Vic/Tas Fishing Monthly April 2017 by Fishing Monthly

EASTER HOLIDAY FUN • CRAB LURE COMPARISONS

Features Stickbaiting SBT • Kiwi kingfish tactics • Get the lowdown on lures • Sliding snell rig prep • Comprehensive crab review • Tackling tackle mistakes •

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April 2017, Vol. 12 No. 6

Contents WEST COAST West Coast

Warrnambool 16 18

EAST COAST Gippsland Lakes

Marlo 40 Lakes Entrance

McLoughlins Beach

Bemm River

NSW SOUTH COAST

the best by test...

Bermagui 44 Eden 46 Mallacoota 46 Narooma 48 Merimbula 49

VICTORIAN FRESHWATER

Horsham 68 Robinvale 70 Mildura 71 Yarrawonga 71 Wangaratta 72

by baits that have been either designed in or modified for Australian conditions. It seems that we are leading the global charge in exploiting this emerging market. More broadly, we’re seeing a swing towards hyper-realistic lures. Maybe it’s taking advantage of the adage that ‘lures are designed to catch fishermen, not the fish’, or maybe it’s a fact that fish are getting more heavily pressured and are wiser when it comes to being deceived with metal and plastic. Or maybe it’s both. The end game is that there’s now a ‘CRAB’ box

permanently in my arsenal, and if you fish anywhere between 100m of water and the brackish stretch of your local river, you should consider having one as well. We know there’s probably a list of fish that don’t eat crabs, but I guarantee you the list of fish that do eat crabs is bigger. READER COVERS GOING CRAZY Thank you to all of the readers who have already entered our Front Cover Competition. From day one of the launch of the comp, we have received plenty of high quality entries. It seems that each year that the standard keeps getting

Shepparton 73 Jindabyne 74 75

West/South Gippsland

Bendigo 76 Central Gippsland

Melbourne Metro

Crater Lakes

Ballarat 78

TASMANIA WRAP BOATING AND KAYAK REGULAR FEATURES

62 93

Back to Basics

Chappy’s Hotspot

Cooking 52 Dam Levels

Fun Page

Hotspot 35 Inland Fisheries Service

Spearfishing 56 Tasmanian Lake Levels

Tournament News

Track My Fish

Trade and Services Guide

Victorian Tide Times

106

What’s New Fishing

What’s New Boating

SPECIAL FEATURES Stickbaiting SBT

APRIL 2017

Field Editor: Kelly Hunt Publishers: Steve Morgan Matthew Drinkall Advertising: Ph: (07) 3387 0800 Fax: (07) 3387 0801 Copy and materials should be sent direct to: ads@fishingmonthly.com.au Advertising Enquiries: Peter Jung ads@fishingmonthly.com.au

Website: www.fishingmonthly.com.au Distribution: Gordon & Gotch Pty Ltd Subscriptions: Kym Rowbotham Office Manager: Marie Dykstra Annual Subscriptions: $65 for twelve issues (GST inc.) Make cheques payable to Queensland Fishing Monthly PO Box 3172 LOGANHOLME QLD 4129 SUBSCRIPTION HOTLINE FREECALL 1800 228 244

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All material is © copyright, and cannot be reproduced in part or in full, by any means, without written permission of the Managing Editor. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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Sub-Editors: Bob Thornton Nicole Penfold Cordelia Adams

Reader Cover Picture

Our first Front Cover Competition winner is Naomi Pryke who snapped her son with a cracking 45cm whiting caught on a top water lure at Mallacoota. - A Naomi Pryke image.

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Production: Karen Millward Jenna Milburn Keith Hawley

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Comprehensive crab review

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VICTORIA FISHING MONTHLY

AUST

Kiwi kingfish tactics

ith Julian Coyne 70km off n they caught and released on a skip bait. They used Tough Trace and Black s to rig their bait.

Bonnie Doon

Black Magic C Point 4/0 Hooks were used to catch Jem Abbott this excellent snapper. He says, “I had a lot of hooks break or straighten while fishing from the stones for reds, but not these hooks. Can’t beat them.” Jem was fishing from South Durras.

Eildon 75

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better and better. If you are considering entering, remember that the photo MUST be portraitshaped, which means it needs to be taller than it is wide. It doesn’t matter how good your photo is, if it’s the wrong shape, it won’t make it – sorry! IS 30 THE NEW 20? Fishing Monthly Magazines started in 1987 in Southeast Queensland. Later this year we’re coming up on our 30th birthday for the magazine group. And despite some naysayers shouting that ‘print is dead’, the thousands of subscribers and tens of thousands of posted entries we get to our competitions each year reinforce that there’s a really strong group of anglers that just love their fishing magazines. Thank you for that – you’ll see some pretty sweet competitions coming up to help celebrate this year.

Port Phillip North

CRAB TIME It’s been a while since Fishing Monthly has had a good, in-depth look at an emerging section of the market. This month, we’ve rustled up all of the crab imitation lures that have evolved in the Australian market over the last five years. It was 2012 when the industry first saw the prototype of Cranka Lures’ Crab. In the half-decade since, there have been tens of thousands of fish caught on these lures, and also on the other crab imitations filling up the niches in the market. Looking back, it’s a wonder that it didn’t happen sooner – after all, there’s not too many fish that will knock back a feed of crab when given the chance. The rockier the terrain, the more likely it is that a crab will form a part of a fish’s diet. And, for once, the local market is dominated

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This superb Tassie rainbow trout was caught on a Black Magic BMax Goldie hard bodied lure by Walker Carter. His fish weighed 9lb.

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“I’ll never use another hook after using the DX, they are truly amazing.” Rhys Paterman caught this exceptional 17.2kg blue groper when fishing from Port Stephens rocks in Nelson Bay. He was using Black Magic DX Point 5/0 Hooks and Black Magic 40lb Tough Trace.

Daniel Dalle-Nogare was fishing the Blowering Dam in NSW when caught this huge murray cod. He was using Black Maghic 60lb Tough Fluorocarbon Trace.

the best by test...

Daniel Dalle-Nogare was fishing the Blowering Dam in NSW when caught this huge murray cod. He was using Black Maghic 60lb Tough Fluorocarbon Trace.

the best by test...

Lee Rayner was with Julian Coyne 70km off Lakes Entrance when they caught and released this striped marlin on a skip bait. They used Rayner wasTough with Julian 70km off BlackLee Magic 200lb TraceCoyne and Black Lakes Entrance when they caught and released Magicthis KL striped 8/0 Hooks to rig bait. marlin on their a skip bait. They used Black Magic 200lb Tough Trace and Black Magic KL 8/0 Hooks to rig their bait.

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Black Magic C Point 4/0 Hooks were used to catch Jem Abbott this excellent snapper. He says, “I had a lot of hooks break or straighten while fishing from Magic C Point were used to catch theBlack stones for reds, but 4/0 notHooks these hooks. Can’t beat Jem Abbott this excellent snapper. He says, “I had them.” Jem was fishing from South Durras. a lot of hooks break or straighten while fishing from the stones for reds, but not these hooks. Can’t beat them.” Jem was fishing from South Durras.

This superb Tassie rainbow trout was caught on a Black Magic BMax Goldie hard bodied lure superb by Walker Carter. Histrout fish was weighed 9lb. This Tassie rainbow caught on a Black Magic BMax Goldie hard bodied lure by Walker Carter. His fish weighed 9lb.

YOUR PHOTO could appear in our print or digital advertising!

appear print or Black digital advertising! If weYOUR use your PHOTO photo in ourcould print advertising youin willour receive a FREE Magic Cap. If we use your photo in our print advertising you will receive a FREE Black Magic Cap. Send a high resolution photo to: photos@blackmagictackle.com - Include your name, Send a high resolution photo to:where photos@blackmagictackle.com - Include your address, fish weight (if possible), you caught it and what Black Magic or name, Wasabi products were used. address, fish weight (if possible), where you caught it and what Black Magic or Wasabi products were used.

ForFor your nearest retailer to: www.blackmagictackle.com www.blackmagictackle.com your nearest retailerand andour ourfull fullrange, range, go go to: APRIL 2017

Southern Bluefin Tuna

Stickbaiting big bluefin, European-style PART II HOPPERS CROSSING

Andy Smith

As anglers, the vast majority of us are a curious bunch and from curiosity, knowledge grows. The switched on angler is the curious angler. If there is a way to increase knowledge, the general result is to refine

the world’s oceans and they are closely related. Other species may grow larger than the southern bluefin tuna we encounter here in Australia (recorded weights up to 260kg), but the pacific bluefin tuna and Atlantic bluefin tuna share many similarities to our local species such as feeding patterns, behaviour and similar tastes for food like pilchards, mackerel, sauries

Mediterranean Sea, where numbers of fish appear to be increasing in a similar vogue to the southern bluefin tuna off our coastline. These guys have been known to grow the largest of the three bluefin species, over 450kg, so why not chat to some guys that target these serious large speedsters around Europe and the Mediterranean? KNOWLEDGE CITY! I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to discuss many facets of specific lure casting to big bluefin tuna with two passionate European anglers, who just happen to be lure makers. They’re probably the most hardcore of the hardcore with the detail these guys go into! Lorenzo Rocchigiani, an Italian that lives and breathes everything fishing-related and co-founder of Jack Fin Lures, kindly provided plenty of input into chasing bluefin tuna on stickbaits. Also more than happy to contribute was Orkatz Aranaz, one half of

The Jack Fin Pelagus 165-S proving its worth. or pull the stickbaits out after a few fish. PATTERNS Like all professionals at the top of their game,

Orkatz applying maximum leverage. proven techniques, expand knowledge into new realms and for the dedicated, break new ground or begin a revolution. While the number of anglers diversifying their tactics with alternate techniques to target bluefin tuna across Victoria and Tasmania is growing, there is a worldwide band of fishos that are realms ahead in the journey of discovery. WORLDWIDE SPECIES There are three species of bluefin tuna found across

and squid. It is fairly selfexplanatory; the pacific bluefin tuna is found mainly in the North Pacific Ocean, from the east coast of Asian waters across to the west coast of the United States, being recorded occasionally around Australia and New Zealand. Made world famous by shows like Wicked Tuna, these beasts have been caught over 400kg in weight. The Atlantic bluefin tuna hangs about in the Atlantic Ocean and also the

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stuff a chance at a mega tuna because their rod or reel gets tangled about in the boat’s snapper racks. Lorenzo has a preference for an inflatable boat – a fast, totally open, obstruction-less vessel that allows the anglers to cast freely at 360° and approach the fish activity way more silently, compared to a boat. Stealth and speed are considered crucial, as Orkatz also highlighted with his preferred 7-8m boat. He likes a centre console if the weather is consistently warm along the tuna season, as it maximises fishing room. A highlight for Orkatz is enough outboard power to run faster than other boats around when it comes to getting there first during a feeding frenzy, coupled with

a silent idle engine. These techniques that both anglers employ are widely known in Europe and the United States as ‘run and gun.’ Time is spent searching for fish and you are always on the hunt. Orkatz regularly covers around 100 nautical miles a day and could not stress enough that you should harness the technology that your boat provides, such as quality plotters and sonar. Read the bird and ocean life. Quality Polaroid sunglasses like the Spotters Nexus Lens assist greatly in finding birds and bait. Orkatz will focus his sounding on fish within the surface feeding zone, with his sonar set to the top 80m. Lorenzo also focusses on quality electronics, but

One whopper 198cm bluefin, estimated to be 140kg on an Amegari Dzanga 180 popper. the hardcore Amegari Lures partnership from Spain. Between them, these guys (and their lure maker business partners) have spent a huge amount of time targeting tuna very specifically, casting lures to them with significant success. Think of this style of fishing as the ultimate tuna hunt and while the numbers of anglers in Southern Australia are growing, we really only target small school-sized fish

many similar aspects shine through between both these guys. They both cannot reinforce strongly enough the importance of being geared up for this style of fishing to target serious tuna on the cast. For their boats, while very different in styles, both anglers have similar requirements, mainly in clear space. Smart, efficient use of space and room is essential, as a cast at no notice is often required and no one wants to

This big boat side bluefin looks like a handful!

Southern Bluefin Tuna considers searching by vision as his number-one preferred technique. Employing common blue water techniques such as searching by sight for a feeding frenzy on the surface, signs of bird activity and hunting behaviour or trying to spot water explosions. In his areas of usual effort, the baitfish are quite small and tuna can be very selective on lure size, hunting mostly on schools of little anchovy or sardines. Orkatz prefers to search at any comfortable speed, often around 8 knots. He

also highlighted the need to always search for clues such as birds, jumping or escaping bait. Never forget the sonar and recognise clues such as bait balls and suspended tuna, which usually appear at 20-40m. If Orkatz comes across areas of bait and suspended fish, he will stop and blind cast for at least 15 minutes, as a bluefin will easily explode up to the surface to take your lure from this depth in seconds. A crucial point is to stay as alert as possible and be the first to reach any bait

ball when it rises to the surface. Orkatz believes that if boat traffic is mainly trollers, this is no problem, as they are almost always the first to arrive and get first opportunity at the fish. Once many trolling boats pass over the fish, they are already searching for another opportunity. PLAN AND STRATEGY Like all forms of specific techniques and focus, a well thought-out plan can provide the basis of learning and success. Orkatz focuses on the general homework that

A beast bluefin slides towards the boat.

Bluefin tuna are serious stickbaiting targets.

serious blue water anglers all do as a starting point â&#x20AC;&#x201C; reports. Find the areas of good water, reported catches or areas of known bait activity. This may be a current or temperature break running along a contour or feature. At least form an idea of where catches have been made. Then he decides an

itinerary for the day, covering the plotter areas they might follow by referring to the currents or recent water movement within the area. A good idea is to refer to historical tuna behaviour and learn the areas where bait tends to stop and accumulate over contours or reefs. This may be the continental shelf drop-off, an isolated

bommie in a productive area or an entire reef system on a current convergence. Our coastline provides all of these areas in Southern Australia. IMPLEMENT IT! Once the guys find the tuna, all the planning and strategy needs to be implemented, usually fast. To page 10

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Southern Bluefin Tuna From page 9

Orkatz stresses that when you find tuna feeding on the surface, approach them strategically, first considering the direction they are moving and then the strength and direction of the wind in the prevailing conditions. Use this to allow yourself to cast more comfortably and reach longer distances. A standout point is to always remember objects in the ocean are further than they look, so judge your cast accordingly. Smart use of the boat goes further than the basic position. Use speed drifting as the boat slows to your advantage. Lorenzo targets serious tuna on the cast in areas often ranging from 25-100m in water depth. He also suggests that it is important to always keep the boat moving and ready to run toward any fish activity. Lorenzo emphasizes that they never employ other techniques such as trolling during the search, as it simply wastes time and removes focus from all eyes searching. A feeding frenzy rarely lasts a long period of time, so as soon as Lorenzo spots the tuna, he will run as fast as he can toward them, slowing down only before reaching cast distance from the fish and letting the boat slide on the surface for the last few metres.

Lorenzo with the Jack Fin Pelagus 90-S – the undoing of this solid bluefin. POSITION Boat position must be used to provide angler access. Both Orkatz and Lorenzo focus on boat position for the benefit of the anglers. They always try to position the boat with the broadside facing the feeding frenzy, allowing every man on-board an open chance to cast freely without crossing any other angler’s line. At this point, what makes the difference other than good

lures is an accurate cast in the fish frenzy and maintaining the lure inside it as much as possible, waiting for the hook-up! For the maximum chance, be where the feeding is focused. Orkatz highlights dolphins as an important source on the ocean. Dolphins and tuna usually hunt together, so if you see a running school of dolphins, position the boat to cast at the head of the running school. This technique has

saved the day on many times with big tuna travelling under the dolphins. He said not to worry, dolphins will not take your lure. GEAR Casting lures at big tuna requires fairly specific gear. There is always a compromise as longer rods provide longer casting distance, but can have the ability to take leverage from the angler. Modern graphite and blank tapers can enhance performance,

giving the angler back the edge. Orkatz singles out rods around 7’2-7’6 in length, that are highly parabolic and with an exceptionally strong backbone. This aids in cast distance, while the parabolic behaviour of the blank minimises the leverage a large bluefin can exert on an angler. Lorenzo prefers to use longer rods around 8ft in length that can cast lures up to 100g. Both anglers have a minimum preferred breaking strain of 80lb braid (PE8), with Orkatz going even heavier up to 100lb (PE10), along with powerful reels such as the Shimano Stella 18 or 20,000. Reels must be capable of at least 300m of 80lb braid and often drag pressures during the fight may run up to 15kg of pressure. Usual settings while casting and at early stages of the fight are pre-set around 8-9kg. Hit the gym if you want to target the beasts! LURES AND LEADERS Both of the guys, being lure makers, obviously prefer their own creations. After all, they have been specifically developed and tuned in their conditions to perform exactly how they require them to. Lorenzo goes straight to the sinking Jack Fin Pelagus 90-S stickbait when the tuna are focussed on small bait such as baby sardines or

anchovies. If fish are feeding on mackerel or yakkas, he will go straight to the big brother, the sinking Pelagus 165-S stickbait or the floating Jack Fin Argo 75. Orkatz usually fishes areas that host larger baitfish and usually prefers lures in the 16-23cm length. His favourite stickbaits are tail down floating stickbaits such as the Amegari Kaxü 215 and Amegari Leen 180 stickbaits. If he’s using a popper, the Amegari Dzanga 160, 180 and Amegari Urpekari 190 are first out of the gear bag. Orkatz prefers stickbaits with a sweeping action. They have proved effective over many years on tuna and they can usually also be twitch retrieved slow or fast, depending on how active the fish is. Stickbaits are well and truly proven as a huge favourite of bluefin tuna, but they don’t muck around with a popper. A consistent key with popper design for tuna is to use poppers with a small cupped face and nothing with a booming splash like a GT popper. A great tuna popper tracks in the surface or just below, ideally with some wiggle side-to-side action. Some examples are the Heru Tuna, Heru Skipjack and the Adhek Gecko.

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Southern Bluefin Tuna A wide range of stickbaits are available in a variety of forms including floating, subsurface or suspending and also sinking stickbaits. A good sinking stickbait will hold position horizontally and flutter as it falls through the water, just like a wounded baitfish. When tuna are on the hunt and feeding aggressively, pencil baits are another great option. They are designed to imitate a fleeing baitfish, such as a saury or

garfish. These lures such as the Adhek Dragonet and Fisherman Long Pen in relevant sizes will produce plenty of fish on their day. Leaders are a personal preference and ultimately the only clear differential between the two anglers. Lorenzo prefers to use fluorocarbon leader around 100lb strain for its low visibility and abrasion resistance. Orkatz prefers a rod length or just under shock leader of 130-220lb

run off a wind on leader. Orkats dislikes fluorocarbon, as the stiffness and thicker diameter minimises lure action in his opinion. Both anglers focus on using the boat to assist in the fighting of fish where possible. Use leverage as an advantage to the angler. Many of the large tuna these guys target are released. This is another reason for the heavy gear employed to minimise fight times and provide for a healthy release

It’s smiles all-round from Orkatz with a bent rod!

This boat has plenty of access for fighting solid fish.

where possible. FINAL POINTS Both anglers left me with a standout comment each. Lorenzo told me, “The bluefin tuna is the largest, fastest and strongest predator we have in our sea and in order to fish it we must gear up with high quality and performing tackle. It must be able to endure strong and long pressures and nothing, in this kind of fishing, is left to chance.” Orkatz’s deep appetite

for big tuna shines brightly. “Anglers should be ready with the guns loaded while approaching and cast when they are sure they can’t put the lure past the feeding zone. Bring it to the strike point calmly enough to sweep the stickbait correctly! This is never easy! Usually your chances are few at a big tuna. Don’t miss the only one of the day.” Casting lures at big tuna is certainly not a new technique, but one that is

only beginning to blossom to its full potential in Australia. It is a serious alternate technique to employ. Like any fishing style, it merely requires some focus and planning. Once you experience bluefin tuna on the cast, the surface strike and excitement will leave you hanging on for more. Check out Amegari Lures and Jack Fin Lures on social media for more of their catches from across the world!

APRIL 2017

The ABCs of squid catching NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.starlofishing.com

Catching squid can be either a means to an end, or a fun and fulfilling sport in its own right. Whatever your motivation, here are some basic tips on how to do it more efficiently. For many anglers, hunting squid is simply the first step on a path to

This devotion to squid fishing has gradually spread to other parts of the world including Australia and some Victorian anglers, in particular, now take their squidding very seriously indeed. These devotees think nothing of spending hundreds of dollars buying a dedicated squid-catching outfit, nor of amassing collections of squid jigs that would rival those of the keenest lure fishers in both

squid at all, it was mostly to use as bait. In those days, squid were captured by skewering whole fish such as yellowtail, slimy

understatement to say that these modern squid jigs have revolutionised the sport. Naturally, you don’t

Fresh squid makes great bait!

The author with a better-than-average squid. obtaining either high quality bait, a delicious meal… or possibly both. For others, squidding becomes an addictive passion, just like any other stimulating form of recreational fishing. Japanese anglers – who refer to the capture of squid on lines and jigs as ‘eg-ing’ or ‘egging’ – have helped to elevate this branch of the sport to new heights right across the globe. In Japan and other parts of Asia, there are regular egging tournaments, as well as publications and video channels devoted solely to the pursuit of these tentacled cephalopods.

their numbers and value. Prior to the 1980s, if Aussie fishers pursued

mackerel, mullet or whiting lengthwise on a metal spike or ‘jag’ that carried a collection of sharp, curved points at one end. This was tied to a line (usually a heavy handline) and lobbed in front of a squid. When the cephalopod wrapped its tentacles around the offering, a pull on the line hopefully secured the catch, allowing anglers to unceremoniously haul it in. During the last couple of decades of the 20th century, two important changes occurred. Firstly, more Aussies realised just how good squid are to eat. Secondly, we saw the arrival of increasingly sophisticated squid jigs from Asia. These culminated in the cloth-covered, prawnshaped jigs that nowadays dominate squid fishing globally. It would be an

Arrow squid (top) and southern calamari. Both species respond well to the tactics described here.

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The southern calamari squid is highly prized by anglers and is capable of reaching a couple of kilos in weight.

Your columnist with a brace of calamari pulled from offshore waters.

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need dedicated outfits or dozens of expensive jigs to catch a few squid, although having a handful of jigs in different sizes, weights and colours isn’t a bad idea. What you do need is some basic know-how, including an idea of where and when

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to start looking for squid. That usually boils down to shallower, inshore areas with relatively clean water and a bottom consisting of broken patches of reef, gravel, sand and weed beds, typically within bays, harbours and lower estuaries, but also out to sea and along the coast. Squid have excellent eyesight. As well as being able to detect a wide range of colours, they can also see polarised light, along with parts of the ultraviolet end of the spectrum that remain invisible to us. They hunt primarily by sight and need to visually detect their prey. They can do this in extremely low-light conditions. In fact, dim lighting favours these hunters, which is why they’re often caught in good numbers at dawn, dusk, at night and under heavy cloud cover. In bright conditions, they’ll typically move to deeper water.

Attach your prawnstyle squid jig to a light to medium outfit. Spinning gear or a sidecast is best, but baitcasters work, too.

Cast the jig into likely areas, allowing it to sink well down in the water column. Avoid letting the jig drop right to the bottom in snaggy locations. Begin working your jig with a series of slow to medium paced sweeps of the rod, picking up slack line with your reel between sweeps. Try different actions. You can also suspend jigs beneath bobby corks before casting them out and simply leave them to be worked by the swell and chop. The take of a squid is heralded by a heavy weight coming onto the line, followed by a series of strong pulses as the animal attempts to jet away. Maintain steady pressure and a tight line. Work the squid smoothly towards your boat or the shore and use a landing net to secure larger squid. Oh, and watch out for that final squirt of ink!

Modern, prawn-style jigs – both cloth-covered and uncovered – have revolutionised squidding. Different colours definitely have their day, and even their hour.

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APRIL 2017

Expect bigger catches in better numbers WEST COAST

Shane Lowery

April will be another great month of fishing on the Glenelg River. If the preceding few months are anything to go by, mulloway, bream and estuary perch will be easily targeted through the whole system. March saw perch

averaging a better size and being caught on a much more consistent basis. In the lead up there had been no shortage of smaller fish in the 30-35cm range for lure fishers and this is a great sign for the next few years to come. Larger fish have been a bit harder to tempt at this time of year than normal. They were certainly present with the smaller run of fish,

but the bite windows for the larger fish have been much shorter. A concerted effort is required to sort through the rats and find areas and bite times when the really big girls come out to chew. Fishers using live baits like minnows fished on a float and allowed to drop deeper into the snags were finding better-size fish even the odd 50cm+ fish, with greater regularity. April will

There are plenty of bream and EP spread throughout the system for bait and lure fishers.

Clint Northcott with a nice little mulloway caught in the estuary.

follow the same pattern by all indications and being prepared to move regularly on the river will be the key to finding fish. Bream have been exceptional in the mid to lower sections of the river and the estuary in particular. Both lure and bait fishos have been finding plenty of quality fish and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d expect to see no change to this pattern through April. Lure fishers have been having great success with soft plastics. Shallow diving hardbodies thrown up onto the edges are also accounting for some nice bream. Bait fishers will also have no trouble catching bream on a variety of baits, but by far the standouts at this time of year are crab and podworm. Mulloway seem to be ever-present in the Glenelg, but there have been some bigger fish around of late. The estuary and the Dry Creek through to the Caves areas have been producing the odd legal fish in the 60-80cm range as well as some even bigger models for those putting in the time on the water. Live mullet are the number-one bait for mulloway in the estuary and slow trolled lures often find good results. Casting vibe style lures and larger soft

plastics through and along the edges of some of the deeper channels and holes can also be a great technique for targeting mulloway when they are schooled up or moving up to the shallower edges to hunt.

April sees more consistent bites from bigger perch in the high 40cm range.

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April is cooler for many catches WARRNAMBOOL

Mark Gercovich mgercovich@hotmail.com

April used to be when the tuna season would swing into gear big time. However, these fish have been in good numbers inshore since January, so the anticipation of April is not a factor this season. Perhaps it may see some bigger barrel tuna show up, as Easter has sometimes seen some of these 100kg+ fish encountered.

The good numbers of pinky snapper and gummy sharks that have been taken recently should also be around this month. We often get plenty of calm days in April to access these fish. April is probably the last month to reliably target the King George whiting, which have been in good numbers along the coast in the past few months. The estuary section of the Hopkins River has been fishing well recently and should continue to do so. Bream have been in good

numbers with plenty of fish around 30cm keeping everyone happy with the odd bigger fish to 40cm+ to keep things interesting. Mulloway have once again entered the river in decent numbers with most fish in the 65-75cm size. With the cooler season looming, the local freshwater river reaches are more appealing. Not only do the browns start to stir as the water cools, but the estuary perch can also begin to move as they prepare to head down

Luke Smith with a Hopkins River mulloway taken recently.

to the estuary over the cooler months. There have also been plenty of bream in the lower freshwater sections of both the Merri and Hopkins that add to the variety of what you may come across in your adventures. Packing lightly and wandering along the riverbanks flicking soft plastics or hardbodies like the 6cm Daiwa Presso or TD minnow is an enjoyable way to spend a session. The likelihood of snake encounter also diminishes as the days get cooler and shorter. The popular annual Shipwreck Coast Competition was held recently. Despite a shift forward to mid-February from its usual March date, the weather wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t conducive to offshore angling in particular, for many of the designated competition days. Despite this, there were some quality fish taken in virtually all sections of the competition. Plenty of tuna around the 1m mark with 116cm being the best, kingfish to 113cm, numerous mulloway between 70-80cm with 83cm being the largest, bream to 45cm, trout to 61cm and EP to 46cm were just some of the quality fish brought in.

Plenty of bream are around in both the estuaries and the freshwater.

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APRIL 2017

Estuaries are looking good for Easter holidays COBDEN

Rod Shepherd

A mild autumn with some rainfall bodes well for us, as long as we receive another decent winter. I’m not expecting the sheer amount of rainfall that we received last year, but even half that amount will keep our estuaries in reasonable health. As far as estuary fishing is concerned, the Hopkins River has fired for many. Mulloway in excess of 70cm and 4kg have been caught by anglers targeting bream. Most have taken baits sourced locally such as crab, shrimp and brown shell. Cut pilchards and prawns have accounted for a few as well. Rumours down our way are of a 180cm mulloway being caught in the Hopkins. I can’t confirm this, but stranger things have happened. Soft plastics in grub and shrimp patterns have also worked and some solid bream have been taken right up and down the river. Fishing the shallows and mud flats before the sun really

hits the water has seen some excellent fish caught. After that, anglers are concentrating their efforts in deeper water to depths of 2m+. Those who finesse fish with a variety of lures have enticed some excellent estuary perch in excess of 45cm to strike. Like the bream, the perch can be found right up and down the river. The bigger specimens have come from the weed and bulrush-lined channel drop-offs above Jubilee Park. The Gellibrand River estuary has been solid for estuary perch with the larger, legal specimens being taken in and around the Kangaroobie Camp canoe launching area a couple of kilometres upstream. This area can be accessed via boat or by taking a short drive along the Old Ocean Road. A bit further along the road, a bridge spanning the river to allow access to farmland was recently explored by two anglers from the bank. Several perch as well as plenty of mullet were caught here on soft plastics by concentrating on and around the bridge’s pylons.

If you read my Crater Lakes report you will see that perch can be found here and even further upstream. Maybe we should remove the ‘estuary’ name from perch, as it’s a well-known fact that they can be caught way upstream in the fresh in the Hopkins too. The Curdies bream are still on the chew most days with some excellent fish being taken at times. Bait anglers are mainly working the shallows of the lake concentrating their efforts up near the river mouth. Those who specialize in lure and soft plastic fishing are working the drop-offs next to the bank from the Curdievale Boat Ramp right down towards the lake. School southern bluefin tuna have been caught out from the Boat Bay Boat Ramp near Peterborough in 40m depth. Deep diving minnow lures trolled in and around surface feeding schools have netted fish averaging around 12kg. Bottom bouncers have done well in similar depths with school shark to 17kg taking whole squid baits.

An average Hopkins bream taken on a Pontoon 21 Greedy Guts minnow lure worked on the edge of the deeper water adjacent to the mud flats.

Kingfish stick around and pelagics come on strong APOLLO BAY

Wayne Diffey

We’ve had some good weather over the past month, broken up by some real sour patches. There have been good reports of decent salmon off the beaches. One old timer came into the shop last week with the carcass

of a 4kg salmon that he caught off Kennett River. He was bait fishing and I asked him how many of those he’d caught. “About 50, as well as a nice 2.5kg snapper this morning,” he said. Closer to the Bay, the far end of Wild Dog Creek Beach, Pirates Cove, is still a favourite spot. There are still good snapper and big flatties

A cracker 5.5kg kingfish from Apollo Bay.

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about. Cape Patton around the 40m mark is quite productive. Con from Hit-n-Run charters told me they had had some very good sessions there recently. Bald Hill and Blanket Bay reefs are still fishing well as well. The kingfish are hanging around the bay, with a very big school spotted cruising past the harbour entrance recently. There was just one visiting fisho out there at the time, so he cast a lure out into them and ended up with a nice 5.5kg fish, making him a very happy man. The local rivers and streams are still fishing pretty well for bream and a few good trout have been caught higher up. Some of them are looking very low and slow, so hopefully a few good showers will freshen them up. That’ll fire the bream and trout up as well. With autumn here we should see some more stable weather and the fishing

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APRIL 2017

Cooler weather will bring new species on GEELONG

Neil Slater slaterbunch@optusnet.com.au

Last month will be a tough act to follow. As we ease into the cooler months, expect some species like kingfish and snapper to taper off while other species such as bream, King George whiting, Australian salmon

and maybe even southern bluefin tuna in Bass Strait and the Surf Coast could provide opportunities. The Barwon River in Geelong has fished well for redfin. Anglers casting lures parallel to the weed beds have picked up reddies from 300-900g. Single tailed grubs and minnow profile soft plastics have been killers, while minnow styled divers

Xavier heaves a carp up for the camera he caught on the Come and Try Fishing Day at McLeod’s Waterhole, Clifton Springs.

APRIL 2017

have also caught plenty. Live bait such as galaxid and gudgeon have been the picks for bait fishers. Anglers who like carp have caught them to 4kg using bread, worms and corn kernels. Up around Queens Park has been good for reddies, and carp seem to be all over the joint! St Leonards Angling Club held the inaugural Come and Try Fishing Day at McLeods Waterhole, Clifton Springs recently. It had a cracking turn out with 91 children and families registered for the festivities. The day included fishing coaches, gear, bait, snags and was attended by Fishcare Victoria. The club cleaned up the area with nine bags of rubbish and fish frames removed before the event. On the day, 12 European carp were caught and removed from the waterhole, weighing a total of 8.85kg. The biggest carp landed was by seven year old Xavier Dean at 1.69kg. Xavier’s 5-year-old brother Liam caught a 450g carp while their 3-year-old brother Archie caught a 840g carp. Their dad Brent, Isabella and Brandon Scaffidi also helped the boys who were over-encumbered by the fish

they caught. Runner up was 10-year-old Jack Inderberg with a 1.662kg carp, while Isabelle Scaffidi caught a 1.22kg fish, and 12-yearold Brandon Scaffidi managed a 390g carp. Raffle winners were Maddy Kirk, Lachlan Humphries and Harry McGowan who all took home rod and reel combos donated by Fishcare. St Leonards Angling Club would like to thank Fisheries Victoria, Queenscliff Marine Discovery Centre for their help and the many club members from St Leonards Angling Club and Bellarine Pirates Angling Club who helped the many entrants try fishing. The State Government and Fisheries Victoria provided a grant with funds from the Recreation Fishing Licence fees to St Leonards Angling Club to make the day possible. Ross Winstanley has been fishing early inside Stingaree Bay and catching some pinkie snapper to 48cm. Ross has lucked out on the whiting so far. He has caught anything up to seven pinkie snapper per session. Ross says there are heaps of banjos still. He suggests that it’s only a matter of time

Mark took out the Bellarine Flathead Challenge with a 1.14kg flattie. before the whiting show up. I fished with Trent last month near Point Henry where we caught small snapper and flathead drifting and casting soft plastics in 4m of water. Best lure was the lime tiger coloured soft plastics. Hugh Hanson was

also out with a mate nearby and caught a couple of flatties. Hugh spotted garfish on the surface and wasted no time rigging up a few smaller hooks with bait. Sending out a berley trail, it wasn’t long before they’d caught a few garfish for a feed.

Danny Skene has been taking clients out fishing in Corio Bay and getting them amongst some impressive snapper. A recent client, Kevin went out with Danny and caught an excellent snapper up around 4kg. Danny also fished inside the Barwon River estuary with Rowan Morrison where they caught two mulloway using squid strips for bait. It’s great to see a few mulloway kicking about the Barwon estuary again. Peter Taylor from St Leonards sent me an email saying he’d recently come across a pelican that looked to be in distress. With some help from a passer-by, Peter managed to capture the pelican and remove some fishing line and hooks that it had become tangled in. Peter was surprised to find that the line had six large hooks tied to it. It is illegal for recreational fishers to have more than two hooks per line in Victoria and it is extremely important to collect and bin any waste line, or rubbish in general that you may have. Rod Ludlow from Beachlea Boat Hire says the whiting were slower last month. Unfavourable tides where there is little difference between high and low can be the blame for many species slowing down and this could be a prime

example. However, there have been a few reasonable catches along the edge of the deep water from Governors Reef back towards the Prince George Light off the Bellarine Peninsula. Rod has caught quite a few good size pinkies and even some larger snapper to

about 4kg out off the Prince George Bank with the best time being the high tide. Other anglers have caught quality gummy sharks to 8kg fishing out here in 18m+ of water using salmon fillets for bait. Rod notes that calamari are still around in good

Snapper can still be found out off Clifton Springs Photo coutesy of Danny Skene.

numbers. Be prepared to move around to find them. Governors Reef is the place to start looking. Rod says that plenty of flathead are about the deeper water off the Bellarine Peninsula and are biting much better on the flood tides. I fished out off Indented Head with Hugh Hanson recently. In glassy conditions, we caught 18 calamari in about 4m of water over a mixture of grass beds and reef. We found the squid in groups of up to 20 or so hovering over the reef areas. Some of them were quite small and would make excellent kingfish baits for those keen on prospecting the rip for them. A wide variety of jigs worked at different times for us. Hugh’s favourite small green jig smashed them early while my orange jig caught a few later on. The Bellarine Flathead Challenge was held by the St Leonards Angling Club in conjunction with the Bellarine Pirates Angling Club on the last weekend of January. The turnout was great with 38 contestants enjoying the competition held out of Clifton Springs. Mark Stalio weighed in a ripper of 1.12kg to win the $200 prize. Mystery weight winners who all received a $25

Danny has done his homework early! Mulloway could be a real option in the Barwon estuary this April. Photo coutesy of Danny Skene. voucher from Mario’s Fresh Bait were Mick Nocera, Terry Gill, Maria Stalio, Mark London and Jimmy Robinson, while the $100 raffle on entry tag was won by Grace Scaffidi. • Catch a few around Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula or Surf Coast to Lorne recently? Send in a report

to slaterbunch@optusnet. com.au with “VFM” in the subject field or give me a call on 0408 997 348. Please include where (without giving away your secret spot!), when, what on and who caught the fish. Pictures are always great, but please make sure they are at least 1mb (file size).

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Possible new spawning ground for whiting PORT PHILLIP WEST

Andy Smith andy@ebbtidetackle.com

As our days shorten, the long weekend of Easter sees many anglers plan a serious fishing assault and it can be a great time to target a wide variation of species in the bay area. While you are out on the bay, keep an eye on your King George whiting for a little extra hanging off them! The University of Melbourne is undertaking a project that has been funded by the Victorian Recreational Fishing

four years of age. Existing research shows that these fish may not be spawning in the known areas and may be in a new area. Researchers have paired up with recreational anglers to undertake a tagging program that will investigate the movement of King George whiting in our bays. The project has recently gotten underway in the past couple of months and in the first year up to 2000 whiting will be tagged in Port Phillip Bay and Western Port. More fish will be tagged over the following two years Mulloway time is here and these guys can fit big baits or lures in that mouth!

Greg Jenkins with a tagged whiting. Licence Grant Scheme. The project is investigating the likelihood of a new unknown area where Victorian King George whiting go to spawn. The whiting that we catch in the bay are juveniles and less than

as well to provide further information for the study. Keep an eye out for whiting with a yellow T bar tag under their dorsal fin. These tags have a unique number printed on them. If you do manage to catch a tagged whiting,

you can provide assistance to the research team with valuable information. Researchers ask that you report the tag number, along with the re-capture date and location, as well as the fish length, preferably nose to the fork of the tail, or total length as a second option. Researchers would also appreciate if anglers were willing to donate the frozen frame of the recaptured fish and contact the team (along with the tag) to be collected so that project scientists can assess the age and reproductive condition of re-captured fish. A great help is to also keep the stomach of the fish. Early results are great, with some fish already being recaptured! Anglers can also release the tagged whiting, but researchers ask that you record the details of tag number, the location caught (GPS preferred), fish length and as much detail as possible, even photos will be of assistance. To report any recapture information, a dedicated project email address has been set up:

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whitingtag@gmail.com. You can also phone (03) 5258 3686 or mail (G. Jenkins, VMSC, PO Box 114, Queenscliff Vic 3225). BELLARINE PENINSULA TO WERRIBEE Anglers on the hunt for whiting have seen some solid catches with the addition of everreliable berley. The pick of locations in the last few weeks has been Clifton Springs to Point Richards at Portarlington. Some great fish up to 40cm in length have been taking a liking to pipi baits. Since the water has started to cool, the pipi has been far and away the best option. As the bay keeps getting colder in the upcoming months, it is well worth searching further south, as St Leonards and surrounding areas come into their own. Moving back towards Werribee, the areas from Kirks Point to the Werribee South Marina have still produced whiting. The bite windows are becoming very short, mainly around the last light of the day. The fishing is a little patchy and hard work, but still well worth the time. Great by-catches of flathead and calamari are always on offer. Glenn Greene headed out recently with Daniel Riosa and Cam Beazley, with the boys having a ball landing a great bag of whiting up to 40cm. Pipis were the standout bait. Daniel mentioned how crucial it was to berley hard with Zealcol Whiting Snack and it really fired the fish up. The guys also managed a great feed of calamari to top off the trip. ALTONA TO WILLIAMSTOWN A great area to target decent flathead during autumn is around the Apex Park and Altona area. Drift and cover ground

across the shallow muddy or sandy areas for a great way to work up a feed. This method proves very versatile. Drifting blue bait or pilchard fillets on a long shank or baitholder 1/0 is an all round great option. You can also really maximise your chances with soft plastics cast around the boat. Grab yourself the ever-reliable paddletail or grub style plastics for plenty of action and

keeps on catching. Don’t be afraid at this time of year to upsize your plastics and limit the number of smaller fish that attack your lures. METROPOLITAN RIVERS Autumn in the rivers really steps things up. The warm summer waters subside and we get some great fishing all the way from Williamstown to the upper reaches of the rivers. Williamstown Anchorage area is a great spot for variety. Bream, salmon, mullet, trevally, pinkies and mulloway begin to regularly appear. Moving up in the rivers, the Maribyrnong proves always reliable, especially if you focus on the mid reaches around Flemington along the edges, as they usually hold good fish. Use the tides to your advantage and fish the high tides around first and last light. Bait anglers do well with a subtle berley trail and baits such as scrub worms, shrimp and maggots. Small suspending hardbodies are always a great option, like Imakatsu Wasps. The Cranka Crab has earned its place in folklore. A new larger size has just

Fishing the Stony Creek Reservoir with Didyabringyarodalong Angling Club, Hudson Yeoman caught his first reddy at 26cm. vibration. Rhythmically hop them off the bottom and stay in contact and you should have a feed of flatties in quick time. The Williamstown Cricket Ground reefs really fish well from now on. Numbers of pinkies will reside through the area all winter and the usual size is up to 40cm. Sounding and targeting areas with some bait and structure in 6-10m is successful. This is also a great kayak location to have a blast! Lure anglers have been doing well with Berkley Gulp jerk shads in 5” size. Camo colour is probably one of the best to use during the cooler months, as it just

been released and it will be interesting to see the success in the metro rivers with some solid bream, pinkies and no doubt mulloway ready to tackle it. Further upstream can be a great chance at a varied bag. Estuary perch and the deeper bridges and holes throughout the system will soon see mulloway making an appearance. BEEN FISHING? I’d love to see and hear fishing experiences in the local area! Send through fishing reports and highresolution photos of your great catches to andy@ ebbtidetackle.com with as much detail as you are happy to share.

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April weather accounting for hot autumn fishing Wayne Friebe wfriebe@bigpond.net.au

Warm, mild and mostly consistent weather has continued on the south of the bay. Over the early parts of last month, we had our first extended period of hot weather for the season. This always tends to fire up the action in close to shore especially, bringing bait, forage fish and of course hungry predators along with them. Stay tuned for more reports over the next couple of months – I reckon

we are in for our best fishing of the season so far. With a lot of other fishing action going on farther afield, particularly on the gamefishing front, many of the regular snapper-heads have packed up their gear for the moment. Reports have been few and far between. Most of the action seems to be coming from in closer to shore at the moment, especially in and around the mussel farm off Mount Martha, and also wider around the yachting markers out from Mornington. Most of these fish have been smaller, around 2-3kg.

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There have been enough larger models around to keep anglers keen. The peak bite periods have been around first and last light and also around the tide changes, especially close to dusk. Use good quality fresh bait and expect these fish to move further south as the water cools in the autumn months ahead. Encouragingly, there have been some real quality snapper taken by dedicated land-based anglers targeting peak inshore feeding periods after strong onshore winds. There’s nothing like a good southwesterly blow to get things going, and the landbased snapper anglers know it. Mornington Pier has produced the odd nice fish. Most have come from the rocks further south around Mount Martha. Fresh whiting heads have been the standout bait of late. Conveniently, the whiting fishing has been very good of late, with many boat and land-based anglers reporting solid bags of fish right along the eastern shoreline, especially in the more southern areas. The average size of the fish this year certainly seems to be bigger, and the fish are in great condition, just like the run of whiting in Western Port. I’m a sucker for a feed of fresh whiting fillets and they definitely seem to give you points for effort in the bait department. I’ve done my PB on fresh squid and mussels of late, but pipis, Bass yabbies and banana prawns have all done their fair share of damage. Big numbers of hardfighting fish have been moving up and down the eastern shoreline over the past month or so and this will continue for a while

yet. Often they are right up along the beach gutter and can be seen easily. Otherwise, look for working birds, surface activity or even mahimahi will give their presence away. Local piers have been getting regular afternoon visits from resident schools, particularly Frankston and Seaford during the windy late afternoon periods. Fishing metal slugs or soft plastics on light gear or even unweighted baits is very effective when the salmon are around, and lots of fun as well. They are a first class bait, and make pretty good tucker as well when eaten fresh. Conversely on the calm, still and warmer days, the kingfish action has been best in our local waters. The kingfish season in the rip and along the East and West Coast has been off the scale this year, but there have been plenty of fish in our local waters as well. Primarily, most of the captures and reports are coming from reef areas, especially around Mornington and Frankston. It’s well-known that yellowtails like whiting. I have had a few anglers report being destroyed on their whiting gear when fishing in close. Still, these elusive fish can be hit and miss. Stick to the calm, still warm days and you’ll be in

Matt Cini with another ripper kingfish taken from the Rip. There have been small to medium sized kingies around further north into the bay as well.

