Victoria and Tasmania Fishing Monthly March 2020

AUTUMN WHITING • BUSHFIRE RECOVERY UPDATE

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Codference • Western Port autumn whiting • Reel vs reel: get the results • Part II: New science for snapper stock • Decommissioning an expired EPIRB •

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March 2020, Vol. 15 No. 5

Contents WEST COAST West Coast

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16

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Warrnambool 17 Apollo Bay

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Cobden 18

CENTRAL Geelong 22 Port Phillip West

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Port Phillip North East

26

Mornington Peninsula

28

Port Phillip Surrounds

30

Western Port North

32

Western Port South

33

Phillip Island

34

EAST COAST Gippsland Lakes

38

Corner Inlet

39

Lakes Entrance

40

Bemm River

41

Marlo 39

NSW SOUTH COAST Bermagui 42 Mallacoota/Eden 42

VICTORIAN FRESHWATER Wagga Wagga

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Robinvale 57 Yarrawonga 58 Albury/Wadonga 58 Snowy Mountains

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Wangaratta 60

From the Editor’s Desk...

The State Government is encouraging anglers to visit bushfire-affected areas by creating the Golden Tag competition, giving anglers the chance of landing a tagged fish worth up to $10,000.

Recreational fishing in Gippsland and the northeast supports over 3,800 jobs and is a major contributor to regional communities that depend on tourism. These fire-ravaged communities have been doing it tough, with visitor numbers down substantially during what is normally their busiest time of the year. Thousands of Victorians will soon have an extra incentive to return when the Golden Tag competition casts off.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) will manage the competition, which will run for 12 months, and has already begun tagging up to 1,000 fish in the rivers and lakes of East Gippsland and northeast Victoria. The first 10 tagged fish to be reported after the

competition begins will earn the lucky angler a $10,000 cheque, with tagged fish beyond the first 10 to be awarded a $2,000 cash prize.

Tagged species include black bream, dusky flathead and King George whiting in East Gippsland; and in the northeast, Murray cod, brown trout and rainbow trout. The competition will bring people back to towns like Mallacoota, Cann River, Bemm River, Orbost, Marlo, Lakes Entrance, Lake Tyers,

Omeo, Dartmouth, Mitta Mitta, Corryong, Tallangatta and Bright. All these places are well known for their inland and estuarine fishing, boasting terrific opportunities for shorebased and boat-based fishers.

The competition will begin in the coming months, dependent on conditions in bushfire-affected areas, with a start date to be set in consultation with Visit Victoria.

For more information visit vfa. vic.gov.au/goldentag.

SMART SPENDING When you’re in the market for new tackle or electronics, one of the biggest considerations is whether certain features are worth the money. You don’t want to overspend for features you don’t need, but neither do you want to underspend and end up with a product that isn’t up to the task.

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Eildon 61 West/South Gippsland

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Shepparton 62 Crater Lakes

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Western Port autumn whiting

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Part II: New Science for snapper stock

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Reel vs reel: get the results

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Decommissioning an expired EPIRB

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Codference 54 Pirtek Challenge species

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WHITING

Top Western Port spots for autumn whiting WESTERN PORT

Jarrod Day jarrodday@iprimus.com.au

Once snapper have begun to head back to inhabit their autumn/winter reefs, many anglers pack up their snapper gear

though it was summer.

FISH THE TIDES Moon phases and tides play a huge role in the feeding activity of whiting.

If you want to catch a good quantity of fish rather than just a few here and there, you need to fish the tides.

Nothing can spoil a good

Tankerton is a known whiting haunt, and the Tortoise Head Bank on the other side of it is even more productive on the top of the tide.

Tyabb Bank fishes exceptionally well in April, with plenty of good habitat found right up the bank in 2m of water. and re-rig for the whiting season. Each year it is as though someone has flicked the switch and as soon as snapper stop biting in Western Port, whiting come on in a big way.

Towards the end of summer, whiting are the most targeted species.

However, as soon as autumn sets in and the temperature starts to drop, other species get the call up with whiting left as a distant memory with some anglers.

There is no doubt the seasons are changing, with some species’ seasons lasting weeks longer than they used to two decades ago. Now that whiting in Western Port are a yearround opportunity, they are continuing to be rife throughout autumn as

day’s fishing like spending upwards of $150 on bait, car and boat fuel to catch six whiting between three anglers. Knowing the tides and moon phases can

Cat Bay is known for its large whiting.

maximise your catch rate and make the whole trip a lot more worthwhile.

During the full and new moon we have bigger tides, both low and high, which means more water displacement. The moon’s quarter phases bring the lowest high tides and the highest low tides. When it comes to whiting, water displacement is everything and like they say, ‘no flow, no go’. Fishing the big tides can be hard work due to the amount of sinker weight required to hold bait on the bottom but because Western Port has shallow mud banks, flats and deep channels, there is always somewhere you can target them.

During the larger tides, whiting fishing is at its prime and the mud banks and flats are where you are likely to see some serious action. While many anglers these days target whiting in the channels, during these periods it is not an option because it is too hard to keep your

on two hours either side of a tide change around the quarter moon phases.

GENTLE ANNIE Gentle Annie is an amazing channel to fish for whiting in the top end. This area comprises of vast muddy banks with significant weed beds and is prime whiting habitat.

The Gentle Annie Channel averages a depth of 2m on a low tide, but due to its narrow width you need to take it slow so you don’t run aground. The fishing is best on the top of the high tides where you can anchor on the edge of the channel and fish back onto the edges of it.

Berley is essential to encourage the fish to

You can easily target whiting during all tides at Balnarring. baits on the bottom even two hours either side of a tide change. Those wanting to fish the deep water for larger whiting should focus

school up in the trail. Use a two-dropper paternoster rig to avoid getting snagged on weed. Whiting are partial to a wide variety of baits

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During the quarter moons, fishing the deep water is much easier and many anglers take the opportunity to fish for whiting in Western Port.

but when fishing the top end, mussels and pipis are the best options.

TYABB/QUAIL BANK Tyabb and Quail banks are pretty much the same piece of water separated by the Yaringa Channel. It doesn’t matter which side you fish; it is all practically the same. In this area you’re fishing up on the banks, which are around 1-1.5m in depth even during a low tide – unless you head up too far and end up on the mud.

When targeting whiting, you only need to travel onto the bank from the edge of the drop no more than 200m.

This will allow you to cover plenty of ground should you need to move about to find the fish.

Due to the vast weed beds you do not need to berley, so it is a matter of anchoring and re-anchoring until you find a school of fish.

Two-dropper paternoster rigs work exceptionally well to keep your baits above the weed growth. When fishing with a paternoster rig, size #4 circle hooks should be used. Stick to using pipis and mussels, but if you’re losing a lot of baits due to leatherjackets then you might want to change to tenderised squid strips.

MIDDLE SPIT The Middle Spit is one of the most popular

Berleying for whiting works exceptionally well, but don’t overcomplicate it. Pellets and pilchards will do the trick. water. Using berley is a good option, as it will bring the fish to your area.

While the weed along the Middle Spit isn’t as thick as other locations, a running sinker rig or extended paternoster rig is recommended. If using these rigs, a longshank #6 hook is ideal, as you’ll need to strike to set the hook.

When fishing two-dropper paternoster rigs, small circle hooks are a must. whiting locations, mainly due to its easy access from Stony Point and Hastings boat ramps. Located in the middle of the North Arm and Eastern Channel, the Middle Spit is a mud, sand and weedy bank approximately 10km in length and 2km wide. This area fishes best near the full and new moons when the tides are at their biggest.

During the large high tides fish can get up on the bank and feed for bass yabbies and other crustaceans.

When targeting whiting it is good practice to work in 5m of water, which is basically the edge of the bank as it drops into deeper

Due to the wide variety of food available for whiting, top baits include pipis, mussels, tenderised squid strips, bloodworms and live Bass yabbies.

TORTOISE HEAD BANK Further down the Port is Tortoise Head Bank. This is located on the opposite side of Tankerton near French Island. This bank has two channels that run on the inside of the bank, Blakes and Gardeners channels. The bank itself is approximately 2-3m deep on a low tide with areas of the bank exposed.

For whiting, this area fishes best two hours either side of the high tide, particularly around the quarter moons. Although there are patches of weed, you want to work the sand holes and channels in around 2m of water. Berley is essential, especially during the ebb tides.

Due to the lack of thick weed beds, a running or extended paternoster rig is recommended. Any of the aforementioned baits will work, however I am To page 10

Cat Bay gets exceptionally good populations of whiting, but you have to take care due to the ocean swells.

MARCH 2020

9

WHITING From page 9

partial to using a squid/pipi cocktail bait in these parts.

BALNARRING There has always been an ongoing rumour about Balnarring that if anyone catches a whiting over 50cm in length it would come from this area. And I agree! In fact, the entire area from Somers to Point Leo is big whiting territory.

The area averages 5m of water with small channels as deep as 10m on the low tide. The terrain is weed beds with sand holes – ideal whiting habitat.

However, getting here is not easy. Anglers can either launch from Stony Point and cross the Middle Bank, or motor all the way down the Western Entrance and enter through Flinders.

FLINDERS Flinders fishes similarly to Cat Bay but the bottom is weed and sand holes, not reef. Launching at Stony Point or beach launching from Flinders will get you

In autumn, land-based anglers can catch quality whiting from Balnarring and Somers.

In areas where there are sand holes, a running sinker rig or extended paternoster rig with a size #6 long shank hook will allow you to strike to set the hook easier.

Cutting through the Middle Bank should be done by experienced boaters only.

Even on a low tide, the bank is 1m deep with offshore swells that roll through and in semi-rough conditions it can really stand up. The other option is to beach launch from Flinders, but once again, you need to have done this before with a 4WD. Make sure you watch the swell, as many boats and cars have become bogged while launching or retrieving.

Due to this area not having many exposed banks on a low tide, the entire area fishes exceptionally

there is exceptional.

Due to the deep water, the most productive fishing is around three hours either side of the high tide. Try to target them during the quarter moons as the tide

well through all tides. I prefer the run-out tides, as the fish tend to scatter throughout the area. Berley is essential to attract the fish to your location, with a running sinker or extended sinker rig working best.

Many local whiting anglers will recommend pilchard fillets for bait but due to a mussel farm located east of Flinders. I favour mussel and squid.

CAT BAY Located on the Phillip Island side of the Western Entrance, Cat Bay is a whiting Mecca. To get here, you can launch from Ventnor boat ramp, Flinders

or from Stony Point boat ramp. This area is open to Bass Strait, so ocean swells can affect access. The bottom is extremely reefy, with patches of sand, but the whiting are big. They are plentiful in autumn but this area produces whiting year round. The depth ranges from 15m and gets shallower the further you head to the shore. Keep in mind that Cat Bay is a surf beach, so don’t head too far in. Ideally, work in 8m and find the sand holes

using your sounder before dropping the anchor.

Berley is vital, but you can attract trevally, salmon, gummy sharks, wrasse and many other species with it. You need to keep your baits above the reef so a two-dropper paternoster rig containing size #4 circle hooks is essential. Cat Bay is also a spawning ground for calamari throughout the year, so strips of tenderised calamari or cuttlefish work exceptionally well, along with mussels and pipis.

The basket beacon signifies the entrance into the Yaringa Channel. To the left of it is the Tyabb Bank and to the right, the Quail Bank. Both are excellent autumn whiting locations. there but you do need to be careful of the ocean swells and have a 4WD. You should work in 8-10m of water out from the Flinders Pier. The mussel farm is east of the pier and the whiting fishing around

The Middle Spit does get heavily fished but it continues to produce decent whiting.

can run hard here during the lead up to the full and new moons. Berley is not essential, but it does help to bring the fish to your area.

Due to the weed growth, two-dropper paternoster rigs with circle hooks work well, but if you get out on the sand an extended paternoster rig is recommended, especially if the whiting are being finicky. Flinders is another calamari spawning ground and with the mussel farm nearby, mussel and calamari strips make the best baits.

Of course, pipi is also good, but the other two baits are superior.

SUMMARY Although there are plenty of other whiting locations throughout the Port, these are the prime locations to catch whiting throughout autumn.

Working the tides and moon phases while using the right baits and rigs is all part of being successful in finding and catching these lovely fish.

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Science meets fishing

New science to support Vic snapper stock PART II GEELONG

Ross Winstanley

Part one of this article described how, while the western Victorian snapper stock is in a very healthy condition, trends in interstate stocks – particularly South Australia – warn against complacency.

After the SA Government last year announced the closure of snapper fishing in the gulfs and the West Coast, the prospect of intensified pressure on the western Victorian stock off southeastern SA rang alarm bells in Victoria. This added importance and relevance to the Victorian Fisheries Authority’s (VFA’s) recentlycompleted study to develop: • New methods to track trends in recreational fishing pressure, and • An advanced approach to exploring risks to the stock, associated with differing levels of fishing pressure The VFA’s reliance on recreational catch estimates as measures of the stock condition will increase from 2022 when the commercial fishery in Port Phillip Bay is reduced to eight operators and a total catch limit of 88 tonnes per year. The adopted approach to track trends in recreational fishing pressure will rely on a combination of remote cameras to count boats launched at major ramps, and continuation of a longrunning creel survey program.

To simplify things for readers, the term ‘catch’ is used here to mean the snapper caught and retained by anglers.

THE VFA’S RESEARCH PROJECT With the licence reductions and other controls now in place for commercial fishing, ‘uncapped’ recreational fishing in Port Phillip and Western Port Bay clearly poses the biggest fishing pressure risk to our western snapper stock. The first consequence of this is that anglers have the biggest stake in maintaining the stock at a continually productive level. The second is that we now have to develop and maintain ongoing measures of the stock condition, using recreational fishing data.

Along with reassuring anglers, such measures are essential for Victoria’s regular stock assessments.

Victoria’s main recreational snapper fishing controls are catch limits: minimum legal length and bag limit, including a limit on the number of adult snapper (>40cm) that can be retained. Unlike season and area closures, catch limit regulations are comparatively easy to apply in the multi12

MARCH 2020

species bay and coastal fisheries.

Despite all the research and assessments over the past 25 years, we only have two estimates of the recreational catch from the western snapper stock: approximately 300 tonnes in 2000/01 and 600 tonnes in 2006/07. The high costs of obtaining these estimates and their associated high levels of uncertainty rule out the estimation of total catch as an option for monitoring fishing pressure on a regular basis.

The VFA project recognised the need for an alternative approach to monitor trends in recreational fishing pressure to support cost-effective assessments of both the fishery and the state of the stock. With this in mind, in simple terms, the study’s objectives were to provide fisheries managers with: • “a robust and transparent approach” to catchmanagement decisions; • cost effective options for monitoring the catch; and • “a tool to assist in deciding among different regulatory approaches for managing catches by anglers”.

The other aim, now satisfied, was to develop the Victoria-SA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for jointly assessing and collaborating on management of the cross-border snapper stock.

BOAT RAMP CAMERAS AND CREEL SURVEYS The largely boat-based nature of the recreational snapper fishery makes the use of fixed cameras at ramps ideal for monitoring fishing effort. New camera technology enables digital cameras to either use timelapse or motion-activation to take ramp images and transmit them to a central data-storage location. For this trial, cameras were installed at six major ramps in the two bays: Hastings, Patterson River, Altona, St Helens, Limeburners Point and Clifton Springs.

To contain costs and research resources, the study focused on November as it is the peak of the snapper fishing season. However, data on fishing trips were collected across other months at most ramps and for a whole year at the Patterson River ramp. This provided the researchers with a recreational boat fishing effort database they used to design sampling programs to reduce costs associated with image collection and analyses, making the “ramp camera” approach feasible for longer term application.

By combining counts of angler boat trips with the VFA’s long-running creel survey data on numbers and sizes of snapper caught per trip, researchers were able to

Fig.1 Estimated recreational snapper catches landed at Patterson River (2012-2016), St Helens and Clifton Springs (2014-2016), and Hastings, Altona and Limeburners Point (2015-2016). Image courtesy of VFA. estimate the total numbers and weights of snapper landed at each ramp. This provided an index of yearto-year variation of snapper catches for individual ramps.

By combining ramp-based catch indices from various ramps around the bays, it will be possible to provide a representative overall index of how recreational catches vary from year to year.

Combining this with ongoing commercial catch data will provide a yearly catch index that is representative of the variation in the catch across the fishery. This will be valuable for tracking trends in fishing pressure and to gauge the impacts of management changes aimed at altering catches.

CATCH ESTIMATES For the period 2014-2016, November snapper catch estimates from Patterson River (5.5 to 13 tonnes) and Altona (8 to 10 tonnes) were similar.

For ramps in the Geelong Arm region, estimated November catches ranged from 1 to 4 tonnes, with the highest from Clifton Springs.

For the Patterson River ramps, the research was able to go further back to when the snapper fishery was highly productive, spanning the period 2012 to 2016 (see Fig.1). The estimates of November catches landed at Patterson River ramps showed a marked decline, from 50 tonnes in 2012 to a low of 5.5 tonnes in 2016. Over those five years, declines were recorded for: • The number of trips, by 45%; • Average catch weights per trip, by 70%; • Average weight per fish, by 25%; and • Estimated total catch, by 90%.

On face value, these could be very worrying signs in terms of large snapper numbers and fish sizes – and of angler interest in fishing the peak snapper season.

However, many factors can influence fishing activity

and catches from a single ramp, such as weather, ramp conditions, congestion and fish availability. This is why this approach needs to have coverage of ramps all around Port Phillip to be representative of bay-wide fishing activity and catch trends. This coverage is crucial to providing a reliable measure of what’s happening at a fishery and stockwide scale.

Researchers propose that continuation of this approach, targeting on at least the Clifton Springs, Altona, Patterson River and Hastings ramps could track key features of the recreational fishery and the stock, over time.

They’ve identified improvements that are needed to make this combination of ramp cameras and creel survey monitoring more meaningful and reliable, including: • Improved application of ramp camera activity-sensing capability; • Improved creel sampling coverage; and • Incorporation of catch-andrelease rates and post-release survival of snapper.

MANAGEMENT TOOLS The prospects of successive years of poor recruitment and imminent stock decline are behind the project’s development of tools to help managers assess fishing pressure risks under various scenarios and to make timely and effective responses.

This work anticipates a time when it becomes necessary to proactively reduce fishing pressure.

History shows that such situations can suffer slow, hotly contested, and compromised management responses.

Being well informed is essential to applying effective controls in a timely way, rather than half measures when it’s too late.

The VFA’s long-running annual juvenile snapper monitoring program offers much of what’s needed to

address these challenges and provide the critical early warning system. The lead-time from monitoring spawning success until snapper enter the pinky (3-4 years) and adult (7-8 years) fisheries allows for the likelihood of a build-up or a run-down of the stock to be predicted and management responses considered.

To inform these management responses, the project has developed a simulation model that can predict the effects of different management approaches to limit catches, referred to as ‘Management Strategy Evaluation’. While not outlined in this article, much of the VFA’s report describes how annual assessments of the stock and fishery, through monitoring at boat ramps, can be incorporated in Management Strategy Evaluation and scientificallyinformed management decisions. It goes on to outline the development of, “SnapMAT: a management advice tool that uses recreational creel survey data to predict impacts of bag and size limit adjustments on retained snapper catches”.

CONCLUSIONS Over the past 30 years, snapper fishery management decisions in Victoria occurred in parallel with increasingly informative research and stock assessments. Major policy and management decisions were developed in partnership with recreational and commercial fishers and followed wellgrounded scientific advice.

However, recent major policy decisions have ignored scientific assessments, instead following the century-old pragmatic approach.

In future, whether acting alone in response to the bay fishery, or with SA under the MOU agreement, Victorian managers will need a scientifically informed “robust and transparent approach to harvest management decisions”, as stated in the

VFA’s project objectives.

This study has gone a long way towards delivering the monitoring, assessment and management tools needed to follow such an approach. Application of the SnapMAT tool indicates that, if needed, angling impacts on the stock could be reduced by altering size and bag limit regulations. What’s needed now are benchmarks to help measure how well this fishery is tracking and to highlight, ahead of time, when management changes might be needed to safeguard the stock and the fishery. Development of such benchmarks will require input from the recreational and commercial fishing sectors.

The researchers recommend that VFA managers work closely with a stakeholder reference group to develop “operational management objectives” and to consider other aspects of the assessment and management program.

The total project cost of $600,000 includes $250,000 of Recreational Fishing Licence funds and the FRDC’s $350,000 grant. So, at the completion of the study, it is reasonable for anglers to ask how the VFA intends to proceed.

There is a fine working model for the approach outlined in this study. In New Zealand’s major snapper fishery, ramp camera and creel survey data from major ramps are now routinely used as key inputs for estimating recreational catch indices, as inputs to stock assessments. The VFA’s study demonstrates that, with some refinements, this approach offers a cost-efficient solution to providing essential information on the state of the western Victorian snapper stock and trends in harvest pressure on the fishery.

If it occurs, as seems likely, the concentration of SA’s snapper fishing effort on the Victorian western stock for the next three years will concern Victorian anglers and be the focus of managers’ attention in both states. Based on the results of this study and changes facing fisheries based on the western snapper stock, the VFA is developing a new fisheries management strategy featuring wide consultation among anglers and other stakeholders.

• Note: The VFA’s study is titled “Developing tools to inform management risk and improve recreational fishery monitoring for a complex multi-sector, multi-jurisdiction fishery: the ‘Western Victorian Snapper Stock”. The 2019 report can be found on the FRDC web site www.frdc. com.au/Archived-Reports/ FRDC%20Projects/2013201-DLD.pdf.

Fishing after the fires NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.fishotopia.com

Drought and bushfires have plagued much of the country in recent times, but there are still plenty of viable fishing options, especially if you know where to look.

fish kills in places like the upper Macleay River of northern NSW, there have been hundreds or even thousands of smaller and more localised events.

Some waterways have lost most if not all of their fish as a result.

It’s all extremely disheartening, especially for keen anglers like us. It

A livewell full of slimy mackerel could be the key to a great offshore session!

What a tumultuous summer it was! Coming on top of one of the most protracted and widespread droughts in our history, the record-breaking bushfire season presented a whole new set of challenges for many parts of the country.

Tragically, lives were lost and thousands of homes and other assets destroyed or badly damaged. It will take years for some communities to fully recover.

Impacts on the nation’s natural environment have also been dire. Hundreds of millions (if not billions) of native animals have perished. Fish haven’t been spared, either. Following on from the massive, drought-driven fish kills of 2019 have come a whole

unscathed, or are recovering quickly from relatively minor impacts.

The trick lies in keeping up with ongoing reports of major fish kills and obviously leaving those specific locations off your list of potential fishing destinations for at least the next few years, while also working to identify waterways that have dodged the worst of the recent impacts.

As a rule of thumb, smaller creeks and streams in especially dry or burnt regions have tended to fare very badly, while larger systems and those away from the main fire grounds are likely to offer much better opportunities. Similarly, dams or impoundments now generally represent better chances of reasonable fishing than rivers, but only if they still hold a reasonable amount of water. Once our dams fall into single digit

A beautiful catch of snapper kept in immaculate condition after being brain-spiked and held in a saltwater-and-ice slurry. major dams — especially where flow rates have been maintained in order to produce hydro-electricity and supply water for

There are quite a few wild bass waters that have escaped the carnage of this past summer. irrigation — are also likely to have escaped the worst impacts of fire and drought, as are larger estuaries with

relatively deep entrances and plenty of tidal flush. And of course, our inshore and offshore ocean waters have remained comparatively untouched.

It’s a hard time for our poor old country and the folks who call it home, but it’s not quite the ‘end of days’. There may even be glimmers of light at the end

of the tunnel. Meanwhile, communities and businesses that depend on anglers like you and me for a big part of their survival are desperate to lure us back. We can all do our bit to help the recovery by making the best of a bad situation and continuing to pursue the pastime we’re so passionate about. So keep fishing… and tight lines!

The news isn’t all bad. Like many other anglers, the author tends to head offshore more often for his fishing fix as the country recovers from a dire summer. When the rewards look like this, it isn’t such a big sacrifice to make!

Many of the dams remain at low levels, but some are still fishing quite well. series of new catastrophes.

Ash and fire-retardant chemicals washing into already depleted waterways following the fires have taken a huge toll on freshwater and estuarine fish stocks. In addition to well-publicised mass

would be easy to give up, pack your rods and reels away and turn to other pastimes. But thankfully, the news isn’t all bad.

For every waterway decimated by drought and fire, there are a dozen others that have escaped largely

capacities, their resilience and ability to provide refuge for decent numbers of fish diminishes markedly. Look for those impoundments that have remained above 10-15% capacity through the worst of the summer.

Tail-race fisheries below

A beautifully dark-hued little bass from a small creek that dodged a bullet this past summer.

MARCH 2020

13

14

MARCH 2020

Tournament fishing zone expanded!

In 2020, the Go Fish tournament zone has been extended to include Murchison – that’s an additional 22.5km of waterways for you to find an $80,000 Murray cod!

KIRWANS BRIDGE

This area is loaded with so much structure and great fishing opportunities. The old timber bridge is one of the best structures to fish The boat cap will remain at 1000 so there’ll be in the entire system, and fishing around and plenty more space to play around in. underneath it is dynamite. Golden perch school up around the pylons and can be caught by The huge tournament zone provides some trolling alongside and underneath the bridge. cracking opportunities to land really big fish, and Casting lures at the bridge is also a great here are our tips for cashing in. way to catch the big cod that sit underneath it in the riverbed.

TOURNAMENT MAP There is plenty of standing timber in the area, with shallow edges, willows, deep sections in the river, standing trees and reeds.

Carp

Biggest Overall 4th ............ $400.00

Carp

Biggest Overall 3rd ............ $600.00

Carp

Biggest Overall 2nd ............ $800.00

Carp

Biggest Overall 1st ............. $1,000.00

Golden Perch

Biggest Overall 10th........... $250.00

This is a little hidden gem… a fisho’s paradise!

Majors Creeks is loaded with great structure, including standing trees, back waters, weed beds, reedy edges, large logs, overhanging trees and lily pads.

Golden Perch

Biggest Overall 9th ............ $500.00

Golden Perch

Biggest Overall 8th ............ $ 750.00

Golden Perch

Biggest Overall 7th ............ $1,000.00

Golden Perch

Biggest Overall 6th ............ $1,500.00

Golden perch love all this structure, and hang out close to the standing trees (especially the thinner, twiggier trees), reedy edges and the spindly ends of fallen trees. You can catch them on 1/2oz spinnerbaits, 50-70mm diving hardbody lures and 60mm lipless crankbaits.

Golden Perch

Biggest Overall 5th ............ $2,000.00

Golden Perch

Biggest Overall 4th ............ $2,500.00

Golden Perch

Biggest Overall 3rd ............ $4,000.00

Golden Perch

Biggest Overall 2nd ............ $6,000.00

Golden Perch

Biggest Overall 1st ............. $10,000.00

Murray Cod

Biggest Overall 10th........... $500.00

Murray Cod

Biggest Overall 9th ............ $1,000.00

Murray Cod

Biggest Overall 8th ............ $1,500.00

Murray Cod

Biggest Overall 7th ............ $2,000.00

Murray Cod

Biggest Overall 6th ............ $3,000.00

Monster Murray cod like to hide out in the deep sections of the riverbed, and feed from shallow to deep water as the baitfish move off the shallows.

Murray Cod

Biggest Overall 5th ............ $4,500.00

Murray Cod

Biggest Overall 4th ............ $ 6,000.00

Murray Cod

Biggest Overall 3rd ............ $8,000.00

Large surface lures are very successful at first light. It’s productive to fish in shallow areas that are close to the riverbed, with heavy timber and cover, and don’t be afraid to cast right to the bank as well.

Murray Cod

Biggest Overall 2nd ............ $12,000.00

Murray Cod

Biggest Overall 1st ............. $80,000.00

The lake is home to a healthy population of native fish, and Murray cod and golden perch can be found amongst the plentiful heavy timber and structure.

The main river channel snakes its way through to the weir wall, with shallow flats stretching out either side of the channel. The big fish reside in the riverbed and move out onto the flats to feed during low light periods.

The best way to fish this area is to stay in the river channel and cast hardbodied lures past the drop-off and onto the shallows. Retrieve your lure down over the edge and into the deeper water.

$150,000 in COLD HARD CASH will be given away at GoFish Nagambie! There’s BIG cash for cod, cash for yellas and even cash for carp.

Biggest Overall 5th ............ $200.00

LAKE NAGAMBIE

Goulburn Weir is the largest expanse of water on the Nagambie Lakes system and it’s loaded with standing timber, which means cod!

WHAT’S UP FOR GRABS?

Carp

MAJORS CREEK

GOULBURN WEIR

also plenty of good sand banks for the kids to enjoy fishing from.

MURCHISON This is the newcomer to the tournament zone, and it’s renowned for its monster Murray cod.

There is plenty of heavy timber, overhanging structure and varying depths to fish.

Even better, Murchison opens up the tournament for kayakers and bank fishing, with slack water pools that form off the side of the flow which hold great fish. There are

TOTAL CASH PRIZE POOL................................ $ 150,000.00

The remainder of the prize pool, yet to be announced, will include random prizes, daily prizes, lucky door prizes, kids’ prizes, women’s prizes and even prizes for those who don’t catch a fish. Stay tuned to find out more!

Entries for GoFish Nagambie start at $50 for kids and are capped at $160 for adults.

For more info and to book your spot before they reach capacity, head to www.gofishnagambie.com.au.

MARCH 2020

15

Sizing up the mulloway WEST COAST

Brett Carson

March is a great time to work the Glenelg for a bag of fish. The temperatures are still up, the winds are down and all species are spread right through the system. The beauty of this time of year is that those afternoon sea breezes that can be relentless in January and early February have now backed off and made a day on the water better than ever. Wind does my head in and it feels like this year has been one of the worst – that or I’m just getting grumpier with age!

There are so many options

at the moment that if you can’t find a quiet spot to drown some bait, you’re not trying.

Consistency best sums up the year so far, especially on the mulloway front. Catches are spread from the Moleside

Wilmien, Cormia and Lohan with a ripper bream caught during a boat trip on the Glenelg River.

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MARCH 2020

down and the size of the fish has meant that most that land a few get a keeper or two amongst them. It wasn’t that long ago that size fish were a real premium, with fishos catching 10+ without a legal amongst them. Those small fish from five years ago are now legals and letting them go to fight another day has paid off in spades. We have been selling live mullet like lollies, so that is a pretty good indicator of the season.

Plenty of anglers like Chris Grinam have had sessions where they’ve had to pull the rods in to escape the mulloway smashing their live mullet – what a terrible problem to have! Chris had his kids with him and had to call it a night in the wee hours of the morning because the kids were worn out. When he woke in the morning, he put the rod back in the water and it started all over again.

Mark Gerkovich and his son had a similar experience on their latest trip to Nelson.

They fished lures from dawn and had a live mullet floating

out the back with limited success, only to then hook a large mulloway while the boat was parked up at the public landing and they were in the shop buying breakfast!

They did land the fish but this is just another example of mulloway not playing by the rulebook.

Gummy sharks have been caught in the lower reaches of late, with some lost souls finding their way into the system at some stage. Our surf beaches are renowned for gummy and school shark, especially this time of year, and with the low winds and warm weather you could find a worse option.

The estuary has fished very well, with the lure fishos that cover the flats braining the bream. Cubby and Mark who bait fish the estuary regularly have had some awesome sessions throwing lightly-weighted crabs to the schools of bream on the flats. Fish around the 35cm mark have been the norm down low, with 40cm+ To page 17

More than just tuna WARRNAMBOOL

Mark Gercovich mgercovich@hotmail.com

disturbance caused by the school of fish. This isn’t easy but flat, calm weather certainly helps when visually locating the fish.

If charging around the ocean chasing tuna isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other species worth targeting at this time of year. Pinkie snapper have been prolific inshore, with some better specimens from 1.5-3kg being taken a little further out in 30-40m of water. King George whiting and squid are often worthwhile targets around the shallow bays at Killarney and Port Fairy this time of year on a calm

evening. Surf fishing for gummy shark and pinkie snapper is also something worth trying when the wind and swell are down.

All the local estuaries have been producing good bream fishing recently.

With the summer holiday crowds dropping off, fishing should only improve. Hardbodied lures in the shallow areas can be a productive and enjoyable way to fish the estuaries at this time of year. Estuary perch have been a little quiet recently, but March is often a time to have a look for them, particularly up in the freshwater sections.

March is usually a productive month for fishing the South West, particularly the offshore options, as the water temperatures are often at their peak for the year and there is a greater potential for calm seas. It is probably the last month to reliably target the local kingfish population and the inshore run of summer tuna should also be around. Targeting makos is also a good option this month.

The recent Shipwreck Coast Fishing Classic was a great success with the most entries ever, even if the weather wasn’t terribly cooperative. With little opportunity for offshore angling, no tuna and only one mako were weighed in, however a couple of good kings were caught, with Tony McIlroy’s cracking 12.26kg cleaned fish winning the heaviest scale fish for the competition.

Other notable section winners were Max Knight with a 15.7kg gummy shark, Peter Goode with a 13.12kg school shark, Barry Starling with a 6.7kg mulloway and Joe Gilberts with a 4.18kg snapper.

Of course, as soon as the competition finished the tuna showed themselves again! With plenty of specimens over the 20kg mark, these fish have been turning up in waters from 14-35m deep.

Anglers casting stickbaits on heavy threadline tackle have caught many of these big tuna. One thing that is different about this inshore summer run of fish is that you are not usually looking for huge bust-ups and diving birds like later in the season; instead, you need to be on the lookout RELEASE Summer bluefin should still be around in March. for the surface ripple NEW or

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17

Bream anglers are scoring big at Hopkins COBDEN

Rod Shepherd

The Hopkins River continues to fire for big bluenose bream, regardless of any tourist pressure applied to this popular waterway.

Several confirmed reports have come in with fish 45cm+ being caught.

Some anglers have been bait fishing around the open area in and around the institute.

Water depths vary from the extreme shallows right up against the bank, which is

worth exploring at first light, to depths from 2-3m further out, where fish are taken throughout the day. The best baits have been crab, brown shell and shrimp, but other baits are taking some fish on a given day.

The Curdies has been slightly up and down of late.

Many boaters have been working the lake using bait such as shrimp, greyback or packet river whitebait for a few bream. Still, a couple anglers have still been travelling upstream of Boggy Creek and getting a few good fish

working soft plastics right up against the bank. The long straight stretch prior to the pipeline has been a favoured spot to work shrimp imitations.

The Lake Yambuk estuary has been positive for bream in recent times, with fish responding to medium diving hardbodies trolled or cast. The lower reaches of the Eumeralla River have been productive for some. In the lake proper, bream have taken a variety of fresh or live baits such as Bass yabby and soft plastics.

