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April 2020, Vol. 2 No. 8

Contents 11

From the Editor’s Desk...

METRO Metro Offshore

Metro 15 SOUTH COAST Albany 18 Esperance 19 Bremer Bay

WEST COAST Augusta 20 Bunbury 23 Busselton 24 Mandurah 26

Salmon! Well it’s April and you would expect nothing less, and as I am sure you are all more than well aware, it is the time of the year that the salmon schools are migrating up the West Coast. I love it when April comes around and no matter how busy life gets, I always manage at least one trip south to go and chase these truly epic fish. Some of my earliest fishing memories involve Easter holidays and chasing salmon. If you have never done a South Coast salmon foray, get onto it and get down south for at least a day or two. It is an experience worth sharing with family and friends. If you have relatives visiting

from overseas, take them down south for an Australian fishing experience they will truly never forget. On 4 and 5 of April, we also have the ABT coming to town to run the Sunline Mandurah BREAM qualifier. The weigh-ins will be at the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club at 2pm each day, so if you are not competing and would like to see what this bream comp fishing thing is about, get down with the family or a few friends and check it out. The club is located on a pretty good groyne that turns up a lot of salmon each year, so maybe even consider dropping in for a look after a morning of chasing a few salmon! It would be great to see a few of you there.

The reports this month are a credit to all of the area report writers, with plenty of great information on what is around and how to go about getting amongst them. This month there is not a part of the state that I wouldn’t want to visit and go for a fish! In this issue we also have a bit of a first for the WA magazine, in that we have put together a spotlight feature article on Lancelin and Ledge point. It was a whole lot of fun putting it all together and ferrying a couple of Queenlsanders around the area was a blast. It is surprising how much you take for granted when you visit an area regularly and hearing the points of interest from an East Coast perspective certainly shone

Ian Sewell a new light on the area for me. Not to mention meeting a heap of ever helpful and interesting locals at the same time! Thanks to everyone involved for the support and information you gave us, it was certainly very appreciated. Special thanks also has to go to our Lancelin area report writer Peter Fullarton from Tailored Treks who went above and beyond to show off his playground. As always, keep it safe out there and if you do head off down south, remember that rock fishing is dangerous. As a general rule, keep the sand between your toes, but if you must fish off the rocks, wear a lifejacket and never fish alone.

Lancelin 30 Geraldton 32 Jurien Bay

GASCOYNE COAST Kalbarri 34 Exmouth 34

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LANCELIN • LEDGE POINT

Great fishing, views and history so close to Perth

BRISBANE

Bob Thornton

Lancelin is only around an hour and a half from Perth, but it feels much further than that. Once you leave the hustle of Perth and start heading north, civilization thins up pretty quickly and you feel like you’re miles from anywhere. Sandgropers are really lucky like that!

of the WA coast in 1801. The Wangaree Community Centre in town still pays homage to the original custodians of the land. The French were not the first recorded Europeans to visit this stretch of coastline, however, with the Dutch ship Vergulde Draeck (Gilt Dragon) meeting its doom on some shallow reef close to the what is now Ledge Point, about 10km to the south. The ship was carrying

Guilderton, around a halfhour south, gets its name. But amazing anecdotes aside, Lancelin and Ledge Point offer so much for travelling families, backpackers, and of course, avid anglers. These unassuming coastal cray fishing towns, while only having a few hundred permanent residents, can swell to a few thousand during peak holiday times, and there are some very good reasons for that!

traffic jams should become less common in the future. The road is sealed all the way into both towns, so there’s no need for a 4WD if you don’t have one!

time to experience. The sand dunes just behind the town attract thousands of visitors each year, and it really is astounding just how close the dunes are from the main

white sand hills! Suitable vehicles like 4WDs, quad bikes and buggies can be taken into the dunes, and it goes without saying that a vehicle is by far the best

When people tell you that the dunes are close to town, they really mean it! ATTRACTIONS Sand dunes Lancelin has some amazing natural phenomena that are well worth spending

part of town. A person could literally walk for only a few minutes from the main part of the town and be looking across several kilometres of

way to experience the dunes. Vehicles can be hired from the town. You can also book a tour if you’re not confident driving yourself. If you want

The dunes provide a spectacular yet eerie atmosphere, and are an absolute must visit if heading to Lancelin or Ledge Point. Luckily, there’s ample services in town to make that happen, even if you don’t own a 4WD! Lancelin, like anywhere on the WA coast, has a rich colonial and indigenous history. The original name for the area was Wangaree, which is the local indigenous word for fish. The town took on the name of Lancelin in 1953, and the name came from P.J. Lancelin, a scientific writer aboard Frenchman Nicolas Baudin’s exploratory voyage 6

APRIL 2020

guilders, an old Dutch currency, from the Dutch East Indies Company, and in an attempt to salvage what was left, the survivors are said to have buried the loot in the nearby countryside. While most of the guilders have been found, locals will tell you that much of this wealth is still buried somewhere. It’s from this chapter in history that nearby

GETTING THERE Perth and Geraldton are the two main population centres that straddle Lancelin and Ledge, and driving north from Perth you can be there comfortably within an hour and a half, traffic and conditions permitting. Heading south from Geraldton, you can be there in about three hours. Indian Ocean Drive is currently being improved, so

Looking across this sleepy section of coast, it’s easy to see why people make the trip up from Perth, or south from Geraldton.

