that this stream has more than recovered the ground lost to cormorants. Caddis hatches will be still evident on most fastwater streams of an evening, although not usually in the numbers encountered in spring. Small mayflies are also small in numbers during the heat of summer, but with only a month until things

Roger Armstrong with an example of just how good the trout can be in Arthurs Lake when the level is high.

cool down a bit there isn’t long to wait. The meadow streams of the Macquarie and Brumbies Creek are always as you find them. Flows can be a little frustrating depending upon the amount of water coming down from Poatina or on irrigation, but anything above low flow will be fine. The weirs at Brumbies are a very popular destination at this time of year with the hot tip to fish this water early of a morning with a different plan when the wind gets up. The sea breeze often makes things a bit testy after lunchtime, and any forecast for a ripping westerly should mean a different plan. Lure fishers often struggle during the peak of summer; however tackling the streams at daybreak is the best bet for action. Small hardbodied lures and soft plastics are the best shot. As the day gets warmer the tendency is for trout to start following lures rather than taking them, which can be very frustrating LOWLAND LAKES Lowland still waters are best now left until March, especially Four Springs, which becomes too hard to fish due to weed. I am reliably informed that the weed normally reduces significantly later in March, which is something to keep in the memory bank. Even deep water like Huntsman Lake will be hit by the dreaded ‘dog days’ of summer. The best bet will be to drive another 45 minutes and fish Great Lake. Southern waters like Meadow Bank haven’t really covered themselves in glory recently, and southern anglers looking for good trout fishing should keep heading up the Lyell Highway to higher altitude waters. HIGHLAND LAKES GREAT LAKE Great Lake is simply wonderful this season. Bright days are best for the fly fisher, particularly with a good wind from the northwest to

northeast. This leads to the fabled ‘shark’ fishing, where brown and rainbow trout feed high in the waves and become very easy to see when spotting from a boat. It can get rough out there, so small boats are not an option. Trollers do very well on Great Lake, especially early of a morning and then as the sunsets. Mostly they do well fishing deep around areas like Kangaroo Rocks, McLanaghan Island, Becketts Bay and the area off Elizabeth Bay. I like to fish the shores on foot on bright days, as the polaroiding can be the equal if not better than the experience of the nearby Nineteen Lagoons. There are far more trout in Great Lake than there will ever be in the popular waters of lakes Like Botsford, there are less people (mostly none) and they can be seen cruising across the substrate quite easily. ARTHURS LAKE Arthurs is pretty much back to where we would hope – reasonable hatches, plenty of fish looking up and fun for everyone. The water level is slowly receding, more due to evaporation than anything else and as far as I’m concerned, this is a good thing. All throughout February, fish will be found close to shore and around stands of dead timber. These fish are looking to feed on anything, and well-presented generic dry flies will always accumulate a good number of fish over the day. If looking for hatches on a cloudy day then head to Cow Paddock Bay, Hydro Bay, Creely Bay or Tumble Down, as these areas offer the best chance of a good dun hatch. There are of course plenty of other areas on the lake, which are good, but not with the consistency of the aforementioned locations. Early morning wind lanes are fantastic on Arthurs at this time of year, especially in Hydro Bay and on the Morass. Mostly these fish in

Craig Templar with a solid Derwent River bream taken on one of his unique fly-jigs. the wind lanes are looking for midges, but true to form for Arthurs Lake the trout are quite willing to take pretty much anything. WESTERN LAKES This is the time of year when we see a lot of anglers in the Nineteen Lagoons trying to capture that wilderness experience of this amazing place. It is counter intuitive therefore when we see up to 15 anglers fishing one small lagoon! Many highland locals call this the ‘silly season’, as the Nineteen Lagoons will be ‘chockers’ with anglers, yet walk for 30 minutes past Talinah Lagoon and the place is deserted, yet with some wonderful fishing available. Water levels should be dropping come February – this country really depends upon consistent rainfall – a wet spring and early summer doesn’t translate into high summer levels. Trout here are accustomed to this though, but bear in mind that long drawn out

fights with fish in the heat of the day will make it hard to successfully release fish, especially big ones. Bright days will see plenty of people out here for the poloroiding, but don’t cross out the cloudy days – the fish still feed and some of the most intense mayfly hatches you will ever see are in the western lakes. SALTWATER NORTH The north of the state is dominated by two significant estuaries – the Tamar River and Port Sorell. The Tamar is something of an enigma – this massive water promises much, but to a great extent leaves many anglers aching for more. Such is the expanse of this river that I doubt if anyone truly becomes a master of it. Having said that, there is a massive array of prime species that are targeted during summer, such as King George whiting and snapper. Big whiting have been caught around the mouth

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FEBRUARY 2014

Ian Gooch fishes the Tamar in search of zebra fish.

Calm early morning water on Great Lake – time to look for midge feeding trout. of the river for the past few seasons, with most taken around Lagoon Beach at Low Head. Local tackle store Damon Sherriff’s Sport ‘n’ Fish is the best place to get local knowledge on where to chase these great fish. Whiting have been caught consistently to 60cm with plenty around 45-50cm. Snapper are also getting on the agenda, and if this summer sees a continuation of the past few seasons, this year we should see a further spread of fish throughout the river. Last summer there were fish taken from Pipe Clay bay Right up to Little Swan Point, however it seems the bulk of fish are taken in the area from Shag Rock up to Spring Bay on the southern side of the Batman Bridge. While I basically know nothing about catching snapper, those who do indicate that slack water is the best time to maximise your chances, use very fresh bait and use your sounder to find concentrations of fish. Yellowtail kingfish are also a major target at the heads of the Tamar, and some locals have perfected techniques to catch these fish. Quite often they will be feeding on small squid around the Farewell Beacons, although it is easy to become distracted by the schools of Australian salmon busting up around the area. PORT SORELL This is a very popular area in summer, but unfortunately for anglers, most of this popularity is from water skiers. From the National Park ramp to the sea there are always plenty of Australian salmon to be had, and upstream from here the biggest bream in Tasmania are always the target for skilled lure casters. Offshore the flathead can be good, but experiment with depth as the better ones are often out deeper. NORTH WEST COAST Mako sharks are always at the top of the agenda for the north west boys, especially

with an offshore breeze. Mako sharks started coming to the berley in late December, and by February this behaviour is well entrenched. In closer to shore it is Australian salmon and flathead which will occupy most anglers attention, however increasing numbers of anglers out of Burnie are looking for pinkie snapper. Good numbers of small snapper have been a regular catch for keen anglers and that means the bigger ones aren’t far away. Kelly ‘Hooch ‘Hunt of Team PENN says in his regular despatch that February is a great time off Somerset for very large Australian salmon, with the odd yellowtail kingfish as a welcome by-catch. Calamari are everywhere on the coast too, and Kelly recommends that the mako shark fishing should be awesome, especially when the arrow squid finally show up.

EAST COAST The main action here is all offshore, especially when the warm current gets here. Water temperatures on the shelf can get as high as 20º, and when it does just about every game fish you can think off will be down. The bread and butter species are albacore and striped tuna, with a regular show of yellowfin tuna. The yellowfin get here they are often quite big, with plenty of 80kg fish that will test any angler. Along with the striped tuna are the much-lauded striped marlin, which hang around the striped tuna, mainly because they like to feed on them! St Helens is the main spot from which to base, however Bicheno is a great location as well. The good thing about St Helens is when the weather is ordinary or too windy then the bay is a great fall back.

GEORGES BAY Georges Bay is an amazing fishery. Home to some brilliant flats-style bream fishing, Georges Bay also has huge amounts of Australian salmon and tailor as well as plenty of King George whiting for those prepared to modify their approach and technique. Early of a morning is a great time to chase the salmon in the bay before the sea breeze gets up – for the smaller salmon look for birds hunting the bait schools. The bigger salmon tend not to show like the smaller 500g1kg models, so look in places like Moulting Bay and the shallow water on either side of the bay. The silver trevally are as big here as you will find anywhere in Tasmania (or South East Australia for that matter). They are generally found in the channel as you head towards the barway. Fish deep with soft plastics that must be right on the bottom for success. The Zerek Shrimp with a heavier than normal jighead has done well here in early summer, but curl tail grubs rigged on heavier heads to get to the bottom will always do well. Bream addicts flock to the east coast for the amazing fishing at places like Scamander and Ansons Bay. These two places offer some fantastic fishing in February, with shallow water presentations the best at this time of year. Hardbodied lures are the best shot, and surface lures are always reliable as well. SOUTHERN TASMANIA While the peak of summer is upon us, most action down south centres on the Derwent, especially for bream anglers. Upstream of the Tasman

Brendan ‘Beevor’ Turriff gets his mojo on as he casts for bream in the Scamander River.

From chasing flathead and salmon in the calm bays and beaches within minutes of Hobart’s CBD, to trout in the pristine Upper Derwent and Huon rivers or targeting bream in the tournament waters of the Lower Derwent. Whatever type of experience you’re after, Paddlefish Tasmania can cater for it.

Continued page 60

www.paddlefishtasmania.com.au

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From page 59

Bridge and on pretty much any shore according to conditions will see bream feeding in water less than 1m. Favourite spots include the bays around Cadburies, the shores between The Derwent Entertainment Centre and Mona as well as the ultra-reliable Bedlam Walls and Cornelian Bay. Now that bream have well and truly finished their spawning duties we will see plenty of fat bream spread throughout the system, so any likely shore will more often than not produce the goods. Downstream from Hobart will see many anglers looking for yellowtail kingfish, of which plenty were caught at this time last year around Betsy Island.

Beevor Turriff has some light line fun with striped tuna on Merricks Reef off St Helens.

Yapper Howell waits patiently for the reel to start screaming off St Helens on the Binalong Patch.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Little Pine Lagoon Lakeside Reserve upgrade IFS

Tim Farrell

The new signage at Little Pine Lagoon informs anglers of the useage of the reserve. Inland Fisheries Service has assisted Parks and Wildlife Service to install new reserve signage at Little Pine Lagoon. The signs are in the new Parks blue and white colour palette and replace the old brown timber signs that had reached the end of their lifespan. The new signs advise visitors of reserve use regulations including fuel stove only* and dogs permitted if under effective control. The signs also identify facilities and areas for specific activities including boat launching, day use only areas, tent camping area and caravan

and camper trailer area. To protect the lagoon environment an area on the road shore (Off the B11 Marlborough Road) has been reclassified from a camping area to a day use only area with all camping, caravans and camper trailer areas consolidated adjacent to the public toilets within the reserve. The signs reflect a significant investment and ongoing cooperation between the two agencies in managing the reserve areas surrounding

this world class fishery that is the most popular fly fishing water in Tasmania. 2013 RELEASE OF THE TASMAP HIGHLAND LAKES MAP AND ANGLING NOTES The new edition of the Highland Lakes map and angling notes is a very handy resource for touring and local anglers. The Central Highlands of Tasmania are a rugged area with impressive scenery and world class trout fishing in the thousands of lakes and tarns.

The TASMAP Highland Lakes Map covers most of the plateau, it shows all of the lakes, how to get there along with launching facilities, accommodation, camping and caravan areas, fuel supplies and services. The reverse side features updated, detailed notes and maps covering the prime fishing lakes. The notes are packed with valuable

information on regulations, fish types and the best fishing locations and methods. The 2013 edition is available for purchase from the TASMAP e-shop - www. tasmap.tas.gov.au for $9.95, or at your local Service Tasmania outlet. NEW ALL LEVEL PONTOON FOR SWAN BAY BOAT RAMP Marine and Safety Tasmania has just installed a new pontoon at Great Lake’s Swan Bay. This runs down the middle of the double width ramp and can be moved up and down the ramp as lake

levels change. This is one of two prototypes (with the second being installed at Arthurs Lake dam wall) being trialled by MAST. Performance and suitably will be assessed and any modifications made before other locations are considered. MAST and IFS welcome feedback from users to assist in this assessment. It will be welcomed by the many boat fishers that use this popular facility. These pontoons are being funded by Marine and Safety Tasmania from the Recreational Licence Fund.

HYDRO TASMANIA WATER STORAGE INFORMATION Water Storage Information as at 6th January 2014 Lake/Lagoon

Metres from full

Comment

Lake Augusta ...................................2.31 ..................................................Steady Arthurs Lake ....................................0.41 ..................................................Steady Great Lake .......................................13.62 ................................................Steady Trevallyn Pond .................................0.92 ..................................................Falling Shannon Lagoon ..............................0.16 ..................................................Steady Penstock Lagoon .............................0.16 ..................................................Steady Lake Echo ........................................5.86 ..................................................Steady Dee Lagoon .....................................0.06 ..................................................Steady Bradys/Binneys/Tungatinah .............1.29 ..................................................Rising Bronte Lagoon .................................0.58 ..................................................Steady Pine Tier Lagoon ..............................1.89 ..................................................Steady Little Pine Lagoon ............................0.65 ..................................................Steady Laughing Jack Lagoon ....................1.14 ..................................................Steady Lake St Clair ....................................1.49 ..................................................Steady Lake King William ............................0.41 ..................................................Steady Lake Liapootah ................................0.58 ..................................................Falling Wayatinah Lagoon ...........................1.32 ..................................................Falling Lake Catagunya ...............................1.42 ..................................................Falling

Lake Repulse ...................................2.96 ..................................................Falling Cluny Lagoon ...................................0.22 ..................................................Rising Meadowbank Lake ..........................0.18 ..................................................Steady Lake Pedder ....................................0.97 ..................................................Falling Lake Gordon ....................................21.32 ................................................Steady Lake Burbury ...................................3.47 ..................................................Steady Lake Plimsoll ...................................0.95 ..................................................Steady Lake Murchison ...............................13.83 ................................................Falling Lake Mackintosh .............................2.86 ..................................................Steady Lake Rosebery .................................0.33 ..................................................Steady Lake Pieman ....................................0.72 ..................................................Rising Lake Mackenzie ...............................5.62 ..................................................Steady Lake Rowallan ................................. –.......................................................Spilling Lake Parangana ...............................0.59 ..................................................Rising Lake Cethana ...................................0.64 ..................................................Rising Lake Barrington ...............................0.72 ..................................................Steady Lake Gairdner ..................................0.76 ..................................................Rising Lake Paloona ...................................–........................................................Spilling Woods Lake .....................................0.22 ..................................................Steady Whitespur Pond ...............................7.59 ..................................................Steady Lake Newton ...................................4.72 ..................................................Steady Lake Margaret .................................0.33 ..................................................Steady

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

FEBRUARY 2014

HAWK FISHING • FIND-A-WORD COMPETITION

Places to wet a line, but shouldn’t

CHURCH

GRAVY

SOUP

COFFEE

KETTLE

SPA

DOGBOWL

MILK

SWAMP

DOWNPIPE

PUDDING

TOILET

DRAIN

PUDDLE

VASE

FONT

RUM

WETDOG

FRESHPAINT

SEWER

WINDEX

FRIDGE

SHOWER

ZIMBABWE

FRUITSALAD

SINK

Name Address

P/Code Phone (day):

The first correct entry at the end of each month will win a Hawk Fishing cap, Hawk Fishing line, Hawk HB Lure, assorted Panther Martin lures and 3 packets of Youvella chemically sharpened hooks. SEND ENTRIES TO: VFM Hawk Tournament Competition

PO box 3172, Loganholme Qld 4129 VFM FEBRUARY 2014

FINS SCALES & TAILS by A. Both

SUBSCRIBER PRIZE The subscriber prize winners for December were M Lakin of Mansfield, M Bland of Chelsea Heights, S Davies of Craigieburn, R Lloyd of Patterson Lakes, A Ryan of Werribee, R Anderson of Cowes, K King of Wyndham Vale, L Gilbee of Somerville, M Sheedy of Dandenong North, H Roeding of Mount Martha, who each won a Island Tribe Sunscreen pack valued at $35. All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – V&TFM

BARRA COUNTRY by Brett Currie

BITE ME by Trisha Mason

FIND THE BLACK MAGIC C-POINT WINNERS The Find the Black Magic C-Point Hook prize winners for December were B White of Myers Flat, D Symons of Bendigo, K Tripp of Glenroy, J Jenner of Malmsbury, M Coates of Elliminyt, R Crossman of Torrumbarry, J Methven of Healesville, R Sanders of Loch, B Meaney of Tungamah, W Johnson of Morwell, M Leonard of Lillydale, D Robinson of Carisbrook, K Dowell of Highton, C Gios of Myrtleford, R Trestrail of Port Germein, T King of Sunbury, R Waters of Temora, G Dalton of Belmont, P Geale of Georgetown, L Milkins of Wonthaggi, E Howarth of Cowra, I Lovel of Bealiba, J Mason of Balnarring, J Walsh of Clifton Springs, B Sharp of Wendouree, S Davies of Craigieburn, J Ellis of Cobram, B Metherell of Narre Warren South, I Cooper of Ouse, T Dron of Alfredton, K Wilson of Macedon, B Shelton of Romsey, R White of Bannockburn, J Killian of Briar Hill, J Shelley of Glen Waverley, D Hedley of Hamilton, M Reynolds of Morwell, M Callaghan of Teralba, S Cameron of Tyndale, K Peterkin of Taylors Arm, G Bannister of Lorne, J Cross of Jamieson, G Doidge of Tatura, A Tabone of Cairnlea, R Leathers of Romsey, M Crook of Frankston, T Sowter of Rosebud, P Cobb of St Albans Park, T Tatlow of Morwell, M Tansey of Eaglehawk, who each won a packet of Black Magic C-Point Hooks valued at $5.95! Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – V&TFM

RAPALA GOMOKU OUTFIT WINNER!