Offshore, some intrepid boaters have been searching

Trolling the Eumeralla River under electric power.

This bream greedily scoffed a trolled Lucky Craft Cra-Pea in the upper reaches of the Eumeralla River.

for yellowtail kingfish and have come across surface feeding schools of bluefin tuna to 15kg. The tuna are responding to surface lures and are easily found, as they smash bait schools on or near the surface. Mixed in amongst them have been some sizeable salmon. One report estimated salmon close to 3kg in weight that were keeping their distance from the tuna, hoping to pick up a scrap or two. If the salmon were any smaller, they might have ended up as fish food for the tuna!

Bottom bouncers are still finding good school snapper over various reefs along with some decent school and gummy sharks.

Between Warrnambool and Peterborough lies a flat sandy stretch of bottom that provides great sand flathead at times and I’ve been told that fish in excess of 40cm have recently been taken on the drift. The flatties are readily responding to pipi meat and some boaters have been reaching daily bag limits. The odd whiting has also been caught while

chasing flathead.

The Port Campbell jetty has been a popular spot for anglers to wet a line and although it gets crowded, especially on dusk, a few reasonable fish have been caught amongst all the tiddlers.

I’ve heard of a few whiting and squid being landed recently.

Someone even picked up a legal elephant fish from the jetty just recently after dark, so you never know what’s exactly out there. It certainly beats sitting at home in front of the box!

Look forward to magical March conditions APOLLO BAY

Craig Rippon

What a month it has been for fishing in the bay! The weather has been on our side and boaters have been able to go wherever they wanted to. The holidaymakers have caught plenty of fish and it has been great seeing all the kids

catching fish off the pier and breakwater.

Starting out wide, flathead have been great targets, with some nice sized fish up to 60cm. The fish have been in 52m of water off Cape Patton. In 45m, anglers chasing snapper have been bagging out with three fish over 40cm. This has been a great year for snapper, with a lot of fish holding on all the reefs, as

there is so much bait in the water at the moment.

There have been plenty of gummies. School sharks have dropped off a bit but are still around. Some decent makos have been brought in around 80-100kg, and with so much food around this should pick up for anyone using berley.

Whiting are still about but you have to put the time in and find them. Nice

Despite other anglers around, there was plenty of room left between the boats. There are lots of tuna available for everyone at the moment.

Expect excellent bluefin tuna action this month.

18

MARCH 2020

bags have been brought in, with fish up to 43cm. Pipis have been the best bait and they are better on the tide change. You don’t have to travel too far; behind the golf course on the south side has been the top location.

The rivers and creeks have copped a pounding over the last month, but they

will probably fish better when things get a bit quieter out wide.

The gamefishing season is off to a great start, with some great numbers of tuna already around. We recently had a great day, with plenty of fish caught, tagged and released. There was tuna moving as far as

we could see!

We cashed in on the surface bite, with some great visual action as they gulped big stickbaits off the surface. When there’s no paint left on the lure, you know you have had an awesome day. We also caught fish by jigging and trolling skirts.

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19

BLACK MAGIC

MASTER CLASS

/

W I T H PA U L L E N N O N

Live baiting for longtail tuna March through to May along the mid-North Coast of NSW is a fantastic time of year to be fishing and one of the reasons for this is the annual run of longtail tuna. It’s easy to see why these torpedos are

slimy mackerel, yellowtail and garfish. If you have a boat, you will be able to get to many parts of the coastline that land-based anglers targeting these fish can’t get to. For this reason, it’s best to show some courtesy and stay

for this are the Black Magic Sabiki Rigs in midnight mackerel. They come with four hooks rather than six so they’re a bit more tanglefriendly, especially when you’re catching full strings of slimy mackerel. They also have the sinker already

Evan Hoskins landed this solid longtail. such a popular fish for anglers to target – they have incredible fighting qualities, grow well in excess of 30kg and make fantastic sashimi. On top of that, they are a coastal species of tuna rarely straying more than a

stuff has superior abrasion resistance and has built up my trust after never letting me down over a long period. For mainline, mono is far better suited to this style of fishing than braid and 8-10kg line is ideal.

I use Black Magic IGFA 10kg line.

On the business end of the rig, I use nothing but Black Magic DX Point Hooks. I can’t stress how good these hooks are when live baiting – they have the highest hook-up rate of any hook I’ve come across. Sometimes on your deeper bait when fishing with wind or current, you may want to run a size 0-1 ball sinker to keep your baits at their desired depth.

I pin all my live baits just behind the shoulder and above the lateral line. The only exception to this is when using garfish, which will last and present better when rigged just behind the anal fin.

Once you’re rigged

clear of ledges where LBG anglers are fishing. These fishos are very dedicated and will often trek great distances just to get to a spot, so it’s not really fair to drop your anchor in front of perhaps the only accessible place for them to fish when you have so many more options to choose from.

That’s a lot of sashimi!

The Black Magic DX Point Hooks rarely miss their mark. few kilometres offshore, meaning they can be targeted from the ocean rocks as well as in some estuary systems.

WHERE TO FISH The prime areas to target longtail tuna are headlands or shallow, close-to-shore reefs that hold baitfish such as 20

MARCH 2020

TECHNIQUE While you can spin for longtail tuna with a variety of stickbaits and metals, the most effective and popular method is to use live bait.

These can usually be caught in the same area you’re fishing by using a bit of bread as berley and a size 6-10 bait jig. The best jigs

attached so they are ready to go out of the packet.

Once you’ve caught your live bait, send them out suspended under a torpedo float. The rig is very simple, with the torpedo float running along the leader until it hits the joining knot of your mainline. This knot acts as a float stopper and the leader length determines the depth your bait will sit at. It’s good to have a couple of baits in the water at a time and I like to run one around 1.5m and the other about 3m.

While I used to think 60lb was your best bet for leader size on longtail, I’ve backed off considerably since going to Black Magic 40lb fluorocarbon. This

The closing seconds of a longtail battle. and ready, it’s important to anchor up in a position where your live baits are going to drift back over the area of reef where baitfish are holding. It’s no good if

you’re on the spot but your bait’s drift is taking the baits away from the strike zone, so spend the time to strategically work out your position.

While you have a chance of catching tuna all day, by far the best time to fish is early morning and late afternoon, especially when you have a corresponding tide change.

PREPARING If you do catch and want to keep a longtail for the table, it’s very important you look after the fish after capture.

Like all tuna, longtail should be immediately bled and placed on ice.

Black Magic also make some of the best knifes for preparing sashimi; their Japanese made Wasabi kitchen knives are the perfect tool for the job.

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the best by test...

Mikey Grecco, NEW Equalizer Twin Pin Pro™, 70kg Yellowfin Tuna, Spot X, QLD.

Ryan Potter, KS 7/0 hooks and 80lb Tough Trace, 19.8kg kingfish, mid north coast, NSW.

Brendan Hogg, KLT® 6/0 hook, 60lb Tough Trace, 30lb Rainbow Braid Elite, 75cm snapper, competition winner, Western Entrance, VIC.

Cameron, Snatcher® ‘Bleeding Pilchard 1/0’, King George whiting, Point Turton, South Australia.

Andy Frawley, KL hook, 30lb Tough Trace , 45kg (breaking strain) Rolling Swivels, Australian Salmon, NSW.

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Naomi Wisby, Squid Snatcher® ‘Green/Red 3.5’, 12lb Fluorocarbon, calamari, Betsy Island, TAS.

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www.blackmagictackle.com MARCH 2020

21

Time for prime March fishing GEELONG

Neil Slater slaterbunch@optusnet.com.au

March is a great time to wet a line on the Bellarine and Surf Coast. The water temperature is at its peak and so is the fishing.

difficult. However, a few anglers have managed some redfin to 35cm by casting lures parallel to the weed beds.

Wurdiboluc Reservoir near Moriac saw a few trout caught over the last month.

The best bet has been to fish the first light when the water is coolest.

mini surge in Corio Bay last month. Cunningham Pier has been going okay for silver trevally, small flatties and the odd pinkie. Squid have been a little hard to find in the shallows, but there are a few kicking about the weed beds near Clifton Springs.

Dean McDonald shot out off Clifton Springs one night and caught heaps of King George whiting using pipis in 4m of water. Dean kept 12 around 35cm and threw back stacks from legal length to

30cm. Laura, Amelia, Jane and Gary Dangaard headed out off Portarlington last month in search of whiting.

A nice patch was found in 6m of water towards Clifton Springs and a bag limit was quickly put together using fresh mussel.

Dave Reynolds took his daughter Jemma out off Clifton Springs. Things were tough going with not much on offer until Gemma saved the day with a 55cm flathead she boated near the Ben was super pumped with his Bass Strait mako shark.

Collan and Malcolm have done well on snapper near Point Henry lately.

FRESHWATER We had a bit of rain in January that stained the Barwon River in Geelong, making lure fishing for redfin

CORIO BAY The undersized pinkies have been thick and are pinching stacks of bait.

King George whiting made a

Amelia fished with her dad and a few friends to take home this fine haul of Corio Bay whiting.

mussel farms.

Allan Allwood fished Corio Bay’s outer harbour recently where he caught his bag limit of whiting with 35cm+ fish and one whopper at 47cm, which is massive for Corio Bay. He also caught a few pinkie snapper and blue-spot flathead to round out a fine seafood basket.

Collan and Malcolm Erard have been fishing around Point Henry a bit lately. They sounded around for a while before finding a patch of fish and within five minutes Mal had two

pinkie snapper in the boat.

Things slowed somewhat, but the bigger fish came on later after the tide change where they boated a few more around 2.5kg. On the way back to the boat ramp, they noticed birds smashing the water so they put a couple lures out and caught three Australian salmon and four pike.

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Rod Ludlow from Beachlea Boat Hire at Indented Head reports there have been some good King George whiting coming in from St Leonards back around to Grassy Point, with outer Governors Reef and inside the Prince George Light doing best. Pipis, mussels and squid are the top

BASS STRAIT AND SURF COAST The talk of the town has been the tuna run we’ve had over the last month.

Anglers trolling skirted and soft plastic lures across the surface have done well.

Most of the tuna have been around 10-15kg, but I did hear of one that nudged

FISH HARD – DIE HAPPY! Caught a few around Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula

give me a call on 0408 997 348. Please include where (without giving away your secret spot!), when, what

A Lunker City Slug-Go did the damage on Grant’s 75cm king.

Jemma showed her dad Dave how it’s done with this 55cm flatty. baits on both tides as long as it is running.

Rod says there has been plenty of flathead coming in between St Leonards and Indented Head. Drifting along the deep water with squid has been the best method.

45kg coming from around 60m of water. Tuna have been caught from the Rip to Apollo Bay and it is great to see them around in numbers.

Kingfish have also been a welcome capture out off

Barwon Heads and the Surf Coast, with fish over 10kg caught by trolling lures and using jigs and live baits.

Dave Reynolds fished with Grant Greenwood out off Barwon Heads last month. Trolling skirted lures and Lunker City Slug-Gos, they caught a southern bluefin tuna around 12kg and a 75cm kingfish. Dave says they lost another tuna boat side when the hook pulled, but other anglers had caught a few.

Ben Cranage spent some time out off Barwon Heads

in search of a mako and was rewarded with a fine specimen. Ben caught his mako on fresh barracouta suspended under a balloon in 35m of water, using 24kg line. He and a mate started a berley trail with a berley log at around 50m and drifted in towards shore over about 2.5 hours before the mako surfaced and took the bait.

They bottom bashed in the meantime and picked up a few good snapper. Once the shark surfaced, they had it up to the boat and gaffed within 10 minutes.

Dave had a cracking day out off Barwon Heads chasing tuna with his friend Grant. or Surf Coast to Lorne recently? Send in a report to slaterfish@gmail.com with ‘VFM’ in the subject field or

on and who caught the fish.

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

MARCH 2020

23

There’s no escaping the pinkies PORT PHILLIP BAY WEST

Alan Bonnici alan@fishingmad.com.au

Temperatures are still on the rise and fishing around Melbourne continues to be productive. There is still a good window to target

snapper for a little while longer before they head back out into deeper waters.

Just like that, summer has come to an end but the hot weather will remain strong for some time.

The most challenging thing to contend with by far this summer has been the

avalanche of small pinkies plaguing Port Phillip Bay. On the one hand, it’s a great sign that snapper fishing will eventually flourish and be amazing in years to come.

Consider that these hordes of pinkies will grow into snapper, the most targeted species around Melbourne,

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which is an exciting prospect.

On the other hand, it has made fishing at times close to impossible. Bait fishers have been unable to keep bait in the water for more than a minute without them being ravaged by juvenile snapper. I have simply lost count of how many baits didn’t even hit the bottom before being picked off by aggressive pinkies. It’s meant constant re-baiting and working overtime to get through the smaller ones to find the odd bigger ones.

With persistence, you will find them but it sure can be a frustrating process.

A way that I have tried to combat this is by going bigger. I have simply been upgrading the size of my soft plastics from 3-4-5”.

I’m generally flicking curl tails and jerk shads and 5” have become my new starting point. I’ve also been upgrading bait sizes from small chunks to half sizes or full pilchards and silver whiting, while also upgrading hook sizes up to size 3, 4, 5 and 6. Unsurprisingly, the little buggers will still have a go at the bait or soft plastic

The author has been finding decent pinkies and snapper lately. almost as big as them but it’s a lot of fun when you start catching pinkies between 35-45cm on light spinning gear. Most people that I have spoken to are reasonably confident the pinkies will start to quiet down around April, allowing fishing to go back to normal. So for now,

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The good news is that whiting are being caught in large numbers all around Port Phillip Bay at the moment.

Areas such as Werribee, Point Wilson, Kirks Point and much of Corio Bay have been producing lots of whiting between 30-40cm.

The best way to target them is to use a light spinning outfit consisting of a 2-4kg rod with a 2000 size reel, finished with a single small long shank hook, or a paternoster rig. There are now many premade whiting rigs that you can buy if you’re not confident in doing this yourself. Going light is a great way to target them.

The most productive baits have included pipis, mussel, small pieces of squid and pilchard. You may even go with a cocktail of two different baits.

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hard. A small berley pot full of pre-purchased whiting pellets or chook pellets, then bread and oil works really well. Generally, after 10 minutes you should start getting some catches. I then like to throw out handfuls of pellets and pilchards every 10-15 minutes to keep the bite going. If you’re in one spot for a while and not having success, simply pick up and move on.

Most whiting are caught in depths between 3-6m.

They like to school up in

fishing locally along the Werribee River with Jon Darley. Together we have targeted estuary perch along the edges and right into the structure. An old school method of casting unweighted worms fished close to structure has been one of the most successful techniques.

We caught many estuary perch between 25-35cm as well as redfin and eels as favourable by-catch.

I have also ventured up the Werribee River by

bream, mullet and estuary perch with it. Take caution and in the meantime, stick to catch and release fishing.

I would like to take a moment to share sincere heartfelt condolences to those impacted by the recent bushfires. In tough times, people rally together to provide support and hope to those around them. It’s one thing Victorians and Australians are great at doing. Let’s make sure we do all that we can to support our local rural townships,

Mark landed a lovely Port Phillip whiting. small, sandy clearings amongst heavy weed.

Moving slowly on your boat or kayak and looking over the sides can help you identify these areas. Darker coloured water implies you’re on thick weed and light coloured means you’re on top of sandy flats. You can also do this by watching your sounder closely and watching the different colour

kayak – 4-5km upriver from the boat ramp – to target bream opposite the Werribee golf course. This can be a tough assignment and quiet times on the water has seen me in full experimental mode, flicking a whole range of soft plastics and shallow diving hardbody lures. That’s all part of the fun when fishing around Melbourne! Unfortunately,

many of which are fishing communities.

Until next time, good fishing everyone! You can contact me directly to share your recent fishing experiences around Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay from Werribee through to Port Melbourne so they can be added to next month’s article. You can contact me by email

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ts.com.a .horizonboa w w w it is v rmation r For more info r call your nearest deale o

Chelsea Yamaha 13 Ashley Park Drive Chelsea Heights VIC 3196 Phone 03 9772 1277 robert@chelseayamaha.com.au

Estuary perch have liked unweighted worms. changes of the bottom from sand to weed. When you locate a good spot, anchor up, berley hard and get ready for many whiting.

A few other ways to escape the avalanche of pinkies is to hit the lakes and estuaries. I have been

this past month there has been an outbreak of fish kills around the K Road Cliffs. The EPA is still investigating but it looks likely to be a mix of water pollution, oxygen levels, algae and temperature change that took many

at alan@fishingmad.com. au, check out my website at www.fishingmad.com.au, or look me up on Facebook (facebook.com/fishingmad. com.au), YouTube (youtube. com/c/fishingmad) and Instagram (instagram.com/ fishingmad.com.au).

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MARCH 2020

25

Snapper are back in town PORT PHILLIP NE

Wayne Friebe wfriebe@bigpond.net.au

After a long and busy period on the bay over the last couple of months, the boat ramps and popular land-based areas have returned to a more normal state for our local anglers.

After a slow start to the snapper season this year, I

would expect to see even more consistent fishing in the months to come and expect many of the other trends in the bay to continue for at least the next month or so. Recent weather conditions have been very settled as well, except for persistent afternoon winds, so hopefully this continues as well. The upside for this trend has been that the morning conditions

Mornington Pier has been a regular hot spot for schools of big salmon, especially during the rougher weather.

have been exceptional for the bay’s boating anglers, and the land-based anglers have been able to cash in when conditions have consistently changed in the afternoons.

With so many other great fishing options on offer, both locally and further afield, it’s been great to see so many snapper reports coming in over the last month. While this is not unexpected by many anglers, especially given the slow start to the season last year, it has certainly been welcomed by the bay’s snapper anglers. The inability of our local anglers to travel farther afield, especially to Eastern and North Eastern Victoria due to the recent bushfires, has naturally caused them to focus on their own backyard.

Also, the dedicated snapper anglers that love chasing reds at this time of year have been getting amongst some lovely fish.

In many ways, the snapper fishing over the past month has been the best and most consistent it has been all season. Many anglers have reported that big numbers of fish have been found

on the sounder in small groups and schools out wide from Mornington and Mount Martha in 18-21m, and further out amongst the deeper shipping channel areas and beyond.

The greater area out from Mount Martha and Safety Beach normally continues to get better later in the season, and it looks like this trend will continue to take shape this year as well. The snapper tend to congregate in this area at this time of year as the water begins to cool in the bay, and go into a grazing pattern, often for large chunks of the day.

The bite periods can be prolonged and the fish are very willing when this happens, so there’s a lot to look forward to over the next month or so if you’re a snapper angler.

The snapper fishing over the past month has been the best and most consistent it has been all season. that the bay’s flatties are arguably the best eating fish on offer as well doesn’t hurt either.

There are always plenty of pinkies on the inshore reefs for the kayak and lure fishing anglers, and the last month has been no

A better way to fish The morning conditions have been exceptional for the bay’s boating anglers.

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Some nice fish have also been taken from the local inshore areas over the last month, especially in the Mornington and Mount Eliza areas. Bait choice seems to be varied always, but fresh squid, garfish and salmon fillets have been a standout for many. The ever-reliable pilchard and silver whiting are a good bet for those not able to gather fresh local bait.

Continuing the trend during the traditional snapper season, good quality flathead have continued to be both a by-catch and a target species for anglers fishing out wide. The improvement in the size and quality of the bay’s flathead has been a real feature of recent seasons and it’s great to see this trend continuing.

The great thing is that they will take a wide variety of baits and lures and are a great fish for kids to get amongst. And the fact

exception. The general area around the mussel farm out from Mount Martha has also recently been producing some nicer school sized snapper on baits and lures

up to 2-3kg, much like late last year. This area has been particularly productive for anglers fishing early and late in the day, and during the rougher weather.

Local kingfish action has been very slow in our local waters this year. It has been largely confined to surrounding offshore areas, unlike last year. Captures in the bay are certain to cause plenty of excitement but it’s always a matter of being at the right place at the right time with kingfish.

Local whiting reports have once again been a little slow over the past month, but recent reports of a fresh run of fish coming in further south is encouraging. We should see some better captures in our local areas in the coming months.

Once again, with the late start to the season last year, I would expect the whiting fishing to get better and continue right through the autumn months, so don’t pack up the nibble tips and the bait pump just yet!

Some big salmon have been around Mornington Pier, normally on the rougher days.

They are a reliable and fun option for anglers, and hard to beat when they are on.

• Thank you to Brendan from IFISH for supplying this month’s photos.

Out wide from Mornington and Mount Martha has been producing some ripper snapper for anglers.

Your fishing licence fees at work on kingfish Recreational fishing licence fees have funded a two-year study into Victorian kingfish that’s revealing a few secrets about their movement, genetics and spawning habits.

A 65cm kingfish carrying a satellite tag was released off Lady Julia Percy Island, near Port Fairy, on 5 April 2017 and swam south to the continental slope before reaching King Island on 19 May. It then headed east to the islands off Wilsons Promontory in late May, after which time the tag automatically released in June off Flinders Island.

During its 69-day marathon swim, this kingfish travelled 1000km or about 14.5km per day on average.

It reached a maximum depth of 70m, experienced temperatures

Scientists also collected DNA from fin and muscle samples of 168 kingfish captured by recreational fishers along the Fisheries scientists analysed gonads Victorian coast. from 452 fish frames donated by Samples were also provided from fishers and oxygen isotopes in NSW Fisheries and the University kingfish otoliths (ear bones). They of Tasmania. found no evidence of kingfish spawning off Victoria’s coast.

Genetic analysis supported by other evidence such as similar This supports the notion that growth rates, reproductive traits and kingfish caught in Victoria are fish movement patterns of yellowtail that started their lives in warmer kingfish suggest a single stock across waters, most likely along the south-eastern Australian waters. eastern seaboard of NSW. between 14.5 and 17 degrees and when in Bass Strait, only swam in surface waters of 12m or less.

To learn more visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/kingfishreport

Port Fairy King Island Flinders Island

Photos courtesy Scott Gray

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27

Big bluefin bounty on offer MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Julian Frank

This year has shown anglers the potential for a growing bluefin tuna fishery both inside and outside Port Phillip Heads.

Although these fish have shown up every year, they have generally been caught in very small numbers or they have been kept quiet by many anglers. It seems this year that the cat’s out of the bag!

Big flathead like this one will be hanging around the weed beds.

A nice haul of whiting off the beach.

If fishing offshore isn’t an option for you, there’s plenty of other species on offer in March.

MOUNT MARTHA Reports of late season snapper have started and many of these have been in as close as 6m. Fresh calamari and silver whiting have been the go-to baits.

Some excellent size squid around the 40cm mark have been caught out the front of the cliffs.

Mornings have been fishing well for land-based anglers.

Plenty of flathead are still about, a great option for the avid lure enthusiast.

DROMANA TO ROSEBUD Whiting have received a lot of attention off a number of the jetties and beaches. Squid are still a great target from the piers and boaters will find good numbers around all the weed beds in about 3-6m.

Whiting catches from Rosebud have been a little grim with good size fish but small numbers.

Tootgarook has proven to be a bit better in the early morning. Pipis are still the number one bait, but try cocktailing your baits with a small strip of squid or mussel and squid.

Rosebud Reef is also holding good pinkies into the evening but many anglers are still complaining of little pickers stealing baits.

RYE Deep off Rye has been holding quality snapper.

The best bite times have been between sunset and late night in 18-21m.

The South Channel Pile is fishing well for calamari and a few whiting have been caught on the run-out tides.

The Rye jetty has been

Mickey Jones of Melbourne caught this superb snapper off Bakers Beach, Port Sorell.

Mick Brittain bagged these tuna with topwater lures. holding schools of mullet in the morning at the moment.

Calamari have been fishing better now that most of the summer crowds have dissipated but it can still be busy on the weekends.

Reports of garfish have also been circulating.

BLAIRGOWRIE TO PORTSEA All the jetties are fishing well. They’re still very busy, so get a spot early and you can get yourself a good bag of calamari in the

Local fisho Garry caught this solid late season snapper.

evenings. Come nightfall, lots of tommy ruff and mackerel are available. The occasional whiting has also been caught from Portsea and Blairgowrie.

The Sisters have been holding some good schools of whiting. It seems the earlier you fish, the better, but reports suggest afternoon flood tides have also been working well.

Gummy shark are a good target through March.

The Pinnace and Symonds channels are worth a look on early mornings of a flood tide.

Portsea is fishing well at night for gars, tommy ruff and big cowanyoung.

We have also seen some very big squid starting to show up.

OFFSHORE Bluefin and kings have been around and good numbers of fish were caught in February. Hopefully they will stay throughout March; kingfish tend to show up amongst the schools.

The odd mako shark has also been caught between Portsea and Barwon Heads, commonly sighted on the flathead grounds.

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Bluefin tuna are making their presence felt BLUEWATER

Adam Ring

There is so much excitement around the bluefin tuna at the moment. They are here in force, and a run of good weather has given smaller boats the opportunity to get amongst them. If you have a 5m snapper boat you can get out there and

on a range of prey, from pilchards to krill, so small lures are best. Small trolled skirted lures are the number one option by far, as long as they’re no bigger than 6” long. Small shallow-diving hardbodies (15-20cm) are also catching their share.

Although lure colour is often important to tuna, it doesn’t seem to be making a lot of difference at the moment.

Hayden had a great battle with this hungry tuna. into the action – you don’t have to travel hundreds of kays down the coast to catch them.

The bluefin are widespread at the moment, ranging from Cape Shank through to Torquay and beyond, and they are spreading out further every day. There’s also the odd kingfish in the mix.

There aren’t many birds around, possibly because the bait is scattered. To find the fish, keep an eye on your sounder and you’ll see the tuna easily. You may also see them busting up here and there, but there’s no discernible pattern to their behaviour.

The tuna are feeding

A lot of fish are holding in about 25m of water, and after you sound them up you can target them by dropping either a 7-9” soft plastic or a small 80-120g vertical jig.

If you do find some fish busting up, you don’t have a huge window to catch them because they have been pretty spooky. Casting stickbaits in that 110-140mm range is massively successful if you are there as the school comes up.

If you spot some tuna busting up on the surface, you’ll want to come in slow and sit back from the school (10-20m away) so as not to spook them. If you get too close, they’ll either disappear or just not eat. Use a 7-7’6”

rod for maximum casting distance, and cast your lure to the lead fish of the school.

If you cast in the middle of the school and they’re a bit spooky, they just won’t eat your offering. However, if that lead fish eats your lure, the rest of the school can take their cue from him/her and switch on.

As a general rule, the tuna that you find holding around 8-10m are easier to get. The ones sitting at around 25m can be harder to catch.

When it comes to the best times to chase them, tide changes always produce the most bites, whether it’s a high or a low. However, you can catch them at other times too.

Most of the bluefin caught lately have been between 12-20kg, but we’re finding as the weeks go on that the average size is slightly increasing. You can catch them with your standard snapper outfit – a 10-15kg rod, 8000-10,000 size reel and 30-50lb braid.

Over the last few seasons the tuna didn’t hang around for long because the water temps changed quickly; when you get 45°C days on end it plays havoc with the surface temperature, but fortunately

Smiles all around with these tuna destined for the pan. that hasn’t happened this year. The water temps are perfect, there’s plenty of bait, and the tuna will be sticking around for a while.

KINGFISH If it wasn’t for the bluefin turning up, everyone would be chasing kingfish, whose season has just started. At the moment the bluefin are more plentiful than the kingfish, and are easier to find on the sounder thanks to their sheer weight of numbers. Still, we shouldn’t ignore the kings; they might not be playing the game as often as the bluefin, but there are plenty of them. It’s

There are heaps of bluefin on offer at the moment.

not a bad idea to keep live slimies or yakkas in the tank, especially for places around the Shank, as there’s healthy population of kingfish – if you can get through the ‘fin!

As long as we don’t get a weather event that turns the water over quickly, the kings should continue biting.

Use the same gear as you would for tuna, right down to the lures. The only thing to do differently is to do a bit more jigging if they’re holding over structure, or use livebaits. The kings aren’t big (ranging from just undersize to around 75cm), but there are plenty of them.

If you’re after a better class of fish, head to Marlo and Tamboon. The water and the fishing is brilliant, and you can get your arms stretched on kingies to 15kg.

MARCH FORECAST The average size of the bluefin should increase this month and beyond. Those big bluefin seasons out at Portland and Port Fairy are getting better every year, and there’s every chance we’ll get a run of bigger fish as winter approaches; going by past seasons, April-May could see a run of 80-100kg fish. We just want

the bait to thicken up a bit, providing the big fish with a really dense food source.

The smaller tuna might be happy to chase and pick off the smaller scattered bait schools, but for the big tuna that’s not good enough. They big fish want to sit under the bait, boil them up, and hit them without expending too much energy. Provided we don’t get long stretches of bad weather to scatter the bait, we should see some big fish hitting the decks.

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29

Snapper fishing will pick up PPB OFFSHORE

Gerry Morsman

We are heading towards the middle of the year now with temperatures starting to cool down, but this doesn’t mean the fishing is cooling down. All the fish that were here during

the heat of the summer are still here. They may not be quite as plentiful, but they are still hungry and still very catchable.

SQUID Calamari are starting to come back in big numbers, especially around the Safety Beach area and all the way through to Mount

Martha. They aren’t usually very big but there are plenty of them.

Casting around 2.5-sized jigs is effective, with the red and gold foil jigs doing most of the damage. Green is also a hard colour to go past, especially around the Mornington area.

We are very lucky to have such a great gummy shark fishery here in Melbourne. They are one of the best eating fish we have on offer.

If you want to chase the bigger models, head straight down to the southern end of the bay where things are much more tidal. The smaller squid generally find it a bit tough in the faster flowing waters, but the bigger ones have no problem at all.

Finding structure is easy because you will generally see the bottom in anywhere from 3-6m of water.

SNAPPER It hasn’t been the greatest snapper season but things are starting to heat up, which is great news for all of us. Snapper fishing can go quiet around Christmas and usually starts to pick up around this time.

Some of the best reports that have been coming in have been wide off Mornington in around 20m of water on the opposite side of the fishing channel.

They say the long liners have targeted that area for a while, so that is a great sign and there are obviously good numbers of snapper there. Squid strips and silver whiting have been the better of the baits, and the running sinker rig has been the way to go.

King George whiting are littered around large areas of the bay at the moment.

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MARCH 2020

Black Rock is seeing a lot of fish being pulled over the side of the boat, and has been since the start of the season, so this shows there must be plenty of food sticking around this area to hold the snapper up.

If you want to target some smaller fish in great numbers, you can’t go past the mussel farm at Mt Martha. There is a big area of reef between the farm and the mainland which holds an abundance of food that big schools of snapper love to feed on.

If you want to target the smaller pinkie snapper I’d suggest downgrading your hook size from a 5/0 to a 2/0. You will still be able to hook a big fish on the smaller hook if one does come along.

Some other good areas include Carrum, Frankston and Mt Eliza.

GUMMY SHARK Sorrento through to Portsea has been fishing very well first thing in the morning through the south channel using fresh fish baits like salmon or silver trevally. These are very oily baits, and with the heavy tidal flow through this area it will carry the scent a long way, allowing the gummy sharks to hunt down your bait.

When heading offshore it’s hard to know where to start, as there aren’t many places offshore where you don’t have a chance of catching a gummy. There are so many techniques and areas, but by all the recent reports I have received, the most effective are as follows.

Barwon Heads in around 45m of water over reef has been a huge stand-out in recent weeks. As per usual, the best technique has been anchoring up. When anchoring offshore, make sure you let plenty of rope out, especially when it is a bit choppy or there is a large, rolling swell.

This will give you the best chance at holding anchor and therefore landing more fish.

The stand out bait has been freshly caught parrotfish during the day or freshly caught squid during the night. The reason squid works better at night is because all of the pickers such as parrotfish, barbers perch and other small reef fish get in their

come in close at night to hunt down their dinner, so fishing land-based can be productive. Using a 9ft rod with a nice sensitive tip is a great option if you are looking at purchasing a new rod.

Fishing squid strips off the beach is a much safer

A squid from the southern end of the bay that took a Majorcraft squid jig. caves to hide from hungry predators, mainly sharks, which love to feed at night.

A few other areas that have been fishing very well for big gummy sharks have been Cape Schanck in around 30m of water, Flinders in around the same depth, and drifting along the sandy ground out the front of Woolamai.

WHITING Getting in close over the sand flats around Dromana and Safety Beach at night is sure to see you getting on to a few King George whiting by all reports. These fish love to

option than using soft baits like pipis, because a pipi can fall off on the cast and you won’t even know because it’s dark. Getting down to places like Portsea has been quite productive as well in water depths ranging up to 8m in the sand holes.

Sorrento, in between the boat moorings, has been seeing a lot of reports lately. Again, squid strips and pipi are the pick of the baits. Fishing during the late evening or early morning will give you the best chance of success in this area.

Julian Rennie with a solid southern bay gummy.

MARCH 2020

31

Take your pick of tuna, gummy or whiting sustainable year after year.

I recently headed down to do a spot of rock fishing, which I haven’t done in a few years. Kevin, Herman and I fished from the rock platform at Cowrie Beach on Phillip Island. While

WESTERN PORT STH

Jarrod Day jarrodday@iprimus.com.au

Southern bluefin tuna are in crazy numbers spread from Kilcunda to Anglesea. While a few readers might recall the odd SBT being caught out the front of the Western Entrance over the past two years and prior to that the occasional striped tuna, until last month southern bluefin have not been heard of as regular captures since the days of Lance Wedlick!

Although that might have been back in the ’60s, the sheer numbers of fish that have appeared this year resembles those good ol’ days. Whether they continue into the future, only time will tell but for the

Spinning from the rocks, Herman managed this whopping snook. to Kilcunda have been focused on much smaller bait. When setting the spread, three skirts ranging 3-4” in length along with two hardbodies trolled about 5m behind the boat is ideal. Please note there is no need to troll too fast for tuna, as these lures work best between 6-7 knots.

Simon Rinaldi has been exploring the offshore scene and mixing it up for his clients when the weather has been

Entrance has been fishing exceptionally well in typical fashion at this time of year and with the water temperature starting to cool, gummy sharks have begun to enter the Port.

They do this when the timing is right to bear their young and while it is fun to catch them, the larger models are all female and deserve to be released so they can breed.

These larger gummies are the lifeline that keeps the species

Brian Rinaldi had a cracking session offshore landing some solid gummy sharks. we did use berley, the main aim was to cast poppers and stickbaits to try to tempt a kingy. Despite the ledge being very promising, Herman made contact instead with one of the biggest snook that I have seen in over three decades, and it was caught on a stickbait! We

Fishing offshore has opened up a whole new set of opportunities. The gummy shark fishing has been crazy for Simon Rinaldi. moment there are plenty of anglers making the most of the opportunity to catch solid tuna while they are here.