Abbey Hood with her first ever whiting, caught recently out from Rosebud Reef. 24

APRIL 2017

the hunt. Live gars, squid and small salmon are prime baits, as well as squid strips and a variety of cast and trolled lures. Sometimes you need to throw the whole tackle box at them! It’s no surprise the kingfish are around of late. There are big numbers of gars in close and also out wide. Get a good berley trail going and use some fresh bait. You’ll be in for some fun on light gear and a pretty good feed as well. Mornington Pier has been especially good, but they tend to go a little quiet when the predators are around. Early mornings are best. Further south Blairgowrie Marina has been very productive as well. For the lure anglers, some very solid bream have been taken in the Patterson River canals over the past month, especially on surface lures. I’ve also seen photos of nice mulloway as well. Expect these reports to become more frequent over the next couple of months as the water cools down a bit. A few nice perch have been coming from this area as well, and also from Devilbend Reservoir, where the stocked EP are beginning to grow to a decent size.

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Fish won’t be slowing down in the cool water PORT PHILLIP NORTH

Lee Rayner info@fishingfever.com.au

Shorter days and cooler water doesn’t mean that the fishing will slow down over the coming weeks. In fact, this is quite possibly one of the best times of the year to get into an assortment of species. April often tends the be the month that produces

MORDIALLOC TO BLACK ROCK The pier has been fishing well over the past weeks for a variety of species. This month will see good numbers of squid. Cooler water and air temperatures this month will also see the pinkies turn up at the pier of an evening in good numbers. For those anglers that fish some bigger baits,

A bit of rain didn’t stop this angler getting a cracking bag of big whiting – she clobbered them! some of the bigger fish that are either arriving for winter or getting ready to leave the bay for the winter. The other thing I love about the next few months is that it often produces cool mornings and calm days that see the fish feed for longer periods of time.

you are in for some much better sized pinkies and even the odd big snapper, especially if we get a bit of a southerly blow. Back inside the creek this month should also see the big mullet fire up. Keep an eye out for the local anglers as they tend to know where the fish are.

If you watch them closely, you’ll be able to rig up accordingly to get into the action. Out in the boats, pinkies have been in good numbers all up around the Horse Paddock Reef off Parkdale and up around the Parkdale Pinnacles. A few anglers are also reporting good success on fish in the 50cm size while fishing evenings on the inside of the pinnacles on the sand in 4-5m of water. Moving further along, the Beaumaris Pier is kicking into gear on the squid with late afternoon and evenings producing the best results. While there have been plenty of smaller squid around, if you fish larger slow sinking jigs, you will definitely find a few of the bigger models. Up off Ricketts Point and down towards the Cerberus at Black Rock it’s time to get serious on the pinkies. It doesn’t matter if you like to fish lures or fish with bait. The upcoming weeks and even months are sure to produce plenty of fun. The best results over the past weeks have definitely been in the afternoons and into the evening with some of the better pinkies being found out in the slightly deeper water off the edge of the hard reef in 8-12m of water. For better numbers get in along the edge of the marine park and you are sure to be flat out on 30-40cm pinkies. As always, if the bigger fish are what you’re after, it’s well worth fishing a few larger baits such as a whole pilchard or a bigger soft plastic in the 5-7” size. Over April and May for the land-based anglers, it’s also a great time to fish at the Half Moon Bay carpark and its surrounds. Pinkies love to move into this shallow area under the cover of darkness.

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An early morning start paid off with a solid box of thumper whiting on board. SANDRINGHAM TO ST KILDA It’s time to grab a jumper and get along the foreshore in this part of the bay with plenty of fishing options on offer recently such as good pinkie snapper being caught off the very end of the Sandringham Breakwall and off the Hampton Rock Groynes. Adding to this, there have been good numbers of squid on offer on any bit of hard reef or weedy area. If a bit of float fishing is what you want, get some berley going. There have been some great garfish lurking around and while they haven’t been on the chew every day, when they are on, the fishing has been great. Further to the north Brighton Breakwall and its surrounds are a top place to be chasing pinkies and squid this month. It’s often the place to find a few better-sized pinkies, especially if we get a bit of a southwesterly blow. Further along the bay, the shallow reef area from Brighton to North Road is prime squid territory. Over the past weeks, there has been plenty of calamari on offer. Fingers crossed it gets better over the coming months as the squid grow and increase in numbers. One good tip here is to use lightly weighted or shallow running squid jigs. A 3.5 size combined with light nose weight allows long casts with a big jig that can comfortably be fished

in 1-2m of water, which is where the bigger squid often sit on the high tide. Up off St Kilda it’s time to turn the focus towards winter fishing with bream around the marina and breakwalls mixed with a few pinkies and trevally. A bit of mashed pilchard for berley and an unweighted pilly fillet or similar for bait can see you getting into some great fun. ST KILDA TO PORT MELBOURNE The low lying reef mostly made up of cunjevoi and other soft sea sponges

tends to attract some good late season snapper to this part of the bay for both boat and land-based anglers fishing at night off the Kerford Road and Lagoon Piers. It’s also time to get the heavier gear ready in search of the ultimate prize known as the blackfish or mulloway. If this is your target, it’s time to get good at catching fresh and live bait in the form of squid and mullet. With these you will definitely increase your chances of getting one of these great fish.

Mia sticking it to a big Western Port whiting.

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Too much to do, too little time MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Luke McCredden www.thelongline.net

It’s all about decision making at the moment on the Mornington Peninsula. What to do? It’s a great problem to have. From bread and butter species to pelagics, there are so many options at the moment and anglers from all walks of life can find something to suit their style. KINGFISH We had a cracker run of kingfish! It’s fair to say that this fishery keeps improving and the numbers and sizes are strong. Having said that, the fishing is still inconsistent and a lot of anglers are frustrated with zero bite days straight after days of kingfish mayhem. This is the way of yellowtail kingfish. They shut down faster than you can blink, but the beauty of them is that we now know that they are in the area and when you fish the bite windows, you will be in for a treat. Live slimy mackerel are by far the best bait, albeit hard to come by. In terms of lures, 200-300g jigs are an ideal starting point. Mix up your colours,

because if we know one thing about kingfish, it’s that they can be fussy. Did I mention southern bluefin tuna? I’m sure everyone has seen and heard about them already, but I can’t get through this article without giving them a mention. The same baits and jigs as the kingfish will

get them, however trolling small skirts is the most productive way at this stage! GUMMY SHARKS The end of summer has seen a resurgence of gummy sharks, both in the bay itself and with captures from the beaches. Gunnamatta Beach proved a great fishery over the last few weeks with

A beautiful gummy shark taken from Gunnamatta Beach.

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many Australian Salmon, but also a good number of decently sized gummies. Fresh squid and salmon fillets proved too good this time round and a number of anglers enjoyed some nice feeds of flake. Inside the bay, the South Channel was a good area for gummies with a bit of a mixed bag of sizes. Compleat Angler Rosebud customer Robin Berry managed a very nice 14kg model in amongst some small fish to 3-4kg. Fresh squid baits once again were the optimum choice of bait. WHITING Once again, we speak of King George whiting, which in my book is testament to the fishery right now. Portsea, Blairgowrie, Rye, Mornington and Mount Martha are all fishing well. The fish can seemingly disappear due to being harassed by kingfish, but the main place they stay seems to be in fairly shallow water around these locations. Mussel and pipis are great, but if you can get some fresh calamari or cuttlefish and use small thin strips, it will see a few more bites. Land-based options are there too and Mount Martha Rocks have seen a fair share of whiting scales this month, not to mention squid ink! AUSTRALIAN SALMON The salmon schools have turned up again from Frankston to the rip basically, but what we are seeing is better size classes. Anglers

Baz Gorman with a magnificent tuna from out the front of the peninsula. spinning from the rocks and beaches have been landing fish from 600g right up to 2.5kg predominantly using 20-30g metal casting slugs. Try using small assist or double assist hooks on your slugs for a better hook-up. If you want a hand rigging them, just drop into your

nearest tackle store and they will run you through it. STANDOUT SPECIES The standout species around the area at the moment are King George whiting, gummy sharks and kingfish with an honourable mention to southern bluefin tuna!

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Baz Gorman with a fine example of the yellowtail kingfish on offer at the moment on the peninsula.

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April is all about the whiting WESTERN PORT NTH

Adam Ring

It’s taken a little while, but the whiting have gone bananas! It’s been a patchy season on these fish, but the last month has seen a definite increase in catch rates. As the warmth of summer continues to hang on, I would say that there is plenty left in the tank and these reports should continue for a little while yet. WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING? Before we get to the whiting there have been a couple of other really

know guys in boats that can’t catch that many in a session! There have also been quite a few gummies climbing aboard the charter boats too putting in a small session in the deeper water as they wait for the tide to start running in order to catch the whiting. One charter operator is finely tuned to this method, so there’s no downtime for his clients as they wait for the tides to be right for the whiting. Wellplayed sir! Now here is a really cool and unusual report: Ben Swift was sitting in 10m of water off the Quail Bank looking for a nice gummy or snapper when the rod took off at 100 miles an

amazing to hear the stories of how things have changed. Captain Steve Johnston of Ace Fishing Charters has had a funny old year where he has found a lot of fish in places he rarely fishes. If there is one bit of advice I can give, it’s try all of your snapper marks for whiting! Dave Kennedy has been getting the boat wet up the top end and finding good numbers of whiting on most trips. His most recent trip saw 17 for the day with a healthy average size of 40cm. Pipi and squid have been the best baits for Dave. When the hammerheads haven’t been around, the Quail

on the first. THE NORTH ARM Memorise the Middle Spit. Do yourself a favour and plan a trip to get there, because this is where the magic is really happening. There just seem to be whiting everywhere and it would be a shame to miss out on it. Mitch Bertacchini from Online Fishing Charters has been spending most of his time here and rarely are his clients leaving disappointed. Even when the fish have been hard work, Mitch has been making plenty of moves and the reward has definitely been in the size. Again, pipi and squid have been the standout baits. Jedd and Wyatt haven’t been missing out on the Middle Spit action and like Mitch they have found the size of the fish is well above average. On their most recent trip they ended up with seven whiting with the biggest nudging 41cm. If you want to give the deeper water a go, Hastings

A bag of healthy Middle Spit whiting caught on board Online Charters. is where you want to be. Find the drops on your sounder starting in 10m of water and work those edges. It’s in this kind of water that it’s worth having a nice chunky bait. Decent snapper and gummies

are working the same edges. That’s it for another report from me and I look forward to seeing all of your reports from over the Easter holiday. Good luck and enjoy the break!

Ash McMillan and one of his cracking land-based gummies. interesting things going on. The land-based crews have been doing exceptionally well on the gummies off the beaches and it’s kind of flying under the radar. Ash McMillan spends quite a bit of time at Stockyard Point and has been rewarded with some really nice gummies over the last month. One of Ash’s better sessions resulted in five gummies in total. Two were kept for a feed and the others released to fight again another day. Well done Ash, I

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hour. Long story short, Ben was left holding a rather large hammerhead shark at the end of the fight. We tend to see a few hammerheads in the port at this time of the year, but nothing in this size class. Unreal capture, Ben! THE TOP END There has been an emerging trend this year in Western Port and it will go down as the year of the deeper water whiting. I have been speaking to a few of the local charter boat operators and it’s

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Bank has been a great spot for whiting over the season. Kallan Braid-Ball and his old man love this area and it’s pretty clear why. They spend most of their time in 4-7m of water and love the last of the run out tide. The whiting here have been a little bit bigger than what we are used to seeing from the area with 40cm fish common. Whiting Prowler rigs are a killer, as the little pieces of flash on the hooks are enough to get a second bite if you miss them

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Ben Swift and an epic Quail Bank hammerhead.

Chris Preston had an impressive couple of weekends out on the water with his friend John, they boated approximately 16 snapper ranging from 40-91cm. This one was caught fishing out from Hastings.

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Big memorable elephant season set to go off WESTERN PORT STH

Jarrod Day jarrodday@iprimus.com.au

Early last month the first signs of the annual elephant plague were quite noticeable, especially for anglers still searching for whiting around the Port. This is the time they usually appear and so far their

numbers are stacking up to one bumper year. This is a good thing, despite the feelings amongst some anglers, but for the past few years it has seemed that their numbers had been dwindling. So far, things are looking up. It really doesn’t take much effort to get stuck into them if you know a good area to search. Elephants are scavengers and bottom feeders that love

searching the muddy areas within the port. Although the top end channels are profitable locations, Gardeners and Blakes Channel produce quality fish. In saying that, you can’t go past the ‘elephant triangle’ if you want to tangle with a few. For those who are unaware of the exact area, simply draw an imaginary line between Corinella and Observation

They might not be the prettiest of species, but elephants are fun to catch nonetheless.

Sarkis with a quality feed of Western Port’s finest. Photo courtesy of Shaun Furtiere.

Point, Rhyll and back to Corinella. This encompasses the muddy bottom where they love to search for food and ,with a simple berley trail of mashed pilchards and pellets, you’ll be into them in no time. Some anglers consider them a pest. This is mainly because they are busy searching out more highly prized species such as gummy shark, mulloway, pinkie snapper and whiting. While I understand their frustration, elephants are fun to catch on light tackle. While quite a strange looking fish, everyone has to catch one at least once in their life. Even better, they are

a cracking fish for kids, as their size is a challenge for them to bring in and they

really aren’t that bad on the table. Elephants have a small mouth, so you don’t have to overload your tackle. A simple running sinker rig tied from 20lb fluorocarbon leader with a circle hook is a sure bet. Elephants aside, the whiting have continued to be the most targeted species of late. One charter operator has had a stellar few weeks putting his clients onto great whiting fishing throughout the port. Most of the action has come from the southern end of the Middle Spit with plenty of fish still on offer in the Eastern Channel, Tankerton, Tortoise Head and around along the bank near the entrance into Hanns Inlet. He also did a

Good tackle and fresh baits are the keys to success for any species within the port.

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recon mission with his good mate Sarkis and together the boys had a blinder of a trip, easily catching their bag. Squid, mussels, pipis and live Bass yabbies have been the top baits, while we are seeing the cooler temperatures arrive. There will be a sudden change in how the fish of Western Port come on the bite in the coming weeks. What will be most noticeable is that fewer fish will be about. The ones that do stay in the Port will change their feeding patterns. This is important to note if you want to continue to target species such as whiting throughout the cooler months. Whiting in particular will be

remained the same, their size and seasons have grown longer. Take snapper and whiting, for instance – they used to be just a summer species. These days, their numbers are far greater throughout the winter months than they ever have been before. It just goes to show there is never a good time to pack

up the boat for the season. You just have to rethink your priorities and put fishing first before football, soccer, golf, netball and every other boring sporting event throughout the rest of the year. Just kidding – in hindsight, Western Port is a top waterway and each year it is getting better and better with options aplenty.

Justin Blythe with his latest gummy shark from Point Leo. Fish like this are now a common land-based capture from this side of the port. very selective in what baits they take and how they take them. During this time of the year, it is best to loose the

What do fishing charter operators do on their day off? Go whiting fishing, of course. Photo courtesy of Shaun Furtiere.

circle hooks and drop back to fishing an extended paternoster rig with a long shank #6 hook, so with every nibble, you can strike to set the hook. They won’t be aggressive enough to swallow an entire circle. Just on the fact that we are getting closer to winter, next month is a top time to dust off the snapper gear. Throughout May, the resident reds come on the bite in a big way. Fish upward of 15lb are a common catch. While many are caught as a by-catch while fishing for gummy sharks, they can be targeted along the North Arm and vicinity of Buoy 12, SP Buoy and Buoy 15. You will likely encounter draughtboard sharks, stingrays, banjos and gummies. When you hook one, it will be a solid fish. Recently, the land-based fishing scene has been the best I have seen it in years with

gummy sharks being landed right along the coast from Flinders to Balnarring. These fish have been caught during the lead up to the full and new moons with a variety of baits working well, such as trevally fillet, squid and salmon fillet. Local land-based angler Justin Blythe has been absolutely smacking them with some fish in the 15kg range. Fishing for gummies from the beach is not an easy task. If you put in enough time, you’re sure to be rewarded. More recently, the Point Leo area has seen fish up to 8kg regularly caught. Being a surf beach, you need to pick the weather, otherwise it can be a challenging location to fish. I can’t believe just how much the fishing in Western Port has improved over the years. While the species have

You know their solid whiting when you can’t see the angler Photo courtesy of Shaun Furtiere.

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Fish are finally back on the chew PHILLIP ISLAND

Craig Edmonds

Despite the pre-Christmas weather not playing its part, the fish being caught when conditions allowed were excellent in quality and number – the best we have seen over the last 10 years. Everybody had fingers-crossed that the fishing would continue once the weather improved

through the summer and it did, at least for the first few weeks of January. Sadly, the brakes were slammed and the reports slowed dramatically. Except for the larger snapper, the fish hadn’t gone anywhere, just off the bite, so the conventional was thrown out the window and anglers started trying new ideas and areas. To their surprise, they started catching fish again. Typical of this time of

Mitch with a whiting of the typical good quality caught this season.

the year, there are several different species of fish at the cutting tables – another positive of autumn fishing in this area. I have customers telling me they are catching seven or eight species of fish in a session with at least four or five to take home for the table. Settled conditions have allowed boats to head offshore and there are fish everywhere. Flathead make up most of the numbers and the average size this year is excellent. A good mixture of yank and tiger flathead are being caught. The best of the catches are coming from a similar depth of 35-45m of water. The area varies a lot and reports are coming in all the way from the western entrance to the windmills. Baits don’t change much, with squid and pilchard accounting for the majority. Just take plenty of ice – if you find them, a full esky is possible. In the same areas as the flathead are very large schools of couta, salmon, bait-sized mackerel, squid (both arrow and calamari), which sometimes make it difficult to get down to the flathead. These species

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of fish generally mean bigger fish and this year it’s proving true with some of the best shark numbers for many years. I needed to go back five years to get similar reports of mako numbers. If the food stays around, there is nothing to suggest anything will change over the next month. Mako, blue and whaler sharks are all in the same areas as the baitfish, whereas the gummy reports are coming from 25m of water around the Powlett River. Back in the bay, whiting have been consistent in size, while the quantity has varied greatly with no real pattern to time of day or area. It has been a bit confusing lately and you need to be prepared to move around a bit to find the fish. If you do, it’s not unusual to come home with a dozen or so over 40cm. Generally, very early morning before the sun is up in the shallower whiting spots, below the bridge in Cleeland Bight and around Dickies Bay have been the best. Once the sun gets up, you need to move to deeper water towards the channels. Tortoise Head and Ventnor have been better

Brenton managed his first mako recently and it was a perfect size for a starter. in the afternoons into the evening, especially on the later tides with the kayak anglers doing the best at Ventnor. Just when you think you have it worked out, somebody catches a bagful where and when you wouldn’t expect them to. I have had a couple of reports of elephant fish and would expect these to fire up shortly for about a month

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Bring the kids along for fun at Karkarook Park CRANBOURNE

Mitch Chapman

Located on the corner of Warrigul Road and Fairchild Street right in the middle of Moorabbin lies Karkarook Park, a wetlands area that is stocked with excellent numbers of trout and holds healthy populations of redfin. This lake is the perfect place to get the kids started and

hooked on fishing. PRIME TIME The best time to target trout and redfin at Karkarook is just before the school holiday period, as it is stocked with trout for the kids. As for time of day, the fishing can be red hot at any time. It’s generally better around dawn and dusk, when trout tend to feed on the surface. THE GEAR A nice light graphite 7ft rod matched with a 2500

sized reel with light braid or mono of about 6lb is ideal for spinning or bait fishing for trout and redfin. THE RIG Bait fishing in stocked lakes doesn’t get much easier than this. A running sinker rig with a size one ball sinker to a small size 10 hook is all that is needed. Light fluorocarbon leader of about 6lb is more than enough, even for the larger fish of 2-3lb that roam the weed beds.

There is a healthy population of redfin in this fishery. BAIT AND LURES PowerBait is a top bait at Karkarook and is a really common trout bait used by anglers who fish in stocked impoundments. The smell it puts out is just too much for trout to resist. Bright colours like pink and orange tend to be a standout. BEST METHOD If you can’t decide whether to bait or lure fish, why not try both? A good way to find fish is to have

Trout are stocked into Karkarook Park a couple times a year for anglers.

one bait rod sitting in a rod holder and cast a few soft plastics or hardbodied lures around while you wait. Some days the fish are tuned in on bait and won’t hit a lure, then other days the other way around. MOTHER NATURE A fresh feed of trout is always good and the kids love nothing more than catching a fish and taking it home for dinner. Don’t feel guilty about taking these fish

for a feed – they are tasty and this is a put and take fishery, stocked a couple of times a year for this reason. HOT TIP When the fishing is tough, or the sun is out in force, try fishing the area to the right of the bridge. It is one of the deepest areas close to the bank and the fish tend to hang around in the cooler water. This area holds good numbers of trout and redfin.

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APRIL 2017

Yellowtail Kingfish

Kiwi kingfish tactics for Aussie anglers NEW ZEALAND

Chris Firkin

In December’s issue I talked about what us kiwis do a little differently as far as trout fishing is concerned. This month we talk about our biggest asset as far as most Australian anglers

exactly that. They grow to 50kg+. Where I’m from (Whakatane) 30kg is classed as a good one and 40kg is a trophy. The largest kingfish ever caught officially in the world has come from this beautiful part of New Zealand at 52kg (two have been caught from here officially at exactly the

Young Jake Milbank landed this kingy off Whakatane while chasing snapper in 8m of water. He couldn’t put too much drag on the fish and that’s probably the reason he caught it. The harder you pull on them, the harder they pull on you.

While fishing one of the Junior competitions in Whakatane, 15 year old Charlotte Knight landed this nice chunky kingy on an original Black Magic Snapper Snatcher rig. are concerned and the reason to travel across the ditch. We call them ‘hoodlums’ and they are

same weight) with fishos losing even bigger beasts every season, as they can prove a little hard to

slow down at 30kg, let alone at 50kg. The largest kingy officially caught off the rocks in NZ weighed in at 42.6kg caught by Richard Baker, while live baiting off Great Barrier Island. Kingfish can be caught consistently anywhere in NZ from the top of the South Island all the way up to the Three Kings Island group where hoodlums abound in big numbers and size. Offshore Islands like White Island in the Bay of Plenty (where the biggest kingfish has officially come from), the Aldermans, Mercury Islands group and Great Barrier off the Coromandel, further north to the Poor Knights Islands and Bay of Islands all hold good numbers of big kingfish. We are definitely spoilt for numbers, size and areas to chase them. It’s how we chase them that should interest you. With the numbers available, which can get a little out of hand during mid to late summer, they can become a little bit of a

Hooking up to 11 or 12 kingies while targeting something different, the loss of gear alone starts adding up. Every once and a while, Lady Luck will be on your side, if you can get your anchor up fast enough and get on top of the fish quickly. Then your chances increase tenfold. One thing I have learnt while fishing from the rocks for kingies is the harder you pull on them, the harder they pull on you. A smooth drag from your reel is important, as always. Play the fish smoothly and calmly without too much panic. Fighting the fish erratically won’t help your cause.

At over 40kg, this fish was weighed on a wet sheet, tagged and released to fight another day – a scrap the author won’t forget in a hurry. pain when trying to target other species like snapper, tarakihi and trevally, which we often chase in shallow water on relatively light line. Hooking a 20kg or 30kg+ king in shallow water on light line is basically a recipe for disaster.

Deepwater live bait rig

15-37kg mainline depending on size of fish targeted Ball sinker 4-8oz depending on drift, current and depth Soft lumo bead between HD swivel and sinker

Heavy duty swivel only 1-2m 130lb

Deep structure 60–200m

APRIL 2017

Visiting Whakatane for a weekend produced some good results for Ernie Lengyel while trailing the new Black Magic DX point hooks.

Yellowtail Kingfish SHALLOW WATER TECHNIQUES To be fair, the methods we use to chase kingfish are similar to what you Aussie anglers use, but in saying this, the bait we use when live baiting differs depending on location. More often than not, when fishing from the rocks we live bait with small kahawai (Australian salmon). They are readily available and kingfish in NZ find them irresistible. Squid are nowhere near as prevalent in NZ as they are in Australia, but we all know kingfish love them and most of the kingy fishing I have done in NSW has been trolling with live squid. When fishing from the rocks or boat in shallower

The Coromandel Peninsula is kingy heaven for those fishing land-based or from a boat. your livey from tangling up with the bottom. Secondly, it’s an indicator to where your live bait is and when it is being harassed by a predator. The length of the dental floss between your balloon and swivel should be around 4-6”. WHEN FISHING DEEP A very simple and deadly technique we use when drifting live baits over deep structure is to attach a tournament swivel to our main line or shock leader with a 4-8oz ball sinker, depending on current and depth, running up the main line or shock leader. Place a small soft lumo bead between your sinker and swivel as a stopper to prevent your sinker from damaging your knot. Then tie 1.2m of 130lb tough trace to your swivel to your shorter shank live bait hook, once again making sure your hook is the correct size for the size live bait you have chosen to use. Firstly sound out an area looking for prominent signs of bait, then drift through those areas, dropping your livey to the

bottom. Then once you have hit the sea floor with your sinker, very slowly wind it up a couple of metres then slowly drop it back down. Believe me when I say that you know when your bait is about to be eaten, as the livey gets a little

agitated – funny that! OTHER METHODS Stickbaiting, poppering and technical jigging are all very effective and productive techniques that are no different in NZ than they are in Australia. Live baiting tends to produce bigger fish on

average compared to jigging or stickbaiting. If you’re lucky enough to place your lure in the right place at the right time catching, the big one is still very possible, just not as consistent on bigger models. Why are our kingfish on average much bigger than their Australian cousins? It’s simple really – a good food source, less commercial pressure than Australia and a lot less anglers all contribute to why New Zealand has the numbers and consistently larger fish on average. Interestingly, the largest kingfish officially caught in Australian waters was caught at Browns Mountain off NSW a long time ago. That fish weighed 52kg, the same weight as our largest ever officially caught. Most keen Australian anglers are fully aware that places like Port Augusta in South Australia also hold consistent numbers of large kingfish, but unfortunately through commercial and recreational pressure, most places class a metre long kingfish as a good one.

Kingfish are always curious, especially when you are retrieving what they like to eat to the boat.

Land-based or shallow water rig for livebaiting for kingfish John Taylforth tagged and released one of many kingfish caught that morning. Keeping only what you need means more for future generations. water, live bait with 15-24kg line attached to a 6-8m shock leader of 80lb tough trace. Connect this to a good quality tournament swivel (not a snap swivel), knotted to 3-4m of 130-200lb tough trace or 120lb fluorocarbon preferably with, importantly, the correct size live bait hook, depending on the size of the live bait you are using at the tail section of your rig. Lastly, tie some mintflavoured dental floss

to the top ring of your tournament swivel, then tie a blown up biodegradable balloon to the other end of the dental floss. The size of your balloon is dependant on the size of your live bait. You don’t want too small a balloon for a 2-3kg kahawai, as the live bait will continually pull the balloon under the water and not break away as easily when that hoodlum attacks. Your balloon is there for two reasons – one is to keep

6-8m shock leader 80lb tough trace Blow biodegradable balloon up to suitable size depending on size of live bait

15-24kg mainline

HD swivel (Not snap swivel)

3-4m of 130-200lb tough trace Important to use correct size hook depending on size of live bait

APRIL 2017

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APRIL 2017

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Fishing Fill-its

The S5100 High Performance is perfect for offshore anglers The Simrad S5100 HighPerformance CHIRP Sonar Module is the first sonar module to offer three fully independent sonar channels to deliver high-resolution sonar across multiple depth ranges, making it a perfect fit for offshore sportfishing anglers. The S5100 delivers true simultaneous coverage of up to three different depth ranges, whether connected to three singlechannel transducers or one dual-channel and one single-channel transducer. Simultaneous split-screen viewing capability puts anglers in complete control of the water column, while advanced processing technology allows fishing with noise-free clarity at all depth ranges without ever losing bottom depth tracking. Users can mix and match favourite transducer coverage and transmit power for wide and narrow beam widths to reveal more fish, detecting small and tightly spaced fish and identifying thermoclines. Additionally, users can adjust specific CHIRP frequencies from 28-250kHz and ranging from 300W up to 3kW to precisely target specific depths and produce big crisp arches with clear target separation. Using the Simrad S5100 with Airmar wide‐angle CHIRP transducers provides

The S5100 is easy to install anywhere on board and is compatible with several other devices. enhanced coverage of the upper water column, a perfect setup for targeting pelagic species. Wide-angle transducers are also useful in shallow water, where traditional narrow beam angles offer limited bottom coverage. A wider coverage area speeds searches and makes individual fish targets easier to see. “The Simrad S5100 sonar module brings a new level of high-performance sonar to offshore sportfishing anglers with greater detail and resolution,” said CEO of Navico Leif Ottosson. “We are excited to add this serious fishing tool to integrate with Halo Radar, our new

autopilot line and the NSS evo3 for when your living depends on finding fish.” The S5100 features highspeed ethernet connectivity, making it easy to install anywhere onboard, and is compatible with Simrad NSS evo3 and NSS evo2 multifunction displays, NSO evo2 glass-bridge systems and the S2000 series of fishfinders. The S5100 HighPerformance Sonar Module will be available in early 2017. For more information on the Simrad S5100 or the entire line of Simrad Yachting marine electronics, visit www.simrad-yachting. com. – Navico

FISHING FILL-ITS

Trout stocking surprise results The effectiveness of stocking trout into rivers is being examined as part of the Wild Trout Fishery Management Program, funded by fishing licence fees. The results might surprise you! In 2015 and again in 2016, the Howqua and upper Goulburn rivers were each stocked with 5,000 yearling trout from our Snobs Creek

hatchery. That’s 20,000 fish in total. All were fin-clipped so they could be differentiated from wild fish spawned naturally in these two rivers. Follow-up surveys by fisheries scientists along 18km of both rivers, over two years, captured only 11 fin-clipped trout amongst 552 surveyed.

The results suggest stocking hatchery reared trout in these rivers hasn’t materially boosted the fish population. The good news is that wild trout populations in these streams are on the improve naturally. One survey site on the Howqua yielded more than 100 trout per 100m of river. – Fisheries

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Prime time for bream action GIPPSLAND LAKES

Brett Geddes b.geddes@bigpond.com

This report is mostly about those famous Gippy Lakes bream. It seems like every year about this time I keep raving about the best bream fishing and I suppose I better stick to that tradition. I have received so many pictures and stories of big bream, I’m at a loss where to start! Maybe it’s because the perfect stable weather has more anglers fishing and reporting in with grand stories. Some of the messages keep my head shaking with

sent recently; “I’ve been to Hollands Landing and we got there at 2am and fished until 9am, three days before the full moon. “We caught stuff all in the dark, but just after sunrise the bream were smashing the live shrimp that I was getting in the bait trap. I then pulled a live mullet out of the trap and attached a 4/0 circle hook to it. Soon after, I nearly lost my rod, but grabbed it in time to land a stonker 43cm bream. On another trip we landed seven big bream with the smallest 35cm all caught on live bait.” First of all Mick, I have to say how proud and impressed I am with you fishing from

sent me pictures of big bream all caught on blades in about 3m of water. His best session had 28 bream to 45cm, all caught and released. His wife and two daughters also pull in some really big bream using blades and also his homemade lures. Once again, he has been generally fishing the Hollands Landing area and told me that as long as there was a bit of flow in the water, the blades were working a treat. Over at Paynesville things are starting to fire up big time. Dave Morris and Steve Hume have told me about working the jetties with lures and pulling in a lot of decent bream. Nearly all of them are 36-42cm.

Big bream are taking blades at the moment. Matt White caught this 40cm bream on a Hurricane Sting lure. It was one of 28 bream for the session. disbelief. Here are some of the pictures and reports from those keen anglers to showcase recent captures and what we can expect in the coming weeks. BAIT FISHING First up, I’ll make special mention of an angler who has defied the odds and is truly dedicated. I can’t believe his drive to catch big bream. All of his fishing is landbased and think of the time he must set his alarm for! It’s best I let Mick Edwards explain via his message

2am! That’s a first in my book. Secondly, there are very few people that fish the Gippy Lakes that have ever caught bream on a live mullet, especially on a 4/0 hook! And lastly, that 43cm fish is actually a cracking yellowfin bream and extremely rare for where you landed it. I’m glad you live in my hometown of Sale, because I’m coming fishing with you! LURE FISHING While I’m talking up gun anglers I also need to mention Matt White from Stratford. He

Steve mentioned they had to go down to 4lb leaders to get a bite on plastics and he visually targeted bream high in the water near pylons or under boats. Dave used black blades and got his big bream in the same areas by working the lure very slow right on the bottom. RAYMOND ISLAND, TAMBO AND MITCHELL RIVER I spent four days at Paynesville with my better half and we stayed at Captains Cove Accommodation right

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APRIL 2017

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on the water with the back door just metres away from our own private jetty. We launched the Hobies there each morning and had no trouble finding big bream, especially around the Raymond Island side or towards Newlands Arm. The bream would often wallop the lure the second it touched the bottom and my first turn of the reel came up tight. Sadly this also gave the hefty bream time to race around pylons before I could fully load my rod and steer them away from disaster. The Mitchell River is full of bream at the moment and anywhere from the butter factory right down to the entrance is worth trying. Owen and Dawn Pierce landed over 40 bream on lures near the Grassy Banks with fish coming in of all sizes. The last ABT BREAM competition saw plenty of bags landed from the mouth of the river and all caught on blades. The biggest bream I’m hearing about have been caught in the Tambo River from the boat ramp down to the entrance. During a recent visit I was unloading the kayak for an afternoon session and one angler was cleaning his day’s catch near the ramp. I saw four impressive fish and he told me two of his bigger bream were 45cm and promptly proved it with a ruler! He said the best bait was live shrimp. BASS RECAPTURE Here’s some very exciting

Gun angler Mick Edwards with a 43cm Hollands Landing yellowfin bream caught on a live mullet and 4/0 circle hook! news about a tagged bass. Matty Leach was in the Tambo River and casting surface flies when a cracking bass of 48.5cm inhaled his Dahlberg Diver. He landed the beast and found a tag in its back. Matty contacted me with the exciting recapture news and lucky I still have the entire VicTag database for all tagged fish. Sadly the tagging program does not operate

now, but I was heavily involved years ago when it was in full swing. It turns out that a keen bass angler, Bryan Matthews, tagged that fish way back in 2004 when it was 43cm. I’ve yet to talk to Bryan for more information. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear that the tag stayed put for 13 years. Amazing! It will smash all records I’m sure, for the longest ‘time out’ for a tagged bass.

Get fishing in Marlo MARLO

Jim McClymont mcclymont@net-tech.com.au

We’ve been having one active fishing season. Fish have been on the chew since well before Christmas and are still giving anglers plenty of action in the estuary, on the beach and offshore. Along the surf beaches from Corringle Beach all the way to Yeerung Beach the fishing has been great. Big schools of salmon and tailor seem to be patrolling the coastline between both beaches all summer, allowing most anglers to get their share using surf rods and bait fishing, or using light gear and spinning with metal lures. With the prawns still running, the fish in the estuary are still plentiful throughout the whole system. Flathead are in good numbers on the sand flats that run along the foreshore all the way down to Frenches

Narrows. Flathead, being predator fish, lay in wait in the shallows for any unaware fish or prawn that comes in their range. Anglers have reported one of the best ways of capturing flathead is by wading in the shallows and casting soft plastic lures. For dusky flathead, the minimum legal size is 30cm and maximum legal size is 55cm with a bag limit of five. In the same area close to the entrance anglers are having good results catching salmon and tailor using metal lures and hardbodied lures. Bream are still being taken in most of the estuary, up both rivers and up into both lakes. Anglers have reported having success on a range of baits including sandworms, prawns, and pipis, black crabs and lures. Luderick can be found schooling on the rock groins that surround the islands and riverbanks and along the mud banks on the edge of the rivers and lakes. The best results have been on

sandworms or shrimp. Estuary perch are still holding on structures and snags along both rivers. The best results have been on live prawn or lures. For anglers who prefer to fish offshore, the access to the ocean has diminished by half, as the Snowy River entrance has become too shallow and is dangerous to navigate. The single boat ramp and a small parking area at Cape Conran is the only access to the sea between Lakes Entrance and Mallacoota. With the excellent fishery offshore in our area and the big schools of kingfish inhabiting the offshore reefs, as well as the usual local species of flathead, gurnard, pinkie snapper, morwong, squid, barracouta, salmon and gummy shark, boat owners have reported it is near impossible to launch their boats in a reasonable time. With marlin about to arrive, it will only get worse.

Fishing Fill-its

Off-the-shelf Waverider The Waverider range of boats are soon to be offered as ‘off-the-shelf’ boats built to survey

for commercial buyers. They’ll start at 4.5m long and be available in 500mm increments with

no foreseeable end-size to stop at. Can you imagine a 50ft police boat? This means that any

FISHING FILL-ITS

A new shellfish reef is born in the bay A project restoring shellfish reefs in Port Phillip Bay is aimed at improving bay health, juvenile fish habitat and water quality. Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford announced works had begun on stage two of the project to restore lost shellfish reefs in the Bay off St Kilda and Geelong at the Albert Park Yachting and Angling Club with The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The Labor Government’s $147,000 investment will allow for locally sourced limestone to be placed on the seafloor at Hobsons Bay and at Wilson Spit near Geelong under 7m of water by a barge and excavator. Covering 300m 2 , around 300,000 juvenile oysters will be evenly spread over the limestone by divers. Oysters are highly efficient at improving water

Customers will soon be able to select their boat and order it, knowing the hull is already approved for survey.

Pat Hutchison, Vice-President Albert Park Yachting & Angling Club, Minister for Agriculture including Fisheries Jaala Pulford and Rich Gilmore, Country Director at The Nature Conservancy. quality and the cycling of nutrients through their waste products and the complex habitat created by shellfish reefs provides food and homes for crabs, fish and plankton that are important links in the marine food chain. In addition to the Government’s funding, The Nature Conservancy contributed $50,000 towards

the project and Albert Park Yachting & Angling Club funded $35,000 as well as considerable in-kind investments. In another win for recreational anglers, Ms Pulford also announced that consultation has commenced on setting a permanent cap on the Port Phillip Bay scallop fishery. – Fisheries Victoria

customer can order an off-the-shelf Waverider of their chosen size and choose a layout from up to five provided internal configurations: tiller, centre console, side console, bowrider and half cab for 6m and up. The customer doesn’t need to apply for plans, wait for them to be drawn by a naval architect and then for a builder to quote on them, meaning the customer saves thousands of dollars. This seems to be the first time in Australia that a boat manufacturer is building a range of boats approved for commercial use, that customers, either safetyconscious recreational

fishers or commercial businesses, can select their boat and order it, knowing the hull is already approved for survey. The builders at AusShips P/L met with Pat, the original designer of the boats, to discuss the lack of boats available for commercial use that must have Level Flotation and be built to high NSCV standards, which include the boat to be fully welded and more. Owner and Head Naval Architect at AusShips, Tommy Ericson said, “By drawing the plans to survey for the Waveriders at the same time as the standard plans for non-survey,

it allows the price to be comparative.” The Waveriders will be available in both non-survey and survey approved forms with the surveyed boats slightly more expensive due to the thicker material and longer time to build. AusShips are happy to discuss personalised and customised plans for the internal layouts of the boats, but the high performance hull is to remain untouched and standard. They look forward to helping you shed some light on the differences between surveyed boats and standard boats and outlining the new AMSA laws regarding small commercial boats. – Kapten Boat Collar

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Bream swim around the wharves and lake LAKES ENTRANCE

Steven Pryke

Recently, Lakes Entrance Waterway has become the home to some of the biggest bream in East

It can end up being quite annoying. That’s part and parcel of doing this. As you have trips out to fish docks, you will begin to learn how best to extract these big bream from the wharves.

The biggest tip I can give you is this: don’t work the rod when you hook a fish, but slowly lead the fish out of the wharf using an electric motor or by walking the fish towards a clearer area. Then begin the

The ever-popular Cranka Crabs have been a hit with bream fishers. Gippsland with many fish about. Victorian bream tournament participants report top catches around the local wharves and flats that are spread throughout Cunningham Arm, North Arm and Reeves Channel. Casting is critical. The better the cast, the more bites you’re going to get. This is when learning to skip cast is worth its weight in gold, as it opens up a wide range of spots and fish that you could previously could not reach. Be prepared to lose a fair bit of gear. Not every battle around barnacles covered wharves ends well.

fight again and set up your tackle beforehand. It’s always safer to start with 8lb line and work your way down to 3lb if you’re not getting bites. The Cranka Crab has been one of the most popular lures for this technique. Other lures likes Tiemco Stick Minnow and Gulp Crabby have produced great fish too. For those who baitfish, peeled prawns and spider crabs have been some of the best baits. Fish them lightly and allow them to slowly sink around wharves. LAKE TYERS The lake has been fishing very consistently with good numbers of flathead and bream spreading throughout the system. The most productive area has been the low reaches of the Nowa Nowa Arm around the glasshouse. Heading towards the island, work a combination of structures from sand flats to deeper timbered edges, as these usually produce the goods

The lake has been fishing very consistently with good numbers of flathead and bream spreading throughout the system.

This month will be great for big bream fishing around Lakes Entrance. when searching for a bit of fun on the lakes. Bait fishing has been extremely productive with local anglers using lightly weighted prawns and shrimp drifted around the snaggy edges that are dotted throughout the Nowa Nowa and Toorloo arms. SURF During the past month, large schools of baitfish have started to show up in the lake system and offshore, meaning the Australian salmon and other pelagics are on the move. Recent reports have shown good numbers of Australian salmon and

tailor on the odd calmer day. Rat kingfish have been seen working baitfish along the beach with a few lucky anglers managing to land these hard-fighting fish. Most commonly, this mix of pelagic species has been targeted spinning with 15-25g metal lures. Other natural baitfish lures are getting the job done too. BEEN FISHING? If you have been out for a fish lately and have a great picture, please send it to stevenprykefishing@ gmail.com with a short description and you could be featured in the next edition of Fishing Monthly.

FISHING FILL-ITS

3SER 5pm-6pm

FISHING SHOW

Every Thursday Afternoon

WITH LUKE MCCREDDEN AND JARROD DAY

Take you through what’s biting in your area. Plus information on the latest tackle and techniques.

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APRIL 2017

2017 Vic Fish App and Guide available Anglers are being encouraged to download the free ‘Vic Fishing’ app for smartphones, or get hold of the 2017 Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide, which is now available free from hundreds of outlets including bait and tackle shops. Fisheries Victoria Executive Director, Travis Dowling, said the updated products outline key information anglers need to fish sustainably such as catch limits, closed seasons and permitted equipment. “We update the 60-page Guide annually and the App as rule changes occur through the year,” Mr Dowling said. “The Guide includes more than 80 colour illustrations of commonly

caught fish to help anglers identify their catch, and the size and bag limits that apply. “Funded by recreational fishing licence fees, the Guide describes rules that currently apply and any new ones introduced since the previous year.” Changes and updates in the 2017 Guide are: • Catch limit of 5 for gemfish; • Catch limit of 5 for golden perch (introduced in 2016); • Year-round open season for Murray cod in Lake Eildon (introduced in 2016); • New illustrations for black cod, longfin pike, gemfish, Hardy Head, toadfish and puffers; • Dates for the annual closed season on trout rivers. The Guide and App are supported by a suite of free measures and boat rulers, also

funded by fishing licence fees. Fish length rulers for saltwater and freshwater are available, as are plastic measures for abalone, rock lobster and spiny freshwater crayfish. Guides are available free of charge from most good tackle shops, many Tourist Information Centres and offices of the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. Guides, measures and rulers can be obtained by ringing the Customer Service Centre on 136 186. See the new 2017 Guide online at www.vic.gov.au/ fishingguide or download the free ‘Vic Fishing’ app for smartphones from the App Store or Google Play. – Fisheries Victoria

Offshore fishing has fired up and is amazing MCLOUGHLINS

Will Thompson allwaysangling@bigpond.com

Over the past month the inside fishing has hit a bit of a lull, but the offshore fishing has been nothing short of amazing. The yellowtail kingfish have finally turned up, just for the icing on the cake. Offshore from Port Albert has been great lately, especially in close. For starters, Whale Bay has been producing stacks of gummy sharks to 10kg and heaps around a metre in length. Most baits work well, such as pilchards and squid. Fresh baits such as couta and slimy mackerel are working well too. There are also some toothy critters around and some big bronzies have been caught out front of the entrance to Port Albert in around 8-10m of water. There are plenty of small

hammerhead sharks around 3ft in length as well when fishing large baits under biodegradable balloons. There are also plenty of big gummy sharks all the way out to 10m line and plenty around Rabbit Island. Out really wide in 50m, the barracouta are still extremely annoying and stealing everyone’s rigs as quick as it gets to the bottom, making fishing out this far very tough indeed. The ovals are chockers full of goodsized pinkies ranging from 30-45cm. Pilchards, fresh slimy mackerel or couta work a treat as bait. For a feed of pinkies, use smaller hooks from 1/0 to 3/0. As for the kingfish, there are huge schools out around the islands. There’s a lot smaller fish here this year with stacks of the undersized kingies. If you persist through the

small ones, you will get big ones to 75cm. The best methods to find the kingies have been to troll small skirted lures. Knife jigs have been by far the most successful method to catch a king and blue or green jigs ranging between 150g and 200g have been the best. The best way to catch the kings has been to troll skirts until you find the kings, and then drop the jigs down once you find them. There are huge schools of slimy mackerel around offshore from Port Albert and Welshpool, so don’t be surprised if we see some of those bluefin tuna turn up that have been caught on the western side of the prom. • 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.

A nice Wilsons Prom kingy measuring 75cm caught on a knife jig.