G & N by Michael Hardy

Congratulations to Fred Oleszko of Braybrook, who was the winner of the Rapala Gomoku outfit competition! Winners receive a Gomoku outfit consisting of rod, reel, line, and lures. Prize delivery can take 8 weeks. – V&TFM

FIND-A-WORD WINNER Congratulations to I.M Castle of St Helens, who was last month’s winner of the Hawk Tournament Find-a-Word Competition! Monthly winners receive Hawk Tournament Tested Bayer Perlon IGFA line, assorted Panther Martin lures, Youvella hooks and a keyring. Prize delivery can take 8 weeks. – V&TFM 74

• DECEMBER 2010

FEBRUARY 2014

Fishing with floats WANGARATTA

Robbie Alexander

Firstly let me start by stating that I am by no means an expert in float fishing. I am however more than happy to share with you the things that I do know, including just how enjoyable float fishing can really be. WHAT IS FLOAT FISHING? Float fishing is a form of bait fishing, where you use some kind of float, or floating device, to suspend your bait off the bottom or close to the surface of the water. There are a whole host of different types of floats ranging from the most common, (and one I usually use) the simple red and white bubble float, to the complex rigs of quill floats, pencil floats and such. There are berley floats, which you can fill with berley that breaks down and seeps into the water leaving a scent, attracting the fish closer to your bait; there are rattling floats that can be made to rattle with a couple of sharp tugs on the line, simply to attract the fish’s attention; there are reflective floats that reflect the sun directly into the water and send a flash each time the float faces the right angle; popping floats; click on floats; slider floats; torpedo floats; the list just keeps going on and on... Some of the older gentleman even use a cork from a wine bottle! Each of these floats has its own purpose, some are better suited to saltwater and some are better suited to freshwater, and then there are floats that are better suited

why it is that you think you need a float. One of my favourite float fishing places is Khancoban Pondage in NSW. This small relatively shallow lake has a lot of aquatic weeds, which are home to squillions of mudeyes that hatch out into dragonflies when conditions are favourable. Because of all of the weed, it is almost impossible to fish your mudeye unweighted otherwise it will just climb straight into the weeds and hide. It is also impossible to fish your mudeye with a sinker as it will most likely get snagged on the aquatic weed, so the best thing to do is use a float! By knowing how deep the water is, and how far under

FEBRUARY 2014

Even small trout can be caught under a float. This tiny rainbow took a liking to my bunch of worms as it drifted through a deep pool in a small mountain stream. I was using a tiny bubble float with a dropper about 80cm long.

This bubble float is designed so that you can put water into the float. The more water you put in the float, the lower it sits in the water and the less buoyancy the float has. The extra weight also assists with casting distance.

These blue float stoppers are a fantastic idea, they can be put on and taken off easily without having to rig your line, and can allow you to fish your float similar to how you would fish a running sinker.

This particular design of quill float is used for float fishing in the wind. It lays flat on the water with very little buoyancy. One bite from a hungry fish will pull this float under. to more specific fish species. Some fish are spooked off by a float’s buoyancy. The moment the fish bites the bait and feels the resistance of the float it takes off. Then there are some stupid fish, such as carp, that will just keep pulling against the float until the buoyancy of the float sets the hook into the fish’s mouth. So the first thing you need to do when you decide to get into float fishing is learn a little bit about the fish species you are targeting, what they feed on, and most importantly

example as they are quite cunning and easily spooked off by anything unnatural. With trout, if your float is too big, or has too much buoyancy, the trout will feel too much resistance when it takes the bait and quite often keep moving along. When I fish at Khancoban Pondage with my mate Sandy Hector, he often uses a complex float system with next to no buoyancy whatsoever. As I usually use a plain red and white bubble float with a lot of buoyancy, he usually out fishes me. Sandy likes to use a long thin float, such as a pencil float or quill float. This float is around 15-20cm long and often has a bulge in the middle and a long dropper extending

the surface the weed is you can rig your float to allow the mudeye to sink to just above the weed bed. For example, if the water is 10ft deep, and the aquatic weed extends 5ft from the bottom, then you can fish your float with a dropper of around 4-5ft. That will keep your mudeye hanging out on display just above the top of the weed for the fish to see. While I am on the subject of trout, now is a good time to mention the effect that the buoyancy of the float has on fish species. Trout are a perfect

underneath it. The dropper is weighted and helps to pull the float down, reducing its overall buoyancy. This allows Sandy to still be able to achieve maximum casting distance, have a float that is big enough to see, but with very little buoyancy. Sometimes Sandy will crimp a split shot sinker onto his dropper just up from his bait to help make the bait sit directly underneath his float. If his bait and split shot are too heavy and slowly pull the float under, he will add a small bit of cork between the split shot and the float to just help lift the split shot and take some pressure off the float. The float has the absolute minimum amount of buoyancy so that when a trout takes the bait, it will swim off with it without realising it is a trap, whereas with my plain old red and white bubble float, the trout will not be able to swim off with the bait so easily. When you watch someone like Sandy, or any die-hard angler you really begin to get an appreciation for float fishing and how much of an art form it really can be.

TACKLE As mentioned earlier, there are stacks of different types of floats you can choose from depending on your circumstances. But what’s the best rod? Basically any long rod will do. Unless you are a hardcore fisho that spends

days sitting on the banks of waterways bait fishing, there is little point in spending huge dollars on a float fishing rod. You can use your regular trout spinning rods. I use my 6’ and 6’4” spinning rods. Ideally, you want a rod that is at least 7” long, if not longer. Even a super long 8” rod is great. The reason being, that when you reel your line in you can only reel it in as far as the float because the float will not pass thorough the top eye of your fishing rod. So if you are using a short 5’ rod, you really cannot afford for your dropper to be more

than 4-5’ long otherwise you will never be able to land your fish. And it is not just landing the fish that is the problem, it is also casting. You do not really want your hook sitting on, or close to the ground when you cast or you could end up breaking a rod tip. So look for a long rod, preferably somewhere between 7-8’ in length. With the reel, once again there is no real need to spend too much money as you will not be making hundreds of casts throughout any day on the water. A simple eggbeater

This is the Mitta Mitta River. Large deep rivers like this are ideal for float fishing, especially during the warmer months with live mudeyes. The cunning trout that have seen too many lures will often take a live mudeye if it is presented naturally.

type reel that balances well with your rod with monofilament line of around 4-6lb is usually sufficient. A QUICK GUIDE TO FRESHWATER SPECIES Trout Trout are a sought-after species by float fishers as they often feed close to the surface, particularly at sunrise and sunset. As mentioned, mudeyes fished above weed beds are dynamite, so are crickets fished underneath a float and worms when conditions are favourable (usually during periods of flooding or high water levels).

Carp Carp are probably the easiest, and most fun fish to catch by float fishing. A small bubble float with a few corn kernels, or a bit of bread and you can’t go wrong. Catching carp is a great way to practise your float fishing skills. Redfin Catching redfin under a float can be great fun providing you are at the right place at the right time. Small live freshwater shrimp suspended over, or beside a snag pile, or in front of some cumbungi in a known redfin waterway is a

A big backwater in a swollen river. Conditions like this would be ideal for fishing a bunch of worms under a skinny float such as a quill float or pencil float for trout.

A selection of bubble floats, quill floats and float stoppers. The red and white floats are the most basic, cheapest and easiest to use, but probably the most ineffective.

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this article has inspired me to get out and give this one a crack! In the summer months, I would use a plain bubble float as the strike from a Murray cod would pull the float under so quickly that the buoyancy of the float would not be a problem. A large yabby fished close to a big fallen tree would work. Post Christmas I would try fishing a cicada only 70-80cm underneath my float close to sunset, and fish it very close to the bank. This is bound to work!

I took this photo a few years ago at Khancoban Pondage on a very cold winter’s day. The only colourful object on such a dull day is my bright orange bubble float in the bottom right hand corner. Several trout were caught on this day using live mudeyes for bait.

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great place to start. Usually a smaller float is beneficial as redfin are not a large fish and may be affected by the float’s buoyancy. Golden perch I have never caught golden perch while float fishing, I must add that to my ‘to-do’ list. If I were to head out and try, I would probably use either a small yabby, or a bunch of fat garden worms and fish them with the dropper as close as possible to the snags and likely golden perch holding structure. Murray cod Once again, something I have never done. Just writing

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FEBRUARY 2014

Keeping your cool FMG

Stephen Booth sbooth@fishingmonthly.com.au

Whether you’re on your annual pilgrimage or just heading out for the day, keeping things like drinks, food and your catch cold are important considerations. I have traditionally grabbed a bag of party ice and dumped it over my drinks in the cool box, then used the same box to keep the catch, but is this good enough? There is a right way and a right type of ice for different situations, plus there is the modern version of plugging in a portable fridge/freezer

to consider. To find out what the best options and the best methods are for different situations we took the time to chat to Tony Mee from Ithaca Iceworks, a company that produces a variety of ice products for different purposes. Let’s take a look at some common fishing, camping and boating situations and solve the icy issues. KEEPING THE CATCH The first step to keeping your catch fresh is actually in the treatment of the fish on capture. To achieve the very best results for the table you have to ensure that the fish is killed quickly and humanely and then placed in an appropriate storage device

A fish bag that is filled with party ice is a bare minimum for keeping your catch in the best condition possible.

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that keeps the fish fresh and slows or halts the breakdown of the flesh and the flourishing of bacteria. So what is the best way to despatch a fish? There are two ways that are currently considered the ‘best’ ways to despatch fish. The first is with a sharp knock to the brain with a priest or fish bat. This kills the fish’s brain instantly. The other way is with an Iki Jime spike, essentially a brain spike that again kills the fish instantly. By killing the fish instantly you stop stress from building up in the fish and a general toughening of the flesh. After the despatching of the fish, the flesh needs to be cooled, and quickly. The best option is an ice slurry as the water and ice mix completely wraps around the fish and cools it very quickly. However this is not always available so packing them in party ice comes a close second. It’s also important, if you can’t chill the fish quickly, to remove internal organs as they quickly deteriorate and spoil the flesh. In fact any time you are legally allowed to remove the internals, do so at your earliest convenience as most of the problems start in this area.

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A tough and rugged tackle bag that can double as an insulated food and drink carrier is what the Kelso V bags bring to the table. Made from insulated 0.6mm PVC with mesh, these top load bags include a waterproof zipper that keeps everything in the large compartment cool and dry regardless of the situation. Able to take multiple tackle trays, these bags keep valuable and expensive lures safe from the hot sun just as well as they will keep your food and drinks cool and fresh for the entire day on the water when you are out in the Aussie sun. A detachable shoulder strap, side mesh pockets, front pockets with elastic loops and Velcro straps on top are all features of these great bags. The two bags have a capacity of 21L for the larger yellow bag and 12L for the smaller blue bag from PrecisionPak allowing you to choose the bag that is right for you. Price: 12L $49.99, 21L $59.99 www.precision-pak.net

2 Techniice

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For a dealer near you Phone: 07 5492 7777 sales@evakool.com www.evakool.com FEBRUARY 2014

days without some ice in a cool box and/or fish bag. The simplest way to deal with a day trip is to prepare two cool boxes, or a cool box and a fish bag. Tony suggested that anglers should avoid cooling down food and drinks in a container used for keeping fish as the possibility of cross contamination is real. So let’s assume we are taking a cool box and a fish bag. The best ice in this situation is party ice as it has a list of advantages that make it ideal. Firstly it will cool your drinks quickly as

V Storage

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A quick summary: despatch humanely immediately, remove internal organs and chill as quickly as possible. Then all you need do is enjoy some of the best fish in the world that you have caught. DAY TRIPPING Most day trips involve keeping drinks and food cool, while also requiring your catch to be cooled down to preserve its eating qualities. Most go without ice, however adding it to your day’s list of things to remember will make everything just that little better. I rarely go out fishing these

1 Kelso

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A fridge/freezer is a great way to keep your food fresh and cold on a long trip.

Techniice Australia has just released their long awaited 2014 Re-Usable dry ice packs. The new 2014 model features a new micro perforation technology that enables the product to hydrate faster and easier than ever before, and is powered by a new FDA approved polymer, which not only

you can literally wrap your drinks in party ice. Basically more ice surface is touching the drinks and therefore it cools quicker. Party ice is also great in the fish bag or bin as it creates the perfect ice slurry (a mix of saltwater and ice) or can be placed inside the gut cavity of kept fish and wrapped all around the fish to cool it quickly. In summary, day-trippers should look to be using 2 storage devices (an esky or a smaller powered fridge for food) and party ice (keeping fish in the best condition) for ideal results.

outperforms previous polymers, but does it without any of the slippery residue normally associated with partially hydrated commercial ice packs. The 2014 model Techniice Reusable Dry Ice Packs are still manufactured in Australia and live up to the company’s motto ‘Coldest Longest’ and are powered by the latest cross linked post treated, active P.A.P., food-grade, non-toxic polymer, and one of the few ice packs in the world to carry full F.D.A. approval. . Price: 3 pack $24.95 www.techniice.com

3 Techniice

Signature Series Ice boxes

Developing the Signature Series has been one of the most ambitious projects the Techniice Company has undertaken since the company was established. The plan was to celebrate the company’s 30th birthday with an ice box that can keep ice longer than any other production ice box in the world, size for size. After a 3 year research and development phase, Techniice presented their Techniice Signature Series icebox to the world. Having recently won New Zealand and Australia’s leading consumer testing organisation’s No. 1 ice keeping award, it is now on its way to America where it has already caused a storm of excitement as it takes on America’s best. The Techniice Signature Series is a genuine game changer which can outperform fibreglass iceboxes and have the robustness of poly ice boxes. The range includes sizes from 35 litres through to 125 litres and even the smallest has 7cm thick walls! They certainly live up to Techniice’s ‘Coldest Longest’ motto.. Price: 35L $159 www.techniice.com

WEEKEND CAMPING The traditional Aussie weekend camping trip is a great institution and a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Being that these trips generally take in 2 nights and 2 full days, the need to keep things cold becomes even more important than on a day trip. Depending on the size of the crew, food requirements are magnified and keeping steak, chicken, pork, ham and other meats cold is essential. The same applies for products like milk, butter/margarine, yogurt and other perishables. All of these products do not take long to spoil and no one wants to get seriously ill from eating dodgy food.

Then you add to the above the need to keep caught fish cool until you can get them home and the ice requirements take on a very important part of any trip planning. Again this leads to 2 storage devices. There are two effective ways to keep things cool over a weekend. The first is to use block ice and layer the bottom of the cool bin with it, then place party ice on top of that. The party ice allows things to be cooled quickly, while the block ice keeps things cool for longer. Both storage devices would do well with this style of set up. For a more effective method it is suggested that you use dry ice on the bottom of the esky, then party ice still in

Party ice is perfect for making an ice slurry – the ideal method of keeping your catch in tip top condition on a day trip.

its bag and layer your cool box as per the diagram hereabout. This method will allow you to keep everything, including the party ice, pretty well solid until it’s time to go home. The beauty of this system is that a 5kg dry ice block will last for around 48 hours, and the excess party ice can be transferred over to your fish bag if you’re lucky enough to catch a fish or two to take home – brilliant system! WEEK LONG FISHING TOUR In Australia, especially in our northern or inland regions, a week-long trip presents all sorts of perishable food problems. While a weekend trip will need careful planning, a week-long trip is 3-4 times longer and requires at least double the thought and planning to pull it off successfully. Sure we can all eat out of cans and use powdered milk, but seriously, who really wants to unless you have to? Luckily there are strategies to maintain a cool food supply and even store fish properly. At the heart of the system is the use of dry ice. Dry ice in 10kg blocks will last around 4 days in a modern cool box. If your main cool box is packed with dry ice on the bottom, then frozen foods (in their own airtight containers), then party ice, then drinks and perishables, you will find your cool box maintains itself for a long time. As the dry ice evaporates

off, the party ice (which was kept frozen by the -78ºC dry ice) takes over the cooling job. Another option is to take several cool boxes for food and a further cool box for fish to take home. The preparation of the two food cool boxes will allow for a camp of 5 days to operate without fear of food spoiling and still allow you to take home a fish or two for a feed as the party ice can be used in the fish box when needed. FRIDGE/FREEZERS These days many anglers make use of portable fridges that have an ability to also act as a freezer. Clearly this is one of the best ways to deal with keeping food, drinks and your catch cold, but they do have limitations. I am a big fan of a portable fridge for keeping food cool when and if I have the space. By this I mean most of these units are reasonably large (especially if you are talking a week-long sojourn) and you will need some way to power them. I have tried several different forms of power supply and all work; it’s simply a matter of how much hardware you want to take away. Car-based camping is ideal for a portable fridge. You can plug it into the car and it can all be as simple as that (assuming your car’s battery set up is capable of course).

A powered fridge/freezer is a wonderful option for car-based camping. This 80L Engel was ideal for a week long trip along the Murray, ably powered by solar panels keeping the charge in the 120aH battery I was using for power. Other options include gas powered fridges, offsite power from batteries and generators and the growing trend to keep everything running with the aid of solar power, either by direct feed (a little unreliable!) or by keeping the power feed batteries charged. The advantages of a fridge/freezer are obvious. No water, no mess and everything kept at the perfect temperature. The disadvantages include space, hardware and convenience. From day trips, through to weekenders and to the yearly week away with mates or the family, a portable fridge is a fantastic option and one that may just be the best option for you. It is my preferred

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option when I can mange the logistics of it as it’s just like being at home. GET COOL Hopefully the above information will help you to choose the right cooling options for your needs and ensure your food and fish are kept in the best possible condition, regardless of your trip details. Good luck keeping your cool over Easter. • This article was written with the help of Tony Mee from Ithaca Iceworks. Thanks again to the team at Ithaca Iceworks for their help with some information. Contact them on 07 3348 7855 or visit their store at 121 Gosport St, Hemmant for all your ice needs.