If they are still about, it is important to be rigged up in the right manner to entice

will return. When they do, being rigged and ready at the drop of a hat will give you the opportunity to catch a genuine southern bluefin tuna in the heart of Victoria.

While many anglers rig

Taj Caterson and his mate Charlie did well to pull in this monster gummy shark.

David Jarmin has been dominating the whiting in the Rhyll area. a strike. If they are not, I suggest you save this article and prepare for Jan/Feb 2021 because I have no doubt they 32

MARCH 2020

typically see these fish has a ‘nothing’ fish or a pest but they still deserve some respect, particularly this one that took a lure off the top from the rocks.

Further up the Port, the whiting fishing has been nothing but exceptional. Simon

5-8” skirts for SBTs along Victoria’s West Coast and down to Portland, the fish being caught from Anglesea

fishable. While motoring out of the Western Entrance, Simon has seen schools of tuna busting along Flinders Bank.

Although they have caught some trolling while heading out, they have mainly been concentrating on targeting gummy sharks. The offshore fishing through the first months of the year is the prime time to target offshore gummy sharks and some of them caught lately have been absolute monsters. Simon has been working in depths ranging 20-30m of water and has been catching and releasing some impressive gummies.

Inside the Port there has been no shortage of fish; it just depends on the species you want to target. The Western

took a day off work to bring his son Jarvis for a quick session.

They fished around Tortoise Head and caught a great feed of solid whiting.

I also spoke to skipper David Jarman from T-Cat Charters, who has been working the Rhyll area. David reported that the whiting season this year is the best he has seen. The one thing he has noticed is that no matter where you move, providing you are fishing in the right habitat (seaweed and sand) and during the change of tide, you should have no trouble finding solid whiting throughout the Port.

Heading into autumn, the water temperature will begin to cool, and probably quite rapidly with the weather we have had over the past year.

Should this be the case, it will be a cracking time to hit the surf to target salmon on lures.

While we might be having fun tackling tuna, they will be gone in a flash. It is time to downsize your tackle and re-rig for those cooler water species that will be upon us in no time.

Anglers have been working the entrance to Western Port in search of southern bluefin tuna and catching some lovely models.

An explosion of whiting WESTERN PORT NTH

Jarrod Day jarrodday@iprimus.com.au

Western Port is a fishing bonanza at the moment, but with the variety of fish on offer, whiting are surely taking precedence. The top end channels have been

map of these channels, you can easily see the drop-offs and ledges where whiting work along. These ledges might only be in 1-2m of water but whiting have been frequently cruising along them in search for food. Anglers fishing the run-out tides have had no trouble locating whiting in good numbers. Berley has

If you want the best of both worlds, on the last hour of the run-in tide, set your anchor at the junction point between either Tooradin and Irish Jack or Irish Jack and Charing Cross channels. If you use a little berley during the run-out tide, whiting will work their way to where you’re fishing. Mind you, if you flick out a big bait there is a high chance you’ll catch a gummy shark too.

For anglers that like to target big whiting, fishing around Joes Island is your best bet. The tide can run fast there so it is best if you fish at least an hour either side of the tide change.

Taj Caterson and his mate caught some solid whiting from the top end.

The Tyabb Bank is still fishing extremely well but you will have to sift through the fish to get a good bag. going crazy, supporting extremely healthy populations of whiting throughout the area.

For the past few months, I have reported on captures of whiting from Gentle Annie Channel. Now, Charing Cross, Irish Jack and Tooradin channels have really fired up in a big way.

If you look at your GPS

been essential to bring the fish to the areas and when they arrive, it has been on like no tomorrow.

Charing Cross has been fishing a little different and anglers will need to fish in the channel, not along its edge. On a low tide it is still around 3-4m deep and is producing some real solid fish.

Young Jarvis Rinaldi displays some nice whiting from a solid session with his dad.

Charlie looks quite chuffed with his hands full of Western Port ’ting.

This will allow you to fish with sinkers in the 4-5oz range and still be able to bring whiting in without them ripping off the hooks due to using too heavy sinkers. When fishing the deep, you can use berley; however, don’t over do it or you’ll attract stingrays and other whiting-scaring species. When using berley in the deep, just a handful of pilchards mashed up in a stainless steel berley pot will be sufficient.

If you’re not up for fishing the deep, it is hard to pass up the opportunity to fish the top end of the Middle Spit as well as the bank down towards Hastings. Once again, you do need to be working the tides in order to get the right bite time. Recently, this has been fishing the first and last two hours of the run-out tides.

Local angler Matt Caterson took his son Taj and his friend Charlie out.

The boys worked the top end of the Spit to catch some solid whiting on the

flood tide. Pipi and mussel were the standout baits.

Skipper Simon Rinaldi from Red Hot Fishing Charters has been dominating whiting along the Middle Spit for his clients. Working in depths ranging 5-8m, he has had no trouble in locating solid fish to 44cm. Simon also took his son Jarvis out for a session and they caught heaps of quality fish.

The Quail and Tyabb banks have shown no signs of slowing on the whiting front and for many anglers, catching a solid bag has been quite easy. Of course, when fishing any shallow bank, berley is essential to bring the fish to the immediate area. Once the trail is established, it really doesn’t take long for them to come on the bite.

Keep in the back of your mind that it is good practice

to have two rods rigged differently for whiting, as you never know how they are going to bite on the day.

If they are aggressive, then a twin dropper paternoster rig with #4 circle hooks is ideal. If they are finicky, an extended paternoster or running sinker rig with #6 long shank hooks is the best option. This allows anglers to feel for the bite by holding the rod. The instant the bite is felt, you can strike to set the hook.

By the end of this month, the fishing in the top end will start to slow with the cooler water temperatures and the focus will begin to shift to calamari, garfish and of course our annual resident elephant fish.

So, before winter species begin to swarm the port, you should make the most of the whiting before their numbers taper off.

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Fish throughout the bay

EHT DNIF

people visit, it won’t make up showed up again, starting off The whiting reports started for the money lost over the last Cape Schanck before heading slow and continued the pattern Craig couple of months, but it might along the coast. If you are of the bigger ones mostly Edmonds mean they will be still be there chasing them, you can hope coming from the deep. They These Easter holidays in next time to catch them but do not have changed a little of late 51youEvisit.

RA EREHT Victoria will be one of the This is probably the best expect that you will. Although and we are getting reports TUfor OH GUtime ORofHtheT whole NED DtoIH Oschools GOLcan be big, they from the shallows of 45cm fish most important many year be S the years and everyone will be fishing around the island, seem very flighty, and keeping in good numbers. There are .Yperfect LHTweather.

NOM especially GNIHforSoffshore IF FO SEG PE HTat times is a still hundreds of small ones hoping for fishers. up A with them There will be countless Autumn traditionally sees challenge. While it seems they around, which will become WOonLthis EB MR OF YRcome TNofEageEand HThave NIonly LLjustIFarrived over the quality winter and spring fish, businesses relying long spring whiting weekend, not only to help a size well worth targeting, but last couple of years, people but for now you just have to HCAthe EF O Rdon’t EBM UtoNtryEsome GAofPtheEH TtoH TIW them get through winter forget used dismiss them as schools sift through them, toadies and but simply to survive.

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TNThey I have probably been customers dropping a bigger that have or are connected to last three months get hungry there for years and if no one rod in while whiting fishing in fishes for them, nobody will the shallows, we have had more catch them. fish like snapper and gummies Kingfish are another reported. While you would species people talked about expect this in 10m of water, Adam scored a decent gummy from land. many years ago, but not many in 1.5m it’s not something that were actually chasing them, you would normally do, but as so only the odd report used we keep telling customers there were few and far between from customers going home to come through. Now it’s a aren’t underwater fences and and if they weren’t rock with a dozen or more legal different story, with methods gates to keep the fish separated flathead, they were very small flathead from in the bay. The perfected over the last 5-6 years and you should expect to catch and undersized. Things have flathead reports have mostly and regular reports coming in. anything anywhere in the bay. changed in the last couple of been from the corals, which I say methods perfected, but About ten years ago, years and this year in particular has been a challenge in itself, when you speak to some of flathead reports from the bay we have been getting reports with so many tiny pinkies all the retired commercial fishers trying to get your baits. around here it’s the same way If you are heading to they used to catch them 40 the island over Easter, don’t Sheridan caught her first mako shark. years ago. forget about our 4th Annual Because of the ordinary San Remo Easter fishing businesses in and around the around this time of year and weather it was a slow start competition. It is run over the bushfire areas and while they we always have some quality to the kingfish, mostly whole Easter weekend, but are desperate for people to catches reported. For those because you just couldn’t get you must be registered by 2pm stay and spend money, they who don’t mind them, elephant out to catch them. When the Good Friday. We donate 100% also just want to see people fish will start showing up in conditions did improve, the of the entry fee to the Good ZWOinNN IM ”even 3 NAifMit’s Z Eto HT ,numbers.

SRUOLOThe C0 5 NI ELfishing BALIAVreports A back town, overnight started coming in and Friday appeal and last year the stopEG for donation was just under $3,000, RAsomething L A HTIWasEsimple LIFORPoffHSthe IFTjetties IAB and ETAbeaches MITLUwill EHT Shave I been regular since. The as a coffee. improve but you will need a big difference this year is that so hopefully we can improve OT SLAowner EPPAfrom TAHTjacket LIATwith ELDthe DAcooler P EVISnights.

SERGGlive A bait hasn’t always been One Abusiness on that this year. Thanks to Gippsland our generous supporters of EHT HTdescribed OB NI SEitIClike EPS FHowever, O EGNAthe R Ebest VISfishing NEHERwill PMOthe C best way to catch them. living in an abandoned town come from offshore where Many have been frustrated the competition, there will be .TLAS Dand NA H F to find live bait that is and that without people around anything is possible theSERtrying giveaways every hour plus it’s like the place has died. He conditions should generally be small enough so have resorted prizes for secret weights, early says we need people walking perfect. Any bluefin around to using strips of fresh bait entry, heaviest of nominated around to make the place seem will be better than school fish with surprising results. We species and a lucky entry H C R A M F O D N E E H T T A N W A R D S E I R T N E T C E R R O C 0 4 T S R I F E H T like it’s alive. If you are still and the bigger kingfish will have even had reports from major prize. The competition undecided where to spend also show up. Makos will be anglers using metal jigs. The is designed as a family fun .SCITSALP TFOS ZBURG ”5.2 FO KCAP A NIW your Easter or school holidays, a little harder to find, as they reports have come from Cape weekend and we had over 60 some of these areas could be would have headed for deeper Patterson to the Western families ranging from 3-90 an option, and don’t forget to O water butW with theDEntrance theO headlands, enter last year. For FO EN NIbyWnow, OT AR EZIRalong PR JAM EHT OTNI OG NEHT LLIW SEIRTNyears E LoldLA check out some of the smaller strange season we have had with the majority sounding and entries and more information, 02could 02happen. ,LIRPA hdropping t03 N Odown.

NW RD EB OT SKCAP EZIRP EERHT towns around the edges. Even anything baits VeryAfew go to our Facebook page @ if they are fully booked for this Bluefin are becoming a kings have come from those JimsBaitAndTackle or give us period :and lures. a call at the shop.

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MARCH 2020

DROP INTO YOUR LOCAL DEALER TODAY VICTORIAN DEALERS BENDIGO BENDIGO MARINE & OUTDOORS

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GEELONG GEELONG BOATING CENTRE

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SWAN HILL

Hot Spot

Bemm River needs your help after the bush fires CRANBOURNE

Mitch Chapman

As we all know, Bemm River has got to be one of the greatest estuaries for bream fishing the country has to offer. It was in the heart of the East Gippsland bushfires so now it needs anglers to get back down there fishing and putting money back into the community so we can continue to enjoy this little town for years to come.

Only five hours from Melbourne, Bemm has a lot to offer for anglers of all levels.

Whether it’s bait fishing for bream in the lake, throwing lures up the river for bream and perch, or fishing off the beaches for salmon and gummies, Bemm has it all.

So get down there, make a weekend of it and give back to Bemm, as any bit of support that goes into this town will go a long way.

PRIME TIME We are heading into prime time now if it’s bream fishing with baits and lures that tickles your fancy. February through to April, the lake will fish well on the flats and catching bream on surface lures is as good as it gets.

Winter is also a good time to catch cricket score numbers of fish once you can locate them in the lake. They tend to school up and once found, are pretty easy to tempt.

THE GEAR A standard 2-4kg graphite rod matched with a 2500 sized reel is perfect for all species you are likely to encounter at Bemm.

Mark at the general store and Bemm River Bait and Tackle is a must to drop in to and see what’s biting and where. What he doesn’t know about the system isn’t worth knowing. He always has a couple of little tricks up his sleeve and also knows what lures are best for certain types of the year. Drop in and buy a couple lures and he will tell you how and where to use them.

Jacob with his first lure-caught EP. These fish have no teeth so they can be picked up by their mouth – just watch out for their nasty gill rakers.

THE RIG Bait guys like to fish as light as possible, so whatever the weather and tide allows.

Small running sinker rigs work best. Light jigheads such as 1/16 and 1/12 are the most commonly used when fishing plastics in the lake and river.

BAIT AND LURES Sandworms and local prawn that you get yourself are by far the best baits around.

Mark also sells them at the shop and has good supply as he is out there pumping and netting each day.

Lucky Craft Bevy Shad 50s and Pointer 48s are deadly in the lake and down the front. They are the first two lures I tie on, as well as Bent Minnows if I’m fishing topwater. Soft plastics in the deeper water are also good and the 80-100mm Squidgy Wrigglers in bloodworm and the Biwaa 3” Deus are some favourites.

BEST METHOD Drift the lake and channel and cast vibe style lures into 2-4m of water, working them back to the boat with a slow lift and drop retrieve. If you’re fishing the flats, work the edges and cast soft plastics and hardbodies, working them back to the boat with

lots of twitches and pauses.

Trolling in the channel is a great method if you want to chase tailor and salmon but don’t forget a wire trace if you don’t want to lose lures.

MOTHER NATURE Bemm is a shallow lake, so always pay attention to the wind and the weather conditions. With the recent fires, take your time driving and please do whatever you can to limit the risk of a fire starting.

HOT TIP We need to do all we can for our friends in all of East Gippsland. When planning your trip, instead of buying food and drinks before you go, take an empty icebox and buy your food and drinks locally from there or on the way down from other fireaffected areas. Every little bit spent in the community helps and will go a long way for the future of these small businesses.

Before heading down, give Mark and Jane a call at the general store and tackle shop on 03 5158 4254. They will be able to help put you onto the fish as well as sort you out with accommodation in some of the wonderful cabins they have to offer.

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Gez loves getting down to Bemm and throwing poppers at the massive schools of mullet that are willing to take a surface lure during the day.

MARCH 2020

37

Get back to the Gippy Lakes GIPPSLAND LAKES

Brett Geddes b.geddes@bigpond.com

It’s been confronting and heartbreaking for all Gippslanders enduring the recent fires and weeks of choking smoke. It’s hard to believe but there is still some good news apart from recent rain. The vast Gippsland community has rallied with a wonderful spirit, overwhelming

good will and charity. I’m very proud of how kindhearted Aussies are in times of need.

With thousands of holidaymakers asked to evacuate, most areas were turned into ghost towns and some business owners are saying it could sink them.

The staggering donations from far and wide will help with the long road to recovery and I’m sure tourists, especially anglers, will make an extra effort

A typical river bream caught on a Hurricane Vibz blade in the black magic colour. Work these lures with a slow retrieve and long pauses to beat cranky bream.

to visit and spend money in areas like Paynesville, Metung and Lakes Entrance to name just a few.

FLATHEAD AND BREAM The big win for anglers over the last few months is the very low fishing pressure right across the Gippy Lakes. There’s been little boat traffic, with mostly locals out and about, so there should be no excuses about spooky fish!

Already flathead have made a welcome appearance, with a lot of duskies coming in at 50cm or better. Nikki Bryant fished the rivers and worked the edges to land plenty of flathead in the 40-50cm range and even a few over 55cm. All of them were caught on soft plastics.

Target areas for flathead have included the lower Nicho, Mitchell and Tambo rivers, especially if the persistent easterly winds get up almost daily and make the open lakes too hard to fish. To beat the wind, fish early mornings for flathead.

Hotspots out in the lakes right now include Metung, Duck Arm, Mitchell Flats and Loch Sport.

Bream have been a real

challenge and although most of us can see big bream in river snags or lake pylons, they have been teasing anglers with their mouths shut tight. Still, a few dedicated souls have kept working at these fish and tricked a handful with lightly-weighted and small soft plastics. A few schooling fish have been sounded in the rivers as well and I’ve been able to lift a few out by using blades but the bite has been frightfully slow.

On one occasion recently, I tried for hours in the lower Mitchell and eventually scored five bream by using a black Hurricane Vibz blade. The technique was very specific and I was tea-bagging them under my kayak in 3-4m of water with extra slow tweaks and long pauses.

At least the bream were a decent size, with most of them either side of 40cm.

Over the next month, the lakes should turn on a ripper bream bite, especially in the shallows out from the Mitchell and Nicho rivers.

RIVERS TO RECOVER The Mitchell, Tambo and Nicholson river catchments were all impacted to some degree by fire and recent rains have produced significant run-off. These streams are coming off a severe drought and these first flows for over six or even twelve months may be full of ash and other fire debris.

However, I will say these creeks and rivers should recover fairly quickly because they have evolved to deal with bad droughts and fires.

Essentially, don’t be put off by reports of potential minor flooding.

We all know about the long

Tony Pettie caught a nice 38cm bream on a black blade tea-bagged right in close to the river snags. term benefits the increased flows will eventually bring.

WHITING The excellent run of King George whiting is still around, but reports have been slim due to the lack of angling pressure. Mussels and pipis are the musthave baits and you need to keep moving and searching different weed beds to find the biggest whiting. Those keen on chasing them are getting good numbers from Metung all the way up into Paynesville.

KINGFISH I was sent a very interesting kingfish report recently. Apparently, four young kids fronted up to the local tackle shop to purchase new rods. It seems a mob of kingfish found their bream baits and dragged their rods into the water! I also heard of kingfish busting up on bait very close to the

Paynesville township in Newlands Arm. Kingies are now permanent residents in the Gippy Lakes and we always hear of them turning up late summer and early autumn.

However, be warned – they are never easy to catch.

BOOK IN A VISIT The Gippy Lakes need you! Just for this year, cancel thoughts about Bali, forget about a trip to New Zealand or that ocean cruise, and instead book in a week at a Lakes Entrance holiday unit or caravan park. Enjoy a weekend at Paynesville with the water at your back door or even a day trip to Metung for fishing and a ripper pub meal. My partner has just booked us in for a three-day trip and we look forward to boarding the Paynesville ferry across to Raymond Island to search for koalas, bike riding and fishing.

Flathead up to 55cm have been taking soft plastics in the rivers. Be sure to increase leader sizes to 10lb or higher to avoid busting off the bigger models.

38

MARCH 2020

Kingfish will be holding court CORNER INLET

Will Thompson allwaysangling@bigpond.com

Finally some fishable days!

It has been super tough this season to get good weather, however, with a recent bout of fishable days, the reports have been flowing in fast.

The biggest news this month has been all the

yellowtail kingfish inside the inlet. They have been caught in the Lewis Channel, Toora Channel and Franklin Channel. In the Lewis, they have even been accessible to land-based anglers fishing off the long jetty. They can be seen busting up on the surface early mornings if there is no wind, or at slack tide.

In the Toora and the Franklin channels, kingfish

have been mixed in with huge schools of salmon – big salmon! Some salmon are nearly bigger than the kingfish at around 2.5kg.

Kingies are responding well to small stickbait lures and poppers and this will catch just as many salmon, if not more. Otherwise, use large 7-10” soft plastics and 130mm poppers. Don’t expect them to be huge as most of

There are plenty of small kingfish inside the inlet at the moment. This one ate a Fish Inc. Flanker lure.

The recovery begins MARLO

Jim McClymont mcclymont@net-tech.com.au

With the drought still to break and the pastoral land, forests and rivers all short of rain, the inevitable happened.

Fires erupted not only in our part of Victoria but seemingly all over the East Coast of Australia and in every state. Far East Gippsland has already been suffering through three years of drought and a downturn in the timber industry so with the disastrous fires devastating forests, farms, outlying towns and small hamlets, the whole area was in a state of disaster.

As if bravery is part of the country’s DNA, the firefighters from DELWP and the CFA as well as the local timber contractors and their bush crews with

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their heavy machinery put their lives on the line every time there was a forest fire.

Luckily, our area received 30mL of rain and that was a big help, allowing some of the fires to slow into a dormant state until the next dry period.

With the fire subdued now, it’s time to start the clean up. The first job is to clear the highway and roads of debris to allow locals to move throughout the area and move stock and supplies. Now the timber contractors and their crews will move from fighting fires to opening the vital roadways. With lots of minor roads still not in good order, the Australian armed forces have moved in and lent a hand moving supplies of food and fodder into the outlying areas.

As the roads open up, farmers will start heading back to their farms to estimate the damage and

begin the big clean up by attending to burnt stock, repairing fences, clearing the remains of houses and farm sheds, organising fodder for the stock that survived and trying to regroup and begin again. Now the towns are able to get supplies, people can start to get back to business and service the outlying farmers when they start rebuilding. Although most businesses in the area rely on the summer tourist dollar that didn’t happen, they are a resilient lot and will help the locals get back on their feet, supporting each other through the tough time ahead.

Like day turns to night, it will rain again and the rivers will run and overflow, washing all the rubbish caused by the drought and fires out to the ocean. This will cleanse and refresh the whole estuary system, bringing it back to its previously pristine fishing.

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them are just undersize to just over 60cm (legal size).

However they are still great fun and will stretch out 30lb braid easily.

Calamari are still thick, and are in good numbers over the weed beds in the Lewis Channel and are taking red Yamashita jigs. If you head to Port Albert, fish the slack tide near the basket beacon and you should catch plenty of there too.

Back to Welshpool, the whiting are going good in the Lewis, Toora and Bennison channels. Lots are being caught at the 32cm mark on mainly pipis and squid strips. Some anglers are doing the extra yards to get Bass yabbies, which are catching plenty as well.

Port Albert is fishing way better for whiting – nearly all boats are getting their bag limit. However, reports are of mixed sizes, with some boats finding all the 32cm ones then other boats finding schools of 40cm+ whiting.

Nevertheless, Port Albert is definitely the place to head to if you want a ‘ting – there are even plenty getting caught off the jetties too.

OFFSHORE Kingies have been very quiet so far but I imagine that will change shortly. If you head from Port Albert offshore to 24m you will catch as many large flathead as you want, stacks of pinkies, and even some larger snapper to 4kg.

There have been quite a few makos caught in close in the 20m mark so it’s worth putting big bait out. The gummies seem to be further east towards McLaughlins

Ryder Thompson with a solid offshore snapper caught off Port Albert in 24m of water. and are biting well on the run-in tide. However, there have been good numbers of gummies around the islands off Welshpool as well, so it’s more about being in the right place at the right time.

Offshore is fishing very well and you will be sure to get a bag of good flatties

and a gummy, and possibly a bag of pinkies. So head out and try your luck on the next good day.

• For more information, contact Will at Allways Angling on 51748544. You will get expert advice and great deals on all fishing bait and tackle.

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www.marlocamping.com.au MARCH 2020

39

Finding a new normal LAKES ENTRANCE

Steven Pryke

After an intense start to 2020, the Gippsland region has begun to get back some normalcy, with tourists making their way back to the coastal

towns to support the local community.

The Gippsland Lakes have many weird weather patterns, making for some interesting fishing at times. However, keen anglers have made the most of the warm days.

The lower lakes around

Rigbys and Fraser islands have produced quality King George whiting, along with other species such as silver trevally and smaller flathead. The scattered weed beds have produced endless cover for fish. Typically anglers will anchor into the tide and

Micro jigs like the Majorcraft JigPara are commonly overlooked when fishing for flathead. However, they can be particularly effective when the whitebait is thick.

With their snag-proof nature, fishing worm hooks opens up possible areas you can fish.

LAKES ENTRANCE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

fish a location for 15-20 minutes. If it’s no good, move around the weed bed until you locate a likely area and after a few attempts you should find fish.

Larger dusky flathead have been on the move, with sheltered bays and North Arm’s many mud flats producing large duskies. These sheltered areas are ideal for small baitfish to position themselves out of the tidal flow. Anglers have mostly been targeting these large models with jerkbait style plastics in 3-4”, matched to enough weight to make sure they find the bottom.

LAKE TYERS Over recent months, an increasing number of

anglers have been throwing large surface lures in search of the monster flathead that call Lake Tyers home.

Most anglers have targeted lizards on shallow sand flats such as the Glasshouse Flat. Shallow bays and points have still produced quality flathead with 70cm models seen regularly.

The many weedy edges of the lake provide ample cover early in the morning. These areas hold good numbers of bream that are eager to climb all over a well-worked surface lure. Areas with long flats and shallow weed such as Blackfellow Arm are ideal hunting grounds for bream and long casts down the flats often produces the

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MARCH 2020

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best results.

Further upstream, the shallow edges of Nowa Nowa Arm are holding solid bream. Recently I’ve found them pushing up into the shallowest timber possible.

Non-weighted plastics on a small worm hook are brilliant for this approach, as their snagless nature allows you to fish these shallow snags presenting a natural offering.

HAVE YOU BEEN FISHING? If you have been out for a fish lately and have a great photo, please send it to stevenprykefishing@ gmail.com with a short description and you could be featured in the next edition of Fishing Monthly.

Bemm River avoided disaster and is back open BEMM RIVER

Robyn Sturgess

At the time of writing we are pleased to advise that Bemm River, due to a very astute

CFA captain and crew, did not suffer asset loses during this horrific bushfire season.

However, we were cut off from the rest of the world from late December until early February.

Quality bream have been on the bite.

Obviously there haven’t been too many anglers out trying to catch fish, but some of the locals have ventured out on odd days.

I am very pleased to report that the bream fishing and quality is outstanding, flathead are about and biting and good bait and table size prawns are running.

The lake and estuary system is slightly discoloured from the ash but it has not affected any of the fish stock.

This includes the river right up to the main bridge near the falls.

My husband and his mate Russ, on their very scarce days off from fighting fires, have ventured onto the surf beach for a couple of hours of lure fishing and have been rewarded with plenty of salmon.

Apart from that, the customers that have just started arriving are reporting excellent catches of bream

and flathead in the lake and channel.

All roads leading to Bemm River are now 100% open, however they will still have restricted speed limits.

All boaties should make sure their safety equipment is up to date

and in good condition.

This includes servicing of your lifejackets and dates on flares.

• Now is the time to plan your fishing trip to Bemm River.

Give me a call on 0427 584 233 – the phone is always in my pocket! 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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Chris Fichera from Victoria caught a barramundi cod on his first trip to the Great Barrier Reef off Lucinda. He used a whole pilchard as bait and released it after a quick photo.

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41

Bushfires can’t keep us down BERMAGUI

Darren Redman djsxstreamfishing@bigpond.com

Sadly, the South East Coast has suffered from yet more bushfires. At the time of writing, there is

activity, it has been perfectly safe to venture out for a fish and the angling has been surprisingly reasonable. The lakes and estuaries along this part of the coast have suffered some burning close to the water’s edge, however most

The wildlife that surrounds the lakes and rivers is also seemingly bouncing back. The likes of wading birds, wallabies, roos, goannas plus many more species are still calling these areas home and are surviving quite well. The

of how volatile our country can be at times, while also reflecting on how resilient it is. With this in mind, anglers can go about finding some fish out on the ocean.

Whether it is those tasty reef or bottom fish, some lovely light tackle sportfish through to the many mighty gamefish, all are still on offer regardless of the effects the fires have had.

Unfortunately, one area that has suffered seriously is Brogo Dam. With fires burning down to the water’s edge and water levels at an all-time low, it is tough going for the bass and estuary perch that have been stocked.

State Water has also closed the dam to the public until further notice because of the dam levels and will not reopen until levels improve. With the efforts

Most lakes and estuaries have not been affected and the results speak for themselves.

Anglers are still enjoying the offshore delights the coast has to offer. still fire activity within the areas of Bermagui to Tathra and this has people on edge and not wanting to visit the area, which is totally understandable.

However, anglers will be anglers, and the itch to go wet a line compels fishos out on the water.

In between the fire

have not been affected.

Ash may have an effect on those that are closed to the ocean, although at this stage there have not been any reports of fish kills or major effects to the water quality. Systems open to the ocean have been fishing extremely well with a variety of species on offer.

beaches or rocky shorelines are as picturesque as always and have been producing their share of fish species for those who wish to wet a line.

Out at sea, anglers can look back at the coastline to see the scarring left by the fires on the landscape.

It reminds us only too well

Despite the smoky appearance, fishers have not been deterred from getting out on the water.

of the Far South Coast Bass Stocking Association, stocking programs will continue and once water levels rise we should see the fishing back to its full potential.

So, how can anglers help? It’s quite simple actually, when people feel confident about coming back to visit the area, we ask them to do so.

We still share a beautiful part of the world and with time it will come back to its true beauty.

We may be injured at the moment but we will heal!

Hopefully better times ahead MALLACOOTA/EDEN

Kevin Gleed captainkev@wildernessfishingtours.com

The area was full of visitors coming to enjoy the holiday period, but this didn’t last long before everything went pear-shaped in the form of a fire that burnt through Mallacoota then headed on to Eden.

Prior to this, the fishing was good, with the beaches, offshore and lakes and rivers all fishing well.

The water temperature had been a bit cool but the past month has seen the water temperature on the beaches rise to around 20°C. Salmon have been caught from all the local beaches and if there were people fishing, they would be still catching

There are plenty of big prawns in the Bottom Lake.

42

MARCH 2020

fish, as they can be seen swimming in the gutters along all the beaches. The jetty at Bastion Point has been fishing well, with good catches of big silver trevally and the odd decent yellowfin bream.

For the few days prior to the fire, the offshore fishing was excellent, with good catches of gummy shark reported. Plenty of big fish were caught along with fish over the legal size of 45cm. Kingfish of 65-90cm have been caught and the hotspot has been down near Little Ram. Flathead fishing has been good, with both sand and tiger flathead caught out off Eden right down to Mallacoota. The Bastion Point boat ramp is constantly being dredged, as the sand is moving in as quick as they can take it out.

The fishing in the rivers and lakes has been productive and dusky flathead have been really on the bite, with plenty of big fish over 80cm caught.

The Mallacoota lake system is full of prawns at

the moment. It has taken little time for prawners to score a feed, and with the prawns getting bigger, over the next few months the prawning will only improve. Big tailor have also been caught along with the odd big salmon. Bream have been caught further upstream anywhere from the Top Lake through to Gipsy Point.

Quickly after the fires, rumours started that all the fish were going to die in the lake due to the ash in the surrounding bush after everything was burnt, but I don’t think we need to be too concerned. This is a big lake, well oxygenated by the wind and the fish will find their way to where the best water quality is, just like how people evacuated to safer areas. We have had nearly 50cm of rain in town since the fires, with 30cm falling in 20 minutes and a lot more rain in the headwaters. Of course we don’t want a flood, but at the moment the bush is being rejuvenated with every shower of rain. As

Black bream have been caught in the main channel in the Bottom Lake. an additional positive, probably a third of all fish normally taken from the lake are caught at this time of year, but this isn’t happening right now as all visitors were evacuated.

This means more fish will be there to breed, making for some great fishing into the future.

The Mallacoota area is still not encouraging

visitors, as locals are continuing to rely on generator power – it is expected to take several weeks before everyone is back on the main grid.

With that in mind, when things get back to normal head to the coast for a holiday and help support all the fire affected towns.

The fishing will make it worth it!

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MARCH 2020

43

Advertorial

HOOK Reveal 9” review I have been fishing for the majority of my life. Looking back now with 30 odd years of experience I can see how valuable the humble fishfinder has been over the years and how far they have progressed. While fishing with my Dad in the Victorian lakes in the early 90s our little 4” black and white sounder was an invaluable tool when fishing for big winter rainbow trout and salmon.

Fast forward to 2020 and the need for a sounder is much the same, however the technology available is vastly different.

A recent move to the Northern Beaches of Sydney and a new fishery prompted me to purchase a new boat to explore the diverse fishery that is Middle Harbour. A little Haines Hunter Seawasp was the perfect option and I was so surprised when asked to do a review of the Lowrance HOOK Reveal 9”. Little did I know at the time that this little sounder was the perfect choice for a small boat like mine. The powerful unit has a HD 9” screen, GPS Chartplotter with built-in maps and a triple shot transducer, providing a multitude of ways to differentiate structure and fish. Never has finding fish been so easy!

The Details Picking up the box I was surprised at the lack of weight after reading up on the multitude of features that Lowrance has stuffed into the HOOK Reveal 9” unit.

Navigation is a breeze for those early morning starts with the preloaded AU/NZ C-MAP mapping charts and the ability to use Genesis Live to create your own detailed maps in real-time. The triple shot transducer delivers a triple threat of performance with proven Autotuning Sonar, SideScan and DownScan Imaging. The new Fish Reveal feature makes fish easier to see by combining Lowrance CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging on one display.

Setting Up Fitting the sounder to the little Haines Hunter Seawasp was very straight forward. In the box was the head unit, mounting bracket, transducer with cable and a power supply cable. As well as some helpful info on installation and a manual detailing the ins and outs of the unit. I had decided to mount the sounder centrally on a swivelling RAM mount to give me a good view when on the run and also whilst up on the casting deck prospecting with

The HOOK Reveal definitely makes finding fish easier.

A swivelling RAM mount is the perfect mounting option for this sounder, as it can be turned to face the angler whether they’re driving from the stern or casting on the front deck.

44

MARCH 2020

The author found the HOOK Reveal to be the perfect sounder for his little Haines Hunter Seawasp.

Finding the fish may be easier, but catching them is still up to the angler!

Side Scan is a fairly standard feature on sounders these days, but at 9” this unit is big enough to split with another function and still give great detail.

the electric motor. The install was very easy and the once the layout and transducer position was decided I was finished within an hour or so. The unit powered up straight away and after a quick registration via the Lowrance App it was ready to go.

Hitting the Water After playing with the settings and getting a feel for the layout it was time to hit the water. The one thing I did notice straight away is the simplicity of the unit. Upon start up the Autotuning Sonar started doing its thing and produced a crystal-clear image of the bottom and some small bait schools as I headed out into the harbour. Using the pages button, I was able to quickly switch between pages layouts for navigating the waterway and looking for structure and fish. Where this unit comes into its own is the new fish reveal feature combining Lowrance CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging. The ability to see the structure clearly and reveal the fish amongst it is a real game changer and one I have been relying upon heavily.