LANCELIN • LEDGE POINT Lancelin Back Beach offers good opportunities for beginners and experienced surfers alike. This area also offers a safe area for young children to swim in gloriously clear water. Wildlife Sea lions are always a hit with visitors, and a good number of them reside on Lancelin Island but venture in regularly. I had one audacious individual try to steal a herring from my line while fishing the Lancelin jetty!

Dolphins also regularly venture into shallow waters around Lancelin and Ledge Point, with the early morning being the best time to spot a few! Of course the wildlife isn’t limited to the ocean, and those who are lucky may come across foxes, dingoes, feral cats, kangaroos and wallabies. Golf and bowls Just out of town there is a golf course. The Lancelin Golf Course offers 9 or 18 holes, and is situated

amongst the coastal scrub and provide a unique setting for your game. Jetty The Lancelin jetty is well worth venturing out onto, and not just for the fishing (which we will cover later). Just before midday most days, the cray boats come in with their haul of western rock lobster. At times you can purchase crays straight from the boats if they have quota left, and believe me, nothing beats fresh cray tail!

Nearby Ledge Point has a lot to offer as well; spectacular views are a given. to take your dune experience a bit further, sandboarding is another popular activity in the dunes, and sandboards are also available for hire in town. Lancelin area reporter Peter Fullarton, who runs dune driving courses took us

top of the sand hills was a highlight of our short visit to Lancelin! Please remember to take only photos and leave only your fading footprints in this amazing place. Wind and kitesurfing The other activity that

wind and kitesurfers rubbing their hands together. Every year the Lancelin Ocean Classic festival sees wind and kitesurfers from across the globe flood into the town and ply their trade in these esteemed waters. The race Driving across the dunes takes skill, and can be dangerous if not done carefully, however Lancelin writer Peter Fullarton takes dune driving courses, and his knowledge of the dunes is demonstrated here.

The coastal scrub and bright white sandy beaches give an indication of how pristine this area still is. into the dunes in his 4WD. I can tell you that enjoying a beer on a high dune while watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean, with the sand blowing eerily off the

brings so many people to Lancelin is wind and kitesurfing. On the right day, and particularly in summer, Lancelin can get very windy, and this has

starts in Ledge Point and finishes up in Lancelin. Surfing Surfers and boogie boarders certainly aren’t left out of the fun, and the

Welcome to Experience Lancelin Holiday Park OUR BRAND NEW POOL AND SPA IS NOW OPEN!

Famous for its aqua beaches, epic sand dunes, windsurfing and laid-back vibe, the Experience Lancelin Holiday Park is the perfect spot for that relaxing weekend or a beautiful extended holiday. Choose from a range of fully powered caravan bays or unpowered tent sites which are a stone’s throw from the stunning beaches of Lancelin.

Hopkins Street Lancelin WA 6044

(08) 9655 1056 info@lancelincaravanpark.com.au

The Lancelin Jetty is where local sea lion and fishing charters leave from, and where cray potters come in with the lobsters that this area is famous for!

lancelincaravanpark.com.au

APRIL 2020

LANCELIN • LEDGE POINT

Nearby Ledge Point definitely worth a visit

LEDGE POINT COUNTRY CLUB - 2019 Best Small Club Member’s Event for Western Australia -

You can’t talk about Lancelin without mentioning Ledge Point. A town in its own right, it sits only about 10km to the south, around 15 minutes by sealed road, however with a suitable vehicle it’s possible to drive along the beach to Ledge from Lancelin.

Like Lancelin, it also serves as a hub for the cray fishing industry. Ledge Point has everything you need if staying or passing through, including accommodation, food, fuel, places to drink, and of course, access to beautiful beaches and other things to do.

of the ocean. I don’t play golf, but Nick Cuccovia and Peter Jung were licking their lips as we drove past the beautiful course. The country club also serves as the local watering hole, so if you’re parched after a long day exploring this beautiful area, you can stop by for a few quiet drinks!

Ledge Point Country Club has been a favourite among the locals for many years, and it’s small town charm makes it very inviting for guests and visitors.

With our new Tavern Licence All patrons are welcome!

Feel free to come and join the locals in the worker’s bar for a laugh or relax in our lounge bar and watch your favourite sporting event on one of our big screen TVs. Open for drinks every day from 4pm. Our restaurant is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 6pm. Bookings are not usually required.