BUDDY 1K 17DD

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Buddy by Evakool

The new IceKool Buddy is a drink dispenser, icebox, wine cooler, lunch box and seat in one. It has a 17L capacity and can hold ice for 3-4 days. This multi-use drink dispenser/icebox is made of tough, fully insulated polyethylene which is UV resistant and won’t rust or corrode. The Buddy is lightweight at only 3.7kg, and it’s easy to carry with handles and a shoulder strap. It has a user-friendly tap and an easy to pack square shape. It’s tall enough to stand wine or 2L soft drink bottles. The standard colour is blue, but other colours are available on request (minimum order quantities apply for other colours). The external dimensions are 410mm (H), 275mm (L) and 380mm (W), and it comes with a 5-year warranty for peace of mind. Price: RRP $99 www.evakool.com

Techniice Cooler bags

Another product from Techniice are these Techniicece soft cooler bags. Anyone who has used regular cooler bags would know they generally have very thin walls and thin lids and are not all that great at keeping things cold. This new cooler bag from Techniice has addressed all that and actually has a very thick lid, and very thick walls, which are far more durable enabling them to keep ice much longer than regular cooler bags. They also have a pocket on the inside of the lid so you can cut up one of the Techniice

FEBRUARY 2014

Reusable Dry icepacks to keep your food and drinks colder. Techniice cooler bags come with an adjustable carry strap and carry handle. On the bottom, they have a protective base and rubber feet. It’s a great cooler bag if someone wants to get a cooler bag that actually works. Price: 5L $15 www.techniice.com

6 Techniice

Portable Fridge Freezers

The Techniice portable car fridge freezers are built with an Italian designed Domus compressor, engineered for high efficiency. These car fridge freezers are covered by a 2 Year warranty with a nationalised service network. Available in three sizes, 30L, 45L and 60L these fridge/freezers are fully insulated with high density PU insulation, in addition to which you will get a an insulated cover. The fridge/ freezers are able to run off 12v or 24v for use in cars, trucks and 4WDs as well as for boating requirements. In addition to this, you also get a 240v mains power adaptor. This is great for when you have reached your destination and would like to keep everything in your fridge cold or frozen without running the vehicle battery down. A feature of our fridges are their power management facilities. The start-up of the fridge is withheld by 3 minutes preventing surges and overloads. Once up and running, the 3-stage battery protection assures you your vehicle battery won’t run dry. Standout features such as tamperproof controls and full digital memory function add to the value on offer. Price: 30L $449 www.techniice.com

5 6

Zerek Tango Shad 40mm 2.5g

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AVAILABLE IN 40MM 2.5G, 50MM 4G AVAILABLE IN 2 LENGTHS, 40MM & 50MM THE TANGO SHAD IS CAPABLE OF DIVING TO 2M AND HAS A TIGHT WIGGLE ACTION. GREAT BUOYANCY ENSURES MINIMUM SNAGS. INCORPORATING PAUSES WHEN WORKING THE LURE ALLOWS THE BAIT TO RISE QUICKLY EMULATING THE ACTION OF STRUGGLING BAITFISH AND ATTRACTS NEARBY PREDATORS.

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For more information please visit FEBRUARY 2014

The glorious Gordon River TASMANIA

Kelly Hunt

The Gordon River is one of the jewels in Tasmania’s crown, and spends most of its 190km winding majestically through the south western Tasmania world heritage area, spilling into the history-soaked Macquarie Harbour. The lower reaches of the Gordon is famous for its path through spectacular narrows and picturesque broad waters. These waters are the stuff of legend among seasoned ‘searunner’ fishers. A searun trout has made a decision as a young fingerling to head out into the brackish estuarine water for a look and really likes what it sees. This new habitat combined with a varied and abundant food supply leads to a number of significant changes for these fish. Sea runners soon grow into silver barrels growing faster and stronger than their poor cousins, the resident brown trout. This is why they are a much soughtafter prize for those anglers trying to better their power and stamina. If there is one thing big sea runners enjoy more than cool saltwater passing over their gills, it is a big run of white bait. The Gordon River is well renowned for its big runs of spawning whitebait. They come from all around to well up at the river mouth ready to brave the lazy current of the Gordon, move upstream, spawn and die. Big powerful sea runners will feed on these whitebait as they congregate at the river mouth and follow them up stream feeding ferociously. BUCKET LIST ITEM A trip to Tasmania’s wild west coast to fish a river full of massive trophy trout should be on

everyone’s to-do list. There are some instances when being Tasmanian is a huge bonus and being involved in an annual trip to the Gordon River with cobber Stan Kaine is one of those occasions.

The big Stabicraft, at 7.86m overall length and 2.49m of beam, was going to be a whole lot of trout fishing platform. This awesome vessel is obviously designed and very well appointed

Sea runners are a much sought-after prize for those anglers trying to better their power and stamina.

Deegan Marine in Tasmania offered the use of a 2570 Super Cab from Stabicraft. It made a superb home for the next 4 days/nights. Trip planning is always as much fun as the trip itself and debating what to take and what to leave behind. Due to the landscape and the inability to camp on the steep riverbanks, living on board is a popular aspect. This comes with its difficulties as the confines of a small boat over four days has its logistics requirements. Hadley Deegan runs the well-respected Deegan Marine in Tasmania and on hearing our plight offered us the use of a 2570 Super Cab from Stabicraft. Having never set foot on one, it was a fantastic opportunity to get acquainted.

as an all-weather game fishing boat. We would put her through her paces and see how she would perform as an impromptu marine caravan. THE HARBOUR The three hours tow from Ulverstone to Strahan was effortless thanks to the VW Touareg’s towing ability and the quality engineering of the custom Mackay alloy tandem trailer. Macquarie Harbour was in a foul mood when we arrived at the ramp. Failing light and a 30 knot southerly made the decision to bed down in the big Stabicraft for the night relatively easy.

Wilderness, trout and a safe and comfortable ride. You beauty! 68

FEBRUARY 2014

First night in the big girl and we woke in fine spirits. There were massive amounts of room in the full V berth and the Stabicraft has heaps of storage everywhere. We stowed the gear and made ready for our

trip across the harbour as the weather had not woken as happy as we had. Macquarie Harbour can not be taken lightly and with 30 knots of west south westerly still blowing, there was a horrid 3ft sea on less than a boat length apart.

Stan had great fun hunting for U-boats on the SIMRAD NSS-12.

Standard practise is to head across to Liberty Point on the lee shore and run down the far side of the harbour underneath Sarah Island and across into the Gordon River. The Stabicraft was in her element – a nice soft ride, given the snot we had to transgress, and the twin windscreen wipers were superb. As I was not used to having an enclosed cab with lockable bi-fold doors, we were halfway across to Liberty Point when I went and effortlessly closed the doors. Oh my, what a grand idea! The wind noise completely disappeared and the temperature in the cabin rose 5º instantly. It was shear bliss! I was verbally marvelling at what a sensation the doors were to Stan, but he was a tough audience as he was enthralled with the SIMRAD NSS-12 and off in another world playing with the radar hunting U-boats.

The Gordon River has plenty of magnificent spots to fish.

Get your soundings right in wild rivers! Once in under the protection of the lee shore, Stan had another play with the SIMRAD unit and plotted a course to the Gordon River mouth. Stan has a background in I.T. and happened to say the ‘Graphical User Interface’ of the unit was very good. To which I nodded with my best, “Yeah, I know” face. RIVER MOUTH The twin Honda 135 had us in the river in no time and were very handy in trimming out the tendency for the Stabicraft to lay to windward, as all deep vee hulls with big cabs tend to do. Given the size of the cab, the slight list was less than encountered on other vessels and I suspect it has a lot to do with the pontoon design affording a stiff hull form. We spent the next 4 days and 3 nights living on the vessel and fishing up and down the Gordon. The in-cabin storage is amazing and over the course of the trip there was a spot and a hidey-hole for everything we had brought along and more. The deck area designed to battle large pelagic species was more than adequate to tackle the big trout we managed to come across from time to time. It proved to be a highly practical and fisher-friendly space. Over

the course of the trip it would morph from change room and kitchen area effortlessly. The ‘superfish’ transom is a massive bait station and the live bait tank with glass viewing window is a big ’un. Matter of fact, most items are massive on this vessel, but more importantly well thought out and well executed – I was super impressed with the super cab. I did a rough calculation and it has 3m2 of spacious open plan area. The large windows offer

The Stabicraft is robust and reliable in every respect. amazing field of vision when standing at the helm. I also noticed a massive forward hatch but with the ease you can traverse to the foredeck it would only be needed in an emergency. The foredeck is encapsulated by a big bow rail, making it a great place to fish and facilitate disembarking or boarding at anytime. MUST COME TO AN END Eventually we knew we had to head back to the ramp in Strahan and bring a very

enjoyable 4 days living on the big Stabicraft to an end. Of course the weather was the best we had seen, which made leaving hard but the trip home very pleasant. The 2570 Super cab is a ‘big show’, but no slouch. It comes onto the plane without fuss and can be quite deceiving when judging water speed. This is due to the hulls refusal to show any sign of high-speed nervousness as she moves effortlessly to a top speed of 40 knots.

GOOD THING They say first impressions are important and the Stabicraft brand has imprinted a feeling of impeccable build quality and finish that you would hope to expect of a vessel of this class. On the water, its design gives you the feeling you are in possession of a craft built for the military – it is robust and reliable in every respect. Its first design brief has been as an all weather game fishing platform, but it is so much more. The huge amount of storage and spacious cabin on this vessel lends itself to those times the family is on board and you are all away for a weekender. Getting you and your loved ones there and back safe and sound. It’s a massive memory making machine!

SPECIFICATIONS Length........................................................... 7.85m Max Adults........................................................... 9 Recommended hp........................................ 225hp Maximum hp................................................. 300hp Fuel Tank......................................................... 250L External Beam.............................................. 2.49m Deadrise (measured at transom).................... 21.8° Hull Thickness................................................. 6mm Dry Hull Weight (Approx)............................1,280kg Tow Weight (Approx)...................................2,550kg Height on Trailer (Approx)..............................3.15m Length on Trailer........................................... 9.50m Cost as tested (full options)..................... $189,000 Price starts from (single 250hp).............. $144,000 Demo boat available.................................$164,900

The lower reaches of the Gordon is famous for its path through spectacular narrows and picturesque broad waters. These waters are the stuff of legend among seasoned ‘sea runner’ fishers.

Teeing off for the big trip is always an exciting time. FEBRUARY 2014

2013 Yamaha Cod Classic YARRAWONGA

Tony Bennett codclassic@bigpond.com

Hick up free, the 2013 Yamaha Cod Classic has blown past without a drama, but I suppose that comes with 14 years of practise! Action started first thing Friday morning as a full book of exhibitors set up in readiness for the fishing and outdoors expo that is now a standard feature of the Cod Classic. Gates opened at 2pm with a constant stream of eager fishos passing through for the afternoon. Friday evening saw Rod McKenzie, Gus Storer and Dr. Paul Hardy Smith conduct Cod Talk, an informative interactive talk session based around anything that has to do with cod fishing from catch and release through to lure selection and casting tips. After a comprehensive event briefing, the drawing of the first boating package for all competitors who had registered up until 8.30pm took place. Brian Courtney of Lancefield was the lucky winner and thought this was just reward for many years of participation. At the close of registrations Saturday morning, 2,653 keen anglers (2,210 adults, 443 juniors) had nominated. Perfect conditions with only a hint of a slight breeze saw everybody take to the water in search of the mighty Murray cod. None were more highly prized than Brian, a specially tagged cod who carried an added bonus of $20,000 if anybody managed to catch him. With the previous few days’ cold snap (the coldest December day for 8 years), all fish proved to have a case of lockjaw and were being presented at a much slower rate to measuring stations than past events. One person who didn’t have trouble finding a cod was Michael Maher. Michael’s trolled Custom Crafted lure

was gobbled up by a 113cm monster to see him leading at the completion of fishing Saturday. Junior angler Brock Pierce was another very lucky boy when a 108cm green beast took a liking to his well-presented scrubworm. Surprisingly carp numbers were down after last year’s explosion within the region. Saturday night saw approximately 5,000 people converge on the Mulwala football ground for the night’s activities. Flathead Fred kept the children entertained for an hour with his energyfilled Kids’ Fun Fishing Show. Following this, lucky door prizes were given out. Amazingly only 150 adults missed out on a lucky door prize thanks to our many great sponsors. All major lucky door prizes were then drawn followed by giving away another three boating packages. To close out the evening many encouraging hecklers stayed around to witness the final round of the Australian Invitation Pro Casting Championships. Young casting gun Kaleb Oxley claimed his first title and is sure to give it a fair shake for many years to come. Sunday morning saw slightly less excitement amongst anglers who had done it hard the previous day. Many changed tact fishing different sections of the lake or river to what they had fished the previous day to try something different. Not a lot of headway was made at the top of the leader’s board but numerous other great fish were presented making things interesting for the minor placings. Presentations for all fishing categories got under way Sunday with another large crowd in attendance: The juniors got onto some nice fish with Brock Pierce’s beauty measuring 108cm taking the chocolates. Tom Webster claimed the coveted title of Swagman Lures Overall Junior Champion for the second time. His two

impressive cod that measured 80cm and 84cm would be the envy of most anglers. Tom had an amazingly successful weekend winning the Swagman Lures Overall Junior Champion title, finishing in third place with junior longest cod, second place in the junior casting section and to top it off, won the open section Charlie Carp boat for anybody who managed to catch a carp. Unbelievable! In the adult’s section, Michael Maher’s 113cm beast never looked like being passed and allowed him to take home the Mulwala Football Netball Club Champion Angler title. Two great specimens measuring 94 and 91cm filled the second and third placings. All in all, 204 legal size Murray cod, 151 golden perch and 1,700 carp were presented for measuring. Thanks to BLA, the Old Town Canoes and Kayaks Australian Canoe & Kayak Cod Fishing Championships entered its third year with 50+ yakkers taking to the water via paddle or pedal. Darren Fletcher was the lucky man to hook a 76cm cod and the title of 2013 Australian Canoe & Kayak Cod Fishing Champion. To round out the weekend, the 9th Cod Classic Golf Championships took place. Rules such as if you do not hit it you don’t count it, if you can retrieve it within 10 seconds from the tee you can have it again, you could choose to have 1 kick and 1 throw somewhere within your round and all sledging is fair while having your shot, made for an interesting and very funny morning. Flash Burgess finished with the best score but official rules state that you can’t win in your first year of participation. This left a very proud Darren Ryan the victor and deserves his name on the trophy with other previous legendary winners! Upon registration, all juniors received a Wilson Slickback Lure, Bassman

Spinnerbait, and a chance of another lucky dip prize. Throw in a dozen specially autographed lures and many fishing section prizes, the kids went away with some great rewards. For the adults, 2050 competitors received a minor lucky door prize. On top of this there were 110 major lucky door and fishing section prizes to add to the awesome prize pool package. Announcements were made in regards to the 2014 15th Anniversary Cod Classic. For the first time, the Cod Classic prize pool will include a vehicle, your choice of either a Ford Ranger 4x4 Ute or Ford XR6 Ute. Stay tuned and look forward to our biggest event ever in 2014. STATS, FACTS AND FIGURES Competitors:................................................. 2210 Adult 443 Junior Total:............................................................. 2653 Boat Winners Friday Entrants:............................................ Brian Courtney, Lancefield Early Entry:................................................... Peter Plytus, Newport Cod catch and release:................................ Bradley Sharman, Harden Carp Boat:.................................................... Tom Webster, Benalla Fish Numbers Murray cod:.................................................. 203 Murray Cod Golden perch:............................................... 151 Golden Perch European carp:............................................. 1,700 approx. European Carp Total:............................................................. 2054 Longest Cod Adult:...................................... Michael Maher, 113cm Longest Cod Junior:..................................... Brock Pierce, 108cm Junior Overall Champion Angler:.................. Tom Webster, 80 + 84cm Lady Champion Angler:................................ Ann Przybysz, 69cm Longest Golden Perch Adult:....................... Shane Davies, 59cm Longest Golden Perch Junior:...................... Alex Hawke, 51cm Longest Carp (Open Section):...................... Michael Makoshev, 84cm Cod Stats Most Productive Methods Bait:............................................... 90 Lures:............................................. 46 Unidentified Bait or Lure and Non Sponsors:...................................... 68 Baits Used Bardi grub:..................................... 47 Cheese:......................................... 24 Yabby:.............................................. 7 Worm:.............................................. 6 Shrimp:............................................ 4 Bread:.............................................. 1 Chicken Chips:................................ 1 Lures Used Bassman Spinnerbaits:................. 10 AC Lures:......................................... 8 Jackall Lures:................................... 4 Goulburn Codger:............................ 3 Custom Crafted Lures:.................... 3 Predatek Lures:.............................. 3 Predator Lures:................................ 3 Paul Nicel Lures:............................. 2 Gangster Lures:............................... 2 Lake Mulwala:.................................. 2 Bait ‘em:.......................................... 1 Balista:............................................. 1 Koolabung:...................................... 1 Mud Guts:........................................ 1 Native:............................................. 1 Trik Fish:.......................................... 1 Size of cod 60-65cm:....................................... 82 66-69cm:....................................... 82 70-79cm:....................................... 23 80-89cm:........................................11 90-99cm:......................................... 4 1m+:.................... 2 (108 and 113 cm)

FEBRUARY 2014

Golden Perch Stats Most Productive Methods Bait:............................................... 61 Lures:............................................. 14 Unidentified Bait or Lure and Non Sponsors:...................................... 76 Baits Used Worm:............................................ 47 Shrimp:...........................................11 Bardi grub:....................................... 2 Yabby:.............................................. 1 Lures Used Bassman:......................................... 5 AC Lures:......................................... 2 Jackall Lures:................................... 2 Predator Lures:................................ 2 Goulburn Codger:............................ 1 Halco:.............................................. 1 Swagman:........................................ 1 European Carp Approximately 2,000kg of carp removed and taken to Charlie Carp for processing. Best Represented Club: Cobar Fishing Club - 24 members. Raffle: David McManus, Gembrook Adult Lucky Door: Daniel Hartwell, Crookwell Junior Lucky Door: Jake Stoeckel, Renmark

New fishing comp for East Gippsland in 2014 After many hours of planning and organisation the Gippsland Lakes Fishing Club, in conjunction with Austackle Australia, is proud to announce the launch of an exciting new fishing competition – Lakes Entrance Austackle Flathead Fishing Classic. Scheduled for 8-10 March 2014, it is a welcome event in the area. We are pleased that Austackle Australia has sort to support this competition as it brings a major fishing tackle sponsor into our East Gippsland realm. Already

having a professional team in the area only highlights the confidence Austackle has in this event. The competition will be open to every type of angler from the professional who wants to catch that all elusive ‘big one’, to a family with children who just want to have fun and catch a fish. There will be a club team sponsored section, where other clubs from around the area or distant shores can try their luck at out-fishing the GLFC members! Prizes will also be offered for individuals – senior and junior, secret lengths, spot

Come along to the inaugural Lakes Entrance Austackle Flathead Fishing Classic.

prizes, ladies only, etc, with over $6,000 on offer. We hope to encourage all, families especially, to join in the fun and activities of this competition with some great prizes up for grabs. Family tickets will be available with all costs kept to a minimum. The ‘Pinky Baade Trophy’ will be incorporated from a previous competition that will encourage anglers to not only try their hand at flathead, but also whiting fishing. The Gippsland Lakes Fishing Club will be hosting a dinner for up to 100 lucky

anglers at the clubrooms on the Saturday night, with a chance of winning even more prizes and special guests to make the night memorable in more ways than one. So what are you waiting for? Put the date in your diary, and pick-up an entry form from many of the outlets around Lakes Entrance, Bairnsdale. You can also download a form from our website at www.gippslfc. blogspot.com.au shortly, or contact us on Facebook at Gippsland Lakes Fishing Club. – Gippsland Lakes Fishing Club

Over $6,000 in prizes will also be offered for individuals, senior and junior, secret lengths, spot prizes, ladies only, and much more.