Finding More Fish I have found myself taking advantage of the auto features with this unit a lot. Straight out of the box I was able to find fish and key structure points without having to make any adjustments at all. The huge amount of

information the unit pulls in is translated with detail that is easily interpreted even for a newcomer to sounders but is a valuable asset to the experienced as well. You will definitely find more fish with this unit if you make the most of the data presented to you with HOOK Reveal.

How Much Will It Cost?

The HOOK Reveal 9 Triple Shot with AU/NZ Charts I have been trialling for this review surprisingly has a RRP of $999. When I looked up the price of this unit I was expecting it to be much higher. To get all of these features for under $1000 dollars is real value and only a few years ago it would have cost you double that for a 9” sounder with all the same features.

Final Thoughts When I was approached to test this unit, I was excited to fit the sounder on my Seawasp. It is extremely easy to use and can be best described as a plug and play sounder with all of the advanced features you can expect from much higher priced units. As a small boat sounder, the HOOK Reveal is the perfect choice and I am getting more out of the unit every time I hit the water.

If you are in the market for a new sounder, definitely consider the Lowrance HOOK Reveal range of sounders from your local retailer. I am certain you will find the pure ease of use a game changer, and you’ll be happy with your purchase. – Brett Habener

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45

Results are in: $200 spinning reel comparison FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

It’s been a while since we’ve done some head-tohead reviews at Fishing Monthly, so we thought we’d start up again having a look at small spinning reels. Threadlines in the 2500 size range are one of the most popular items sold

in tackle stores, and there are usually a couple in every estuary or freshwater angler’s kit when they head out on the water.

We reckon that the $200 price range represents the first jump up into a quality reel when anglers begin their journey into fishing, and there are plenty of reels around in that price range.

You can spool them with anything from 3lb straight-

through fluorocarbon right up to 20lb braided line and leader, and can catch anything from bream and trout to barramundi and small pelagics.

We asked all of the major suppliers to provide a sample of their reel(s) in this price range and size, and most were happy to participate. Some manufacturers (like TiCA) didn’t have anything in the

Scoring started with first impressions.

Our testers at Tide Apparel HQ preparing to face the simulator.

Okuma helios sx

Daiwa TIERRA

zone, while others (like Shimano) didn’t respond to our requests.

In the end, we ended up with nine reels to test, with reels from Rapala, Daiwa, Alvey, Quantum, Okuma, Penn and Abu Garcia lining up for some testing in the office and in the field.

THE METHODS Rather than get the

internal staff to rate the reels, we recruited three local anglers from near our office in South East Queensland: Aaron, Jarryd and Brian.

They all responded to a social media call-up and made themselves available for half a day to give these reels the ‘shop treatment’ at the Fishing Monthly offices.

These three anglers all

Daiwa EXCELER

have plenty of experience fishing and were great testers who took their job seriously. I know that some of my snobby mates would turn up their noses at testing $200 reels, so thank you to the tackle test team!

To baseline the scoring, I dragged an old Shimano Aerocast out of the archives. After 20+ years of

Rapala Maxwell

Rapala R-Type Quantum Smoke

Alvey Orbiter

Abu Garcia Roxani

Penn Conflict ii

SPECIFICATIONS Brand............ Model..................Size.......... Bearings.................Gear Ratio.............. Max Drag............... Line capacity.............. Weight............ Warranty......... RRP Daiwa............. Exceler LT............2500......... 4+1..........................5.3:1........................ 10kg........................ 0.18/230m.................... 205g................ 1 year.............. $149 Rapala........... Maxwell................2000......... 6+1..........................5.1:1........................ n/a........................... 0.25/160m.................... 278g................ 1 year.............. $150 Daiwa............. Tierra LT...............2500......... 4+1..........................5.3:1........................ 10kg........................ 0.18/230m.................... 235g................ 1 year.............. $179 Quantum........ Inshore Smoke.....25............. 11+1........................6.0:1........................ 8.2kg....................... 0.26/140m.................... 227g................ 3 years............ $189 Rapala........... R-Type.................25............. 9+1..........................5.2:1........................ 6kg.......................... 0.25/225m.................... 290g................ 1 year.............. $190 Okuma........... Helios SX.............30............. 8+1..........................5.0:1........................ 6kg.......................... 0.25/200m................... 202g................ 10 years........... $199 Penn.............. Conflict II.............2500......... 7+1..........................6.2:1........................ 6kg.......................... 0.25/180m.................... 225g................ 1 year.............. $219 Abu Garcia..... Roxani . ...............2500......... 6+1..........................6.2:1........................ 5.2kg....................... 0.235/170m.................. 226g................ 1 year.............. $249 Alvey.............. Orbiter SR............100........... 9+1..........................5.8:1........................ 8kg.......................... 0.30/145m.................... n/a................... 2 years............ $259 46

MARCH 2020

inactivity it provided a pretty good indication of what a reel shouldn’t feel like (due to no maintenance for two decades) and it really showed where reel technology is sitting today. Infinite antireverse and balanced rotors are standard, as are roller bearings, efficient bail-return mechanisms and incredibly light frame materials.

We rated each reel out of 10 with respect to the testers’ judgement of ‘initial feel’, ‘smoothness’, ‘looks’, ‘handle feel’ and ‘anti-reverse’.

After the ‘shop’ test we visited Nick Richardson

by our friends at Tackle Tactics, so each reel had the same line, filled to the same point on the spool with Peter Jung’s line spooling machine on the kitchen table at the office.

The team then rated each reel out of 10 for its ‘drag smoothness’, ‘winding under pressure’, ‘drag range’, ‘drag amount’ and ‘overall feel’.

There was plenty of sledging, but each tackle tester took a turn fighting the same fish with the same outfit and the same settings. For consistency, we coupled the reels with

VIDEO

We ended up with a matrix of scores that we took away for analysis, and got some great video footage. You can check it out by scanning the QR code on this page on your phone, or just search for ‘Fishing Monthly’ you YouTube.

THE ANALYSIS There are plenty of ways to skin a cat when it comes to delivering results from the data collected. We have broken it up in a number of ways. First, we collated the overall scores to give us a highest scoring reel from the nine. Second, we compared the ‘shop’ scores

Scan the QR code for testers’ interviews and to see the reels in action.

Brian was perhaps the most thorough tester, he could barely keep his hands off the drag knob.

All nine reels were strapped to the same Okuma Duo spin rods we give to subscribers at boat shows. at Tide Apparel to take advantage of his fishfighting machine, and put the reels through their paces in a situation as close to fishing as we could get.

We spooled all of the reels up with 12lb Platypus Platinum mono, supplied

a trio of Okuma Duo-tip rods (the same ones we give away to subscribers at boat shows). These rods copped a flogging but survived the experience well. We have even more confidence giving these to you at the shows now.

to the ‘fishing’ scores to see which reel walked the walk better than expected.

And finally we divided the combined scores by price to give a ‘best value’ rating.

This is important, because the most expensive reel was nearly twice the price in

The author couldn’t stand around watching any more.

He had to strap up and have a go for himself.

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stores as the cheapest one.

Of course, we could have increased the data accuracy by sourcing a large number of testers and a more objective measurement of drag smoothness and limits, but our goal isn’t to get published in a scientific journal – rather we are collating opinions to help you direct or justify a future purchase.

Also, note that there were only small differences between the best and the worst in each category. Every reel in class will do the job well and there’s only a 22% difference maximum in all of the scores. It shows that our testers were pretty precise when it came to rating the reels on a spectrum from rubbish to brilliant.

Let’s have a look at the results, one at category at a time.

SHOP VS FISHING This is where we compared the two scores from each tester – the ‘in shop’ score (how the reel looked and felt) vs the ‘fishing’ score (how it performed on the fishing simulator). We averaged the scores per reel per category, and added the five averages together for the ‘in shop’ ratings. We did the same for the ‘fishing’ ratings, and then

subtracted the shop score from the fishing score.

That means a positive score is a reel that fished better than it looked and felt, while

In this category, the two Daiwas, the Quantum, one Rapala and the Penn Conflict all fished better than they felt, but this result is only part of a bigger picture. All it means is that some reels felt better loaded up than unloaded. You need to look at the reels in several different ways to get a thorough assessment.

After all, when we researched pricing on the internet, we found that the most expensive reel in the cohort ($259 for the Alvey) was around twice the price of the cheapest ($126 for the Daiwa Exceler).

So the next way we worked the numbers was to divide the total point score by their price. We worked off the MO Tackle website

The simulator that kept reel drags singing and the boys smiling! a negative score meant that it scored better in the shop than with a fish on the end.

Here is how the reels ranked: 1. Daiwa Tierra LT....... +4.5 2. Daiwa Exceler LT.... +3.9 3. Quantum Inshore Smoke.................... +3.6 4. Rapala R-Type........ +1.1 5. Penn Conflict II....... +0.3 6. Alvey Orbiter........... -0.5 7. Okuma Helios SX.....-0.8 8. Abu Garcia Roxani....-1.0 9. Rapala Maxwell........-2.8

for most of these prices, because MO had nearly all in stock. Alvey’s pricing was taken from their online store, and we used the RRP for the Rapala Maxwell, as we couldn’t find it for sale online.

We felt that price was important, because if you do have limited money to spend, you can get two of the cheapest reels for the price of the dearest.

Here’s what we found.

The higher the score, the To page 48

OUTDOOR & FISHING SHOW

Listen on 5am-6am Every Saturday MARCH 2020

47

From page 47

better the value for money in this review.

If you were to look at these results only, the 1. Daiwa Exceler LT.... 0.52 2. Rapala R-Type........ 0.51 3. Daiwa Tierra LT....... 0.49 4. Okuma Helios SX.... 0.40 5. Rapala Maxwell...... 0.39 6. Quantum Inshore Smoke.................... 0.38 7. Penn Conflict II....... 0.34 8. Abu Garcia Roxani.. 0.34 9. Alvey Orbiter........... 0.31

MOST POINTS WINS? A third way to judge the reels may well be to add up all of the ‘shop’ and ‘fishing’ points averages.

With this method, you’re getting the best feeling and performing reel, irrespective of price.

With this rating, the Alvey Orbiter came out on top. Indeed, more than one of the testers were impressed by the looks, feel and fishability of this new entrant into the market

1. Daiwa Tierra LT....... 6 2. Daiwa Exceler LT.... 8 3. Rapala R-Type........ 10 4. Alvey Orbiter........... 16 5. Quantum Inshore Smoke.................... 17 6. Okuma Helios SX.... 18 7. Abu Garcia Roxani.. 18 8. Penn Conflict.......... 18 9. Rapala Maxwell...... 23 see which one came up with the lowest number. This is for entertainment purposes only, as it’s takes none of your individual needs

FINAL WORDS FROM THE TESTERS “They’re all good reels and have a different target species.

My personal favourite was probably one of the Rapalas – the robustness was right up there for me.” - Brian Smith.

“Probably the Alvey for me. Trying that out for the first time I was really impressed.

I had it locked up and it was pretty smooth. All of the reels were great for value for money.” - Jarryd Parkinson.

“In all honesty they’re all good reels, and they all have their place. I particularly like the Daiwa Tierra. Nice looking, good drag and it makes fighting the fish quite easy.” - Aaron Walker.

WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU? If there’s anything we have learned from this experience, it’s that none of the reels failed the fishing test. The difference between the best and the worst drag

Anglers just love the sound of line peeling off a reel.

Everyone went home with a Fishing Monthly goodie bag and a reel of their choice. two Daiwas and the Rapala Type-R represent the best value for money. That’s great if money is the sole

segment. One may also say that this is to be expected, given that it was the most expensive reel entered.

into account.

We are prepared for the complaints and tears from some distributors, but hey – we can only report on what the testers told us!

1. Alvey Orbiter........... 79.5 2. Daiwa Tierra LT....... 73.9 3. Abu Garcia Roxani.. 71.0 4. Rapala R-Type........ 69.1 5. Daiwa Exceler LT.... 65.3 6. Penn Conflict II....... 64.1 7. Okuma Helios SX.... 63.8 8. Quantum Inshore Smoke.................... 61.0 9. Rapala Maxwell...... 57.8

Aaron put plenty of thought into his scores.

Tide Apparel’s fishing simulator had the testers playing everything from 2lb bass to 50lb GTs. basis of your decisionmaking, but you may be buying a reel for a specific purpose and it’s very likely that a reel’s unique feature(s) may be more important than value.

48

MARCH 2020

JUST FOR GIGGLES Finally, how about adding all of the rankings together? In all of the analysis, we ranked the reels 1 (first) to 9 (last). Let’s add all the rankings together and

Our independent testing group took their work very seriously.

was bugger all, so it all may just come down to personal preference.

After all, you might need a high speed reel, and if that’s the case the Quantum Inshore or Penn may fit the bill the best. Maybe you need the lightest reel to balance that fancy rod of yours?

Or maybe you want a reel with a long warranty?

The Okuma wins this race hands down, with 10 years of guaranteed back-up of their product.

I can 100% say that $200 in 2020 gives you a much better reel than it did 20 years ago.

We are also aware that we didn’t test for corrosion resistance or any other measures of durability. That’s because we had neither gear, time or inclination to destruction-test these reels.

We’d much rather give some away to our readers!

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Go Behind the Scenery

Tasmania

Better bait will make for better catches toe, and in front of it the little Hippo. These rock formations and surrounding underwater ledges are a haven for bait, which attracts – you guessed it – tuna! Make sure you do a few laps of the two Hippos and change direction to try

TASMANIA

Kelly Hunt

What a month February was for game fishers! The school-sized bluefin were in huge numbers and were caught in some very interesting places.

All this bodes very well for this species. The biomass seems to be on the increase and the governing bodies should be given some credit here. They have had a very hard job of it over the last 10 years and have made some big decisions. Early on none of them seemed to be popular with either the recreational set or the commercials, but the proof is in the pudding, and the ability to find and catch quality SBT is so much better now than it was 10 years ago.

The same can be said

get them in and make haste to about the 130-150m mark. Here you will see the birds start to thicken up, and depending on bird and dolphin activity you may want to start trolling again.

Wander out across the shelf and zigzag back across,

Ashley Halam with a super silvery frostfish from 300m of water.

Andrew Hately caught this good size toothy gemfish from the shelf off Bicheno.

of the cray fishing and the fish population. The East Coast has been producing remarkably well of late, and can only be put down to the hard decisions that have been made regarding catch limits.

Now let’s look at what we can look forward to in March, and build on the fabulous fishing we have enjoyed thus far in 2020.

WHAT’S BITING Albacore and bluefin have been easy to find down the southeast around the Hippolytes, which are two rock formations to the southeast of Eaglehawk Neck. You leave Pirates Bay and swing away to starboard and bang! It’s right there, roughly 7nm in front of you. You’ll see the big Hippo popping out of the ocean like a big

It’s been a great season for southern bluefin tuna. to excite some tuna into your spread. If you don’t have any luck you can continue on out past these rocks to the shelf.

The shelf is about the same distance again over the back of the Hippolyte Rocks to the east. You can troll lures all the way out or

always keeping an eye out for any birds or surface activity. Out here you should always have a shark trace baited up and sitting in a bucket ready to go.

The amount of mako sharks that free swim out on the shelf is quite impressive, To page 51

HYDRO TASMANIA WATER STORAGE INFORMATION Water Storage Information as at 5th February 2020 Lake/Lagoon

Metres from full

Comment

Trevallyn Pond..................................1.05........................................................Steady Lake Mackenzie................................7.27........................................................Steady Lake Rowallan..................................4.43........................................................Steady Lake Parangana................................2.16........................................................Steady Lake Cethana....................................0.43........................................................Steady Lake Barrington................................1.34........................................................Steady Lake Gairdner...................................0.00.......................................................Spilling Lake Paloona....................................1.35........................................................Steady Lake Augusta....................................2.12........................................................Steady Arthurs Lake.....................................2.34........................................................Steady Great Lake........................................13.75......................................................Steady Little Pine Lagoon.............................0.66........................................................Steady Shannon Lagoon...............................0.11........................................................Steady Penstock Lagoon..............................0.12........................................................Steady Woods Lake......................................1.22........................................................Steady Lake St Clair.....................................1.58........................................................Steady Lake King William.............................1.97........................................................Steady Lake Echo.........................................6.91........................................................Steady

Dee Lagoon.......................................0.00.......................................................Spilling Pine Tier Lagoon...............................2.00........................................................Steady Bronte Lagoon..................................0.83........................................................Steady Bradys/Binneys/Tungatinah..............0.80........................................................Steady Laughing Jack Lagoon.....................3.28........................................................Steady Lake Liapootah.................................1.94........................................................Steady Wayatinah Lagoon............................1.53........................................................Steady Lake Catagunya................................0.59........................................................Steady Lake Repulse....................................0.16........................................................Steady Cluny Lagoon....................................0.53........................................................Steady Meadowbank Lake...........................0.00.......................................................Spilling Lake Burbury....................................4.81........................................................Steady Lake Margaret..................................2.44........................................................Steady Whitespur Pond................................6.78........................................................Steady Lake Newton.....................................2.57........................................................Steady Lake Plimsoll....................................1.07........................................................Steady Lake Murchison................................11.62......................................................Steady Lake Mackintosh..............................2.41........................................................Steady Lake Rosebery..................................0.89........................................................Steady Lake Pieman.....................................1.03........................................................Steady Lake Pedder......................................1.21........................................................Steady Lake Gordon.....................................19.67......................................................Steady

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

50

MARCH 2020

Go Behind the Scenery

Tasmania

A great season for southern rock lobster HOBART

Andrew Large

March is a fantastic time to be fishing the south and southeast waters in Tasmania. It’s a month in which our waters peak in temperature; they are currently as hot as they are likely to get for the season.

Visiting species such as tuna and kingfish, if they are around, will be the targets of many keen fishers. Both the salt and the fresh are very tempting, and it requires some serious decision making by the angler as to what to chase.

Yes, you maybe having some fun on your chosen species, but it’s a fair bet that your other two or three

favourites are fishing just as well. Tasmania can be a temperamental fishery, so you need to take advantage of every fishing opportunity that you can.

SALTWATER Sand flathead continue to be a bit hit-and-miss, with good reports of king flathead (tiger flathead) and reasonable-sized sand flathead coming from Marion Bay. King flathead this year ran well right through February and into March. These fish normally finish their run around December.

Australian salmon continue to be caught around the River Derwent and further up the East Coast. Good schools are being reported in most districts, with sizes up to

3kg on the East Coast. The North West Coast has stolen the limelight somewhat, with fish nudging 4kg.

The average state-wide for summer has been 0.8kg.

Jack mackerel are in good numbers, and have started showing up around local jetties and wharfs.

They have been eager to eat metalsslices such as Halco Twistys. Huge schools are present off the coast as well. From inshore to the shelf, these global baitfish are awaiting the arrival of more tuna.

Slimy mackerel around 100mm long have been with us since January, and they are balling up nicely off the coast. These fish can be caught in and around the jetties as well at twilight if you want them for bait or

A freshly smoked brown and rainbow trout from the Central Highlands recently.

From page 50

and those anglers with a keen eye and an ability to quickly deploy a bait will be rewarded.

Having some berley on the deck and softening while trolling is always a good idea for the same reason. If you can get some fine berley in the water in under a minute of seeing a free swimmer, you are in with a great chance.

This berley doesn’t have to be confined to mako sharks either. If you have a couple of kilos of cubes on your bait board, a handful tossed over the side on a tuna strike is also a good idea. Even better if you have a good skipper who bangs in a waypoint lickety-split on the sound of a reel drag screaming off. Once the fish has been caught you can slide back to the waypoint and hopefully find other fish waiting for

more tasty cubes to appear from nowhere.

The bottom fishing has again been fantastic for deep sea creatures on all coasts. This of course depends on getting the perfect conditions for reliably hitting a good sounder picture of fish at 300-400m. Even in the very best of conditions, it’s a real skill to place weighted rigs full of baits on the sea floor in anything over 200m.

The jewel in the crown of this sort of fishing is the blue-eye trevalla. They yield a lot of flesh per fish frame, and that flesh is super good to eat no matter which way you cook it. In the same area there will be a heap of other great species like gemfish and Rays bream. If you drift a little deeper you can find some frostfish and blue grenadier, which are also good eating. Drift even deeper and you will find

some ghost cod, but I am still trying to work out what they are good for.

When we go out we try our utmost to work the weather forecast over and find a great couple of days to try our luck, and then we stock the boat up with good bait. I highly recommend catching and preparing your own baits.

Commercially available bait will get the job done, but if you harvest and prepare your own you will see an improvement in your catch rates. Think of it like a potato bake. Yes, you can get a decent one from a takeaway store, but how good is the one Nan makes! You just keep going back for more!

All and all the fishing and weather has been fantastic so I suggest getting into a store and gearing up and get out there.

Until next month, tight lines and be safe.

berley the next day.

Snapper have been showing up in good numbers around the South East, and fresh bait and good berley are key to catching them. Anglers have caught fish to 5kg in recent weeks, and are starting to experiment with knife jigs and soft plastics.

Yellowtail kingfish numbers are increasing, with more and more of these summer visitors to Hobart showing up every week. There are reports of large schools frequenting people’s berley trails on the shelf, and reports of fish being caught through the channel area. Kingies have been caught in Northwest Bay south of Hobart and under the Tasman Bridge and Bellerive Bluff in the Derwent River. With temperatures at their peak, kingfish are set to turn it on for keen anglers.

Reasonable numbers of albacore have been caught on the shelf from Eagle Hawk Neck to Maria Island.

The central East Coast around Bicheno and St Helens has been producing fish to 14kg as well. Further south the size has been more like 3-6kg.

Southern bluefin are a little patchy at the moment at EHN after a blistering start late December and January, but they are readily available up the coast at Bicheno and St Helens.

March is the traditional start for SBT in peninsula waters so hopefully we will see a few more caught soon.

Southern rock lobster, a favourite for nearly everyone, have fished tremendously well this year.

Potting has been fantastic, even with the later start and earlier finish times to the season these days.

All regions have been fishing well.

FRESHWATER Fly fishers at Woods Lake have been doing extremely well around the edges, with good reports of mayflies hatching. Lure fishers have had mixed results trolling and drift spinning in the middle of the lake, mainly due to the lake being drawn on for irrigation and the normally deep edges becoming shallow and quite unfishable. Big fish will move this month as they prepare to spawn in April.

Arthurs Lake continues to fire, with good reports flooding in of both excellent dry fly action and good numbers of fish falling to lures. This season has seen some great reports on this waterway. Right from the season opening in August, fly and spin fishers took trout ranging

Southern rock lobster catches have been excellent this year. from 0.7-3.5kg. The wet fly fishing has been fantastic, and the trout fishing community is hopeful that this lake is returning to its former glory.

A few reports from Lake Pedder lately tell of anglers doing extremely well. This very underfished lake has a huge population of brown trout, and drift spinning and fly fishing with mudeyes and caenids have proven very popular. Now that autumn has arrived, anglers should start to move in as well, where it’s legal to do so.

I recommend concentrating on the mouths of spawning creeks because early browns will begin to congregate in these areas.

My snapshot of March is that it’s really our last opportunity to enjoy some incredible fishing for the year across all areas and species. It’s a slow end to summer, with many fish lingering and left in a semisummer state. However, conditions will quickly slide into the coolness of autumn proper, so get out there and enjoy the action now.

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51

Tech Tricks

How to decommission your expired EPIRB BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

For anglers venturing more than 2nm from shore in open waters, carrying a 406mhz digital EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) is not only sensible, it’s the law. Even for those fishing smooth or partially smooth waters, an EPIRB is advisable as it could save your life in an emergency.

For those not familiar with this piece of safety equipment,

an EPIRB is a small electronic device that, when activated, will assist search groups to pinpoint your position so they can rescue you. If your craft was to overturn, get damaged and begin sinking, or even if you have an injured person or a person suffering a medical condition aboard, being able to be found promptly could avoid disaster and save lives.

EPIRBs come in several forms and brands. The best one to get is an EPIRB with GPS as this is much more accurate and will put rescuers within 100m of your position.

EPIRBs without GPS will not give such an accurate signal and will only put rescuers in the general area.

All EPIRBs must be registered to the vessels on which they are to be used.

The details kept will include the name of the vessel’s owner, emergency contact details (phone and email), the beacon Hex ID/UIN, beacon serial number, model and manufacturer. In most cases, registering a beacon is required by law. It is a simple task on the website (https://beacons. amsa.gov.au/registration/) and

is free. Details of the vessel are also kept in relation to craft type, colour or other distinguishing features to assist rescuers in finding you promptly.

EPIRBs must be re-registered every two years with AMSA. This ensures details are kept accurately, especially if someone has bought a different boat and previously forgotten to change details. Beacons generally have a 10-year battery life and the entire beacon will need replacing after the battery expires. With EPIRBs costing

around $250-350, this is cheap insurance at a yearly rate.

Once your beacon’s battery life has expired, you need to dispose of the beacon.

Do not discard it in a bin at the boat ramp or anywhere else as I have seen some people do. If the beacon goes off, rescue groups will be wasting time and money looking for the beacon. I had a faulty beacon go off at my house some years back and was called immediately by the rescue group. I told them it was a false alarm but still had to get to the beacon and turn it

off within 30 minutes or they were going to bash down the door to locate it. I left work and got there in time but it was awesome to see such a prompt response.

Expired beacons must be disposed of correctly.

Some battery shops will take the EPIRB, then remove the battery and dispose of it for you (generally a fee is charged for this service).

However, this is easy to do yourself. Following is a basic instruction on how to decommission your EPIRB to make it safe and inoperable.

2

1

This GME Accusat 406MHz EPIRB is one of the more commonly owned models available for boat owners. While other brands are out there, this model offers good value and reliability. The decommissioning of most EPIRBs will be similar to this regardless. The only tools required are a Phillips head screwdriver and a pair of cutters or snips.

3

Details on the other side of the beacon will be permanently printed on.

This will advise of the date when you need to replace the beacon with a new one. Once the expiry date is reached, it should then be decommissioned.

5

When you separate the top and bottom, you will see there is a wire still connecting the two together. This connects the working parts with the power source.

52

MARCH 2020

It is advisable to confirm with AMSA that you are decommissioning your beacon and removing it from use, especially if you are not replacing it for some reason (such as you no longer own a boat). If you are selling it with a boat, you should notify them and remove your details from the beacon.

This sticker is provided by AMSA each time you re-register your beacon and they will contact you to remind you to re-register it every two-years. It must be affixed to the beacon.

4

The top and bottom half of your EPIRB will be held together with four screws. These must be removed to separate the two sections.

6

Pinch the clasp together and pull up to remove the wires from the panel in the top section.

Tech Tricks

8

If you look inside the base section, you will be able to see the battery inside. Use the screwdriver to remove the two screws holding it in.

7

With the wire detached, the EPIRB is now inoperable and safe.

The two sections can now be separated totally.

10

Peel the rubber casing off one end to expose the wire connecting them.

9

Pull the entire battery out of the base. Generally, it will be two batteries held together with a casing of some kind.

12

11

Cut the wire connecting the two batteries to avoid a short.

Remove the batteries entirely from the rigid casing and separate.

You can take the rope off the EPIRB casing and retain the stainless steel screws to re-use if you wish. The batteries are best disposed of at a battery recycling depot. These 3v lithium batteries are about the same size as a standard D-Cell and can be disposed of at any ALDI stores or battery shops that have a disposal method in place. The casing can just go in with the regular trash, or you could use it as a practice device in case you need to activate an EPIRB in the future.

MARCH 2020

53

Codference

Vic Fish Kids and the 2019 Murray Codference SHEPPARTON

Nick Brown teamriverrats@hotmail.com

The 2019 Murray Codference capped off a massive week in fishing in the Shepparton Region.

The week prior was cod opening with many getting out during the week to free up time to attend the great events put on by the Victorian Fishing Authority.

VIC FISH KIDS The Vic Fish Kids event on Saturday at the Shepparton Lake saw 80 Murray cod between 1-3kg released into the lake for families to target on the day and into the future. As well as releasing fish, up to 200 kids were lucky enough to receive a free fishing rod

Despite the Cod Classic being on the same day, there was still a healthy turnout for the 2019 Murray Codference. and tackle kit to help grow their fishing skills.

Over 600 people registered on the day and

Local tackle shop expert, Trelly, performed lure demos.

it was great to see a huge demographic of people registering and enjoying the sport of fishing. It was great for all to have the chance to be educated on new and old regulations.

With so many upskilling their knowledge, it can only help grow our sport.

People from all ages were catered for with fishing legend Rex Hunt in attendance. Plenty of adults were excited as many of us grew up idolising him.

TV celebrity Lee Rayner and local fishing icon ‘Trelly’ kept the kids busy at the cast tank explaining how best to use topwater lures and swimbaits.

However, this was just a warm up for the main event held the next day at Shepparton’s Eastbank Conference Centre.

MURRAY CODFERENCE This was the 4th year the event has been held in Shepparton. It’s a shame the dates overlapped with the Cod Classic just an hour

host, Rob Paxevanos, headlined this year’s Codference. Rob spoke about his Murray cod fishing experiences, which kept all in attendance engaged. Rob played a short video taken from his new fishing film, Total Native II. The quality of the shots was outstanding and it gives a different perspective of fishing some of the drought-affected waters. Rob also went into how he targeted certain fish during the video, which was a great insight to how he fishes. Rob fishes a lot lighter than what some other cod anglers do and it really gave those in

Rob Paxevanos addressing the crowd at the Codference. down the road, as despite the lower crowd numbers compared to last year, those who attended this year’s Codference left very happy.

Fishing Australia TV

attendance something to think about.

Just like last year, John Cahill had everyone keen to get to Lake Eildon to target huge Murray cod.

DAM LEVELS Dam............................... % Full

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

LAKE/DAM

Dec Jan Feb

Mulwala

Cairn Curran

48

(Yarrawonga) 92 96 93

Dartmouth

53 52 48

Newlyn

Eildon

44 41 38

Nillahcootie 38 31 27

Eppalock

32 30 29

Rocklands

45 42

99 87 77 26 25 22

Eucumbene 30 30 28

Tantangara 13 9 8

Fyans

80 76 66

Taylors

56 53 46

Hepburn

96 82 70

Tullaroop

75 70 67

Hume

33 24 19

Waranga

48 41 42

Jindabyne

82 78 72

Wartook

54 51 39

Lauriston

95 92 90

William Hovell 100

87 74

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

54

MARCH 2020

It was exciting to hear the details on the new age Murray cod baits.

It seemed like there was more information around the science of fishing at this year’s event, whether it was about stocking or the Murray Darling Basin.

Some of that in-depth material can go over people’s heads but the information on how the new hatchery location was very interesting. Anthony Forster and Danny Simpson did a great job and clearly broke down the process to finding the perfect location for a project protecting the future of Murray cod fishing.

Ayden and Nate Brown learned about Murray cod at Vic Fish Kids.

Despite the name, the 2019 Murray Codference was not just about Murray cod. There was plenty of information on the programs in place for species such as yellowbelly, trout cod, Macquarie perch and Australian bass.

Graeme Dear shared a few secrets on catching native Australian bass in Gippsland and revealed how we can access some bass rivers and streams in the area.

As well as the highclass speakers, lunch was provided and that time was a great chance for everyone to mingle with each other in between sessions.

Attendees received a free show bag with a program, a Murray cod length/weight ruler and a Zerek Live Swimbait, plus there were plenty of other giveaways on the day with T1M Effects hats and Care for Cod stickers also available. The Zerek swimbaits were a hit, with many reporting of goodsized fish being caught on their free lure. Some of the fishos had never used a swimbait before but are now hooked on them.

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MARCH 2020

55

Taking on Tumut trout WAGGA WAGGA

Rhys Creed

The weather is cooling down towards a great time of year with some incredible fishing opportunities.

March

areas to fish this March, I want to update you on the devastation from the fires earlier this year. Over the New Year break, the Snowy Mountains, Batlow and Tumbarumba region saw horrific fires destroy masses of land as it tore

impacted, with fish deaths due to ash run-off from the recent rains the area received not long after the fires. These waterways have been gutted of all vegetation and it’s extremely sad. Many of these small streams are not worth fishing.

Ash run-off has also affected Blowering, with large amounts of floating ash covering the water surface in the Yolde Arm near Jounama Pondage. At this stage, the fish in the lake haven’t been affected.

MURRUMBIDGEE RIVER Starting off back

Ryan Shoesmith caught this Tumut brown with a hopper.

Adam Smith landed his PB 98cm cod casting a Tully’s Lure on the Murrumbidgee River. has a good overlap of summer and autumn fishing. The Tumut River is still a great option with active fish that will still take a dry fly, and the Murrumbidgee River will start to drop in flow so it’ll be easier to start casting lures.

Before we jump into the report on all the key

through pine forest and bushland. As we all know, this has had a major impact on local communities, the environment and wildlife in this area.

What I want to touch on is the effect it has had on the fish. The small streams, creeks and river in these areas predominantly hold trout and many have been

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around home, the river will start to drop over this month, which will open up more opportunities for casting lures. The fish will still be active due to the warm temperatures and it’s a great time to get out on the river. Bait fishing will also be worthwhile.

The best area to fish the river during March is downstream of Wagga towards Berembed Weir, as it has plenty of deeper water to explore and is easy to access with a boat.

Any heavy downpours of rain can cause a rise and discoloured water, which will shut the fish down.

Keep an eye on the weather and give the river a miss for a week after heavy rain.

TUMUT RIVER The Tumut River will continue to fish well with lures and flies over March. As the weather starts to cool down, the river will drop and become more accessible for bank walking, which will help provide better fishing opportunities. Fishing in the township of Tumut and up to the dam wall is the best area to fish at this time of year.

As the water drops, you will be able to fish with lighter lures. Some good options are spinners, small hardbodies and soft plastics. If the river is still high, opt for Tassie Devils

There is still some good trout fishing to be had on the Tumut River.

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MARCH 2020

and wobblers.

When it comes to fly fishing, using dries will still work, especially if it is hot. Trout will still feed on hoppers for a few more weeks but there will be a mayfly hatch in the afternoons and plenty of white moths, which trout will rise to. As the month gets on and the cooler weather comes around, nymphs will become the best option.

BLOWERING DAM Blowering will continue to fish well in the warm stable weather, especially on a high-pressure system.

Fishing deeper in that 5-9m

Releasing a brown that took a hopper in some still backwaters.

mark is key when chasing cod. Casting and trolling around the wall end of the lake near the rocky banks is the pick of the techniques.

Fish will be found out on the more open banks chasing bait, but you’ll need to spend some time and try to find the baitfish cod are feeding on. Casting big plastics like the Ignite Cod Fury and trolling larger hardbodies like the 150mm AC Invader are proven options.

March is definitely a month for great fishing options, especially as we lead into April, my pick of the months. Get out there and give these places a crack!