COUNTRY CLUB GOLF CLUB BOWLING CLUB Contact us:

Ph: 08 9655 1008 E: ledgeclub@gmail.com 381 Turner Street Ledge Point WA 6043

APRIL 2020

There are few courses as pretty as the one at Ledge, and with the Country Club and bowls club attached to it, it’s easy to spend a day there. Ledge Point is named after a nearby coastal feature of the same name, and in 1937 the local council requested that the area be set aside for camping and recreation purposes, which it is still used for today.

ACTIVITIES Golf and Bowls Ledge also has its own golf course and bowls club, which is built around the local county club. The golf course has nine holes, and offers spectacular views

4WDing Access to the beach is a given in a place like this, and those who are keen 4WDers can embark on a fantastic trip through the coastal scrub and dunes and along the beaches from

LANCELIN • LEDGE POINT Ledge to Guilderton. This trip is a great way to see some of the most amazing coastline along the WA coast, and also traverse a few coastal dunes without

If taking on this trek, supplies can be picked up from Ledge Point, which has just about everything you need for this challenging adventure.

a beautiful stretch of safe coastline to explore and wallow right in town. Ledge is also a little more sheltered than Lancelin, which can be of the windiest

Above: It’s possible to drive along the beach from Lancelin to Ledge Point, and cray boats are a standard site when motoring along the beautiful white sand. Those without a 4WD can stick to sealed roads and be there within 15 minutes! Below: It’s easy to feel like the only person on the coast when heading south from Ledge along the beach, because quite often, you will be!

The ocean views at Ledge rival some of the best in the world. the volume of traffic in Lancelin. The story of the Vergulde Draeck is built around this section of coast, so those into their history will love it!

Swimming and snorkeling The shallows in close to Ledge are picturesque and full of life, making them ideal for swimming and snorkeling in close. Youngsters have

places in WA. On days when the wind is up, a trip to one of Ledge’s quiet beaches is a great way to escape the wind and continue enjoying this beautiful coastline.

BIG4 Ledge Point Holiday Park Coast

Kids Paradise

Simply Relax

Sporting Hub

Pets Allowed

BIG4 Ledge Point Holiday Park welcomes you to relax and unwind in the Cray fishing town of Ledge Point. Ledge Point is approximately an hour and a half drive north of Perth. We are a dog-friendly park, however not permitted in peak periods. ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Pool-side studio

Two-bedroom chalet

PARK FACILITIES & ACTIVITIES

GROCERY STORE: FRESH MEATS - FRUIT & VEG HOT FOOD: BURGERS - FISH & CHIPS & MORE GREAT COFFEE - FRAPPES - SOFT SERVE LIQUOR STORE - AUSTRALIA POST OUTLET FUEL STOP: PREM UNLEADED & DIESEL + MORE

Jumping Pillow

Pedal Carts

Swimming Pool

Caravan & Camping Sites

742 Ledge Point Road, Ledge Point WA 6043

Phone: (08) 9655 2870

Book online: www.ledgepointholidaypark.com APRIL 2020

LANCELIN • LEDGE POINT

Lancelin and Ledge Point fishing paradise

Lancelin & Ledge Point Beach Driving & Beach Fishing

Beach 4wd Tuition

The main attraction for many who visit Lancelin and Ledge Point is the fishing. Everything from the beach to the shelf is possible to access and fish for pelagics, demersals, bread and butter species and crays.

are confined to beach launching if using trailer boats, and this is one of the factors that keeps the fishing red-hot. For those who aren’t keen on beach launching or who do not have a boat, Reel Force Charters takes

BEACHES The beach fishing is a big drawcard for travelling anglers. Tailor and mulloway are two very popular targets for beach anglers, however herring, whiting, flathead, and at times snapper, dhufish and even samonfish can

Learn how to safely drive on the beach!

Beach Fishing Treks

We supply all necessary bait and quality gear and 4WD transfer to the location.

Bay Fishing

Planned specificly for elderly, younger or inexperienced fishers.

Chunky mulloway are a regular capture from the beach, but a bit of know-how is required.