There is a club team sponsored section, where other clubs from around the area, or distant shores, can try their luck at out-fishing the GLFC members!

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR

Gippsland Lakes Fishing Club Inc

presents the

LAKES ENTRANCE

2014

DATE DETAILS

FEBRUARY Feb 1-2

CONTACT

Atomic BIA Bream Classic Rnd 1 Docklands

www.vicbreamclassics.com.au

Feb 8-9

Daiwa-Hobie Kayak BREAM Series Glenelg River

ABT 07 3387 0888

Feb 22-23 Daiwa-Hobie Kayak BREAM Series Bemm River

ABT 07 3387 0888

MARCH

horshamfishingcomp@gmail.com

Mar 9

The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Fishing Comp, Horsham

Bill Hartshorne 0409 823 070

0439 826 187

Mar 8-10 Lakes Entrance Austackle Flathead Gippsland Lakes Fishing Classic Fishing Club (Facebook) www.gippslfc.blogspot.com.au Lakes Entrance Mar 9

Daiwa-Hobie Kayak BASS Series Blue Rock Lake

Mar 22-23 Engel East Gippsland Bream Classic Rnd 2, Mallacoota Inlet

ABT 07 3387 0888 Bill Hartshorne 0409 823 070

FLATHEAD FISHING CLASSIC MARCH 8TH - 10TH 2014 (Long weekend in March)

ST PRIZE SENIORS $1,000 JUNIORS $250

A FISHING CLUB SPONSORED TEAM EVENT “PINKY BAADE” TROPHY

ENTRY ADULT............... $15 CHILD (U16)..... $5 FAMILY.............. $30 (2 Adults, 2 Children)

OVER 6,000 $

IN PRIZES ON OFFER

www.vicbreamclassics.com.au

For listings please email sbooth@fishingmonthly.com.au

Entry forms available from www.gippslfc.blogspot.com.au FEBRUARY 2014

The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Fishing Comp On 9 March 2014, the 37th Horsham Fishing Contest will be held on the beautiful Wimmera River, which flows through the centre of the City of Horsham. Thanks to the local Council, free camping is available on approximately 50% of an 11km stretch each side of the banks of the treelined river. There are also two caravan parks and an abundance of motel and hotel accommodation. Horsham is located on the Western Highway about 3 1/2 hours from Melbourne and 4 1/2 hours from Adelaide. It has a population of more than 15,000 and is also supported by a much larger rural population. Horsham is a vibrant city servicing a large surrounding agricultural region. The city has an excellent retail sector and a variety of cafes, clubs, restaurants’ and hotels. The Leisure Centre and close by Green Lake provide for those interested in water sports. Ten-pin bowling and Kids Capers, an indoor children’s recreational playground, are other recreational activities. Horsham boasts one of Victoria’s highest rated Golf Clubs with its sensational new clubhouse catering for the golfer and those

Last year’s first place winner opted for the car! wishing to dine at the club. On Saturday evening the Horsham Greyhound Club hold their major event at the showgrounds located by the river and promises a great

Sunday

9 March 2014 th

night out for the family. The fishing contest is catch and release, all native fish are returned to the river. All carp are returned to headquarters for disposal. Carp, golden

carp and tench are not eligible to win prizes, other than specific prizes allocated to these species. Any fish under 30cm is not weighed and carp must not be returned to the river. All fish are tagged then transported to headquarters for weighing and recording. These fish are then kept in aerated viewing tanks at headquarters at Sawyer Park for release at the end of the contest. The organising committee is proud of the prize list on offer, the prizes are made possible by committee purchases assisted by local sponsorship for which we are extremely grateful. This year we are particularly excited about the top three senior prizes on offer. This year 1st and 2nd prizes have near equal value at approximately $18,000 each. The winner will get to choose first from a Kia Rio S car or a Bluefin Estuary Trekker boat. Third prize is the choice of a cruise or a Bali holiday. As well there is a list of prizes and give-aways along the river totalling in excess of $60,000. There are three sections, Senior, Junior and Tiddlers, so the whole family can get involved. Some years ago we introduced the Tiddlers section realising the 5 and under age group were missing out on

fishing with the family. As a result of their inclusion, we saw a real family atmosphere develop with large family groups coming together for the long weekend. Each participant is issued with a stake to allow them to mark their fishing spot. One stake allows for 2 rods over a distance of 2.5m on the bank. Stakes should be pegged to the left of any nearby stake. Pre entry stakes can be collected from 8am on the 1 March at our Site office at 9a Firebrace Street. NO stakes are issued before this time and date and only the official stake can mark the fishing spot. For those

arriving just for the weekend of the contest be assured there is plenty of room left to fish. Over the years the major prizes have been caught all along the river even near headquarters in the centre of the city. We have contestants from all over Australia enter. We invite you and your friends to join with us for a relaxing fun-filled weekend. Come to Horsham and get hooked all prizes must be won fishing contest. For more info: P.O. Box 47, Horsham. Vic. 3402. Ph: 0439 826 187 Email: horshamfishingcomp@gmail. com Web: www.horsham fishingcomp.com.au.

A brand new boat is quite a consolation prize for 2013’s second place winner.

HORSHAM’S 37TH ANNUAL

OVER

60,000

(Labour Day weekend)

FISHING CONTEST

IN PRIZES

STARTS 7:30AM - FINISHES 3PM - PRIZE CEREMONY 4.30PM

1ST prize BOAT OR CAR winners choice! 2nd prize boat or car - whichever is not chosen by the winner For the heaviest legal: catfish, murray cod, redfin, silverperch or yellow belly

Estuary Trekker

JUNIOR MAJOR PRIZE

HP Envy 23 TouchSmart Brought to you by Wimmera Office Equipment

Valued at $17,990 Brought to you by WebbCon Marine

ENTRY Rio S

Valued at $18,000 DRIVEAWAY Brought to you by Horsham Motor Company Pic for illustration purposes only

0457 GOFISH

SENIORS ......... $40 JUNIORS ......... $15 TIDDLER ........... $2

+DLER

TID PRIZES

15WON! OVPRIER ZES TO BE

JUNIOR

O VER 20 SEN

IOR PRIZES TO BE WON!

● Tench/Carp cash jackpot ● Senior & Junior sections ● Free Riverbank Camping ● Loads of spot prizes

OFFICE A/H 0439 826 187 www.visithorsham.com.au www.facebook.com/horshamfishingcomp WEB www.horshamfishingcomp.com.au EMAIL horshamfishingcomp@gmail.com 72

FEBRUARY 2014

AND

FEBRUARY 2014

The Shipwreck Coast Fishing Classic 2014 Want to have a crack at one of the biggest fishing comps in Victoria? Looking for something to do on the Labour Day long weekend? How about joining us for the Shipwreck Coast Fishing Classic held in Warrnambool from 1-10 March 2014.

Warrnambool is located approximately 3hours drive west of Melbourne at the end of the Great Ocean Road. It is a picturesque town of just over 30,000 people, but in March each year the town comes alive with fishing fever. With over $50,000 in prizes up for grabs, this

comp is fast cementing itself as a ‘must-do’ with the locals and visitors alike. Entry is only $25 for adults and $5 for kids. The competition is open to the general public, and is aimed at all fishing groups, from the dedicated offshore enthusiast to kids and families, and covers a wide range of species – marine, estuarine and freshwater fish. The event also provides free educational activities for kids with a focus on fishing, environmental awareness, and sustainability of our marine resources. Look out for the free activities and loads of giveaways and prizes! The comp concludes with the presentation event, kicking off at midday on Monday 10 March (Labour Day Public Holiday) at the Warrnambool

Shipwreck Fishing Classic is a great family fun event. Just ask Georgia, Hannah and Abbey.

made to fit your fugly head From $39.95 + p&h

www.fuglies.com.au

...and they float! PO Box 235 Yorkeys Knob Qld 4878 Ph: 07 4055 8472 Fax: 07 4055 8471

The prize boat is worth the entry fee alone!

BOAT STORAGE AVAILABLE

Call Now: 03

5562 5031

www.whpark.com.au

FEBRUARY 2014

Breakwater car park. There are small fry, junior, and senior categories, and prizes are awarded for heaviest fish in each of the selected species, plus random draws (see the comp rules for more details). In addition, two boats will be given away. Every entrant goes into the draw to win the first boat, trailer, and motor package. Any entrant who weighs in any eligible fish goes into the draw for the second boat package! Sponsor stands and a sustainable fishing exhibit will be included as part of the 2014 event, allowing major sponsors an opportunity to display their products directly to the competitors. The sustainable fishing exhibit provides information on issues affecting our local natural resources, and the principles and ethics of sustainable fishing and associated environmental issues. This exhibit is a fantastic initiative and has

been achieved with the help of the Warrnambool City Council, plus the many groups taking part in the exhibit. In addition, the 2014 event will be donating profits to Peters Project, a local community project to raise $5 million toward the building of a desperately needed Integrated Cancer Care Centre in Warrnambool. The centre will provide much needed radiotherapy treatment, various cancer services and support to people with cancer. More information about Peters Project can be found at www.petersproject.org.au. Photos of this year’s presentation day can be found on YouTube – just search Shipwreck Coast Fishing Classic or look us up on Facebook. Online entry and more information can be found at www. wolgfc.com. What a great opportunity to be part of a fantastic event

that really is giving our local community a helping hand. The 2014 Shipwreck Coast Fishing Classic promises to be a huge event, the best ever. We would love to see you there! Many thanks to the following platinum sponsors who make this event possible: Warrnambool City Council, Gamakatsu, Cassign, Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Warrnambool Offshore & Light Game Fishing Club, Richardson Marine, Suzuki Marine, RA Slater Engineering, Men’s Hair Room, Warrnambool Toyota, BP One Stop, Rhino Tanks, NK & CM Dance Constructions, Ludeman Real Estate, Select a snack vending, Mako Eyewear, Atomic Lures, Fish Habitat Network, Thompsons Removals – Ben Pohlner

It’s a worthy event that will be donating profits to a local charity called Peters Project.

Find the C-POINT Hook NEW!

Find this...

Find the

This month there are

hook competition

HOOKS

hidden throughout the pages of Fishing Monthly. and page Find the C-POINT HOOKS m and go in number, fill in the entry for correct the draw to win! The first 50 the month entries drawn at the end of INT HOOKS. will win a Packet of C-PO MAJOR All entries will go into the PRIZE DRAW (Drawn MAY 2014)

Monthly Prize Black Magic C-Point Hooks Sample Selection Made in Japan Value at $5.95

MAJOR PRIZES PAGE NO: 1

$ 600 ST PLACE

1 3

VALUE OF BLACK MAGIC PRODUCTS

MAIL ENTRIES TO: VFM Find the C-POINT HOOKS Comp, PO BOX 3172, Loganholme QLD 4129 Entries must be received by FEBRUARY 28TH 2014 Original entries only. No photocopies. Images for illustration purposes only.

$ 400 ND PLACE

2 8

VALUE OF BLACK MAGIC PRODUCTS

$ 200 RD PLACE

3 12

VALUE OF BLACK MAGIC PRODUCTS

NAME .......................................................................................... ADDRESS ..................................................................................... SUBURB .....................................................P/CODE ..................... PHONE ......................................................MOB ......................... EMAIL .......................................................................................... FEBRUARY 2014

VFM FEBRUARY 2014

• • • •

What’s new fishing Powered by

STORM KNOCK’R MINNOW

BUGSAWAY APPAREL

When you check out the new Storm Knock’R Minnow you’ll instantly notice the shiny external disks on its sides. As well as providing added flash, these disks form the walls of the Knock’R Minnow’s through-body rattle chamber, which generates a loud, knockin’ sound. A pronounced lateral line and realistic fins add to this lure, creating additional vibration in unison with the cadence of the rattle chamber, producing an orchestral underwater experience that makes fish home in. ‘Big’ is an understatement when trying to describe the paddle tail of the Knock’R Minnow. The kickin’ action produced from it, together with the natural strong body roll of the bait combine to create a soft lure that’s truly irresistible. At 18cm long and weighing 67g, the Storm Knock’R Minnow is built for big gobs. It comes complete with a VMC single hook and belly treble for an increased hookup rate. Price: approx. $17 www.rapala.com.au

ExOfficio has created a clothing line for men and women that will repel bugs without odour or irritation. The boffins at ExOfficio have infused the line with Insect Shield technology, while the designers have maintained that classic ExOfficio style. By treating the garments with permethrin, ExOfficio has ensured that when you wear BugsAway clothes the mosquitos, ticks, ants, flies and midges will be sick at the sight of you! Highlights of the range include the Halo Long-Sleeve Shirt, a button-up shirt crafted from lightweight, sun protective nylon. It incorporates a ventilation system to keep you cool. The Ziwa Convertible Pant zips off to become a stylish pair of shorts and has a partially elastic waist to keep your movements free and easy. They are also quick-dry and have deep cargo pockets, making them perfect for use in the bush. Any item of ExOfficio clothing that bears the BugsAway seal will repel bugs for a whopping 70 washes. Price: RRP $99.00 www.outdooragencies.com.au

ZMAN – NUKED CHICKEN GLOW

After the initial release of ZMan’s Nuked Chicken Glow in the 5” and 7” Scented Jerk ShadZ, angler requests have flooded in for the colour to be added to other favourites in the range. Nuked Chicken has proven very popular for those chasing everything from flathead and mulloway in the rivers and estuaries, to those targeting snapper and other reefies offshore, so it makes sense to add some new members to the Nuked Chicken Glow family. Models that are now available in Nuked Chicken Glow include the 3” MinnowZ, 3.75” StreakZ, 4” StreakZ Curly TailZ and 4” DieZel MinnowZ, along with the 8” StreakZ XL for those chasing reefies and offshore speedsters. Price: SRP $8.95 / 8” StreakZ XL $9.95 www.z-man.com.au

FEBRUARY 2014

SALTIST ROD RANGE

IFINDFISH APP

The Saltist reel range has become one of Daiwa’s most popular saltwater offshore reels, and now you can complement them with Daiwa’s latest Saltist rod range. Whether you are jigging for snapper on the reefs, popping for GTs, or casting from rocky headlands, the Saltist rod range has it covered. Using the latest graphites and specialised composites, combined with advanced design and construction techniques, the Saltist rod range provides the optimum combination of strength, power, sensitivity and most importantly price. Built ultra-tough, these rods feature Fuji Hardloy guides, Fuji reel seats, gimbals on selected models, tough EVA grips, and a graphite butt weave for maximum power. The superior strength and increased lifting power allow you to tackle the denizens of the deep like never before. There are 15 rods in the series, including standard overhead and spin models plus specialist jigging and poppering models. Line ratings range from PE 1-2 through to a beefy 24kg. More detailed information on each of the models is available on the Daiwa website. Price: from RRP $169.95 www.daiwafishing.com.au

The iFindfish app has one goal in mind: to help you catch the fish you want to catch. Developed by Adam Royter, iFindFish is a must have for anglers. It gives anglers ‘to the minute’ knowledge of where the fish are, what’s being caught, who’s catching them along with tips and tricks of how to put together a successful day. One of the cool features is the Share feature, which lets you share catches with your friends and the world for bragging rights. You can also use the Hot Spots feature to find the most popular fishing spots in your local area or around the country. You can opt to hide your catch location if you don’t want to share your secret spots. And the Logbook function allows you to keep a logbook history of all the fish you’ve caught with photos and details. For the time, cost and effort of organizing your fishing trip, iFindFish will help you achieve a better result and improve your chances of catching the fish you want. It’s available now from the iTunes app store. Price: Free for a limited time ifindfish.com

BLACK MAGIC KL RANGE EXPANDS

Black Magic has increased the size options in their legendary KL hook range. The original range ran from a size 1/0 up to a size 8/0, but now there are four smaller sizes available. The KL is of course a recurve circle hook and is designed to ‘self hook’ the fish, usually in the corner of the mouth. This makes it easier to de-hook fish, and is also better for fish intended for release. The new sizes are 01, 02, 04 and 06 and are great for a number of Australian species like sand whiting, garfish, luderick and bream. The new hooks are available in Black Magic’s economy-sized packets and, like the existing hook range, they are chemically sharpened and made in Japan from premium grade high carbon steel. Price: RRP $11.95 www.blackmagictackle.com

Please send contributions to: The Editor, Fishing Monthly Group PO BOX 3172 LOGANHOLME, QLD. 4129

What’s new fishing Powered by

The next generation of C-12 is here, bringing a whole new Samaki experience to your fingertips. Now designed with a stealth-like X weave cosmetic finish, it features AAA grade cork grips for ultimate comfort, as well as a rubber cork butt inlaid with Samaki butt cap detail. It also boasts Fuji K SiC guides and Fuji reel seats. This sleek design looks as crisp as each and every model’s action, designed specifically for Australian conditions using only premium 40 tonne Toray carbon fibre blanks. The C-12 Gen II range consists of 7’0” spin models and 6’0” and 6’4” baitcast models, from extra light to heavy, so there’s an action for every angler. Price: RRP $299.95 www.samaki.com.au