Strange cod tempters ROBINVALE

Rod Mackenzie codmac@bigpond.net.au

With the full wrath of summer parching the turf and making fishing a tad uncomfortable, it’s understandable the reports have slowed a little. In saying that, early morning and evening sessions have continued to produce some good fish, with both Murray cod and golden perch on the chew.

In the warm conditions it seems the bite has swung from lures to bait, but that

This bucket-mouthed behemoth was taken on a Bassman Aussie Crawler.

StumpJumpers are catching both Murray cod and golden perch on the troll. might simply be a case of anglers preferring to pull up in the shade as they wet a line. From all reports it seems natural baits have taken a backseat for those more of the kitchen variety, with some strange concoctions tempting fish.

There are no shortage of secret formulas that claim to draw fish to the hook like ants to a picnic. In the past, aniseed was regarded the pied piper of fish scents to the point that at one stage it was rumoured to be banned! This of course was a false claim, exaggerated as many fishing related topics are. But it does beg the question, does aniseed really attract fish? It seems logical that as aniseed is not found naturally in either fresh or saltwater that the unknown aroma might in fact draw the attention of curious fish.

Whether the fish come for a look or a feed is irrelevant, as the aniseed has worked effectively as an attractant.

Perhaps that is the same as many of the things these fish are dining on.

Oily baits like cheese, chicken, processed meats and dim-sims are all catching cod. Many anglers believe it is the river shrimp eating these baits that attract the cod. There is

no doubt that the movement and feeding sounds emitted by these small crustaceans would help attract a hungry cod to the bait. But it’s the oily trail of flavour wafting on the current that holds the most interest for the fish.

of snags, a mix of secret herbs and spices could be blended together to create a fin smacking bait!

In the Murray River at Swan Hill several large cod have been caught on garlic-scented chicken fished wide in the rivers flow. It’s a similar story right the way along the Murray River at Boundary Bend, Wemen and Mildura.

It seems in the current water conditions the bite has switched from lures to bait, and those less natural, artificially flavoured offerings are working best.

Golden perch too have been biting well at most of these locations, but more so on natural baits like river shrimp, worms and small yabbies’.

While most of the bigger cod reports have come in on bait, there have still been a few on lures.

Several Murray cod to a metre have been landed in the Murray River at

Gareth Lynch with a solid Murray cod landed on the cast on a Hangman lure.

Over the past month some very good-sized Murray cod have been caught on all of the above baits, including others that have been dipped in tuna oil. Small sausages known as chipolatas have also been working well, especially those with some cheese in the mix. There is real scope here for a fishcrazed butcher to create the holy grail of cod sausages.

Like the Colonel Sanders

Swan Hill on the troll using StumpJumpers. Murray cod to 110cm have also been reported from the Murray River around Mildura on lures both trolled and cast.

Some excellent golden perch have also been good by-catch on the larger lures used by anglers targeting cod.

All up the fishing has been quite good at most locations and should remain the same over the coming weeks.

MARCH 2020

57

Prime cod fishing YARRAWONGA

Tony Bennett codclassic@bigpond.com

We are now entering peak Murray cod time for the next few months at Lake Mulwala. The mayhem of the holiday period is all but a distant memory with the lake returning to some sort of normalcy.

Hopefully now it will be a lot more user friendly for the more quietly mannered fisher folk.

This time of year cod start moving back into the slightly shallower water. Casting or trolling any style of lure, like a hardbody, crankbait or spinnerbait will see you with a great chance of encountering some action.

The past few years have seen the popularity of both

surface lures and swimbaits boom, with these two styles of lures producing more big cod than anything else. The prime water depths to look for range from 1.5-3m.

As always, there will be plenty of action downstream in the river, especially for those looking to get the kids onto a few smaller fish. Cheese is the go-to bait with bardis, worms, yabbies, shrimp or chicken strips being great alternatives.

Last month, there were numerous reports of decent cod but it did prove tougher than usual. For every report we received, we also had several fishers reporting days of donuts.

A few of the more commendable captures were Dave Stuart’s 121cm monster taken below the weir on a Kuttafurra Joe

the Rat. According to those on the trip, it was a very unlucky fish! Tayla Quick also had some exceptional results last month. Tayla spent a night throwing around swimbaits with her partner Josh and was rewarded with a magnificent cod, which measured in at a superb 117cm. The fish was caught on a Zerek Affinity swimbait.

The Muscat family sent in possibly the best story for the month. They had their own social fishing competition over the holiday period with $500 at stake.

Ultimately, it was taken out by 11yo Makaira Muscat, who came out on top when her Bone Focus Swimbait was smashed by a magnificent 101cm cod, an impressive catch for a young angler.

Makaira Muscat scored this winning 101cm Murray cod.

March opens hot autumn bites ALBURY/WODONGA

Connor Heir

The year is quickly moving along, as the summer days end and we move into autumn. The fishing during March is still plentiful for good numbers of native fish, and autumn marks my favourite season for targeting Murray cod.

Unfortunately in the part of the country I spend a lot of time fishing, many areas have suffered extremely widespread damaging bushfires.

So much farmland as well as national parks, properties, and even people’s homes have been lost, and it has brought so many communities together.

This has been absolutely devastating for so many people. The loss of property and livelihoods has become

Seek out new areas if the fires have affected your usual haunt.

March is typically a great time to target Murray cod. an unwanted reality, so I really urge people to show support through these tough times by visiting affected communities, supporting local businesses, donating, or anything else that you can do to help. It doesn’t have to be

Hopefully the rivers will return to their ideal clarity in the near future.

58

MARCH 2020

a lot – small things go a long way and if many people chip in and support each other, the overall result will be huge and it will have a very lasting effect on these communities and areas.

Sadly, so much wildlife has also been lost and due to recent heavy rainfall after the fires, the rivers and creeks have copped a lot of ash and fire leftovers that have caused fish kills in a few different areas, with some areas worse than others. Seeing a river that is usually crystal clear turn a dark greyish dirty colour is certainly very upsetting.

It is going to take some time for some areas to grow back to what they once were and for fish to move back into these areas. I can’t give approximate numbers or estimates on how widespread kills have been at this stage, but it has hit a number of creeks as well as the Upper Murray River itself. It’s not believed that it’s wiped out the entire system but some of the creeks affected have been turned upside down.

I won’t know more until

conditions improve and it’s safe to go explore again, but I will update next month.

Hopefully the areas worst

March coming up, I’m confident the fishing will still be good. While I can explain how this time of year has produced in recent times, you just never really know how areas are going to fish as it depends on the circumstances. It’s generally

If you put the time and effort in, you will be rewarded with what you have been seeking. Every time you fish, you learn something and the more you do it, the more skilled you will become as your understanding grows. Just

Quality fish should still be on offer if you persevere this month. affected make successful recoveries and fingers crossed there’s no more fish kills to come!

With all the fires hitting many areas I focus on, I have had to venture to other fisheries in the area. With

a time when you can still catch great numbers of fish, particularly smaller fish.

Targeting the transition of light periods will still be productive and if you are chasing bigger fish, this is a great opportunity to do so.

do it for the passion and love of the sport because if you are enjoying yourself, catching a fish is a bonus.

Tight lines to all, and my thoughts and best wishes are with all affected by the fires.

Jindabyne has near miss with bushfires Anthony Bentley

Well, what a summer that was! With the ominous threat of bushfires, high temperatures, and very little rainfall it was certainly a summer to forget! Luckily here in Jindabyne we dodged a bullet on the fire front, but we did see the town evacuated for tourists and visitors, and closures in the national park, which limited our fishing opportunities.

The good news is that we are open for business! With the minimal pressure applied to the local waterways over the summer period, the fishing right now is firing.

The upper Thredbo River is fishing very well from the skitube all the way up to Dead Horse Gap. The trout are readily eating from the surface right throughout the day. Caddis and beetle imitations are the go-to patterns right now.

Thankfully we have seen a little bit of rainfall in the post summer period, which has revitalised the rivers and should see the fishing improve right up until the

close of the river season. The lower section of the Thredbo should see an improvement later on this month as we see some brown trout start moving into the river from the lake for their annual pilgrimage to the spawning grounds. The picnic area up to Paddies Corner will be the pick of the lower part of the river.

The Mowambah River is starting to pick up a little after the heat of the summer, although the flow is still a little low. Eagleview Lane and Big Yard Road are the pick of the spots on the Mowambah, and are best fished later on in the day when the hatches are a little more prolific and you will have a better chance of not spooking fish. The Mowambah has been a little tough on fish lately and a very stealthy approach and a delicate presentation is a must to keep your catching chances high! Smaller beetle patterns and caddis are working well in this area.

Swinging small nymphs like a pheasant tail, hare or copper from behind a buoyant dry fly can also get you into the action. As always, try to fish the undercuts of the stream, as this is usually where the

big dogs are hiding.

Lake Jindabyne has also been fishing quite well around the edges, although the trollers and boat anglers are having the better results working flies and lures down to 30-40ft, as the lake is quite low at the moment and the fish are enjoying the colder water down deep.

These deeper fish are usually eating yabbies, so a nice big Woolly Bugger or any other larger streamer fished slowly along the bottom with a sinking line will find some good results. If fishing from the shore, the best times are going to be very early in the morning or later in the afternoon right through the night. Daytime lake fishing will be quite limited initially, but will see it improve as the milder weather approaches later in the month.

Lake Eucumbene has been performing marginally better than Jindabyne, with some great reports of rainbow trout starting to make a more regular appearance.

Employing the same techniques on Eucumbene as Lake Jindabyne will work well.

The upper Snowy River from Island Bend to Guthega and above has had very

little fishing pressure this season, with access to this area closed for more than a month. Both the pondage and river are fishing very well. Dry fly fishing with mayfly and caddis patterns up there is a lot of fun.

My favourite fly for fishing up there is the good old Parachute Adams tied on a #14 or #16 with and fished on a dead drift.

Although we haven’t had any direct impact from the bushfires this season,

our little community of Jindabyne has seen a significant downturn in tourist and visitor numbers to our area. We rely on all you good fishing folk to come to our towns and have a good time and spend some dollars. All of us in Jindabyne welcome you with open arms and hope you can come and enjoy the fishing, hiking, biking, and all the other beautiful outdoor activities we have to offer. Not only us here

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MARCH 2020

59

Try your luck on redfin in March WANGARATTA

Robbie Alexander

March and April are my absolute favourite times of the year to fish in North East Victoria.

The Murray cod fishing slows down quite a bit and becomes a little erratic, but on the upside the redfin fishing is at its peak, the trout fishing can be very good and the weather is usually at its finest.

MURRAY COD Leading into March, the Murray cod fishing can become quite hit-and-miss.

I often have fishless trips in March when I am chasing cod in the Wangaratta area, but at the same time I also have some of my best fishing sessions too. In autumn, when the Murray cod fishing is on… it’s really on! The consistent summer cod fishing turns in to all or nothing during March and April.

I catch cod every

Most of the redfin in Lake WIlliam Hovell are small, but there are a few bigger ones in there.

Expect some fishless trips if you’re targeting Murray cod this month, but when the fish do switch on, March can really turn it on. the autumn. Lake William Hovell tends to be more consistent while Lake Buffalo produces larger fish more often.

In both lakes, small

be uncomfortable for trout when the water gets too warm and they will often stop feeding and sit dead still under ledges and amongst the snags just to conserve energy until conditions become better.

The second half of March will probably be more

rivers like the upper Ovens River and the Kiewa River have reliable flows. We will most likely need to avoid the Buckland and Buffalo rivers for a couple of years after both valleys were very heavily affected by the recent bushfires.

Bushfires tend to leave

way to catch larger redfin in both lakes. My favourite colour is whitebait pearl.

Remember, large redfin are not common so do not be disheartened if you

Another quality Murray cod caught on a Damiki Air Frog.

March can be a great time to target trout in North East Victoria. Lures that look like crickets, such as this Strike Tiger nymph in bluebottle colour, work particularly well.

March, and will no doubt catch cod again this month.

The biggest tip I have is to persevere. It’s time to practice the three P’s, Patience, Persistence and Perseverance, because if you happen to be on the water when the cod switch on, you will never forget the experience!

All common techniques will be worth trying in March.

Spinnerbaits, hardbodies and surface lures will all work, but bait will be the most consistent and reliable way to catch fish, particularly smaller models.

REDFIN Redfin fishing is where it’s at in March and April.

Both Lake Buffalo and Lake William Hovell have a history of producing great redfin fishing during 60

MARCH 2020

deep diving hardbody lures that get down very deep work well. Try to find a minnow size lure that dives to 6m or more, and don’t be afraid to troll it deep. Over the years, I have trolled some quality redfin in Lake William Hovell in 9m of water with a Luhr Jensen Hot Lips running at around 7m. I have had similar results in Lake Buffalo too.

I will be trolling from my kayak and casting soft plastics around. In both lakes, casting a small soft plastic such as a Strike Tiger nymph around the edges of the lake will produce a lot of fish. However, around the shallow edges tend to produce the smaller fish.

A larger 3” curl-tail grub with a very heavy jighead bobbed off the bottom in 9m of water can be a great

do not catch anything big enough to keep.

TROUT March is about the time when trout start to feed properly again. During the summer, it can often

productive as the water will have had a chance to cool down a little bit.

The biggest challenge in March will be finding a waterway with enough water in it to fish. Larger

Jake Hamilton caught a magnificent trout cod on a Damiki Air Frog near Wangaratta recently.

the fish exposed to prey from above (cormorants) due to the lack of vegetation.

They also leave the fish extremely vulnerable to fish kills if sudden rainfall washed too much ash into the river, which depletes the oxygen. There is a major fish kill happening in the upper Murray River because of the bushfires and rainfall, so fingers crossed it does not happen in the Buckland and Buffalo River catchments.

I have not heard anything at the time of writing. Only time will tell how affected those waterways are.

If you’re lure fishing for trout in March, anything black will be worth a go.

There are usually a lot of crickets around this month, so a black celta, Strike Tiger nymph in black and gold or bluebottle, a black minnow, black rooster tail, or even a black spinner would work well. Naturally, if you are bait fishing use crickets for bait. They’re dynamite on trout and should be plentiful.

Blue skies ahead for lake fishing EILDON

Peter Burtchell

Our heartfelt thanks go out to all the firefighters, emergency service personnel and volunteers who put their lives at risk and volunteered their time during this summer’s unprecedented

backdrop last month, the lake fished well for all species. With Lake Eildon not being affected by any major fires, Leo and his mum Jen decided to stick with their plan to take a chartered fishing tour with Northern Waters Boat Hire and it paid off, with Leo catching and releasing two Murray cod during the

Barry Goodall caught a lovely 53cm lake trout on the troll. some nice lake trout last month. He was also able to find some yellowbelly on his fishing trip. Yellowbelly are prevalent in all parts of the lake and can be caught trolling hardbody lures, flicking spinnerbaits, crankbaits and soft plastics as well as bait fishing.

the landing net in a depth of 7m. He recommends fishing the banks within a water depth of anywhere from 5-15m and then hang on!

John Garai, a regular fishing tourist, caught a 75cm model bait fishing in late January. The skies are clearer again and the hope

An elated Adam Loch with his first ever Lake Eildon Murray cod. bushfires. For the rest of the summer and into autumn, visitors to Lake Eildon will be reminded of the fires as they view the 1” black smoke residue rings that remain on the trees within the lake. The ash rings were deposited as the abominable smoke haze found its way to the water’s surface. It will be interesting to see if this winter will bring enough rain to submerge the rings and if they will remain after being submerged, as the lake rises and falls with the demands of water use.

With the smoke haze

4-hour charter. The fish were caught close to the banks in 7m of water using a 15’ yellow and black Old Mate Lure.

Mid-January we witnessed a caddis fly hatching event, which lasted for several days along the rocky beginnings of Big River where it feeds into the lake. Multiple rises of large brown trout were seen as they fed on the hatch.

Unfortunately we had no fly fishing gear with us but next time we visit the area we will be armed appropriately.

Barry Goodall had the right tackle and caught

Andrew Cramond cracked the Murray cod code.

John Garai landed a solid Eildon cod. keep up to date, you can join the following Facebook pages: Lake Eildon Fishing Challenge for the Lake Eildon Fishing Challenge; Lake Eildon Cod Masters for the Lake Eildon Cod Masters; Central Vic Lure Casters Super Series for the Lake Eildon Round; Lake Eildon Big Fish Challenge for the Lake Eildon Big

Fish Challenge; Victorian Fisheries Authority for the Goulburn Fishing Festival; Boating Industry Association of Victoria for the Lake Eildon Boating and Fishing Show; Jerusalem Creek Marina & Holiday Park for the school holiday fishing programs; Northern Waters Boat Hire for the Fly Fishing for Natives Competition.

Relax and enjoy delicious food and warm hospitality.

Leo caught his second Murray cod and released it after this photo.

My preferred bait is small yabbies.

Adam Loch braved the bad weather to catch his first ever Lake Eildon Murray cod measuring 74cm. Adam has fished the lake regularly for years without a Murray cod catch.

He scored his first in the Main Arm near the Delatite River mouth trolling a size 1 StumpJumper in the colour 100 bull frog around the trees in 13m of water.

Andrew Cramond moved to Alexandra to further enhance his native fishing skills. A short trip with one of Northern Waters Boat Hire’s fishing guides helped him gain an insight into the native fishing of Lake Eildon. The resulting 80cm model he caught put up quite a fight, wetting all on board as it dove to avoid

is that fishing tourists will return to fish the lake and assist the local businesses that were affected by the multitude of tourism cancellations during the normally busy weeks of the summer holiday period.

• A big year is planned for Lake Eildon with a multitude of fishing events in store. To

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Top time for trout WST/STH GIPPSLAND

Steve Haughton steve@habitatcreations.com.au

There’s one month left of extended daylight hours before we ease back into another winter season and

shorter days. Daylight savings ends April 5, so now is a good time to hit the streams of West and South Gippsland and Blue Rock Lake.

Set amongst a scenic backdrop of bushland and lush farmland, the charming

Enjoy the stream trout action this month.

streams of the Noojee region are a must for any stream trout angler. The Latrobe, Toorongo and Loch rivers all hold small trout and are great fun on light gear and tackle. Closer to Melbourne, the Tarago River begins north of Neerim South and flows down to Longwarry before entering the Bunyip River, with both rivers offering good March stream trout fishing.

Twenty minutes north of Warragul is the picturesque Blue Rock Lake behind the township of Willow Grove.

The northeastern banks of the lake are predominantly bushland making up the foothills of Mt Baw Baw. Open farmland dominates much of the western banks with good land-based fishing around the two boat ramps positioned nicely at either end of the lake. The Tanjil Arm located north of the lake is the main source of water fed from the Tanjil River. With a rugged landscape of native bush and submerged dead trees, it’s an ideal habitat for big bass, trout and redfin.

Heading south, the Lang

Ben Faro’s son Sebastian often frequents the streams of Noojee to chase trout.

Lang River always looks very inviting this time of year. There is plenty of food throughout the system, which results in healthy brown trout, redfin and eel. The Lang Lang River historically holds some big trout and blackfish but access can be difficult, so it will require some adventurous spirit.

Despite some heavy downfalls in January, by March the stream flows should slow back down. There’ll be plenty of insect action happening at

the surface, so dry fly fishing can be very productive, as will casting small lures and drifting unweighted live baits like worms and grasshoppers.

If flows are slow, target riffles and moving water, as trout prefer waters that are well oxygenated and cool.

The lake level of Blue Rock Lake has been hovering around full capacity for much of summer. However, historically the lake begins dropping early autumn where it is recharged by an autumn

break or winter rains. Bass and redfin will start schooling up and are best targeted using ice jigs, skirted jigs and soft plastics. Trolling or casting lures along the shoreline can nab trout. Bait anglers will have fun from the bank or out in the boat tree hopping. Live baits to use include worms, yabbies and crickets.

Feel free to send me a report or photo, particularly if you have any success stories this month.

Happy fishing!

Hit the lakes while the weather is good SHEPPARTON

Nick Brown teamriverrats@hotmail.com

It’s great to see the Goulburn has bounced right back after the blackwater events a few years ago. It is encouraging to see the majority of fishers are releasing legal sized fish to fight another day.

Big baits for big fish has been the plan of attack in the Goulburn River, with many large cod being caught on big bardi grubs or chunks of chicken. Fishing has been good from Murchison to Undera with many legalsized fish being caught amongst some meter-plus fish. Just like big baits, bigger profiled hardbodied deep divers and swimbaits will be great when fishing the deeper bends of the Goulburn River. Twin spin spinnerbaits or chatterbaits will also work well in local waters cast deep into structure.

The Broken River surface fishing was well and truly alight during the back end of summer, so fingers crossed March will be no different to the previous months. The Jackall Pompadour and the Codger surface walker with extra tails attached were the standout surface lures this summer, with so many legal sized fish caught on them.

If you’ll be chasing autumn surface action, I would use either of them. For those fishing a bit deeper, the old 62

MARCH 2020

Jamie McNair caught this metreplus cod in the Goulburn River. faithful StumpJumper has been productive as well as single bladed spinnerbaits like the Pirate Vibrating Blade.

KIALLA LAKES The fish go crazy before and after a storm in Kialla Lakes and we finally got some storms in recent months, so it was go time! Fishing around the small sand bars casting spinnerbaits and just slow rolling them back has been the best method. Bait fishers also had success around the storms, mostly floating shrimp around the willow trees.

March and April will probably be the last months for decent activity at the lake, so get out while you can because the cooler temperatures seem to shut the fish down.

WARANGA BASIN On recent trips, redfin have been holding in deeper water over the caravan park side of the lake. Trolling deep

diving hardbodies has been the most successful method for chasing good-sized reddies.

Redfin have been caught in the shallows but they have mostly been 12-15cm fish, which are fun for kids on small spinners.

If you’re after a feed, you will need to stay deep.

Yellowbelly around Harrimans Point have been on the chew. I have recently caught a few around some structure in 5m of water.

Trolling Codgers and casting small chatterbaits have been the best methods in that area, with fish averaging 38-45cm, but still great fun on light line.

CRAIGMUIR LAKE Decent sized redfin and yellowbelly have been reported recently in Craigmuir Lake. The fishing can be tough with all the weed in the lake but anglers able to land their lure or bait in clear pockets

have had great success.

Weedless Fish Traps have been very popular in the local lakes recently and it’s great to finally have a weapon in our arsenal when it comes to targeting fish in the weed.

Slow rolling them with a pause has worked best but don’t be scared to change up your retrieves if you’re not having any luck.

LOCAL CHANNELS The channels have fished well all summer, with heaps of healthy cod caught from the outlet near Nagambie all the way out towards Katandra.

Most reports lately have mentioned fresh bait or lures around structure.

Bigger fish have been caught on mumblers and spinnerbaits around Pine

Whether you’re lure or bait fishing, go big with your offerings for big rewards.

Lodge. Bait fishing has been good almost anywhere, with big yabbies or loads of live shrimp being best for cod.

Those chasing carp using corn or unweighted worms around the edges have been very successful.

It might not be as prestigious as chasing natives but they’re great fun on light gear and catching these pests helps the waterways.

MOOROOPNA LAKE Those bait fishing this small lake have been successful, mostly catching small carp on corn or worms.

Yellowbelly and redfin have been caught in the lake in the past and small vibes would be best for targeting these fish.

SHEPPARTON LAKE The heat will hopefully be out of the days by now, so the lake’s trout population can come on the chew. You can target these fish by bait fishing the open waters with floating baits such as worms or PowerBait, or you can cast small spinners from the banks. Just keep your rod tip high to keep the spinner out of the weed.

If you’re not interested in trout fishing, there will still be opportunities to catch cod, redfin, yellowbelly and silver perch this month.

Unweighted worms around the weed edges can be a great way to catch many of these species. Casting or trolling lipless crankbaits with a double hook set-up can be very effective this time of year as well.

Explosive surface cod bites NAGAMBIE

Sunny Martins

The fish are getting extremely active as the best month for fishing rolls around the corner. High pressure systems bring warm, calm evenings and nights, making it excellent fishing for those anglers looking to target Murray cod on surface lures.

MITCHELLSTOWN Mitchellstown has really fired up and produced some absolute crackers, with multiple reports of quality fish coming in.

The river is running quite fast and clear, making it tough to fish as anglers are constantly faced with fighting the current to cast at the better looking snags.

This means having a good electric motor or tying up to trees is a must at the moment, especially for those fishing upstream on the main bridge.

The most productive times to fish have been early mornings and late afternoon, with the early morning bite being particularly fruitful. Fish are being caught just about anywhere along the river but the undercut banks and big half submerged laydowns have been producing the most fish.

For bait anglers, tying up in to timber in the middle of the river has proven successful.

The best techniques for lure fishers has definitely been chucking surface lures

A greedy little golden perch caught in the fast flowing water at Mitchellstown. in the early and late hours of the day, then switching to either a hardbody or a 1oz spinnerbait. Some standout surface lures have been the Koolabung paddler, Balista Tremor with the wakebait bib and Barambah 200mm Bidjiwong in the paddler bib. In term of hardbodies, a lot of fish have been caught on size 1 Stumpjumpers and the larger Storm Arashi divers. Most colours have worked with some anglers fishing bright colours and some fishing more natural.

As the water is so clear at the moment, colours aren’t the major issue.

Cheese has been a prime bait along with freshly caught shrimp, both rigged up on a single circle hook with a running bean sinker.

NAGAMBIE This time of year, the main lake cops a bashing from boat traffic on the weekends. The water tends to turn a chocolate milk colour, which makes fishing hard.

The top options for fishing the lake would be to head over to the rowing club and fish off the rocks on the foreshore and under the trees lining the lake.

These areas have limited access so lure fishing is challenging, but for those wanting to cast use small 1/2oz spinnerbaits as they are hard to snag and easy to cast in areas with limited access. Bait fishing will work the best for anglers fishing

A sample of the surface cod action at Kirwans Bridge. the lake. Small yabbies or shrimp and cheese have been the most popular baits to use around this area, as the most common catches will be golden perch and redfin.

This 65cm+ cod was caught on a size 1 StumpJumper at Mitchellstown.

KIRWANS BRIDGE The Kirwans Bridge area has been fishing extremely well, with great numbers of fish being caught. Similar to the Mitchellstown area, the river and the flats around Kirwans are very clean, making fantastic swimbait and surface fishing in the early and late morning.

A significant amount of weed is starting to grow up on the flats and this attracts the bait, which in turn attracts predators like Murray cod and the occasional golden perch.

The best places to target down at Kirwans have been the drop-offs along the main river channels and during the low light hour, up on the flats in 2m or less.

The willow trees have also provided some great golden perch fishing, with a few anglers picking them up on small diving hardbodies and on bait such as scrubworms and freshly caught shrimp.

Expect plenty of redfin with a side of trout CRATER LAKES

Rod Shepherd

The heat of summer still lingers but we have received some half decent rainfall on occasion, which has slowed down the decline of the lakes and rivers’ water levels.

However, blue-green algae is ever present in some of our lakes, including Bullen Merri and Tooliorook. This doesn’t stop many from fishing, but any caught fish should not be consumed.

Lake Elingamite’s level at the ramp is on the wane, but most inland tinnies can still launch here. Good redfin along with trout continue to be caught from this waterway with early mornings the go. Trolling medium diving lures remains a popular method along with casting flies or lures towards the weed beds. Soaking a mudeye also works if the fish are

actively looking for a feed and you’re willing to sit back and wait for a response.

A few trout and Chinook salmon are coming out of Purrumbete, with those in the know downrigging lures set at 10-15m. Working depths

exceeding that is par for the course, as these boaters hang out at least 50m from the shoreline. The depths do vary, but 20-30m is not uncommon.

Redfin have been falling to jigged lures or bait in depths exceeding 10m. They have

also been attacking trolled flatlined or cast lures up close to the shoreline weed in depths around 5m.

Some excellent trout (mainly browns) along with some good redfin have been caught in the Merri River and

There are plenty of feisty Elingamite redfin in all sizes at the moment.

either side of the Wollaston Bridge down to Dennington have been the most targeted areas. Anglers on foot working the banks have done well, especially in low light conditions. Boats can be launched at the ramp near the Dennington factory, however upstream travel is still thwarted by the barrier placed at the base of the derelict railway bridge. Apparently pieces of the rotting, rusting bridge might fall on a boat as it passes underneath. Surface and sub-surface hardbody minnow lures are attracting a few hits when worked along any current flow or from the side.

Just north of Port Fairy lies Lake Aringa, an old reservoir that has been preserved as a trout fishery, but it’s the redfin that respond well at this time of year. Small boats can be launched from the ramp, although parking space with trailers in tow is limited.

Any lure or plastic cast or worked at depths around 3m is attracting attention on a

given day, with quite a few anglers managing bags of 20+ fish in a session. Parts of the bank can be accessed on foot but working from a small tinny or kayak will give the best results.

At the time of writing, the west of the state has largely avoided the devastation caused by the bushfires that ravaged most of Eastern Victoria and took lives, property, livestock and native animals. Slowly and surely, these fires are being tamed and while much of the east is still off limits to nearly all activities including fishing, the west remains open – touch wood.

There are plenty of spots in the west to wet a line but once the east is, by and large reopened to locals and tourists alike, I urge all fishos who can to consider a fishing holiday in Gippsland or the high country. Hopefully we can help inject some dollars back into the local communities.

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Reddies biting around Ballarat BALLARAT

Shane Stevens

Ballarat anglers have been catching some magnificent redfin from the district’s waters.

excellent angler and proved this once again when we hit Wendouree. We managed to land a few small redfin in calm, bright conditions, which is not conducive to good fishing on Wendouree given the shallow nature

Max Stevens caught his new PB redfin measuring 43cm from Lake Wendouree while trolling an Ecogear SX40 in a rainbow trout pattern.

These magnificent table fish are targeted by a large percentage of the angling and for good reason, as they are very tasty. The warm weather certainly brings reddies on the chew and anglers are out in numbers chasing them.

In Lake Wendouree, redfin have certainly been on the chew over the past couple of months. Given the warmer weather resulting in warmer water temperatures, which the redfin like and prefer, they come on the bite and feed and make the most of the ideal conditions.

I have been out on numerous occasions over the past month, firstly with Ben Young. Ben is an

of the lake. When Ben got stuck into something very big after a good fight, he brought to the net a magnificent 47cm redfin.

On another occasion, I took my youngest son Max and neighbour Dan Mende out trolling the rowing lanes, once again catching some smallish redfin around the 25-30cm size.

Maxi nailed a ripper redfin of 43cm on a rainbow trout patterned Ecogear SX40 before we decided to change tactics and fish a few mudeyes suspended under bubble floats. It wasn’t long before Dan nailed a lovely rainbow trout around the 1kg mark.

The numbers of trout on Lake Wendouree have certainly slowed down as is expected, not only in Wendouree but most of the local waters with the hot weather and high water temperatures. Trout have changed their feeding patterns and now feed early morning, evenings and throughout the night.

Anglers who have been targeting these times have

Photo courtesy of Shane Jeffrey.

MARCH 2020

Dan Mende landed a lovely 1kg rainbow trout using a spider mudeye suspended under a bubble float for bait.

Photo courtesy of Shane Jeffrey.

Tullaroop will continue to fish well over the coming few months. Over the past few years I have targeted the trout in Tullaroop by casting lures from the shore with excellent results. I will change my tactics a bit this year, as we can now fish out of boats so I will target a few different areas.

some areas. You just need to find the deeper drop-offs and fish around those areas.

Close to Newlyn, Hepburn Lagoon is another fishery that becomes hard to fish during the summer months, as it is also used as irrigation storage. This year will be different for anglers fishing out of

Shane Jeffrey landed this monster European carp of 10.5kg on a bunch of worms while fishing for redfin at Tullaroop Reservoir.

A lovely 2kg Lake Wendouree Brown trout caught by John Monteduro on a mudeye fished after dark.

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been rewarded, catching some lovely rainbow and brown trout on flies and mudeyes fished under a float. John Monteduro is one such angler who has been catching some lovely brown trout on and after dark up to 2kg.

Redfin have been on the chew over the past month at Tullaroop Reservoir.

As most anglers know, Tullaroop was opened up to non-powered watercraft last year and it’s like it’s a whole new fishery. The amount of redfin caught when it was first opened was amazing and the sizes were an eye opener. It appears some of the successful anglers have been back out and are catching plenty of reddies once again. Yabbies and worms have been productive for bait fishers and ice jigs and bobbers have been catching plenty for lure anglers. One of the keys to success is to use your fish finders/ depth sounders to find the schools of redfin. Some anglers have reported there is a lot of small redfin in

Tullaroop, so you have to work your way through them to get to the bigger models between 40-50cm.

Shane Jeffrey, John Monteduro and Russel Eldridge fished Tullaroop recently to catch a feed of redfin. They did manage to catch a few small ones and some good-sized ones as well. While fishing for reddies, Shane had dropped a bunch of worms on the bottom when he had a bite.

After a 30-minute fight, Shane managed to land a massive 10.5kg European carp. While it is disappointing to know there is carp in Tullaroop, hopefully they do not take hold as they have done in other waters over the state. They also managed to catch a lovely 1kg rainbow trout while trolling a pink Tassie Devil.

Ben Young nailed this lovely 47cm redfin casting a Spinwright Micro Chatter.

Photo courtesy of Ben Young.

Newlyn Reservoir generally fishes well over the warmer months. Redfin will come on the bite, especially on evening, and you will need to find clear pockets of water through the weed to cast hardbodied lures or soft plastics for best results. Newlyn’s water level drops significantly during summer, as it is used for irrigation. When the water level drops, it exposes lots of strap weed, making it difficult to fish in

kayaks, as Hepburn has been opened up to non-powered watercraft like Tullaroop, with all boating regulations applicable. It will be interesting to see what anglers catch. There is a very good population of resident redfin and VFA annually stocks Hepburn with brown and rainbow trout, but Hepburn is normally a very hard place to fish at this time of year due to low water levels and extensive weed growth.

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A lot of good options around Bendigo area BENDIGO

Roger Miles codhuntertours@bigpond.com

The weather in the Bendigo region has been very variable like the rest of Australia. The variability in the weather can make it difficult to choose a good time to go fishing. The good news is the majority of anglers that have been putting in the time have had good results in all local destinations.

LAKE EPPALOCK Water levels continue to slowly drop and this trend will more than likely continue for the next couple of months. Water clarity remains high and redfin fishing has improved in recent times. The most productive depth range for redfin has been in around 6m of water. Bait fishing with small yabbies has been the best method.

Local renowned angler Phil Keetalaar recently fished Lake Eppalock targeting redfin. He managed to keep 22 redfin measuring up to 42cm. Bait fishing with small yabbies worked well for Phil on his day out.

Casting soft plastics

and trolling hardbody lures over the top of submerged shrubs have been producing some good redfin as well as quality golden perch. Other productive techniques for golden perch include casting the treetops and casting the laydown timber around the edges of the lake.