Autumn will be awesome in the Bemm River is up, Sibiera is producing its typical black bream and the odd by-catch of flathead. The entrances to Swan Lake and Mud Lake are also hotspots for quality fish. All surf beaches are firing with good numbers of salmon moving up and down the coastline chasing large schools of pilchards. Prawning is still on for the brave anglers who want to venture out on the cooler nights. Winter is approaching and we look forward to a fishing bonanza as the winter bream become dominant. Over the past month

BEMM RIVER

Robyn Sturgess

Even though the autumn easterlies have dropped our water temperature and slowed the flatties down, bream are still in abundance with great quality fish being caught right throughout the system. The water level remains at a good level, which allows anglers to sneak into the areas that bream often hide in. Flathead are still being picked up on the sandbeds during the warmer parts of the day. There are plenty of tailor to be caught in the channel and they often venture into the lake system as well. This is the first year in many years that we have seen large numbers of baitfish all around the edges of the lake and around the jetties. River fishing has picked up in the early reaches of the river close to the banks for quality bream and the odd perch has been caught on live prawn. Now the water level

there have been several sea snakes caught down at the channel near the entrance, so please be vigilant and do not handle them, as they are a deadly species. If you do hook one, it is advised to cut your line and do not let them on the boat. • For on the spot and up to date fishing reports check out Robyn’s website: www. bemmaccommodation. com.au or ‘like’ us on Facebook – Bemm River Holiday Accommodation Phone: (03) 5158 4233/ Mob. 0427 584 233 Email: bemmaccomm@ bigpond.com.

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Bermi brimming with options plenty of marlin as a result of warm water this season, and this is likely to continue right through April. Areas like the Twelve Mile Reef out to the Continental Shelf through to the Kink have been most productive for the marlin, while out wider over the Canyons, some big blue marlin have been raised. Mahimahi are on offer due to those warmer waters and anglers who are trolling a range of lures are encountering these fish regularly. Mixing in are some school size yellowfin tuna, along with plenty of stripies, plus an early season albacore or two.

BERMAGUI

Darren Redman djsxstreamfishing@bigpond.com

It’s that time of year when things change for most forms of angling. The weather is starting to cool and so is the water, however, the fish start to chew harder before everything gets too cold. For those who like the big stuff, the game fishing is excellent, for at this stage of the season we see species mix as marlin season drifts into the tuna season, and it looks like a good one. At the moment, we are still seeing

For those who like things on a smaller scale, Montague Island has been fishing well all season and now as we see the crossover period, anglers can expect the good run of kingfish to increase in size with the larger winter kings

anglers. The salmon are plentiful along the beaches for anglers who choose the sand to fish, and mixed in with them are some very nice tailor, the odd mulloway, gummy and small whaler sharks of a night, while

There are an increasing number of sharks in the area with unconfirmed sightings even in our estuaries.

You can always find good quality luderick around the boat ramps.

Catch ‘em, kiss ‘em and eat ‘em – that’s Lana’s game. Yes, there are still bream in the shallows of Wallaga Lake.

moving in. There is also the bonito to consider, with these fish being prolific. The fishing all along the coast has been excellent, not only for boaties, but also for the shore-based angler fishing from the stones, especially those who like to work lures. Salmon are also a great option, with plenty on offer for the shore-based

the shallower gutters are offering plenty of bream, whiting and mullet. Reef fishing has been a little slow recently, although it’s is now on the improve as the weather cools. Snapper are increasing in numbers, with most reefs harbouring their share, although south of Goalen Head is the more productive area. Other

species like morwong, ocean perch and pigfish are increasing in number, while for those who wish to target flathead can expect plenty of sand flatties out from most beaches in and around 30m water depth where the odd gummy shark may also be encountered. In the deep water, tiger flatties are plentiful all the way out to the Twelve Mile Reef, where many of those other reef fish can be found. Sadly, due to a lack of rain this summer and autumn the estuary systems are starting to suffer a little, although it doesn’t mean there is no fishing. It’s just a bit tougher and you have to work a little harder. Wallaga Lake has now closed to the ocean, and with

no tidal flow the fishing will be harder. If you are going to persist fishing the lake, concentrate your efforts in the shallows over the flats where bream, whiting, flathead and luderick will patrol looking for some of the small prawns, nippers, worms and shellfish that inhabit these areas. The other option you have is to look into estuaries that are open to the ocean like the Bermagui River, where the tidal influence will bring a food supply to the fish. Areas like near both boat ramps are good places to start, as there is many fish frames like tuna, marlin and kingfish thrown into the water, creating a constant berley trail, so anglers using fleshy fish as bait may have some interesting fishing.

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Plenty of visiting anglers catching a feed MALLACOOTA

Kevin Gleed captainkev@wildernessfishingtours.com

The town is still as busy as ever and with Easter on its way, it’s only going to get busier. Everything slows down once Easter is over, but for now, the boat ramp at Bastion Point has been chockers when the weather is good for anglers to get offshore and catch a feed of fish, and there has been some great fishing over the

past month. Good catches of sand flathead have been coming in with fish caught at Gabo Island and down around the Ariels. Big tiger flathead have been coming in from out wide. In the same area, there have also been some big gurnard. Gummy sharks have also been caught along with a few decent mako sharks. More have been hooked, but they have managed to bite through the line and earn their freedom. A few good snapper

have been reported on first light out around the Ariels – this is rare for the area. Anglers fishing the beaches have been getting some big salmon along with a few yellowfin bream. Fishing into the night, there have been reports of gummy sharks and seven-gill sharks. The entrance to the lake has seen schools of salmon coming and going. They are here one day and gone the next. When they are there they have been easy to catch. Some big sand whiting have

Gary Brown with an estuary perch caught on a surface lure.

Bear with a great bream caught on a blade.

been in the front section of the lake with good catches on the run-in tide in Harrisons Channel. Beach worms are the pick of the baits and a few fish have also been caught on poppers. Good numbers of flathead are in the lake. Most of the fish are a good eating size, with a scattering of fish caught between 60-70cm. It’s worth mentioning that there is a bit of confusion amongst visiting anglers to the area about the flathead

size limit. Dusky flathead (lake flathead) can be kept between 30-55cm and all others should be released. For offshore flathead, both sand and tiger, the minimum size is 27cm with no maximum size. Offshore you can keep a maximum of 20 fish per day and in the lake it’s five per person, per day. The bream fishing in the lake is not what it should be, due to many reasons. The black bream fishery has been going downhill at a fast rate

for a couple of years now. It hasn’t been fully noticed by many anglers, because the bream fishing has been propped up by a few good runs of yellowfin bream this year. Yellowfin bream haven’t turned up in great numbers. The system is too heavily fished. Silver trevally are also being caught along with a few good-size flounder. The odd ball catch of the month was a legal-size school shark from the John Bull marker.

Beaut weather a bonus for busy Eden anglers EDEN

Kevin Gleed captainkev@wildernessfishingtours.com

We’ve had great weather over the past month with no rain to speak of. Eden has been abuzz with visitors. The next few months offer some excellent fishing, so the visitors should go home happy. Boats heading out wide have had some success on striped marlin and blue marlin with a number of fish tagged and released. Plenty of fish have been out around the shelf. Striped tuna are also being caught in this area as well as good mako sharks. REVA G.T

L LY . S N A P P E R

. EST

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. WH AD

These fish are anywhere from the 30-fathom mark and out wider. Tiger flathead and sand flathead are being caught along with some flathead and morwong. If you’re heading out for a feed, get out early and be back before lunch, as the wind is usually howling by 11am. A few kingfish have been caught, but the action should heat up over the coming months, as the cooler water pushes back up the coast. Fishing from the rocks has been good with many catches of drummer and yellowfin bream. Some salmon are also showing up and they are moving from gutter to gutter. The beaches have seen sand whiting and yellowfin bream caught on

the rising tide with fresh bait. Beach worms are the best option. This time of year you can expect to catch a mulloway. The full moon and new moons are the times to put in an effort and the top of the tide is the best bet. The rivers have been fishing well for flathead with good numbers caught on a variety of soft plastic lures. Sand whiting have also been caught – fresh bait is working the best with a few fish caught on poppers. Silver trevally and tailor are also about with the fish taking a variety of lures fished around the schools of bait. Black bream are also being caught upstream with the yellowfin down around

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Live baits are going swimmingly this season NAROOMA

Stuart Hindson stuart@ausfishing.com.au

We’ve finally received some decent rain over the last week with around 100mm falling in that time. To say we needed it is an understatement, as the last decent drop was way back in June 2016. This will only improve the fishing further, especially in the estuaries. The water clarity has been

crystal clear. That’s not saying the fishing has been slow – far from it, but it will only get better now. Wagonga Inlet has been good without being dynamite, there’s plenty of fish there, you just have to work for them. The deeper sections of the main basin and Forsters Bay (12-13m) have seen plenty of flathead, although the size isn’t there. Flatties to 70cm and bigger are possible. The majority being captured are between 40-50cm, so

they’re nice eating size. There have been some solid estuary snapper and bream from the same grounds, so if conditions suit, getting a smaller presentation down has reaped rewards. This year has been slow for mulloway. I’m not too sure why, because the bait is there. Tailor are thick at times and I’ve only heard of five or six fish caught there and all on bait, except one, which fell to a soft plastic. Hopefully this picks up over coming weeks.

There have been solid tailor getting around Wagonga Inlet with 50cm models quite common.

This 12kg Wagonga mulloway fell to a 30g shiner aimed at tailor.

Time will tell. Up at Tuross fishing has slowed up, especially the flathead fishing. It’s the quietest I can ever recall and that’s saying something. There’s plenty of smaller fish to be caught, but the bigger girls have shut up shop for most anglers anyway. Sure there’s the odd one getting about, but gee you have to work hard for them. Mulloway are about, and lots of them. I know of a few

local anglers that are getting three and four fish per night, sometimes more on bait with fresh squid the go. The lower sections seem to be best. I’ve also heard of a few coming from the rock bars in the river section, so that may be worth a look. Bream and whiting numbers are still pretty good for the surface casting enthusiasts. Most bays with weed-covered sand flats are producing the goods. With

the lake having a cracking entrance more weed edges should continue to develop and improve the fishing even more. The beaches will continue to fish well for salmon and tailor with enough bream, whiting and mullet to keep things interesting. Live beach worms have been the standout bait. A lot of salmon have been caught on both lures and blue surf poppers fished To page 49

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Merimbula is doing well MERIMBULA

Stuart Hindson stuart@ausfishing.com.au

The gamefishing off Merimbula has been a little patchy lately, mainly due to water temperature fluctuations. There’s still some quality fishing to be had. When the temperatures and currents have aligned black and striped marlin have been caught. The 70-fathom line to the shelf has been the prime place to target them. Trolling lures and live baiting striped tuna has been the preferred method. Anglers switchbaiting when conditions

70-80kg so they’re not big fish, but still great fun on stand-up tackle. I’d expect a few bigger striped marlin this month with fish in excess of 130kg on the cards. There’s been a few yellowfin tuna captured with the odd 40kg fish on the shelf. These have come from crews trolling skirted pushers for marlin. Live bait and cubing methods should catch some reasonable yellowfin, especially towards the end of the month. We have seen great numbers of mahimahi on certain days. If you come across some floating debris, cast a few live baits or bigger soft plastics and you might be surprised at

flathead with unbelievable success. Almost any soft plastic has worked a treat and the best thing is you can catch 15-20 fish on the plastics without any dramas. They are relatively cheap, easy to use and easy to clean, which has to be a good thing. Some days the leatherjackets are too thick and will cost you plenty. There have been a few snapper and morwies on Long Point Reef. The 50m line is a good place to start. Down south off Pambula, both Horseshoe Reef and Lennards Island have produced some mid range kingfish to 10kg – solid fish for here and great sport. Use fresh squid, jigs or live bait for best results.

A great estuary double header of bream and snapper on plastics. are favourable have also done well. A few of the local charter boats have done alright with two or three shots per day, which is still pretty good fishing. The marlin are averaging From page 48

on a paternoster rig. As the cooler months approach, expect the salmon fishing to only get better. A few mulloway are still being caught up at Tuross off the beach, but a lot of time has to be put in to constantly get results. Anglers who put in the hard yards chasing these majestic fish deserve every one they catch. They put in the time and get the rewards. If you’re after a mulloway, Blackfellows Beach on the southern end is certainly the place to have a look. Use large bunches of live beach worms or fresh tailor strips for bait. The Narooma Breakwall is the place to fish at present if you’re the rock hopper type. Some ripper bream are being caught on striped tuna on the inside of the north wall.

the results. Inshore the flathead have been going great guns with the Sticks off Pambula being a hotspot. More anglers these days are using soft plastics on the sand Fish the ebb tide and you should be in business. There are still bonito off the golf course rocks, with a lot of tailor around too. Most fish have fallen to lures and ganged pilchards. A morning session definitely gets better results. There have been increased reports of bream in the washes with luderick numbers on the increase as well. Down at Mystery Bay the High rock ledge is still producing if you’re after pelagic species. There have been good reports of kingfish to 70cm down there, so it’s worth a look. Anglers fishing offshore are having a ball too. With water temperatures hovering around 22-25°C, striped, black and the odd blue marlin can be expected on trolled lures and live bait. It probably hasn’t been as good as last season. Most crews are getting a couple shots per day. There have been quite a few

Trolling skirted lures early in the morning is also worth a shot. April is a good time for the rock spin die-hards to throw metal around. Mac tuna, bonito and the odd

Not something you see everyday – a small luderick taking a liking to a popper intended for a bream. kingie can be expected. Tura Head is the pick of the platforms to fish. Merimbula Bay will produce. The rocks north of the wharf and the wharf itself are the places to fish. I use large lures at this time of the year. Have a selection of lures on hand. Each day can be different, especially when trying to match the hatch with baitfish size to lure size. Using pilchards on ganged hooks also works. A slow wind mid water can pay handsome dividends, especially for bonito. In the estuaries some thumping big tailor have made the top lake at Merimbula home with fish to 3kg common. We had a session there with clients a few days back and it was awesome. Snapper, flatties, bream, tailor, trevally and whiting scoffed our lures. All fish fell to softies, but I saw anglers getting good

flatties on live poddies also. All of our fish came from reasonably shallow water and 2-4m is ideal. Some of the flatties are upwards of 80cm – solid fish. The odd mulloway has been caught by anglers using live baits after dark. I also saw a photo of a visiting angler with a 105cm dusky, a cracking fish that was released, which is great to see. This action will continue throughout April and should only get better. Pambula Lake is still producing the goods with most fishos getting some nice fish. Captures of 20+ fish are the norm and fishing the out going tide is the go. The main basin has been productive. Concentrate on fishing the edges of the channels with plastics and blades for best results. There have been solid flatties towards the entrance fish with soft plastics around 70mm.

Decent estuary snapper are in solid numbers throughout Wagonga Inlet.

The local beaches continue to fire and most are holding good concentrations of salmon. North Tura Beach has been a standout, with catches of a dozen fish to 2kg common. The northern end of the beach towards Bournda Island has a deep gutter at present, and very early in the morning on a rising tide has been prime time to fish. Surf poppers are working well in a variety of colours, with lures and whole pilchards also catching fish. Tailor numbers should improve this month, with the rocky foreshore near the island itself fishing better for bream. Cut crabs and pipis are both great baits for bream. Whiting are succumbing to live beach worms. Lighter outfits come into their own when targeting these bread and butter species. Running sinker rigs are ideal. smaller blacks in close and I know of two separate fish that were hooked in 50m of water off Potato Point in the last few weeks. Both these fish were hooked on live bait fished deep for kingfish, so there must be a few there. Other species like mako sharks, yellowfin tuna and mahimahi are all incidental catches at this time of year when trolling lures or live baiting in the warmer water. At Montague Island the kingfish should well and truly be firing by now. Live slimies and jigs should get you a decent feed. Snapper, morwies and most bottom dwellers will be willing to take a bait. All reefs should hold a fish or two. The flatties will be firing on the inshore grounds with the sand in 35m straight off Dalmeny a great place to start. APRIL 2017

How to select the right lure for the session WESTERN PORT STH

Jarrod Day jarrodday@iprimus.com.au

Catching fish is one thing, catching them on lures is a total other ball game. Lure fishing for those same species you have spent most of your fishing life targeting with bait keeps the fishing spark alive in your blood and adds another challenge. As much fun as lure fishing is, the question “which lure do I use?”

Trout will cannibalise at certain times of the year, and this is when trout coloured lures will work well.

Murray cod are often after a big meal, so spinnerbaits are always a great option. often arises and with an extraordinary range of types, colours, sizes and styles available, choosing the right lure can be a daunting task. Knowing which lure to use on a particular species comes with listening to those who have previously caught your intended target species, but you can also do your own experience and research. In times gone by, experimentation is what ultimately gets the job done and by fishing specific waterways, you can quickly get a grasp on what lure will work in that particular location by the challenges you might face. For instance, if trout fishing a small mountain stream, a deep diving lure might not be the best option due to the

shallowness of the river, then again the river might have deep pools in which a deep diving lure might be more beneficial. In the salt, snapper might be swimming about your berley trail and you begin casting a deep diving hardbody. The lure might dive to 4m, but you’re anchored in 30m and there is no way the fish will come to up to eat it. In this case, thebetter option is to flick a soft plastic with the appropriate jighead weight, a soft vibe or even a micro-jig so that it gets down to where the fish are holding. With every species, lure

Chromes and other shiny colours are usually the pick for kingfish in deep water.

With soft plastics, it’s important to have different jighead weights to give yourself options. 50

APRIL 2017

choice is not just a matter of grabbing what looks appealing to you, but dictated by the location being fished and the fish being targeted. LURE CHOICE Lure choice doesn’t need to get too technical, however it is good to know a little about the species you’re going to target before heading out and buying a bunch of lures you may not even use. When choosing a lure, think about the location you’re going to fish, prior knowledge of the location will help in this selection process, but if it is a new location, the lure selection will be based on the target species. Let’s take snapper in Port Phillip Bay for example. The first thing to notice is their teeth, followed by the size of their mouth. Their mouth is quite small in comparison to other species, so smaller sized lures are a good choice. As for their teeth, these are mainly used for crunching food, and when it comes to lure selection, something hardy that will last is a sure bet. Then you have the location, snapper swim on

the bottom, so a weighted lure such as a soft plastic, soft vibe or jig will get to their realm. If you’re fishing over shallow reefs from a kayak, a deep diving hardbodied lure may reach the required depth and can be trolled around the area. Then you have the time of year to contend with too. Different species will feed differently throughout the year and respond differently to lures. Trout are a good example of this through the summer months. During this time of the year they are mainly focused on insects landing on the water’s surface and a tossed hardbody or spinner probably won’t get a look in. On the other hand, in the lead up to spawning

LURE SELECTION SNAPPER SOFT PLASTICS: Squidgy 100mm Whip Bait (pilly), Gulp 6” Jerk Bait (electric chicken), Zerek Live Flash Minnow Wriggly (#01 and #07). JIGHEADS: Mustad 3/0 1/4oz, Mustad 3/0 3/8oz SOFT VIBES: Yakamito Viber S 95mm (night fury) KINGFISH JIGS: Yakamito 210g and 300g Slither STICKBAITS: Duel Adajio 125mm, AWSB SS90’s SOFT PLASTICS: Lunker City 7.5” Sluggo (white) SALMON METAL SLUGS: Live Bait Slugs 25g, Yakamito Sedge 40g STICKBAITS: Yakamito Sub Minnow 125 HARDBODY LURES: Yakamito SXY Shad, Zerek Surger SOFT PLASTICS: Zerek Live Flash Minnow/Mustad jighead SILVER TREVALLY METAL SLUGS: Live Bait Slugs 25g, Yakamito Sedge 40g STICKBAITS: Yakamito Intruder S HARDBODY LURES: Yakamito X-Crank 30D & S, Zerek Tango Shad SOFT PLASTICS: Zerek Live Flash Minnow/Mustad jighead TROUT METAL SLUGS: Gillies Crocodile, Nories Metal Wasaby STICKBAITS: Yakamito Intruder S HARDBODY LURES: Yakamito Slim Minnow 60 & 100, Yakamito SXY Shad. SOFT PLASTICS: Berkley 3” T-Tail Minnow, Zerek Live Flash Minnow/Mustad jighead MURRAY COD SPINNERBAITS: Icon Carnage, Mud Guts, Bassman, Icon Carnage Scrambler HARDBODY LURES: JJ’s Stumpjumper Size 1, Yakamito Rabid Vibe 60, Yakamito 95 Viper S SOFT PLASTICS: Lunker City Fin-S Fish YELLOWBELLY SPINNERBAITS: Icon Carnage, Mud Guts, Bassman, Icon Carnage Scrambler HARDBODY LURES: JJ’s Stumpjumper Size 2 and 3, Yakamito Rabid Vibe 60, Yakamito 95 Viper S SOFT PLASTICS: Lunker City Fin-S Fish, Berkley 2” Black Jigging Grub BARRAMUNDI POPPERS: Bills Bugs, Yo-Zuri Hydro Popper VIBES: Yakamito Viper S 95, Jackall Doozer HARDBODY LURES: Barra Classic 120+ 10, Yakamito BK125X, Yakamito Siren SD, YO-Zuri Crystal Minnow 110 SOFT PLASTICS: Squidgy 100 and 130mm Slick Rig, Zerek Flat Shad 5” BREAM STICKBAITS: Yakamito Intruder S POPPERS: Yakamito Poppa Q HARDBODY LURES: Yakamito SXY Shad, Zerek Tango Shad, Imakatsu Baby Killer Bill, OSP Bent Minnow SOFT PLASTICS: Zerek Live Flash Minnow BASS STICKBAITS: Yakamito Intruder S SPINNERBAITS: Icon Carnage 7g Bass Bait. POPPERS: Yakamito Poppa Q HARDBODY LURES: Yakamito SXY Shad, Zerek Tango Shad, Imakatsu Baby Killer Bill, OSP Bent Minnow SOFT PLASTICS: Zerek Live Flash Minnow ESTUARY PERCH STICKBAITS: Yakamito Intruder S POPPERS: Yakamito Poppa Q HARDBODY LURES: Yakamito SXY Shad, Zerek Tango Shad, Imakatsu Baby Killer Bill, OSP Bent Minnow SOFT PLASTICS: Zerek Live Flash Minnow

As snapper almost always feed on the bottom, anglers tend to use fast sinking lures when fishing for them.

It’s well known that flathead like to munch on big soft plastics. eats. A trout during spawning season is constantly fending off smaller trout that are attempting to mate with females and it is not uncommon for a big buck to devour a 3 or 4” fry. Trout patterns on shallow or deep diving hardbodied lures are extremely effective. However, if you were going in search of a kingfish in deeper water, metal jigs in chrome, blue, gold or bright pink might get the results. WHEN TO USE A LURE Lures can be used most

of the time depending on the species being targeted. Just like with bait fishing, a presented lure, if worked in the right manner, will be just as effective as using bait. Choosing when to use a lure on a particular fish is all up to the angler, and while there is no right and wrong time to use one, catching a fish on a lure is arguably more rewarding. On occasions, sitting waiting for a fish to take a bait makes for a very slow day’s fishing, but toss out a soft plastic into a berley trail and the whole day’s fishing can change rapidly. Take surf fishing for salmon for instance. Tossing out a single bait along a 10km stretch of beach really isn’t going to attract a school of fish. However, if you were to grab a 9ft spin rod and matching reel, a handful of 25-40g metal slugs, you’ll

be able to walk the beach making cast after cast until you find the gutter the fish are holding in. Lure fishing is not about just tossing one out when the fishing is tough either, it can be likened to hunting or fly fishing, where your presenting a fish with bait that looks almost natural to its environment. Depending on the time of year, you’ll find that some fish won’t take a bait, but because of their seasonal characteristics will take a lure, such as trout just before spawning season. TOP LURES FOR POPULAR SPECIES Although the saying ‘lures catch fishers, not fish’ may be partly true, every lure on a tackle shop’s wall will catch a fish if it is presented at the right time. While there are millions of lures to choose, making sure you have the right ones is crucial to being successful. In my years of fishing, collecting lures has become almost an obsession and amongst my thousands of styles, colours, weights and sizes, I still have a small selection of go-to lures that have proven to yield results over the years. Every angler that falls in love with lure fishing will be much the same and it only takes one fish caught on a particular

MUSTAD .NO

season, they become much more aggressive and will respond to a small shallow diving hardbody lure worked in exit of a rapid or along the submerged logs in the slower runs. No matter how you look at it, lure choice is critical, but the more you know about the species you’re targeting, the easier the selection will be. The colour of the lure can also have a huge influence on whether or not the fish strikes at it and this can also have varying factors involved. Often, the more natural looking colours get most of the attention but first it pays to look at the type of food the targeted species

The mouth of your target species is often a good indicator of the type of prey it’s after and, in turn, what lures to use for them. lure to get you hooked and wanting more. From my lure fishing exploits throughout Victoria, most of our popular species are willing lure takers and while I’ve listed my

favourite to use on each given species, they might offer you a good indication as to which lure to use then next time you’re thinking about grabbing a selection for a lure fishing trip.

SOFT PLASTIC SOLUTIONS DARTER JIGHEAD

• 34 patterns from size 1 through to 7/0 • Weights from 1.8g (1/16oz) to 42g (1 1/2oz) • Unbeatable darting action

BIG GAME JIGHEAD

Salmon tend to chase fast-moving prey, so fast-moving lures will always be favoured by those fishing for them.

• Sizes 6/0, 8/0, 10/0 & 12/0 • 20g weight • True rigging every time

MEGABAIT WORM HOOK • Sizes 12/0, 11/0 & 10/0 • UltraPoint treatment • Designed exclusively for big plastics

When the connection is vital,

MUSTAD DELIVERS Being a small predator with a small mouth, it makes sense to fish with small presentations for bream.

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FACEBOOK.COM/MUSTADASIA APRIL 2017

Cooking

Spero’s scrumptious squid and rice paella COOKING

Spero Kartanos

Late one night on TV I saw a recipe for a squid paella, and I’m so glad I did! The recipe has been used by a

family restaurant in Spain for 88 years. I made a few small changes to suit my taste, and added a few spices, and I now cook it nearly every time we catch some fresh squid. Everyone who has tasted it can’t wait to

have it again! This is a fairly easy dish to make, as all the cooking is done in one paella dish. Pre-preparation takes a good half hour (then half an hour in the oven), but it’s time well spent. After all the ingredients

are chopped, the rest is easy. The saffron that you put in, along with lots of paprika, is what gives the dish its wonderful smell and taste. Whatever you, do be generous with the saffron. I know it’s expensive but it really makes

this dish. I enjoy catching squid and cooking it in a variety of ways, such as grilled, baked, stuffed squid tempura and black ink pasta. However, I think the squid paella is our favourite – or maybe equal first

with tempura! So give it a try, enjoy the taste of the sea and remember the fresher the squid the better. And please don’t skin it or throw the wings (flaps) away! The whole fresh squid tastes best with the skin on. Enjoy!

Ingredients • 2-3 medium size squid • 6 cloves garlic chopped finely • 2 medium onion diced • ½ red capsicum, ½ green capsicum • 5 fresh tomatoes skinned and chopped or 1 can chopped tomatoes • 2 sprigs of thyme • 1 hot chilli to taste (optional) • 1 tsp paprika with pinch saffron • 1 cup paella rice • 3 cups fish stock (heated) • 34cm round paella dish • ½ cup olive oil • 4-5 fresh bay leaves • Italian parsley chopped

7 52

APRIL 2017

Add squid and stir continually. Season with salt and pepper and push mixture around the side of the dish (in a circle) leaving a well in the centre. Add the onion and sauté.

Add the rice. Sauté the rice to coat it, and mix it in well with squid mixture.

Preheat oven to 180°C. Dice the vegetables. Cut squid into strips. Leave the skin on, flaps on and use the tentacles as well.

Mix the onion with the squid, and again move to the outer edge. Add the capsicum and sauté.

Add the saffron and paprika, then add hot fish stock. Mix well and keep mixing so rice doesn’t stick. Let it come to the boil and reduce a little (approx. 10-15 minutes).

Sauté garlic and bay leaves in olive oil.

Mix the capsicum with squid mixture and again move to the side, leaving a well in the centre. Repeat the process with the tomatoes and the herbs.

Put the paella into a preheated 180°C oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until rice has softened and the liquid has been completely absorbed. Enjoy!

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Australia needs more world records SUNTAG

Stefan Sawynok

Before I get into my article, I have a request and a gift. As a nation, we are way underperforming on the world records stage. To help address this I am putting together all the resources I can to help fishers across the country fix that problem. Here is something to consider. The US has around 1150 native species, Australia has somewhere near 5000. Australia has only 3.3% of the All Tackle records, while the US has 33.2%. Japan has around 250 species, yet has 203 All Tackle Records, or around 13.9%. Even New Zealand has 4%! If you want to help Australia correct the record I am here to help you. First, get online to the IGFA website and get a $15US e-membership, it’s a very simple process and will get you a great newsletter for your trouble. There is

world record holder. I’m putting together a listing of world records relevant to Australian species. Go to www.crystalbowl.com. au homepage and click on the ‘Australia Needs More World Records’ Section. It will be available from April 1. However, if you can’t wait – there are plenty of Australian species that don’t have any world records. Please remember that international names can be a huge nightmare to work through. I have searched the database on just about any variant I can think of and all international names for the species, but nonetheless I would double check with IGFA prior to submitting. THE WORLD DATA TOUR COMES TO AUSTRALIA In my last article, I looked at the world fishing scene when it comes to fishers. I have been quietly expanding my list of the best fishers in the world in their fields with a view to doing a much more complete assessment later in the year and I have now

Here’s the top 10 ABT fishers from 2004-2015 ranked by placings. also how our fishing systems are faring relative to the best in the world. The Barra Nationals and

required to be considered up against international systems. I will, however, be looking at them next issue on a different

ROTTEN TOMATOES STYLE SCORE SUMMARY FOR THE THREE SYSTEMS % Records Older Than 5 years % Records Older Than 10 Years % Records Older Than 2000

ANSA 92% 81.7% 67.1%

GFAA 85.9% 77.5% 63.5%

ANSA vs GFAA in the number of records by year last achieved. paperwork and a $50US fee to lodge a world record, so it’s a good idea to read up in advance on the rules, but the good news is anyone can do it, and there is no special barriers to you becoming a ANSA GAME RECORDS Rank Fisher 1 L Grieves 2 Mark Reid 3 W Childs 4 B Deeney 5 B McNamarra 6 Werner Kossmann 7 A Atkin 8 F Jones 9 P Hernitz 10 N Williamson

started separate lists for men and women, though I will do a combined as well. In this article, I am moving a little closer to home to see what the Australian scene tells us about our fishers, but Species Year Shark, tiger 1998 Marlin, black 1993 Marlin, black 1973 Shark, tiger 1989 Shark, mako 1987 Shark, tiger 1974 Shark, mako 1991 Shark, whaler (all) 1986 Shark, mako 1990 Shark, mako 1979

GFAA GAME RECORDS Rank Fisher Species 1 Alfred Dean Shark, white 2 Bob Dyer Shark, white 3 Alfred Dean Shark, white 4 Robert Dyer Shark, white 5 David Rix Shark, white 6 Arthur Prince Shark, white 7 Rolf Czabayski Shark, white 8 Jason Hewitt Shark, tiger 9 Michael Magrath Marlin, black 10 John Robinson Shark, tiger 54

APRIL 2017

Year 1959 1958 1960 1955 1994 1981 1997 2008 1973 1958

for sport the other embracing the full range of fishing options. That however is for smarter people than me.

Barra Classic Time prevented me from looking in depth at the Barra Nationals and Classic. Having said that, while they are important events, I don’t think they have the scale

Weight (kg) Lineclass (kg) 548 15 485 60 481.38 37 416 24 410 24 387.36 37 384 15 360 15 360 15 329 10

Weight (kg) 1208.38 1063.5 1063.38 850.94 840 815 699.5 694.5 654.08 645.01

Lineclass (kg) 60 60 37 24 37 37 15 60 60 60

topic, so I will include stats from both then. ABT The ABT Circuit is the closest thing we have in Australia to a true national circuit and with BREAM series especially. It should be proudly considered the unofficial peak sports body for fishing in Australia. Not that I think Steve Morgan sees it that way, but nonetheless it has played a key role in providing a post ANSA competition circuit standard. On that note though, all our tournament series are just that – tournaments. There are none of the athlete development programs and processes that define true sports (which there are to a larger degree in the US version) and until there are, I don’t see how fishing can claim to be a sport. Not that it’s unachievable, but it means taking a very different view to how people develop as fishers. Personally, I think fishing should take the karate road by separating into two disciplines; one standardised

IGFA 72% 52.9% 33.2%

The bad news is that ABT peaked in the late 2000s and hasn’t yet regained its mojo. I know in part that this is due to competing circuits coming on the scene, but also I suspect that there is an amount of natural turnover as competitors move on to other things. On the flip side, the number of fish per event is on the rise, so maybe it’s time to think about dusting off the rod and having a crack. ABT BASS Series The ABT BASS circuit is our equivalent of the Bass Master Elite series, and having run through the data, it can be evaluated in the same way. One of the ABT fishers, Carl Jocumsen, has competed in the Bass Master series, which shows that the ABT can take an athlete to the next level. Of course, as Carl has discovered, life in the next level up is a challenge of its own but one I think he will master. With 49 tournaments and $100k in winnings in the US, Carl has runs on the board. Economically, the Bassmaster elite series dwarfs the ABT with the current field alone tallying $97M in winnings to the total ABT fields $0.84M. If you compare the two on total available fishing population the US has 40.1M fishers to our estimated 3.5M. If the ABT performed somewhere near the Bassmaster on a population basis, our athletes would have taken home around $7M in winnings. The difference is the funding base. The Bassmaster Elite is syndicated to TV with a sizable audience, which in turn enables Kevin VanDam

to swagger around with his $6M. As any athlete in other sports will tell you, the bigger the audience the more you earn. Thanks to Steve Morgan I have data for the ABT Bass Prod circuit from 2004-2016, though the winnings totals on their website is up to 2015, so my analysis is only on data up to the tournament listed on the winnings page. In that period, competitors have managed 12T of bass. Those are all live weigh-ins and releases, so that’s 12T of bass that have lived to fight another day. As a slightly hilarious aside, one of the bass from Lake Somerset turned up in Melbourne post an ABT event. We know this because there has been tagging in Queensland for 30 years and Bill Sawynok had one of those “you’re joking right?” phone calls when it was reported having migrated across 2 states in a matter of days having set a new Bass speed record. Mathew Mott leads the field on the traditional athlete placings with seven 1st placings with Carl coming in second with three 1st and four 2nd placings. On the money list Carl comes out on top with $56.8k in winnings from 37 events. Carl comes in 3rd on the three measures I used to assess the Bass Master athletes ($/event, $/ kg, kg/event). Carl has a $/ kg ration of $346/kg. To compare, Kevin VanDam earns (converting to AUD) $1580/kg, which is about Carl’s average per event in the ABT. In each case, the first and second placings have been for competitors who have completed twelve events or less, whereas Carl has demonstrated the staying power with 25 top ten placings in 37 events. Carl is my pick for the best of the ABT Bass series and has earned his elevation to the next level, competing in the US. ABT Bream Series When I first heard about

the ABT BREAM series I will confess to being very underwhelmed. Bream was always a food fish, not a sportfish! Having been part of one of the BREAM events in Brisbane though, it’s clear that the BREAM fishers are as hardcore as any going around and I had to change my views. The ABT BREAM series is the equivalent of the AFL, a sport recognisable enough to have common roots to other fishing, yet it’s uniquely Australian. I am warming to the idea of cheering along for the best of our BREAM boys. As with the ABT BASS Series, I am looking at data 2004-2015. The BREAM Series is much larger than the bass series with total winnings of $1.7M. The catch is larger too, with a whopping 32.2T of bream weighed in! As it turns out, the BREAM series is about as easy to pick in terms of competitors as the bounce of an AFL football. Based on placings, Russell Babekuhl comes out on top, though in chatting to Steve, Chris Wright has nine 1st placings, a bunch coming prior to 2004. Steve Morgan comes out on top in terms of winnings with $69k. On the $/kg ratio though, Russell comes in at 17, Chris at 20 and Steve at 21. Ben Godfrey, with 21 events (ranked 17th on the placings rank) comes out on top with $353/kg. While I do consider time in the sport, the top 10 $/kg ranks are all more recent competitors, with Ben having 7 top 10 finishes in 21 events. That is a good ratio, but it’s hardly blowing

everyone away. The older, larger field may well have been harder. This is one instance where I did look at other data and my gut tells me Steve Morgan and Chris Wright are at the top. Steve has a 58% Top 10 finishes ratio, which is second only to Chris with 60%. I don’t have data prior to 2004, which makes it harder to separate the two. AUSTRALIA’S TWO NATIONAL RECORDS SYSTEMS Australia has two major National Records systems managed by ANSA (Australian National Sportfishing Association) and GFAA (Game Fishing Association of Australia). While there is overlap between the two systems in terms of target species and methods, ANSA has a wider range of tackle and species options while GFAA tends to focus on a smaller set of species and tackle. Both have Line Class systems and All Tackle, though ANSA’s All Tackle Length Only records have been much more successful. Rotten Tomatoes Scores for the Systems When you look at the two systems and the IGFA as well, their differences make it challenging to properly compare them without doing a long matrix of how many slots there are. As it happens, ANSA has the most slots available of the three if you exclude the All Tackle Systems which are relatively new. A more useful measure I believe something along

the lines of the ‘freshness’ score that is used by Rotten Tomatoes. In other words, how recently have records been achieved. On this basi,s ANSA scores worst on the tomato meter with over 67.1% of their records older than the arrival of broadband internet compared with the IGFA who have only 33.2% of their records older. There could be an argument that ANSA records ‘stand the test of time’, but that flies in the face of incontrovertible evidence from around the world that technology has enhanced the ability to find fish (while I am leaving that statement stand on its own for the moment, I will expand on it in a later article). This could be an indicator of the fishery but there is a simpler explanation, the records systems have failed to remain relevant in the internet era. The GFAA has managed to turn things around somewhat in the last few years, again thanks to women fishers, but whether that is a temporary or permanent turnaround, only time will tell. There are lessons to be had from the approach of the IGFA, but that isn’t the purpose of this article, so again it will wait for another day. ANSA National Records With that out of the road – back to the fishing achievements. When it comes to big fish, ANSA is no slouch with some serious catches both in weight and length. There is no doubt that in its prime ANSA deserved its reputation as the organisation

where all the best fishers went. As one of the kids that grew up fishing in ANSA I remember just how hard it was to compete even at the local level. In terms of species range and tactics, ANSA fishers genuinely do stand the test of time as the best of the best in the country in pretty much every area and rivalled though never fully matched the GFAA in Gamefishing. Another point worth noting is that game fish are one area where the All Tackle Length Only Division has been doing better than the GFAA who only have a couple of records in their All Tackle Length Only records. That may demonstrate that ANSA members have embraced new options a little faster. Top ANSA Fishers by Records As with the IGFA, two fishers have pulled away at the top and again it’s a male/female combination. Wayne Colling from New South Wales leads the way with 24 National Records followed by Helen Johnson from Queensland with 23. Here I am just looking at the stats, but if you want to know more, there is a complete set of records and analysis on the Crystal Bowl website. In comparing them, Helen has a wider range of tackle and species; Wayne has a bigger range of tactics and sizes. Helen has predominantly inshore species while Wayne has more offshore. Overall, I think that Wayne displays the kind of all-round ability that I think denotes the best fishers but then I do know Helen and she is not someone to go

Graph shows the number of fish per year from 2004-2016.

Graph shows the numbers of ABT competitors per year.

up against unless you bring your A game. GFAA National Records There is only one thing that you can say to a guy that lands 1.2T shark on late 1950s technology and then goes back a year late and repeats the dose with a 1T shark on lighter gear: “It’s my shout!” Alf is no longer with us, but if he was, I’d be buying. If Australia ever gets a fishing hall of fame, and I think it should, Alfred Dean would be one of my picks for sure. Robert Dyer is not far behind him with two sensational fish on 1950s technology. With the top 4 records, the 1950/60s

and reportedly harpooned a 2T Shark in 1964. If that all scares you, the biggest I have found is a 2.5T, 7m monster caught in a net in 1997. If you thought Jaws was made up, guess again. One of the things I love about the GFAA is they are hardcore. When it comes to fly, they are just as serious as when they are game fishing. Ben Knight is a legend, and 100kg of angry fish on a fly is way above my pay grade as a fisher. I think that is the best part of my job, I get to spend so much time getting to see just how many great fishers we have.

ANSA RECORDS (318 SPECIES) Class Sportfishing Gamefishing Lurecasting Fly Fishing Land Based Game All Tackle Length Only All Tackle Handline

Number Awarded 787 342 330 170 166 131 127 91

GFAA RECORDS (63 SPECIES) Class Number Awarded Saltwater 2244 Saltwater Land-based 167 Saltwater Fly 91 Freshwater 90 Freshwater Fly 11 must have been an amazing time in the game fishing scene. What is scary is that in in 2009, Chris Fischer tagged and released what was estimated to be a 2T beast off the coast of Mexico. Frank Mundus, the inspiration for the character Quint in the movie Jaws, landed a 1.5T beast in 1986

Top GFAA Fishers by Records The two top fishers by number of awards are again male/female. In this case Wayne Baldwin and Kim Bain, one of our best women fishers. As the number of records are lower and the data set a little less desriptive, it’s interesting that neither are quite the ‘stereotypical’ Game Fisher. Wayne has most of his records on Fly. Kim has more freshwater records than saltwater, though she does have a couple of notches on that belt. In terms of comparing against the IGFA top anglers, the numbers are much smaller and while both show skill and adaptability, I think the top IGFA fishers have that core focus on achieving records that takes them to the top. Kim may have progressed further if her interests had remained on records, but that didn’t happen. COMPETITIONS CAN DO MORE I will return to discuss more systems from around the world and talking about more amazing fishers, but first I want to look at what competitions can tell us about the fishery. Competitions are a rich source of data, because they are standardised methods of collecting data. They can tell us a lot about the fishery. What I hope to do achieve is to give all those smaller competitions around the country a means to examine how they can use those records sitting in filing cabinets and on spreadsheets for a greater purpose. APRIL 2017

The water is still warm and pelagics are loving it WEST COAST

Brett Illingworth

Finally, the recent weather has been a little more cooperative. We are beginning to see a few more settled days on the ocean beaches, allowing us better scope to get away from the shore and hunt some of the summer pelagics, as well

presented for weighing. This is an outstanding result and all participants must be applauded. Port Fairy local diver Mac Riddle took out the title. The state record for southern bluefin has fallen twice in the reporting period and is expected to rise as the year progresses and more divers put in the effort to attempt their capture. The record is currently held by Dr Christian Hughes

being captured close to the Lee Breakwater. Kingfish have been relatively prevalent through the rest of the state with many speared at the Prom, Phillip Island, Cape Schanck and Flinders. These fish are also being caught by shore-based divers. A shorebased kingfish is worthy of bragging rights in Victoria. I was fortunate enough to spear a small king with a

Colby Lesko, Scott Gray, and Christian Hughes had a big day on the water with kingies and SBT.

Lesko, Gray and Hughes suited up in their gear with some solid kingies. as crayfish. It’s been a long time coming. The big news comes from the west of the state. The divers between Port Fairy and Portland have had great success with the influx of southern bluefin tuna into the near shore areas. In water as shallow as 30m, the spearos have been encountering schools of fish simply lolling at times, just below the surface. Apparently these fish are not responding to berley and they are simply getting close enough (occasionally) out of pure curiosity. The trick is to get as high as you can on the boat, don a pair of polaroids and look for dark patches with slight ripples. Tuna birds may also be a giveaway. A quiet entry and then a short surface swim may put you right on the money. The Port Fairy based Shipwreck Coast Spearfishing Club recently conducted a Tuna Challenge Spearing Competition. There is only one species on the list – SBT. Amazingly, for a competition of this nature, six fish were

with a 27kg+ fish, speared off Julia Reef – awesome. The boys from the west are also having great success with yellowtail kingfish with many fish taken around Lady Julia Percy Island and the north shore area of Portland. Medium sized kings are also

polespear a couple of weeks ago at Point Lonsdale. On the way back to the boat I was schooled by a mob of tuna up to 20kg – opportunity lost. Next time I will get one for sure, as they don’t appear to be in any hurry to leave the area. There are massive schools

of baitfish everywhere, and with them come the predators, whites included unfortunately. Crayfish continue to take a hammering when conditions allow with some stellar examples up to 5kg being taken off the Mornington Peninsula ocean beaches. Don’t forget to dock their tails immediately upon reaching shore, lest you incur the wrath of the Fisheries officers. King George whiting and reasonable-sized pinky snapper are also welcome visitors on the ocean beach locations throughout the state. A little berley will bring both into the area and will aid in them being a little

Christian with his new state record southern bluefin tuna.

The seven-gill shark is one of many critters that will investigate berley trails.

less wary than is the norm. Feed them. Ignore them. Lull them into a false sense of security. Whack them – it’s a simple formula that works. The seasons have been a little out of whack this year. I am now confident, however, that the worst may be behind

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Tech Tricks

Sliding snell rig preparation for big ooglies BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

Although lure fishing is extremely popular and productive these days, there is no denying the effectiveness of bait for a variety of saltwater piscators. Quality fresh baits are one of the major factors in quality captures and presentation of this bait is just as important. If the bait is fresh and looks natural then there is

a heightened chance that a quality fish will find it appealing enough to eat. Good hook placement and bait coverage will almost guarantee a hook-up when all factors are combined. When chasing larger predators, anglers fish with numerous types of bait including whitebait, hardyheads, garfish, pilchards, whole squid, mullet, herring, banana prawns and a variety of fillet baits. Longer baits such as these require at least two hooks to present well.