SAMAKI C-12 GEN 11

ZEREK HOOKS AND JIGHEADS

Wilson Fishing has released a new Zerek range of weighted worm hook and jighead packs. These specially designed weighted hooks perfectly match the popular Zerek Live Shrimp and Zerek Live Cherabin Lures. Anglers can choose from an assortment of weight styles and shapes on each pack of hook sizes. The same reliable super strong chemically-sharpened hook that comes with Zerek Lures are featured in the Zerek hook packs, giving you the option to fish many presentations and depths with the same Zerek lure body. Zerek Live Shrimp lures come in 2”, 3.5” and 5” models, and the matching hooks are available in the following sizes: 1g and 3g weights for the 2” model; 2g, 4.5g and 7g for the 3.5” model; 4g, 8g and 11g weights for the 5” model. The Zerek Live Cherabin is 4” long, and its hooks come with 3g, 7g and 9g weights. More sizes will be coming out soon, so keep an eye out at your local tackle store. Price: RRP from $8.50 www.wilsonfishing.com

FISHING THE CAPE

There aren’t too many anglers out there who have not visited or are not planning to visit Cape York and with very good reason – the fishing is world class! Two guys who are better known for the skills at catching big green fish in tough country have made the trek after years of planning and, as luck would have it, filmed the expedition to inspire others to take up the challenge. Josh and Jamie’s Fishing The Cape is a travelogue DVD from Horn Island that showcases some of the most amazing fishing Cape York has to offer. Pristine and wild rivers, uncluttered beaches, seclusion and weather changes that only the Cape can muster. Through the vision you get to witness barramundi in all their headshaking, gill-flaring brilliance as they strike at lures, get hooked jump and cavort around all over the place and throw lures back at the anglers. Some compelling viewing that will certainly get the casting arm twitching. With a running time of around 70 minutes, Fishing The Cape gives a realistic view of the awe-inspiring beauty and amazing fishing found in this remote part of Australia. Price: $35 www.joshandjamiefishing.com.au

NEW FROM JACKALL

Jackall has released 2 new lures onto the Australian market. The Chubby Pencil 55 is 55mm long and weighs 3.1g, and has been designed by Jackall for bream, whiting and bass. As usual it has the perfection attitude of all Jackall products, and it walks from the first twitch of the rod. It’s available in 5 colours. The Chubby Vibe 40 is 42mm long and weighs 4.8g. It’s a proven slow sinking, vibrating fish catcher already in fresh- and saltwater. Both lures are available now from all good tackle stores. Price: SRP $22 www.jackall.com.au

WILSON UV HEADSCARVES

DAIWA LATEO

Wilson Fishing has announced the release of the new Wilson and Venom headscarves. Wilsons had the material tested by ARPANSA (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency) to ensure their headscarves 100% complied with Australian Sun Safety Standards. The UPF Rating came in at 15+, providing Good Protection, which means that 93.3% of UV rays are blocked from reaching your skin. The Wilson & Venom Multifunctional Headscarves are made from 100% Polyester microfiber. The seamless design makes them comfortable, and with the moisture wicking properties as well as the high sun and wind protection they are the perfect cool and comfortable outdoor wear. One size fits most, and there are many versatile ways to wear them. There are currently 2 designs to choose from: Wilson blue and yellow camo (HSW) and black and red smear (HSV). Price: RRP $15.95 www.wilsonfishing.com

Designed as the ultimate rocky shore and beach lure fishing rod series, the Lateo’s unique design delivers unparalleled casting performance. Daiwa’s latest design innovation – X45 – delivers ultimate strength, power, and weightlessness, resulting in an ultra-slim blank that eliminates blank twist and massively increases torque, and blank recoil. The blank returns to its straight form quickly, delivering faster acceleration and longer, more responsive casting. By combining HVF (High Volume Fibre) carbon with X45 construction, Daiwa has created a powerful lightweight blank with more responsiveness and sensitivity than ever before. The Lateo range features Fuji’s epochmaking guide system, and Alconite ‘K’ guides to dramatically reduce line wrap and improve line speed for faster, more accurate casting. Lateo rods also feature customized oval reel seats for ultimate comfort and sensitivity, custom alloy componentry, and minimalist ultra-tough EVA grips to reduce weight for high speed casting acceleration. There are 7 models, all 2-piece, ranging from the L 76MH (2.29m, medium heavy action, 10-30g cast weight, 5-9kg line rating) through to the L 110XH (3.35m, extra heavy action, 60-150g cast weight and 10-20kg line rating). Price: RRP $349 www.daiwafishing.com.au

Please send contributions to: The Editor, Fishing Monthly Group PO BOX 3172 LOGANHOLME, QLD. 4129

FEBRUARY 2014

What’s new fishing Powered by

GARY HOWARD EXTREME

Metal jiggers, trollers and live baiters alike will appreciate the Japanese carbon fibre blank, Alps stainless steel guides and a touch of class in the new Gary Howard Offshore Extreme jig/troll rods, designed by master rod builder Gary Howard. When you first hold one of these rods you’ll find it hard to believe that something so light can be so strong and have such lifting power. That’s thanks to the Japanese nano technology and a sophisticated blank design that results in incredible low-down power and a superb tip action. There are 4 models, all 6’ and one-piece, with a 24kg and 37kg in both spin and overhead, the latter doubling as an excellent multi-purpose rod equally good at jigging metal, or trolling baits and lures. All 4 models make light work of live baiting and bottom fishing reefs and wrecks, too. Durable high-quality EVA grips and a gimbal butt complete the design, which is attractive, robust and well-priced. Price: from $129 garyhowardfishing.com.au

GULP FLOATING SHRIMP

The Gulp Floating Shrimp has arrived! Impregnated with micro balloons of air, Floating Gulp can be fished unweighted as a floating bait or lightly rigged for a slower sink rate. When fished on a heavier jighead floating Gulp has enough bouyancy to ‘stand up’ off the bottom, enticing fish to strike. The Gulp 2” Shrimp is arguably the most popular tournament bream soft bait in Australia. The reason for this is simple: they work. Floating Gulp in the Shrimp shape has been designed to give seasoned anglers the edge! You can check out the full range of Gulps at berkley-fishing.com.au. To see the Floating Shrimp in action, visit www.youtube.com and type in ‘Gulp Floating Shrimp’, or scan the QR code hereabouts. Price: RRP $9.95 www.berkley-fishing.com.au

OCEA SWITCH BAIT RODS

An approach originally developed to tease marlin, sailfish and the like into range for a saltwater fly rod shot, switch baiting is about the most exciting, visual, in-your-face gamefishing method ever developed. Smart anglers have been using it with conventional tackle of course, and last year Shimano released a series of technique-specific rods to cater for the special demands of switch and pitch. This year, the Ocea Switch Bait series has been expanded to include 2 new rods in spin or overhead options for lighter 10-15kg line classes (or 20-40lb braid if you prefer). This makes them perfect for small blacks, sailfish, larger striped marlin if you want to have a crack, and any other species prepared to come up and monster a teaser. No expense has been spared to make these rods absolute standouts; the fittings include Fuji K Series ‘Tangle Free’ guides with SiC inserts, marine-grade aluminium Alps reel seats with Delrin inserts, tubular graphite Slick Butts, and all based around an advanced TCurve TC4 blank designed by The Australian Rod Builder, Ian Miller. Price: from approx. $425 www.shimanofish.com.au

FEBRUARY 2014

FIN-NOR BISCAYNE

Fin-Nor Biscayne spin reels have been the benchmark for tough, affordable saltwater spin reels and now, more choice in large sizes adds another advantage. With the introduction of the FS100, the 7-size range has you covered for all saltwater fishing. The FS100 is packed with all the great Biscayne features, including the strong aluminium body and side plate, matched with a computer balanced rotor and aluminium spool. This tough foundation is made even more durable with an electrostatic multi-layer corrosion protection. The heavy-duty carbon fibre drag is considered a leader in this class, with a multistack of impressive oversized washers that dissipate intense heat and deliver smooth power for when big fish run hard. Other features include 4 stainless steel ball bearings, a heavyduty instant anti-reverse bearing, a tough metal handle and large rubberised grip for comfort and control. The Biscayne FS100 holds 430 yards of 20lb mono and has a 4.9:1 gear ratio. The large line capacity, extra-strong build and powerful drag provide superior quality and performance at an affordable price. Price: RRP $189 finnorfishing.com.au

WILSON SLICK BACK

The Aussie-designed Slick Back Lures from Wilson Fishing have been created to target Australian native fish like cod, golden perch and bass. These lures are available in multiple depths and sizes and come in an extensive range of colours, giving you a variety of options to suit any fishing conditions. Slick Backs feature super-strong, specifically-sized trebles, so these lures fish reliably straight out of the box. Other features include a stainless steel anchored tow point, durable polycarbonate bib, Laser Eyes and rattle. The unique scalloped belly allows the point of the trebles to be exposed at all times, providing a greater hook-up rate. These lures are tank tested and tuned to ensure you get the best action. There are 3 models available: the Slick Back 50 (50mm with a 4m+ diving depth), Slick Back 80 (80mm with 6m diving depth) and Slick Back 100 (100mm with an 8m+ diving depth). Price: from RRP $10.95 for the 50mm model www.wilsonfishing.com

TIAGRA ULTRA LINE

Game fishers demand a lot from their lines, as do the fish they chase, so they’ll be extremely pleased with Shimano’s new Tiagra Ultra game fishing line. A light blue in colour, Tiagra Ultra is easy to see above the water, but harder to see under the water. This makes it great for bait fishing when cubing for sharp-eyed albacore, yellowfin and bluefin tuna. The line has low stretch, is IGFA rated and is available in 8, 10, 15, 24 and 37kg breaking strains on 1000m spools. It is also quite thin in comparison to other brands. This means you can squeeze a bit more on a reel spool, and it’s also less affected by water pressure when a hot runner gets a lot of line out in a hurry. Price: from approx. $45 www.shimanofish.com.au

Please send contributions to: The Editor, Fishing Monthly Group PO BOX 3172 LOGANHOLME, QLD. 4129

What’s new fishing Powered by

FEATURE PRODUCT Improved FireLines from Berkley Smoother than ever, right out of the package and tougher too is what you can expect from the recently released FireLine Tournament Exceed from Berkley. FireLine from Berkley has been a leader in the superline category for years. FireLine was always smooth and now it is even smoother. FireLine was always tough and now it is even tougher. Just about every characteristic for the line is now improved. New FireLine, thermally fused with Dyneema, performs best on spinning tackle with longer casts, up to 17% longer, and it is quieter through the guides due to the new smoother coating formula. The smooth finish is noticeable right out of the package and combined with the line’s thin diameter FireLine allows lures to dive deeper, getting the lure where the fish are. The abrasion resistance is improved resulting in less fraying. It also has 3% greater strength retention after wear; standing up to rocks, timber and even mussels and oysters better. With FireLine anglers can cast farther in open water to reach those sensitive fish or present the lure into the thickest cover knowing the line will hold up. These are all great advantages for flats fishers and those chasing tough quarry in tight cover. With the new FireLine anglers discover improved casting with more accuracy and smoother handling. The line also has better colour retention. The colour retention is vital in allowing the user to see those subtle bites that register as no more than a little ‘tick’ on the line. Seeing is believing in this case, and the more you can see, the more you’ll believe.

FireLine, with new packaging, is available in line sizes from 2lb (crystal colour) through 30lb test. Colours include the original crystal plus smoke and flame green, and the spool size is a very useable 125 yards. FireLine Tournament Exceed, also with new packaging, is now available in line sizes from 2kg through 24kg. Colours include the original crystal plus blaze orange and flame green. Spool sizes available include 135m, 300m, 600m and 1500m. Price: Fireline from $24.95 Fireline Exceed from $29.95 www.berkley-fishing.com.au

FEATURE PRODUCT Rigrap – Fishing rig storage systems

I spend a lot of time preparing for a fishing trip to ensure that when I’m fishing, I spend the maximum amount of time with my bait or lure in the water. Much of this preparation is ensuring that I have ample back up of any rigs I may need, to replace a set up after the big one has got away or if my casting accuracy wasn’t quite up to scratch. This prep work can become null and void when the rigs you have tied or purchased end up in a tangled mess on the bottom of your tackle box. Rigrap tackle cases from Tacspo are a very simple and effective way to avoid this. Available in six sizes, you can store everything from your Sabiki bait rigs to you large offshore set ups knowing that the next time you go to use them, you will only be moments away from fishing. The larger models also offer the ability to store multiple rigs separately in one box - great if you want to use different breaking strain lines or have different hook styles for the same type of fishing. It is simply a matter of choosing the

correct size case for your rig, opening the case, winding the rig around the slotted spool (using the slots to hold any hooks, swivels in the centre of the spool), closing it and locking it in place using the locking clasp. Your rig is secure, can easily be identified and ready for use when required. The benefits don’t stop there. They store easily in your tackle box, protect your rigs, can be stored in a tackle vest, protect your fingers from loose hooks, they float and most importantly your used rigs can be stored ready to be used again. The added benefit for the saltwater angler is that the cases have drainage holes allowing you to rinse and dry everything in the case, after you have been fishing. If you want to remove the frustration of having to untangle your premade or purchased rigs, avoid finding those same rigs rusted or caught in every nook and cranny in your tackle box, I believe these cases are a great solution. – Peter Jung Price: from $7.95 www.rigrapoline.com

TESTED:

Bassman’s Yellaman Spinnerbaits – more than just goldens I have been fishing spinnerbaits a bit lately, something I wouldn’t normally do as I am really average at using them. The spinnerbait of choice has been the Bassman Yellaman, a compact little spinnerbait designed for golden perch but which is certainly suitable for other species like bass, cod and saratoga. The Yellaman comes in 2 weights (3/8oz and 1/2oz) and has been designed around the popular Carl’s Compact series from Bassman. This means the Yellaman is a compact spinnerbait that doesn’t have a large profile like those spinnerbaits designed exclusively for cod. The blade configuration sees a gold mag-willow blade teamed up with a silver Colorado blade. This combination has been shown over the years to be very attractive to golden perch in other spinnerbaits, so it seemed sensible to incorporate this feature into a spinnerbait designed for goldens. Colour-wise, designer Glen Casey has incorporated the requests of the best anglers into the range. The basic range sees 10 colours, from attractor colours through to more natural shades. To add spice, Bassman has also built in a pre-rigged stinger hook loaded up with a small paddle-tailed plastic that is colour matched to the head and skirt colours. Many anglers believe the trailer plastic is an important contributing factor to the success of a native fish spinnerbait. I’m not so convinced that a trailer is essential, but I don’t see it as a deterrent to fish either. However, I do think that the stinger hook is essential, and wrapping that stinger hook in a plastic is a good way to hide the hook. I

have caught good fish with the plastic attached, but I have also had good success without it – after some angry Brisbane River bass ripped the plastic off one of my lures. The first time I used these lures in the field was while chasing bass in the Brisbane River. I used a bright fire tiger pattern and a more subtle purple pattern over the course of the day. The fire tiger pattern was first up and it caught 3 bass fished off a threadline outfit. After this initial success I changed to the purple spinnerbait fished on a baitcasting outfit and landed a further 6 fish for the day. This was all river work, casting towards

snags and laydowns and using the current to my advantage. I found the lures were easy to cast (fire tiger was 3/8oz and the purple was 1/2oz) and simple to fish. There was the odd foul-up on the cast where the spinnerbait spun on the cast, but with blades, skirts and trailers all making this a not so aerodynamic casting lure, you

would expect some fouling. In the water the lures swam true and handled a bit of pace before rolling over onto their sides. I made most of my casts tight to structure, allowed the lure to sink a metre or so and then retrieved it slowly back to the kayak. The Yellaman spinnerbaits were perfect for this work. The blades bit easily and once they were spinning you could really slow the lure down and keep the blades ticking over. While I didn’t get the chance to test the running depths (the Brissie River section we fished was generally shallow), all spinnerbaits can be fished at virtually any depth so the point

is probably a bit moot. Just let it sink a little longer if you need more depth or you can wind a little slower – easy! The next trip out for the Yellaman was chasing saratoga at Borumba Dam. This was stillwater casting to structure where the idea was to keep the lure up high as saratoga generally feed close to the surface. Casting

to sticks and trees was great fun and the Yellaman walked over a lot of snags easily. The first toga to smash the purple Yellaman took me totally by surprise, but I was one happy camper as the fish came from one of those casts where you say, “That has to get a bite!” And it did. Needless to say I am pretty impressed by the Yellaman spinnerbaits from Bassman and I can hardly wait to actually chuck them at some golden perch – the intended quarry. Yellamans retail for around $15 and are widely available at all Bassman stockists. To find your nearest stockist log onto the Bassman website at www. bassmanspinnerbaits.com.au or look them up on Facebook. Trust me, if I can catch fish on them they have to be good because I am a very average spinnerbait fisher. – Stephen Booth

Please send contributions to: The Editor, Fishing Monthly Group PO BOX 3172 LOGANHOLME, QLD. 4129

FEBRUARY 2014

Big tick for Mayne’s Marine’s Tournament 1800 CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

Neil Grose vfmeditor@fishingmonthly.com.au

Amongst the ‘hype’ of American and Chinese imported boats, there are still plenty of good quality and great performing boats being built in Australia. Into this mix we have that perennial choice between aluminium and fibreglass – and it is fair to say that this is an argument that will never be resolved, and nor should it. Each material has its strong points, and boats like the Tournament 1800 certainly exemplify the big ticks that glass brings to the water. I’ve spent a reasonable amount of time in a Tournament 1800, as my brother-in-law in Seaford (a suburb of Melbourne for the geographically challenged) has had one for a few years now. So I pretty much knew what to expect when the guys from Maynes Marine in Hobart slipped the latest model into the not-so-pristine waters of the Derwent River in Hobart. The clean lines of the Tournament aren’t just for show, as a quick look under the boat prior to launching confirmed. A deep V at the stern rising smoothly up to a pretty reasonable sort of reverse chine means that rough water performance is good and the reverse chine gives stability to the vessel that a straight deep V struggles to give. This is a ‘guts’ of the issue – you can flatten out the stern for a stable platform at rest,

but this compromises ride. You can make a deep V for great ride in the rough stuff, but it will wobble all over the place at rest. Smart designers do a bit of both – a deep V for ride, and a good-sized reverse chine for stability at rest, which is what we have here. Before the Tournament slipped into the water, I spent some time wandering around taking note of all the ‘human’ aspects of the boat; things such as storage, seats, helm position and fishing room where it counts. It is clear to see that the 1800 isn’t just about fishing, as there are enough creature comforts and finishing touches to make this as comfortable for a family as it is practical for a serious angler. I’d hazard a guess that most of us in this magazine are serious anglers, so I’ll focus for the most part on that. The room on the ‘dance floor’ is impressive, and for a boat of 5.65m long and 2.3m wide

On the water is where this boat really excels – a terrific vessel indeed. many other boats I’ve been in – it is basically straight up and down. I was initially uneasy about this, but driving the boat convinced me that this was a good placement – the only change I’d make here would be one of those knobs on the wheel to make steering and manoeuvring a lot easier.