Small numbers of Murray cod have been

caught lately. The majority of anglers who do manage to land one are usually catching it as a by-catch while targeting redfin or golden perch, although a Melbourne angler recently had a trip to Lake Eppalock and spent three days chasing Murray cod. He managed to land eight Murray cod over the three days, with the

largest measuring a metre.

With reports like that, we will definitely see more anglers heading to Lake Eppalock to target Murray cod in the immediate future.

CAMPASPE RIVER The water clarity in the Campaspe River has been very good but some recent rain has seen the water clarity deteriorate. This will

Tallis Miles caught this quality 47cm golden perch on a lipless crankbait in the Campaspe River.

have a negative effect on productivity in the short term, but we should see the water clarity improve in a week or two.

The fishing has been excellent, with good numbers of golden perch and Murray cod as well as some small redfin caught.

Anglers fishing the shallow sections of the river by either walking the banks or fishing out of kayaks have been successful. Those fishing the deeper section at Elmore and Rochester out of boats have also been productive, with Murray cod up to a metre being landed.

The average size of golden perch has been measuring around 45cm, with the occasional golden perch over 50cm being landed. Recently I have had some great sessions fishing with my son Tallis, with our best session netting us 16 fish in four hours of afternoon fishing.

CAIRN CURRAN Water clarity has improved in recent times and the fishing has continued to be good.

Murray cod measuring up to 80cm have been caught.

Casting lipless crankbaits and trolling hardbody lures

have been good options for Murray cod.

Good numbers of golden perch continue to be caught.

The majority of fish caught have been between 30-38cm, with the occasional better quality golden perch found reaching 45cm. Bait fishing with worms, yabbies and shrimp has been the preferred method from the majority of anglers. For those anglers putting in the time, lure fishing has given solid results.

LODDON RIVER Fishing in the Loddon River started off slow this season, mainly due to poor water clarity. The good news is that the water clarity has improved in recent weeks and the fishing has improved with it.

For those anglers chasing golden perch, casting lipless crankbaits and suspending hardbody lures has been working well. Good lure options for Murray cod during low light have been swimbaits and surface lures. During the day, lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits have been productive.

The fishing should only get better over the next couple of months.

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WHAT’S NEW FISHING SAMAKI SQUID JIG BOX

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The new Samaki Squid Jig tackle box is now available. This box stores your squid jigs individually without spike hook-ups, thanks to foam compartments which keep your jigs separate from one another. It makes life a lot easier being able to store your jigs in a box free from other jigs and saltwater damage.

The double-sided box holds a variety of sizes and weights, and each spike sits within its own foam casing. You also have the ability to place your jig weight within the foam slits for extra jig preservation.

Samaki Split Foam tackle boxes come in five sizes, each designed for a variety of lure storage options, holding the smallest of flies up to your favourite vibes, hardbodies, jigheads and squid jigs. The range starts with a small single-sided model, and moves into four double-sided options of medium, large, extralarge, and jig extra-large.

The soft slit foam insert has slits and holes for you to use your tackle box to the max, all without hook tangles. The UV-resistant lids reduce lure fade, and the waterproof o-ring and stainless steel hinges safeguard your lures and terminal tackle. www.samaki.com.au

DAIWA TD HYPER RODS

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Daiwa has revamped the TD Hyper Series, delivering high-end performance at a mid range price.

The heart of TD Hyper is Daiwa’s HVF Nanoplus blank that combines precise resin control with unidirectional graphite fibre to produce a blank with maximum graphite density.

Light, responsive, and crisp in action, TD Hyper blank performance is further enhanced courtesy of X45 blank technology, working seamlessly to eliminate blank twist and distortion to increase rod strength, function, and sensitivity.

The new TD Hyper receives a significant componentry upgrade in the form of Daiwa’s Air Sensor reel seats. Air Sensor reel seats are made from carbon-infused resin, making them lighter and stronger than traditional reel seat designs. Partnering the Air Sensor reel seats are new taper grips that enhance comfort and control. There is an extensive array of models to choose from, ranging from multi-piece travel rods to technique specific light tackle and heavy models. www.daiwafishing.com.au

BLACK MAGIC SLIM JIG COLOURS

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The Black Magic Deepwater Slim Jig range just received these five new colours: candy stick, blinky, mahi mahi, night rider and fire tiger, which join the original colours of extreme pilly, pink frost and mad max.

Deepwater Slim Jigs are all high in UV and lumo, and are all rigged with super strong 8/0 assist hooks, Kevlar thread and split/ solid rings. These low-resistance, long narrow jigs offer a faster retrieve with less effort, and they are great for deep water fishing. They are available in two models, 200g (246mm) and 300g (266mm).

For more information on the Deepwater Slim Jigs, check out the Black Magic Tackle website.

You can also find more information, news and catch photos on Black Magic’s Facebook 66

MARCH 2020

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page (www.facebook.com/blackmagictackle), Instagram (@blackmagictackle) and the Black Magic YouTube channel. www.blackmagictackle.com

BONE DASH 60S

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The Bone Dash is a sinking pencil bait that flutters on the fall and slides on the retrieve giving the angler options like never before.

By attaching the line to the front eyelet, the Dash will work like a sinking pencil bait, fluttering on the fall with a side to side glide on a straight retrieve. Smart anglers can give the Dash a realistic sliding, darting action with clever rod work.

Attaching your lure on the top eyelet will enable the vibe mode, giving the Dash a tight wobble on a straight retrieve. This tie off position also creates less resistance through the water on the retrieve and still maintains the fluttering sink.

Small in profile, but big on action and options, the Dash 60S is a dual function lure that will appeal to predators in any water. It measures 60mm, weighs 10g and comes in 11 colours. www.wilsonfishing.com

TICA EZI CAST BAITCASTER

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TiCA’s new Ezi Cast Baitcasting reel offers excellent quality at an affordable price, with an attractive bright white and black finish.

The TiCA Ezi Cast Baitcaster has a robust frame with a V-shaped double anodised aluminium spool, brass main gear, Magforce brake system that helps eliminate backlash, star drag with Micronic Click, Quick Remove sideplate and instant anti-reverse.

The Ezi Cast Baitcaster comes with five bearings, of which two are stainless steel, one RRB (Rust Resistant Bearing) and two nylon bearings that help to make this reel cast effortlessly and allow the spool to spin freely.

The Ezi Cast Baitcaster comes with a 6.3: 1 high speed ratio and delivers 7kg of drag pressure. It is available in both right- and lefthand wind and it holds 150 yards of 20lb braid. This reel is ideal for the likes of bass and estuary perch, and anglers looking for a small, low-profile reel. www.jurofishing.com

SPEED SKIRT AND SPEED PLUG

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Gillies has expanded its Bluewater range of lures with the addition of the Speed Skirt and Speed Plug.

The Bluewater Speed Skirts are a high speed trolling skirt capable of searching waters at 15-18 knots, making them ideal for tuna, wahoo and other high speed pelagic species.

They are available in four colours – purple black, lumo green, lumo and pink.

The Bluewater Speed Plugs are constructed from a hard polyurethane material, are keel weighted in the front for casting, have a luminous ball in the body section, and feature a rubber hook lock that secures the rig. They are available in four colours – smoke, green, purple and blue.

You can find more information on the range at the JM Gillies website, or for the latest news, catch photos and competitions, check them out on Facebook (facebook.com/jm.gillies) or follow them on Instagram (@jm.gillies). www.jmgillies.com.au

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

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Rapala has added a new colour to the Shadow Rap 3X range: ROL (live roach).

It’s available in the 3X, 3X Deep, Shad 3X and Shad 3X Deep models.

The 11cm suspending Shadow Rap 3X makes tight turns when twitched, turns to look back and then settles to a head down position with a quiver before starting a slow fade-away dive on the pause. It can be fished almost in place with short twitches.

The 3X Deep version dives to 1.8m, and is ideal for a slow moving dying minnow presentation. It can be fished with little forward movement, yet a lot of side-to-side action.

With a fast twitch followed by slack line, it turns almost 180° before settling with a flicker to a dying dive.

The 9cm Shad 3X swims with the infamous horizontal struggle with a vertical rise on the pause, mimicking a baitfish in trouble.

The versatile Shad 3X Deep model can be fished finesse or aggressively, matching the mood of the fish. www.rapala.com.au

The Shimano Tiger Baku Baku is a Japanese designed kabura jig. The Baku Baku’s 3D holographic eyes enhance the colour combinations, and the specialist silicon skirts have been developed to entice fish to bite. The Oceania model has been beefed up with longer, curly skirts, a line-through head design and larger heavyduty hooks to handle the toughest fish in the ocean.

The Baku Baku design uses a low centre of gravity head shape that creates a resonance when moving through the water. Its shape also produces a complex flow of water behind the head, which creates a unique fish-attracting action from the silicon skirts. The line-through head design allows the skirt to flutter naturally to the bottom, and once hooked the freerunning head means the fish can’t use the weight of the jig to throw the hook.

The Tiger Baku Baku is currently available in six colours: red gold, orange silver, red silver, chartreuse glow, blue sardine and black gold.

Price: SRP $19.95 www.shimanofish.com.au

NEW EGILICIOUS MODELS

LIVETARGET FLUTTER SHAD

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Tackle Tactics have teamed up with their Pro Anglers to create a stack of new colours, including foil and glow patterns, in the Fish Inc. Egilicious range of squid jigs.

TTs has also added Fast Sink models in the 3.0 and 3.5 sizes, which during testing proved priceless when fishing deeper water, faster currents and when drifting and fishing in windy conditions.

The popularity of Egilicious jigs is due to their affordable price, quality, durable tight cloth, super-sticky Japanese Owner squid hooks, a buoyant tail for a natural stand-up presentation, and a tail angle designed a few degrees higher to reduce snagging and fouling.

The addition of 15 new colours has the nation covered, with the Pro Team already proving the worth of colours such as bleeding belly, bleeding black, red rack, fluoro green, fluoro orange, neo glow (glow), blue beans (glow) and hot pink (glow). This brings the total number of colours to 27.

Price: SRP $11.95-$12.95 www.tackletactics.com.au

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NEW DAIWA LUGGAGE

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SHIMANO TIGER BAKU 10 BAKU

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The Daiwa luggage range has been expanded with four new additions.

The Tackle Backpack holds nothing back in strength and design, and features multiple zippered storage pockets, a front chest strap, and a front access tackle tray compartment preloaded with four 3600-sized Daiwa tackle trays.

The new Soft Top and Hard Top bags provide room for all your angling goodies, with external zippered pockets, double handle and padded shoulder strap, and single 3700-sized Daiwa tackle tray, making them an essential item for your next trip away.

There are few pieces of luggage more essential than a water-resistant boat bag, and the new Daiwa Hard Base Boat Bag sets the standard in ruggedness. Constructed from durable vinyl material and featuring a waterproof hard bottom, this is the bag to help keep your gear safe and dry. www.daiwafishing.com.au

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Winner of Best Saltwater Hard Lure at ICAST 2019, the LiveTarget Flutter Shad jigging spoon mimics a shad fluttering in distress.

The Inner Core produces a vibrant flash, the feather hook creates drag and holds the hook in the ideal strike position when falling.

You can lift and drop to create a falling shimmy action, or snap the rod tip to impart an erratic twitch action. The result is a strobing flash which triggers a bite. The Flutter Shad comes in two sizes (60mm, 21g and 80mm, 42g) and 10 colours.

LiveTarget also took out the Best Freshwater Hard Lure at ICAST, with the firstever anatomically precise spoon: the Erratic Shiner. The lure has a life-like Inner-Core with a pulsating vibrant flash, an Exo-Skin that produces an erratic wide-wobble, and a darting effect imitating an injured baitfish. It has been designed for long casts and is also excellent for trolling. It comes in two sizes (55mm, 11g and 70mm, 21g) and 10 colours. www.ejtodd.com.au

SAMAKI BIG BARRA

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Samaki’s newest barra shirt features a dark, stormy sky in the background as the beautiful girl leaps from the depths to engulf a Mega Bomb Shad.

This brand new barramundi design has been drawn from the ground up, with amazing detail in the mouth, gills and every scale, and the eye is next level fish art at its finest.

The lightweight fabric is perfect for all outdoor elements, protecting you from the harsh sun with UPF50+ technology. The soft touch 100% polyester material is comfortable on the body, plus it has the added feature of being breathable, keeping you cool and dry.

Samaki designs are brought to you by Australian anglers who love to design Australian species. Big Barra shirts are available in adult, youth and kids sizes from a size 2 through to a 5XL, allowing the whole family to get in on the action and out onto the water. For more information and stockists visit the Samaki website, and like them on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date. www.samaki.com.au

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au MARCH 2020

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WHAT’S NEW FISHING DOBYNS SKIRTED FOOTBALL JIGS

JIG STAR TWISTED 13 SISTA RODS

Dobyns Football Jigs are hand-tied with custom coloured skirts in a combination of round rubber and premium silicone for a natural flowing action. They are built to the specs of professional bass angler Gary Dobyns, who has won over a 100 major tournament victories in the US. These jigs feature a football head shape that easily crawls over rocks and other hard structure, and have chip-resistant paint. They are built around a razor sharp Gamakatsu 604 Round Bend Hook, which Gary has used on his own jigs for 20 years because of its superior hook penetration. Each jig features a special 4-barb bait keeper to hold the jig trailers securely in place. They are available in 12 proven colours and two weights – 3/8oz and 1/2oz. www.ejtodd.com.au

PLANO RUSTRICTOR 14 SERIES Plano’s Rustrictor Series brings unbeatable rust-proof protection to the StowAway line.

The Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) infused walls and dividers provide 360° of protection that blocks rust and corrosion for five times longer than other tackle boxes.

The Rustrictor 3700 model (35.5 x 23 x 5cm) brings this technology to Plano’s most popular StowAway size – the classic 3700.

It has four fixed compartments, or you can add the provided dividers to create up to 24 compartments. It’s the perfect companion to any Plano 3700 Series tackle bag or system.

There’s also a slimmer 3700 Thin version (35.5 x 23 x 3.5cm), and the roomy 3700 Deep (35.5 x 23 x 8cm) for your biggest lures.

Designed for terminal tackle, the Rustrictor Terminal model (31.5 x 22.5 x 3.8cm) surrounds its contents with a corrosioninhibiting vapour that won’t leave any residue, odour or film.

Other models in the range are the 3600 (28 x 18.5 x 4.5cm), 3600 Deep (28 x 18.5 x 7cm), and the compact 3500 (23 x 13 x 3cm), so there are sizes to suit all situations and angling preferences. www.jmgillies.com.au

SALTIGA 12 BEX UVF PE+SI

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Made with UVF (Ultra Volume Fibre) and Evo Silicone, Saltiga 12 BEX UVF PE+Si line is the ultimate high-density braid, exhibiting supreme abrasion resistance and ultimate strength.

With 72% improved abrasion resistance, 20% more strength, an 18% more slippery surface and 30% less line stretch compared to 8-braid premium PE lines, our Saltiga 12 Braid UVF is the ultimate in line technology.

A reduced diameter provides an ultrasmooth surface for less friction/resistance on the guides and spool rim allowing for longer smoother casting, less noise, minimal water penetration and incredible sensitivity.

Saltiga 12 is perfect for heavy-duty jigging and casting line for big gamefish, and it’s color-coded in 10m, 5m and 1m increments to allow full line control. It’s available in a range of sizes from PE0.6 (200m spool) up to PE8 (400m). www.daiwafishing.com.au 68

MARCH 2020

PRODUCT GUIDE

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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Jig Star evolved after NZ jigging expert Chris Wong spent years jigging with renowned big fish anglers, testing his products on XOS kingfish and hapuka.

The Twisted Sista rod has an innovative ‘acid’ or ‘spiral’ design which draws on the inherent advantages of both overhead and spin rods. The design alleviates blank twist associated with poorly-built overhead rods, and allows the blank to develop its maximum potential. These rods have excellent power and resilience as a result of the carefully tapered nano blank with a perfect acid guide flow. Bend the Twisted Sista to its max and you’ll see what all the fuss is about.

There are three models, all with Fuji PSS, PLS palming reel seats with Fuji KWAG and LC Guides, and a lack of binding between the guide feet, reducing ‘dead spots’ caused by excessive binding. The MK-II rod has been redesigned with slightly more butt power and finished with custom artwork and detail. The grips have changed to short, chunky grooved EVA for a greater, more comfortable grip. All rods come with a padded rod bag. www.jurofishing.com

BLACKWOLF STRATO 40

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The BlackWolf Strato 40Technical Daypack might look like an ordinary backpack, it’s equipped with a range of handy features.

For sticky situations in the bush, there’s a safety whistle and a night reflective daisy loop. There’s also an internal pocket for a hydration tank.

Designed with a waterproof rain cover, you can count on this backpack to keep your valuables dry, and the heavy-duty no. 10 zippers are built to last.

Say goodbye to an aching back and say hello to relaxed shoulders; the padded waist and shoulder straps mean you can feel balanced, secure and confident no matter the terrain. For heavier loads, the sternum strap across your chest takes the pressure off your shoulders and give you extra cushioning.

You can even use this backpack in the city, because it has a padded laptop holder and hardcase, as well as RFID protection from digital theft. There’s also a removable key holder and external headphone port.

Price: SRP $199.99 www.blackwolf.com.au

NEW BIO TOUGH COLOURS

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Two effective new colours have joined the growing Squidgies Bio Tough lineup range. These new offerings greatly expand the range’s appeal to finesse fishers seeking downsized offerings for finicky adversaries, ranging from trout, yellowbelly and bass to bream, flathead, whiting and more.

The classic Squidgies favourite ‘UV jelly prawn’ colour is now available in the Bio Tough Grubs, Crawler and smaller Fish and Wriggler models.

The black grub is a staple lure in many angler’s tackleboxes, and the new UV Black Onyx is now available in the Grubs and Crawler.

These new colours perfectly imitate bottom-dwelling critters including yabbies, crabs, nippers and shrimp, as well as all manners of other creepy crawlies living in salt and fresh waters. www.shimano.com.au

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

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PRODUCT GUIDE

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WHAT’S NEW FISHING

Versatile Palms Turn Pop 50 I have had many years of success using surface lures in the estuaries and creeks around Sydney, catching a range of species. The ones have been particularly successful are the Bassday Sugapen, Nomad surface lures, Rapala poppers and some Prolure surface pencils, both on the flats and near weed and structure targeting Australian bass, whiting and bream, along with the occasional flathead that took an interest.

walk-the-dog style retrieve which was great for a lure of this design and shape.

Being a chunky lure with a transparent body it imitated a fleeing prawn very well.

With the constant winding and twitching it really brought in the bream, and you could easily see them tailing it like a pack

The pink prawn colour was the most successful during testing

This time I wanted to try something different – the new Palms Turn Pop 50. This popper is 5cm long, which is the perfect size for the species that I target. It has a centre treble and twin rear assist hooks, weighs 3.9g and comes in six colours: clear prawn, black bar prawn, pink prawn, yellow prawn, red/ green prawn and brown prawn.

At first glance the Turn Pop appeared to be an overdone popper that was confused as to what it wanted to be. Was it a surface pencil or was it a popper? Would it swim well or would it drag with the assists and be balanced incorrectly with the differing hook shapes and sizes?

of dogs from behind. It wasn’t long before it got smashed by numerous bream, and it was even smashed by an opportunistic longtom and a pike!

WHEN TO USE IT In comparing this to a Bassday/Prolure or similar pencil, I still feel they have their own league and can’t be topped in that particular arena. However, for the popper fanatics who need something in windy conditions to create some further attraction, the Palms Turn Pop really is a standout. The assist hooks with attractant tinsel and coloured line adds to the appearance of prawn legs fluttering Something I didn’t expect to encounter during a bream session – a hungry pike. the fish would have a go at the rear but not connect. It’s possible that this was my error in not letting the lure stay in the zone long enough, or perhaps it needed to be worked a tad slower, allowing the assists to flutter more freely, encouraging a stronger hook-up.

The one thing I learnt with these style lures is to maintain a constant retrieve.

The minute you stop, the fish quickly lose interest, unlike when you’re fishing a Bassday or similar.

Overall I found the Palms Turn Pop 50 to be quite a versatile lure.

If the wind is up or you are targeting unknown waterways or flats and want to have a crack at targeting a number of species, this lure is definitely something you’ll need to have in your arsenal. It’s dramatic in how it lands, and its motion through the water creates plenty of disturbance that draws the fish in.

To view the full colour range, or to find your nearest stockist, visit www.ejtodd. com.au. - Ben O’Brien

The Turn Pop 50 in green/red, ready to be put through its paces.

A bream that took a liking to the yellow prawn colour.

TESTING The first cast saw it rocket through the air like a bullet, perfectly weighted, and it definitely got the distance I wanted.

The landing is heavy, with the assists and trebles causing a bit of commotion as it hits the water. It certainly makes its presence known.

On the first retrieve I noticed that it dispersed a lot of water from the cup face, which was great. With further winds of the reel and twitches of the rod tip I could really get it moving, doing the

along as the lure is whipped from side to side, splashing enticingly. The pink prawn was by far the best performer on my trips; I imagine that the colours would really stand out when it’s moving through the water, and the fish home in on it.

Bream found these poppers to be super enticing, and they just couldn’t resist having a swipe at the Turn Pop as I worked it past pylons and around submerged timber structure. I found that the hook-up rates weren’t overly improved with the assists; I found that

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au MARCH 2020

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Communities need your support WIRF

Cara Cummings

It is lovely to see the human spirit come together when times get tough; people work together as one when devastation hits. Unfortunately, the catastrophic trail left behind from the recent bushfires still continues and is incomprehensible to those of us not directly

returned to normal. The devastating aftereffects will linger for months to come.

Sadly for the native fish, platypus and other wildlife, the ash-affected waters are now killing many of the fish, not only in rivers but in private dams too. Shea, Adam and other locals have been working together to make and install aerators with pumps as well as relocating species to non-affected waters. Sadly,

for many of these fish it was too late but the dedicated efforts of those involved were able to re-home the surviving Murray cod and eel-tailed catfish. What amazing community spirit these locals all share!

Another WIRF leader Izzy Sesto selflessly organised a supplies run to those affected in East Gippsland. She put the word out for collections of hay, stock feed and pet supplies,

These poor fish succumbed to the ash-contaminated waters. impacted. While we can offer our support and be empathetic, we need to step up and do what we can to help those in need.

It has been heartwarming to see the support within the WIRF community.

Many fundraisers, offers and physical help to the affected areas have been making a small but positive difference.

WIRF leader Shea Bloom from Corryong was evacuated from her home along with her family. Her husband Adam bravely stayed and worked with locals to defend the town.

While they have since returned, life has not simply

filled a truck and completed the delivery.

Izzy is also organising a fishing charter fundraiser in Lakes Entrance at the end of the month to help boost the local economy. This is a women’s only event and you can find more information via the WIRF Facebook group and also Victorian Women Hunting and Fishing Facebook page.

NAGAMBIE COD STOCKING Over 100,000 fingerlings were recently stocked in Nagambie thanks to the VFA. They were released with the help of the GoFish Nagambie team and WIRF leaders Karen Rees, Kelly Derks and Jaclyn Threlfall.

These little swimmers should reach legal size of 55cm in 4-5 years.

KING GEORGE WHITING These tasty beauties are on the bite! My newsfeed has been filling up with successful King George whiting trips. WIRF leaders Michelle and Izzy advise to

The recent cod fingerling stocking at Nagambie. use light tackle with 2-4kg line with fresh bait such as mussels, pipis and strips of cuttlefish or squid. Phillip Island, Venus Bay, Inverloch, Hastings, Sandringham, Mt Eliza, Rye and Brighton have all been hotspots. The current bag limit is 20 with a legal size of 27cm.

WIRF member Frances Farrall shared her hot baiting tip to stop the pipis from falling off – putting a bit of squid on each end!

TROUT OR MURRAY COD? Lure fishing can be a tough game. I’ve read every fish lure caught is worth ten fish caught on bait, so

noted the anglers had done something rather spectacular.

Evy had caught a trout cod, while her mum had caught a Murray cod.

Trout cod have larger eyes and an overhanging upper jaw, whereas Murray cod have a shorter snout.

Trout cod generally are grey-blue in colour with more defined markings/ spots while the Murray cod boast olive green tones and mottled markings. Trout cod are classified as threatened and restrictions apply. The Murray cod legal size is 55-75cm with a catch limit of one per person per day.

For upcoming event

Evy caught a trout cod while her mum landed a Murray cod!

RECIPES THAT ARE ‘WIRF’ IT

Chilli salmon pasta INGREDIENTS (SERVES 4) 4 portions fresh salmon 4 handfuls baby spinach 1 small brown onion, diced 1 red chilli, diced (or dried chilli flakes) Extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper 4 portions fresh fettuccine METHOD Panfry the salmon fillets skin side down for 3 minutes or until crispy. Flip and cook a further 2-3 minutes until almost cooked through. Put aside to rest and bring a large pot of water to the boil, then add the pasta.

While the pasta is cooking, fry off the onion and chilli using a generous splash of oil. Remove from the heat and add spinach. You can flake the salmon to stir through the pasta or leave it whole. Once your pasta is ‘al dente’, drain immediately and with another dash of oil, salt and pepper, stir the pasta through the chilli and onion and add the salmon (either flaked or whole).

Serve with crunchy bread and enjoy!

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Trout cod (top) and Murray cod (bottom). imagine the excitement when a mother and daughter duo hooked their fish within seconds of each other.

Excitement filled the boat, especially for young Evy who caught her very first cod! Photos were taken and the fish were released. It wasn’t until later that it was

details and to see what else has been happening, please head to our Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/ womenrecfishing/ or via the VFA website/Facebook page. Are you a WIRF woman? If not, we’d love to have you on board. Join us on FB today!

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2020

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

7-8 Mar

ABT BREAM Round 3

Derwent River

11-12 Mar

ABT BREAM Round 4

St Helens

21-22 Mar

Vic Bream Classics Round 2

Metung

28-29 Mar

Hobie Kayak Bream Series 12 Round 2

Georges River

4-5 Apr

ABT BREAM Round 5

Mandurah

10-13 Apr

Good Friday Appeal Easter Fishing Competition

San Remo

18-19 Apr

Hobie Kayak Bream Series 12 Round 3

Mallacoota

25-26 Apr

Vic Bream Classics Round 3

Mallacoota

29 Apr-1 May

ABT BREAM Australian Open

Sydney

2-3 May

Hobie Kayak Bream Series 12 Round 4

Blackwood River

16-17 May

Hobie Kayak Bream Series 12 Round 5

Woy Woy

30-31 May

ABT BREAM Round 6

Forster

20-21 Jun

Hobie Kayak Bream Series 12 Round 6

Gold Coast

20-21 Jun

Vic Bream Classics Round 4

Nelson

25-26 Jul

ABT BREAM Round 7

Bribie Island

29-30 Aug

ABT BREAM Round 8

Richmond River

19-20 Sep

Hobie Kayak Bream Series 12 Round 7

Forster

26-27 Sep

ABT BREAM Round 9

Gladstone

3-4 Oct

Hobie Kayak Bream Series 12 Round 8

Albany

17-18 Oct

Hobie Kayak Bream Series 12 Round 9

St Georges Basin

17-18 Oct

Vic Bream Classics Round 5

Warrnambool

6-8 Nov

ABT BREAM Grand Final

Port Stephens

28-29 Nov

Vic Bream Classics Grand Final

Marlo

abt.org.au

abt.org.au

vicbreamclassics.com.au

hobiefishing.com.au

abt.org.au

jimsbaitandtackle.com.au

hobiefishing.com.au

vicbreamclassics.com.au

abt.org.au

hobiefishing.com.au

hobiefishing.com.au

abt.org.au

hobiefishing.com.au

vicbreamclassics.com.au

abt.org.au

abt.org.au

hobiefishing.com.au

abt.org.au

hobiefishing.com.au

hobiefishing.com.au

vicbreamclassics.com.au

abt.org.au

vicbreamclassics.com.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.

MARCH 2020

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Pirtek Fishing Challenge

World’s biggest fishing comp enters 12th year!

The world’s biggest fishing competition the Pirtek Fishing Challenge is now in its 12th year. It’s a one-day catch, photo and release event to be held on Sunday March 15, 2020. Keen anglers of all ages will compete right across Australia fishing their favourite locations.

The Pirtek Fishing Challenge raises funds and awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and the Peter Duncan Neuroscience Research Unit.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is a broad based community organisation and the peak national body for prostate cancer in Australia. It is dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners and families, recognising the diversity of the Australian community. The Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit has recently been lauded as the number one Neuroscience Research facility in Australia.

The focus of the Unit is to study adult stem cells and their role in causing and exacerbating neurological

plus postage. Everyone who registers receives a limited edition Pirtek Fishing Challenge cap and brag mat.

New in 2020 is that each Junior who enters receives a pack of Berkley Powerbait Nemesis lures.

There are target species in each state of Australia, plus the Murray Darling Basin, ‘East Coast Freshwater’ and ‘Mountain Trout’.

For the longest fish in each species, there are prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, and 1st and 2nd in

our ‘On The Water’ prizes – a Stacer 469 Outlaw tiller steer boat and trailer package, including an Evenrude E-Tec 75hp outboard engine (valued at $31,990), Snap-On Tools tool kits (two valued at $2600 and eight valued at $600), a Lowrance Hook 2 fish finder (valued at $2000), a Berkley fishing tackle pack (valued at $2000), or a $500 Valvoline product pack.

Altogether, the prize pool is worth a massive $215,000.

Another first for 2020 is the Lowrance Fishing Club competition. Ten lucky fishing clubs will win a Hook 2 Split Shot 7 inch sounder GPS units valued at $800. The registered club with the most members entered for the 2020 Pirtek

Fishing Challenge in each state plus the Northern Territory will win this terrific prize.

There are two units for NSW/ ACT, QLD and Victoria along with a unit for WA, SA, TAS and NT. All competitors need to do is enter their Fishing Club’s name at the time of registration.

Remember, the idea is to grab the family or a couple of mates for the day, have a great time fishing and raise dollars for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and the Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital.

Hopefully you can also grab some big prizes for yourself! – Pirtek Fishing Team

YOUR CHALLENGE • Enter the challenge via the website and be sure to read the terms and conditions.

• After you have registered, a limited edition Fishing Challenge cap and Fishing Challenge brag mat will be posted to you.

• The list of target species is available via the website www.pirtekfishingchallenge.com.au. diseases. The goal is to find and apply new neuroscience techniques for patients suffering from diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s, and other neurological infections and stroke. Proceeds from the Pirtek Fishing Challenge will be split between these two leading medical research organisations.

Registration is $25,

the Juniors.

Plus a $4000 cash prize if your catch is closest to the ‘Mystery Length’ in your category.

The list of target species is now available on www. pirtekfishingchallenge. com.au.

Even if you don’t catch the biggest fish, (or any fish at all), just by entering you’re in the draw to win one of

• On Saturday, 14 March 2020 (after 6:00pm) you will be sent via email a repeat list of the target species plus your angler number. You can also log on to the website to download this information.

• Anglers will commence fishing at the official sunrise time in their State/Territory on Sunday, 15 March 2020 and cease fishing at the official sunset time in their State/Territory on Sunday, 15 March 2020.

• No Lines in water prior to the official sunrise time (State/Territory of the competitor) on Sunday, 15 March 2020 and all lines out of the water at the official sunset time (State/Territory of the competitor) on Sunday, 15 March 2020.

• When you catch your target species simply lay the live fish with the nose in line with the ‘0’ (zero) measurement on the Pirtek bragmat.

• Photograph the fish so the entire length can be seen in the photograph along with your angler number.

• Check out the Photographing Your Fish page for information on how to correctly photograph your catch.

• Remember to write your angler number clearly in the white box provided on the brag mat.

• Check your photograph to ensure the whole fish is in the photograph and the nose end of the fish is in line with the ‘0’ (zero) measurement and the overall

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length along with the angler number is clearly visible.

• If you do not receive your brag mat before Sunday 15 March, you may measure and photograph your fish using last year’s brag mat, a fisheries measuring sticker, another competitors mat (with your Angler Number), or a generic brag mat.

• If you are not happy with the photograph, simply take another one.

• Quickly release the fish and try to catch a bigger one.

• Only a fish caught by the registered angler can be entered.

• Any photograph that shows a fish not alive or damaged will not be accepted.

• Any photograph which has undergone digital manipulation, i.e., photoshop, will be disqualified.

• You can only upload one photograph per angler to the website. This needs to be your biggest fish.

• Follow the directions on the website to upload your photograph.

• The upload needs to be complete by 7:00am AEDT, Monday, 16 March 2020.

• Any photographs uploaded after this time will not be accepted.

• If your photograph is damaged, blurry or the overall measurement of your fish is not clearly seen with your angler number the photograph will be disallowed.

• Check the website on Saturday, 21 March, 2020 to see if you’re a winner. The National Fishing Challenge committee’s decision will be final and no correspondence entered into.

Size Range: Up to 1m, but more commonly encountered at 30-60cm.

Tactics: Smelly baits are very effective for carp. Carp will also get up into shallow water and mooch along the bottom looking for aquatic insects, and this is where fly anglers can have some fun, sometimes landing some huge specimens.

Rigs: A medium running sinker rig, paternoster rig or float rig with 6-20lb braided line onto a 10-20lb leader. Anglers can obviously go lighter in clear water free of snags.

Bait: Baits as varied as scrubworms, corn, bread, dough, shrimp and grubs are all attractive to carp and the use of berley will increase your success rate dramatically.

Lures: Carp will take lures, usually as by-catch. Fly anglers can target carp in shallow water by sight fishing with small nymphs.

GOLDEN PERCH Size Range: Up to 75cm, commonly caught at 25-50cm.

Tactics: Lures and live baits are popular, and they also love to hunt down worms and grubs set on the bottom. Lures cast around fallen timber in rivers and standing timber in lakes are all successful, especially around first and last light, and the warmer periods of the year are generally preferred.

Rigs: Running sinker rig and a paternoster rig are both good options with 20lb braided main line to 20lb leader. The same line weights can be used for lure fishing.

Bait: Baits of yabby, live shrimp, worms and even smelly dead baits are successful.

Lures: Lures like Australian-made hardbodied lures, spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits all do damage on yellowbelly.

MURRAY COD Size Range: Up to 1.8m, common from 40-80cm.

Tactics: Murray cod are a structure-loving and territorial species. Therefore, lures or baits fished or cast around big snag complexes repetitively usually get a response eventually. During periods of low light, they will often leave their lairs in search of food.

Rigs: 20-30lb should be your minimum line weights for both your mainline and leader.

Lures: Murray cod will eat a variety of surface lures, hardbodies, lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits. As with bait, lures should be big and annoying to achieve the best results.