The front (leading) hook is placed through the nose or top of the bait and takes the weight of the bait as it is towed or drifted through the water column. The rear (bottom) hook is the one most likely to penetrate the fish as it is placed in the tail of the bait where most strikes come from. Subsequent hooks between these two offer good hook coverage of the bait to maximise hooking potential if the fish grabs the bait side-on instead of from the tail or head. Baitfish,

fillet baits and squid come in an array of sizes and often you don’t know what size baits you are going to secure until you are out on the water. Additionally, even storebought baits such as garfish, squid and pilchards will often have different sizes in one pack. For the angler, this can be frustrating, as you will need to constantly change rigs to present each bait size effectively. Although standard snelled hook rigs are ideal and not time-consuming to make,

you will still need to re-rig each time a differentsized bait is put into play. Additionally these rigs need to be made once you are on the water and know what sized baits you’re using. A better option is the sliding snell rig. With this rig, all hooks except the rear hook can be moved up and down the leader to accommodate baits of any size. This can optimize bait presentation and hooking potential by allowing you to have all hooks in the exact position that you wish, no

matter what size bait you are using. You won’t need to make the bait suit the rig and instead the rig will suit the bait. These rigs are easy to make and can be prepared at home well ahead of your trip, as they can be adjusted to suit any type of bait you catch or purchase. They can be made with all kinds of leader and hook sizes and having an assortment prepared and stored for use can maximise your time on the water. Let’s look at how easy they are to make.

To make your sliding snell rig you will need some leader material of your desired size, some 30-80lb braided line or waxed thread, your chosen hooks (preferably patterns with turned out eyes), a pair of scissors and a swivel for the top of your leader. These are brightly coloured for the sake of clear visual demonstration.

Pass the main leader through the eye of the second hook. Get your braid, make an overhand loop as shown and then lay the leader and hook alongside and on top of the tag of braid.

Pull on both ends of the braid very tightly to compact and lock the knot and provide good grip on the leader.

To attach the bottom hook to the leader, use a snell, as this places virtually no stress on the leader. If you use a blood knot, then ensure you lubricate the knot and pull it tight slowly to eliminate stress and friction on the leader. Additionally, this rear hook could be crimped on when using heavy leader. To snell, first pass the end of the leader through the hook eye.

Take the tag end of the braid and begin wrapping it around the hook shank, the leader and rear facing portion of braid all together.

This is how a standard leader will look once finished. The rear hook is secured in place and the front hook can be slid along the leader until it is in the correct position to best present your bait. Even if the fish only grabbed the top hook, it will slid down and secure against the rear hook to provide maximum hook setting potential on the strike. Once a swivel is added to the top of the leader, you are ready to go.

Holding the tag end against the hook shank, fold the main portion of leader back and begin wrapping around the hook shank. Wrap it 6-8 times around the shank.

Pass the main portion of leader back up through the hook eye and pull taught.

Continue wrapping until you have between ten and fifteen wraps of the braid on the hook shank, leader and tag of braid.

Rigs made with leaders of different breaking strains and types (monofilament and fluorocarbon), sporting hooks of any size can be prepared at home to support various sizes of baits used to target numerous species. These can be stored in clip seal bags or a leader wallet until ready for use. Prepare a few sliding snell rigs before your next trip to simplify your fishing. APRIL 2017

Crab Lures

Your complete guide to crabs FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

Roll back the clock five years and you wouldn’t find many anglers with a crab-style lure in the tackle box. Sure, some companies tried to get a crab imitation right, but a lack of appetite combined with a lack of knowledge meant that these baits seemed destined for the specials bin – usually sooner rather than later. And it didn’t make sense, because crustaceans like crabs and prawns form a major part of the diet of both inshore No. Weight Shell

and offshore species. Prawn imitations have been around in various forms for decades – from the DOA Prawn to the PrawnStar, they’ve carved quite a niche from flathead through to barramundi and other top level estuary and inshore predators. The recent ‘rise of the crab’ was clearly well overdue. For this rise, we can basically blame one guy: Steve Steer from Cranka Lures. Steve is an inventive, obsessive and meticulous lure designer who has more in common with Dr Emmet Brown from Back to The Future than the lab coat wearing designers we used to see in the old Berkley ads. He

Total

was the one who would pick up a handful of crab legs out of a livewell at the end of a bream tournament and think that there was an opportunity to make a better bait. So he did it. The Cranka Crab was released at an AFTA (Australian Fishing Trade Association) Show on the Gold Coast in 2012 and, after some initial supply issues, became an instant favourite amongst bream tournament anglers. There’s always more than one way to skin a cat, and in subsequent years, competitive manufacturers have explored alternative methods to present

a crab profile lure to fish. In this article we have collected all of the commonly available crab lures on the Australian market today. What we quickly noticed was that making a crab imitation isn’t a simple process. Crabs, with their hard exoskeleton, are a complicated organism and in replicating their looks and behaviour, manufacturers have had to use nearly the full spectrum of materials, from hard plastic and metals through to softer plastics. Single, double, treble and double treble hooks have all been used to create a system that effectively catches the

Hurricane’s Spider Crab is a soft plastic bait with a variety of custom-designed heads of different weights that allow for different presentations. predators that try to eat the crabs. Understanding just how each of the lures behaves in the water better educates the angler about which of the crabs will do the best for them. After all, it’s no good

throwing a bait with tiny trebles at a fish weighing over 20lb on heavy line. The corollary is that you shouldn’t target finesse species with the big guns. To page 60

Brand

Model

Type

Hooks

Colours

RRP

More information

Width (mm) Width (mm) 1 2

ZMan

CrusteaZ

Soft Plastic (10X)

Fish on a jighead

$9.95 for a 6-pack

www.tackletactics.com.au

ValleyHill

Gulf Bug

Lead head

#4 assist hook

$13.95

www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au

with rubber body

Berkley

Gulp Crabby 2”

Gulp!

Fish on a jighead

$12.95 for a 10-pack

www.berkley-fishing.com.au

Berkley

Gulp Crabby 2.5”

Gulp!

Fish on a jighead

$12.95 for a 8-pack

www.berkley-fishing.com.au

Bait Breath Rockin’ Crab

Soft Plastic

Fish on a jighead

$13.95 for 6-pack

www.baitbreath.net

3.9g

Cranka

Hard body, soft legs

2 x trebles

$21.95

www.cranka.com.au

8 9 10

Crab

with floating claws

5.9g

$21.95

www.cranka.com.au

2 x trebles with floating claws

#4 double

$19.95 for 2-pack

www.river2sea.com.au

Cranka

Crab

Hard body, soft legs

Fish Candy Crusty Crab

Soft 10X body and legs,

internal fixed weight

Strike Pro

Enticer Finesse Crab

Soft Plastic

Fish on a jighead

$11.99 for 6-pack

www.jurofishing.com

Hurricane

Spider Crab

FlexiTech 10X body

#2 single

$14.95 for 4 crabs,

www.hurricanelures.com.au

with 6.5g jighead*

4 jigheads from $11.95

FlexiTech 10X body

$14.95 for 4 crabs,

Hurricane

Spider Crab

#10 stinger x 2

www.hurricanelures.com.au

with 6.5g internal weight*

4 jigheads from $11.95

9.5g

Hard body, soft legs

$22.95

www.cranka.com.au

Cranka

Crab

2 x trebles

with floating claws

ZMan

Scented CrabZ

Soft Plastic (10X)

Fish on a jighead

$11.50 for a 5-pack

www.tackletactics.com.au

21g

Cranka

Crab

Hard body, soft legs

Single 4/0

$23.95

www.cranka.com.au

39g

100

Fish Candy Smash Crab

Soft 10X body and legs,

Single 5/0

$19.95

www.river2sea.com.au

internal fixed weight * Hurricane weights are available in 6.5g, 3.5g and 1.3g sizes.

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Gulf Bug 4 Sizes – Weights Between 3.5g and 10g – Available in 14 Colour Combinations

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www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au 58

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Dogtooth Distribution

Crab Lures

ZMan CrusteaZ

ValleyHill Gulf Bug

Berkley Gulp Crabby 2

Berkley Gulp Crabby 2.5

Bait Breath Rockinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Crab

10 11

Hurricane Spider Crab

Hurricane Spider Crab Stinger

Fish Candy Crusty Crab

Cranka Crab 3.9g

9 7

Strike Pro Enticer Finesse Crab

Cranka Crab 5.9g

Cranka Crab 9.5g

ZMan Scented CrabZ

Cranka Crab 21g

Fish Candy Smash Crab

* All lures displayed are approximately to scale

APRIL 2017

Crab Lures water, will often examine a bait for a long time before eating it. And although I’ve hooked a giant herring on a crab skipping in along the surface on a fast retrieve after a cast, the one lesson I’ve learned from crab fishing is to fish them SLOW. S-L-O-W. Crabs don’t move that fast at the best of times and in their natural environment, they usually dawdle along the bottom. Even under attack, crabs tend to assume a ‘defensive’ position, rearing their claws upwards and slowly backing or sidestepping away from danger. Their danger response is very different from a prawn (that will flick and skip away across the top) or a baitfish (that will just run for its life). A crab will stand its ground and that’s the reason a slow retrieve

Luckily, there now exists a crab bait for any application you can think of – from drifting around the washes for oceanic crab eaters to plummeting a bigger crab to the bottom on a shallow reef, right through to finesse applications for bream and other estuary scavengers. Also, there’s a crab at a price point to cast into the nastiest of structure. If you don’t want to lob a $20 bait into the nastiest snag on the river, then you can choose a soft plastic/jighead option that’ll come in at a fifth of that price.

FISHING A CRAB •••••••••••••• Admittedly, I’ve used crab imitations for bream a lot over the past few years. Bream are finicky and especially in clear

Fish Candy’s Smash Crab is finding a nice little niche amongst offshore anglers – red emperor, snapper and many other reefies love a feed of crab. Pic courtesy River 2 Sea.

works so well. Ever tried to pick up a mud crab you encountered on a river bank? You know what I mean. Approach them and they’re all snapping claws. Some predators will intercept a crab on its way to the bottom (like a snapper or a mulloway), but the majority of bites will come as the crab drops near the bottom or while it’s near structure. Also, you need to understand the hook configuration when it comes to how you set the hook. There’s a bit of a difference between crabs with hooks in the claws and crabs with a larger hook in the body. I find that with a clawhooked crab, you can basically wind to set the hook at the first sign of a bite. Fish usually attack the claws first and end up hooking themselves on the trebles or the stinger hooks. The fish doesn’t need to swallow the crab. Crabs with a body-hook are another matter. The predator usually won’t get hooked while nipping at the claws and you need to let the fish swallow the lure a little before setting the hook. On the water, this means that you need to let the fish eat the bait a little before setting the hook – and when you do set the hook you need to maybe swing a little harder than with the finesse versions. It’s horses for courses. Fish may be harder to hook on the bigger single hooks and jigheads, but in tough country and pulling hard with heavy lines, a big hook locked squarely in the jaw may well be a more secure hookup than some trebles in the skin of the lips. In summary: think of fishing your crabs more like the way you’d use a live crab

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black magic

camo crab

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for bait than you would fishing a traditional lure. Save the burn-n-kill or jerky retrieves for your baitfish profiles. Let’s now take a look – manufacturer by manufacturer – at what’s available on the Australian market today.

CRANKA ••••••••••••••

Without doubt the biggest selling crab imitation in Australia, Cranka Crabs look realistic and have caught dozens of species of fish all over the country. Perhaps the best example of their effectiveness was at the BREAM Grand Final in 2015 on the Clarence River in NSW, where nearly the full field of 100 anglers were fishing this bait. NSW angler Liam Carruthers ultimately walked away with the win on a heavy, olive version of the small Cranka Crab. With the smaller two crabs in the range, Steve Steer says that it’s the unique floating hooks that make all of the difference, and it’s a feature that he’s spent the time and money to protect through the lodgement of patents and registered designs. “The sinking body and floating claws are the key to the success of the smaller crabs. We did years of R&D to see how crabs behaved in the wild to design a lure that would be successful and our patent pending, registered designs have proven to be very successful in the field,” he said. Indeed, the success of these baits caused major supply problems for Cranka over the first few years after release. “Our supply chain is now secure and we have good stocks of all of the crab models available – with the new large, single hook model stocks arriving in store very soon,” Steer said. Tournament bream fishers in particular also like the fact that the bream have a habit of hooking up with a treble hook in each side of the lips. This means that big bream spend most of their time shaking their head and trying to dislodge the bait rather than sprinting for the nearest cover. That’s a big plus when you hook a big bream in heavy cover. Recently, Aussie Richard Somerton took some of the 65mm crabs to the Hobie Fishing Worlds in Lousiana, USA after winning the World Titles in Australia on the 50mm crabs a couple of years before. He finished second there on a species he hadn’t fished for before using the Aussie designed bait that the fish hadn’t seen before. It just goes to show that fish eat crabs worldwide!

RIVER2SEA •••••••••••••• Never far from the cutting edge of the latest tackle, River2Sea have created crab imitations that suit both ends of the market – the large Smash Crab for inshore and offshore

We’d like a dollar for every big, smart ol’ bream that’s been fooled by a Cranka Crab over the last few years. This one came from Forster, NSW. presentations and the small Crusty Crab for bream and bass size fishing. Both use the robust 10X material, which is near bulletproof and floats. Internal weights get the crab down to where it needs to be and the model of a single, upward facing hook in the Smash Crab will be replicated in the smaller crabs in the future. “Current stocks of the Crusty Crab have the double hooks but these will be transitioning to single hooks in future production runs,” said Grainger Mayfield, R2S Chief. Interestingly, the Smash Crab and the single hook Cranka are the only ones currently available that are suitable for serious rock fishing and offshore use.

– at the very least – keep them in a separate compartment in your tackle box. Nobody likes expensive surprises.

HURRICANE •••••••••••••• Peter Nord of Lakes Entrance is the man behind the Hurricane brand. Living in the heart of big black bream country, it was inevitable that he’d eventually have a crab imitation in his extensive estuary luring range. Hurricane’s Spider Crab fits in between soft plastic and hardbodied crabs. They are essentially a 10X soft plastic but are marketed with dedicated jigheads and rigging systems that allow you to mix and match weight and hooks,

...the one lesson I’ve “learnt from crab fishing is to fish them SLOW. “Our best markets at the moment for the Smash Crab are Queensland and Western Australia. Guys are catching plenty of big reef fish on these lures and that’s where they’ve found their niche. Red emperor, snapper, tuskfish and a whole pile of reef species that eat crabs are loving the Smash Crab,” Grainger explained. “There’s even been some barra reported on them. “The Crusty Crab is a totally different market – we’re finding that it’s 50% bass and 50% bream – that means that the east coast through to Tassie is where we sell most of these,” Mayfield continued. “The changes to the Crusty crab are to fix a single hook into the lead and present it in the best position for a hookup. That means that it will be facing forward and not sideways.” When storing any of the crabs made from the 10X material, it’s pretty important to not mix them with regular plastics. If you do, you’ll end up with a runny mess of plastic that will render your hard earned baits useless. The best way is to keep them in the box they came in, or

“

From page 58

depending on the quarry you are chasing. If you’re fishing for a fish that is inclined to swallow the crab whole, you can choose the standard jighead rigging option. Or if you are fishing for quarry that will nip at the crab then the stinger hook kit may be a better option for you. Hurricane’s YouTube channel demonstrates rigging techniques – both of which require the use of some Loctite Control Gel glue to ensure a lasting connection. “That Loctite Gel is the best we have found for attaching 10X plastic to our jigheads. You can control it better than liquid super glue products and its applicator is very angler-friendly,” Peter explained. “The crabs are representative of the crabs that bream eat in my local estuaries, so we find that bream have no problems smackin’ em – although anything that eats a crab in your local river will have a go at the Spider Crab.” The Spider Crabs also have a scent added to the plastics to help stimulate bites. You can notice it as soon as you open the packet. The best way to store the

Crab Lures Hurricane Spider Crab system is in its original packaging – the plastic trays keep the baits nice and neat and away from anything that will react negatively with the material.

ZMAN LURES •••••••••••••• The brand of soft plastics that Aussies have embraced so heartily has a couple of models which fit the crab profile. Tackle Tactics’ Justin Willmer knows the A-to-Z on ZMan and explains. Made from 10X plastic, both models float without the addition of a jighead and should be stored separately, if not in their original packaging. “The CrusteaZ have developed a strong following among anglers fishing structure, including moored boats, pontoons and natural structure, when chasing species such as bream, as well as when finesse flats fishing for a range of species,” Justin said. The Scented CrabZ are the more realistic of the two ZMan offerings. “This versatile size crab profile has proven effective fished weedless in the mangroves for barramundi and jacks,” Justin continued. “It’s also found a following lightly weighted on the flats for crab-loving species such as bluebone and trevally, or more heavily weighted when prospecting reef edges and

deeper structure for cobia and snapper.”

BERKLEY GULP •••••••••••••• The Berkley Gulp Crabby is a bait that has 100% been embraced by tournament anglers. Selling literally thousands of packets every year, Pure Fishing’s Chris Gates explains why they are so successful in their niche. “The Gulp Crabby has been a mainstay in the bream fishing arena for some years with tens of thousands of packs being sold,” Chris said. “More recently we have witnessed bass anglers take them up, recognising their similarity not only to a freshwater crustacean but also to a hapless spider or bug that may have dropped from an overhanging tree. Worked slowly across the bottom, they are proving just as deadly in the freshwater as the salt.” Being a bio-bait and not a plastic, all Gulp baits should be stored in their original packets and make sure that they are well sealed. The next ‘Gulp juiced’ tackle box that’s not allowed back into the house – ever – won’t be the first.

STRIKE PRO •••••••••••••• With the design for the Enticer Finesse Crab done in Australia, Strike Pro used its advanced plastics

manufacturing facility in Asia to get the samples just right. Rick Massie explains. “We got samples in lots of different densities and we found that the stiffest, neutrally buoyant plastic gave the best action,” Rick said. “To me, the best thing about the Strike Pro Crab is the fact that by simply changing the jighead, you can fish all depths in an estuary effectively – from the surface [on a worm hook] to the deepest channels [with a heavy jighead],” he continued. The heartland of the Finesse Crabs has been from the south coast of NSW through Victoria and into Tasmania. “Although there are Enticer jigheads to suit the crab which are made on a #4 hook (1.16oz and 1/20oz are the most popular), you can fish the Finesse Crab on a cobra style jighead to stand it in a defensive position, a HWS style jighead to slow the fall or a Gamakatsu 211 jighead as an all round option – the combinations are endless,” Rick concluded. For me, it’s about creating a bait that costs you a couple of bucks when you cast it into the nastiest cover imaginable. You feel better when three or four bucks disappears in a swirl rather than $20 more than that. All Strike Pro Crabs are impregnated with a crab scent in the manufacturing process.

BAIT BREATH •••••••••••••• A last minute inclusion into the review, I found a couple of packs of these Japanese plastics – imported by Gladiator Tackle – as I was grabbing samples for photography from the garage. Pre-Cranka, these were my go-to baits for crawling down rock walls for crab-eating bream – hence the rigging on a snag-proof jighead. A quick call to Steve Blackmore from Gladiator revealed that these baits are still available and shipping around the country to crab enthusiasts. Requiring the slightest water movement to get the legs fluttering in the water, they’re ideal for light line, finesse situations. Fishing them on straight through 2lb or 3lb fluorocarbon was a favourite in low current areas.

VALLEY HILL •••••••••••••• The newest kid on the block is Japanese manufacturer Valley Hill. Imported by Dogtooth Distribution in Australia, the Gulf Bug is an interesting little bait that just scraped into the ‘crab imitation’ category. Made of a lead head, a free swinging assist hook and a crustacean profile cut from rubber material,

Strike Pro’s Enticer Finesse Crab is very versatile - you can fish it anywhere between the top and bottom depending on jighead selection. it’s an abstract version of a bottom dwelling crab that’s remarkably fishable. My prediction is that – especially in deeper water – these baits will prove very effective. It doesn’t take much current to get the appendages moving and the hook is in the right position to suck easily into a predator’s mouth. In the test tank they look great and climb over structure with ease. Modern day blades, which are ridiculously popular, came from the same country and from the same lateral thinking fishing minds. Watch this space to see how techniques develop with this bait.

STORAGE ••••••••••••••

Throughout this article, you’ll have noticed me harping on about correct storage for crabs. If you go out and spend $100 on a selection of crabs and proceed to load them all into one tray of your tackle box, you can definitely run into problems. You need to store Crankas flat, 10X plastics separately and Gulp In a watertight container. If you don’t you’ll be faced with a sticky and/or dried out, bent mess when you go to fish them, and none of us want that frustration in our lives. Fishing is supposed to be fun. Crabs can help. Store them right and fish them slow.

“The name ‘Cranka’ may be most famous for the

game - changing and unique ‘Cranka Crab’, but the brand represents far more than just one product. The thousands of hours in R&D, relentless commitment to quality and above all the originality of design in Cranka Minnows, Shads,Vibes, Cranks and of course Crabs - are all a credit to the brand. And ‘Steersy’s’ experience as a winning tournament angler shows through in each of his products - in other words, they all work like champions!” “Steve Steer’s Cranka Crabs must rate near the top of any list of the most innovative lure designs of the past decade. They spawned a revolution in ultranaturlistic lure fishing and are still, in my opinion, the finest crab imitations on the market... I love fishing with them!” “Yellowfin bream, black bream, pikey bream - it doesn’t matter what species you chase, if you go bream fishing without a Cranka Crab in your box, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage.” “The 2015 BREAM Grand Final on the Clarence River was ridiculous - nearly the entire field was using Cranka’s Crabs and they were all catching fish!”

“I have no hesitation in saying that the Cranka Crank is my favourite hardbody lure on the market today. in both deep and shallow it catches big black and yellowfin bream straight out of the box... nothing needs changing, just tie it on and hold on!” “This lure as well as the Cranka Crabs are a must in my opinion in every bream fishermans tackle box!” APRIL 2017

Go Behind the Scenery

Tasmania

No daylight savings for anglers’ fishy cravings TASMANIA

Kelly Hunt

It’s something we face every year and it should get easier as time wears on, but it doesn’t. It is like a dark cloud that looms over the top of us causing despair. I

am talking of course about the end of daylight savings for another season. We lose that joyous extra light that has been giving us the treasure we hold so dear – extra time fishing. On 2 April the clocks go back and we descend into the gloom of another Tasmanian

winter, or do we? Hell’s bells, let’s be a lot more positive about this. March fished better than I can remember in many, many years and the last time I checked, fish don’t swim with a calendar under one fin. The water temperatures will take a little while to drop away and

the convergence of the warm East Australian Current and the cooler southern currents will provide a great deal of life yet. Broadbill swordfish were on fire in March and that is set to continue. We will have a good look at the gear and how to catch one of these monsters this

THE WILD WEST There are generations of Tasmanian anglers that know how amazing the rugged West Coast of our wonderful island is. This part of the world is wild and dangerous. Treacherous and unforgiving as the place can be, it’s just a ruse – a ploy to keep you away from the fishing treasures that can be found. The coast is littered with adventure and seafood bounty, if you have some ability to judge weather and read a weather chart. Yes, the area needs to be shown the utmost respect, but any stretch of water has the potential to be dangerous if you don’t take precautions. The precautions are checking weather for the time you are going to be on the water, as well as checking tides and swell conditions. These are factors that some without experience don’t take into account. As boat anglers, we need to check the wind forecast. Wind is the enemy of all anglers, but none more so than the boat angler and his crew. Not only does wind make sea conditions uncomfortable, it

can make all activity a real pain. Simple tasks like tying knots and keeping the boat in the right position all become troublesome. Wind and wind forecast are what we all look at when deciding to put to sea, however, the other weather event we must treat with significant respect is swell. Swell is the wave created by wind that has occurred a long way from where we might be fishing. There may be little or no wind in the very area we want to fish, but a storm or weather front miles and miles away will build ripples into chop and then what we call a ‘sea.’ This is when the waves are confused and traveling in a general direction. Swell is when these waves combine and align themselves and start to march in a single direction. Now we have something interesting – the swell itself offers a bigger surface area for the wind to press against and depending on the fetch. Fetch is the distance the wind travels over open water before it hits an obstruction. That obstruction can be your boat or it might be a shore you are trying to fish. The longer that distance is combined with

If the weather permits, get out the front and chase striped trumpeter in shallow water. the strength of the wind will determine how big the swell becomes. As the wind has built that swell and imparted its energy into the water, it takes a while for that swell to dissipate and the swell can still be large and marching forward when the wind is miles away or long gone. That was a long way to say “swell will tear you a new one if you’re not careful.” If you don’t have an understanding of solid swell that has been generated far out to sea on the west coast, you will strike trouble. Big unforgiving ground swells can be in groups rolling out of the southern ocean and can be spread out with large periods of flat looking sea conditions.

This is what makes places like the West Coast dangerous, as the fetch creating these swells is a long way away and they are spread out. When you come out of most places on the West Coast there are rocky reefs and craggy headlands that look safe with calm water and 2m of water or more over them. Have a few of those big southern swells roll into the area and you have big issues. The swells will stand up and get steep very fast and break powerfully. If you are in close pulling a cray pot or trying to fish, you will be in strife very quickly. If you are well out to sea and there is a good 2-3m swell rolling

month. Also this month, we’ll talk tuna and not just any run of the mill, Johnny-comelately tuna – jumbos! I’ve got tips for what you need to do to maximize your chances of landing that big southern bluefin of a lifetime and how to handle it post-catch. Let’s have a whip around

this great state, see what we can get up to and what is looking like fishing well in April. The best way I know to beat the fact we have lost daylight savings is think of all the things we can do earlier now, like floundering and fishing a tide change after tea in the dark.

with some distance between them, everything will be rosy. Should a breeze get up and stiffen to 20 knots, that sea condition will deteriorate very badly. These are the considerations you need to take into account when fishing the West Coast areas. It’s not a simple case of running for home and getting out of it either, as some of the access points are pretty wild with tides rushing and swell on. It sounds all a bit wild and in the wrong conditions, it can be that and more. Pick the weather and double check all the variables like swell, wind and tide and you will experience some sensational fishing – every bit as good as the more favoured East Coast locations. Strahan is probably the best place to get a taste of the Wild West Coast. It’s a four hour drive from Hobart and roughly the same from Launceston. Once you get there the accommodation options are many and varied. Get settled in and go through the long list of species you can target from this wicked little town. You can do this from a couple of pubs that serve great beer and food. If the weather permits to get out the front, you can chase

striped trumpeter in water a little shallower than most believe. There are some very big models swimming around the waters off Strahan. Of course, while you are prospecting for them you will find plenty of morwong. These fish are often seen as a poor result, but the bigger models are well worth dispatching and treating with respect. There are far worse fish in the ocean to eat than these. The flake available off Strahan is impressive with not only gummy sharks, but also school sharks as well. These fish always fall to a nicely presented bait fished hard on the bottom. Bigger round or bean sinkers running free right down to the hooks work very well. If the weather is not perfect, don’t worry as the fishing in Macquarie Harbour is very good and the scenery is world class. You can fish for the many Atlantic salmon escapees and these fish are massive. If you don’t have one of the old school electric knives, get one – they are sensational for cutting up salmon into steaks. The oils in the skin and flesh are perfect for the BBQ.

INLAND FISHERIES SERVICE

Cracking down on the carp IFS

Tim Farrell

The latest quarterly report on carp looks at October to December 2016 and is available on the IFS website now; www.ifs.tas.gov.au. This quarter we removed 289 carp from Lake Sorell. This is compared to 480 carp between October and December 2015. We expected less, because there are less carp left in the lake. This season we used a very different strategy to catch the carp than last year. Rapidly rising water levels, which flooded the marshes, along with increasing temperatures over spring made the carp want to push inshore. When we saw this happening we changed from fishing the deeper water to working in the shallow 62

APRIL 2017

margins around the lake. We set barrier traps in strategic places at the front of the marshes. A large number of the 289 carp caught so far were caught in these big traps. This is the first major push inshore from the fish of the last big spawning in 2009-10. We’ve not seen this sort of thing for many years in Lake Sorell. We made the most of this opportunity during October and November to catch as many of the small number that remains. ACCESS ROAD TO LARGE BAY, LAKE ECHO MAINTAINED Contractors recently completed maintenance to Large Bay Road at Lake Echo. The IFS constructed the road to provide access to the northern end of the lake. A concrete boat ramp is located at Large Bay, which is sheltered from the prevailing westerly winds and provides access to Broken

Bay, Stormy Bay and Teal Bay The IFS recommends Lake Echo as a great option at the moment due to reports of good bags of quality trout and recent stable water levels. Fishing with hardbody lures along the rocky shores and drowned timber has been productive. For more information, see the Lake Echo Anglers Access brochure on the IFS website. BRONTE LAGOON PICNIC AREA AND SURVEYORS’ MONUMENT UPGRADE The Southern Highlands Progress Association has undertaken the upgrade of this site over the summer with the assistance of Central Highlands Council. The council gravelled both the parking areas, provided the materials for repairs to the shelter and a new information panel at the monument about its construction.

Over two working bees done by locals, the shelter and picnic tables were repainted and the structure clad internally with Colorbond and the outside pine boards repaired. The monument area was cleared of many of the trees obscuring the view of the monument. Locals took away many huge trailer loads of shrubs and bushes. The following working bees involved the placing of a rock barrier around the parking area and shelter as well as the filling in of churned up areas and removal of tree roots to level out both areas for ease of use and the spreading of grass seed as well as general mowing and clean-up of both sites. The Association is proud of this outcome and thanks its members and workers who assisted to create this muchused and historic place in the centre of Tasmania.

Lake Echo is a great option at the moment with reports of good quality trout.

Go Behind the Scenery There are also some very big rainbow trout amongst them. Fish the headlands for these with slice lures or bigger minnows. Lures with good action helps and will have them strike out of aggression as much as hunger. A landing net is a good option, as these escapees can be massive units and test knots and gear at the end of a battle. The harbour is a fabulous place, rich with beautiful scenery, but also of historical significance. Something that is not often spoke about or known is that it is the second biggest harbour in Australia. It is only the massive Port Phillip Bay that puts it in

the shade. As such, you can imagine the amount of fish and different species that are on offer. While the area is a boater’s paradise, there are a number of land-based spots that provide great sport. A short drive away from the township is Ocean Beach. This beach is often flogged with swell, making fishing difficult. When the weather allows, the gutters and drop-offs formed by the water flows fish very well. Large Australian salmon, and by large I mean massive, can be found around here and really put up a fight. School sharks are prowling, looking for these, and are powerful brutes that take some taming. I

can remember as a young angler I had a comedy skit on my hands when I had a solid hook-up and the rod was pulled over and dragged down the beach at a furious rate. Back then I was quite spritely and managed to race after it and grabbed it in a foot of water. That’s where I learnt that all but locked up drags are not such a good idea. I had to fight that fish up and down the beach for over half an hour and landed a very nice school shark. The Australian salmon will often come in with the tide and ride the saltwater flowing through the Heads, along with couta and mullet. There is no doubt bigger predators are following

these and it is only a matter of time before someone cracks a yellowtail kingfish fishery in and around the fast flowing tidal waters of the Heads. Trolling for the salmon works well. Casting long and turning and burning lures across the channels that form gets some attention. These channel areas in and around the Heads are great spots for targeting flathead on soft plastics, too. Picking times in the tide when the flows are reduced or fishing slower back eddies will produce results. The area outside the Heads is riddled with crayfish and abalone. The popular pastimes of potting and ringing for crays is

DEEP SOUTH The weather and fishing was exceptional down the southern end of the state during March. April traditionally has the weather start to sour as the southerly airstream brings that seasonal change through. It’s my tip that the good weather will hang on a little longer this year and we will enjoy a longer tail to the good fishing. The flathead fishing has been very good and will still be very productive.

All normal sand areas and channels across the region fish well. Look forward to good numbers coming from all around North West Bay, down the outside of Bruny and further down the channel. Fishing over sandy bottom in 15-30ft of water with Berkley PowerBait soft plastics rigged on 1/8 or 1/6oz has been the go-to method for local anglers. Local southern lad Jacob Cunningham has been

Young Callum with a coloured up big girl.

Tasmania alive and well, like diving with both scuba bottles and fixed line hookah. These are prime examples of activities where knowing the weather patterns and having an understanding of swell is crucial. Be safe! The outside grounds are also building a name for holding bluefin tuna lately. It pays to have an outfit able to take them down on the boat, as they will pop up at anytime, anywhere. They feed hard, too. In close and out wider they come through on their migratory mystery tour. Big slice lures and stickbaits cast to them and worked back to the boat will have them in a tizzy as much as traditional skirted lure trolling.

The commercial anglers have been catching broadbill swordfish in these waters for years and I’m predicting some big fish will come from these waters when anglers start to go after them. Everything seems to grow bigger on the Wild West. The area in and around Strahan offers a few options for launching. Within Strahan there are two concrete launching ramps – one at Mill Bay and the other at Letts Bay. Macquarie Heads also offers two gravel ramps with quick access to the fishing spots. Great launching facilities and fabulous land-based fishing make it a must-go destination for you to check out and enjoy.

smashing them. When using soft plastics for flathead it is very important to keep consistent contact with the bottom. The dependable and good old-fashioned Australian salmon never fails to provide fun and sport. There are still plenty of Australian salmon to be caught in April and these fish are great fun on light tackle. A few people recommend looking and fishing for them around the Iron Pot. Large concentrations of krill and small baitfish

will draw these fish into the area and they have been seen busting up on the surface most days. This presents the perfect opportunity to cast small soft plastics, topwater lures and even give the fly rod a workout. Young gun Ty Booker has been having some great success in the south along the shores of the Derwent River lately. Casting Daiwa Presso Minnows along the shoreline has seen Ty land some cracking bream! Good numbers of bream have been To page 64

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APRIL 2017

Go Behind the Scenery

Tasmania From page 63

holding along the shores around the Bowen Bridge, Cadburys, Old Beach and the Tasman Bridge. Remember when chasing bream, light leaders are very important. A 4-8lb leader is ideal The other solid staple of Tasmania is squid. Southern calamari can nearly always be found. North West Bay, the channel, Bruny Island, Blackmans Bay and Kingston Beach will all produce large amounts of squid. While the average size of the calamari can be quite small, there will still be the odd larger one among them. If it’s calamari you’re after, find a shallow weed bed in 15-20ft of water and fish 2.5-3g squid jigs slowly over the top of them. However, if you’re after arrow squid, there are plenty to be found in the channel and around the outside of Bruny. Usually to catch arrow squid, you want to be fishing slightly deeper water.

Trent Clifford caught this lovely striped trumpeter around Pedra Branca from the 80m line. A depth of 30-60ft is good and having a sounder on your boat can be very

helpful when trying to find a good patch of arrow squid. The heavy jigs from Valley

have a roller tip or rollers on your rods, check these are functioning properly. Rollers, and good quality ones, are great in reducing load on the line. If they are seized up, they’re going to heat your line and destroy your chances of landing any fish, let alone a trophy. Pull some line off and check your leaders and double knots. Over time, the wind on leaders can get nicks and chafes on them. Double knots coming in and over rollers and rod eyes can get a bit messy. Any that look a bit miserable, do again. It’s great practice. I’m a huge fan of the plait when doing doubles. It does not induce any heat into the process and is quick and easy when practiced. Even smashing one out on the boat in a hurry in a swell is manageable. Reels and their drags must be checked. Modern overhead reels will hold their drag pressure over a period of time, but you never know who has been fiddling. Overhead reels with all their levers and buttons look awesome and a mate’s fingers can’t help but play with everything. You never know when an innocent fiddle has moved the drag settings on strike setting. If they have been backed off or increased, both will be disastrous. Lures and their rigging needs to be checked. The hooks and rings can degrade. Even if they are still in good condition, you can bet the hooks will need a little sharpen. Getting a small file and adding it to your tackle box is a must. Check hook points and make sure they are straight and not bent. File the points up and

make sure they are super sharp. You need to make sure they hit the fish on the strike and set with ease. This applies tenfold if you are fishing lighter line. Fishing 37kg hard up to the button on strike, you could set a coat hanger hook into a fish, but 8kg line class is a different story. You are only dealing with 2.6kg on strike drag, so hooks need to be super sharp. Give your tackle box a going over as well. If it has been a while between trips, make sure you have everything in there that you need and it’s all nice and neat. You don’t want to leave anything behind or waste time looking for it when you most need it. Fishing is a game of moments where at times every second can count. A fish may present itself and only be available to target in a fleeting window of time. You need to be able to get your hand on something at the drop of an Akubra. When trolling in good conditions for tuna, you can often come across a freeswimming mako. Mako sharks often like to be lolling on the surface just having a cruise, loving being at the top of the food triangle. In these instances it is a good idea to have a shark trace neatly coiled and baited up ready to go in a small bucket. If you have been lucky enough to catch a tuna or two previously in the day, bleeding it out and getting the blood in a container is also of use. Head over slowly, so as not to spook the shark as the crew pulls in the skirted lures and divers. Tip the blood in the water and lay out the bait. The water quality off the coast is great and if that Mako is hungry, he’ll see it no problem. That’s what he does

EAGLEHAWK NECK April is the time this area really shines and comes alive. The Tasman Peninsular area is holding fish at this time of year that by all accounts it really shouldn’t. Old thoughts of it being too cold, too early, and too late with winds from the wrong direction have all gone completely by the wayside. Big albacore and bluefin tuna from school-size to monsters are now very much the norm in April. The thing that blows people away is the yellowfin tuna, yellowtail kingfish and marlin. The ocean surrounding the cliffs and rocky, craggy coastline is teeming with life. Last year saw leatherback turtles, sunfish and shortbill spearfish encountered. Then there was the very late mahimahi captured. That was just plain madness. The underlying story here is just to be prepared and make sure you make the most of your opportunities and chances when they arise. Don’t let poor preparation turn a great trip into a day you would much rather forget. Let’s go through a few things that will lead to high fives and not tears. The very first thing you must get into your head before a trip to the Neck is don’t leave anything to chance. It’s pretty simple. Check some stuff. If you have not used your tuna gear in a while and you only get a trip every now and then, this is even more crucial. Check the eyes on your rods; these can be damaged in transit, no matter how careful you are. If you 64

APRIL 2017

Hill are an absolute gun for this deep water stuff on arrow squid. Some people are even starting to cotton on and use these jigs over deeper reefs and are getting some massive southern calamari. Another young southern lad, who is shaping up to be bit of a guru, Jared Flakemore has been catching big gummies and plenty of them around Bull Bay lately. This will be an activity that will continue well into April. Anchoring up and pumping a good berley trail has been his go to method. A running sinker rig with a 5/0 circle hook and 40lb leader is the rig of choice. Gummy sharks aren’t too fussy, so baits such as squid, Australian salmon and couta will all work. While Eaglehawk Neck continues to produce heaps of tuna, quality bottom fish and some massive mako sharks, the front of the Derwent River has been firing too. Reports

of school-sized southern bluefin tuna busting up out of Variety Bay and smaller mako sharks being caught near Betsey Island mean you don’t have to go too far to get into the action! Trolling skirted lures is the best method when searching for tuna, so pop into a local tackle shop and check out the awesome range of styles and colours! The young fishing scene is very strong in Tasmania and down south local trout whisperer Callum Lord had a cracking session on the Russell River down near Huonville recently. Using Liquid Gold hardbodies and Berkley soft plastics, Callum managed to catch a dozen brown trout up to 2lb! Other waters such as the Tyenna River, Great Lake and Lake Echo have also been producing some healthy fish. With this warmer weather the trout are likely to be looking up, so packing the fly rod on your next trip could provide some great fun on the dry

fly! Be quick though, as the trout season shuts at the end of this month. Those looking to keep up their trout fix will need to get on the Fisheries website and find waters that are open all year. Kingfish arrived early in March and thickened up as the month wore on. They will still be an option in April, so make sure you keep keen and have the right gear on hand to tackle them. There have been reports of some nice fish being landed around the Tasman Bridge and Bellerive on 5-7” soft plastics and big silver slices. Fishing for kingfish it’s important to mix up your retrieve. Winding a lure quickly just under the surface is the standard method. Sometimes fishing your lure close to the bottom can make the difference. If you find kingfish and you can’t get them to eat, try sinking an unweighted squid head down to them. Even a fussy kingfish will struggle to refuse a squid head!

– he is a lean, mean eating machine. If you don’t put some time into thinking and preparing in such a manner, these opportunities pass us by and we spend a lot of time talking about what we coulda, shoulda done. When you’re out on the water and you don’t get to be off the magical shores of the peninsular, make the most of it. Breath it all in and keep your eyes wide open. The birds will give you an indication of some action if they start to feed, but don’t rely on them. If you spot bait pushing on the surface or a surface disturbance of any kind, head over and check it out. The ocean is a massive

area on just the surface. Then you have to factor in the depth to get a sense of what you’re up against. The concentration needed to scour the ocean surface is massive, so share the load across the crew and take turns. Make it a competition of who can spot something first and put you onto some fish. This is where all your checking comes into play and pays for itself in spades. While you are wandering across the ocean off Eaglehawk Neck and down towards Tasman Island, laughing and having a ball, the long rigger goes off. You all instinctively clear the

other lines as the skipper keeps the vessel trundling forward, hoping to pick up another strike and keep the tension on the hooked fish. All the lines are in and the rods are stowed neatly as you lean on the fish and feel some weight. It doesn’t seem like anything special and you decide to push the strike lever that tiny bit further up to strike tension from where you had it. You wind the belly of line up and put your full weight onto the fish as it runs hard, and runs and runs some more. This is when you look at your mates and they look at you with a funny

Dylan with a great king. Kingfish arrived early in March and thickened up as the month wore on.

Go Behind the Scenery expression on their faces. Could it be? Could a jumbo southern bluefin just have smashed your lure? You re-rigged it last night and sharpened the hook, retied the double and reset the drag tension. You are in the box seat. You know your gear is in good shape and all you have to do now is not rush or try and get the fish in 20 minutes. Make sure you have a bend in the rod at all times and every time that giant fish runs, make sure you make him run up hill. Never give it any loose line. Don’t let it sit at depth and have a breather. If there is a stalemate, move the boat and work the fish from a different angle down sea. Don’t come onto the fish upwind or sea, as you can drift and wash over the fish and that will make

me cross! I talk about this all the time. Let the wind and sea conditions help you catch this fish and not be a thorn in your side. Stay off the fish in the early and mid-part of the fight. This tuna is quite happy to use every advantage it has to bust you off, so don’t give it a boat hull and engine skeg to play with. You will get a sense of when that fish is tiring and this is not the time to bring all of the crew’s hard work undone. Keep the pressure on the fish and start to talk about what is going to happen when there’s an opportunity to nail it with the gaff or tag pole. Don’t be scared to bark some orders and get all footy coach on your crew either. This is where things get serious. It’s the grand final and it’s ten minutes to go in the last quarter. You are kicking with

the breeze, but you are still a goal down. There is work to do. You need cool heads and a plan. No one needs the ball to be kicked out of bounds at this stage. You may think that the first time this fish comes into range, you’re going to get it. Best of luck with that. Just like a salmon or a trout, when this big tuna sees the boat up close and gets an inkling of what’s going on, it’s going to find something and run! Be prepared for this and don’t have the drag turned right up or hang onto the leader if the fish wants to really head off. You will get another chance. While the fish is running, it’s wearing itself out. Remember your technique and keep maximum load on the rod. This may go on a few times and then there will be that moment in time when it

gets real. Your leader man will need to be committed and have a good wrap or two on the leader and keep out of the way of the gaff man. Once the leader man has the leader in hand and the decision has been made to harvest this fish, you can back the drag lever back to just under strike drag. You will be exhausted, but keep your wits about you and position yourself to help what is unfolding in front of you. Keep back from the gunnel and clear the area as best you can, paying attention to the loose line at your rod tip. When that first gaff goes in, drop the harness off and get ready to help lift the fish into the boat. No one wants a seal mauled fish and this happens too much when the fish is beaten and just being held at the side of the boat. A

100kg tuna is a big fish and people want to stop and hang around, thinking about how you’re going to get the fish on board and in the boat. Just do it and get it in. If the gaff sets are not in the head of the fish or just under the gill plates, reset them one at a time and lift the head up together. The leader man will have a set of gloves on so he can hand over a gaff handle to the angler and grab in under the gill plates. Lift together. Remember you are only looking to lift its head and shoulders onto the gunnel, as once that happens, with three people on one side of the boat, this bad boy will slip in before you know it. Then and only then can you start slapping skin and woohooing. When the excitement of putting a plan together

and catching that fish of a lifetime has subsided, your work has not finished. Pay this wonderful fish some respect and care for it post-capture. If you want the pictures to look good back at the ramp, look after the fish. Put something underneath the fish to stop damage from the floor. A heap of towels or boat seat cushions work well. Keep the fish wet and if you’re going to keep fishing for the rest of the day, keep it covered and don’t have it bash about the vessel. If you want to take the pictures on the boat, take some time to clean and clear the blood off angler, fish and boat. These simple things will have pictures that you can save and frame and proudly display in the poolroom.

of survival. The early data suggests that these fish may release better than expected if captured swiftly. The golden depth for these big rats seems to be 500-600m. Also identify some bait on the sounder. That bait looks to be schools of blue-eye trevalla and gemfish. Wherever they are holding, there will be a smorgasbord of big-eyed ooglies for them to feast on. Using a breakaway system to deploy your baits to the bottom can do your head in, but it’s rather simple. Whatever you are going to use as a sinker needs to be as heavy as you can manage. I only say this, as it is good for the rig, line and bait to head to the bottom swiftly. This will negate any bellies in the line that the drift and current will impact on your drop. Tie some 8lb

line onto your hook bend and strip off however much you like. Tie the other end to the weight. Place the weight near your feet and then lay the leader on the water surface and lay out a loop of main line out on the water from the rod tip, with the boat just in gear. Once you have about 5m of line out, you can lift the weight off the floor and gently plop it into the water. Get your hand back to the reel and onto the spool as the weight drops and takes the line off the water surface. Having your hand on the reel drum while the reel is in free spool will stop the chance of a bird nest. Once the bait is down and broken away, the bait is drifting in the water column. The rig has hopefully done its job and attracted some attention on the way down already. Now it is a waiting game, just like any other

form of fishing. The gear you need for broadbilling is very specialist. The amount of line you need to have on your spool dictates that an overhead reel is best and it should have a mix of braid line and a top shot of monofilament. Top shot is just a fancy name for some mono tied to the braid via a PR knot or FG knot to allow some extra give. Braid is used so it cuts the water and is not as affected by current as mono. It allows you to feel any bites better, but doesn’t afford any elasticity. That is where the top shot of mono comes in. Amazingly, 70m of mono will give you up to 15m of stretch under maximum load. You never get there, because you set fighting drag well under that, but that elasticity of mono helps keep the hooks in place with violent head

shakes and jumps. There have been a lot of 80 wide and 130 wide reels purchased, but this is overkill in the extreme. These big reels are a handful, even in a stand-up harness. With the use of Whiplash braid in either 100lb or 80lb, you can get more than enough line on other reels and you want a size that is more manageable in and out of a harness. The added bonus is that this kind of reel is a great option for big mako sharks and jumbo tuna, so you don’t have a reel and rod sitting in the cupboard that is a one trick pony. Once you have caught a broadbill, the same goes for treating the fish with respect and a bit of care post-capture. This will have the photos look a million bucks, as dried out and scuffed up fish covered in blood look rubbish.