The Tournament 1800 is a very slick looking package on the trailer. and swivelled as well, and I was sold on this. This might seem a small issue, but it is very important to have a comfortable helm when traversing rough seas or dealing with poor conditions. The throttle and shift is at the perfect spot where the hand falls automatically from the wheel to the shift, so a big tick for that too. The steering wheel isn’t positioned at an angle like

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The deep V is balanced by the reverse chine to give a great balance between rough water capability and stability at rest.

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there is commensurate space to keep two anglers comfortably hooked up without annoying each other. When the fishing is hot, the backbench seat can be laid down flat to give more room. Up forward the bunks are workman-like, and while I doubt you’ll stretch out for a full night’s sleep here, there is plenty of room to sit and relax or stretch out for a short kip in between big fish. Underneath the cushions there are removable lids that allow access to good storage for those items that need to be taken, but don’t need to be close at hand. The helm is, I have to say, bloody marvellous! I am 6’3” tall, and it is refreshing to prop in the helm of a boat that has two things – heaps of headroom and a seat that can be adjusted backwards and forwards. To be frank I’ve not come across a seat that can be slid backwards and forwards,

ON THE WATER The Derwent is a great place to do a boat test for a craft such as this, as the conditions change so frequently in different areas on the estuary. Launching at Prince of Wales Bay, we shot out past Incat and down the river towards the Tasman Bridge. As many locals would know, the stretch near the zinc works towards the bridge can get very untidy, especially when tide and wind are at cross purposes. As such, sloppy wave and a stiff cross breeze meant I could play around with the Tournament and see how some ‘normal’ conditions effected performance at different speeds. Sliding into the chop

saw the deep V do exactly what you’d expect. It was interesting to play with trim in these conditions – trimmed out too much brought the reverse chine into play, making the ride a bit ‘rougher’, but dropping the nose a bit made the V work properly and resulted in a perfect ride. Around, across and down the wind was the same – get the trim right and this is one sweet lady. I should say that even if you don’t get it right it is still a perfectly adequate ride, but it does reward adjusting the trim judiciously. I was super-impressed with the ride, especially down the wind – trimmed right and wound out to full throttle it just sang – what a combination! At rest it was what you’d expect from a deep V with a good and well-designed reverse chine. It was good and stable and I’d be very happy fishing from this boat in anything under ‘horrible’ conditions at anchor. Snapper fishers in Port Phillip will love it, as will the growing band of offshore anglers in Tasmania on the east coast seeking the regular line up of game and bread and butter species.

SPECIFICATIONS Length:............. 5.65m Beam:............... 2.34m Fuel capacity:..... 160L HP range:....90-130hp Deadrise:...............21° Max load:...........740kg Transom height:.....25” This boat was powered by the new generation Honda BF115 – a terrific piece of engineering. It was fitted with a four-blade prop, which is an interesting addition. This helps with the hole shot and for those who like to drag the kids in a tube or others on skis, this will give plenty of torque to get them up and away. It was interesting to note that when I drove it off the trailer, the boat listed to starboard, as to be expected when 120kg stands on one side. I gave the throttle a quick squirt and the boat popped up as level as anything – which is very reassuring and a sign of good hull design. The Honda is as faultless as any four-stroke engine I’ve come across – big power, smooth transitions from neutral to in-gear and quiet operation. The range of power is from

The cockpit is all work and comfort – I was impressed at the head space and positioning of controls and seating.

DIY 12v

www.korrlighting.com.au

FEBRUARY 2014

GREAT FOR • Tents • Boats • Utes • Trucks • Camper trailers • Caravans • Vans • Tool boxes • Compartment lighting • Beach fishing

Clean planing lines allows this boat to turn smoothly and cope with pretty much any conditions that bay or inshore waters can throw up.

90-130hp, and if budget allows I’d opt for the 115hp. The bigger motor might only be an option if there was plenty of skiing to be done or if there was heavy loads such as diving equipment to be on board. THE TRAILER As with many boat packages produced in Australia, we see trailers now perfectly matched to the hull that provide for easy launching and trouble-free retrieving. Launching is never usually

much of a hassle, but many new boat owners struggle with the concept of getting the boat back on the trailer. This set up is perfect for all comers, as the trailer is set up to centre the boat on the trailer. At the conclusion of the test there was a stiff cross breeze, which was catching the clears and side of the boat. This is usually the most difficult of retrieving conditions, yet it was a simple matter of getting the bow between the two skids

The Honda 115hp 4-stroke is perfect for this boat and hums along in a brilliant manner.

and the trailer did the rest as Chris powered it up the trailer – easy peasy! FISHABILITY The key thing with boats such as this, is room to move. That means room to move around the deck on the rear two-thirds of the boat, and this boat is very good in this respect. For many anglers fishing bays and estuaries, the next thing is ease of setting the anchor, and the Tournament is also very good in this respect, with good access to the bow section to deploy the anchor. Electric anchors are always a bonus, and for a 5.65m boat I’d be looking for an aftermarket fit up to make life a bit easier when dropping and retrieving the pick. Storage is as to be expected from a boat such as this, with scope to organise as you’d see fit. The area under the seats is left open for storage of coolers or tackle storage units – I like this as it allows prospective owners to put things where they want them. Options include bait boards and rocket launchers and for good fishing efficiency I’d certainly recommend optioning everything that makes fishing better. Stability at rest is an excellent feature of the Tournament 1800, and one which is extremely important. You’d be very happy to anchor up on a reef off the coast,

Up forward the bunks give room for a rest plus have some excellent storage for those things that don’t need to be readily at hand. drifting for striped trumpeter and other yummies or stake your patch in Port Phillip or Western Port, as this boat delivers a very good platform. Those that like the odd trip offshore to chase tuna will also be attracted to this boat, and while I wasn’t out on the swell, I’d confidently predict that this boat will be a good game boat when conditions are suitable. OVERALL This is a great example of Australian manufacturing finding the heart of the family boater and serious angler alike. It is well designed and built, it is fantastic on the water and easy to launch and retrieve. It has all the power to lift

skiers and every design feature needed to make for a good all round fishing boat. For more information on the huge range of options visit www.tpboats.com.au. Reg Turner at Mayne’s Marine would be more than happy to show this boat on the water and I heartedly recommend a test, it will tick all the boxes. • 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.

Above Left: Two bait tanks on either side of the stern are invaluable for serious anglers. Above Right: The long side pockets are perfect for the longer items such as nets and gaffs.

1800 Cuddy Cabin $

Honda 115hp 4 stroke Bimini, front and side clears 5 year motor Warranty 10 years hull Warranty

As Tested

49,990

Contact Maynes Marine

03·6214 9999 6 Effingham St, Moonah TAS 7009 Email: sales@maynesmarine.com.au

www.maynesmarine.com.au FEBRUARY 2014

Industry Profile

Business Profile: JV Marine Established in 1976, JV Marine World is a family business, still proudly operated and owned by founders John and Vicki Stav. JV Marine World is the biggest marine superstore in Australia. Our philosophy is simple: we aim to exceed your expectations with courteous, expert knowledge and outstanding customer service. These values have helped us grow into a recognised leader within the powerboat industry. We’ve won over 30 awards, including multiple awards as dealer of the year from Australian and overseas boat and motor manufacturers. Current locations? Our flagship outlet in Braeside covers more than 10 acres and is the largest powerboat outlet in the Southern Hemisphere. Our second showroom in Laverton North covers over 3 acres. What services and products do you offer? JV Marine World is a complete one stop shop for everything marine. New and used boat packages, outboard motors, boat trailers, jet skis, service and spare part departments. Within

JV Marine you can also find finance and insurance offices, a BCF store, a dive shop, a ski wear shop, fibreglass workshop and our very own café. It really does have everything under the one roof to satisfy all your boating needs!

What keeps your business ahead? JV Marine’s strength has been its ability to offer a wide range of quality boats for all purposes at affordable prices. JV Marine stocks boats from 2.5m tinnies through to

the large Cruisers and everything in between. If you are a first time boat buyer or a hard-core

offshore fisher, JV Marine will have a boat to suit your needs. Where is the industry headed for boating and fishing? The boating industry continues to bounce back well after the GFC and we are looking forward to 2014 and beyond as things are constantly improving. We are seeing a constant demand for both small and large fishing boats alike. The fishing seems to be

improving all the time in this state – both for offshore and in the bays. What is the biggest problem facing boaters in Victoria and Tasmania? Lack of infrastructure, ramps and cleaning tables. The potential for over regulation is also a big problem. The time spent waiting to launch boats is certainly a massive problem for most boating enthusiasts around Port Phillip Bay.

If you could change one thing with the fishing and boating industry, what would that be? More launching facilities are required. What is the future for your business? JV Marine has made its focus quality trailer boats. This is where it feels its future lies and will continue to represent quality brands of trailer boats to sell to the Australian public. Any other important information readers would like/need to know about your business. JV Marine is still a familyowned company and prides itself on being a leader in the Australian boating industry. 82

FEBRUARY 2014

NEWS

FROM THE BOATING WORLD

NEW DESIGN FOR QUINTREX

The new Hornet range including the F450, F481 and F500 models have received a brand new design that’s sure to impress. The new F- Hornet features a new bow design which sees the front casting deck expanded with improved storage space and stability. With a wide beam of 2.1m, the F500 Hornet offers great stability at rest and underway. As a member of the renowned Quintrex Hornet Range, the new F500 is set up for the serious angler, with rod holders, fishfinder and a 95L fuel tank as standard. Quintrex National Account Manager Cameron Wood said the F500 Hornet had received a lot of attention after being officially released at the recent Sydney International Boat Show. “ It is a significant design change that has really increased the storage, stability and size of the casting deck,” he said. “And being rated up to 115hp, there is plenty of power behind the F500 so you can load her up with your fishing gear without a problem. The F500 Hornet is available to option up with a bimini and envelope, bow mount thruster plate, live bait tank, rear ladder, rod storage pocket and berley bucket. It is available as a Quintrex Instant Boating Package including a boat, Quintrex trailer and Evinrude E-Tec engine complete with a 3-year factory warranty. For more information on the F500 Hornet or the entire Quintrex range head to www. quintrex.com.au. - Telwater

NEW LOWRANCES Lowrance has 2 new additions to its Elite and Mark family of compact fishfinder and chartplotter products: the Elite-4 and Mark4 Hybrid Dual Imaging (HDI) series. The new HDI units feature a built-in GPS antenna, high-definition mapping options, and the Lowrance exclusive Hybrid Dual Imaging technology that combines Broadband Sounder and Downscan Imaging for the best possible view beneath your boat.

Replacing previous Lowrance Elite-4 and Mark-4 models, the larger and super-bright Elite 4.3-inch colour and Mark grayscale displays have 70%t more pixels and 36% more useable screen area. Built into the HDI Skimmer transducer design, Broadband Sounder technology is ideal for marking fish arches and tracking lure action, while Downscan Imaging provides easy-to-understand, picture-like views of structure and bottom detail.

Advanced Signal Processing (ASP) reducing the need to manually adjust settings to see fish, structure and bottom detail more clearly. TrackBack functionality allows anglers to scroll back in recorded sonar history to review structure, transitions and fish targets, and pinpoint locations with a waypoint. The Elite-4 HDI line has Elite-4x HDI fishfinder-only, Elite-4m HD chartplotteronly and Elite-4 HDI combination models. The Mark-4 HDI is available as a fishfinder/ chartplotter combo unit only. Elite-4 and Mark-4 HDI models with chartplotter capability feature a highly accurate built-in GPS antenna. A C-Map bundle model is also available. Lowrance Elite-4 HDI combo models are priced from RRP $449 and the Mark-4 HDI fishfinder/chartplotter from RRP $279, and both have a limited 1-year warranty. For more info or to find your nearest dealer visit www.lowrance.com. - Lowrance

AQUASEAL MARINE WIPES

Aquaseal Marine Wipes (#262690) come in a pack of 75 convenient wipes containing a powerful anti-bacterial additive, ideal for use on all cleaning and maintenance jobs. These wipes are formulated to clean hands, tools and surfaces from engine oil, bilge grime, semi-cured paint, sealant, adhesive, grease, mildew stains, scuff marks, waterline scum and exhaust stains. They’re supplied in plastic re-sealable dispenser bottle and have a RRP of $22.40. The Aquaseal Marine range also includes a variety of sealants to suit almost any application, electrical insulation tapes, self amalgamating repair tapes, timber primer, bonding tape and PTFE thread tape. These products have been specially developed for the demanding marine environment and formulated to provide outstanding protection against severe weather exposure, resistance to saltwater and extreme UV light. They also offer superior adhesive characteristics to most marine substrates such as GRP (glass reinforced plastic), gelcoats, aluminium, glass, chrome, wood and stainless steel. For more information on the Aquaseal range visit www.bla.com.au. - BLA

GME HANDHELD VHF RADIOS

GME’s GX800 and GX850 VHF radios have Digital Selective Calling and inbuilt GPS, making them an essential safety device for boat owners.

Built to withstand the harsh marine environment, the GX800 and GX850 are waterproof to the IP67 standard. Both models feature a large backlit LCD display, making the screen easy to read in bright sunlight. If either model is dropped overboard, it will float to the surface with the bright LCD flashing to make it easy to find and retrieve. 5/1W switchable transmission power enables users to reduce battery consumption by selecting the low power setting when using the radio at close range, or at full 5W power for communicating over longer distances. The GX850 features Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and a 48 channel GPS receiver. With a registered MMSI number, users are able to transmit important information direct to another radio. In times of an emergency, DSC can be used to alert all radios within range of the distress, even when a listening watch is not being maintained. The built-in GPS receiver means that any distress call will automatically include current position and time. And the GX850 features 2 receivers, one of which is dedicated to DSC so users will never miss a DSC call. The GX850 also has a Man Over Board (MOB) feature. You simply press and hold the MOB key to gain an accurate location of the point at which the incident occurred. The GX800 is priced at RRP $229, and the GX850 at RRP $329, and both models can be used worldwide. For stockist info visit www.gme.net.au. - GME

BRAVO TWO PROPS BACK

Responding to popular demand, Mercury Marine has reintroduced a full line of aluminium propellers for that legendary workhorse, the Bravo Two sterndrive. Mercury has brought back the 11, 13, 15, 17 and 25 pitch 3-bladed Bravo Two aluminium propellers in both right- and lefthand rotation. These join the 19, 21 and 23 pitch aluminium propellers, to provide boatowners with a full range to choose from. “At Mercury, we’re in the business of providing what our customers want,’ said John Temple, Mercury Marine’s General Manager, Australia, NZ and South Pacific (ANZP). “These propellers really enhance mid- to top-end performance, and our customers told us loud and clear they wanted that option.” Bravo Two propellers offer a large blade area for maximum thrust and a beefy design for excellent manoeuvrability and better holding during turns. To maintain high quality, the Bravo Two propellers are cast in-house at Mercury’s casting facility in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. They feature MercAlloy, Mercury’s patented aluminium alloy for superior strength. Aluminium and stainless steel Bravo Two propellers fit all Bravo Two drives and are now available in 11 to 25 pitch in right-hand and left-hand rotations. For more information, including Mercury’s 5-Step Guide to the perfect propeller, visit mercurymarine.com.au. Mercury

MARINE POLISHING SET

Fein’s Marine Polishing Set is the latest product to join the elite fleet of power tools. An unpolished boat can mean much more than a dirty surface. Wax polish replenishes the gel coat on fibreglass boats, which protects the hull from fading and erosion. A wax polish on a painted boat renews the emollients and oils from the initial coat of paint, restoring the fresh, bright look and extending the life of the surface. Fein’s 750W, carbon brush motor combined with variable speed control boasts speed settings between 500-1500rpm for surface machining on all marine vehicles. The polisher’s design has been developed with a superior ventilation system to ensure that it doesn’t heat up under use, as well as maximum speed stability at any load over the full setting range. It’s priced at RRP $1090, and you can find out more at www.fein.com.au or by calling Fein on 1300 798 688. - Fein

PLATINUM APOLLO PFD

The Platinum Apollo PFD Level 100 lifejackets in child’s and adult sizes have been designed to meet AS4758.1 safety rating. These lifejackets offer value and comfort in a feature-packed child’s PFD in sizes XXS, 5-15kg; XS, 10-15kg; S, 15-25kg; and M, 25-40kg. The bright yellow nylon Oxford 420D material offers high visibility, as do the SOLAS-approved retro-reflective material strips. The WKK zip front, the large adjustable webbing strap with synthetic nylon closure and adjustable padded crotch strap work together to ensure your child has the perfect fit. The Apollo Child PFDs also feature an elastic waist band, a grab strap atop, and a whistle. Adult sizes include S, 40-50kg; M, 50-60kg; L, 60-70kg; and XL and XXL for adults over 70kg. The adult sizes offer a level of comfort expected from PFDs of a higher price. They are also made with bright yellow nylon Oxford 420D material, SOLAS-approved retro-reflective material strips and a whistle. The WKK zip front and large adjustable waist webbing and synthetic nylon closure combine for the perfect fit. Apollo Child and Adult PFDs are selfrighting to ensure the user’s mouth is kept clear of the water. Prices start from $39.95, and more info is available at platinummarine.com.au. – JM

Please send contributions to: The Editor, Fishing Monthly Group PO BOX 3172 LOGANHOLME, QLD. 4129

FEBRUARY 2014

Boat test: Seacruiser 5600C COLAC

Scott Gray

Along the southwest coast of Victoria there is a diversity of fishing opportunities available seasonally. Offshore there is some excellent fishing for snapper, sharks, yellowtail kingfish and blue fin tuna, a number of estuaries to chase bream, mulloway and perch and some of the best trout and salmon fishing in the regions stocked lakes. Throw in some of the world class diving along the rugged ‘Shipwreck Coast’ and the opportunities are endless. I’ve been looking for a boat for a while that is versatile and I didn’t want to limit myself with the selection of my latest vessel. I wanted something I could do just about everything locally in, but that could also hit the road for a trip interstate. I’ve always liked open boats and, although they lack protection that cabins provide down here in the cooler extremities of the country, the versatility and space on the deck is second to none. The key to the versatility of this style of boat is in the space that it provides.