REDFIN

Size Range: Up to 60cm, common from 20-40cm.

Tactics: Redfin are a schooling fish, so finding schools of fish before deploying bait or lures is preferred. Redfin are very aggressive and will respond to a variety of presentations in the lakes and rivers where they have been introduced.

Rigs: A small running sinker rig fished vertically from a boat on 6-10lb is sufficient for redfin anywhere.

Bait: Any small invertebrates, such as worms, crustaceans and insect larvae make great redfin bait. Yabbies and shrimps are definitely standouts when searching for bigger perch.

Lures: Anything suitable for bass or trout will certainly fool redfin. Small hardbodies, soft plastics, surface lures and even flies will readily take perch.

Rigs: Light braided line around 4-6lb with a fluorocarbon or monofilament leader around 8-14lb is preferred for lure fishing. The same applies for bait fishing, with unweighted, weighted and floated rigs working, depending on how deep and where the fish are holding.

COASTAL

Tactics: Bass in rivers love structure, but when they spawn in winter, they will school up in open water around the tidal reaches. Bass can be a little different in the dams. If there are bony bream or other schooling baitfish present, the bass will usually school up in deep water, chasing the smaller bony bream. If there is a lot of structure around the edges and the food source in predominately insects, small fish and shrimps, the bass will feed in shallow water. Fishing where the bass are with lures or bait that mimics what food source is available is the preferred approach.

Bait: Grasshopper, cricket, worms, yabbies, and particularly live shrimp are successful.

Lures: Bass take a variety of lures from surface lures, diving lures, lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, jigs and even flies. Match your lures to suit where and how the bass are feeding.

BREAM (ALL SPECIES) Size Range: Up to 50cm, common from 25-35cm.

Tactics: Bream are incredibly widespread and can be found in just about every saltwater river, creek and coastal lake in the state. Bream love structure – especially rock – and if you find rocks or other hard structure in the intertidal zone, you can be sure that bream hang around it at some time of the day. Bream will also aggregate around weed an flooded grass at times. Keep the gear light when bream fishing, as this will get you more bites. If you want to catch a bream on a lure, make sure that it’s small. They’ll eat nearly every bait you can find or buy, it just needs to be presented in a natural way.

Rigs: Running sinker onto a #1 or 1/0 hook will work for the bait anglers. For the lure brigade, 2-6lb braided line connected to 6-10lb fluorocarbon or monofilament leader is ample.

COASTAL

CARP

Size Range: Up to 65cm, common from 30-40cm.

Bait: Because they are omnivorous almost anything found or bought should catch bream, including white bread, which is an under-used favourite.

Lures: Small hardbodied divers, smaller than your little finger, cast around rocky shores and worked with a slow, steady retrieve are hard to beat. When fish go deeper, tiny soft plastics and blades with according jighead size is a sure-fire way to pin a bream. At times, they will also rise to small surface lures.

FLATHEAD

Size Range: Up to 1.1m, commonly caught 30-65cm.

Tactics: Flathead are classic ambush predators that use camouflage to their advantage, often burying themselves in sand or mud when awaiting their prey. Drop offs, weed edges, hard rock and mud edges are all great spots for flathead. Flathead have a preference for tidal movement, either running in or running out, and don’t feed as much when the water is slack.

Rigs: A running sinker rig with 6lb braid with a 15lb leader is sufficient for bait fishing. The same goes for lure fishing, but try to attach your lures with a loop knot where possible to maximize the action of the lure.

COASTAL

Lures: Winged lures trolled off a downrigger are fantastic for when trout are schooling deep. Hardbodies, small bladed spinners and soft plastics are great for trout in shallow water.

BASS

Bait: Flathead will eat anything they can fit in their mouth, whether it’s live, dead, big or small.

Lures: Most lures work well on flathead, the trick is to have it in their face. Lures such as soft plastics, vibes, lipless crankbaits and hardbodied lure all take flathead, and they’ve been known to chase down swimbaits and surface lures as well.

AUSTRALIAN SALMON Size Range: Up to 90cm, common from 30-60cm.

Tactics: Salmon make migrations along the coast and come in close to beaches and headlands to chase bait. Anglers use this aggressive behaviour to their advantage, and rack up huge scores of fish casting baits and lures from the beach and headlands.

They will also occasionally head up into rivers.

Rigs: A lightly-weighted live bait or moving dead bait is hard to beat when concentrations of salmon have been found.

Bait: Any readily available baitfish rigged live is dynamite, with squid and a variety of dead flesh baits also great for salmon.

TASMANIA

Bait: Baits of worms, crickets, grasshoppers, mudeyes and shrimps can all be successful at different times.

MURRAY DARLING BASIN

Tactics: In dams and lakes trout can form huge school in deep water, and this is when they can be caught trolling lures. Trout are an opportunistic predator in streams, meaning they will investigate anything that comes into their domain. At other times, trout can sometimes be very fussy, particularly when there is a specific hatch of insects or baitfish in the area. Drifting baits, or casting small lures and flies is a good tactic in rivers.

MURRAY DARLING BASIN

Size Range: Up to 1m, common from 30-50cm.

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Lures: Salmon can be highly aggressive and willing to chase down a huge range of lures, from metal slices, hardbodies, soft plastics, surface lures, flies and even improvised presentations! Offerings that resemble the available bait tend to get more attention, however matching the hatch is not always necessary.

MARCH 2020

73

Lessons from loss of Fitzroy barra This month I want to talk about a big national problem that seems to be missing in the current discussion of the summer that has been and the emotional reactions on both sides of politics. I despair for rational discussion on dealing with the reality of global warming now and in the coming years.

Canberra may as well be on Mars at the moment for how close they are to the problem.

December provided the most difficult survey that we have endured in what is now over the hundred survey days. With a tight deadline, we had 10km of the Fitzroy River north of Rockhampton to cover and in the 42°C heat our Humminbird unit was locked up and the GPS on our Biosonics Echosounder self-destructed.

Add to that dodging huge mats of hyacinth and the day ending with a collision with a snag that bent the transducer plate to near right angles, and we barely scraped together enough data to do a presentation 24 hours later. With our presentation done the easy thing to do was to pack up and head back to Brisbane.

Something troubled me about what little of the survey we completed, which kept me in Rockhampton for two weeks more, including building a GPS solution from scratch to get us back on the water.

What troubled me was the presence of small pockets of tilapia nests that shouldn’t be there.

The Fitzroy River is unique. I don’t know of any other that has so much data – over 30 years’ worth.

Fishers around the region report their catch data to us – most years more than 300 trips – and when combined with results of competitions, we have an accurate picture of what is happening year to year. Back in 2007, the catch rates of barramundi were so low that there was talk of shutting down fishing altogether. That is the climate cycle for barramundi, boom-

bust. In 2007, much of the East Coast was in terrible drought, a state we have headed back into and may be in for another year at least.

When the drought broke, the fishery went into overdrive, and with three years of good recruitment the boom arrived with the best fishing for 25 years. That quality of fishing played a key role in the establishment of a Net Free Zone in 2016.

Infofish has monitored recruitment as well for 20 years. At the moment the recruitment is so poor it may as well be zero and without unlikely relief in the form of summer rain, that won’t change. Ironically, there hasn’t been a good recruitment year since the implementation of the Net Free Zone.

Legal fish currently make

MARCH 2020

A survey in action on a cooler mid-30s day.

Fig. 4 – Example of tilapia nests in shallow water/sand banks. up around 80% of barramundi catches, so if commercial fishing were still allowed today chances are the fishery would be pretty close to back to the state it was in 2007.

Instead, the Fitzroy attracts a growing level of fishing tourism. That, however, is the salt part of the Fitzroy.

The river is separated by a barrage that keeps the freshwater locked in and

Fig. 1 – Forecast catch rates for 2020 on the Fitzroy River.

74

provides the water supply for the town. That barrier, like so many artificial obstructions in rivers, disrupts the natural cycle of the barramundi.

In normal circumstances juvenile barramundi would make their way up into the freshwater part of the river to grow up, but with the Barrage in place that only happens on a one in 20-year flood, where the flood plain gets inundated and large chunks of the town go underwater. There are many other artificial obstructions that limit the movement of juvenile barramundi, over 1200 in all. In years with minor or substantial flooding, off river sites open up, and in the years with poor rain juveniles have to rely on king tides. With a substantial population of big hungry barra to navigate on the

way to safety, predation has decimated the recruitment in the past couple of years.

We don’t make it easy for our native species.

SCOPING THE TILAPIA PROBLEM Back in 2007 at the peak of the drought there wasn’t much attention placed on tilapia. While there may have been sites where tilapia had snuck in, they were certainly

not there in large numbers and were not reported in net surveys conducted in Alligator Creek, one of the sites in this survey. In fact, the survey region is used as a release site for stocked barramundi and for a brief time in 2010/11 all the traffic on the river was in this region as the stocked fish had grown to the point where they were being caught in

Fig. 2 – Tilapia sites in the survey area.

good numbers.

In mid-2018 we did our first ever biosonics survey in Yeppen and Crescent lagoons, located on the southern road into town.

Tilapia were known to be present in the lagoon, but once we did full scanning it was clear there was a large, well-established population with an established nesting areas just waiting to spread on the next flood. Interestingly, there were far less tilapia in the next lagoon in the chain – the Woolwash.

Geography played a key role in keeping the tilapia under control. The Woolwash is closer to the river system and requires less flooding for barramundi to enter the lagoon. With the current drought conditions the Woolwash is close to drying up, and over 100 fat barramundi were recently rescued by locals and returned to the main river. In contrast, there are no barramundi in Crescent Lagoon and at best a handful in Yeppen.

What we didn’t know is how far up the river they have progressed.

Once we could get back on the water we discovered the small pockets of tilapia nests were actually legions. All up we identified 134 nesting sites in the 10km of river we surveyed, of those 55 were significant sites obviously in use by many fish. While I can’t provide an exact number of nests, it exceeds the 1000 mark. Fig. 3 shows the locations of the sites, red being the largest sites.

One interesting thing we noticed on reviewing the sidescan data was two separate nesting strategies.

The largest clusters of nests occurred in shallow water, between 0.5-1.5m depth.

Nests tended to be close to the bank, with very few in open unprotected waters – see Fig.

4. In the main channel, nests were still located in shallower water at the edge but either close to or within wooden structures – see Fig 5.

If that wasn’t depressing enough there was more to come. The biosonics surveys turned up big numbers of fish, so many bony bream, that even the biosonics couldn’t count them. In the main channel the number of large balls of bony bream were numerous and sizable. We did some volumetric assessments of larger balls and I have no doubt the total number of bony bream would be closing in on the million fish mark. We haven’t released our species classifier for biosonics just yet, but we have developed the algorithms and we have reference data for tilapia from our very first survey.

A conservative estimate for tilapia in the 2.5km of the main channel surveyed would be in the 3000 range; a likely estimate would be double that or around 6000 adults.

In terms of the biomass of fish >200mm long, tilapia dominated. It’s likely that this region is attractive to tilapia for its large shallow areas, but with another 40km of viable territory back to the barrage, and more territory upstream, the total biomass of tilapia is likely to be very significant. Based on the sample size of 10km, which is significant in of itself, tilapia and bony bream are the dominant biomass.

A very large region of river that was once barramundi heartland and has hundreds of pieces of viable wood habitat is now dominated by an invasive pest species you aren’t allowed to keep.

THE IMPACT OF ROOKWOOD WEIR There is a plan to enhance Rookwood Weir, another structure further upstream for the purpose of trapping

more water for agriculture.

Tilapia are going to love the change. One of the reasons that tilapia have managed to take hold so fast above the barrage is the way in which the system is stable and shallow most of the time, with plenty of territory for nesting and almost no predators, punctuated by floods that allow them to move further up the system.

Unlike for native species, the separation of the river into a series of ponds in the dryer periods presents no obstacles to tilapia recruitment. In fact, with their omnivorous diets they can use the dry times to build up their numbers and maximise their ability to spread when the rains come.

You have to admire the way evolution has equipped tilapia to dominate systems.

It’s little wonder they are among the top food fish species globally.

In contrast, most of our native species are all built to ride out the dry times and then repopulate in the good.

It’s a strategy that assumes free motion along waterways in the good times. With all the modifications we have made to our waterways that strategy isn’t working out so well.

All things being equal, every structure that holds back water without being an impassable barrier is going to benefit tilapia. If that hasn’t been factored into the plan for Rookwood and similar structures, somebody better start thinking about allowing commercial fishing for tilapia in the next ten years.

AN ARTIFICIAL FISHERY I made a trip to the Pacific North West in the US in 2017 that left me shocked.

Salmon with albacore tuna and dungeness crab make up the majority of the fishing economy, both commercial and recreational. Human intervention through water management practices have reduced the viable natural recruitment for salmon to between 8-10% of its

original capacity. As a result most of the salmon fishery is dependent on a massive hatchery program, with an industrial scale of stocking supplementing the natural stocks. It’s a serious issue, similar to that with Tasmania farmed salmon, and it has raised serious concerns in the community but the biggest concern is the reality the fishery would likely collapse without ongoing human intervention.

For some unknown reason it never occurred to me that things are actually worse in Australia. When it comes to our inland fisheries, our historical water management practices have generally had an abysmal effect on the environment and fish stocks. Fair credit has to be given that thanks to habitat work and large amounts of stocking things have improved, but that doesn’t change the fact that without human intervention – we know where that fishery will end up. We have already been there.

It’s pretty scary when you think about it, that a wide range of our native species are reliant on us to hang

in. What is even more scary is in the next two decades the climate gods will almost certainly throw a bunch more curve balls.

GLOBAL WARMING IS NOT GOING TO HELP I have spent plenty of time listening to climate science over the break, including material that would fit firmly in the denier category. I think that the rush of scientists to have a simple message has not only backfired in terms of community action, it’s killed necessary discussion.

That message – that 97% of scientists agree that man-made climate change is real. I mean really? Who cares? Who believes that? I have sat in rooms of experts, the only time you see that kind of consensus is when money or religion are involved – often both. The lay person is right to smell a rat. What we really need to know is how is that going to play out. That is where climate advocates with their doom and devastation approach have paralysed our response.

Here is the reality. The world is heating up, but that is a big emotive topic so I want to focus on the part

Fig. 3 – Tilapia sites in the survey area. that impacts us. One thing not discussed in the climate change ‘debate’ is most of the ‘warming’ in global warming happens in the oceans, not in the atmosphere. In fact, without an ocean global warming would have been a lot worse, and this is bad news for Australia.

Our climate is largely

Fig. 5 – Example of tilapia nests in the main channel among structure.

Fig. 6 – Tilapia candidate biomass in the main channel survey area.

driven by two key ocean phenomena, El Nino and the Indian Ocean Dipole.

How is a larger discussion, but the effect of putting more heat into the ocean is to strengthen their effect – ie. shorter periods of big rain, intense cyclones and longer dry periods of below average rain leading to longer droughts.

Australia’s fate is to bounce between having too much water with limited ability to trap it and too little water as water needs for cities and agriculture exceeds what we generate. While everyone is talking CO2, it’s water that is Australia’s big problem looking ahead.

We have wasted the time since 2007 with stupid political ideological positions on both sides of

politics. The last summer of horror has been the result.

We need less politics and more preparation for what’s to come. Only focusing on emissions reduction will lead to more areas of the country becoming dangerous to live in for humans and animals.

It’s water policy, not energy policy that will be the biggest challenge for Australia in the next 20 years.

Less security around inland water means big problems for fish and the broader environment. It means more long dry spells that lead to the kind of fire conditions we have had this summer and less water available in key areas to combat them.

In the estuaries and inshore, warmer waters means species migrating to wider areas, something we are already seeing in Queensland and the wider East Coast.

As fishers, we should be concerned with climate change as the risks of more changes to our rivers to trap water increase. Accidental overfishing will happen in areas where fish start to find it difficult to recruit. More species will end up on the human life support system, some banned from fishing altogether, while species like carp and tilapia will be advantaged everywhere that native species are under stress.

The allocation of resources in NSW to keeping fish alive in drought struck areas is a step in the right direction, but it’s really only a sign of things to come.

THE LESSONS FROM THE FITZROY Three to four years ago, an option was on the table for the region above the barrage to join the SIPS program to secure funding for ongoing stocking. Locals objected to having to pay to go fishing in the river and the idea was canned, but I wonder if their decision would be the same if this tilapia mapping was available. It seems to me restocking the Fitzroy is an urgent task, and as the

well-established tilapia population in the Woolwash shows, barramundi can make a difference.

The reality is tilapia were able to flourish because they were out of sight and out of mind. Hidden beneath the surface of the water, they were free to go about their business.

With that in mind, the big takeaway for me from our mapping session on the Fitzroy was just how much territory we have with almost no visibility to what is going on. Having spent hundreds of thousands of dollars developing the capability to see under the water, I think our most urgent task is to do exactly that, especially in the inland rivers and streams where the risks from water management are greatest.

I have set the company the task of mapping out all of inland Australia within five years. That seems an impossible goal as it stands, but without it many more areas like the Fitzroy will be lost and decisions will be made with little regard to their future impacts on ecosystems.

It’s our job at Infofish not just to dream up how to do it, but to make it happen.

We have already started, and in the next couple of months we will find the best way to build and share the datasets with the fishing community and different levels of government. I don’t want this to just be a hunt for fishing spots with nothing done with the data. We will also be asking the fishing community to help out – if we all work together, not only is the project achievable, politicians will take note.

Ignoring climate change is not an option; the fishing community loses out if we do that. If we work together, we can uncover what lies beneath the surface of our rivers – and hopefully this time round we can start to build a water policy that doesn’t leave us with an ecological mess to clean up.

MARCH 2020

75

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Freedom Charters, Eden (02) 6496 1209 or 0415 602 446 Headland Fishing Adventures, Merimbula (02) 6495 1134 Island Charters, Narooma (02) 4476 1047 or 0408 428 857 K9 Fishing Charters, Merimbula (02) 6495 1681 Merimbula Marina, Merimbula (02) 6495 1686 or 0427 951 080 Narooma Charters, Narooma 0407 909 111 O’Brien Charter Service, Bermagui 0407 214 124

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

FISHING GUIDES NSW SOUTH COAST

Lazy Acre Log Cabins, Lakes Entrance (03) 5155 1323

CHARTER BOATS WEST COAST Portland Fishing Charters, Portland (03) 5523 3020

Wilderness Fishing Tours, Mallacoota 0424 625 160 Aussie Fish Estuary Adventures (02) 6495 9902 or 0400 062 504

CHANDLERY & ACCESSORIES Anchor Right (03) 5968 5014 Salt-away 1800 091 172 or www.salt-away.com.au

fishingmonthly.redbubble.com

Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0800 or email pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au MARCH 2020

77

FUN PAGE AND COMPETITIONS COLOURFUL CATCHES

BUTTERFLYFISH DAMSELFISH BLUE BANDED GOBY PARROTFISH SURGEONFISH MANDARINFISH CORAL TROUT BLUE GROPER MAORI WRASSE

FAIRY BASSLET DISCUSFISH BLUE TANG CORONATION TROUT MAHI MAHI FLAME SNAPPER HARLEQUIN FISH VENUS TUSKFISH

Name: Address:

P/Code:

The first correct entry at the end of each month will win the prize pack.

SEND ENTRIES TO: VIC Find-a-word Competition, PO box 3172, Loganholme Qld 4129

VIC MARCH 2020

Phone (day):

GEORGE & NEV by Michael Hardy

Complete the Find the Word and go in the draw to win a Fishing Monthly Prize Pack containing a limited edition neck scarf and a Fishing Monthly environmentally-friendly tote bag.

SPOT THE

10 DIFFERENCES

FINS SCALES & TALES by A. Both

ORIGINAL

FIND-A-WORD

Congratulations to Oscar Sorell, who was last month’s winner of the Find-aWord Competition!

Monthly winners receive a Fishing Monthly prize pack. Prize delivery can take 8 weeks. – V&TFM

SUBSCRIBER PRIZE

The subscriber prize winners for January are W Moore of Raymond Island, T Johnson of Canterbury, P Holdsworth of Port Melbourne, P Stammers of Beveridge, and T Martin of Kyneton, who won an Remington Ultimate Series RX5 Head Shaver valued at $150.

All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks.– V&TFM

of Clunes, G Smith of Stawell, G Thomson of North Geelong, J Drummond of Moe, J Mutch of Balmoral, J Smith of Carranballac, A Pollard of Darley, T Edwards of Castlemaine, W Johnson of Morwell, K Sutherland of Drysdale, G McPherson of Tullamarine, T Kubeil of Euroa, P Hutcheson of Moe, A Melis of Reservoir, G Finco of Sunshine West, J Barns of Euroa, M Fallon of Hamilton, K

Carter of Shepparton, B Schnitzer of Cooma, J Steenhuis of Warrnambool, S Ward of Curlewis, P Gigliotti of Coburg North, M Pearce of Devonport, M McIntyre of Malvern East, D Dunn of Warrnambool, K Morrison of Moama, J Sherman of Enfield, D Coltish of Tatura, C White of Geelong West, R Parry of Stawell, C Kelly of Cranbourne.

Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks.

– V&TFM

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS

FIND THE ZMAN LOGO

78

MARCH 2020

GUESS THE FISH?

This month’s Guess the Fish Answer: Threadfin Salmon

The answers to Find the ZMan Logo for January were: 9, 18, 20, 24, 27, 30, 36, 37, 43, 47, 54, 59, 64, 67, 82. – V&TFM The Find the ZMan Logo prize winners for January were: B Rafferty of Maryborough, R Abernethy of Horsham, N Hoffrichter of Cobden, A Strange of Cardigan, N Knights of Bayswater North, S Stewart of Ballan, B Howieson of Waratton Bully, M Rose of Caple Sound, G Easterbrook of Tootgarook, G Morrison

Answer:

boats & kayaks

In the skipper’s seat

Inside story...

Sea Jay Aluminium Boats has been family owned and operated for over 30 years, and the name has become renowned for strength, quality workmanship and customization with the angler in mind.

Whether you’re fishing in fresh or salt, inshore or offshore, Sea Jay will provide you with a model to suit your boating and fishing needs.

Made for...

Sea Jay specialises in boats for sports anglers, offering a stable fishing platform and plenty of storage.

This month...

Editor Steve Morgan takes the Sea Jay 473 Territory with Yamaha F60hp onto Somerset Dam. Check it out on page 86!

80 Rod holder ideas for the kayak

Justin Willmer discusses a few different options for rod holders on kayaks and why they’re useful.

82 All hands on deck!

Wayne Kampe explains boat decks and why most boats these days will have them, and if your next boat should have one.

84 What’s new in the boating world

Find out what’s going on in the boating world, with the latest news and product releases.

MARCH 2020

79

Placing rod holders in the yak BRISBANE

Justin Willmer Find me on Facebook at Yaks On

When purchasing and fitting out a kayak for fishing, an important consideration is the rod holders and rod storage.

Many kayaks come fitted with some form of rod holders, from basic flush mount rod holders to more comprehensive horizontal rod storage. Let’s take a look at rod holder options, their applications and some of the pros and cons.

WHY ROD HOLDERS? Rod holders can have many different purposes, such as storage and transport, lure or bait trolling, and static bait fishing. You may require rod holders to protect and secure your rods when punching out into the surf, navigating rapids or for keeping multiple rods secure and at the ready when fishing a tournament situation or socially. They may be mounted to extend

the other end is formed into a flat plate that sits flush against the deck, generally sealed with Sikaflex or

the bottom of the pipe. It is also worth noting that flush mount rod holders are available with the pipe

and mounting any type of rod holder, it is important to ensure the rod holder is in a position that is practical

A track mounted adjustable rod holder allows for easy repositioning. being lifted from rear flush mount rod holders in the process of paddling and lost overboard. The latter could be overcome by attaching a rod leash to your rods, especially when left stowed

and lift the reels away from the water, especially when fishing the salt. You can now get simple extender inserts that slide into the flush mount rod holder and extend the height of the tube,

Multiple rod holder options allow you to have several rods rigged and ready. similar and fixed with rivets. The butt of the rod is simply slid into the holder to secure it in place.

When purchasing and

running vertically and also with the pipe angled from the mounting plate. You will need to decide if you want the rods sticking straight up

and functional. I will generally use cloth tape to mark where the rod holder will be placed or to hold an adjustable rod holder in place temporarily while I take the kayak for a paddle and fish. You will soon realise if you are unable to reach the rod holder once seated on the water, if the rod holder is going to be in the way when paddling or anchoring, or any other reason why you may need to adjust the position of the holder prior to mounting it.

Flush mount rod holders are inexpensive, included in

A selection of adjustable rod holders. in the rod holders. However, I use the rear flush mount rod holders for stowing my landing net instead, with an accessory float attached to ensure it is not lost if dislodged with the paddle.

plus are quick to remove for easy kayak transport and storage. Quality extenders feature attachment points to anchor the extender to the kayak, along with attachment points for rod

Carrying a selection of rigged rods allows you to be ready for different scenarios, as Jason Milne aka ‘Paddle Guy’ can attest with this solid queenfish. your rods horizontally from the sides of the kayak when trolling or for keeping your reel away from the water and the rod secure when waiting for a bite while bait fishing.

TYPES OF ROD HOLDERS Flush mount The most basic form of rod holders is the flush mount rod holders that come fitted in many fishing kayaks. Your kayak may include two flush mount rod holders behind the seat, with some also offering two additional rod holders in front of the paddler, one on each side of the cockpit area. Flush mount rod holders generally consist of a section of plastic pipe that is sealed at one end to ensure water cannot enter the hull of your kayak, while 80

MARCH 2020

fitting your own flush mount rod holders, it is important to ensure that they are sealed at the end of the pipe, as flush mount rod holders available for boats often have an opening to allow water to drain out of

in the air, or if you would like them angled back out of the way when casting or out from the sides when trolling. You will also need to make note of the internal space that is available.

Before drilling holes

Rod holder extenders come in the form of pipe extensions for flush mounts or extenders for adjustable rod holders.

An icebox or crate allows you to stow gear as well as attach rod holders and accessories.

the price of many kayaks and readily available.

However, they do take up internal space to house the pipe of the flush mount rod holder as well as the large hole that must be cut into the kayak to accept the pipe.

I avoid storing rods in flush mount rod holders, as I believe that the reels are too close to the water and I have witnessed two rod combos

Your marine or kayak dealer will be able to supply both flush mount rod holders and the appropriate rivets for mounting them in your kayak.

Flush mount rod holder extender As kayak fishing has grown rapidly in popularity in recent years, anglers have realised the need to extend the flush mount rod holder

leashes. As the saying goes, leash it or lose it!

Adjustable rod holders With the growth of kayak fishing, it has also become more common for kayaks to come fitted with adjustable rod holders.

Back in the mid-1990s when I fitted out my first kayak for fishing, I attached a primitive anchor running rig, a sounder with a shoot

through hull transducer, and an adjustable rod holder for storing and transporting my rod away from the saltwater, along with trolling lures and fishing baits. I basically took three of the key components from my boat fishing and transferred them to the kayak.

Quality adjustable rod holders are now readily available from brands such as RAM, Scotty and Railblaza, who all step

or adjustable rod holders to it. This allows vertical storage of rods, plus the space in the crate can store a water container, tackle, wet weather gear and other accessories.

MOUNTING TIPS When planning the fit out of your kayak with rod holders, you will need to consider how many rods you wish to carry, whether you will be storing and transporting

Forward mounted rod holders can be useful as they provide a clear sightline for bites and paddling clearance when trolling.

This yak has rods in the front rod holders and landing nets in the back. above the budget models with corrosion resistance, more horizontal and vertical adjustability, locking mechanisms to keep the rod secure, and sturdy mount release systems that allow the rod holder to be installed and removed quickly and easily from the attached mount as required.

Running one mounting system across your watercraft allows you to interchange rod holders and other accessories between vessels. I have opted to run the Railblaza system as it is light, affordable, durable and it has a variety of StarPort mounts to suit a variety of mounting positions and applications that mount on a track system, which is then in turn mounted on the kayak. They also offer a comprehensive

them horizontally or vertically, and if the rod holders will be used for trolling lures, holding

to reinforce the mount.

LAYOUT OPTIONS The best rod holder selection and layout depends on what best suits your needs. Over the years I have seen a myriad of different rod holder options and mounting ideas, many of which served a specific function for the user.

Vertical storage may be perfect for those fishing open water, while those fishing smaller creeks with

Longer tube style rod holders keep reels clear of the saltwater. popular layouts include the basic two flush mount rod holders behind the angler and two in front, however I would suggest investigating rod holder extenders in

own solution for securing four rigged rods behind my seat with two Railblaza StarPort mounts and a TracPort Dash 500 attached to house four adjustable rod

Depending on your kayak, rail mounting can be a good option.

Reels mounted high and tethered for heading offshore. range of accessories, like rod holders, safety flags and lighting, camera booms, storage, platforms and sounder mounts that use the universal mount system.

Crate systems Another popular option for storing and mounting rod holders is a crate system like the Hobie H-Crate. Many kayak anglers will simply secure a milk crate in the rear well of their kayak and mount a few basic side mounts

paddling or pedalling, rod butt clearance, etc. prior to mounting.

• It is much easier to drill or cut than it is to patch. Measure twice, cut or drill once!

• Use quality rod holders, mounts and mounting hardware with marine grade stainless steel bolts, nuts and washers. They will pay for themselves in no time.

• Where accessing

an available mounting point or centre hatch, and this can be very effective when fishing with one rod. From here, anglers may opt for an adjustable rod holder on each side of the kayak in front of them, allowing two rods to be stowed, used for bait fishing or trolling, with the option of trolling from either side of the kayak or both simultaneously.

For storage solutions, anglers often use sections of PVC pipe to protect tips and elastic strap holders for securing the lower section of the rod when stowing horizontally and milk crates with rod holders for rear vertical storage. I created my

rods while bait fishing or other applications. These considerations will assist you in deciding the number of rod holders, the style of rod holders and where on the kayak the rod holders will need to be mounted.

• As mentioned earlier, mark with tape where you are thinking of mounting your rod holder or alternatively tape the mount on so that you can test the proposed position for accessibility and reach, clearance when

inside the hull of the kayak is difficult, due to lack of hatches and access ports, the only option may be stainless steel screws to mount your rod holder. In this case, use Sikaflex or similar to assist the screws in fixing the rod holder or mount to the kayak. The ideal option is to mount your rod holders where you have internal access, allowing you to use bolts, washers and either two nuts or a nut with a nylon washer for a secure fixing.

• For heavier trolling applications, you have the option with Railblaza mounts to cut a larger hole and mount the base section of the StarPort inside the kayak and the top section on the outside, sandwiching more kayak between the mount. Alternatively, I have mounted through backing plates made of rotomoulded polyethylene or stainless steel placed inside the kayak

overhanging vegetation may require horizontal rod storage with some sort of protection for the rod tips. Explore what options are out there and don’t be afraid to invent, design and create your own solution if you can’t find what you’re looking for. Kayak fishing has a history of innovation.

Some of the most

Track mounting rod holders are becoming more popular as they’re easy to adjust and fit. this instance, especially if fishing the salt. Many anglers opt for a single adjustable rod holder in front of them, mounted to

A side mount increases the available mounting possibilities.

holders securely. It’s not the cheapest option to store four rods vertically and isn’t one that I have seen before, but it has served me well, stood up to plenty of use and allowed me to easily access four pre-rigged rods.

The fact that I can have different presentations rigged for different situations or multiple similar presentations rigged in case of a snag or bust off has definitely increased my catch rate.

Spend some time thinking about your needs so you can plan and fit out the best rod holder solution for your fishing. It will make your sessions simpler, safer, more productive and more enjoyable.

MARCH 2020

81

All hands on deck!

BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Back when I first started boating, a deck was not even considered. Boats were open, dinghy-style craft or half cabin jobs, so the boats of today are a huge step forward in watercraft evolution.

Today, a deck is generally

or not a deck will be one of the major considerations prior to purchase. A deck can be very useful because of its elevation from floor height, which can assist anglers with more ready assessment of nearby features plus provide a stable place to fish from.

For fly anglers, there’s also the benefit of unobstructed floor area for ease of casting – a huge bonus. Under deck compartments can provide

best advantage for the anglers aboard. In some cases, there’s a handy seat spigot in the bow area to allow flexible seating.

If you’re considering buying a boat, it’s a good idea to assess how much of the craft is taken up with the front deck and how it’s going to influence things elsewhere. Too large a deck might encroach on other sections of the craft and it’s wise to consider if the deck will suit the majority of the fishing and other boating plans on the horizon. One

This well set up front deck features six different compartments – note the divided catchwell.

Nitro’s dedicated sportfishing rig boasts a very large deck section aft of the cockpit seating with a livewell under the carpet.

with the floor height or are set up to be level with the rest of the deck when closed.

Kicking your pinky toe on a protruding hinge is agonising; plus if you’re a fly angler and the line keeps catching on them, it’s a constant curse.

Another vital issue just for fly anglers will be deck height.

A recessed deck can contain the fly line admirably while a deck that finishes level with the gunwales is a pain in windy or sloppy conditions, as the fly line will quickly slip over the side if allowed to sit on the deck between casts. Without a stripping basket, fishing in such a craft can be very difficult indeed.

KEEPING WATER OUT Check how freely the hatch covers open, hinge back

with grime quietly building up and without a chance to use a hose or a pressure washer can be difficult.

With aluminium craft, a large expanse of shiny alloy tread plate might look impressive, but it is going to be hard on bare feet and will truly test the worth of your sunglasses in really hot, sunny weather. For some reason, different boat makers persist in leaving their plate alloy decks in the open for the sun to cook so it’s not surprising some owners opt to cover exposed alloy with products such as Seadeck or similar insulating material, as it’s not hard to apply and will be great to walk on.

Likewise, some fibreglass owners might throw a bit of Seadeck or carpet down

and whether the seals are snug enough to deny water entry when closed. Most glass rigs seem to take care of water with neatly moulded channels but alloy rigs with flush contact hatches don’t

That’s a mighty neat deck but your toes might take a beating on the prominent hinges. regarded as an important part of virtually every larger craft although we might easily find one on a smaller, under 5m rig as well, given the way that manufacturers are packing in desirable features into smaller and smaller boats nowadays.

A deck is pretty much

storage space, catchwells, live bait wells, perhaps an auxiliary or other battery compartment and even engine related accessories such as fuel or other filters.

It’s also quite common to find an under deck compartment set up with tackle trays for easy access of those working

Who said a rear deck wouldn’t be useful! The author displays his capture while his son Scott stands on the rear deck of the tinny to play a fish. any flat area that is added on to the front or rear of the main floor of a boat either as a place to work from, a mounting place for a seat or simply part of the overall framework of the craft. The term ‘deck’ can also apply to the bow rider area in these styles of boats, as that forward section certainly makes a handy place to fish from. Many a fish has been dragged flapping into the forward seating of a bow rider rig!