When you decide to field dress a big fish, make sure you have a think about the way you are going to cut it up and even look on YouTube to get some idea of how to go about it. This goes for jumbo tuna and makos as well, because maximizing the meat you take from the fish is very important. Wasting fish that taste as good as these do is sacrilege. There you have a brief roundup of what you might expect or what you can get up to in this great state in April. It may be the end of our beloved daylight savings and the weather is starting to get cooler, but there is always something you can do to keep positive. Getting up earlier and packing some thermal underwear are two things I can think of without even trying. Stay safe, check the weather.

BROADBILL FEVER Xiphias gladius is the sexy scientific name for the broadbill swordfish and April is the time to be looking to hook one off the shelf in Tasmania. They were on the list of fish to target in March, but they will thicken up and the big units are on the prowl. Sean Tracey is doing interesting work with the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. The tags he and his band of helpers placed in fish last season are starting to supply some awesome details. Once this data is crunched, we’ll know a lot more about this amazing new fishery. In the meantime, if you are looking to catch one, fish as heavy as you can, as this will shorten the fight time. If you choose to release the fish, they will have a better chance

Tasmania

HYDRO TASMANIA WATER STORAGE INFORMATION Water Storage Information as at 7th March 2017 Lake/Lagoon

Metres from full

Comment

Lake Augusta....................................2.8..................................................................... Arthurs Lake.....................................1.2..................................................................... Great Lake........................................12.74................................................................. Trevallyn Pond..................................1.24................................................................... Shannon Lagoon...............................0.08................................................................... Penstock Lagoon..............................0.35................................................................... Lake Echo.........................................5.66................................................................... Dee Lagoon.......................................0.32................................................................... Bradys/Binneys/Tungatinah..............2.61................................................................... Bronte Lagoon..................................0.82................................................................... Pine Tier Lagoon...............................2.54................................................................... Little Pine Lagoon.............................0.72................................................................... Laughing Jack Lagoon.....................4.4..................................................................... Lake St Clair.....................................1.86................................................................... Lake King William.............................3.49................................................................... Lake Liapootah.................................0.79................................................................... Wayatinah Lagoon............................0.07................................................................... Lake Catagunya................................0.91...................................................................

Lake Repulse....................................0.74................................................................... Cluny Lagoon..................................................................................................Spilling Meadowbank Lake...........................0.47................................................................... Lake Pedder......................................1.43................................................................... Lake Gordon.....................................28.7................................................................... Lake Burbury....................................3.69................................................................... Lake Plimsoll....................................3.97................................................................... Lake Murchison................................14.89................................................................. Lake Mackintosh..............................3.29................................................................... Lake Rosebery..................................0.4..................................................................... Lake Pieman.....................................1.24................................................................... Lake Mackenzie................................7.24................................................................... Lake Rowallan..................................9.05................................................................... Lake Parangana................................0.11................................................................... Lake Cethana....................................1.38................................................................... Lake Barrington................................0.61................................................................... Lake Gairdner...................................0.66................................................................... Lake Paloona....................................0.49................................................................... Woods Lake......................................0.91................................................................... Whitespur Pond................................8........................................................................ Lake Newton.....................................4.59................................................................... Lake Margaret..................................4.3.....................................................................

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 APRIL 2017

Tackling the issue of tackle PART 2 BRISBANE

Sean Thompson

Tackle choice and preparation is a key area for critical for angling success, but can be an area which is both overwhelming and generally misunderstood by many anglers. This month, we will look at what you may be doing wrong in your tackle preparation, and how you can change that to catch more fish. HOOKS One particular area where less experienced anglers have difficulty is hook choice. I’ve seen hooks that would almost catch a shark being used to try and catch whiting off the beach. I have also seen tailor with small long shank hooks and severed line still inside their mouth when I’ve caught them on gang hooks. Even regular anglers can make mistakes such as using hooks that don’t match the size of the bait or lure or the strength of the tackle they are using. The key here is that the size of your hook should match the size of the bait or lure you are using, so the hook point is exposed and not hidden in a glob of bait or lure, which makes hook ups much more difficult. Likewise, very big hooks in small baits will not only look, but also feel unnatural due to the heavier weight. For this reason, I like to use the thinnest gauge hooks possible when fishing light line. However, if fishing heavy tackle and line, small or thin gauge hooks can be straightened or torn from

the fish’s mouth, so it is a case of horses for courses. Another area many anglers don’t pay enough attention to is the condition of the hook. Some anglers will use the same hook on their line until they get broken off or the hook breaks in a fish’s mouth due to its rusty condition. Either that, or saltwater anglers might remove their hook or jighead at the end of the session and put it straight in the tackle box along with their newly purchased hooks and jigheads. Without washing the hooks in freshwater and letting them dry first, the saltwater will soon spread to their other hooks and next time they go to get a hook or jighead out of the tackle box, they will find a brown, rusted mess. Further, anglers can also wonder just why they just can’t hook a fish at times. The fish keeps biting or striking but they just can’t hook up. In this case, the hook is either too big (as noted above) or their hook is too blunt. Anglers should always check the condition of their hooks for any signs of rust or bluntness. If the hook has any signs of rust, it should be thrown away. A few cents thrown away is better than spreading rust to a whole tackle box of hooks, or missing that fish of a lifetime. I prefer to buy chemically sharpened hooks, which are extremely sharp straight out of the packet. In terms of jigheads, I will always check their sharpness by running the point of the hook down my thumbnail. If the point slides down your thumbnail under a gentle pressure, rather

than digs in and catches, it means the point of the hook is blunt and needs a sharpen. I carry a very small portable stone for such purposes, otherwise I replace the hook for a new, sharp one. Finally, an area of frustration for some anglers can be using gang hooks to rig up pilchards or garfish. Using hooks that are simply ganged together without swivels can make them stiff and hard to maneuver in the bait. I much prefer using gangs that I have pre-made with swivels in between them, or bought off the shelf. This makes rigging up pilchards a breeze. Tru-Turn hooks come pre-packaged this way and have the added advantage that the bend in the shank of the hook rotates towards the pressure point to give it a better hold. They also come in smaller hook sizes and varieties, including long shank hooks, and I use these successfully on a range of species. FISHING LINE Fishing line is the vital link between the angler and the fish. Break the link and you lose the fish – simple as that. So it is important you have a good quality line and keep it in good condition. But before you even hook up to a fish, you first need to make sure you are using the right line for your target species and the structure you are fishing. This is where your main line and also your trace are important, too. Types of line As a regular or experienced angler, it is sometimes easy to forget that we have a vocabulary all of our own, and this

A single hook that’s been in the salt can cause other hooks around it to rust if put straight back in a tackle box without being washed and dried. 66

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can make it difficult for newcomers to the sport. One such area of confusion is types of fishing lines. The choice of monofilament, fluorocarbon, copolymers and braid or fused fishing lines, plus a range of styles and brands of each can make things a bit confusing. One such area is the difference between fluorocarbon leader (often shortened to fluoro leader) and fluorescent coloured line (often referred to as fluoro line). I have heard stories of people being told they need to go out and buy some fluoro leader for shallow water species such as trout and whiting, only to go and buy bright orange fluorescent coloured braid and then tie it straight to the hook. They are not on their own either, less experienced fishing friends of mine have also bought braid and tied it straight to the hook or lure, as they did not know any different. Yet another common misconception is that braided or fused line is the be-all and end-all and should be used in all fishing situations. So what then are the basic differences and uses of the main types of line and what line is best for what species? Monofilament line is made from nylon, meaning that it will stretch, which is an advantage when you want to fish for species like whiting or bream, where you want them to run and not feel too much resistance from the rod. It can also be a better option for new anglers than braid, as the stretch can help prevent a hook tearing a hole in the fish’s mouth if the drag is too tight. Other advantages are that it is cheaper and easier to manage, especially if surf or estuary fishing with Alvey reels. It’s also easier to tie knots with than braid. Copolymer lines have the advantage of a hard outer coating, and are more abrasion-resistant. They also have increased knot strength and thinner diameter. This makes them an excellent choice for fishing around structure such as rocks. Fluorocarbon lines on the other hand are made from high-grade engineering polymer and come close to the light refractive index of water, making it virtually invisible when submerged. This is a big advantage in fishing clear water. Likewise, its clear qualities are why this line should be used as a leader when fishing with braided lines that are easily seen in clear water. In fact, I use fluorocarbon

With the correct tackle and preparation, results will follow. leader for most of my fishing, including bait or lure fishing. The exception is when I’m throwing topwater poppers for fish like whiting, as fluorocarbon tends to sink and thus a heavier nylon leader is better to help these topwater lures track straight. Braided or fused line is often referred to as gel-spun line. Basically, it is a type of plastic polymer braided or fused together to produce line that is of a very thin diameter for its strength. It also has very little stretch. Some of the best applications for this line is bait fishing in deep water, casting lures and trolling lures in estuaries for some species such as flathead. Its lack of stretch means that a bite or hit is triggered straight through the line to the rod and you can react quickly. Fluorescent coloured braid has the added advantage that you can see a subtle hit registered on the line or know when the line has hit the bottom, as it goes slack. This is a huge advantage. As noted above, you then want to add a trace of fluorocarbon leader before you connect the hook or lure (about a rod length is suitable). Line strength Right up there in the biggest and most common fishing mistakes is anglers using fishing lines and traces that are too heavy. In fact, I’ve seen anglers try to catch whiting on line so thick it could almost double as whipper snipper cord!

The basic rule is anglers should use the thinnest diameter line and the lightest breaking strain you can for the style of fishing and type of fish you are targeting. Lighter, thinner lines are less obvious to the fish, and will cast further and create less drag in the surf. Looking after your line Once you have gone to all the trouble and expense of choosing the right line for your style of fishing, you want to look after it. Unfortunately, line maintenance is one area where many anglers don’t pay much attention and don’t realize the consequences until it’s too late. So to avoid these mistakes, you need to make sure of a few things. Before a trip, cut the last metre or so off your line, as it is becomes weakened from casting strain. Never store your spooled reels in the open. Sun damage will considerably reduce the life of your line and make it susceptible to breakage. Replace the line on your reels regularly, the more you fish, the more regularly you should replace the line. TRACES AND RIGS Fishing rigs are essentially your hook(s), trace, swivel(s), sinker and any other accessories like red tubing, surf poppers or flies that go on the business end of your line. They are critical pieces of equipment to not only hook the fish, but keep you attached to it. Traces The trace is a length of line that you tie on to your

main line and serves two purposes. It either helps to avoid you being bitten or broken off, or it serves to make your rig harder for the fish to see, or both, which is why fluorocarbon line is popular for trace materials. All too often I see traces that are either too short, too heavy, too thin, too worn, the wrong colour, or as noted earlier, sometimes non-existent (e.g. braid tied directly to the hook). These mistakes will all cost you fish. I’ve changed the traces on friends and their kids’ rigs when they are struggling to catch a fish and then sat back and watched them have immediate success. I always fish with the longest trace I can cast with (for most purposes), with the thinnest diameter line and strength I can get away with. Rigs One of the many things I love about fishing is going with family or friends, which can result in a few good-natured jibes over who caught the most fish. Many of my mates are very good anglers and use top gear and techniques, but time after time the difference in catch rates will come down to time in the water. At Fraser Island each year, a couple of my mates, when they lose a rig, lure or need to replace their leader on their braided line, will trudge slowly back up the beach to the 4WD, or wade through the water back onto the sand of Fraser’s flats and retie their rig or leader. By doing this, they lose valuable fishing time and it can mean they are not catching fish during a hot bite. With a bit of preparation

New anglers can be a bit daunted by the range of fishing lines available these days, but by asking staff at tackle stores, you should be able to find which line suits your needs. and a couple of tackle accessories, many anglers, could improve their catch rates. This is as simple as being mobile and carrying a number of pre-made rigs and some small tackle boxes. These rigs can be either wrapped around a pool noodle, or coiled in small snap lock bags with aluminum foil wrapped around gang hooks to avoid tangling the rigs. I use the later for my tailor rigs, with each bag marked with the size of the sinker and the strength of the trace in the snap lock bags. The rigs/ noodle then goes inside my Alvey dry pack on my bait belt, or if the noodle is too big, inside a large snap lock bag to help keep

saltwater out. I also carry line snippers for tying on a new rig while out in the water. Likewise, when lure fishing the surf, I carry a small waterproof Plano tackle box in one of the front pockets of my Alvey shoulder bag and carry a range of stickbaits/metal lures or poppers, depending on what I am targeting. Another word of caution with your rigs is don’t make the mistake of leaving the same rig on your rod session after session. They will become stretched and damaged over time and eventually break. Throw away any old rigs, only keeping the swivels and hooks if they are rustfree and washed free of

Having accessories that allow you to re-rig and re-tie on the water minimizes the time spent mucking around and not fishing.

saltwater. For lure fishing the flats, I carry an adjustable over the shoulder Lox shoulder bag that can swing around to your front for easy access. It has a number of compartments to carry spare spools of fluorocarbon trace, braid scissors, a bottle of scent, packets of lures and spare jigheads. I also rig up a few jigheads ready to go so if I lose a lure, or want to change lure. It’s simply a case of tying on the pre-rigged lure, adding some scent and getting straight back in the action! Finally, for all fishing rigs and lures, don’t make the mistake of rushing your knots on the water. I, like many others, have fallen victim to this. Take your time and tie every knot as if the next fish you hook is going to be a fish of a lifetime. Always take the time to test the knot as well. RODS AND REELS Rods When choosing a rod, one of the biggest mistakes anglers can make is purchasing what is misleadingly called a ‘general purpose rod’. Such rods are generally around 8-9ft in length and generally too short for the beach, too rigid for light line fishing in the boat or estuary and generally unsuitable for lure casting. Before you choose a rod, talk to your local tackle shop and explain the type of area you are going to use it from (e.g beach, boat etc) and species you are targeting and techniques you wish to use (lure casting, trolling, bait fishing, etc). In very simple terms, if fishing from the surf or the

shore of a large lake, longer rods are a huge advantage for longer casts. You then need to consider the type of fish you are chasing, as bigger species require heavier tackle, while smaller species require lighter tackle. Basically, without going into detail on rod materials, weight, tapers or action, a good choice is 13ft+ composite material rods for species such as tailor, salmon and mulloway, 10-11ft for whiting, bream and dart (or shore-based freshwater species in big lakes) and a shorter 9-10ft model for rivers and estuaries. However, if you are keen to throw soft plastics, metals or bibbed lures in such locations, somewhat shorter graphite rods are perfect for this task. Boat rods should be a little bit shorter, at around 6-7ft for manageability, although I will use 9-10ft long whippy rods for whiting, but these rods are cast and set in holders, not continually cast in a boat, which would soon get in your friends’ way. One final tip is look after your rod, especially the guides. Don’t make the mistake of storing your hooks or lure trebles inside the rings of the guides when transporting or storing your rods. This can damage the rings and result in abrasion to the line. Always connect your hooks below the rings and onto the metal connection of the guide. Reels An old saying in the fishing industry is that anglers should purchase the best reels they can afford. This is pretty true, although a $2000 spinning reel might not necessarily

catch you more fish than a $120 reel if you are just using it for catching light line species such as whiting, bream, flathead or freshwater trout. Sure, it might last longer and feel better to use, but provided your less expensive reel is well maintained, it won’t necessarily catch you more fish. It is when your reel is subject to continuous casting, say with lures, or the drag is battling big fish, that the better quality reel is going to win out. Either way, if you drop one or the other of these reels in the sand or saltwater, they won’t last very long unless striped down and serviced ASAP. At Fraser Island each year, I see anglers have their spinning reels splashed by waves or dunked in the surf while they lower their rod to get their fish off. This is the advantage of the Alvey reel, which is virtually indestructible in the sand and saltwater environment. If you use spinning reels in the surf (such as for casting lures), make sure you choose a deep gutter close to shore so you don’t have to wade out to deeper water and risk your reel getting soaked. Do the same with overhead reels. Apart from reels getting dunked, three big mistakes anglers can make with their reels includes incorrect drag settings, jerky drags or not having their reels spooled up correctly. It is important that anglers have a correct drag setting on their reel (about 1/3rd of the line strength). If the drag is too tight, the line can break during the fight; or if the drag is too loose, anglers can end up with a tangle or not enough pressure to hook the fish. Fishing reels with jerky drags should be serviced ASAP (or replaced) as otherwise they can and cost you fish with the line snapping under pressure. Spools should be filled to within a couple of mm from the lip of the spool to ensure maximum distance from casts. Spools that are only half-filled will give you much shorter casts due to the friction of the line against the lip of the spool when you cast. It also means you are more at risk of being ‘spooled’ by a big fish that takes all your line. On the other hand, spools that are overfilled (right to the lip or beyond) will cause the line to peel off in loops and tangle. GEAR UP! That’s a wrap for this month, but stay tuned for the final instalment of this series next month. For now, make sure your gear is maintined, looked after, and most importantly, right for the job! APRIL 2017

BOATS FOR SALE on

Rejuvenated river has reddies HORSHAM

James Perry

HAINES HUNTER PRO STRIKE Location: NSW

With recent environmental flows from Rocklands Reservoir, the upper Glenelg River is rejuvenated and looking more like a river instead of a series of pools and puddles. These flows have come at a perfect time for bass to migrate downstream with the hopes of breeding, or just moving on to a better looking snag. These flows also promote movement of

method, think Ballista Dynos and large StumpJumpers. Staying in contact with the bottom is the key to success here. A lure retriever tool will come in handy too. Most of the lakes have still been producing good catches of redfin and it seems there is no best method. Be it bait, lure or fly, good numbers of redfin have been caught across the region. Once again, Lake Fyans has been the standout, if you’re chasing a good day out. Newcomers to Fyans can often be frustrated by

$38,000

Luke Preston nailed this redfin on a StumpJumper Finesse.

ATTACK 470 Location: NSW

would be hard to go past in the shallows. For flyfishers, have a look at the Black Magic Jellybean plastic. The Wimmera River has continued its good form with some solid yellowbelly coming from the deeper sections. Both the Jeparit and Dimboola Weir have been producing yellas month after month. Stocking of the Wimmera and good winter flows are starting to show their worth, with fat healthy fish being readily caught.

$18,500 PHOENIX 920 Location: NSW

The standout section over the last month would be Horseshoe Bend to Dimboola. The river through this section has some well-established snags and deep holes to provide an easy life for these river dwellers. However, these same snags can be costly for the lure angler. Bobbing yabbies is a far simpler method that won’t leave the tackle box empty. For the lure angler, sounding up

Jamie Cooper proving yet again he has Lake Fyans figured out.

$85,000 SKEETER SX180 Location: QLD

$33,500 BASSCAT COUGAR Location: QLD

$85,000 Like us on facebook for automatic updates 68

APRIL 2017

schooled redfin as they go their own way for winter. This is a great time of the year to drag out the kayak or put on some gaiters and walk the banks of the lesser fished stretches between Rocklands wall and Harrow. The bass will be grumpy and redfin will be feeding well. Lure fishing is the pick of the methods here and surface lures would be my first choice when deciding what to tie on. Walk-the-dogs, cicadas and micro poppers will give you a well-rounded surface arsenal. Be sure to work each snag with multiple retrieve methods, as sometimes a long pause is all that’s required to entice the strike. If you’re more of a bait fisho, try a scrub worm under a float. Fish it shallow at the start and end of the day, but deeper in full sun. Flyfishing can also be a productive option here. Wet flies that imitate smelt or redfin fry would be a wise choice. Lake Charlegrark is often overlooked due to its location, however it has been producing some good catches of cod and will continue to as the cold weather approaches. Yabbies or worms are the go to bait fished on the bottom with a running sinker rig. If lures are your preferred

the weed beds that litter the lake’s floor, however, these are the key to filling your creel with reddies. The closer and slower you can fish to the weed, the heavier your bag will be. Weedless rigged plastics are a favourite for those in the know. Lake Wartook is worth a look. Some great redfin catches have come from the island and wall area. The best part about the island is no matter which way the wind is blowing you can always find a protected bay or point. Soft plastics and small bibbed minnows have produced good results. Due to water clarity here, it’s worth tying on the more realistic lures in your tackle bag. A rainbow trout pattern

Brad Osborne scored this feed of reddies from Lake Fyans.

A great Glenelg bass caught by the author.

structure and then casting at it is generally a better option than trolling your favourite lure. Small spinnerbaits and vibes in natural colours are often successful. Looking forward, all eyes are on Lake Toolondo and its trophy winter trout emerging from the weed. If you’re not into fishing with the crowd, Wartook and Bellfield will be sure to produce some fantastic trout. Why these mountain lakes sit in the shadow of Toolondo is beyond me. They are both class acts.

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Mixed bag of opportunities ROBINVALE

A U S T R A L I A

Rod Mackenzie codmac@bigpond.net.au

Margay 2017

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Anglers fishing the local lakes and rivers have reported good catches and ample action over the past few weeks. Yabbies have been a popular catch. While you need to work to get a feed, most locations are producing a few. The Edward River has yabbies, golden perch and redfin on the chew. It’s not a bad day out if you can score this mixed bag and a wonderful dining event to follow. All fish are taking bait with shrimps and scrub worms working well. The Wakool River at Kyalite is also producing a few golden perch and the occasional small Murray cod on bait. Swan Hill tackle shop proprietor Jim Credlin says there have been a few cod caught locally in the Murray River on bait and lures. One group of anglers fishing upstream of town managed to land four cod to 65cm on lures. As all good fishing stories go, it seems they also lost a bigger cod beside the

boat estimated to be around the 90cm mark. The local lakes are also fishing well with good numbers of redfin biting on bait. While most of the redfin are small, there are some larger fish to be caught if you are patient. Local whitebait, shrimp and worms have been the most effective baits so far. Golden perch too have been a regular catch with most taking home a feed. Anglers fishing bait at Boundary Bend on the Murray River have reported good numbers of golden perch and a few small cod in the mix. A few fish have also been taken on trolled lures. The Murray River at Robinvale is producing a few golden perch on bait. I am yet to hear of a single cod landed at this location since the opening. Carp are prolific and you can almost wear yourself out hauling them in at leisure. The odd catfish is also in the mix, if they can beat the carp to the bait. All up, if you’re keen to wet a line, this would be a great location to soak a few baits with the kids.

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Some very big carp are on the bite in our local waters.

Gareth Lynch admires a good haul of cooked yabbies from the Murray River. The Murray River at Wemen has produced golden perch on bait this past month and once again, prolific numbers of carp. I heard rumours of a 30lb cod caught on a yabby from a sandbar in this area, but there are no photos to back it up. I hope this capture is true, because if one can make it through the recent black water events, surely others might have as well. I guess time will tell. It’s been very quiet on the cod front along most of the local Murray River with the majority of cod caught failing to even

make legal size. Our last outing on the Murray was a bait-drowning mission in the hopes a few perch might find their way from hook to pan. Fishing downstream of Robinvale, the action was thick and fast with bite after bite producing some very large carp up to around the 10kg mark and a few small perch. Unfortunately, we missed out on a feed. Perhaps next time we might have a little more luck. Until then, there is plenty of fishing action in our local waters.

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APRIL 2017

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More snags placed in Broken Creek Recently, as the final part of the Broken Creek Instream Habitat Enhancement Project, 190 new snags have been placed in the Broken Creek downstream of Walshs Bridge near Nathalia. Goulburn Broken CMA Riparian and River Channel Manager Jim Castles said, “This will mean that since 2011 almost 950 snags have been placed along more than 18km of the Broken Creek between the Nine Mile Creek (downstream of Numurkah) and Prentices Road near Nathalia.” The project, funded by the Victorian Government using Recreational Fishing Licence fees, will improve recreational fishing in the creek by providing habitat for native fish such as

Murray cod and golden perch (yellowbelly). “The Broken Creek was historically de-snagged and dredged and was almost void of instream habitat, or snags, in the area we have targeted as part of this project,” Mr Castles said. “In-stream habitat mapping was carried out along the creek between Numurkah and Nathalia by scientists from the Arthur Rylah Institute, and this mapping helped us to identify areas that had a low density of snags. It also helped us to select areas where re-snagging would have the greatest benefit for native fish populations and anglers.” Snags are sometimes referred to as the inland equivalent of coastal reefs and provide habitat for

native fish and other animals such as tortoises and native water rats. Native fish use them as shelter from fast currents and sunlight as well as for refuge from predators. Native fish also use snags as feeding and spawning sites, and as nursery areas for juvenile fish. Mr Castles said the snags for the project were sourced from a number of locations across the catchment. “The snags used for this last stage of the re-snagging project were sourced during the clean up after the 2014 Boweya, Lake Rowan and Wunghnu fires,” he said. The snags will have very little or no effect on water flow. “The snags, as well as the base environmental flow along the creek, will

enhance native fish habitat and improve water quality, leading to a more robust native fish community, which will result in huge benefits for recreational fishers in our region,” Mr Castles said. Native fish surveys carried out in 2015 showed promising results, with an increase in Murray cod around the re-snagged area and a large increase in shrimp, an important food source for large bodied native fish. Native fish surveys will be repeated later this year and 2019 to monitor the effectiveness of this program. For more information about the project, phone Jim Castles on 5820 1100 or email jimc@gbcma.vic. gov.au. –GBCMA

Mulwala has great cod YARRAWONGA

Tony Bennett codclassic@bigpond.com

Anglers can’t help but get excited about the continued excellent fishing in and around Lake Mulwala, especially when it comes to the surface action at this time of year. No wonder Lake Mulwala is the ‘Home of the Murray Cod!’ Beautiful summer evenings have led to one of the most productive months in recent history and there is no reason why this won’t continue into May. For those looking to attack the lake throughout the day, your best bet is to tackle the shallower areas that are no more than 3m in depth. Cast or trolled lures and spinnerbaits worked closely to timber structure will produce great results. Below the weir a strong run of yellas has been present with bait fishing producing more than lures. Looking back, this report

would go on forever if I gave everybody a mention who has supplied us with their captures over the last few weeks. There are a few who deserve a special mention who have pulled a metery or bigger recently. Without doubt, one of the biggest cod captured in this area in recent memory was from Cobram local Nathaniel Hendry. Nathaniel’s surface lure was annihilated by a 125cm beast – super effort. Close behind was another monster landed by Joel Thomas. Again, a surface lure was what brought this 120cm monster undone. Joel also landed another 90cm cod off the top and in the process managed to get a treble well and truly planted into his thumb. Normally a 115cm cod would be near on headline news, but Bendigo local Gavin Burns has to settle for third this month with his great capture. Having a pre-fish for the Da$h 4 Ca$h, he got a fair surprise when his cast

Kuttafurra hardbody was smashed by this brute. Berrigan boy Graeme Pyle was another to join in on the metery fun when he trolled up a healthy 104cm model on a surface lure. To top this off, he had landed three other cod that evening measuring up to 88cm. Lastly, a young fella by the name of Cody presented us with a photo of a neat 100cm Murray cod that was taken on a chicken fillet! Well done, Cody. My apologies to those I have missed. On the other hand, there have been some memorable catches made by anglers new to fishing. Tommy Plunket was happy when he managed to get his first on a lure. Another Yarra local character Mick Crothers was in a quandary on how to catch these cod off the surface. After a night of assurance he was doing thing right, Mick hasn’t looked back and has proceeded to catch numerous off the top and receive plenty of hits while walking the banks.

Nathaniel Hendry with his 125cm beast! The happiest of all went to two year old Beau Taylor. Beau and mum Sophie drowned a few worms down the river. Beau was happy with the results. The recent Lowrance Da$h 4 Ca$h Super Series again proved a hit with 79 teams competing. Weather

conditions were tough with wind knocking many around. There were great numbers of fish captured, photographed and released for the weekend. The biggest was 91.4cm. • If you’re visiting town, call into Lake Mulwala Fish Camp & Ski, the shop with the big green cod out the front opposite

the post office in Mulwala. We are now Yarrawonga’s only tackle store with Mal closing his doors. Check out our new store located between Rivers and One Zac in the main street of Yarrawonga and say g’day. We’re Yarrawonga and Mulwala’s fishing specialists for all things green!

The cod are playing hide and seek this month MILDURA

Darcy Scherger

Golden perch and yabbies are still keeping anglers busy around the region with decent hauls reported. Golden perch have still been providing a lot of enjoyment for local anglers and the elusive Murray cod has lived up to its reputation. Cod anglers have been working hard to even get

hit by these magnificent fish and people are now starting to ask more questions about how much the black water did effect the Murray River. There are many conspiracy theories about the black water event and the effects it had. This is causing many conflicting views and arguments between fishers and groups within the region. Some believe it has killed the majority of the fish within the system, with the large ones suffering the most.

Large fish around the age of 6+ years old (over a metre in length) are less fit, need more oxygen to function and are more vulnerable to the changing river conditions that we have experienced late last year. Black water is a natural phenomenon that occurred this time with an increased intensity, as we have not had a flood into the regions that got saturated by water and were inundated with leaf litter from over 20 years.

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the event was more. Black water is a horrible occurrence that has had an impact on the system. Many haven’t pulled the cod lures out for a while due to what

has happened, though there are still big green backs out there to be caught, appreciated, looked after and returned back into the water.

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(Yarrawonga) 92 99 91

Dartmouth 78 78 77

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Nillahcootie 97 95 88

Eppalock

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Rocklands 42 41 39

Fyans

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Taylors

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Greens

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Tullaroop

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Hepburn

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Upper Coliban 99

Hume

90 82 74

Waranga

74 63 54

Lauriston

94 91 98

Wartook

93 88 82

Malmsbury 55 40 26

People are asking, how come this didn’t occur 20 years ago? How come we never had fish kills like this before? The answer is there were more floods 20 years ago, and more recent flooding means less leaf litter as it gets washed away. Less carbon is built up on the flood plains. It’s been over 20 years since these areas have had water and this is because we haven’t had high amounts of rainfall like we have experienced lately. The flood last year was the first real flood I have seen and I am 22 years of age. This is the real problem – less frequent flooding of floodplains. The system and floodplains haven’t been flushed since I’ve been alive. Fish kills were of a higher number, as the intensity of

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Cod may be too cool, but trout are warming up WANGARATTA

Robbie Alexander

April is a beautiful time to go fishing. The weather is usually quite stable, the

What I find during April is that cod metabolisms slow down considerably, leading to them feed less often, so finding a hungry fish can be a challenge. I also find that fishing for

April is a great time to target redfin in both Lake William Hovell and Lake Buffalo. This fish fell to a Strike Tiger nymph soft plastic in orange spawn colour, the author’s new favourite redfin soft plastic! days are mild to warm and the nights are cool to cold, making conditions ideal for camping. We had a fantastic summer and I believe that the summer we have just experienced has been one of the best ever for fishing in North East Victoria, especially if you were fishing for Murray cod. The great Murray cod fishing will have subsided a lot by now. However, the fish are still there and many of them are still willing to bite.

cod in the Wangaratta area can be hit and miss. I have had many fishless trips in April, however, I’ve also had some of my best fishing trips in April. Weather conditions play a big part in the cod bite this month. Lengthy periods of fine weather with a high barometer usually lead to the best fishing. Anywhere along the Ovens River from Myrtleford to Bundalong will be worth trying, as will the Buffalo River between Lake Buffalo and Myrtleford. The King River is usually one of the best waterways around the region to fish for Murray Hugh Blythe with his first-ever Murray cod caught on a surface lure. Hugh caught two on the surface at the end of summer in the King River. cod, especially around Moyhu and Edi. During April, the water up there in the foothills of the alps will be quite cool, so expect the cod fishing to slow down quite a bit.

of the smaller, cooler water streams during summer. As the water cools down in autumn, trout will disperse more and more throughout the system and head for new places to feed where

Lake William Hovell can be a great place to head during April. The trout are usually starting to bite and at the same time the redfin are usually still quite active. The trick to catching the

Patrick Henderson with a magnificent 59cm Murray cod that he caught at the north beaches in Wangaratta on cheese recently.

Something you don’t see every day – a double hook-up on surface lures. Hugh Blythe caught his cod on a Koolabung Codwalker and Will O’Connor caught his on a Rochows Timber surface lure, made by Tom Rochow – a very talented Beechworth High School student. The trout fishing should be great this autumn, as the summer rainfall has seen a decent flow of water in most of the small streams. I have been having a ball catching heaps of trout in a select few

the water was too warm in summer. The larger ones will begin their upstream migration in preparation for their annual spawning run, which usually starts around late May.

redfin is to move around until you locate a school. With the trout, try late in the day when the shadows are getting long over the lake and trout are feeding close to the surface.

Scott Turnbull shows how it’s done with a No. 2 StumpJumper. 72

APRIL 2017

Good news after black water uncertainty SHEPPARTON

Nick Brown teamriverrats@hotmail.com

After a dramatic start to the year things are starting to look up in our region. We all had grave concerns about the black water event, which killed so many fish and turned a lot of fishos off

fishing the Goulburn. As each week goes by we are hearing more and more reports that fish are being caught on both bait and lures in the Goulburn River in the affected areas. The numbers of fish caught recently aren’t that different to before the black water event and this may be a result of the water flush the river got. Fish have likely

Kaleb Oxley with a Kialla Lakes yellowbelly.

migrated upstream. We all hope that plenty more fish migrate in early April with the next lot of environmental flows scheduled. This month, 60GL will be released from the Goulburn Weir at Nagambie and we should see the river rise. If more environmental flows get booked in for April, make sure you try to fish the river on the rise. Plenty of good fish get caught within 24 hours of the initial river rise. Both bait and lure fishing work well on the rise. The high flows of water make fishing tricky once the front comes through, but we should hopefully see better fish numbers moving in to the area. There have been reports of fish over 80cm caught behind Aquamoves, which is a positive sign. We all saw dozens of big fish die, so knowing there are still large fish there is very promising. With the long range forecast for April being uncertain and with a dry start to autumn, these flows will be great if we are lucky enough to get some decent rains. Hopefully we see the Broken River rise. If we do, make sure you get straight out there. The Broken on the rise is crazy

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fun almost all year round with plenty of decent fish thriving on the flows. If we don’t get much rain, the Broken River is still a good option. Bait fishing in deep snag-filled holes works well in the autumn time. Fresh bait starts to get harder to find in coming months, so make the most of it while you can. Lure fishers are still catching good numbers of fish on the surface and also deeper down. The Old Mate Lures are still standing out locally with reports flowing in every couple of days. Spinnerbait users have been reporting the new Pirate Spinnerbait Vibration Blade is matching catch rates of the Old Mate lures. Pink, purple and black has been a good colour choice in both lures recently. Surface fishers have had most luck casting the Jackal Pompadour. You can judge that they’re catching a lot of fish from the empty spaces on the shop wall only days after they were stocked. Buzz Baits are not far behind when it comes to catch rates off the top, so I would be trying to stock up on both leading into the Easter break. The other form of fishing that is now starting to take off in the area is flyfishing for

Justin Williams with a small cod on the fly. native fish. We all know the fly works well for some trout and some saltwater species and it is now becoming very popular for larger native fish. There are plenty of larger flies on the market that target cod. I haven’t flyfished before, but by all reports it’s a buzz and very addictive. For anyone wanting to know more, get into Trelly’s Tackleword and talk to

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flyfishing guru Pip Clemet. Pip will be able to put you onto the right outfit or just general advice regarding flyfishing for cod. SHEPPARTON LAKE Fishing has not been spectacular recently in the Shepparton Lake. Those fishing have had more success fishing around the big grass hill near Aquamoves targeting

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APRIL 2017

Trout getting ready for the cool season spawn pink and orange lures this month as the fish also move into spawning and aggression mode. For now, green and gold

JINDABYNE

Steve Williamson swtrout@airlan.com.au

April is the month that we start to see a reduction in the surface temperature of the lake, which seems to spur a few trout on for an early spawning run. Some trout will start moving into the Thredbo River. You can now really feel the mornings getting cooler and the water temperatures are dropping. For the lure anglers, the Thredbo River will only improve as the month goes by and the best lures will be jointed minnows, as the brown trout start to become really aggressive and territorial. Other lures like spinners are certainly a must in your lure box. Spinning on the lake will also improve this month as the water edges cool down. You may find the best spinning will be early and late in the day and fishing will be best around steep drop-offs with plenty of rocks. Bays like Rushes, Hatchery and Creel Bay all fish well. The best areas recently have been down at the South Arm or near Banjo Patterson Park. As the month progresses, Waste Point and the Snowy Arm will start to fire. We will be starting to use

move into the Thredbo River, you might start trying a black nymph. If we get that heavy rain and a rise in the river we

Overall, fishing on the lake over recent months has continued to be very good. Now that the lake water

APRIL ROUNDUP – THE BEST OF THE BEST! Best Method Best Depth Best Lake Lure Best Lake Area Best Dry Fly Method Best Wet Fly Method Best River lures will be good. Most of the minnow lures I use at this time of year have a little orange on them as well. In shallow bays I like to use some of the small soft plastics like the Strike Tiger spotted brew colour or vodka and orange. Even pink is a good colour to try. Flyfishing on the rivers and streams has been nice with the mountain streams still producing lots of small trout on dry fly. This is heaps of fun, especially if you are just getting into the art of flyfishing. Try a small hopper pattern, Royal Wulff or Royal Humpy and a caddis moth fly for some good options. The Thredbo River still has a little dry flyfishing to offer on some days. We’ll be swinging into the nymphing season very soon. As the month goes on and more early spawning brown trout

Surface trolling early and then using lead core lines at 30m out Trolling at 25ft deep or 35ft during the middle of the day Tasmanian Devil number 111 or Y82 Hayshed Bay and Waste Point Parachute Adams or black cricket. Black weighted nymph Thredbo River above The Diggings might see a start to glowbugs and nymphs. Flyfishing on the lake is still best at night. Try any of the streamer patterns such as Craig’s Night Time or a black Woolley Bugger. Olive green nymphs and shrimp patterns are also worth a try. The South Arm, Creel Bay and Hayshed Bay are all great.

temperature is cooling into the trout’s comfort zone, the fish are happier to move in close to the edges of the lake. This makes the fishing a little better for anglers that don’t have a boat. Autumn is a great time to go trout fishing, the trout are feeding up in readiness for winter and are often easier John Ramley with a nice Atlantic salmon.

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APRIL 2017

Rod Annett with a huge brown trout.

to catch. I would expect that the great shore-based angling will continue right through the winter months like it did last year. Boat trolling in the shallow water will improve again now that the water temperatures start to reach a comfort zone for the trout. Early morning surface fishing can be quite productive. The best way to attack the fish is to start off the morning by surface trolling lures with a lead line about 3m deep. Later in the morning you can still target some of the browns by fishing close to the bottom in deeper water with the aid of downriggers. I find about 20ft of water is a good place to start then. Bigger minnow lures in brown trout or spotted dog patterns and pink lures will

From page 73

trout on PowerBait. There has been the occasional yellowbelly caught casting Jackall TN50s rigged with Beatle Spins. Those using bait will now start to see more silver perch being caught with plenty of decently sized silver perch stocked in recent times. This will give younger fishos the chance to catch another species in the lake, which is great for fishing. KIALLA LAKES There have been a lot of people fishing Kialla in recent times. I drive past 2-3 times a week and see a lot of families now fishing the grassy banks with bait and lures. It is such a great waterway to teach kids to fish, as there are limited snags and shallow grassy edges. Bait and lure fishing have both been successful in the past month. The willow trees and either side of the sand bars are the best locations. Local fisho Kaleb Oxley

Some anglers are upsizing their lures to catch yellas and cod. has had some recent success casting soft vibes rolling back nice and slowly towards the banks. CRAIGMUIR LAKE Mooroopna is a little fishing gem that has been fishing well for redfin and yellowbelly. Westin Ricky the Roach and size 3 StumpJumpers, as well as worms and shrimp have been

working well around the edges of the lake. There has been the odd cod caught from the lake, but they are very rare to come by. WARANGA BASIN There has been plenty of redfin in Waranga Basin, mainly in the shallower water around the 12-15ft mark. Trolling smaller lures as well as casting and slow rolling

also be worth a try as the trout become more aggressive. Some of the better trolling areas will be Sids Bay through to Rushes Bay. Also try Waste Point or Creel Bay for downrigging, as there may be a few early spawning brown trout about. They’ll mostly be deeper at 20ft or so. • If you would like some personal guiding, I will be available over the coming months for fly-fishing tuition and lake trolling trips. Lessons can be booked from 2 hours’ duration, and trolling trips from 3 hours to a full day. If you want to know more about the latest in fishing conditions, just give me a call on (0264) 561 551 or check out my website at www.swtroutfishing.com. au. You can also see our daily Facebook updates at https:// www.facebook.com/LJTFA. Squidgy Shads in drop bear colour smothered in Dizzy Scent are good ideas. Once you have found a school of redfin, using ice jigs in white or green has been working well with plenty of fish caught – mostly smaller fish. The odd yellowbelly and cod have also been caught on small RMG Poltergeist and size 3 StumpJumpers towards the basin wall. LOCAL CHANNELS There have been plenty of big fish caught in the channels around the Waranga Basin as well as around the Pine Lodge area. Some anglers upsize their lures and target the larger fish like yellowbelly and cod. Spinnerbaits around the drop bars and bridges have worked well. Slow rolling soft plastic grubs around the weed edges has also worked. Bait fishing has been successful with reports of cod being caught on cooked yabby tails around the Pine Lodge bridges.

Reddies are a good sign for the fishery BONNIE DOON

Andy McCarthy

It’s been a long time coming ladies and gentlemen. Finally the redfin have come back to play and in

massive numbers, and all sorts of sizes. It’s great to see loads of little fish getting about in big schools, which means they are breeding well. This provides a good supply of fodder for our natives as well as a future

Brock Reddrop with an enormous 92cm cod.

abundance of the premier table fish that Lake Eildon has to offer. There have been some outstanding reports of sessions that produced 150+ fish ranging from 10cm up to 48cm. That’s a ripping session in anyone’s book. The Pines seems to be a big time hotspot at the minute for reddies. For many anglers it has been the go to spot over the last month. The Ford inlet has been holding its own with some nice fish coming out lately as well. Throughout March the water releases went up to the 8000ML a day to cope with the very dry spell that we have had. It looks like it is set to stay quite dry for the next few months, according to the weather reports. There are still a few yellas getting caught on bait in the shallows from the bank. They’re not big fish, but enough to keep you

interested. Fish around the 30cm mark are about the norm. Just remember the minimum size for yellas is 30cm and the bag limit is five, not the ten it used to be. The cod have also been very active as well with good numbers of reports filtering throughout February and well into March. It’s great to see that most methods are working. Spinnerbaits are the standout. On a recent trip we pulled a few in the 60s and got roasted by substantial cod. I know where it lives and will be going back to have another crack. A young chap by the name Brock Reddrop came over and picked up a couple of crackers – 89 and 92cm on a night mission. Well done, sir. I love seeing young anglers with that look in their eyes. It’s very exciting. Keep safe out there and good luck with your pursuit of fish.

Smally with a ripper 42cm reddy.

Caught waiting for the chance to catch cod EILDON

Daniel Piazza

We all know that feeling when the holidays are over and there are lots of work days and not so many fishing days. We catch ourselves stargazing and wondering what it’s like up at Eildon. Is anyone fishing? Are they catching that majestic Murray cod? Then we see that the rising barometer spikes on a Monday morning at 1027 and we’re jumping into the car to go to work for another hard week at the grindstone. It becomes the talk between your closest fishing mates. ‘Did you see what the barometer was? I didn’t know it got that high on an inland lake.’ So it begins

– the study to become the lounge chair meteorologist, searching the web for any info to maximize your success when we all head out once again to chase the beautiful green fish. Lake Eildon as we know is a massive body of water with lots of rock walls. Some have structure and some don’t. Don’t be fooled by these rock walls and think that cod don’t hold and sit on them quiet as a mouse ready to ambush or make a territorial statement. The lake has been fishing well from Frazer National Park all the way through to Big River Arm. We have to be realistic sometimes and ask why we aren’t getting fish and even the pros blank out at Eildon. It’s not called ‘the lake of a thousand casts’ for no reason. Don’t be afraid to cast

Josh Vantol with his 92cm cracker of a cod caught on a Primal spinnerbait in Frazer Bay.