The Seacruiser 5600C is a tough plate aluminium vessel for serious fishos. Earlier this year I worked with local boat builder Ed Richardson from Richardson Marine, Warrnambool to come up with a new custom open rear side console, and with 6 months fishing in it (across NSW, VIC and SA) I think I’ve found exactly what I was looking for – the Seacruiser 5600C! The Seacruiser brand, while relatively new, has come about as a result of a long-time obsession with high quality aluminium marine fabrication. The Seacruiser 5600C is one model from a range of tough plate aluminium vessels and is the first of the open Seacruiser models; the 7000HT (hard

top) and 7000HTD (inboard diesel model) preceded the Seacruiser 5600C. These standard models are still able to be customised in their configuration, fit-out and optional extras. Being an open boat there is an endless amount of visibility available in a 360º arc around the boat, which is perfect for spotting schools of busting tuna or sunbaking kingfish. I’ve also polaroided some nice trout in the Western Crater Lakes, and Murray cod and yellowbelly at Lake Eildon last season from the casting deck. When you’re standing on the front deck you are up so high it really allows you to see what’s going on

underneath the water. I even recently had some great stickbaiting for kingfish and Gomoku micro jigging for snapper in SA from this position. A spigot hole is positioned near the bow and allows room for a seat or T-bar for passengers, which can be used when spotting fish or when casting lures in a rough sea, which works really well and I haven’t lost anybody yet! Under the front deck there is a large storage area with access via the front hatch suitable for storing safety gear, fishing tackle, kill bag, anchor floats and two large

The Seacruiser comes with either a custom centre or rear side console; the author opted for the rear side console because of the extra space it gives on the main deck floor. comfortable on the feet and easier to clean than carpet, particularly if you are doing a lot of bait fishing. I like to keep my boat clean and there’s nothing worse than having bait scraps crushed into your carpet! The vessel does not have a kill tank, but has a large live bait tank with a capacity

Catch of the day. The Boatcatch makes retrieval and launching so easy.

LIFETIME TY WARRAN Less time mucking around on the ramp means more time fishing. Thanks to Boatcatch, slipping and sliding on the boat ramp will be a thing of the past.

Available in two sizes (Small for boats up to 6 metres long and large for boats over 6 metres) which include a universal mounting bracket to suit most boats (including Cats).

It’s a unique coupling device that allows you to quickly launch or retrieve your boat onto its trailer without setting foot on the boat ramp especially convenient if you’re on your own. You can quickly motor off and on thereby eliminating the stress of holding up other boats. Boatcatch also reduces the dangers inherent in traditional launch and retrieval methods.

Watch our video showing how easy Boatcatch is to use at www.boatcatch.com. Available online or from most boating dealers. Tel 0400 222 824 info@boatcatch.com

It’s made of high strength, 100% marine grade stainless steel and comes with a lifetime warranty.

www.boatcatch.com 84

FEBRUARY 2014

batteries for the electric motor and mounted battery charger. The large single hatch assembly has a self-draining gutter around it to ensure water doesn’t penetrate into the storage area. With open boats you really need to make sure you have dry hatches available for storage. The console is aluminium and is fully sealed with 3 PVC hatches. There is a hatch in the front for easy access to the electronics setup, and there is plenty of dry storage in the rear for tackle or other equipment. I store all of my tackle in these hatches and it’s really easy to get access to. The deck is open with plenty of room to move around. I chose Sea Deck EVA foam instead of carpet for comfort and grip. I chose black, which is easy to clean and doesn’t mark or stain as easily as the lighter colours. This is the first time I’ve used Seadeck and I don’t think I’ll be going back, it’s just really

of around 60L to store your catch or live baits. I also usually carry an insulated kill bag on board (stored in the front hatch) should I wish to store larger catches and keep them cool on a big day out at sea. There is more than ample deck space in front of the console to store a full kill bag out of the way, however the installation of a kill tank is an available option on request. At the rear of the transom there is storage room on the starboard side for the twin battery setup and on the port side there is a large live bait tank. The twin battery set up is essential for safety and allows me to run my electrics when the motor isn’t running without the fear of flattening them and not being able to restart the motor.

On the transom floor there is a self-draining sump and bilge pump, which enables easy wash down to keep the deck clean and neat and there are 3 spigots if required for the use of T-bars or seats for passengers. I usually use aluminium T-bars because I find seats to be space consuming and you can easily pack these away up in the front hatch when not in use. There is a dive ladder positioned on the starboard side that folds neatly up onto the back of the transom. There is plenty of room to climb onto the swim deck for a break and rails to grab on to when climbing out of the water with a bag of crayfish or abalone. The model comes with either a custom centre or rear side console, depending on the customer’s requirements. I opted for the rear side console because of the extra space it gives on the main deck floor. This extra space is ideal when you have divers on board or wish to carry a hookah compressor setup. While a rear side console does not offer full walk around capability, there is so much space to fight a fish. One of the benefits of the side console is that it is so easy to drive, fight and land big fish by your-self in the back corner. The vessel is well balanced and stable at rest and underway, but is also fitted with Volvo Penta trim tabs for a more comfortable and steady ride when on those long trips at sea. The 140hp Suzuki 4-stroke gets the vessel up on to a plane quickly and reaches 20 knots at 4,000rpm, 27 knots at 5,000rpm and 33 knots at 6,000rpm, with a

ONLINE ACTION You can check out a couple of YouTube videos of fishing at Lake Eildon from the Seacruiser 5600C at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4msYUFHzig http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xDaTB2Oq68

top speed WOT of 35 knots at 6,300rpm. The ability to get on a plane quickly is great when dodging swell, bommies and reefs in close. This time around I opted for the upgrade from analogue to digital engine gauges, which are easy to use and conveniently displayed on the Garmin GPS Map 750S unit situated on top of the console. The vessel is fitted with an 80lb Minn Kota i-Pilot electric motor that gives the vessel

STANDARD PACKAGE The vessel comes as a standard package fitted with the 115hp Suzuki 4-stroke, analogue engine gauges, Dunbier dual axel trailer (with spare wheel), dive ladder, removable bait board, LED navigation lights, LED anchor light, switch panel, plumbed live bait tank, self draining anchor well, transducer bracket, self draining deck, Seadeck EVA foam floor, all safety gear, 4 x welded aluminium rod

OPTIONAL EXTRAS The extras on this vessel as tested include a motor upgrade to 140HP Suzuki 4-stroke, PVC wrap, Boatcatch, LED deck lighting, deckwash kit, Humminbird 898C unit with i-Pilot link and 80lb i-Pilot Minn Kota electric motor, Minn Kota 12V battery charger (2 output), Volvo Penta trim tabs, Garmin 750S GPS Map unit (digital

gauges), Fusion stereo system, Rapala griplock rod holders, Canon downriggers and rod holder gimbal mounts, seats and aluminium passenger T-bars. The new Seacruiser 5600C is a fishing weapon designed for serious anglers that that spend plenty of time on the water! The key feature of this vessel is its versatility and you can fish for bream in a small estuary, dive for

SEACRUISER 5600C SPECIFICATIONS Hull thickness:................... 5mm (4mm side plates) Beam:..............................................................2.3m Deadrise:............................................................16º Hull length:......................................................5.6m Overall boat length:.......................................5.75m Maximum hp rating:..................... 175hp (or 275kg) Fuel capacity:.................................................. 150L Max people: ........................................6 (or 540kg) Max load: . .................................................... 850kg Length on trailer: .............................................7.5m crayfish or hit the continental shelf for a tuna. Check out more about Richardson Marine Seacruiser products at www.richardsonmarine. com.au. • Quoted performance figures have been supplied

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

The author opted for the upgrade from analogue to digital engine gauges, which are easy to use and conveniently displayed on the Garmin GPS Map 750S unit situated on top of the console. stealth and economy. The vessel is mounted on a Dunbier duel axle trailer (despite weighing in on the cut off for a single axle model) to ensure the trailer is not overwhelmed with additional weight associated with gear for those long fishing trips away, and I think it tows better with a duel axel.

holders, 4 x spigots, bow and transom rails, console grab rail, bow sprit and roller, bilge pump, twin batteries (including isolator switch) and hydraulic steering for around $64,000. However the team are happy to work to the customer’s needs to deliver to the customer’s requirements.

The large single hatch assembly has a self-draining. gutter around it to ensure water doesn’t penetrate into the storage area.

The 140hp Suzuki 4-stroke gets the vessel up on to the plane quickly.

Home of

Plate Alloy Boats

Built for the

Southern Ocean

6.3m Hard top also available

5600 Cuddy 1056 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool VIC 3280

7000HT 03 5562 6373

www.richardsonmarine.com.au

sales@richardsonmarine.com.au

HOME OF THE SOUTH WEST FISHING REPORT FEBRUARY 2014

This new section in VIC/TAS 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 Victoria and Tasmania, this guide will direct you to reputable businesses in the area you’re searching. Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0835 or email pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

Bait and Tackle West Coast Portland Bait & Tackle (03) 5523 5213

Central Hooked On Bait and Tackle Hoppers Crossing (03) 9748 3811 Fishing Fever Mordialloc (03) 9590 9899

Online Tackle Products Continued

Central

Adrenalin Flies www.adrenalinflies.com.au

TRADES AND SERVICES ADVERTISING Line listing from $15 + gst per mth* 2cm x 2 from $35 + gst per mth* 5cm x 2 from $50 + gst per mth* 7cm x 2 from $74 + gst per mth* 9cm x 2 from $89 + gst per mth* 10cm x 2 from $99 + gst per mth* 11cm x 2 from $105 + gst per mth* 12cm x 2 from $110 + gst per mth* * Conditions apply Call (07) 3387 0835 or email pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

“For all your fly fishing needs” ORDER ONLINE www.adrenalinflies.com.au Korr Lighting www.korrlighting.com.au She Left www.hdvcs.com.au

Peninsula Total Tackle (03) 5981 1994

SAMPLE AD - BUSINESS NAME

JV Marine World Braeside 03) 9798 8883

This is where your copy will appear. You will have approximately 40 words within a 8 x2 ad size.

Flatwater Covers 0438 367 689

Complete Angler Ringwood (03) 9870 7792

Naaj Marine 0421 955 371

New World Marine (03) 9709 8444 The Flyfisher Melbourne (03) 9621 1246

Unique Marine Accessories (03) 5427 1802

East Coast

CMC Marine Sales www.cmcsales.com.au Always Angling Traralgon (03) 5174 8544

Hunter Marine Boat Builders (03) 5032 2320

Freshwater

Marine Mechanics

Complete Angler Echuca (03) 5482 1992

Central

Complete Angler Shepperton (03) 5822 2180 J T’s Fishing and Camping Moama (03) 5480 3868

Kris Oakley Marine Services (03) 9794 5524

pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

Flatwater Marine (03) 9401 2298

Boat Modifications & Repairs

JV Marine World Braeside (03) 9798 8883 Salt-Away 1800 091 172

Fish Taxidermy

JV Marine World Laverton (03) 9368 7100

FLUSH YOUR ENGINE WITH

The Outboard Workshop (03) 9783 0840

Fish Taxidermist 0428 544 841 Neptune’s Treasures 0419 643 654

Nautical Marine (03) 5984 1666

Screen Printing

New World Marine (03) 9709 8444 Regal Marine (03) 9874 4624

CORROSION CONTROL SALT REMOVING TREATMENT

WARNING!

9 out 10 engines fail from salt corrosion

SALT-AWAY IS A MUST FOR:

ENGINE FLUSHING JETSKIS TRAILERS

FREECALL For more info

WASHING BOATS FISHING & DIVE GEAR

1800 091 172

VISIT www.salt-away.com.au SAMPLE AD - BUSINESS NAME This is where your copy will appear. You will have approximately 30 words within a 2x2 ad size. Contact Peter Jung: pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

Streaker Boats (03) 9729 8288

Boat Imports

Triple M Marine (03) 9465 8787 Warragul Marine (03) 5623 6250

Boat Import USA 0435 476 177

Wes Frost Marine (03) 5976 4622

East Coast

ACT NOW AND PROTECT YOUR VALUABLE BOAT, ENGINE, TRAILER, FISHING AND DIVE GEAR.

Logan Specialised Screen Printing (07) 5546 4107

Inverloch Marine (03) 5674 1502

Freshwater

Boat Hire Lake Eildon Cruises 0422 166 986

BOAT HIRE Lake Eildon

WE HIRE: • Fishing boats • Kayaks • Pedal boats

Boats and More Shepparton (03) 5822 2108 Boats and More Echuca (03) 5482 1992

Online Tackle Products

Specialty Fishing Products www.specialtyfishing.com.au U-Make-Em Soft plastics ww.u-make-emsoftplastics.com.au

LAKE EILDON CRUISES Kennedys Point Boat Ramp, Maintongoon Rd, Bonnie Doon 3720 0422 166 986 • eildoncruises@optusnet.com.au • lakeeildoncruises.com.au

Boab Boat Hire Shepparton (03) 5822 2108 Boab Boat Hire Echuca (03) 5482 1992

WANT IN? EMAIL : pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au 86

FEBRUARY 2014

Central

Holiday Rental

Freshwater

Gone Fishing Charters 0409 007 068

West Coast

Angling Expeditions Victoria, Tawonga (03) 5754 1466 Highland Trout Lakes, Ballarat (03) 5368 9574

Warrnambool Holiday Park (03) 5562 5031

Millbrook Lakes Lodge, Ballarat (03) 5334 0404

East Coast

SAMPLE AD - BUSINESS NAME This is where your copy will appear. You will have approximately 30 words within a 2x2 ad size. Contact Peter Jung: pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

Shallow Inlet Caravan Park (03) 5687 1385

SHALLOW INLET CARAVAN PARK On the Waters Edge

Tasmania & Flinders Island

FRESH BAIT | HIRE BOATS | ICE

• Easy access for boats • 10 cabins (3 with ensuites) • LPG gas refills • Kiosk

FREE ADVICE ON WHERE THEY’RE BITING

OPEN

from dawn to dusk

7 DAYS

• Plenty of powered and unpowered camping sites • BBQs • Playground

Lester Rd Yanakie WILSONS PROM E sicp@sicp.com.au

03 5687 1385

Accommodation

Ausprey Tours, Launceston (03) 6630 2612 Gone Fishing Charters, St Helens (03) 6376 1553

Reel Time Fishing Charters 0438 302 093

BOOK NOW FOR

SNAPPER SEASON PORT PHILLIP | WESTERN PORT | PORTLAND Individuals, Small or Large Groups Welcome Private Plumbed Toilet | Rods, Bait & Tackle Supplied

Fish Wild Tasmania, Hobart 0418 348 223 Flinders Island Adventures, Flinders Island (03) 6359 4507 Professional Charters, St Helens (03) 6376 3083 Trout Adventure Tasmania, Bronte Park 0418 139 048 Trout Territory, Northern Midlands (03) 6397 5001

NSW South Coast Reel Affair, Merimbula freecall 1800 233 247

Victorian Alps

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

Dartmouth Motor Inn (02) 6072 4233

Freedom Charters, Eden (02) 6496 1209 or 0415 602 446

Scan the QR code with your smartphone for more info!

DARTMOUTH MOTOR INN

“Pristine Lakes & Wilderness” • Motel style units • Self contained apartments & lodges - ideal for groups, fishing clubs etc • Nightly, weekly & corporate rates

1 Eustace St, Dartmouth VIC 370 P 02·6072 4233 E dartmouthmotorinn@bigpond.com

Cini SKIPPERS: Matt Matt Boulton

Headland Fishing Adventures, Merimbula (02) 6495 1134 Island Charters, Narooma (02) 4476 1047 or 0408 428 857 Snapper Tuition Available

0438 302 093 www.reeltimefishing.com.au

K9 Fishing Charters, Merimbula (02) 6495 1681 Merimbula Marina, Merimbula (02) 6495 1686 or 0427 951 080 Narooma Charters, Narooma 0407 909 111

Off The Hook Fishing Charters 0419 554 916

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 www.dartmouthmotorinn.com.au

Queensland Cairns Bed and Boat 0418 772 751

Big Red Fishing Charters, Queenscliff 1800 805 587

NSW South Coast

Blue Magic Fishing Charters, Rowville (03) 9759 5301

Wilderness Fishing Tours, Mallacoota VIC 0424 625 160

Calypso Fishing Charters, Tootgarook (03) 5985 8463

Aussie Fish Estuary Adventures, (02) 6495 9902 or 0400 062 504

Geelong Charters & Fishing Trips, Geelong (03) 5275 7107 Impulse Charters, Queenscliff (03) 5258 3739

Chandlery & Accessories Anchor Right (03) 5968 5014 Techni Ice (03) 9783 1922

Boat Trailers

Jillian Fishing Trips, Blairgowrie 0418 148 426 Katrina Louise Charters, Cheltenham 0402 828 140 Kestrel Charters, Queenscliff (03) 5258 1783 Queenscliff Fishing Charters, Queenscliff 0458 504 058

IDEAL GIFT!