STANDARD FEATURES If a boat is going to soon grace the back of the car, it’s important to assess whether 82

MARCH 2020

in the immediate area.

Heights vary; a deck can be set up at a level lower than the gunwales, level with them or even stand above to provide extra storage room beneath it. In a purely sportfishing craft, it’s usual for the main deck area to be up front with a lesser area to be aft of the main cockpit seating area, in order to pack in as much fishing area as possible.

FRONT DECK Typically, a front deck provides somewhere to cast or play a fish from and also houses the aforementioned storage areas set up to the

thing’s for certain, what you see is what you get and it might be very difficult to change things down the track. If it’s possible, a comparison of deck layouts noted in different makes of boats can help you decide.

DECK SURFACE Decks can be covered or simply left unadorned as part of the finished product. It’s normal for most fibreglass craft to have some form of non-skid surface, which provides excellent underfoot grip but might be hard to get really clean after extended fishing time. Cleaning it after a week away of fishing

Neatly fitted carpeted hatches, seen here, can sometimes allow a bit of water ingress. If you’re fishing in wet conditions, it will pay to have a look under them once back at base. up front over the non-skid surface to facilitate cleaning up later.

Hatch access covers up front will all have hinges on them and you should assess whether they are out of line

The Nitro’s front deck would easily fish two anglers in comfort.

Note the recessed hatch cover latches and hookless carpet.

do so well and few things are more annoying than having a session fishing out in the rain and coming home to find just about everything under the deck slopping about in water. Most

deck hatch compartments will reveal a lot about water ingress and how well things have been maintained. Stains, mould and furry stuff are all indicative of some possible

and other well-powered planing craft.

Hatch covered compartments are normally featured and while some compartments are dedicated to engine related items – batteries, filters and the like – a live bait well in this area is fairly common as well. In such cases, it’s good to have livewells plumbed to ensure total ease of draining and to be certain no smelly bits are left there after fishing.

Like most sportcraft, the Nitro’s paired compartments within the aft deck are set up with batteries and a bilge pump. without digging in from the vibration of the craft.

Don’t be afraid of carpeted decks. Yes, a spill on carpet at home can be a real worry but on boats the marine carpet coverings are really easy to maintain in

The well-recessed deck in this image features a seat spigot. anglers won’t begrudge their craft some TLC after fishing but when all under deck compartments are inspected and found to be wet and soggy, there’s no option but to open up the covers and let the cleaning up begin. It doesn’t sound like much fun (and trust me, it’s not!) but the alternative of leaving things as they are has a much higher ‘yuck’ factor.

If you’re intending to purchase a used rig, looking within the under

neglect, so buyers beware.

AFT DECK While a deck in front of the engine is usually standard fare on dedicated sportcraft, it’s normal to have a pair of small decks each side of the engine on punts and the like because these smaller decks can still be handy for casting when a few anglers are aboard.

On the other hand, a deck the full width of the craft is standard for dedicated sports boats (the so called ‘bass’ boats)

the grand scheme of things and can stand up to some sugar soap or hard carpet cleaner after fishing.

So, before you invest, consider the features you need from a deck for your kind of fishing.

Exposed checkplate is a feature of some plate alloy craft and while it certainly looks the part, it can get very hot in mid-summer.

COVERINGS It’s par for the course to see front and rear decks with a carpet covering. It’s always worth considering the type of carpet.

Carpet is a lot easier under foot than fibreglass

or alloy and it’s even better if the carpet is one of the ‘hookless’ varieties which, when a rigged rod is placed on the deck while moving to a new location, allow a lure or bait rig’s ultra sharp hook to touch it

FISHABOUT PRO Designed and built for Aussie conditions, trust Quintrex to be the best boat your hard earned money can buy.

The front deck of the Grady White features a massive catchwell plus a prominent above floor height anchor locker to facilitate fishing up front.

DROP IN TO YOUR LOCAL QUINTREX DEALER! TASMANIA Lewis Marine 273 Kennedy Drive, Cambridge TAS p 03.6248 3222 www.lewismarine.com.au

BENDIGO Bendigo Marine & Outdoors 160 Midland Highway, Epsom VIC p 03.5448 3988 www.bendigomarine.com.au

GEELONG Geelong Boating Centre 88 Barwon Heads Rd, Belmont VIC p 03·5241 6966 www.geelongboatingcentre.com.au

BRAESIDE Designed with a car like layout and dash, our runabouts have maximum space for days of fishing, cruising, skiing, and diving or everything combined.

Their large open deck area is perfect for family boating and the wrap around windscreen keeps out the weather.

Get set for fun and adventure aboard your Quintrex runabout.

JV Marine World 878 Springvale Rd, Braeside VIC p 03·9798 8883 www.jvmarine.com.au

BAYSWATER Streaker Marine 461 Mountain Hwy, Bayswater VIC p 03·9729 8288 www.streakermarine.com.au MARCH 2020

83

Victorian Tide Times

2020 2020 Local Time

POINT LONSDALE – VICTORIA POINT – 144° VICTORIA LAT 38°LONSDALE 18’ S LONG 37’ E

JANUARY Time m JANUARY Time 0506 1048 WE 1653 2249 WE

1 1 2 0538 1126 2

TH 1733 TH 2325

3 0609 1202 3

Time 1.61 0506 0.54 1048 1.36 1653 0.35 2249 1.57 0538 0.52 1126 1.33 1733 0.42 2325 1.52 0609 0.51 1202 1.29 1815

m

18’ S of High LONG 144° 37’ E TimesLAT and38° Heights and Low Waters Times and Heights of High and Low Waters MARCH FEBRUARY Time m Time Time FEBRUARY m Time MARCH m m

Time m Time m 0536 1.53 0458 1.68 05360.41 1.53 10390458 0.421.68 1137 11371.37 0.41 17001039 1.490.42 SA 1753 17530.50 1.37 2246 0.271.49 2339 TH 1700 SA 2246 0.27 2339 0.50 0537 1.65 0606 1.49 06060.39 1.49 11250537 0.351.65 1210 12101.36 0.39 17511125 1.480.35 SU 1834 FR 1751 SU 1834 1.36 2333 0.351.48 2333 0.35 0616 1.60 0014 0.57 00141.44 0.57 12120616 0.301.60 0638 06380.38 1.44 18481212 1.460.30 MO 1243 12431.34 0.38 SA 1848 1.46 MO 1919 1919 1.34 0020 0.45 0052 0.65 00521.39 0.65 06580020 1.550.45 0714 07140.38 1.39 12590658 0.271.55 TU 1316 13161.32 0.38 SU 1259 TU 1953 1.430.27 2012 1953 1.43 2012 1.32 0108 0.56 0132 0.73 01321.33 0.73 07420108 1.480.56 0753 07530.38 1.33 13480742 0.271.48 WE 1355 13551.31 0.38 MO 1348 WE 2101 1.410.27 2111 2101 1.41 2111 1.31 0159 0.67 0220 0.82 0159 0.67 0220 0.82 0832 1.41 0840 1.28 0832 1.41 0840 1.28 14421442 0.290.29 TH 1442 0.38 1442 0.38 TU TH 22082208 1.411.41 2216 22161.32 1.32 02580258 0.770.77 0319 0.88 0319 0.88 09300930 1.351.35 0937 09371.24 1.24 15441544 0.310.31 FR 1540 15400.37 0.37 WE FR 23132313 1.421.42 2328 23281.35 1.35 04070407 0.820.82 0432 0.90 0432 0.90 10351035 1.301.30 1047 10471.22 1.22 1652 0.32 1652 SA 1652 0.32 0.35 TH SA 16520.35

16 16

1.61 0.54 TH 1.36 0.35

17 17

1.57 0.52 FR 1.33 0.42

11

22

Time 0554 0554 1156 1156 SU 1844 SU 1844

16 16

m 1.61 1.61 0.17 0.17 1.56 1.56

0007 0.47 17 0007 1.55 0.47 170634 0634 0.17 1.55 1240 MO 1240 MO1940 1940 0051 0051 0717 0717 TU 1326 1326 TU2039 2039 0138 0138 0805 0805 WE 1414 1414 WE2140 2140 0230 0230 0901 0901 TH 1510 1510 TH2244 2244 0333 0333 1007 1007 1619 FR 1619 FR2348 2348 0453 0453 1118 1118 1732 SA SA 1732

0.17 1.51 1.51 0.57 0.57 1.48 1.48 0.22 0.22 1.45 1.45 0.66 0.66 1.40 1.40 0.28 0.28 1.39 1.39 0.75 0.75 1.32 1.32 0.35 0.35 1.36 1.36 0.81 0.81 1.25 1.25 0.40 0.40 1.36 1.36

18 18

33

18 18

0.50 19 4 0000 0641 0000 1.47 0.50 4 0641 1.47 19

44

19 19

5 5

20 20

55

20 20

6 6

21 21

66

21 21

7 7

22 22

77

22 22

8 8

23 23

88

0051 0051 1.39 1.39 23 0614 23 0614 0.78 0.78 SU 1227 1.23

FR 1815 FR

1.52 0.51 SA 1.29

SA 1239 0.49 SU SA 1239 1902 1.27 0.49 1902 1.27 0039 0.59 0715 0039 1.41 0.59 0715 0.48 1.41 MO SU 1316 1316 SU 1.25 0.48 1956 1956 1.25 0120 0.68 0120 0.68 0753 1.36 0753 1.36 1358 0.47 0.47 TU MO MO 1358 2058 2058 1.25 1.25 0208 0208 0.78 0.78 0838 0838 1.31 1.31 0.46 WE TU 1444 1444 TU 1.28 0.46 2203 2203 1.28 0305 0305 0.86 0.86 0930 0930 1.27 1.27 TH WE 1537 1537 WE 0.44 0.44 2310 2310 1.33 1.33

0.83 0.83 1.22 1.22 0.42 0.42

SU 1227 1.23 1839 1839 0.41 0.41

1.451.45 0.90 0.90 00160016 0035 0147 0415 00351.42 1.42 0147 1.43 1.43 9 0415 24 24 05250525 0.830.83 9 9 1029 1.24 1.24 0549 0722 9 24 1029 05490.86 0.8624 0722 0.71 0.71 FR 1142 1.28 TH 1640 0.40 SU 1205 1.25 MO 1328 1.27 TH 1640 0.40

FR 1142 1.28 18001800 0.310.31

SU 1205 1.25 1805 18050.31 0.31

MO 1328 1.27 1934 1934 0.39 0.39

Time 0504 0504 1108 1731 SU 1108 2318 SU 1731 2318 0534 0534 1138 1809 MO 1138 MO 1809 2352 2352 0607 0607 1208 1850 TU 1208 TU 1850

11

22

33

0027 0027 4 4 0641 1240 WE 0641

WE 1240 1936 1936 0103 0103 0717 0717 1315 TH 1315 TH 2030 2030 0145 0145 0802 0802 1400 FR 1400 FR 2133 2133 0238 0238 0901 0901 1457 SA 1457 SA 2245 2245

55 66

77

Local Time APRIL APRIL Time Time m

m Time m m Time m 0529 1.59 0538 1.44 1.51 0529 05381136 1.44 0.32 1.51 11321.59 0.12 0.34 1132 11361826 0.32 1.55 0.34 18290.12 1.65 1.48 MO WE 1.48 23491.65 0.52 WE 1826 1.55 TH 0.52 MO 1829 2349 0.52 0.52 0610 1.53 0004 0.67 1.49 0610 00040613 0.67 1.40 1.49 12161.53 0.17 0.32 1216 0613 1.40 0.33 0.32 19200.17 1.57 1.47 TU TH 1207 0.33 1.50 1.47 FR TH 12071909 0.58 TU 1920 1.57 1909 1.50 0.58 0031 0.59 0040 0.72 1.45 0031 00400651 0.72 1.35 1.45 06530.59 1.46 0.32 0653 0651 1.35 0.35 0.32 13001.46 0.25 1.45 WE FR 1244 0.35 1.44 1.45 WE 1300 SA 20130.25 1.48 FR 12442000 2013 1.48 2000 1.44 0115 0.67 0119 0.76 0.64 0115 01190739 0.76 1.31 0.64 07410.67 1.37 1.40 0741 0739 1.31 0.39 1.40 13451.37 0.34 0.32 TH SA 1329 0.39 1.39 0.32 SU 21100.34 1.40 SA 13292059 1.41 TH 1345 2110 1.40 2059 1.39 1.41 0204 0.74 0210 0.79 0.71 0204 02100742 0.79 1.27 0.71 08380.74 1.29 1.34 0838 07421326 1.27 0.45 1.34 14361.29 0.44 0.33 FR SU 0.45 1.37 0.33 MO 22100.44 1.34 SU 13262107 1.37 FR 1436 2210 1.34 2107 1.37 1.37 0304 0.79 0216 0.78 0.78 0304 0.79 0216 0.78 0.78 0945 1.22 0903 1.27 1.29 0945 1.22 0903 1.27 1.29 1541 0.52 1440 0.51 0.35 MO 1541 0.52 1440 0.51 TU 0.35 SASA MO 2314 1.32 2217 1.34 2314 1.32 2217 1.38 1.38 1.34 04250.81 0.81 0.83 0425 03360336 0.72 0.72 0.83 11011.19 1.19 1.25 1101 10331033 1.34 1.34 1.25 17000.56 0.56 1604 0.38 SU TU 1700 1604 0.55 0.55 0.38 WE TU 1.34 SU 23222322 1.43 1.43 1.34

16 16

11

Time

0530 16 16 1133 TH 1845 2355

m 0530 1.44 1133 0.34 1845 1.53 2355 0.69 0618 1.36 1215 0.45 1937 1.44

17 17

22

0618 17 17 1215

18 18

33

0043 0043 0716 18 18 0716 0.74 1.28

19 19

44

19 19

20 20

55

20 20

21 21

66

21 21

22 22

77

22 22

FR 1937

m 1.44 0.34 1.53 0.69 1.36 0.45 1.44

0.74 1.28 SA 1303 0.55 1303 2032 0.55 1.37 2032 1.37 0140 0.78 0140 0829 0.78 1.22 0829 1.22 0.64 SU 1400 1400 2130 0.64 1.33 2130 1.33 0257 0.78 0257 0945 0.78 1.21 0945 1514 1.21 0.71 MO 1514 2227 0.71 1.32 2227 1.32 0418 0.74 0418 0.74 1058 1.26 1058 1.26 0.74 TU 1636 1636 0.74 2319 2319 1.33 1.33 0521 0521 0.66 0.66 1200 1200 1.34 1.34 WE 1744 1744 0.73 0.73

00151.32 1.32 0346 0.85 0.85 04550455 0.59 0.59 0004 0004 1.36 230015 8 0346 8 1150 23 05500.77 0.77 8 1150 1017 1.23 1.2323 8 23 0550 1017 1.46 1.46 0608 0608 0.57 SU 1610 0.40 MO 1214 1.22 WE 1729 0.55 TH 1249

SU 1610 0.40 MO 1214 1.22 WE 1729 0.55 18140.57 0.57 2358 1.37 1.37 1814 2358

1.36 0.57 1.44 1249 1.44 TH 1834 1834 0.72 0.72

0507 0.81 0.81 01101.36 1.36 1.40 00180018 1.50 1.50 0043 0043 9 0507 9 0601 24 240110 1145 1.27 1.2724 06580.68 0.68 9 0601 9 24 1145 0646 0646 0.49 0658 0.44 0.44 MO 1731 0.40 TU 1316 1.28 FR 1330 TH 1256 1.61

1.40 0.49 TU 1316 1.28 TH 1256 1.61 FR 1330 1.54 1.54 19150.55 0.55 0.70 0.70 1915 18361836 0.53 0.53 1915 1915

MO 1731 0.40

1.41 1.41 01160116 0134 0232 01541.40 1.40 1.501.50 0100 1.44 1.44 0013 01341.50 1.50 0232 1.47 1.47 01090109 1.56 1.56 0117 0117 1.44 10 0013 25 25 25 10 0100 250154 0531 0.90 0.90 0659 0814 07460.59 0.591010 06370637 0.790.7910 0625 0.69 0.6925 10 25 10 25 0531 06590.76 0.7625 0814 0.62 0.62 10 0746 06570657 0.30 0.30 0722 0722 0.42 0625 1132 1.25 1316 1.32 1420 1.33 1409 1.37 1353 1.73 1406 1245 1.29 1301 1.37 FR

SA SA 1245 1.29 MOMO 1316 1.32 TU FR 1132 1.25 TU 1420 1.33 1745 1745 0.34 0.34 18581858 1912 2021 0.290.29 19120.26 0.26 2021 0.38 0.38

1.44 0.42 1409 1.37 1.73 SA 1406 WE FR SA 1.62 1.62 TU 1301 1.37 WE FR 1353 TU 20020.53 0.53 1850 0.37 0.37 2002 19301930 0.52 0.52 1950 1950 0.69 0.69 1850

1.541.54 0155 1.52 1.52 02301.44 1.44 1.49 1.49 02110211 1.47 02261.57 1.57 0308 1.50 1.50 01550155 1.60 1.60 0152 0152 260230 11 0110 26 26 11 0155 26 26 110226 260308 11 0110 07380738 0.720.7211 0756 0856 0730 0.54 0.5426 08260.50 0.501111 0638 0.85 0.85 0756 0756 0.38 07560.64 0.6426 0856 0.54 0.54 11 0730 0826 07470747 0.19 0.19 0638 1445 1.81 1440 1341 1.32 1417 1.41 1506 1.38 1406 1.49 1452 1.45 1238 1.28 SA

SU SU 1341 1.32 TU TU 1417 1.41 WE WE 1506 1.38 SA 1238 1.28 0.280.28 2009 2102 1843 1843 0.28 0.28 19491949 20090.23 0.23 2102 0.39 0.39

1.47 0.38 1452 1.45 1.81 SU 1440 SA SU 1.67 1.67 WE 1406 1.49 THTH WE SA 1445 1955 0.35 0.35 20420.53 0.53 0.68 0.68 1955 2042 20182018 0.53 0.53 2025 2025

03131.63 1.63 0339 1.52 1.52 0300 02390239 1.62 1.62 0227 0227 1.49 0244 1.581.58 0244 1.58 1.58 03001.47 1.47 1.58 1.58 02570257 120313 270339 27 27 12 0201 27 12 0201 27 12 27 08470.51 0.5127 0932 0.47 0.47 12 0900 08360836 0.14 0.14 0829 0829 0.35 0825 0732 08300830 0.650.6512 0847 0932 0825 0.39 0.3927 09000.43 0.431212 0732 0.78 0.78 1513 1.50 1545 1.43 1529 1.52 1535 1.83 1515 1.70 1431 1.34 1504 1.61 1338 1.33

1.34 1513 1.50 TH TH1545 1.43 MO SU 1.33 MO 1431 WEWE SU 1338 21010.23 0.23 2138 0.41 0.41 0.280.28 2101 2138 1935 1935 0.22 0.22 20362036

1.49 0.35 MO MO 1515 1.70 TH TH 1504 1.61 FRFR 1529 1.52 SU SU 1535 1.83 2116 21032103 0.54 0.54 2059 2059 0.68 0.68 2048 2048 0.35 0.35 21160.53 0.53

03210321 1.61 1.61 0302 0302 1.49 03561.66 1.66 0407 1.53 1.53 0328 0330 03301.49 1.49 1.64 1.64 03360336 1.591.59 0328 1.63 1.63 28 28 28 130356 280407 13 0249 28 13 28 13 0249 09220922 0.13 0.13 0901 0901 0.34 0821 09370.38 0.3828 1005 0.41 0.41 13 0915 0932 0937 1005 09320.37 0.371313 0821 0.69 0.69 09140914 0.580.5813 0915 0.26 0.2628 1623 1.79 1550 1.70 1431 1.39 1516 1.37 1605 1.57 1621 1.46 1558 1.69 1602 1.57

1605 1.57 FR 1.37 MO 1.39 TU FR1621 1.46 TH TH MO 1431 TU 1516 21500.26 0.26 2212 0.44 0.44 2150 2212 2024 2024 0.19 0.19 21172117 0.300.30

1.49 0.34 TU TU 1550 1.70 FR FR 1558 1.69 SASA 1602 1.57 MO MO 1623 1.79 21472147 0.56 0.56 2133 2133 0.68 0.68 2137 2150 21500.54 0.54 2137 0.37 0.37

04020402 1.57 1.57 0338 0338 1.47 04361.67 1.67 0435 1.53 1.53 0409 0400 04001.50 1.50 1.68 1.68 04100410 1.591.59 0409 1.64 1.64 140436 290435 29 29 14 0334 29 10071007 0.17 0.17 0933 0933 0.34 10240.27 0.2729 1037 0.37 0.37 14 1002 1004 0907 29 14 29 14 0334 1024 1037 10040.34 0.341414 0907 0.60 0.60 09540954 0.520.5214 1002 0.16 0.1629 TU 1709 1.72 WE 1627 1.68 FR 1657 1.60 SA 1656 1.48 SA 1649 1.72 SU 1636 1.60 TU 1522 1.44 WE 1558 1.38

FR 1657 1.60 SA 1656 1.48 TU 1522 1.44 WE 1558 1.38 22370.31 0.31 2245 0.47 0.47 2237 2245 2112 2112 0.18 0.18 21562156 0.330.33

05151.65 1.65 1.571.57 1.70 1.70 04400440 15 0417 30 150515 11110.20 0.20 0953 30 15 0417 1111 10301030 0.480.4815 0953 0.51 0.51 SA 1749 1.59 WE 1611 1.48 TH 1637 1.39

SA 1749 1.59 TH 1637 1.39 WE 1611 1.48 23230.39 0.39 2323 0.380.38 2159 2159 0.21 0.21 22302230 05080508 1.551.55 11051105 0.440.44 1715 FR 1.381.38 FR 17152304 2304 0.430.43

31 31

SA 1649 1.72 2223 2223 0.41 0.41

SU 1636 1.60 2223 22230.56 0.56

1.47 0.34 TU 1709 1.72 WE 1627 1.68 22302230 0.60 0.60 2208 2208 0.70 0.70

1.44 0449 0432 04450445 1.51 1.51 0414 0414 04321.50 1.50 0449 1.63 1.63 30 30 15 1006 1006 0.35 1048 1035 10501050 0.25 0.25 15 30 10350.32 0.321515 1048 0.12 0.1230 SU 1739 1.71 MO 1710 1.61 WE 1756 1.63 TH 1706 1.64

SU 1739 1.71 2307 2307 0.46 0.46

MO 1710 1.61 2257 22570.59 0.59 0505 1.47 0505 1.47 1105 11050.31 0.31 1746 TUTU 17461.59 1.59 2330 23300.63 0.63

1.44 0.35 TH 1706 1.64 WE 1756 1.63 0.72 0.72 23122312 0.64 0.64 2243 2243

31 31

 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia2019, 2019,Bureau Bureau of of Meteorology Meteorology  Copyright Commonwealth of Australia Datum of Predictions is Lowest AstronomicalTide Tide Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) daylight savings savings time when in effect Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) orordaylight time(UTC (UTC+11:00) +11:00) when in effect New Moon First Quarter LastLast Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon New Moon First Quarter Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon 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.

84

MARCH 2020

WHAT’S NEW BOATING PURSUIT DC 235

1

The Pursuit DC 235 is packed full of comfortable seating and storage with classic styling throughout.

The value and affordability of the DC 235 is delivered through a fully appointed boat with popular options. Notable standards include plush cushions, porcelain marine head, cockpit bolsters and an array of fishing features. A single Yamaha F250 delivers consistent performance for every activity, from fishing to board sports.

All Pursuit boats have proven hulls, refined lamination techniques, vacuum-infused stringer grids, and verified installations. These boats are designed and manufactured in the USA. The premium gelcoat is backed by a 5-year hull blister warranty, and there’s also a 5-year hull and deck structural warranty with a 2-year component warranty, all of which are transferable to subsequent owners.

The hull bottoms are reinforced with a resin-infused, fibreglass structural grid system, and the lined roto-moulded polyethylene fuel tanks for maximum fuel capacity are designed to eliminate condensation and the effects of ethanol in the fuel.

Base price: SRP $134,000 (engines not included) cobaltaustralia.com.au

LOWRANCE HOOK REVEAL

2

The new Lowrance HOOK Reveal (available in 9”, 7” and 5”) delivers powerful performance with proven fish-finding tools.

Anglers will have an easier time seeing fish with FishReveal, which combines on one screen the target separation of Lowrance CHIRP sonar and the high-resolution images of fish-holding structure from DownScan Imaging.

Genesis Live lets you create custom 0.5ft contour maps of your local waters in real time on the HOOK Reveal screen. Genesis Live maps can also be created and saved on HOOK Reveal non-mapping GPS plotters by placing a blank microSD card into the card slot.

A simple interface and HOOK exclusive Autotuning sonar make HOOK Reveal easy to use. Autotuning sonar delivers the best sonar image every time by automatically adjusting settings as fishing conditions change, making it easy to pinpoint humps, drop-offs and so on.

You can choose your preferred combination of display size, sonar type and navigation, from TripleShot (High CHIRP, SideScan and DownScan Imaging) or SplitShot (High CHIRP and DownScan Imaging) transducers and mapping chartplotters or non-mapping GPS plotters.

Price: from SRP $529 www.lowrance.com

BIRD STAIN REMOVER

3

Droppings from birds ruin the looks of any boat and can’t be removed with just soap and water. However, just spray on Star brite Spider and Bird Stain Remover and they will begin to break down instantly.

The non-abrasive, non-toxic formula won’t harm fibreglass or painted surfaces, and won’t remove waxes or polish. The droppings simply dissolve without hard scrubbing.

The formula is all-natural, contains no bleach and is safe for use around kids and pets. It is safe for all marine surfaces and fabrics.

To use, spray it directly on droppings, saturating them. Allow it to penetrate the droppings for 30-45 seconds before gently scrubbing with a boat brush. Rinse well with fresh water. Stubborn or sun-baked droppings may require a second application. www.starbrite.com

SUZUKI 3+3 YEAR WARRANTY

PRODUCT GUIDE

4

Suzuki Marine has announced an upgrade to their 3+2 year warranty to 3+3 year warranty on all outboards (DF2.5hpDF350hp) purchased from 1 January 2020 for recreational use.

This upgrade provides customers with further support, security and peace of mind, and endorses the superior build quality and reliability of Suzuki outboards in the Australian marine environment.

This means that from 1 January 2020, any 4-stroke outboard from 2.5hp to 350hp purchased by a recreational operator in Australia can be covered for up to six years in total. The first three years is covered by Suzuki Motor Corporation warranty and the additional extended warranty of three years is covered by Suzuki Marine Australia.

To maintain the new warranty period, owners must have and continue to have all periodic servicing (within the servicing guidelines and timeframes) and all maintenance carried out by an authorised Suzuki Marine dealership. www.suzukimarine.com.au

SOUTHERN FORMULA 19

1

2

5

The new Southern Formula range is set to be one of the best bluewater fishing boats produced in Australia, and the new Southern Formula 19 model has all the critical features that fishers have been asking for.

Built tough for offshore conditions, standard features include a hinged dive door, full-length bunks, dual live bait tanks, long range fuel tank 280L, underfloor storage, heavy-duty deck hardware, 4x cabin storage shelves, full foamfilled hull and ECM stringer system.

The Southern Formula 19 is 6.4m long with a towable beam of 2.4m. Horsepower is 175250hp, the weight (boat only) is approx. 1100kg, the fuel capacity is 280L. It has a variable 21° deadrise for a soft, stable, economical and performing hull, and takes a maximum of five people.

Southern Formula boats are built in Australia, and the design and manufacturing team consist of qualified boat builders and a full-time naval architect. These boats have been designed to produce superior performance, with better ride quality, better stability, more efficient hull, dryer ride with overall features and benefits internally. www.southernformula.com.au

QUINTREX TOP ENDER PRO

6

A good thing just got even better with the release of the new Quintrex Top Ender Pro, which is available in 430, 450, 481, 500, 520 and 540 models.

The Top Ender Pro features the current Blade Hull with a new and improved Flared Bow. The stretch-formed aluminium side sheets have more curve that run further down the boat’s length to deflect more spray away from passengers.

The range introduced the 430 Top Ender Pro, a smaller and more versatile boat with the same pod transom as the other models.

The side-console configuration maximizes fishing space, and there’s heaps of underfloor storage for tackle, iceboxes and fish. In the front casting platform, you can chose to have the standard storage or a livewell.

Standard features include a marine VHF radio, rear ladder, four rod holders, three seats and a 5-year warranty. Options include a burley bucket, cutting board, twin battery system for electric motors, lockable rod storage and upgraded seats. www.quintrex.com.au

3

4

5

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

SCAN THE QR CODE!

MARCH 2020

85

Sea Jay 473 Territory with Yamaha F60 4-stroke - SC

TENT -

RE ONLINE MO

Q

R

RA

CON

AN THE

launch and retrieve the rig by himself on the decidedly shallow ramp at The Spit.

Height-wise, it’ll fit into a standard garage.

This rig is a blank canvas for someone who wants to fit out a great little fishing boat that’ll be comfortable anywhere from a freshwater

CO

DE FOR EX

T FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

I love dealing with local manufacturers. Fishing Monthly is located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast in South East Queensland and we are surrounded by local boat makers – possibly more than anywhere else in the country.

Sea Jay boats are designed and built in Bundaberg, a few hours north of Brisbane, but their National Sales Manager Garry Fitzgerald is located in the South East. The cool thing is that he’s always giving us a sneak peek of all the new models coming out.

We snuck this new 473 Territory up to Somerset Dam on a weekday to keep it on the down low, but SPECIFICATIONS Length............... 4.73m Beam................. 2.24m Depth ................ 1.14m Capacity ..... 5 persons Sides ................... 3mm Bottom ................ 3mm Hull.weight ....... 400kg Max.hp ........ 75 (116kg) Fuel ....................... 80L I’ve subsequently seen it in the yard of Stones Corner Marine. It’s the smaller sibling of the larger 493 Territory that was launched at the Brisbane Boat Show late last year. That boat was such a hit the smaller model went into R&D immediately.

86

MARCH 2020

You can see this boat in action in the video boat test (by scanning the QR code on your mobile phone at the top of this article) or by searching on the Fishing Monthly Magazines YouTube page.

For more information on Sea Jay boats, visit www.

PERFORMANCE

Main: The 473 Territory is a great looking boat and definitely suits a buyer who wants their first ‘serious’ fishing boat that can be customised for most inshore situations.

Above: The test model was fitted with Yamaha’s F60hp 4-stroke, which yielded over 3km/L economy at cruising speeds.

Like most Sea Jay hulls, this one performs well with power less than the maximum allowed. Sea Jay calls the hull design used for the Territory the Adrenalin Next Gen hull.

It’s their old Adrenalin hull with the full transom of a Samurai hull added. For me, that full transom (rather than a cut out with a low point where water can splash in) gives you serious peace of mind when you decide to take out this boat and catch your first mackerel or marlin.

“We had a lot of feedback from dealers and customers that smaller versions of this boat would be in demand so we got moving on the designs straight away,” said Garry, “and I reckon the team got it right with this boat.”

Indeed, after a morning’s boating and fishing on Somerset, I can really see

how Aussie anglers can fall in love with these locally made rigs. The hull is beamy (2.24m) for its 4.73m length and the three of us on board for the day had no problems at all with stability and had plenty of room to fish and film. The spacious front casting deck also has a mile of storage underneath and this space now includes an underfloor anchor locker that gives you unimpeded casting access right up to the bow.

The test boat was fitted with an F60hp Yamaha 4-stroke outboard. At 15hp under the maximum allowed, it could definitely do with some extra ponies on the back. At wide open, it hit a modest 45km/h at 5,600rpm at 2.3km/L. Drop it back to 4,500rpm and the economy tops 3km/L at 36km/h.

Supplied on a single

axle trailer, this rig is easily towable by basically anything with a tow bar.

Fitzy was able to easily

RPM....... Speed.(km/h)....... Economy.(km/L) 700 ............................ 5 ............................ 5.6 1000 .......................... 7 ............................. 7.2 2000.........................11 ............................ 3.4 3000.........................15 ............................ 2.1 4000........................ 31 ............................ 3.0 4500 ........................ 36 ............................ 3.1 5000........................ 40 ............................ 2.6 5600 ........................ 45 ............................ 2.3 lake to Moreton Bay. Add your own combination of electric motor and electronics to customise it to the types of fishing you like and enjoy!

seajayboats.com.au and check out Sea Jay Boats on Facebook to stay up to date with the latest products and boat show appearances.

With the 60hp, the 473 Territory is definitely no rocket ship, maxing out at 45km/h.

Top: It’s good to have a test boat fitted with the electronics you’d put on yourself. The Minn Kota adds a fair bit of weight to the bow and makes the boat behave a little differently out on the water.

Above: You’ll be able to mount as big a sounder as you like on top of the dash. There’s also a compartment for your wallet, keys and mobile phone.

Top: The 473 Territory has a full transom with neat rigging and a fold down step.

Above: Like all boats with a raised casting platform, you’ll find plenty of storage underneath.

The Yamaha F60hp definitely matches the styling of this rig.

The front casting deck is high and beamy. Moving the anchor well to under the deck gives unprecedented access to the bow of the boat.

It would be a challenge to fill this room with all of your camping and fishing gear. There’s plenty of open space on the deck.

Top Left: The inbuilt transom gives you covered space for batteries and other storage.

Top Right: Concealed under the foredeck, the repositioned anchor well is definitely big enough to keep your anchor stowed while travelling.

Bottom Left: There’s a livewell in the port transom, which pumps in and has a gravity overflow onto the duckboard.

Bottom Right: The Territory is light enough to tote on a single axle trailer.

Left and Right: Sea Jay typically keeps their consoles and seating simple. Additional seat bases can be added to help you get weight distribution right for the best ride possible.

MARCH 2020

87

4

REASONS TO CHOOSE MERCURY

75-115HP FOURSTROKE

BEST IN CLASS PERFORMANCE LIGHTWEIGHT & COMPACT

SAVE $1500 3.99% UP TO *

COMPARISON RATE

^

ON BOAT PACKAGES OR REPOWER

^Terms & conditions apply. Savings are based on RRP. Offer available on selected new consumer FourStroke outboards from 75-115hp purchased from participating Mercury dealers from 20th January 2020 to 23rd March 2020. *The comparison rate is based on a secured loan of $30,000 for a term of 5 years.

WARNING: The comparison rate only applies to the example given. Different amounts and terms will result in a different comparison rate. Finance is provided by Mercury Finance Pty Ltd ABN 28 156 248 092. Australian Credit Licence Number 421347.

Visit mercurymarine.com.au to find your nearest participating dealer or to request a quote.

mercurymarineaust mercurymarine_aust