Alex with a stocky 75cm cod. into to sunny areas as well as the shaded logs and snags. When the opportunity came about, I caught up with old mate Andy McCarthy to see if they were biting or not. We decided to go fish where no one else was fishing, on a west rock wall up in the main arm. You might be thinking why a west wall in the morning? I usually fish the shady rock walls in the morning! So I thought I’d try something different and see if my recent study on the weather patterns in the previous weeks are anything to go off. On this particular morning the barometer was sitting around the 1018-1020. I use this theory usually. It’s easily forgotten when we catch multiple fish in a session and then we don’t get a fish in three sessions – all that wasted time in preparing to get the time off just to relax. It makes us more stressed and less confident. You question why you keep coming back to Eildon. For these simple and undeniable reasons: the scenery is beautiful, the food is great and the locals are welcoming with open arms. At the west wall, with

the barometer at 1018, there was a weather front passing in the afternoon. This session we boated a fish each and we only fished the same west wall in the hot morning sun, slow rolling our bright green spinnerbaits. I think these fish were sunbaking as if they were on holidays – content until that spinnerbait slowly cruised past in the middle of the water column. After a couple of dives back into the darkness, we boated a very healthy 65cm Murray cod. Another was caught about 50m down from the first and measured 60cm with great markings. Remember to read the signs of the water and how other fish are caught. If nothing works try trolling a hardbody – something that gets down to about 8m or at least 1m off the bottom or the structure you’re fishing in. If the barometer is low, the fish hold low and the rest is easily worked out. The main arm is fishing well with several fish over the magic metre, usually caught by the mate who’s fishing for the first time at Eildon. We all

know it’s heartbreaking but that’s why we call it fishing and not caching. Frazer Boat Ramp area has been producing fish on plastics. The bigger, the better. Spinnerbaits and trolled bigger Coddog hardbodies have also been successful. Goulburn Murray Water is releasing a lot of water at the moment. If we all love to fish close to the rock wall beside the tower, remember that the red buoys are a no-boats-allowed area there are surveillance cameras all the way around the tower to monitor the flows and if boats enter a restricted area. It’s in place to keep us safe on the water. Your details

will be given to Victorian Police and I’m sure the fines aren’t cheap. Let’s all try and avoid them so we can buy more fishing gear. The dam wall has been producing cod around 60-90cm on live yabbies and on lures at dawn and dusk. Once again, don’t be afraid to use something they have never seen. It might be that big metrey that is the talk of the town for time to come. Stay safe on the water, have fun and teach your mates how to catch more fish. Most of all, wear your life jackets and make sure your boat is up to date with servicing and safety gear.

Relax and enjoy delicious food and warm hospitality.

Open for breakfast from 6.30am everyday Coffee Light meals Pastries Cakes Bread 10 Main St, Eildon Victoria 3713 03 5774 2362 0438 881 629 APRIL 2017

Pre-spawn trout are heating up WST/STH GIPPSLAND

Steve Haughton steve@habitatcreations.com.au

On 2 April we say goodbye to daylight savings and sneaking in that fish after work or school becomes a little bit trickier. With another winter approaching, it’s time to make the most of the beautiful April weather on offer in West and South Gippsland. There can be some magic days this month. What better way to spend them than having a fish in a wild stream or getting out to Blue Rock Lake. Rugging up and strolling along a trout stream set amongst a beautiful backdrop is a great way to spend the weekend. Brown and rainbow trout are lively this time of year, as they quest for food and stack on the body condition they need to make the journey upstream for spawning. Catch and release of these exciting sportfish on light gear is a lot

of fun. There are numerous techniques for catching stream trout and most can be used on the same rod and reel setup. A 6-7ft rod with a line class of 1-4kg fitted with a 1000-2500 class reel is a great versatile combo that you can use to cast lures, spinners and soft plastics, drift livebaits downstream, fish baits under a float or fish baits off the bottom – all are productive techniques for catching and releasing pre-spawn trout. This same outfit is also ideal for fishing Blue Rock, too. Trout are aggressive feeders, so anything presented well in their feeding zone is fair game. Spinners would have to be the most dependable type of lure for stream trout fishing. Many anglers use these because they are inexpensive and they work. A spinner blade rotates around the shaft mimicking an insect or small fish moving in the water. The smaller the blade, the better it will work in faster moving water. The heavier larger

spinners are ideal for deeper stretches of water. Hardbody lures are gold for small streams and rivers in the West and South Gippsland region. My preference would be a 3-5cm floating minnow style lure. Minnow hardbodies have a great action in the water and the real advantage is that the lure floats, allowing you to retrieve it from amongst snags and other obstacles, or you can let the lure drift into trout feeding zones. These lures allow you to master the art of sight fishing. Small soft plastics have great action in a flowing stream and the texture of the lure often encourages trout to come back for a second strike, if you missed out first time around. A grub with a wriggling tail is great, as it provides the best action in a flowing stream resembling a tadpole or small fish. Fishing with livebaits or artificial baits is another popular technique for stream trout. Artificial baits tend to be a hit for anglers after the trout season has re-opened,

as the baits have a hormone attractant, which still excites a trout post-spawn. Live baits such as garden or scrub worms are the most common for catching stream trout and are still an exciting technique for any trout angler. Drifting baits is similar to casting a lure as you cast into trout zones and let the bait drift downstream before retrieving it. If you are using a scrub worm or bunch of garden worms, it can be flicked out unweighted, but if you need a bit more weight, add a split shot above the hook. Fishing baits off the bottom or under a float is the most relaxed method and often the most popular for a family day out. Flyfishing is the pinnacle of skill and patience for stream trout fishing. As the stream flows begin to increase with more rain, many fly anglers will be nymphing with the everpopular black bead-head nymph. Attaching a dry fly indicator with a bit of flare and colour has also helped anglers have a productive

Dan Moore recently caught this solid brown trout in the Tarago River using a 1” Strike Tiger Nymph in black caviar. day out on the streams. Blue Rock in April should be a bit of fun as trout become more active on the surface. Bass are still being caught, but they’ll start to become a bit harder on the surface, so fishing deeper for

them will be the way to go as the water temperature drops. • Feel free to send me a report or photo, particularly if you have any success stories fishing over the Easter break and please email me any questions. Happy fishing!

Popular Bendigo is producing BENDIGO

Roger Miles codhuntertours@bigpond.com

The fishing around the Bendigo area continues to be very productive. We’re lucky, because the productivity in the fishing is currently good at all of the popular destinations around Bendigo. It’s the most productive I have seen it in over a decade. The good news is that the productivity in the fishing should stay high for at least

another couple of months. LAKE EPPALOCK The fishing in Lake Eppalock continues to be good. As always, it is producing mixed results for anglers. Anglers with reduced knowledge of the lake are often returning home with their tail between their legs after a day of low catch rates. On the other hand, anglers with very good knowledge of the lake are experiencing some very high catch rates of redfin. For those anglers who are struggling to catch some redfin, hopefully a few pointers in this

TARGET

Australia’s largest freshwater fish “The Mighty Murray Cod”

Join Roger on a guided fishing tour and learn how to catch our premier freshwater fish.

FISHING LOCATIONS: • The Loddon River System • Lake Eildon • Campaspe River System • Murray River (Lake Mulwala) • Many More!

P:Roger: 0427 483 286

E:codhuntertours@bigpond.com

www.codhunter.com.au 76

APRIL 2017

report will see you landing more fish. The first thing to note with the redfin is that they are moving around a lot. If you find a school at a certain location, there is a good chance they won’t be there the next time you try that location. Anglers need to be prepared to move around a lot in order to locate a larger school of redfin. On a recent trip to Lake Eppalock I moved over 30 times before I found a big concentration of redfin. Once the school was located it was nearly a fish every cast. The best concentrations of redfin are currently being found in a depth range between 5-10m of water. Find the bait, find the fish. There are large schools of juvenile redfin in the lake at the moment. These bait schools are the main source of food for the larger redfin. If you are fishing in an area and you are not seeing any baitfish, move to another area where the baitfish are more concentrated and you will catch more fish. If you don’t know where a concentration of fish is holding, troll around until you catch fish. My most productive trolling option at the moment is the Custom Crafted Basshunter in the Extra Deep model. You can continue trolling up and down in the same area or change tactics and start casting. Good casting options have been soft plastics, blades and lipless crankbaits in quieter models. Some good numbers of redfin are

also being caught by anglers jigging with ice jigs and soft plastic lures. The productivity in the golden perch fishing has only been average and there has only been the occasional Murray cod being caught. The majority of anglers are concentrating their fishing efforts on targeting redfin. CAMPASPE RIVER Water clarity is currently good at most locations along the Campaspe River. The water clarity is only average at Rochester, but should slowly continue to improve. The fishing has been good in the Campaspe River over recent weeks. Golden perch are making up the majority of anglers’ catch rates. Small numbers of Murray cod are also being caught and small numbers of redfin are being caught in some locations. The majority of golden perch reported are measuring 30-40cm. There are currently more small golden perch in the Campaspe River than I have seen for a long time. This is a great sign for angling opportunities in the future. The most productive lures for the golden perch have been a combination of lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits. While the numbers of Murray cod being caught have been lower than the golden perch, the condition on the majority of fish has been excellent. They are very fat and will be experiencing some good growth rates this season. CAIRN CURRAN Redfin are making up the

Good numbers of golden perch are being caught in the Loddon and Campaspe river systems. majority of captures at Cairn Curran as well. If you do plan a trip to this location, don’t be put off by the water clarity. The water clarity is poor, but the productivity in the fishing is still good. The other positive for this location has been the reduced amount of fishing pressure compared to Lake Eppalock. Most redfin at Cairn Curran are being caught in a lot shallower water than at Lake Eppalock. The best concentrations of redfin are being found in 2-5m of water. Again, trolling can be a good tactic. If you find a good concentration of fish, casting soft plastics has also been productive. The numbers of golden perch and Murray cod being caught at Cairn Curran has been low. The majority of the native fish that have been caught have been around rocky shoreline and around the edges of standing timber. LODDON RIVER The fishing in the Loddon River has been

very good. Some very good numbers of golden perch are currently being caught by anglers. The golden perch are measuring between 30-42cm. Catch rates have been excellent with many anglers landing over ten native fish in a day at the present time. The majority of golden perch are being caught by anglers casting lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits. The most productive times have been the first and last two hours of daylight. The productivity of the fishing during the middle of the day has been slow on most days. There continue to be good numbers of Murray cod. Most of these have been 45-55cm. The occasional large Murray cod has also been landed by anglers. The majority of Murray cod have been caught by anglers casting spinnerbaits. Small numbers are also being caught by anglers fishing with surface lures and swimbaits.

Trout, bass and barra – can it get any better? CTL GIPPSLAND

Will Thompson allwaysangling@bigpond.com

Summer is over, but it seems like the fishing has only gotten better and better. With the season coming a bit late this year, I think we’re in for some top fishing over next few months. With summer being fairly mild, the creeks and rivers maintained flows, which was good. In our local creeks especially, the deeper holes had decent trout numbers. Spin anglers have the most success on small brown trout to 30cm.

In Traralgon Creek, the bass that have been stocked over the past few years have worked their way up the river now and are getting caught as high as Koornalla, which is great to see. In the Thomson River, the odd one has been caught as high as Bruntons Bridge. There’s obviously a stack downstream just above Cowwarr Weir, too. The weir itself has been producing plenty of small bass around 22cm on average. Bigger bass of 30cm are in there as well. Garden worms have been doing well and anglers fishing with cicadas late in the day have been doing ok.

Lake Glenmaggie has been the standout with stacks of bass being caught on all methods. Fishing the deeper rocky drop-offs with soft plastics has been great and cicada style surface lures have been amazing before dark and after dark, as have small stickbaits. There have been some quality bass up to 40cm taken over the past month. As for the barra, they have gone great over the past month. In fact, it has probably been the best month for barra catches. Most of the fish have been caught on poppers during the last hour before dark or on sunup and poppers with a bit of red or orange on them seem

Mark Ramsey with a Victorian barramundi from Hazelwood Pondage caught on a soft plastic fished on the bottom with a slow roll.

to be the go. Soft plastics have been awesome as well, especially for boaties and they are catching plenty of barra on 100mm fish style plastics. A slow roll technique is the best method for catching a barra. They are getting big now as well with fish up to 80cm caught and the average seems to be about 60cm. There are some thumping bass as well. The biggest I have seen measured 54cm. • 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.

It’s not all doom and gloom for this autumn CRATER LAKES

Rod Shepherd

Compared to last year, we have experienced quite a mild summer with reasonable rainfall down here in the southwest, which has been good for water levels all round. However, it was not enough to prevent yet another outbreak of blue-green algae on Lake Bullen Merri which bloomed in February. This has affected the fishing and a warning issued by the Barwon Southwest Water Authority recommends you don’t come into direct contact with the water or consume any fish caught there. Anglers into catch and release are still picking up the odd rainbow and Chinook salmon from the sometimes annoying new releases

The author’s last trip out on Lake Elingamite produced many rainbows, caught on a Damiki Saemi Medium Diver in red. through to fish well in excess of a kilogram. The wind blows the algal bloom around the lake, often concentrating the algae in pockets, so boaters are generally concentrating their efforts on the opposite shoreline. Flat line trolling medium

to deep diving minnow lures in 4-6m depth has worked for those persevering on the lake. Lake Elingamite near Cobden has suffered a slow decline in water levels, which is especially noticeable at the boat ramp. Duck punts and kayaks are now the only

watercraft that can easily launch and enter the lake. This doesn’t sound too good, but compared to previous years, the lake’s levels are actually up. As long as we get decent rain by late autumn, the lake will reopen to larger watercraft by winter. This will give the browns and rainbows released in October last year a chance to stack on some weight. Lake Tooliorook near Lismore has also suffered a drop in water levels. Boats around 4m can still launch here. The problem is floating weed that has been dislodged by wind and wave action. The weed is described as Agrostis (a creeping bent grass that survives damage) and besides being an absolute nuisance when casting, it easily wraps around turning propellers causing outboard motors to stall. Hopefully in the coming weeks this weed will eventually be blown onto

the shoreline where it will eventually break down and rot. There’s plenty of trout in the lake, but not many anglers are presently chasing them. Camperdown angler and rod builder Ken Carmen ticked a major box on his fishing bucket list recently when he hooked, landed and released six estuary perch from the upper reaches of the Gellibrand River. Ken originally went looking for the Gellibrand’s famous river blackfish that can grow to bigger than average in this river, but encountered a school of EPs instead. Ken said he was at least 20km upstream from the river mouth at Princetown right in amongst the thick bush. The water here is 100% fresh (although often discoloured with tannins) and chock full of snags. The fish ranged from approximately 400-800g in weight and succumbed to

Fish Arrow minnow style soft plastics cautiously cast in and around the many snags. I didn’t ask Ken just how many rigged plastics he actually sacrificed, but I imagine quite a few. This river is very heavily choked with snags and that is an understatement if ever there was one. Trevor Holmes from Victorian Inland Charters was recently down fishing Lake Purrumbete and besides putting his clients onto at least 120 keeper redfin over two days, one of them hooked up to and eventually landed a Chinook salmon that pulled the scales down to a whopping 5.86kg. This is how big the Chinooks used to be many years ago when they were initially stocked here. Hopefully this is a sign of some great fishing to come!

Suburban variety is on MELBOURNE METRO

Dylan Brennan

April is normally a great time of year to be fishing. The autumn weather is mild, usually with calm and clear mornings – perfect time to be outside in search of a fish. Whether you can get a session in at the local lake on a Saturday or duck out after work, there are plenty of suburban options to keep you going. With the water surface temperature beginning to drop, Albert Park Lake has been producing a few yellowbelly and redfin. While the redfin have been sporadic to say the least, when they pop up they have been solid fish in the 35cm+ size range. Both of these species have been taking baits like worms and more are caught on lures.

Worm hook rigged soft plastics worked through the patches of weed have been effective in filtering out these fish. There have also been a few big carp caught this way. Paddletail or creature bait style soft plastics are the most productive, imitating the small yabbies, shrimp and baitfish in the lake. They especially work for the yellowbelly. The yellowbelly should bite a bit more until about early may when the shallow waters of the lake cool too much and send them into a sulking, low aggression mood, so now is the time to get your fix. Autumn normally signals the start of a couple of good months for trout fishers. The Yarra up around Millgrove will start producing trout consistently for anglers in search of

them, especially the bait fishers. Fishing adjacent to a deeper pool or run will always increase your chances of getting a look from a resident fish. As the water cools off more these fish will move into the runs and shallower glides where you may even spot them. Fishing hardbodied lures at this time of year can be very productive and spawning trout colours often draw out more aggressive territorial strikes from the resident fish. For a more laid-back approach, bait fishing at Karkarook Park Lake has been good this month. Targeting the trout in the lake with coarse methods has by far been the most successful. When bait fishing for the trout, berley is a must. Mixing crushed up trout berley pellets with a small amount of coloured PowerBait or Maggots into

Local angler Ryan with a solid soft plastic-caught carp from Albert Park. Photo courtesy of Ryan Cohn. a doughy consistency will ensure that you can simply throw it into your fishing area by hand or use a special berley spoon and keep the fishing feeding in the area. Using a small feeder cage above the bait filled with

your berley mixture will also keep the trout interested around your baited hook and keep the action going. • For up to date fishing information, contact the guys at Compleat Angler in Dandenong on 9794

9397 or drop in and see us at 241-243 Princes Hwy, Dandenong, we are open 7 days a week. For our other latest fishing reports and to download information sheets, go to www fishingcamping.com.au APRIL 2017

Wendouree’s great big reddies are biting hard BALLARAT

Shane Stevens

Fishing in the Ballarat district over the past month has been a bit on the lean side with Lake Wendouree still the shining light for the district. Wendouree is a renowned trout fishery, but not over the past month. Big redfin are showing up

they can’t breed due to not having a constant supply of running water, which they need to spawn. The trout will start once again to forage in closer to the shore instead of out in the deeper water. They normally follow the small baitfish, smelt, which will be the main food source for the next 4-5 months, as the mudeye hatches are near the

last year and about how good they were. Flyfishers from all over the state ventured back to Wendouree to fish the once famous Dunn hatches on Wendouree and they were certainly not disappointed with excellent catches of both brown and rainbow trout being taken on mayfly patterns, which included dry flies, emergers and nymphs. Lake Wendouree is not the only water in the district that has mayfly hatches we can look forward to. Hepburn Lagoon, Newlyn Reservoir and Moorabool Reservoir during the coming months will all have hatches of mayfly, normally around midday until 3pm on overcast days. That’s when conditions are the best to tackle the Dunn feeders, starting with small brown nymphs in size 12 or 14. I then use emerger patterns

I don’t know if you’d really go out to target the redfin specifically that reside in Wendouree or whether they are just a by-catch. Your guess is mine. You can fish mudeyes for trout and catch a redfin, and you can cast a lure, plastic or fly and catch a redfin. If you call catching redfin around that 4lb mark a by-catch, I’m happy with that. I will catch them all day – they’re a magnificent fighting fish and for edibility, they’re number one. Father and son team Steve and Nathan Angee have been cleaning up, catching some cracking big reddies out of Wendouree. The boys have been casting hardbody lures and plastics out of a drifting boat around the islands on the west end of the lake and also through the rowing lanes. Emma Corbett has shown

Nathan Angee with a lovely bag of thumping Wendouree redfin caught casting Ecogear Powershad soft plastics. and taking the mantle as the number one catch. The summer has come and gone. It was a reasonably mild one compared to other years, which has helped with our water levels in our fisheries. We can now look forward to the autumn – one of my favourite times of the year for its cool evenings and beautiful, bright sunny

end of their cycle by around the end of April. The smelt move in close to the shore to do exactly what the trout do – breed – and this is when the trout really target them. It’s very exciting, but frustrating at times, to target trout in our waterways. During the autumn months, for anglers who like to flyfish, we look forward to

The author nailed this cracker redfin at 45cm and 1.65kg trolling a silver Bullet Lure in the rowing lanes on Wendouree. how it’s done by catching a 1.7kg 47cm redfin from Wendouree during a fishing competition for the Ballarat Anglers Club recently.

Steve Angee bagged this Wendouree reddy casting a Nories B74 hardbodied lure. Photo courtesy of Nathan Angee.

Emma snagged this beauty fishing a mudeye under a bubble float anchored in the rowing channel. I have been out on Wendouree targeting the rowing lanes over a few sessions, mainly in the mornings when it’s overcast. I believe this is the best time to catch a fish. I have been trolling small hardbodied lures about 10m behind the boat and you might say that’s too close. It doesn’t seem to worry the fish at all, even though Wendouree’s maximum depth is 2m. The reason I have my lures very close to the boat is so they don’t go down too deep and get fouled up by weed. On one of my recent trips I was lucky enough to snag a 45cm 1.65kg brute of a redfin that really fought well and tasted even better. I also managed a couple of small brown trout between 30-35cm that were released, and a dozen smallish redfin as well. Lures in gold and silver have done the damage.

Ben Young and Damien Kierl have been getting amongst the action on Wendouree catching some quality brown and rainbow trout. Ben caught a ripper brown of 1.96kg 56cm casting a Nories 107H pimped up lure with red and black spots on it. Damien has been landing some lovely trout including a magnificent rainbow of 1.5kg on mudeyes fished under a bubble float. Fishing waters other than Lake Wendouree in the district over the coming months should be good. I have already mentioned a couple of waters that should fish well going on previous years. Other waters that are really worth looking at are Cosgroves, Dean, Bostock and Tullaroop reservoirs. They are all land-based fisheries and within 45 minutes of Ballarat. Anglers using baits, flies, plastics or lures all have a chance to catch a trout or redfin in these waters.

Emma Corbett caught this magnificent 47cm 1.75kg specimen on mudeyes in the rowing channel on Lake Wendouree. Photo courtesy of Daniel Hon.

days with little wind. Cooler nights mean water temperatures cool down and the trout in our waters will really start to feed up again before the winter breeding season, even though in most of our fisheries in the district 78

APRIL 2017

hopefully the second hatch of the mayfly this season. I’m full of optimism for the next couple of months after the spring hatch of mayfly on Wendouree was the best for nearly a decade. I wrote extensively about the hatches

like a Possum Emerger or a Shaving Brush pattern. Later in the hatch I move to a dry fly pattern. Wendouree over the past month has produced excellent fishing once again. With big redfin on the menu,

Ben Young nailed this lovely 1.96kg 56cm Wendouree brown casting a pimped up version of the Norries 107H lure. Photo courtesy of Ben Young.

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2017

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

1-2 Apr

Albany BREAM Qualifier #3

www.abt.org.au

Albany

5-6 Apr

Blackwood BREAM Qualifier #4

Blackwood

29-30 Apr

Hawkesbury River BASS Pro Qualifier #1

Hawkesbury River

6-7 May

Round 2 Central Vic Pro Series

Mulwala

20-21 May

Rnd 3 Central Vic Lure Casters Super Series

Mulwala roundy@cvlcss.com

20-21 May

Manning River BREAM Qualifier #5

Manning River

3-4 Jun

Cania BASS Pro Qualifier #2

Cania Dam

7-8 Jun

Boondooma BASS Pro Qualifier #3

Boondooma Dam

1 Jul

Rnd 4 Central Vic Lure Casters Super Series

David Nelson 0418 378 944

Torrumbarry

roundy@cvlcss.com

5-6 Jul

Lake St Clair BASS Pro Qualifier #4

www.abt.org.au

Lake St Clair

8-9 Jul

Glenbawn BASS Pro Qualifier #5

Glenbawn Dam

15-16 Jul

Richmond River BREAM Qualifier #6

Richmond River

5-6 Aug

Round 3 Central Vic Pro Series

Eildon

19-20 Aug

Gold Coast BREAM Qualifier #7

Gold Coast

2-3 Sep

Clarence River BASS Pro Qualifier #6

Clarence River

16 Sep

Rnd 5 Central Vic Lure Casters Super Series

David Nelson 0418 378 944

Eildon

roundy@cvlcss.com

30Sep-1 Oct

St Georges Basin BREAM Qualifier #8

www.abt.org.au

St Georges Basin

7-8 Oct

Round 4 Central Vic Pro Series

Lake Hume

14-15 Oct

BASS Pro Grand Final

Richmond River

30 Oct

BARRA Tour Round #1 (Evening Event)

Teemburra

31 Oct

BARRA Tour Round #2 (Evening Event)

Kinchant Dam

3-4 Nov

BARRA Tour Round #3 (Evening Event)

Peter Faust

6-7 Nov

BARRA Tour Round #4 (Night Championship)

Peter Faust

25 Nov

Rnd 6 Central Vic Lure Casters Super Series

David Nelson 0418 378 944

Lake Eppalock

roundy@cvlcss.com

www.abt.org.au

David Nelson 0418 378 944

www.abt.org.au

David Nelson 0418 378 944

www.abt.org.au

David Nelson 0418 378 944

www.abt.org.au

Add your tournament or competition to this list by emailing jthomas@fishingmonthly.com.au or calling 07 3387 0800 in office hours. Just supply a date, venue, tournament name and a telephone number and contact name. APRIL 2017

Hayes small boat to big victory

THE FUTURE IS HERE Self-contained Electric Outboards

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Despite owning the smallest boat in the 60-strong field, Victorian breamer and long time ABT angler Mark Hayes brought it home to claim victory in the opening round of the 2017 Costa BREAM Series. The 2017 season kicked off with the BKK Hooks Mallacoota BREAM Qualifier, where anglers were greeted with one of the biggest fields for the past several seasons. A total of 60 of Australia’s best BREAM boaters and 56 non-boaters lined up for their shot at the perfect start to a tournament season. A lot of ABT anglers will tell you this same story. A bad pre-fish almost always equals a good tournament, and a good pre-fish will almost always end in disaster. Call it lucky for Hayes then that his Friday pre-fish featured a sole fish catch – a 39cm fork kicker that he caught on a Bent Minnow fishing an area on the eastern side of the Goodwin Sands. Starting day one on a spot that had been good to Hayes in the past, his intuition told him he needed to go back to where he’d landed his only legal the day before. It was then that his non-boater partner Doug Badrock would make

the discovery that ultimately led Hayes to victory. “There’s no doubt I wouldn’t be sitting here if it wasn’t for my non-boater Doug Badrock on day one,” said Hayes. “We turned up at the eastern side of Goodwin Sands exactly where I’d caught the big fish the day before in pre-fish and I again went to the Bent Minnow right up in the shallows. Doug then began fishing behind me and immediately caught a kilo fish from in the deeper water. It was then I realised I was fishing it all wrong. My first cast out into the deeper water landed me a legal and then I had it worked out. The fish were holding just off the edge of the shallows and were staging there while it was calm.” Hayes quickly went to work and put a limit together. While it wasn’t what we’ve come to expect from Mallacoota in years past, 2017 saw the weights lower than average. So Hayes’ 5/5 3.19kg limit was good enough for third place, only 420g behind overnight leader Mario Vukic. For an overnight leader to improve on their day one bag and still get pipped at the post for the victory usually

WINNING TACKLE R

Hayes’ winning rod was a Samaki Zing 2-4kg rod matched with a Daiwa TD Sol 2000 reel. His lure of choice was a 65mm Smith DD Panish jerkbait.

Mark Hayes fished out of one of the smallest boats in the field to claim the win. requires a pretty special second day bag from someone down the field, and that’s exactly what we witnessed as Mark Hayes dropped 5/5 4.23kg on the scales Sunday afternoon to leapfrog Vukic and take the win by 100g. The only 4kg bag weighed in on an uncharacteristically tough Mallacoota weekend was exactly what was needed, and Hayes delivered in spades. Returning to his primary area after his day one success, Hayes quickly put numbers in the boat. “The wind was up in the morning on day two and the fishing was great. We caught plenty of legals and I thought I was done by 10am.” As the morning winds died off to produce a lake surface slicker than a pane of glass, Hayes began catching the quality of fish that had eluded

most of field all weekend. “We plugged away for hours in the afternoon for not many bites, but the ones we did get were the right ones. I probably caught the tournament winning fish around 1:30pm with less than an hour to go.” Hayes’ lure of choice was one that seems to always do well when the Costa BREAM Series ventures south – the Smith DD Panish. Measuring 65mm and featuring a slim profile body, the DD Panish is a true jerkbait. Fish it with a rip and pause retrieve and watch big black bream climb all over it. This was a win for the tinny brigade and goes to show you don’t need a boat that does 100km/h to win a BREAM tournament. Fishing skill and intuition will always top the flashiest gear and fastest boats!

Mario’s Mallacoota magic Mario Vukic has been quietly going about his business over the last few seasons of the Costa BREAM Series, carving out his space as a serious threat when the tour travels south across the Victorian border. He proved those threats are warranted after dropping two of the biggest bags and the two most consistent bags on the scales to finish with 10/10 7.32kg. There’s generally two ways a tournament is won. On a pattern, or on a hotspot, and there’s no

TOP 10 BOATERS

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 80

APRIL 2017

Place Angler

Fish Weight (kg)

Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10 10 10 10 10 9 10 10 10 9

$3750 + $250 1st Mercury Bonus + Costa Sunglasses + Duffrods Big Bag (4.23kg) $1800 + Costa Sunglasses $1300 + $150 2nd Mercury Bonus $1100 + $300 1st Yamaha Bonus $1000+ $100 3rd Mercury Bonus $1,000 $750 $750 $600 $600

Mark Hayes Mario Vukic Warren Carter Tom Slater Brad Hodges Charlie Saykao Wal Balzan Cameron Whittam Jason Mayberry Ben Phayer

7.42 7.32 6.34 6.03 5.86 5.49 5.46 5.38 5.24 5.18

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

doubting Vukic found a hotspot during the BKK Mallacoota BREAM Qualifier. Of his ten fish, nine were caught from one 300m section of steep rocky bank on the Genoa rockwalls. “I think I would have fished that one section over twenty times during the tournament,” he said. “On Sunday I basically went back and forth for six hours.” It was one of those special places that Continued over

the rock wall out from the bank that seemed to hold the fish. “I think the key to this spot was the ledges. Nowhere else on that rock wall had ledges that ran parallel like that, and that’s where we were getting most of our bites.” Vukic relied on ZMan 2.5” GrubZ in motor oil

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seemed to hold the quality of fish that were hard to come by elsewhere in the system, and Vukic had them worked out. Sitting 20m off the bank, Vukic would cast straight in to the wall, and work his lure down the face of the steep rock wall, but it was the ledges that ran parallel to

DUFFRODS BIG BAG Mark Hayes claims the Duffrods Big Bag thanks to his hefty day two 4.24kg bag. Hayes now receives a personally crafted Duffrods, custom designed to fish the waters of Mallacoota where it was won. With many of ABT’s top anglers relying on Duffrods as their fishing rod of choice, there’s no doubt we’ll see this stick aboard the tinny on Hayes’ next fishing adventure.

Mark Hayes delivered the tournament’s only 4kg+ bag to the scales on the final day to claim victory at Mallacoota.

colour, and he would vary his jighead weight from 1/12 to 1/16oz depending on the current and the wind to keep contact with the lure as it sank to the bottom. His outfit of choice was a G Loomis GLX SR842-2 rod paired with Daiwa Steez and Exist reels, spooled with 10lb Sunline Castaway and topped with a 4lb Sunline FC Rock fluorocarbon leader. “I was worried I’d fished it too hard on the Saturday for it to hold up going into Sunday, but they seemed to replenish quickly in the deep water,” Vukic commented. “It’s hard to have regrets when your bag weight goes up on day two, and it took

BREAM Presente SERIES d by BKK

something special from Mark Hayes to knock me off first place. I really couldn’t be happier.” Vukic pocketed almost $2000 for the runner-up position as well as a brand new pair of Costa 580 sunglasses. After his success at the Gippsland Lakes BREAM Qualifier the week after Mallacoota, Mario is now also jointly leading the Power Pole BREAM Angler of the Year race after the first two rounds.

Bowen Joiner bides his time You don’t get a much better start than winning your first ever ABT event, and that’s exactly what Bowen Joiner did as he won the non-boater title at the BKK Hooks Mallacoota BREAM Qualifier. “I’ve been wanting to fish tournaments since I can remember, growing

the tournament, he won by almost a kilo to his nearest rival Clint Voss. To make it even more memorable, his day two bag came entirely on unweighted Ecogear Grass Minnows pink grubbing in under 2ft of water. Day one saw Joiner fish the deep water around the

BIG BREAM Brian Everingham made the long journey to Mallacoota from his home in Taree, NSW and was rewarded with the $500 Big Bream. Everingham caught his prize winning fish in the bottom lake on day one on a Austackle Ranger lure, G.Loomis rod and Lews reel.

a 1/12oz jighead. Targeting the same secondary drop as event runner-up Mario

venture upriver with his boating partner, where they located a school of fish in shallow water. This is

65mm Smith Panish DD jerkbait

Bowan Joiner secured the non-boater title in his first ABT event.

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where the pink grub was deployed and just as quickly engulfed, as Joiner went

Twitch

up watching guys like Bushy and Starlo on AFC. I couldn’t wait until I turned 16 and to win my first one is just an awesome feeling.” Joiner didn’t just win

rock walls of Genoa. He opted for arguably the go-to plastic for bream fishing in 2017, the ever-faithful ZMan 2.5” GrubZ in a variety of colours rigged on

Vukic, Joiner was able to quickly put together the second biggest bag for the non-boaters sitting second overnight. Day two saw Joiner

TOP 10 NON BOATERS Place Angler

Fish

Weight (kg) Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10 8 7 8 7 7 7 8 8 5

5.66 4.88 4.56 4.45 4.42 4.33 4.18 4.09 3.89 3.76

Bowan Joiner Clint Voss Allan Murray Jesse Rotin Ross Lamotte Grayson Fong Scott Wilson Mark Young Joel Corrie Stuart Walker

Costa Sunglasses + Prize Pack + $100 1st Hobie Bonus Costa Sunglasses + Prize Pack + $50 2nd Hobie Bonus JML Alliance Rod & Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack + $35 3rd Hobie Bonus Prize Pack Prize Pack

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

Taree’s Brian Everingham picked up the Big Bream Prize at Mallacoota with his day one kicker fish (1.24kg).

to work in the shallows bagging up a 5/5 2.40kg limit, which on a normal Mallcoota weekend might see you midfield. On a glass calm Sunday it was more than enough to hold off a fast finishing Clint Voss. Joiner is definitely one to watch as he climbs through the ranks of the ABT pathway, and judging by the company he keeps, he’s got a mature head on those young shoulders. Joiner thanked his sponsors Tackleworld Merimbula, Millerods, Humminbird and Minn Kota and his long-time fishing buddy Dean Gamble for the guidance over the last few years. Joiner walked away the proud new owner of a brand new pair of Costa 580 sunglasses and a prize pack bulging with the very best from all of ABT’s sponsors. APRIL 2017

Morgan’s Metung Madness

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Fishing Monthly’s own Steve Morgan has claimed victory at the Mercury Marine Gippsland BREAM Qualifier, the second stop of the 2017 Costa BREAM Series. Morgan has enjoyed his fair share of tough fishing on the Gippsland Lakes in the past, with the Queenslandbased BREAMer struggling to forget three consecutive donuts during the wind-shortened 2013 BREAM Grand Final. 2016 was slightly kinder, with Morgan bagging out the first day, but the plague of tournament fishing crept up, when he could only catch a small limit during day two. “I’ve learnt here in the past that fish at Paynesville don’t last. I learnt that last year and although I caught good fish there during pre-fish this year, I also saw plenty of other boats hitting the spots. I wasn’t going to make that same mistake again, so I looked for similar structure back towards the start at Metung between the pub and Lakes Entrance and hardly saw another boat all tournament.” “I also talked to fellow Queenslander James Howarth, who I shared accommodation with last year. We both caught good bags on day one in 2016 and joked that we had enough fish

Steve Morgan with a pair of his Gippsland Lakes winning bream. between us to win the event.” His plan played out to perfection, with Morgan not only claiming a wire-towire victory, but also taking the Big Bream prize for his 1.55kg kicker from day one. For Morgan, it was a case of fishing to his strengths, and coming from the urban waterways of South East Queensland, fishing artificial structure like jetties, pontoons and oyster encrusted poles is right up his alley. Morgan used the same technique and approach on both tournament days, and relied heavily on one lure to complete his 10/10 9.75kg limit. “A heavy Cranka Crab in olive colour was the standout lure. Even if the water was shallow I’d throw the heavy.

WINNING TACKLE The winning tackle was a Nordic Stage Artis rod paired with a Daiwa Steez 2004 reel, Berkley Nanofil 4lb line and 6lb Yamatoyo Chinu Harris fluorocarbon. Morgan’s lure of choice was a Heavy Cranka Crab in olive colour.

The key with fishing a crab and probably the difference between myself and my non-boaters who struggled with the technique was making sure the crab sunk on a slack line vertically straight down the structure. “It’s a very similar skill to what I learnt throwing stick minnows many years ago. You need to lay the line down to allow the crab to sink straight and not pendulum away from the structure on a semi slack or tight line. If it sinks like that it looks unnatural, and when these bream are this big and this old, they don’t get to that stage without being pretty smart.” Morgan targeted any artificial structure between Metung and Lakes Entrance and put together two consistent bags of thick and heavy Gippsland bream. So confident in the lure was Morgan that he didn’t have anything else rigged up. “I’ve worked out a system now that I probably should have a long time ago.

Pre-fish day I lost five crabs, so that night I spent probably more time rigging up than I ever have before, and I proceeded to tie on heavy crabs to rods ranging from 2lb straight through Yamatoyo spinning fluorocarbon, through to heavy braid and 10lb leader. When I’d approach something like a moored boat, I’d opt for the 2lb or maybe 3lb leader. If I was faced with the nastiest pontoon you’ve ever seen, I would ditch the light tackle and pick up the heavier stick with up to 10lb leader.” Having rods ranging from 2lb, through 3lb, 4lb, 5lb, 6lb, 8lb and 10lb leader let Morgan choose the best chance of first getting the bite, then having the ability to extract the fish once it had been hooked. Once hooked, Morgan would opt not to pump and wind the fish to extract it from the structure. “I always would rather use the electric motor to gently steer the fish out. The harder you go on them, the quicker they bury you in the structure, so it would always be a case of guide the fish out with the electric, then pump and wind once it was clear. If a fish did get me around a rope or pole, I’d immediately back the drag right off, and go in close to try and gently guide the fish back through the maze and into the net.” For his effort, Morgan pocketed the $3300 winner’s cheque, the $500 Big Bream, the 1st place Mercury Bonus cheque and the Duffrods Big Bag for his day one 4.94kg limit.

Carter old school for runner-up Picking up where he left off last year, the 2016 Power Pole BREAM Angler of the Year Warren Carter started strongly with a 3rd place finish at the BKK Mallacoota BREAM Qualifier, and he’s now backed it up with a runner-up at the Mercury Gippsland Lakes BREAM Qualifier to again be sitting joint atop the Power-Pole Angler of the Year race with Mario Vukic after

two rounds. Whenever the Costa BREAM Series visits Victoria, Warren Carter is always a name that pops up as one to watch at the bump tubs. He has a habit of winning and is certainly showing no signs of letting up on his quest for backto-back Angler of the Year trophies. Seeing fish in Gippsland Lakes is never the problem,

Warren Carter continued his good form from 2016 finishing 2nd at the Mercury event.

TOP 10 BOATERS

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 82

APRIL 2017

Place Angler

Fish Weight (kg)

Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9

$3300 + $500 Big Bream (1.55kg) + 1st Mercury Bonus ($250) + 1st Pro ($100) $1400 + 2nd Mercury Bonus ($150) $1,100 $1000 + 3rd Mercury Bonus ($100) $875 $700 $575 $500 $500 + Yamaha Bonus ($300)

Steve Morgan Warren Carter Mario Vukic Kristoffer Hickson Stephen Wheeler Steven Pryke Steve Gill Cameron Whittam Tom Slater Andy Parkinson

9.75 9.26 8.7 8.51 8.22 8.12 8.11 7.74 7.73 7.67

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

and after venturing a few hundred metres into the mouth of the Tambo River on pre-fish day, Warren knew there would be enough fish there to grind out a limit both days of the tournament. It was a venture back to the old school for Carter during the two tournament days, as he stuck tight to the rocky banks of the Tambo River and jerkbaited his way to a 10/10 9.26kg limit. “It was a return to Continued over

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BIG BREAM

what I do best, old school twitching hardbodies on the banks. You really can’t get better than that on the Gippy Lakes.” Carter turned back to an old faithful, the Smith Jade in ayu colour to get quick bags in the Tambo River both mornings. He used an Edge Black Widow 701 rod to cast and impart the

The event Big Bream was joint between boater champion Steve Morgan, and Andy Parkinson for a truly behemoth 1.55kg specimen. Andy Parkinson caught his pig on the Nicholson River flats, while Steve Morgan extracted his from a pontoon not five minutes from the event’s start line at Metung. The tales of the big one that got away haunted many at Gippsland like they always do, which just proves what a special fishery the Gippsland Lakes are for bream.

Steve Morgan’s day one kicker fish (1.55kg) won him in the Big Bream Prize for the event.

perfect action on a seriously lightweight lure. “The Smith Jade is a light lure, but with the right rod it casts just fine. That Edge 701 is perfect; the action I can impart with that soft tip is incredible and second to none in my opinion.” He matched the Edge up to a 2500 size Shimano Stella, which he spooled with 15lb PE0.8 Varivas braid and 4lb Varivas fluorocarbon leader. Both afternoons Carter ventured out of the Tambo River to exploit the afternoon winds for bigger bites on the flats adjacent to the entrance

BREAM

Presente SERIES d by Me rcury

The calm before the storm, Warren Carter and Darren Weda wait patiently for the day one take-off. of the Nicholson River. On day one this approach proved perfect, upgrading with his second biggest fish of the day (1.07kg) on a Smith DD Panish. Unfortunately during the second day, the wind never played the game for Carter’s favoured spots and

the big bite he needed never eventuated. Carter now takes the joint Power-Pole Angler of the Year lead into the next rounds, the Western Australian double-header. Carter is committing wholeheartedly this year, and is

making the journey across our country to back up his win at the Blackwood River in 2015. With the WA double coming up, Carter is going to be a hard man to topple again for the AOY crown in 2017. Only time will tell.

Weedless Weda’s Winning Ways Darren Weda claimed victory by a healthy margin after two days competing on one of the largest and most diverse locations visited every year by the

Costa BREAM Series. Weda’s 10/10 8.14kg limit was more than enough to edge out non-boating veteran Simon Johnson to second place.

Weda started his assault on Gippsland Lakes with none other than Warren Carter, and the pair quickly identified a game plan that would have them both able to be competitive. “Warren was fishing up tight to the bank Heavy Crank Crab

with a hardbody, so I worked out on the initial drop-off and secondary drop-off with plastics and blades,” said Weda. Noticing the abundance of small baitfish in the entrance to the Tambo River, Weda opted to match the hatch as best as possible. He rigged up a ZMan 2.5” Slim SwimZ on a 1/12oz jighead, which he fished slow off the bottom, hopping it back to the boat. Weeding his way through bag fillers, Weda managed a couple of kicker fish throughout the day to end with just over 4kg sitting

Darren Weda claimed his first victory on the ABT BREAM Tour winning the non-boater title at the Mercury presented event. been pretty nervous taking the lead into the final day, but being in third probably made me fish slower and

DUFFRODS BIG BAG Steve Morgan also claimed the Duffrods Big Bag for his day one 4.94kg limit. Catching 12 legals for the day and not losing one fish is going to mean a big bag in Gippsland more times than not. Each Duffrods Big Bag winner receives a personally crafted Duffrod made especially for the venue at which it was won by 2006 ABT BREAM Grand Final Champion Steve Duff.

in third place. “It was probably good for me to not be leading, to be honest. I would have

more relaxed, knowing the pressure was on the guys ahead of me not to falter.” Day two saw Weda paired

TOP 10 NON BOATERS Place Angler

Fish Weight (kg) Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10 10 10 9 10 9 9 5 8 8

Darren Weda Simon Johnson Clint Voss Nick Penprase Michael Hodges Stuart Walker Shaun Egan Jack Healey Jesse Rotin Allan Murray

8.14 7.35 7.3 6.77 5.92 5.81 5.64 4.55 4.49 4.47

Costa Sunglasses & Prize Pack Costa Sunglasses & Prize Pack + 1st Hobie Bonus ($100) JML Alliance Rod & Prize Pack + 2nd Hobie Bonus ($50) Prize Pack + 3rd Hobie Bonus ($35) Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack

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

Morgan heads to the start line on day two of the Mercury Gippsland Lakes BREAM Qualifier.

with the current number one ranked BREAM angler Mark Crompton and it was going to be a completely different day fishing over 50km away from the previous day’s hotspot. “Crommo had located fish down at Hollands Landing and I knew the big ones lived there, so I rigged up a heavy outfit with a weedless plastic to try and get the fish out of those shallow snaggy edges.” Weda’s outfit consisted of a Daiwa Gen Black Albino rod, matched with a 2506 Daiwa Certate spooled with 12lb braid and 8lb leader. He rigged a ZMan 2.5” GrubZ weedless on a Decoy Nailbomb jighead to throw into the gnarliest country he could find. “I managed three good fish from Holland’s before the bite shut down, then Crommo moved back to the Nicholson flats and I managed to fill my bag with two legals which ended up being plenty enough to leapfrog the guys in front of me.” Darren’s victory saw him walk away with a brand new pair of Costa 580 sunglasses and a stacked prize pack full of the best breaming gear from all of ABT’s sponsors. APRIL 2017

Tough bite to start Vic Bream Classic at Mallacoota A big field, tough bites and stinking hot days were the talk at the pub during Friday night’s briefing for Round One of the 2017 Atomic Vic Bream Classic Series. Round One, the Bayford Volkwagon East Gippsland Bream Classic, saw 60 teams ready to battle it out to get the season off to a flying start. For Team We Flick Fishing’s Tom McIntosh and Charlie Saykao it would be the perfect start to the season for them leading from start to finish to claim their first Vic Bream Classic victory. On Day One they took off in 17th position, which unfortunately meant they didn’t quite get their desired starting location. They quickly adapted and moved to another super shallow flat, pulling two fish in quick succession. As the wind died, they headed up

and fished a few isolated bays with less boat traffic to look for a few big bites. A 29cm tip black bream hit the deck after a few quick casts followed by the big clunk of a kicker fish for Day One, a 1.16kg yellowfin coming out of a foot of water. “We felt the tension of having camera man Jacob ‘Banana’ Villani slide off our shoulders knowing we had put ourselves in a solid position to start the day,” McIntosh said. “Thirty minutes passed and having a solid 800g spit the hooks metres from the net was very heart breaking. We slogged it out fishing our confidence techniques, which paid off with two almost identical fish going 990g and 980g.” They upgraded their bag and were over 4kg by 10am. After fishing all afternoon with minimal success, they moved

Tom McIntosh and Charlie Saykao display some of the quality fish from their Day One bag that anchored their victory.

back to the top lake to fish Palmers, where they hoped to find enough wind to get the fish back on the chew. “Pulling hooks on another fish just saw frustration levels going through the roof. We needed to stay calm and composed. Still with a 29 tipper in the well, we knew we needed to upgrade that fish and dropping a Cranka Crab down to some shut down fish

staying with me,” McIntosh said. “I was a trembling wreck, taking 10 minutes just to tie a single knot.” Day Two was a mix of emotions. Team We Flick Fishing were off the blocks in first position and got to their zone first. They slogged it out for a bag of solid flathead with no bream. Transitioning in and out of waypoints trying to locate patches of feeding Team We Flick Fishing’s Tom McIntosh and Charlie Saykao display their first place trophies.