Pro Red Fishing Charters 0421 442 775 Reel Adventure Charters, Yaringa 0409 932 077 Rip Charters Fishing Trips, Sorrento (03) 5984 3664

Central

Saltwater Charters, Queenscliff (03) 5258 4888 BMS Marine (03) 9731 7269

Charter Boats

St Kilda Fishing Charters, St Kilda (03) 9770 2200 Western Port Fishing Charters, Hastings (03) 9769 5544

East Coast

DVD’S -

West Coast

Series 2 through 8

Capella III Fishing Adventures, Port Welshpool (03) 5688 1585 Sharkmen Fishing Charters 0418 107 071

Far Out Charters, McLoughlins Beach 0428 401 819

Portland Fishing Charters, Portland (03) 5523 3020

Prom Adventurer, Port Welshpool (03) 5682 2633 or 0428 594 767

Shipwreck Coast Diving & Charters, Warrnambool (03) 5561 6108

Prom Coastal Charters, Yanakie (03) 5687 1248 or 0429 935 583

South-West Fishing Charters, Portland 0418 306 714

Razorback Bluewater Charters, Port Albert (03) 5183 2691

$19.95 each GST INC. - with FREE P&H

1800 228 244

WANT IN? EMAIL : pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au FEBRUARY 2014

Victorian Tide Times

AUSTRALIA, SOUTH COAST – PORT PHILLIP HEADS (PT.LONSDALE) LAT 38° 18’

LONG 144° 37’

TIMES AND HEIGHTS OF HIGH AND LOW WATERS FEBRUARY – 2014

JANUARY – 2014 Time m 0403 0.81 1027 1.30 WE 1628 0.23



0000 0517 TH 1139 1736

1.52 0.75 1.34 0.17

Time 0011 0533 TH 1137 1751



0057 0630 FR 1230 1840

m 1.39 0.77 1.22 0.34

Time 0034 0600 SA 1230 1824

1.44 0.70 1.25 0.32

0128 0702 SU 1331 1922

1.61 0136 1.48 3 0058 0621 0.65 18 0717 0.62 1244 1.41 1316 1.29

1837 0.13

1922 0.31

1.67 0210 1.52 4 0149 0718 0.54 19 0759 0.55 1342 1.47 1400 1.33

1932 0.13

2000 0.31

1.71 0242 1.55 5 0238 0812 0.43 20 0836 0.49 1436 1.52 1440 1.36

2025 0.15

2035 0.33

1.71 0313 1.56 6 0324 0904 0.34 21 0911 0.43 1530 1.53 1519 1.39

2115 0.21

2108 0.36

1.69 0345 1.56 7 0407 0954 0.28 22 0944 0.39 1623 1.52 1558 1.40

2202 0.29

2141 0.40

1.65 0416 1.54 8 0449 1043 0.24 23 1016 0.35 1720 1.48 1637 1.40

2248 0.38



2215 0.44

0449 1.51 1.58 9 0530 1130 0.23 24 1048 0.32 1719 1.39 1820 1.43

2332 0.48

2252 0.50



1 2

m 1.52 0.60 1.40 0.20 1.59 0.47 1.49 0.20

Time 0102 0654 SU 1259 1903

16 17

0139 0735 MO 1344 1942

2015 0.21

m 1.39 0.60 1.28 0.39 1.44 0.51 1.35 0.38

2016 0.38

1.67 0245 1.52 4 0302 0850 0.25 19 0845 0.36 1523 1.58 1504 1.46

2102 0.26

2050 0.39

1.66 0318 1.53 5 0345 0938 0.18 20 0918 0.31 1615 1.58 1543 1.48

2147 0.32

2125 0.42

1.63 0351 1.52 6 0424 1023 0.16 21 0951 0.27 1706 1.54 1621 1.49

2230 0.39

2200 0.45

0425 1.50 1.57 7 0503 1106 0.17 22 1024 0.24 1701 1.47 1758 1.48



2310 0.47

2237 0.49

0500 1.47 1.50 8 0542 1147 0.21 23 1059 0.22 1745 1.44 1848 1.41

2350 0.55

2315 0.55



1.41 0538 1.42 9 0622 1228 0.27 24 1136 0.22 1941 1.34 1835 1.40

APRIL – 2014

MARCH – 2014

1.65 0213 1.49 3 0217 0759 0.35 18 0812 0.43 1429 1.55 1425 1.41

TIME ZONE –1000

2357 0.61

Time m 0424 0.64 1109 1.33 SA 1700 0.35



Time m 0528 0.66 1144 1.22 SU 1748 0.55

1.45 0018 1.33 2 0007 0541 0.52 17 0620 0.57 1221 1.43 1238 1.31

1812 0.33



1838 0.52

1.52 0059 1.39 3 0101 0645 0.38 18 0701 0.47 1324 1.53 1326 1.41

1910 0.32

1918 0.50

1.58 0137 1.44 4 0150 0740 0.27 19 0737 0.38 1420 1.61 1407 1.49

2000 0.33

1954 0.48

1.61 0214 1.48 5 0235 0829 0.19 20 0813 0.31 1512 1.64 1447 1.56

2045 0.35

2030 0.48

1.61 0250 1.50 6 0316 0914 0.15 21 0847 0.26 1600 1.64 1526 1.59

2128 0.39

2106 0.48

1.58 0326 1.50 7 0356 0957 0.14 22 0923 0.22 1645 1.59 1605 1.59

2207 0.43

2143 0.49

1.53 0401 1.49 8 0433 1036 0.17 23 1000 0.21 1729 1.53 1645 1.57



2245 0.48

2221 0.52

0439 1.46 1.46 9 0510 1115 0.23 24 1037 0.21 1729 1.52 1812 1.45

2324 0.55



2300 0.56

Time 0030 0623 TU 1314 1853

m 1.48 0.33 1.59 0.49

Time 0013 0616 WE 1301 1846

m 1.36 0.45 1.50 0.65

1.53 0058 1.42 2 0120 0715 0.24 17 0657 0.36 1407 1.67 1345 1.59

1942 0.48

1926 0.62

1.55 0140 1.46 3 0205 0801 0.19 18 0735 0.29 1455 1.70 1428 1.66

2026 0.48

2005 0.59

1.55 0220 1.49 4 0246 0845 0.18 19 0815 0.24 1539 1.69 1509 1.69

2105 0.49

2045 0.57

1.53 0300 1.50 5 0325 0926 0.20 20 0855 0.22 1619 1.65 1550 1.69

2144 0.51

2125 0.57

1.49 0341 1.50 6 0401 1004 0.24 21 0936 0.23 1657 1.58 1631 1.66

2221 0.54

2205 0.57

1.44 0422 1.48 7 0439 1042 0.29 22 1018 0.26 1733 1.51 1715 1.61

2259 0.58





2248 0.57

1.38 0508 1.44 8 0516 1118 0.36 23 1102 0.31 1811 1.44 1800 1.55

2337 0.62

2332 0.58

1.31 0559 1.40 9 0557 1155 0.43 24 1149 0.39 1852 1.37 1852 1.49

1.51 0524 1.47 10 0613 1215 0.25 25 1122 0.29 1920 1.38 1806 1.37

0.64 0621 1.38 10 0033 0705 1.33 25 1219 0.24 1312 0.33 1932 1.35

1.39 0519 1.42 10 0548 1153 0.29 25 1117 0.24 1856 1.37 1815 1.47

0.67 0023 0.59 10 0018 0644 1.25 25 0701 1.36 1235 0.51 1242 0.49

0.59 0601 1.42 11 0017 0657 1.42 26 1159 0.27 1302 0.29 1900 1.34

0.72 0045 0.66 11 0121 0755 1.25 26 0714 1.33 1402 0.39 1312 0.27

0.61 0606 1.38 11 0003 0629 1.31 26 1201 0.28 1232 0.36 1910 1.41

0.70 0123 0.59 11 0104 0740 1.20 26 0821 1.34 1321 0.59 1345 0.58

0.68 0015 0.64 12 0105 0745 1.34 27 0645 1.37 1353 0.33 1243 0.26

0.78 0144 0.70 12 0219 0853 1.19 27 0820 1.29 1505 0.44 1416 0.32

0.68 0030 0.63 12 0046 0715 1.23 27 0702 1.33 1315 0.44 1254 0.36

0.72 0236 0.56 12 0200 0849 1.18 27 0944 1.38 1418 0.67 1500 0.66

0.76 0106 0.72 13 0200 0839 1.27 28 0736 1.33 1451 0.37 1336 0.26

0.80 0259 0.70 13 0335 1000 1.15 28 0944 1.28 1616 0.45 1537 0.35

0.73 0129 0.64 13 0138 0813 1.17 28 0815 1.29 1410 0.51 1359 0.44

0.70 0352 0.49 13 0314 1005 1.21 28 1057 1.46 1533 0.71 1620 0.69

0.81 0209 0.77 14 0309 0938 1.22 29 0840 1.29 1554 0.38 1442 0.26

0.77 14 0457 1107 1.17 1723 0.44

0.76 0244 0.63 14 0245 0923 1.14 29 0943 1.31 1520 0.56 1518 0.50

0.64 0500 0.41 14 0434 1115 1.28 29 1201 1.56 1700 0.72 1732 0.69

2019 1.35

2118 1.32

2217 1.33

2316 1.35

2331 0.57

2002 1.33

2113 1.33

2226 1.37

0.81 0325 0.77 15 0425 1039 1.20 30 0957 1.28 1656 0.37 1600 0.26 WE



2334 1.44

2035 1.29

2133 1.25

2233 1.25

2330 1.28

2041 1.33

2156 1.33

2305 1.38



1.33 15 0021 0603 0.69 1207 1.21 SA



1944 1.30

2038 1.25

2136 1.22

2236 1.23

2343 0.59

2015 1.36

2126 1.35

2233 1.37

0.74 0408 0.55 15 0412 1037 1.16 30 1104 1.38 1642 0.57 1643 0.52



2331 1.27

2335 1.42

0.44 31 0522 1213 1.49 1755 0.51



1939 1.31

2032 1.28

2131 1.26

2230 1.27

2324 1.31



1952 1.44

2057 1.41

2200 1.41

2301 1.43

2358 1.46

0557 0.33 0.54 15 0532 1212 1.39 30 1259 1.64 1831 0.66 1800 0.69 TU

 





1817 0.41

0.71 31 0445 1119 1.32 1716 0.23

 New Moon

Bureau of Meteorology

National Tidal Centre

When daylight saving time is in force, add one hour to times

 First Quarter

 Full Moon

 Last Quarter

Tide predictions for Port Phillip Heads have been formatted by the National Tidal Centre, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Copyright reserved. All material is supplied in good faith and is believed to be correct. It is supplied on the condition that no warranty is given in relation thereto, that no responsibility or liability for errors or omissions is, or will be, accepted and that the recipient will hold MHL and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Australia free from all such responsibility or liability and from all loss or damage incurred as a consequence of any error or omission. Predictions should not be used for navigational purposes. Use of these tide predictions will be deemed to include acceptance of the above conditions. 88

FEBRUARY 2014

NO DEALER SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE FOR

3YRS OR 300HRS

ONLY WITH EVINRUDE • No scheduled dealer servicing for

• Fewer parts. Fewer problems.

the first 3 years or 300 hours.**

• No break-in period. Go flat-out from

• No oil changes. Ever.

the box.

• Easy starts: First time, every time.

• Superior low-end power & torque.

• 3-stars from the toughest emission

• Exceptional power-to-weight, so you're on plane faster.

standard in the world^ - the California Air Resources Board.

• Greater fuel-efficiency at high & low speeds from computer-based engine management.

• First to receive the EPA's Clean Air Technology Excellence Award. • Up to 50% quieter than older technology engines.

South West Melbourne

Western Districts

Alberton

Geelong

JV Marine World

WebbCon Marine

Alberton Marine

Moolap Marine

9-11 Fitzgerald Road Laverton North

72 Hamilton Road Horsham

Johnson Street Alberton

250 Portarlington Road Moolap

03 5381 0600

03 5183 2344

03 5248 3772

www.webbconmarine.com.au

www.albertonmarine.com.au

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

03 9368 7100

Lismore info@jvmarine.com.au

Sydney info@webbconmarine.com.au North Coffs Harbouralbertonmarine@wideband.net.au Nowra

Lismore Outboard Echuca Sales & Service

Huett Marine Centre

Coffs Harbour Marine

Dave Hill Marine

59 Union St, Lismore, 2480

Boats & More 02 6621 2657

1131 Pacific Hwy, Cowan, 2082

1 Berry Street, Nowra, 2540

www.lismoreoutboards.com.au 76 Northern Highway lismoreoutboards@bigpond.com Echuca

Marine World 02 9456 JV 1444

311B Pacific Hwy Coffs Harbour Sth, 2450

www.huettmarine.com.au 878 Springvale Road info@huettmarine.com.au Braeside

02 6652 4722

www.jvmarine.com.au

South East Melbourne

03 5482 1992

03 9798 8883

b.altham@boatsandmore.com.au www.boatsandmore.com.au

info@jvmarine.com.au www.jvmarine.com.au

Sydney South Port Stephens Traralgon Melbourne Central & SE

Mornington Peninsula

Barrow Marine 02 4423 6137

Triple M Marine

03 9783 8991

03 9465 8787

barrowmarine@tpg.com.au

triplemmarine@dodo.com.au www.triplemmarine.com.au

davehillmarine@onestream.com.au 28 Overton Road www.coffsharbourmarine.com.au Frankston info@coffsharbourmarine.com.au

Sydney West

Forster North West Tasmania

Hunts Marine

Bay Boat Sales

Blakes Marine

62 Princes 236 SouthHighway, Gippsland Highway Blakehurst, 2221 Cranbourne

Princess 332 Soldiers Point Rd, Highway Traralgon Salamander Bay, 2317

29 Bass Highway Cnr Windsor & Mulgrave Rd, 129 The Lakes Way, Burnie Forster, 2428 McGraths Hill, 2756

Cranbourne Boating Centre

02 039546 59961324 2206

www.huntsmarine.com.au crannyboating@bigpond.com info@huntsmarine.com.au

Gippsland Boat Supplies

02 4982 03 7899 5174 1223 02 4577 6699

Graham Barclay Marine

Burnie Marine Services

6554 5866 03 6431 02 3082

www.barclaymarine.com.au www.bayboatsales.com.au www.blakesmarine.com.au ray@gippslandboatsupplies.com.au burniemarineservices@bigpond.com info@barclaymarine.com.au bayboatsales@hotmail.com sales@blakesmarine.com.au

www.cranbourneboatingcentre.com.au

www.gippslandboatsupplies.com.au

Northern Suburbs 117 Northgate Drive Thomastown

Cowra Southern Tasmania All Service Motors

Maynes Marine

61 Effingham Redfern St, Street Cowra, 2794 Moonah

02 6342 2590

www.allservicemotorscowra.com.au 03 6214 9999 allservicemotors@bigpond.com

sales@maynesmarine.com.au www.maynesmarine.com.au

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

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

South Gippsland

Alberton Marine 39 Johnson Street, Alberton Phone: (03) 5183 2344 | Fax: (03) 5183 2219 Email: albertonmarine@wideband.net.au

Melbourne

Eades Xtreme Marine 24 Sturt Street, Echuca Phone: (03) 5482 2333 | Fax: (03) 5482 2133 Email: info@xtrememarine.net.au Website: www.xtrememarine.net.au

Melbourne

The Marine Shop 6 Holland Drive, Melton Phone: (03) 9747 0588 | Fax: (03) 9747 3999 Email: admin@themarineshop.com.au

Melbourne

Avante Marine 345 Dorset Road, Boronia Phone: (03) 9760 2222 | Fax: (03) 9762 8565 Email: info@avantemarine.com.au Website: www.avantemarine.com.au

East Gippsland

Mallacoota Outboards 3 Commercial Road, Mallacoota Phone: (03) 5158 0459 | Fax: (03) 5158 0719 Email: smo02688@bigpond.net.au

Triple M Marine 117 Northgate Drive, Thomastown Phone: (03) 9465 8787 | Fax: (03) 9466 1418 Email: triplemmarine@dodo.com.au Website: www.triplemmarine.com.au

Cheltenham

Corowa

West Gippsland

Geelong

Mornington

Bell Marine Services 120 Talinga Road, Cheltenham Phone: (03) 9583 3881 | Fax: (03) 9583 0117 Email: admin.sales@bellmarineservices.com

Bendigo

Bendigo Marine World 49 Midland Highway, Epsom Phone: (03) 5448 3988 | Fax: (03) 5448 3940 Email: sales@bendigomarine.com.au Website: www.bendigomarine.com.au

Melbourne

BL Marine 612- 614 Plenty Road, Preston Phone: (03) 9478 1420 | Fax: (03) 9470 4638 Email: info@blmarine.com.au Website: www.blmarine.com.au

Shepparton

Boats and More 207 Numurkah Road, Shepparton Phone: (03) 5822 2108 | Fax: (03) 5821 2908 Email: sales@boatsandmore.com.au Website: www.boatsandmore.com.au

Gippsland

Crawford Marine 71-77 Chickerell Street, Morwell Phone: (03) 5134 6522 | Fax: (03) 5134 6455 Email: info@crawfordmarine.com.au Website: www.crawfordmarine.com.au

Echuca

FEBRUARY 2014

Maverick Boats Hammersley & Theiss Roads, Corowa Phone: (02) 6033 3222 | Fax: (02) 6033 4488 Email: sales@maverickboats.com.au Website: www.maverickboats.com.au Moolap Marine 250 Portarlington Road, Moolap Phone: (03) 5248 3772 | Fax: (03) 5248 4633 Email: info@moolapmarine.com.au Website: www.moolapmarine.com.au

Sorrento

Nautical Marine 139 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 141 Hotham Road, Sorrento Phone: (03) 5984 1666 | Fax: (03) 5984 1680 Email: nautical@surf.net.au Website: www.nauticalmarine.com.au

Melbourne

Regal Marine 514 Canterbury Road, Vermont Phone: (03) 9874 4624 | Fax: (03) 9874 6586 Email: sales@regalmarine.com.au Website: www.regalmarine.com.au

West Gippsland

Tooradin P & J Marine Service Centre P/L 101 Tooradin Station Road, Tooradin Phone: (03) 5998 3107 | Fax: (03) 5998 3108 Email: pjmarine_services@bigpond.com

Warragul Marine South Road, Warragul Phone: (03) 5623 6250 | Fax: (03) 5622 0623 Email: info@warragulmarine.com.au Website: www.warragulmarine.com.au Wes Frost Marine 3 Satu Way, Mornington Phone: (03) 5976 4622 | Fax: (03) 5976 4633 Email: sales@wesfrostmarine.com Webste: www.wesfrostmarine.com

OFF

ALL

THESE BIG BRANDS

FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2014

ANACONDA.COM.AU

Excludes clearance & already reduced lines. FEBRUARY 2014

INCLUDES

OFFER ENDS 31 MARCH 2014 > Stainless Steel Propeller > DTS (Digital Throttle & Shift) > Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (On all 6 cylinder Models)

PARTICIPATING DEALERS ONLY. FOR DETAILS VISIT

www.mercurymarine.com.au *Terms and conditions apply.

FEBRUARY 2014