Dan Mackrell and Steve Parker from Team Colac Tackle Samurai Rods display some fish from their 4.68kg Maria Lures Best Bag. got a handy upgrade in the last half hour of the day, putting us around 4.5kg.” Heading back to weigh in, the boys were confident they had enough in the well to keep them at the pointy end of the field. Little did they know it was enough to bump them to first position at the completion of Day One. “Re-rigging that night was a laugh for the other guys

fish saw a few small fish in the well. With the number of boats in the area, they kept moving to find less pressured fish, which finally earned them a double hook-up and a full bag by 9:30 for about 2.8kg. “Slogging it out all day saw us drop more fish than we ever have before in a day’s fishing. In the back of our minds we thought we had let our chances slip through

RESULTS Place 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Team Name We Flick Fishing Keeping It Reel Minn Kota Colac Tackle – Samurai Rods Finding Nemo Chemically Sharp MPW Bream By Stealth EGM Scales

Anglers Charlie Saykao, Tom McIntosh Isaac Primmer, Morgan Flook Cam Whittam, Warren Carter Steve Parker, Dan Mackrell Rylee Barling, Cameron Cleal Damien McGlynn, Adam Arbuthnot Peter Marshall, Darren White Romeo Prezioso, Carl Di Toro Marlo Vukic, Paul Conn Simon Krause, Patrick Krause

Total Fish 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

Total Weight (kg) 8.19 7.87 7.75 7.73 7.71 7.57 7.55 7.32 7.27 7.03

2017

APRIL 2017

our fingers. A few key bites coming in quick succession saw solid upgrades, boosting us to around 3.2kg.” With the wind scheduled to get up about midday, they moved up into the shallows. They caught two big yellowfin to upgrade their bag. Knowing the fish were sitting in super shallow water, they pushed in closer, following their tracks on the Lowrance HDS they had previously used for several drifts during the weekend. With the water draining off the flats, the guys were unable to get through the gutter and started bottoming out. This put them in a bad position, where they couldn’t go back due to wind and couldn’t pull out with another boat just off their side. The wind pushed them up further, leaving them high and dry. They managed a few small upgrades to finish the day and returned to the ramp thinking they would be lucky to have 3.5kg. The nerves kicked in as they pulled the fish out of the live well and got them into the weigh bag ready for the moment of truth. “The bag felt light as we jumped off the boat and walked up to the bump tubs. When Bill took the bag of fish I felt like we had left the door wide open for other teams. Weighing in 3.73kg was

a relief, but with a field full of such talented anglers, it would be a nervous wait.” Fortunately, it was enough to hold onto top position and take out the 2017 Bayford Volkswagon East Gippsland Bream Classic Championship. It was Saykao and McIntosh’s first event win as a team and McIntosh’s first podium finish. With such a talented field, the boys from Team We Flick Fishing couldn’t take a clean sweep of all the prizes. The Maria Lures Best Bag along with the Hurricane Monster Movers prize went to Team Colac Tackle Samurai Rods’ Steve Parker and Dan Mackrell with a second day bay weighing 4.68kg. This bag rocketed them 19 places up the leader boards to finish in fourth position. The JML Anglers Alliance Big Bream went to debutants, Team Finding Nemo’s Rylee Barling and Cameron Cleal who weighed in a cracking 1.38kg bream. All eyes are now looking towards the end of the month and the Maria Lures Sunline Bream Classic at Marlo on 29-30 April. If you are interested in fishing the event, log onto www. vicbreamclassics.com.au for entry forms or contact Tournament Director Bill Hartshorne on 0409 823 070. – Vic Bream Classics

Riverina Classic was a great success once again The fourth annual Riverina Classic Catch and Release Fishing Competition was held over three days in February on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River at Darlington Point in the Riverina NSW.

double the previous year’s release. Over 13,000 Murray cod and golden perch fingerlings were released in order to help secure a sustainable fishing future in the Murrumbidgee River ecosystem.

One of the fingerlings released into the river. The Riverina Classic is a complete family event weekend featuring helicopter flights, kids’ entertainment, lure casting competitions, boat displays, a major raffle draw, release of native fingerlings and much more. This year the Berkley super tank (a giant mobile fish tank) was part of the event, giving visitors a great fish eye view of lure casting. The event was a great success again this year with $20,000 raised and donated to the Griffith and district NSW support group for Motor Neurone Disease who service a large section of the Riverina providing assistance to those living with the disease. This year saw nearly

Despite consecutive days over 45°C, the event still had a great turn out of keen anglers and a record 112 legal-sized fish entered over the weekend. All entries were sent in as photos in order to minimise any negative effects on the welfare of the fish and to ensure anglers have maximum opportunity to chase that elusive big one. The number of entries and the sizes of fish paint a promising picture. The river system looks better than it has been in previous years, despite flooding and black water in the region last winter. The Riverina Classic offers one of the largest

The Riverina Classic had a huge turn out again this year. Second prize was a platinum 40L Engel fridge package and third prize was a Weber Q BBQ. These were cleaned up by locals Brendan Scott and Dyni Weaven. All entrants into the fishing competition went

attended the weekend and had fun! The event was made possible by the hard work and dedication of volunteers and their partners and friends who help organize the weekend. The event would not have taken place without

This year’s fingerling release had nearly double the numbers of last year’s.

Stacks of great prizes ready to be won by lucky competitors.

prize pools for inland fishing competitions in New South Wales. Winning categories in the competition again included: Biggest Yellowbelly, Biggest Cod, Biggest Carp and Cumulative Length. Each category had both junior and senior sections and every single junior that entered the competition went home with a prize. Kylie Ryan and Brody Kenningale reclaimed their titles once again as senior and junior champion angler respectively for 2017. Lucky Leeton local Lyndal Kirkup took home the major raffle prize, a $10,000 Flight Centre holiday voucher.

Every junior that entered the competition left with a prize and a smile. into the draw to win a complete Stacer 409 Striker Series boat with a four-stroke 30hp Mercury motor and trailer package. Paul Hicks took home the goods for the senior draw and young Makayla Newman collected a kayak package. Thanks to everyone who entered, helped out,

the generosity of all the sponsors whose support will help ensure the community and the event continue to thrive. For more information on the Riverina Classic Fishing Competition weekend, like us on Facebook or visit www.riverinaclassic.com. – Riverina Classic

Left: The event was a great success with $20,000 raised and donated to the Griffith and district NSW support group for Motor Neurone Disease – thumbs up to that! Right: The Riverina Classic is a family event and has something for everyone. APRIL 2017

WHAT’S NEW FISHING PFLUEGER PRESIDENT XT LP

Pflueger baitcast reels are known to be fishing-ready right out of the box, but more importantly they can be trusted for years of use. With the introduction of the President XT baitcast reel, Pflueger is providing anglers with a durable reel that lasts a lifetime and doesn’t break the bank. Pflueger’s President XT baitcast reel is chock-full of upgrades that deliver the type of performance anglers have come to expect. Side plates have been constructed with durable C30 carbon, and the President XT also features a magnetic braking system. The magnetic braking system is externally adjustable and easily adapts to the lightest presentations. Nine stainless steel ball bearings make this one of the smoothest reels on the market. This 210g reel retrieves 77.5cm of line per crank of the aluminium handle. It’s also equipped with slip-resistant rubber cork knobs, which help when conditions take a turn for the worse and the fight has just begun. Price: SRP $149 www.pflueger.com.au

BIGFISH FLOATING FISH GRIPS

Bigfish Gear Floating Fish Grips are perfect for safely handling fish of all sizes. They are constructed of heavy-duty moulded floating plastic that is lightweight, durable and corrosion resistant. To use the Floating Fish Grips, simply place the easy open grips in the mouth and snap the grip shut, then flick open to release the fish with no harm to you or the fish. Bigfish Gear Fish Grips have an adjustable wrist lanyard and are bright green and black, so they stand out in the boat and are easy to grab in that time of need. They are available in two sizes, 6” and 9”. And, because they’re not as heavy as some other grips, they’re great to keep in your backpack on land-based trips. To see more items in Bigfish Gear’s new range of accessories, check out their website. Price: SRP $13.95- $14.95 www.bigfishgear.com

MATZUO IKARI SHAD

Named for the Japanese word for ‘anger’, the Matzuo Ikari Shad is exactly that: one angry little rattler! This lipless, slowsinking bait is the only shad in the market to feature Matzuo’s signature ‘bloody red’ flared gills and super sharp black nickel treble hooks. The Ikari’s chambered body houses stainless steel rattle bearings which produce a loud and resonating ‘knock’ and ‘ping’ on retrieval, which attracts both salt and freshwater predators. Available in two sizes and 10 colour combinations, there’s an Ikari Shad for most water clarities and light conditions. Ikari is a slow sinker with a tantalizing horizontal fall that lets you get the most out of the water column. Crank it steady with a slow or moderate retrieve or rip it fast – it will engage in a tight, head-down wiggle and move an impressive amount of water with its flared gills. Ideally suited to Australian bass, the Ikari Shad has also proven deadly on bream, yellowbelly and EPs. Price: SRP $16.95 www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au 86

APRIL 2017

NEW 2017 COSTA RANGE

Global eyewear powerhouse Costa Del Mar has launched their highlyanticipated new range of 2017 frames and an extension of new colours in existing frame designs. There’s now an additional six new frame styles available in Australia from Costa dealers, as well as three new colours across the existing Costa range! The six new frame styles are aptly named, with the first new addition ‘Bloke’ perfectly reflecting the humorous Australian lifestyle. The five other new frames include other locally inspired designs, Tasman Sea, Reefton, Kiwa, Cook and White Tip. One of Costa’s biggest qualities is their inherent ability to continue to push the boundaries in frame colour. Their Bio Resin frames now come available in four new colours, including two new brilliant matte teak finishes. Costa has these new frames and colours in their glorious 580 lens technology, effectively blocking the harshest light waves in the visible spectrum and enhancing the portions that help you see more clearly into the water. www.costadelmar.com.au

SHIMANO CHRONARCH MGL

Ultra-lightweight and top level performance is the best way to describe the new freshwater specialist Chronarch MGL baitcaster. In pursuit of effortless casting and smooth winding, Shimano’s new Magnum Light spool design incorporates a unique porting technique that allows for precision cut holes to be inserted into the side of the spool. As a result, casting distance is increased by 15% when compared to the same capacity of a standard spool. To further enhance precision, Micro Module and X-Ship combine to form a powerful yet precise gear system that is available in two ratios, 6.2:1 and 7.1:1. When under load, the Chronarch MGL performs superbly, outputting up to 5kg of max drag pressure and giving you the ultimate confidence in remaining connected to your prized catch. Shimano’s coveted CI4+ body construction further adds to that ultra-lightweight feeling and enables the Chronarch MGL to weigh in at a mere 185g. www.shimanofish.com.au

ARDENT SMART CULL

PRODUCT GUIDE

No more markers or charts to lose or replace, no more reweighing or extra handling and stressing out the fish. The Ardent SmartCull Pro Culling System is the first of its kind and what every tournament angler has been waiting for. The two-stage system in the Ardent Smart Cull allows you to cull by colour and weight, making culling quick and simple for once. A series of six highly buoyant, impact resistant balls equipped with a durable clip and cable keep things manageable. Each culling ball is a different colour for quick selection and also features large, although smart cull balls. Simply use the numbers as the measurement of the fish, for example, 27 for 27cm. The Ardent Smart Cull 6 is compatible with live-well additives and saltwater, and is ready to go when the tournament’s on. So if you’re serious about your tournament fishing, make sure you give this new product a look! Price: RRP $88 www.temptindustries.com.au

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING BAGLEY LURES MONSTER SHAD

Tackle Tactics are bringing Australian anglers over 60 years of lure-making expertise with the launch of Bagley hardbodies in Australia. Every Bagley lure is individually hand-tuned and water tested to ensure the legendary action lives on. With Jarmo Rapala, former CEO of the Rapala Group and part of the legendary Rapala family at the helm, Bagley is sure to continue their successful history of lure design and innovation. One of the new arrivals is the Monster Shad, a versatile Bagley classic. It was originally born from balsa and is now finding new life with its heavy-duty ABS construction. It’s already proving effective on barramundi, mulloway, Murray cod and more. Built tough, with a unique locking lip, heavy-duty hooks and HD construction, the Monster Shad is sure to become a favourite, cast and trolled from the bluewater to the inland rivers and impoundments. It measures 5” long, weighs 1 1/4oz and dives to 10-12ft. Price: SRP $26.95 www.tackletactics.com.au

SAMAKI MIGHTY MULLOWAY SHIRT

The Samaki Mighty Mulloway shirt features a mulloway chasing down the Thumpertail amongst some pylons, while mullet, bream and squid lurk in the shadows so as not to draw attention to themselves. The water laps around the pylons with so much detail you’ll feel as though you’re sitting on the jetty yourself! The lightweight fabric boasts UV50+ resistant technology, and the soft touch 100% polyester material is comfortable to wear all day. It also has the added bonus of being breathable, keeping you cool and dry. Samaki designs are brought to you by Australian anglers who love to design Australian species. Mighty Mulloway shirts are available in adult, youth and kids sizes, allowing the whole family to get in on the action and out onto the water. To keep up to date on the latest from Samaki, look them up on Facebook and Instagram. Price: SRP $59.95 (adults), $49.95 (youth and kids) www.samaki.com.au

WINGLET LITTLE BULLET

The Winglet from Fish Inc Lures has been designed following the popularity of the Wing, with the intention of creating a smaller profile of the same bait. This enables you to match the hatch in the area you’re fishing. It’s the same weight of the Wing at 42g, but instead of the ABS construction, is made of solid zinc. It casts like a bullet, so it’s perfect for getting that extra distance, but also assists with the sink rate, so it can be used to fish a variety of depths. It’s perfect for a variety of sportfish, either shore-based or in deeper waters. It also comes fitted ready for action with #6 Owner hooks. The Fish Inc Winglet is available in six colours: pink back, halfbeak, natural, purple back, glow and green glow. For the ultimate in versatility, make sure you give these great new lures a look! Price: RRP $17.95 www.fishlures.com.au

GILLIES LANDING NETS

The new range of Gillies landing nets are constructed from powdercoated aluminium and are strong and lightweight for ease of use. The silicone rubber netting is fish-friendly, knot-free, rot-free and durable. And because it is transparent, it won’t spook the fish when you land them perfect for catch and release! As storage can be an issue with nets, especially in boats, the handles on the medium and large size nets slide forward with the click of a button, to minimise the space required to stow them away. There are three landing nets in the Gillies range, small, medium and large, to cover various types of fishing applications. The small net has a handle length of 17cm, a frame diameter of 30cm and a mesh depth of 25cm. The medium net has an 80cm handle, 40cm frame and a 30cm depth, and the large model has a 110cm handle, 55cm frame and a 40cm depth. www.jmgillies.com.au

AUSTACKLE KING STIK

Austackle has added another versatile lure to its line-up: the King Stik. It has a stickbait profile and can be cast and retrieved at high speed, or presented as a jig. Pre-rigged with twin assist VMC hooks, and constructed using straight-through, one-piece internal wire, the King Stik is built tough and battle-ready. Oversized 3D eyes, UV features and holographic finishes make King Stik a standout. There are easy-to-change assist hooks so you can rig to your liking, or add a treble for different applications. This lure is perfect for battles with tough adversaries such as kingfish, mackerel, tuna, snapper, tailor, barramundi and a variety of pelagic and reef fish. It measures 95mm and weighs 43g, and is available now from all good tackle stores. For more information on this and other new Austackle lures, visit the Austackle website or look them up on Facebook. Price: SRP $16 www.austackle.com

DAIWA LEXA CC 300H

The Daiwa Lexa CC 300H is perfect for casting monster swimbaits and crankbaits for big lure munchers. Bulletproof in construction, it has an open access, low-profile frame that sits comfortably and low in the hand. Rapid side-plate access provides easy access to the spool, while its corrosionresistant alloy frame creates a reel that is lightweight yet highly sensitive and strong. Daiwa’s Ultimate Tournament Drag, featuring a multi-washer carbon drag stack, offers ample stopping power and dishes out a staggering 10kg of drag. Adding to this is something not seen before in a baitcaster of this calibre – a spool ratchet. At 108 decibels it’ll be heard over any boat noise. Perfectly balanced, ultra light, and ultra strong, the machined A7075 aluminium spool is as deep and wide as they come, and Daiwa’s Swept Handle delivers maximum cranking power and feel. For a full list of specs visit the Daiwa website. www.daiwafishing.com.au

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

WHAT’S NEW FISHING FUGLIES SUNGLASSES WILSON LURE 13 WALLETS SLABS The newest addition to the Fuglies Sunglasses 2017 range are the PL16 Slabs, a high-coverage wraparound frame with a generous lens area for good vision, and wide side-arms to block peripheral glare. Thanks to the lightweight polycarbonate frame and low curvature side-arms, you can wear your Slabs all day with no rubbing or pinching, and soft rubber nose pads and a snug fit help to keep them in place. For increased wind and dust protection, Fuglies Slabs also have a removable foam gasket. The lightweight tri-acetate lenses are colour-neutral polarised smoke-grey for excellent in-water visibility and provide maximum Category 3 UV protection. The lenses also have a hydrophobic coating to reduce fogging, and a blue revo mirror finish to maximise glare reduction. Price: SRP $39.95 www.fuglies.com.au

LEAVEY LURES T-REX 14 SPINNERBAIT The new T-Rex Spinnerbaits from Leavey lures are everything you’d expect from a hand-made lure from Yamba fisherman and tackle store owner Mick Leavey. While Mick now resides on the coast terrorising local mulloway, he cut his teeth on the big Murray cod of the New England region and has designed these lures to be big enough and tough enough to tackle those monster green fish. Mick has spent endless hours fine-tuning the design, and he even had a special hook made to give the coverage and strength you need! The colour range includes bright colours and more natural bait presentations, so there’s a Leavey Lures T-Rex to suit just about any water colour you may come across. There are two weights, 1 1/4oz and 1 3/4oz. Leavey Lures are distributed exclusively by Yamba Bait & Tackle (mail order available). To place an order, give them a call on (02) 6646 1514. Price: SRP $26.95 www.facebook.com/ yambabaitandtackle

LABORATORIO DANZATORE PAZZO 15 New to the Australian fishing scene, Laboratorio is a brand without compromise. Danzatore Pazzo, the ‘crazy dancer’, is a 6.4cm crankbait that dives to 3.5-4.5m on the cast, and deeper on the troll. It is equipped with a internal weight transfer system that rolls to the rear of the lure on the cast, allowing for extra long casts. It then moves to the front to allow the lure to crash dive to the depths. The long bib is very effective in shallow, snaggy water, allowing it to deflect and not get hung up. This lure will catch fish on a fast retrieve, but is particularly deadly on a dead slow retrieve, where other lures would lose their action. They have already proven themselves as a fish catching machine on Murray cod, golden perch, bass and flathead, and they come in six great fish catching colours. Price: RRP $18 www.weflikinlures.com.au

APRIL 2017

PRODUCT GUIDE

Wilson Lure Wallets are exceptionally functional, allowing anglers to store plastics and spinnerbaits in a convenient and easy to manage way. Striking in their design, these lure wallets are available in two sizes, large and small. The Large Lure Wallet (35cm x 25cm x 6cm) is ideal for larger spinnerbaits and 7-9” long plastics. It features eight zip-lock sleeves that are held in place by three stainless steel rings. The Small Lure Wallet (26cm x 24cm x 8cm) is perfect for 5” and smaller plastics, as well as spinnerbaits up to about 1oz in weight. This wallet features 10 sleeves and two stainless steel rings. Both wallets are double-zippered for convenience and feature a sturdy carry handle for easily transporting them from home to the boat. www.wilsonfishing.com.au

RIVER2SEA SHOGUN 17 ICE LINES The Shogun range of fishing lines has been designed for Australian anglers, and is made from the highest quality Japanese materials. Shogun is a proven player in the fishing line sector. One of the latest lines is Shogun Ice Blue, which offers an impressive balance of high strength, exceptional abrasion resistance and a soft, supple feel. This premium monofilament is a favourite choice of anglers due to its consistent, reliable performance. It’s available in 300m spools (6lb-80lb) and 500m spools (8lb80lb). Shogun has also released a new fluorocarbon leader called Ice Clear. This leader has been designed to maximise the angler’s touch and feel, due to its low memory and high sensitivity. It is invisible to fish, very thin and abrasion-resistant. Available spool sizes are 100m (4lb-20lb), 75m (25lb, 30lb) and 50m (40lb, 50lb). For more information on the Shogun range of line and leader visit the River2Sea website. Price: RRP Ice Blue from $16.10 Ice clear from $20.20 www.river2sea.com.au

LIVELY LURES ZIGGY SD

Expanding on their range of fantastic Australian made lures, Lively Lures are proud to present the newest member of the line up – the Ziggy SD. SD stands for Surface Dancer, which is exactly what these baits are designed to do when worked with short rod movement, creating an irresistible walk-the-dog action. The cupped face allows allows the SD to spit and bubbles as it walks its way across the surface. As it walks, it rolls its body, which will give any lookers below a flash of colour, triggering them to bite. The SD range was developed to mimic distressed prey struggling on the surface, and will attract all species that feed on prey in the water, or that which has fallen from above. The Ziggy SD comes in three sizes – 70, 90 and 110mm, which is perfect for the variety of Australian fish that anglers commonly chase. The 70 and 90 come in seven colours, and the 110 come in the same colours plus two chrome colours as well. RRP: from $12 www.livelylures.com.au

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING TESTED

Torqeedo Lithium Battery – the ultimate for 24V users

RE ONLINE MO

CA N T H E Q R

NTENT

-S

FOR EXTR

Yes, it’s true – at Fishing Monthly and tacklejunkie.fish we do get to test the cool new stuff as it hits our shores. And we don’t try to hide the fact that some of this stuff is pretty exciting! Power Equipment launched their Torqeedo distributorship last year, and I was excited about the Torqeedo 26104 battery the moment I saw it in the catalogue. I’ve used lithium batteries in my boat before – a set of Lithionics to power a 24V Minn Kota Fortrex on the Fishing Monthly Phoenix. I loved them even though the system was a little clunky; two 12V cells in series and a separate control box that all had to be installed and tied down separately. By contrast, this Torqeedo system is that it’s an all-in-one package that weighs in at a little over 23kg. Previously, the pair of Full River 110aH batteries that boasted the same capacity weighed in at 38kg. Each! That’s 76kg plus the weight of an on-board charger. By swapping the Full Rivers for the 20-104, you instantly save at least 53kg. In a bass boat, this means several things. It means that the boat travels at 6 knots on a much more level attitude and with a lot less wake. It also means that it pops on to the plane easier, and draws less water so I can fish shallower spots – around 5-7cm shallower. But the best thing is the power curve of

The Torqeedo 26-104 lithium battery fits neatly into the slot where 2 x lead-acid batteries were mounted in the Fishing Monthly bass boat. COST The cost/benefit of lithium batteries versus lead/acid is the most common debate I have with fellow anglers. The fact is that at around $5000 for the system, it’s around four times the price. For me, the benefits are worth it. On paper, the system will last through a few sets of regular batteries, but the real advantages come through the weight savings. The reduction in weight gives better performance that would only be achieved otherwise through repowering the boat, modifying your outboard or

blueprinting a propeller. Plus, you can get your boat in shallower water. Naturally, this system isn’t ever going to make it back to Torqeedo. I’m keeping it! For the full video review, scan the QR code hereabouts. - Steve Morgan

PRICING Battery ...................................$4200 Charger ....................................$715 On/Off switch ...........................$187

The small step in the bilge area was filled with some nylon blocks, and webbing straps hold the battery in place. lithium batteries. All day, the electric motor feels like it’s come straight off the charger. Lithium batteries retain a high charge, while lead-acid batteries drop voltage through their cycle. You can actually feel the voltage drop through the unit during a day’s fishing. I wasn’t brave enough to fish for more than three days on this battery before charging it. That wasn’t using it on an electric-only dam where it was the sole means of propulsion – just standard correcting and controlling a drift with the current. SETUP For those of us who currently run 2 x 24v batteries, the good news is that the Torqeedo fits neatly into the space that these batteries take up. In the Fishing Monthly bass boat we needed to build up the platform a little with some nylon boards, but once this was

done, two webbing straps held the battery very securely in place. Accessories-wise, all you need to run this battery with any 24V trolling motor is an on/off switch. This plugs into the two data ports that would usually be filled by plugs from the proprietary Torqeedo electric motor like the Cruise. Push the button for a couple of seconds and the system turns on. It’ll turn itself off after 48h if not used. The only other piece of equipment you’ll need is a charger. Torqeedo’s 10A equivalent charger is waterproof, but I prefer to not mount it in the boat; I just carry it around with the extension cords in a milk crate. It’s rigged to clip on with an Anderson clip and after a day’s fishing, I plug it in when I get home and then remove it before I go to bed. It usually only takes a couple of hours to get the battery back to 100%.

The proprietary Torqeedo charger is waterproof, but I chose to not mount it in the boat.

APRIL 2017

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

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EAST COAST

MARINE ACCESSORIES

Compleat Angler Ringwood (03) 9870 7792

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EAST COAST

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Naaj Marine 0421 955 371 Unique Marine Accessories (03) 5427 1802 CMC Marine Sales

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ONLINE TACKLE PRODUCTS Specialty Fishing Products

Hunter Marine Boat Builders (03) 5032 2320

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This section in V&TFM Fishing Monthly consolidates the trades and services in your area that are relevant to your fishing and boating. Whether you’re a local looking for more options or a travelling angler fishing around the state, this guide will direct you to reputable businesses in the area you’re searching.

APRIL 2017

NSW SOUTH COAST

CHARTER BOATS

Reel Affair, Merimbula freecall 1800 233 247

EAST GIPPSLAND

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

East Gippsland Charters 0400 564 032

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

WEST COAST

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

Portland Fishing Charters, Portland (03) 5523 3020

K9 Fishing Charters, Merimbula (02) 6495 1681

CENTRAL

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

South-West Fishing Charters, Portland 0418 306 714

Narooma Charters, Narooma 0407 909 111

Gone Fishing Charters 0409 007 068

O’Brien Charter Service, Bermagui 0407 214 124

BONUS EXCLUSIVE NEO PROTECTIVE COVER!

Able Fishing & Charters, Williamstown (03) 9502 3777

FISHING GUIDES

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

NSW SOUTH COAST

Big Red Fishing Charters, Queenscliff 1800 805 587 Wilderness Fishing Tours, Mallacoota 0424 625 160

Blue Magic Fishing Charters, Rowville (03) 9759 5301

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

Calypso Fishing Charters, Tootgarook (03) 5985 8463

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395

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

EAST COAST Capella III Fishing Adventures, Port Welshpool (03) 5688 1585 Far Out Charters, McLoughlins Beach 0428 401 819 Prom Coastal Charters, Yanakie (03) 5687 1248 or 0429 935 583 Razorback Bluewater Charters, Port Albert (03) 5183 2691

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

TASMANIA & FLINDERS ISLAND

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

If you have any other trades or services that you would like to see in this section please don’t hesitate to give us a call Email: pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

5 YEAR

WARRANTY!

1249

VIPER MICRO 1000 Winch Bundle •VIPER PRO 1000 Winch Bundle $1379 •VIPER PRO 1500 Winch Bundle $1989

55W 12V Halogen Deck Lamp

99 EACH

OR 2 FOR

STORES

CELEBRATING

WIDE

YEARS

AUSTRALIA

Ausprey Tours, Launceston (03) 6630 2612 Gone Fishing Charters, St Helens (03) 6376 1553 Fish Wild Tasmania, Hobart 0418 348 223

CHANDLERY & ACCESSORIES

Flinders Island Adventures, Flinders Island (03) 6359 4507

Anchor Right (03) 5968 5014

Trout Territory, Northern Midlands (03) 6397 5001

Techni Ice (03) 9783 1922

www.bargainboatbits.com.au

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

FUN PAGE AND COMPETITIONS GREAT NAMES FOR A BOAT

RED HERRING

CARP DIEM

ON SAIL

DEBAITABLE

GOODNESS STRAKES

ANCHORMAN

DRIFTWOOD

IRON MAST

BANK LOAN

ABOAT TIME

INCREDIBLE HULL

STERN ANGLEFISH

SURLY MERMAID

REELAXED

RIGHT TERN

UNWINDER

Name: Address:

P/Code:

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

VIC APRIL 2017

Phone (day):

FINS SCALES & TALES by A. Both

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

SPOT THE

10 DIFFERENCES

GEORGE & NEV by Michael Hardy

ORIGINAL

Congratulations to Allison Griffith from Wodonga, who was last month’s winner of the Find-a-Word Competition! Monthly winners receive a sponsor prize. Prize delivery can take 8 weeks. – VFM

SUBSCRIBER PRIZE

The subscriber prize winner for February was W Tippet of Nurrabiel, who won an Raymarine WI-FISH – Wi-Fi CHIRP DownVision Sonar valued at $299SRP. All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – V&TFM

FIND THE DX POINT LOGO

The answers to Find the DX Point Logo for February were: 8, 18, 20, 22, 30, 35, 45, 79, 80, 91, 92, 96, 112, 113, 117, 121. – V&TFM The Find the DX Point logo prize winners for February were: P Dickinson of Langwarrin, D Hamilton of Berwick , J Porter of Hastings, K Dowell of Highton, J Powis of Ferntree Gully, H Stapelfeldt of Nunawading, H Siesmaa of Ferntree Gully, A Pollard of Darley, M Lane of Essendon North, R Meaney of Tungamah,

APRIL 2017

H Kirk of Hadspen, I Algerton of Whittlesea, W Fearnhead of Skipton, A Koenig of Inverloch, K Malcolmson of Boronia, D Baulch of Colac, P Hoare of Kyabram, A Grant of Geelong West, B Stokes of Morwell, H Skeer of Millicent, J Wilson of Boronia, E Cadelli of West Sunshine, P Cobb of Berrigan, J Smee of Yinnar, M Adams of Grahamvale, R Frewin of Strathdale, M Meyer of Dartmouth, L

Murray of Sale, K Law of Lakes Entrance, T Gillett of Portarlington, D Dunn of Warrnambool, M Credlin of Kerang, R Barns of Euroa, T Mathieson of Patterson Lakes, B Walpole of Warrnambool, G Whinney of St Albans, D Robinson of Carisbrook, L Wolfel of Wangaratta, I Lovel of Bealiba, F Weber of Gorack East. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – V&TFM

LAST MONTHS ANSWERS

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE LOCATIONS IN NEXT ISSUE

Guess the Fish Answer: Blue Groper

FIND-A-WORD

GUESS THE FISH?

Answer:

boats & kayaks

In the skipper’s seat 95 New Yamaha models Inside story...

Savage is Australia’s oldest brand of aluminium boats, with its first model released in 1898. Savage has solidified their reputation for designing and building practical boats that last for generations of boating enjoyment. With everything from 3m punts to 5m bowriders, there’s bound to be a Savage aluminium boat to suit you.

Made for... Savage Aluminium Boats are for boaties and anglers who want a smooth ride that will last. The Ultra Lift Hull provides the smoothest ride on the water with a super-sized extended reversed chine and increased deadrise to deflect spray.

This month...

We’re climbing into the 525 Scorpion Pro for a test ride.

Steve Morgan takes a look at the new 25 and 90hp models from Yamaha.

96 Glenelg goodies

Corey Gallaghar launches his Hobie into the beautiful waters of the Glenelg RIver to unveil its secrets.

98 Yakking with Deeper Justin Willmer takes us into the joys of kayaking with the newest Deeper fish finding unit.

100 Selecting the right boat for the task

Wayne Kampe looks into choosing the right boat for the task, and making sure it’s right for you.

102 Nitro’s Z18

Steve Morgan takes this absolute zinger of a bass boat for a spin on a popular tournament venue.

APRIL 2017

WHAT’S NEW BOATING NEW SUZUKI OUTBOARD RANGE

The Haines Group, distributors of Suzuki outboards, have announced the arrival of the sleek, new 2017 range of outboard models to the Australian market. The range has been given a sophisticated and stylish overhaul. Aside from the popular Cool White option, the new range is now available in Pearl Nebular Black, which is inlaid with blue micro-metal flakes which absorb light and sparkle in the sun. As well as the colour update, the new models also feature renewed graphics with decals that provide a more modern and polished look. Suzuki’s drive by wire series (DF150AP, DF175AP, DF200AP, DF250AP, DF300AP), are distinguished by 3D monochromatic graphics and a solid emblem. National Marketing Manager, Mr Sean Allen, says the range still offers the same features and innovations Suzuki is known for. “Our award winning products provide more value with unique features, such as Lean Burn fuel technology, offset driveshaft and maintenance-free timing chains, just to name a few,” said Mr Allen.

www.suzukimarine.com.au

HDS GEN3 AND ELITE-TI UPDATE

Software updates for Lowrance’s HDS Gen3, Elite-5 Ti and 7 Ti displays include significant sonar enhancements, new Navionics functionality and general improvements. Surface Clarity functionality has been significantly enhanced to remove clutter without affecting targets, allowing anglers to reveal fish near the surface without filtering all sonar returns. Live Network Sonar allows HDS Gen3 users to view and control two independent, live sonar sources from a single display. SonarChart Live lets you create 0.5m HD bathymetric maps in real time on HDS Gen3 and Elite-Ti series displays, and Navionics Dock-toDock Autorouting creates intelligent, detailed routes for navigating through cramped, narrow channels (both features require a Navionics card with an active chart updates subscription). Plotter Sync lets you easily download the latest Navionics chart data and transfer waypoints and routes between the Navionics app and a mapping card via the wireless connectivity of HDS Gen3 and Elite-Ti displays. Plotter Sync requires a subscription to the Navionics app and a Navionics mapping card with active daily updates. www.lowrance.com/en.au

GARMIN VHF 110 AND 210

Garmin’s powerful VHF 110 and VHF 210 AIS marine radios complement the latest GPSMAP multi-function displays and offer full integration with Garmin systems. The VHF 110 offers 25W of transmit power and Class D Digital Selective Calling (DSC) compatibility, and NOAA weather alerts and Position Tracking, which lets you locate and keep tabs on up to three boats that use a Garmin system. Offering the same features as the VHF 110, the VHF 210 AIS also incorporates a built-in AIS receiver for improved situational awareness, and comes with a two-way hailer system that can be connected to a hailer horn or external speaker on the deck or tower for on-board communication. The VHF 210 AIS also provides DSC functionality, including distress calling and direct calling with Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI). Price: SRP $429 - $899 www.garmin.com/en-AU 94

APRIL 2017

NEW WHITTLEY ON-BOARD OS

PRODUCT GUIDE

Using technology from Garmin, Fusion, C-Zone and Volvo, Whittley has created the next-gen fishing station for its SL range and cruising helms on its range of CR models: the Whittley Pulse. Volvo offers car-like integration – everything is operated by the one waterproof ‘eKey’. The eKey runs the battery management system and features battery protection and automatic start aid, borrowing energy from the auxiliary battery to ensure there’s always power to start the engine. The system is connected to a Garmin or Volvo Penta glass cockpit display, which provides a clear visual on everything in 7’’, 12’’ and 16” options. It’s clean and minimalist with no gauges. It is also connected to FUSION-Link, which talks to a concealed unit and can be operated via Bluetooth or by the Garmin Helm app. All functions of the boat can be operated through this app, including a second screen. Additionally, all the Volvo Penta engine data is displayed digitally on the Volvo Penta glass cockpit or Garmin screens. Visit the Whittley website to find out more. www.whittleymarinegroup.com.au

HONDA’S NEW CONCEPT OUTBOARD 5 Honda Marine broke the mould for marine engines at the 2017 Miami International Boat Show with a bold, new concept engine. For exceptional aerodynamics, the tailored packaging of the Honda Marine concept engine includes a sculpted centre channel inlaid with a honeycomb mesh trim. The heat ducts feature an interwoven design with black honeycomb mesh reminiscent of the intakes on the 2017 Honda NSX. The most striking part of this innovative outboard, however, is the floating winged blade, inspired by the 2017 Honda NSX Supercar. There is currently no production intent for this specific design concept, but it will be interesting to see what design variations it may inspire in the future. www.marine.honda.com.au

RAYMARINE AXIOM 6 MFDS The new Raymarine Axiom MFDs feature lifelike imagery via Raymarine’s RealVision 3D for superior fish and structure identification. The new glass touch screens are available in 7”, 9”, and 12.1” sizes and come installed with the new LightHouse 3 operating system. Combined with a fast quad core processor, LightHouse 3 delivers a powerful navigation experience that is quick to learn and easy to personalise. RealVision 3D Sonar lets you see what’s below, behind, and to the sides of the boat, all at once and in 3D. It reveals structure and fish in stunning detail. You can easily pan, tilt and zoom the 3D image to examine from any angle, even from unique POVs like looking up to the boat. A tap on the point-of-interest anywhere in the 3D space allows easy waypointing. RealVision 3D transducers combine CHIRP DownVision, CHIRP SideVision, High Frequency CHIRP, and RealVision 3D in one housing, and gyro-stabilized sonar technology compensates for boat movement. Price: SRP $1199-$4999 www.raymarine.com.au

4 5

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

SCAN THE QR CODE!

Yamaha launches new 25 and 90hp models FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

At the recent Yamaha Dealer Conference and Media Launch at Couran Cove on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Yamaha proudly announced a suite of new products, but the highlight for media and dealers

If you thought this 90 looks like a 115 mated with a 70, then you’d be right. The 90 borrows from the 115B’s four-cylinder power unit and also the valve train technology of the uberpopular F70. In technical speak, it’s a single overhead cam (SOHC), 16 valve, 1.8L, four-cylinder engine. Yamaha says, “The F90 is compatible with

good economy – and well over 4km/L for larger and heavier craft. Console-steer and tiller steer models are available to suit whatever fitout you need and pricing starts at under $5,000. ON THE WATER On the water, dealers are treated to a variety of Australian-made and imported boats to take

Fuel economy for the new 25 was fantastic – this Stessco Catcher delivered 5.2km/L burned. System (VTS) – a switch on the tiller that increases or decreases rpm between 750 and 1050. Battery-less EFI ensures that pull-starting the motor is as easy as possible. Initial testing reveals that the new F25 delivers up to 6.5km/L of fuel burned – ridiculously

CON RA

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DE FOR EX

CON

outboard with a 25hp sticker on it. Currently, it’s the lightest 25hp fourstroke on the market today, weighing it at between 57-64kg depending on the configuration and clever design ensures that this motor outshines even Yamaha’s own two-stroke version in all aspects – economy, acceleration and ease of use. It’s a single overhead cam (SOHC), two-cylinder outboard that displaces 432cc. And unlike previous 25s, the F25 allows the user to control the throttle at idle with its Variable Throttle

AN THE

DE FOR EX

SPECIFICATIONS - F90B Shaft Lengths.......................L, XL Dry weight............................from 162kg Operating range...................5000-6000rpm Idling Speed.........................700-800rpm VTS adjustment...................550-1000rpm Engine Type..........................four-stroke, SOHC, ..............................................L4, 16 valve Displacement.......................1832cc Lubrication...........................Wet Sump Engine oil capacity..............3.2L Alternator.............................35A Cooling.................................Raw water Exhaust.................................Through propeller Emission Rating...................three star Fuel.......................................Regular unleaded

AN THE

RE ONLINE MO - SC

You could be thinking that a F70 mated with a F115 to make the F90, and it’s pretty true. The 90 shares technology from both platforms.

Yamaha’s comprehensive range of Command Link digital gauges, with options of both basic back-lit LCD and premium full colour displays. The engine is also NMEA2000 compatible, allowing the F90 to share information with third party multi-function displays, GPS and fish finders.” “The F90 shares the same mounting holes as other outboards of similar sizes making for an easy switch from a two-stroke, or other brands to a latest generation Yamaha 4-stroke engine. F25 Although only a small outboard, the new 25hp wasn’t outshone by its bigger brother at the dealer launch. Noticeably smaller and lighter than its predecessor, it seriously looks like a 15hp

- SC

alike was the unveiling of their new 25hp and 90hp models. These outboards effectively complete their four-stroke range, which now offers everything from 2hp to 350hp. F90 The 90hp Yamaha will really hit a sweet spot, especially with locally built boats. Many manufacturers have models that are rated to 90hp. Surprisingly, Yamaha’s previous line-up only had an 80 and 100hp options. The new F90 comes in with 300 more cc (1.8L displacement compared with the previous 1.5L models) and it’s also 10kg lighter that the 80/100 platform. Understandably, this equates to better performance and economy at nearly all levels of operation. Yamaha quotes 10% better efficiency that the previous platform.

RE ONLINE MO TENT -

There’s a pile of Aussie boat manufacturers that have a maximum rating of 90hp on their hulls. The new Yamaha F90 will broaden the powerplant options for these users.

electronics packages in the small trailer boats,” he said. Stones Corner Marine’s James Cullen was just as excited about the new aluminium K-series propellers that provide

Brisbane Marine’s Aaron Goodchild was also excited, mainly because he’ll have a pile of the new outboards bigger than you could jump over, as well as the remaining stocks of the older models. Overall, the Yamaha staff were justifiably proud Not only is the Yamaha F25 lighter than its predecessor, but it’s only a two-cylinder and has a substantially smaller physical size.

SPECIFICATIONS - F25 Shaft Lengths.......................S, L Dry weight............................from 57kg Operating range...................5000-6000rpm Idling Speed.........................850-950rpm VTS adjustment...................750-1050rpm Engine Type..........................four-stroke, SOHC, ..............................................L2, four valve Displacement.......................432cc Lubrication...........................Wet Sump Engine oil capacity..............1.1L Alternator.............................16A Cooling.................................Raw water Exhaust.................................Through propeller Emission Rating...................three stars Fuel.......................................Regular unleaded these motors for a test drive. Fishing Monthly took the opportunity to chat to a few of the dealers as they departed the marina to get their initial impressions. You can see these in the extended video coverage of the launch by scanning the QR codes on this page. Can’t do it? Hand your phone to the nearest teenager and get them to set up the app for you. Yamaha’s Glenn Gibson was revved about the batteryless EFI of the 25. “What does this mean? It means you get to the water, you turn the key or pull the rope, and it starts first pull, every time. That’s the advantage of battery-less EFI,” he said. Likewise, Stuart Smith loved the [electronic] power output of the new F90. “These motors are a lighter weight and have a big alternator – 35 amps – and they produce 28 amps at 1000rpm, so they’re great for those guys with their big

brilliant performance at a fraction of the cost of a stainless steel propeller. “It’s been a gap in the market for sure and it’s great to have a propeller that gives great performance for not a lot of coin,” he said when departing the dock.

of finally completing their range of modern four-stroke outboards and the dealers mirrored their enthusiasm. Both models are available now, so you can check them out at your nearest Yamaha dealer or visit www.yamahamotor.com.au.

Big Willie Lee used to work for Fishing Monthly, but he seems at home here demonstrating the new F90 to Yamaha dealers. Good work, Big Willie! APRIL 2017

Getting the goodies in the upper Glenelg MELBOURNE

Corey Gallagher

Meandering through dense native forest featuring towering limestone cliffs, the upper reaches of the Glenelg River are without doubt some of the most tranquil and visually appealing places to launch a kayak in the state. With mixture of undercut rocky edges, overhanging thick growth,

of the river, Pritchards is the perfect place to launch and base yourself for a few days of chasing the big three of Victorian estuary species. The campground is well appointed and features a concrete ramp with jetty and parking area, 20 campsites, fireplaces, picnic tables, composting toilets and a further two jetties. Access to the campground is via Portland then onto the Portland/Nelson Road for approximately 55km,

bream will be more prevalent in the area during their spawning run upstream, which usually occurs from June to September. Casting hardbodied or soft plastic lures on the edges can be a very exciting way to catch a bream or perch. As I mentioned, the banks at Pritchards vary dramatically and if the right lure or technique is used in the right area, plenty of fish can be caught. One of the most productive methods to land a bream at Pritchards is to focus on the rocky edges. The edges are home to a range of baits high on the list of a hungry bream’s preferred meals. Bream will often cruise the edges looking for fleeing

Mulloway are regularly taken from the edges and deep water in the vicinity of Pritchards Landing.

A species high on many anglers’ hit lists, the mighty estuary perch are another species regularly pulled from the snags and edges around the campground. reedy edges and a plethora of fallen timber, the fishholding natural structure is plentiful to say the least. Home to an array of many sought-after estuarine species, the effort required to visit the remote location is quickly forgotten once you’re on the water. Perfectly positioned amongst all this natural beauty is Pritchards Campground, the perfect place to base yourself when spending a few days exploring the upper reaches of the Glenelg River. Located in Victoria’s South West, the Glenelg River is an extensive system, which can be somewhat daunting when considering kayak fishing options. For this reason I prefer to narrow my options by looking at specific sections of the river when planning a trip. When fishing the upper tidal areas

before taking the Winnap/ Nelson Road then onto Post and Rail Track. The road into the campground is dirt, but well maintained and can be easily accessed in a 2WD vehicle. Bream are the stable target species when spending any time in the kayak at Pritchards. However, the waters are abundant with many other species, including two of Victoria’s most soughtafter estuary species. The Glenelg River holds excellent numbers of estuary perch. When conditions are right, they can provide anglers with some spectacular angling. Along with bream and perch, schools of mulloway will move into the river regularly and they certainly aren’t afraid to travel to the upper tidal reaches of the river. All three species can be caught at Pritchards throughout the year and

The concrete boat ramp at Pritchards is excellent and makes for the perfect launch location.

deeper sections of the river. Use your sounder to locate the schools. Metal vibes cast over the top of the school and worked back through can result in a hook-up. Soft plastic worms rigged on a 1/12-1/4oz jighead can also entice a bite. Due to the relative remoteness of Pritchards and the lack of reliable phone coverage, it always pays to let others know of your movements when travelling to the location, particularly if flying solo. The river itself is well protected and easily navigated, but always ensure you are wearing a quality PFD and have a bailer aboard your kayak, as is required by Victorian law. If spending a few days camping by the side of a

crabs scattering for cover under the rocks. Casting a well-presented crab pattern soft plastic or hardbody in tight against rocky edges can be a very productive way to land a bream. When throwing crabs, I like to allow the crab to settle on the bottom before applying a series of small twitches followed by long pauses, often the longer the better. Spicing your crab lure up with scent can really help bream to home in on your offering. Laydown timber snags The river access is excellent at the campground with two jetties. It’s the perfect place to tie up the yak while grabbing a bite to eat back at the site.

Along with the anglers’ hopes, the sun rises at the beginning of a day on the Glenelg River. 96

APRIL 2017

and overhanging branches are another common feature of the banks around Pritchards. It’s perfect baitholding structure and as the old saying goes, ‘find the bait, find the fish.’ Bream and perch love feeding in these areas and will also use fallen timber as cover. I like to cast lightly weighted minnows or grub profile soft plastics in close to the timber or overhanging branches. I allow it to sink on a slack line. Always keep

an eye on the belly of your line as your plastic sinks watching for any indication of a bite. Once the plastic hits the bottom, a hop and pause retrieve will often get results. The use of a weedless jighead is recommended to prevent lures snagging on the fallen timber. Other productive methods at Pritchards include casting diving hardbodies parallel to the bank and working at a variety of depths. Mulloway will often school up in the

majestic river surrounded by dense native forest is your idea of heaven, Pritchards is the place for you. Combined with outstanding access to a remarkable fishery perfectly suited to kayaks, this is a must-visit location for any Victorian kayak angler. To top it all off, the ever-likely opportunity to land a trifecta of Australia’s premier southern estuary species is the icing on the cake – a cake that is simply too good to pass up.

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Product Profile

Getting Deeper into kayaking BRISBANE

Justin Willmer Find me on Facebook at Yaks On

Whether it’s a lake, river or the open ocean, the surface of the water hides many secrets below, including changes in water depth, holes, drains and depressions in the bottom, along with structure such as weed, rock, oysters and timber.

sneak peek at what is below the surface. A depth sounder or Fishfinder is what truly opens your eyes to the world beneath the kayak. For the many anglers that love the simplicity of kayak fishing, a sounder can seem a complicated option with its transducer and transducer cable, head unit, power cable and a battery requiring installation and management. For others, it’s not worth the

weight and lack of portability when accessing hard to get at launch points or portaging from pool to pool. When I stumbled upon the Deeper wireless Fishfinder for smartphones at one of the annual fishing expos, I got chatting with the guys from Deeper and was blown away with how far this portable technology had evolved. Needless to say, being the gadget freak

or even fish land-based. I effectively have a highpowered Fishfinder that I can hold in one hand. The setup was simple and I soon had my charged Deeper and a fully charged smartphone, in its Lifeproof waterproof case, ready to hit the water. I was looking for a quick and easy location on the kayak to clamp my flexible arm mount and the Railblaza Camera Mount, mounted on the kayak using the Railblaza StarPort system, was the perfect option. I use this camera mount for taking photos using the timer while holding fish. With a little effort it can be rotated, allowing me to swing the flexible arm and Deeper in and out of the kayak as required. This is handy as the Deeper has two contacts on the bottom that power the unit

The Deeper, carry pouch and box – is that a sounder in your pocket?

The Flexible Arm Mount allows the Deeper to be swung back into the kayak when not in use. It also conceals bait and schools of fish that are often attracted to this structure, as it offers shelter, food and a break from the current where there is flow. Polarised sunglasses cut the glare off the surface of the water, allowing you a

IN THE BOX • Deeper Smart Fishfinder • 2 Attachment Bolts • Carry Pouch • USB Cable • Instructions

The smartphone in a Lifeproof case, connected to a Deeper. 98

APRIL 2017

that I am, I soon had one in my arsenal and was keen to get out on the water and put it to the test. Out of the box the Deeper wireless Fishfinder fits in the palm of your hand with its 6.5cm diameter. It only weighs 100g. It floats, allowing you attach your line to one of its screw in attachment points to cast it and map an area if you are land-based, or simply attach a cord and allow it to float beside the boat or kayak. I opted to grab their flexible arm mount that simply clamps onto the kayak. The Deeper then has a thread which screws quickly and easily into the other end of the arm. Then you bend the arm so the Deeper is positioned in the water. I plugged the included cord into my home computer and unscrewed the two halves of the Deeper, allowing it to be plugged in to charge. It was then time to grab my smartphone and load the Deeper app. My smartphone was about to get even smarter, becoming the head unit of my sounder as it connects to the Deeper via Bluetooth. It’s a smart, simple and extremely portable system. I can fit the Deeper unit in one pocket and my phone in the other if I’m heading on a fishing adventure. I can throw it in my luggage when travelling to locations where there’s a chance I can get my hands on a boat or kayak,

Drop off into the drain located and bream are on!

up when placed in water. By lifting the unit out of the water when travelling between fishing spots, having lunch or at other periods when it’s not required, you can extend the run time of the unit and also switch off your Bluetooth to conserve phone power. In saying that, I fished for a few hours each session on the water without flattening the battery. Remember when mounting your flexible arm to ensure it is clear of your paddle stroke before fixing it in position. For performance, I was impressed with the detail and accuracy, as well as the operating speed of the Deeper. Within a few minutes I had worked out the basics of the app and it felt to me like I was looking at the head unit of a traditional hard mounted sounder. It was time to find some fish. On my maiden voyage with the Deeper, the plan was to locate a boat that had sunk in recent months during a violent storm. Find the structure, find the fish. I soon located the sunken vessel,

Without a sounder it’s just a big flat expanse. The sounder opens your eyes to what’s below.

Product Profile positioned the kayak to cast up current, past the structure and retrieve my small paddletail plastic naturally back past the structure with the water flow.

bottom dropped away and I was in the drain. I then repositioned the kayak to fire my casts up the drain and retrieved the little paddle-tail back with

and locating my drain, and catching the bream, I headed over to fish for flathead on a large weed flat. My plan here was to use the Deeper to locate a sandy drain that

A bream landed from the sunken vessel located using Deeper.

The Deeper is a simple and effective sounder option for kayak anglers. On the first cast I got a tap. Second cast, I was hooked up to a reasonable bream. After six solid bream and two smaller ones in an hour I was convinced that the Deeper was going to find me plenty of structure, bait schools and fish. The plan for my second session with the Deeper was to really put it to the test, with an hour on the water to find a bream and a flathead

a few hops, followed by a slow roll with the occasional twitch. My second cast got a solid take from a fish that bolted out of the drain and into deeper water. There was plenty of current as the tide built toward a big high and this fish was giving a good account of itself. A couple more runs and I was surprised to see a cracker bream come up yakside. A quick photo

runs through the weed flat, allowing me to cast plastics up the length of the drain without fouling in the weed. At first I attempted to position the kayak without the sounder, simply using landmarks to try and locate the gutter. I found weed, weed and more weed. I then used the Deeper to locate where the weed gave way to clean, sandy bottom and it’s surprising that even when

start shaking it like crazy and wear through your leader in seconds. Finally the flathead was in the net and unfortunately it had been hooked deep in the gills and was bleeding heavily, so I opted to take it home for dinner. I would normally release a fish in the high 50s, preferring to keep the smaller fish from

minutes the alarm sounded to signal the end of my fishing time, mission successful. Having a depth sounder on the kayak had definitely improved my chances of finding fish and allowed me to locate the structure and bait that often leads to a successful session. I enjoyed the portability and simplicity of the Deeper, but also the

and an excellent sounder option for kayak anglers. Now I think I’ll pull out the instruction manual so that I can learn about all of the other features of the Deeper, including calendar, camera, weather, notes, maps and sharing. Whether you keep it simple and find a few fish or explore all of the features this unit

Quick and simple, the Deeper is mounted with no cables and no heavy battery.

Water depth can change dramatically over a short distance. Deeper keeps you fishing the right areas. for this article. It was half tide in, far from my favourite tide and I would use the Deeper to locate a drain that crosscuts a large flat that I fish, with the hope of throwing a few casts up the drain in search of a bream. With the Deeper as my eyes, I drifted the flat until the

and the 34cm fork length fish was returned to the water for someone else to catch. I was all smiles and the first half of the plan had come together. With only an hour on the water available before I had to be somewhere else and almost half of it gone pedalling to

FEATURES Diameter....................... 6.5cm Weight........................... 100g Connectivity................. Bluetooth Compatible................... Android & iOS Range........................... Up to 40-50m away from phone Depth............................ 40m Battery Life................... Six hours Sonar ........................... DualBeam Frequency..................... 290 kHz (15°) / 90 kHz (55°) Find more at: ............... www.buydeeper.com

using landmarks you can be a good couple of casts away from where you need to be. After half a dozen casts and no touches in the drain, I was beginning to second guess my choice of location and then on the eighth cast – clunk. I love that feeling of a flathead nailing the plastic as it is paused, after a couple of hops up off the bottom. The flathead took off across the weed and as it came to the surface I noticed it had swallowed the plastic right down. This creates a lot of tense moments as the flathead plays up close to the kayak and the leader begins to wear. Just keep its head under water so that it doesn’t

45-55cm and leave the larger breeders to their business, but there was a high chance that this fish would not survive a release. I began my paddle home and within a few

speed, power, display and effectiveness of the unit when combined with a smartphone. This is a legitimate, DualBeam sounder option

has to offer, it’s worth looking… Deeper. For more information, check out the Deeper website at www.deepersonar.com/en/ deeper-smart-fishfinder/.

The author’s second challenge required the Deeper to find the sandy channel through the weed, producing this nice flathead. APRIL 2017

How to select the right boat for the task BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Boat selection sounds simple enough, although it would take pages and pages to cover all the variables

serious horsepower involved in their propulsion. In between there are many options, each specifically tailored to suit the fishing and water conditions that the owner expects to deal with for the majority of his or her fishing (and how many people

Water conditions will always vary so much that what might start out to be a lovely calm morning at the boat ramp can turn very nasty when a breeze kicks in and chop develops. This is exactly when ride quality and sea keeping – the ability

The Iconic 5.5m is a fabulous offshore or wide bay rig but would be hard to justify in the stealthy corners of a barra dam.

Tailored Marine’s half cabin rig would be just the ticket for offshore work with fishing confined to the cockpit’s work area. involved! Instead, I will confine my comments to cover some of the more important things involved with finding the right fishing boat for the job! When most people choose a fishing boat, they look at how suitable it is for the kind of fishing they usually do and the places they go, whether it’s smooth water such as impoundments or rivers, the not-quite-so-smooth going estuaries and bays, or far out into the bluewater environment. Such a diverse range of fishing environments will cover all manner of watercraft, from kayaks to specialised boats set up for far offshore travel, with everything from manual power right up to very

they expect to have on board). Note that very important word, ‘majority.’ A wise boat owner selects a rig that will be ideal for the majority of the fishing in mind, with or without crew aboard. These conditions should govern the choice of boat, with perhaps three main criteria to consider in the selection of that elusive right boat for the job. RIDE QUALITY AND SEA KEEPING Firstly, ride quality and sea keeping capability are very important. We go fishing for enjoyment, not for punishment. Nobody wants to be driving a wet boat or one that it so rough riding that it’s a relief to finally get out of the thing at the end of the day.

to handle sea or other water conditions in line with the design parameters of the rig – really come into their own. In essence, it’s the combination of both of these qualities that make a boat great to own.

FREEBOARD Freeboard must be adequate for the conditions you expect to encounter. It must also be adequate to cater for what can amount to the worst situation on the day.

Light weight, easy performance from the Suzuki and room for a couple to fish in comfort makes the Cross Country ideal for rivers, lakes and the like.

Clearly, a craft to be used in smooth waters such as rivers and impoundments might not need as much freeboard as one heading out into the bay or over a bar crossing on a regular basis. It’s smart to remember that we boat owners are notorious for biting off more than we can chew, so to speak, and when things have turned from nice to nasty, a boat that has plenty of freeboard in regard to length will always be an asset. Combining excellent sea keeping and ride quality with ample freeboard is an art form, and most major boat manufacturers have this well in hand these days. FISHING ROOM Fishing room is the one element that seems to cause the most teeth gnashing and hand wringing. We all seem to want a fishing boat of just the right size – not too big, not too small – but one question always arises: is there enough fishing room? Looking again at the

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broad spectrum of boats available, there’s no question that an open tiller-steer craft has all the fishing room. However, no one is very happy to be out on the bay or offshore (or even on a windswept and choppy impoundment for that matter) in an entirely open boat. Where’s the waterproof gear? It’s far better to keep the tiller steer jobs for the smooth water, the centre or side console rig for the bay along with rivers and dams, and a full or half cabin craft as the offshore option. Fishing room then comes down to maximum use of the space available, even if it might be a bit of a compromise given the other features aboard the rig. Centre and side consoles take up room, but they provide ample convenience while full or half cabins confine fishing room to the cockpit area aft of the cabin. MAKING THE SELECTION With those criteria in mind, it’s pretty obvious that the selection of the right fishing boat – putting aside things such as glass vs alloy and cost issues for now – will come down to ticking as many boxes as possible. Remember that all boats are a compromise. They always have been and always will be. Anglers live with those compromises and work

A lot of impoundment barra are taken from small boats, where low profile craft are in their element. around them. The clue is to sit down at the desk and make some headings, setting out just what the craft will be mainly used for, and what will be involved in getting it to the chosen fishing location. Power selection is very important. It’s wise to always select the power needed for

the main situations, taking into account the number of people who will usually be aboard the rig, and the sort of fishing in mind. Look at what would make the rig just that little bit better for the selected tasks, and how things can be brought together to make it happen.

Other important criteria to consider are the overall size, trailerability, ease of launching and retrieving along with comfort aboard, both when travelling on the water and when fishing. The end result will hopefully be the ideal combination of all of these things. The fact is that it’s difficult, but not impossible, to get a one-boat-fits-all craft. Think about the waterways you like to fish, and the different kinds of fishing you like to do. If they aren’t drastically different, you’re sweet. If not, you’ll have to make concessions. Common sense dictates that an extra fast, low-freeboard bass boat that can scoot to the far corner of most of our impoundments within minutes won’t be much use heading out through the Southport Seaway on a sloppy day with a bit of swell about. Likewise, a fabulous 7m offshore rig will be a pain to use in confined shallow water sections of places like Monduran or Kinchant dams in search of barra. Still, it might well be possible to combine freeboard, excellent sea keeping, ride quality and fishing room in one craft suited to a wide variety of fishing pursuits, if you go about things correctly. Next month we will take a closer look at ways of going about this.

Tom Gardiner, 13yo, with a 50cm flatty he caught at Lake Tyers while fishing with his dad. Even though they were mostly flicking plastics/ vibes, they got a lot of nice fish around 50-55cm drifting a pilchard in about 5m in Nowa Arm.

The perfect boats Fishing with Nitro is a blast! Whether you’re a tournament pro or a weekend warrior, Nitro boats will ignite your passion and pack more fun into your day. Just getting there is half the fun! For more than 20 years, Nitro have continually refined and delivered serious fishing boats for serious anglers. Nitro boats are foam-filled to exceed US Coast Guard survey requirements. This gives you the safety of level floatation, security and comfort – and additional fishing stealth – all backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

The world’s #1 aluminium fishing boats! Tracker’s outstanding quality and unique manufacturing process have made them the world’s largest boat builder – producing more than 40,000 aluminium fishing boats per year. Their foam-filled, unsinkable, 3mm plate alloy hulls are robotically welded to deliver superior quality at a lower cost – and are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Tracker’s Pro Guide series is designed with a deep-vee hull for exceptional performance, even in rough waters. Their Diamond Coat finish is a Tracker exclusive that resists oxidation, providing protection and a shine lasting 70% longer. Standard features include a Minn Kota trolling motor and Lowrance colour sounder, plus tournament-ready live well systems and rod lockers.

Contact dealer to arrange a test drive today

Hopefully it will be rough, as you’ll be stunned by the performance of these boats when the weather gets challenging! VICTORIA’S AUTHORISED DEALER

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www.wesfrostmarine.com.au

APRIL 2017

101

Nitro’s Z18 gives plenty of bang for your buck

FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

Although I test a range of boats for Fishing Monthly, I always get the most excited when I get to go and drive high-powered, low to the water fishing boats. Some call them bass boats or various other iterations, but for me they are fun to drive and even better to fish from in the areas they were designed to be used. Best of all, is when we get to drive a boat that’s been already set-up, dialled in and debugged by a keen user. And that’s what we got at a

cold, windy Moogerah Dam day, when Tim Stessl from Fishing and Leisure Boats introduced us to Brisbane’s Lee Parkhouse. Well, it was more of a re-introduction, as I’d actually fished with Lee years ago as a non-boater in a BREAM event on Lake Macquarie and he’s a permanent fixture on any boat show Navico stand in the area. Lee’s hull is the Nitro Z18, built in the USA and imported by Australian distributor, Fishing and Leisure Boats in Queensland. It’s a fully composite hull with no wood (Nitro stopped using wood in their hulls in 2012) and it’s supplied on a locally made Dunbier twin-axled trailer.

Plenty of deck and storage space makes this craft a force to be reckoned with to the fishing-minded. 102

APRIL 2017

SPECIFICATIONS Length...............5.63m Beam.................2.38m Max HP................. 175 Fuel..................... 151L Capacity..... 4 persons Deadrise................16° PERFORMANCE RPM Speed (km/h) Idle (600)................. 4 1000........................ 7 2000...................... 11 3000...................... 31 4000...................... 63 5000...................... 90 5600.................... 105 “By buying your Nitro through Fishing and Leisure Boats, you get a full warranty on the hull, motor and trailer, so you have 100% support and peace of mind,” said Tim Stessl. Lee confirmed this and was also an advocate of the ease of ordering. “I talked to Tim, picked the options and colours and a couple of months later I get the call to come and pick it up – it was that easy,” he said. Six months after delivery, Lee is as happy as the day he picked it up. “I looked at all of the brands and the Nitro just gave me the best bang for buck I could find,” he continued. Since, he’s added three Simrad units, a Hydrowave, a boatload of tackle and he’s got the setup just right. Stomping on the HotFoot, the Nitro lifts onto the plane,

Top and Above: Thanks, Lee, for letting me drive your Nitro like I stole it. The rig sat on 105km/h with a little driver input. but it’s in the mid-range that the Mercury 175 ProXS really pushes you back into the seat. At 5000rpm, it pulled a very respectable and economical 90km/h and at wide-open it sat on 105 with a little bit of driver input required to avoid chine walking and optimum trim. In my books, that’s perfect. Touch the helm mounted trim up to drive it ‘on the edge’ and tap it down a touch to drop a couple of km/h but drive ‘hands free’. As always, a feature of bass boats is the ability to dry-store a mountain of tackle, underfloor, in a manner that lets you access it easily. Of course, with decades of bass boat building under the belt, the Nitro does it easily. On the trolling motor and with a rod in the hand, the Nitro is as well behaved as any bass boat. Stable, stealthy and quiet underfoot, a bass

boat if minimally affected by wind and remains the ultimate platform for calm water lure casting. There’s not much more to say – the Nitro does indeed look great, perform admirably and offers excellent value for money with local dealer support. With just one of the 12” Simrads (instead of the three that Lee has mounted), this package would come in at $76,000, but basic packages VIDEO

Scan to watch Tim Stessl walk through the Nitro Z18’s features.

start from around $60,000. For more information, call Wes Frost Marine on (03) 5976 4622 or visit www. wesfrostmarine.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. VIDEO

Scan the QR code to watch the boat test on the Nitro Z18.

There’s no doubt that the Z18 will turn heads at the local boat ramp. Lee’s kept a simple black gelcoat with flake that matches the Mercury OptiMax perfectly.

Check out the dual-Simrad installation up the front. There’s some serious tech there. We could see just how many bass were ignoring our lures.

A cooler in the step of a bass boat isn’t a new idea, but Nitros come with a removable rubbish bin that’s super practical. Otherwise, you’re fishing for all of your offcuts at the end of the day.

The Nitro’s helm – like all of the boat – has evolved over the years to house all of the switches and gauges at fingertip reach. You can also flush-mount sounders, although if you’re a Simrad pro-staff, you may still have problems!

Here’s a screen shot showing the sensitivity of the sounders. They’re mounted on a pair of Marine Dynamic’s stands. The Hydrowave between them emits sounds of baitfish schooling and being eaten.

This is a boarding ladder. Getting back in a bass boat isn’t as easy as it seems, unless you have one of these.

The fact that you need only one rod, reel and lure to catch a bass means nothing to serious cast and retrieve anglers. This is the bare minimum you need to take. Tournament-ready, the dual livewell has timed switches and the ability to pump the water out. It’s a standard feature in any serious tournament boats.

The Moogerah Gorge provided some shelter from the icy wind. Two up, anglers can fish wherever they can stand with maximum stability. APRIL 2017

103

Savage 525 Scorpion Pro with a Suzuki 115hp

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Peter Jung pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

Hazelwood Pondage in Gippsland Victoria is an artificial lake created to provide water to cool the Hazelwood Power Station. In recent times it has become better known as the home of barramundi in Victoria. The barramundi fishing is only a recent addition and the pondage has always had many recreational uses. On this occasion, it was the perfect venue to test out the Savage 525 Scorpion Pro, as the weather on the coast was less than ideal. The 525 size is the latest edition to the Scorpion range. It’s also available in three other sizes – 435, 455, 485. It comes in three configurations in all the larger sizes, tiller, side console and centre console with side console and

tiller options in the 435. It was the 525 Pro Side Console we took for a spin at Hazelwood. VERSATILITY AND OPTIONS APLENTY My first impression of the Savage 525 Scorpion Pro was, ‘Here is a boat that has lots of space and could provide the owner with numerous fishing options.’ By space I mean it has a large forward casting deck, a larger than normal rear casting platform (you could comfortably fish lures with three anglers) and enough space around the console to ensure that you would not feel uncomfortable moving from either casting area with others on board. The area around and behind the console for the skippers is spacious and well thought-out. The console itself had plenty of space for electronics and gauges. Warragul Marine Centre had the test boat fully kitted out and the console had a Humminbird Onix10, several

Suzuki gauges, a Fusion stereo system and some switches and there was still space for more if you wanted. The space isn’t limited to above the decks either. Under deck storage in the Scorpion included a 7ft rod locker, plenty of space under the forward casting deck, battery and other storage in the rear casting deck, with live wells in both decks as well. All of this means that all your fishing tackle can be secured safely and out of the way while you’re fishing or travelling. The versatility component is that this boat would be as at home fishing a lake, estuary or inshore reefs with lures and plastics as it would be with a spread of baits targeting snapper and the like. There is plenty of freeboard for an angler to lock into if chasing kingfish and tuna, if that is your cup of tea. Add to that the 115hp Suzuki four-stroke which provided a great balance of

The boat we tested was fully optioned with all the bells and whistles including a striking wrap. 104

APRIL 2017

power and economy. You could do a lot of fishing in a lot of places with the 77L underfloor fuel tank. RIDE AND PERFORMANCE In my interview with David Garcia from Warragul Marine Centre, I said that we had a lot of fun when out in the 525. This was absolutely the case. The classic hull design of the Scorpion provides a great ride and fantastic handling. Although we didn’t have a huge amount of chop to deal with at Hazelwood, it did handle the boat and jet ski wakes

SPECIFICATIONS Hull Length...............................................5.26m Beam.........................................................2.07m Depth........................................................ 1.10m Bottom and sides......................................3mm Weight (boat only).................................... 506kg Min hp.........................................................75hp Max hp...................................................... 115hp Hole Shot...................................... 4.27 seconds Number of people............................................6 motor establishes a maximum efficiency and automatically adjusts during use. This translates into maximum economy and output. On the day 4000 revs was the

PERFORMANCE RPM......Speed (km/h) Economy (km/L) 650............................ 4........................ 6.0 1000.......................... 7........................ 3.4 2000........................ 12........................ 3.6 3000........................ 30........................ 3.2 4000........................ 48........................ 3.0 5000........................ 63........................ 2.2 WOT........................ 74........................ 1.8 with ease. For what is a reasonably large boat, it was easy and enjoyable to drive. SUZUKI 115HP FOUR-STROKE The maximum horsepower rating for the 525 Scorpion is 115hp and although a 75hp would likely do a great job powering it, the 115hp Suzuki definitely had its advantages. During testing we managed a very healthy top speed of 74kp/h and with a very quick hole shot of 4.27 seconds. The beauty of Suzuki four-strokes and the Lean Burn technology incorporated in them is that over a period of running the

sweet spot, giving a speed of 48kp/h and getting 3km/L of fuel burned. FISHABILITY We didn’t fish Hazelwood on the day as it was not yet open for Victorian anglers to have a crack at the barramundi stocked in it (the boat certainly wouldn’t be out of place in any of our northern estuary systems chasing barra), however we did spend a few hours at Blue Rock Dam nearby targeting its bass population later in the day. We were casting three up, manoeuvring around in the timber using the Minn Kota on the bow and it was

excellent to fish from. It had a little bit of fishing mojo as well. As mentioned, this is only one option of the types of fishing you could do out of the 525 Scorpion Pro. CONCLUSION The Savage 525 Scorpion Pro is a big boat without the big boat feel. You can tow it with a medium to large car and you can launch and retrieve it with one person if required. It offers multiple fishing options and even fully optioned as the test boat was, it would only set you back just under $50,000. If you want to fit one out to your requirements, pricing starts from $37,500. If you want to know more about the Savage 525 Scorpion Pro or the rest of the Savage range of boats you can contact Warragul Marine Centre on 0356 236 250 or visit their website www. warragulmarine.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 front casting deck is large enough to fish two people from and has plenty of storage underneath.

The test boat had a Minn Kota electric motor fitted which made it even more suited for casting lures and plastics from the front deck.

There is a large plumbed livewell in the casting deck that would suit any tournament angler.

The Scorpion has plenty of space and storage.

The 525 Scorpion has a classic hull design that provides excellent handling and manoeuvrability.

The Suzuki 115hp four-stroke was a fantastic match for the boat and provides a great balance of economy and torque.

Telwaterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s catch and release system coupled with their I-Beam trailer means that although the Scorpion is quite a large boat, it can be launched by one person easily.

The console and skippers seating configuration is spacious and functional. APRIL 2017

105

Victorian Tide Times

2017 2017 Local Time

POINT LONSDALE – VICTORIA POINT – 144° VICTORIA LAT LONSDALE 38° 18’ LONG 37’

JANUARY Time Time JANUARY m

Time 0305 0305 0850 0850 SU 1452 1452 SU2050 2050 0343 0343 0928 0928 MO 1534 1534 MO2125 2125 0419 0419 1004 1004 TU 1615 1615 TU2200 2200 0455 0455 1042 1042 WE 1657 1657 WE2237 2237 0530 0530 1118 1118 TH 1740 1740 TH2317 2317 0607 0607 1157 1157 1827 FR FR 1827

11 22 33 44 55 66

m 1.61 1.61 0.63 0.63 1.37 1.37 0.27 0.27 1.64 1.64 0.57 0.57 1.39 1.39 0.27 0.27 1.65 1.65 0.52 0.52 1.40 1.40 0.29 0.29 1.63 1.63 0.47 0.47 1.41 1.41 0.32 0.32 1.61 1.61 0.43 0.43 1.40 1.40 0.38 0.38 1.57 1.57 0.39 0.39 1.39 1.39

Time 0344 0344 0920 0920 MO 1537 1537 MO2130 2130 0427 0427 1009 1009 TU 1627 1627 TU2215 2215 0506 0506 1054 1054 WE 1715 1715 WE2257 2257 0543 0543 1135 1135 TH 1801 1801 TH2335 2335 0616 0616 1214 1214 FR 1849 FR 1849

16 16 17 17 18 18

19 19 20 20

18’ of High LONG 144° TimesLAT and38° Heights and Low37’ Waters Times and Heights of High and Low Waters MARCH FEBRUARY Time m m Time Time MARCH m TimeFEBRUARY m

m 1.70 1.70 0.47 0.47 1.49 1.49 0.20 0.20 1.69 1.69 0.41 0.41 1.48 1.48 0.26 0.26 1.66 1.66 0.37 0.37 1.46 1.46 0.33 0.33 1.61 1.61 0.35 0.35 1.42 1.42 0.41 0.41 1.54 1.54 0.35 0.35 1.37 1.37

Time 0359 0359 0945 0945 WE 1603 1603 WE 2147 2147 0435 0435 1023 1023 TH 1646 1646 TH 2229 2229 0511 0511 1102 1102 FR 1730 1730 FR 2310 2310 0546 0546 1143 1143 SA 1817 1817 SA 2353 2353 0625 0625 1224 1224 SU 1909 SU 1909

44 55

m 1.62 1.62 0.44 0.44 1.46 1.46 0.30 0.30 1.62 1.62 0.37 0.37 1.48 1.48 0.33 0.33 1.61 1.61 0.31 0.31 1.49 1.49 0.38 0.38 1.58 1.58 0.26 0.26 1.48 1.48 0.44 0.44 1.53 1.53 0.23 0.23 1.45 1.45

Time 0437 0437 1031 1031 TH 1658 1658 TH 2236 2236 0510 0510 1108 1108 FR 1738 1738 FR 2312 2312 0540 0540 1143 1143 SA 1816 1816 SA 2347 2347 0611 0611 1216 1216 SU 1854 SU 1854

m 1.60 1.60 0.32 0.32 1.50 1.50 0.37 0.37 1.56 1.56 0.30 0.30 1.47 1.47 0.43 0.43 1.52 1.52 0.30 0.30 1.44 1.44 0.49 0.49 1.47 1.47 0.31 0.31 1.39 1.39

0023 0023 20 0644 20 0644 MO 1251

0.56 0.56 1.41 1.41 0.33 0.33 1.35 1.35 0.63 0.63 1.35 1.35 0.37 0.37 1.31 1.31

16 16

17 17

18 18 19 19

1251 MO 1936 1936 0101 0101 0719 0719 1328 TU 1328 TU 2024 2024

0038 0.52 0014 0.50 0038 0.52 21 0014 0.50 6 21 1.48 0649 1.48 21 6 0706 0706 1.48 21 0649 1.48 MO 1308 0.23 SA 1251 0.36 1251 SA1938 1938 0052 0052 0724 0724 1329 SU 1329 SU2030 2030

0000 0.45 0.45 22 770000 0645 0645 1.52 1.52 22 1238 0.35 SA

0.36 1.32 1.32 0.58 0.58 1.41 1.41 0.38 0.38 1.29 1.29 0.67 0.67 1.34 1.34 0.41 0.41 1.26 1.26

1308 MO 2009 2009 0126 0126 0754 0754 1358 TU 1358 TU 2116 2116

0.23 1.41 1.41 0.61 0.61 1.42 1.42 0.25 0.25 1.39 1.39 0.69 0.69 1.36 1.36 0.28 0.28 1.38 1.38

0142 0142 22 0800 22 0800 1408 WE

0.70 0.70 1.29 1.29 0.41 0.41 1.27 1.27 0.77 0.77 1.23 1.23 0.45 0.45 1.26 1.26

WE WE

TH TH

FR FR

SA SA

SU SU

66 MO

Time 0252 0252 0837 0837 1505 1505 2050 2050 0331 0331 0918 0918 1552 1552 2133 2133 0410 0410 1000 1000 1637 1637 2215 2215 0447 0447 1042 1042 1722 1722 2259 2259 0525 0525 1125 1125 1808 1808 2342 2342 0605 0605 1207 1207 1858 1858

m 1.54 1.54 0.45 0.45 1.49 1.49 0.35 0.35 1.58 1.58 0.35 0.35 1.56 1.56 0.35 0.35 1.60 1.60 0.26 0.26 1.60 1.60 0.37 0.37 1.60 1.60 0.20 0.20 1.61 1.61 0.41 0.41 1.57 1.57 0.17 0.17 1.58 1.58 0.46 0.46 1.53 1.53 0.17 0.17 1.53 1.53

Time 0330 0330 0923 1600 TH 0923 2138 TH 1600 2138 0403 0403 1000 1637 FR 1000 FR 1637 2214 2214 0434 0434 1035 1711 SA 1035 SA 1711 2247 2247 0504 0504 1108 1744 SU 1108 SU 1744 2322 2322 0536 0536 1142 1142 1817 MO 1817 MO 2357 2357 0610 0610 1215 1215 1855 TU 1855 TU

16 16

17 17

18 18 19 19

20 20 21 21

m m 1.54 1.54 0.34 0.34 1.56 1.56 0.43 0.43 1.54 1.54 0.30 0.30 1.57 1.57 0.46 0.46 1.52 1.52 0.29 0.29 1.56 1.56 0.49 0.49 1.49 1.49 0.29 0.29 1.53 1.53 0.53 0.53 1.46 1.46 0.31 0.31 1.49 1.49 0.57 0.57 1.41 1.41 0.34 0.34 1.45 1.45

Time Time 0343 0343 0932 1625 SA0932 2200 SA 1625 2200 0323 0323 0918 1611 SU0918 SU 1611 2144 2144 0404 0404 1004 1658 MO1004 MO 1658 2228 2228 0447 0447 1049 1746 TU1049 TU 1746 2313 2313 0533 0533 1135 1135 1840 WE1840 WE

11 22 33

44 55

Local Time APRIL APRIL Time m

m 1.59 1.59 0.19 0.19 1.73 1.73 0.47 0.47 1.59 1.59 0.15 0.15 1.72 1.72 0.48 0.48 1.57 1.57 0.15 0.15 1.68 1.68 0.51 0.51 1.53 1.53 0.19 0.19 1.61 1.61 0.56 0.56 1.48 1.48 0.26 0.26 1.53 1.53

m Time m 0259 1.49 0259 0900 1.49 0.32 1543 0.32 1.64 SU0900 2123 1.64 0.58 SU 1543 2123 0.58 0331 1.48 0331 0935 1.48 0.33 1615 0.33 1.62 MO0935 MO 1615 2158 1.62 0.60 2158 0.60 0405 1.46 0405 1008 1.46 0.35 1647 0.35 1.59 TU1008 TU 1647 2231 1.59 0.63 2231 0.63 0441 1.42 0441 1040 1.42 0.38 1724 0.38 1.55 WE1040 WE 1724 2306 1.55 0.66 2306 0.66 0518 1.38 0518 1112 1.38 0.43 1112 1804 0.43 1.50 TH1804 1.50 TH 2342 0.69 2342 0.69 0600 1.33 0600 1.33 1145 0.47 1145 0.47 1850 1.44 1.44 FR 1850 FR

16 16 17 17

18 18 19 19 20 20

0000 0.61 0000 0.61 21 6 0627 1.41 21 6TH0627 1.41 1224 0.35

TH 1224 1940 1940 0052 0052 0732 0732 1318 FR 1318 FR 2044 2044

0.35 1.46 1.46 0.66 0.66 1.34 1.34 0.46 0.46 1.40 1.40

0020 0.72 0.72 220020 0649 1.28 1.28 22 0649 SA 1226 0.53

0026 7 0026 0647 7 0647 TU 1252

0.53 0.53 1.48 1.48 0.21 1252 0.21 TU 1954 1.47 1954 1.47

0032 0.62 0.62 22 0032 0646 1.36 1.36 22 77 0646 WE 1248 0.38

0112 8 0112 0737 0737 WE 1340

0157 0.69 0.69 0107 0.73 0.73 0110 0.68 0.68 80157 230107 23 0110 0850 1.30 1.30 23 0750 1.26 1.26 0727 1.30 1.30 8 0850 0750 0727 SA 1426 0.55 SU 1317 0.60 TH 1324 0.42

0203 9 0203 0836 0836 TH 1436

0316 0.68 0.68 0205 0.72 0.72 0151 0.74 0.74 90316 24 0151 240205 1008 1.31 1.31 24 0904 1.27 1.27 0815 1.25 1.25 9 1008 0815 0904 SU 1545 0.60 MO 1422 0.66 FR 1405 0.48

0316 0445 0441 0445 0.76 0.76 0441 0240 0.72 0.72 0316 0.82 0.82 10 0939 1119 0915 10 25 100240 1119 1.31 1.31 25 1105 1105 0915 1.37 1.37 25 0939 1.23 1.23 10 1558 0.44 1728 0.31 1708 1517 0.28

0307 10 0307 0951 0951 1547

0434 0.62 0.62 0313 0.66 0.66 0242 0.78 0.78 100434 250313 25 0242 1118 1.36 1.36 25 1024 1.35 1.35 0916 1.21 1.21 10 1118 1024 0916 1701 0.62 1538 0.70 1459 0.53

0029 0426 0.86 0.86 0029 0350 0.77 0.77 0045 1.46 1.46 11 110350 260426 11 0045 1023 1041 0607 1041 1.20 1.20 11 0600 1023 1.35 1.35 26 0607 0.71 0.71 26 0600 1630 0.26 1705 0.43 1217 1233 1.34

0430 11 0430 1112 1112

0346 0.78 0.78 0538 0.54 0.54 0423 0.56 0.56 110538 260423 26 0346 1030 1.21 1.21 11 1221 1.44 1.44 26 1135 1.46 1.46 1030 1221 1135

0021 1.34 1.34 0001 1.48 1.48 0144 1.52 1.52 0122 0122 270021 120001 12 0144 12 0545 0.84 0.84 12 0510 0.78 0.78 27 0717 0.61 0.61 27 0705 0705 0545 0717 0510 1146 1.21 1137 1.35 1338 1.39 1321

0019 12 0019 0553 0553

0500 0.73 0.73 0527 0.43 0.43 0034 1.44 1.44 27 0500 120034 270527 1150 0629 1236 1150 1.26 1.26 12 1236 1.60 1.60 0629 0.46 0.46 27

0236 1.58 1.58 0105 1.56 1.56 0113 1.40 1.40 0209 0209 130105 280113 13 0236 13 0816 0.51 0.51 28 0754 0626 0.72 0.72 28 0651 0.78 0.78 13 0754 0816 0626 0651 1435 1.45 1246 1.38 1248 1.24 1415

0118 13 0118 0701 0701 1330

0039 0116 0039 1.51 1.51 0038 1.38 1.38 0116 1.47 1.47 28 0038 28 13 0623 0614 0712 0623 0.32 0.32 0614 0.63 0.63 13 0712 0.40 0.40 28 1331 1.72 1259 1.36 1400 1.59

0321 1.61 1.61 0202 1.63 1.63 0159 1.47 1.47 140202 14 0321 290159 0906 0.43 0.43 0730 0.64 0.64 29 0743 0.70 0.70 14 14 0906 0730 0743 TU 1528 1.49 SA 1348 1.43 SU 1343 1.30

0209 14 0209 0757 0757 TU 1428

0129 0153 0129 1.56 1.56 0130 1.45 1.45 0153 1.48 1.48 29 0130 0715 0712 0750 29 14 0715 0.23 0.23 0712 0.50 0.50 14 0750 0.35 0.35 29 SA 1422 1.80 WE 1358 1.49 FR 1438 1.63

0256 1.68 1.68 0401 1.62 1.62 0241 1.54 1.54 15 0401 150256 300241 0828 0.55 0.55 30 0951 0.36 0.36 0826 0.62 0.62 15 15 0951 0828 0826 SU 1445 1.47 MO 1432 1.36 WE 1615 1.51

0253 15 0253 0843 0843 1516 WE

0227 0215 0215 1.59 1.59 0217 1.51 1.51 0227 1.49 1.49 30 0217 0826 0805 0800 15 30 0805 0.17 0.17 0800 0.37 0.37 15 0826 0.33 0.33 30 1512 1.64 1511 1.83 1450 1.61 SA SU TH

1238 0.35 SA1921 1921 1.37 1.37

0133 0133 0048 0.53 0.53 880048 0729 0801 23 0801 0729 1.47 1.47 23 SU 1324 0.32 MO 1411 SU 1324 0.32 2025 2025 1.37 1.37

MO 1411 2125 2125

0219 88 0219 0850 0850 WE 1455 WE 1455 2229 2229

1408 WE 2119 2119

0229 23 0229 0851 0851 TH 1455 TH 1455 2222 2222

0328 0220 0325 0.75 0.75 0328 0140 0.63 0.63 0220 0.75 0.75 99 0325 990140 1000 0845 0817 24 1000 1.32 1.32 24 0953 0953 0817 1.42 1.42 24 0845 1.28 1.28 TH 1607 0.31 FR 1555 TU 1459 0.43 MO 1416 0.30 MO 1416 0.30 2138 2138 1.38 1.38

TU 1459 0.43 2223 2223 1.26 1.26

TU TU 1517 0.28 WE WE 1558 0.44 2323 2251 2251 1.42 1.42 2323 1.29 1.29

WE TH 1705 0.43 WE 1630 0.26 TH

FR1146 1.21 TH1137 1.35 FR TH 1810 0.40 0.40 1745 0.22 0.22 1810 1745

FR1246 1.38 SA1248 1.24 FR SA 1851 0.19 0.19 1903 0.36 0.36 1851 1903

SA 1348 1.43 SU 1343 1.30 1950 0.17 0.17 1949 0.32 0.32 1950 1949

SU 1445 1.47 MO 1432 1.36 2043 0.17 0.17 2030 0.30 0.30 2043 2030 0320 1.59 1.59 0320 0906 0.53 0.53 0906 1519 1.42 1.42 TU 1519 TU 2108 0.29 2108 0.29

31 31

TH 1607 0.31 2339 2339 1.41 1.41

FR FR 1728 0.31

SA SA 1233 1.34 1839 1839 0.29 0.29

SU 1338 1.39 SU 1939 0.27 0.27 1939

MO 1435 1.45 MO 2031 0.27 0.27 2031

TU 1528 1.49 2117 0.29 0.29 2117

WE 1615 1.51 2159 0.33 0.33 2159

0.82 0.82 1.19 1.19 0.48 FR 1555 0.48 2328 2328 1.28 1.28

0.83 1.18 SA SA 1708 0.48

1.33 0.78 SU SU 1217 1.22 1822 1822 0.45

1.40 0.68 MO 1321 1.30 MO 1919 0.41 1919 1.48 0.57 TU 1415 1.40 TU 2007 0.37 2007

0.60 0.60 1.41 1.41 0.27 1340 0.27 WE 2058 1.41 1.41 2058 0.67 0.67 1.34 1.34 0.34 1436 0.34 TH 2207 1.37 1.37 2207 0.72 0.72 1.29 1.29 0.41 FR 1547 0.41 2315 1.37 1.37 2315

0.72 0.72 1.28 1.28 1710 0.44 0.44 SA 1710

1.40 1.40 0.66 0.66 1225 1.32 1.32 SU 1225 1824 1824 0.44 0.44

1.45 1.45 0.57 0.57 1.40 MO 1330 1.40 1926 1926 0.42 0.42 1.50 1.50 0.47 0.47 1.47 TU 1428 1.47 2016 2016 0.41 0.41

1.53 1.53 0.39 0.39 1.53 WE 1516 1.53 2100 2100 0.42 0.42

0.38 WE 1248 1938 1.39 1.39 1938

TH 1324 0.42 2028 1.34 1.34 2028

FR 1405 0.48 2127 1.30 1.30 2127

SA 1459 0.53 SA 2232 1.30 1.30 2232

1606 0.56 0.56 SU 1606 SU 2338 1.32 1.32 2338

1724 0.57 0.57 MO MO 1724

TU TU 1259 1.36 1840 1840 0.54 0.54

WE 1358 1.49 1939 1939 0.50 0.50

TH 1450 2029 2029 0300 0300 0847 0847 1538 FR 1538 FR 2115 2115

1.61 0.48 0.48

0.53 SA 1226 1942 1.40 1.40 1942

SA 1426 0.55 SU 1317 0.60 2146 1.38 1.38 2041 1.37 1.37 2146 2041

SU 1545 0.60 MO 1422 0.66 2248 1.38 1.38 2145 1.37 1.37 2248 2145

MO1701 0.62 MO 2345 1.41 1.41 2345

TU1538 0.70 TU 2248 1.40 1.40 2248

1804 0.60 0.60 WE 1659 0.69 0.69 TU1804 WE1659 TU 2346 1.45 1.45 2346

1315 1.52 1.52 WE WE1315 1855 1855 0.59 0.59

TH TH 1400 1.59 1937 1937 0.58 0.58

FR 1438 1.63 2014 2014 0.57 0.57

SA 1512 1.64 2048 2048 0.57 0.57

1807 0.66 0.66 TH TH1807

FR FR 1331 1.72 1903 1903 0.63 0.63

SA 1422 1.80 1953 1953 0.60 0.60

SU 1511 1.83 2040 2040 0.58 0.58

1.56 1.56 0.27 0.27 1.69 1.69 0.46 0.46

CopyrightCommonwealth Commonwealth of of Australia Australia 2015, 2015, Bureau Bureau of of Meteorology Meteorology Copyright Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Timesare areininlocal localstandard standardtime time (UTC (UTC +10:00) +10:00) or or daylight daylight savings savings time Times time (UTC (UTC +11:00) +11:00) when whenin ineffect effect New Moon First Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon New Moon First Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon

Last LastQuarter Quarter

Tide predictions for Port Phillip Heads have been formatted by the National Tidal Centre, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Copyright reserved. All material is supplied in good faith and is believed to be correct. It is supplied on the condition that no warranty is given in relation thereto, that no responsibility or liability for errors or omissions is, or will be, accepted and that the recipient will hold MHL and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Australia free from all such responsibility or liability and from all loss or damage incurred as a consequence of any error or omission. Predictions should not be used for navigational purposes. Use of these tide predictions will be deemed to include acceptance of the above conditions. 106

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