Ph: 0427 941 126

E: info@tailoredtreks.com.au W: www.tailoredtreks.com.au 10

APRIL 2020

OFFSHORE If you’re super keen to get into some of the demersal and pelagic fishing, then Lancelin and Ledge Point is a great place to come. Not having a boat ramp means boaters

off from the Lancelin Jetty, and they cover everything from the shelf to the shallow reefs off Lancelin and Ledge, and can take a maximum of eight people, or six people on specialized deep drop charters.

be taken from the sand. If you don’t know where to begin, Lancelin writer Peter Fullarton runs his Tailored Treks out of Lancelin and Ledge Point. He provides a great service and knows the beaches around Lancelin and

LANCELIN • LEDGE POINT Ledge like the back of his hand. The sheltered beaches of Lancelin and Ledge are also a good spot to walk along quietly throwing a small lure, weather is be a plastic, topwater stickbait or

jetty area to harass the masses of bait that congregate around the pylons, and these can really tests anglers an their gear. There’s videos floating around on social media of anglers using

Lancelin and Ledge. I’ve already mentioned that crays can sometimes be purchased straight from the commercial boats at Lencelin Jetty if they have quote left, and this is a great way to obtain

It’s pretty normal to see locals launching their boat off the beach with tractors from both Lancelin and Ledge Point, and that’s because there’s no ramp for many kilometres! It’s for this reason that the offshore fishing stays fairly unpressured, and the returns are usually impressive. metal for some light tackle fun. Herring, skippy, blue spot flathead, sand whiting and small tailor are all a possibility if you just want to kill some time, and maybe nail a fish or two while you’re at it.

heavy handlines, fresh baits and gardening gloves to subdue these beasts! That’s right, there could be heartstopping pelagic action literally 200m from WA’s best beer garden at the Endeavour Tarven!

your own so you can cook them up your preferred way. Finally, potting your own is a popular method amongst locals, however if you do this you must follow the fisheries regulation when setting your pots. I’ve also

Left: Big tailor are a major drawcard for those wanting to fish Lancelin and Ledge, and it’s at this time that the bigger fish are running along the coast! Right: Dhufish are reason enough for anyone to consider a trip offshore. They taste great, and are made XOS in this area! Photo supplied by Reel Force Charters. LAAC The hub of all things fishing in the area is the Lancelin Angling and Aquatic

Club, so it may be an idea head over to the impressive clubhouse for a beer, meal and a friendly chat. Information

you can get just by chatting to a local is always worth its weight in gold, so make sure you stop by!

Our Vessel REEL FORCE is equipped with state of the art electronics and fishing equipment to bring out the sport fisherman in you! Our mission is to provide a professional and quality fishing experience for all anglers!

Prospecting for tailor by throwing lures into the wash is a fairly strenuous but peaceful way to start the day. JETTY The Lancelin jetty is another popular place to wet a line in the area, and provides easy access to garfish, herring, sand and King George whiting, skippy, squid, pike, tailor and tarwhine. At times, big samsonfish come into the

TRY SOME LOCAL CRAYS The one thing that this stretch of coastline is known best for is the western rock lobster fishery. If you want to try this local delight, you’ll easily be able to find it being served at nearby pubs and restaurants in

been told that at certain times of the year when they come up shallow, diving for crays off the beach can yield some tasty crays. Imagine diving for your own crays and cooking them up that afternoon… gourmet seafood doesn’t come much cheaper than that!

Email or phone to book your reel adventure with us today.

0458 004 411

fish@reelforcecharters.com.au www.reelforcecharters.com.au APRIL 2020

LANCELIN • LEDGE POINT

Top Lancelin and Ledge Point attractions While fishing will be the main priority for most readers, there’s plenty of other things to see and do during your stay in Lancelin or Ledge Point. Whether you’re an angler, a 4WD nut, an amateur photographer or just there with the family or friends, you’ll find everything you need for these experiences in town. Below is a hand-picked list of accommodation and other services you’ll find in Lancelin and Ledge Point, and we recommend making

the most of everything available in these towns. Small towns like Lancelin and Ledge rely heavily on tourism dollars, and the continuation of the great services in these places is only possible if tourists spend locally. Pop in, have a chat, spend some money and you’ll be surprised what some local business owners might divulge! Lot’s of them are anglers as well! Another advantage of buying locally is that you’ll be purchasing goods that are

designed specially for that area. Local fishing gear, surf boards, sand boards, and food will ensure that you get the most out of your visit to this gorgeous area. And just quietly, some of the food available in town is seemingly tailor-made for a hungry angler pre or post session! So take a look at what we think is worth a visit while you’re visiting Lancelin and Ledge Point! We know you’ll enjoy them just as much as we did during our visit in February!

LANCELIN ACCOMMODATION, FOOD, CHARTERS, HIRE SERVICES Lancelin Experience Holiday Park Address: Hopkins St, Lancelin 6044 Phone: (08) 9655 1056

Web: lancelincaravanpark.com.au

Lancelin Beach Breaks Address: 72 Bootoo St, Lancelin 6044 Phone: 0407 446 372

Web: lancelinbeachbreaks.com

Lancelin Beach Hotel Address: 1 North St, Lancelin 6044 Phone: (08) 9655 1005

Web: lancelinbeachhotel.com.au

Reference map

Lancelin

Tailored Treks – Peter Fullarton Address: 74 Gingin Rd, Lancelin 6044 Phone: 0427 941 126

Reel Force Charters – Brendon Shinnick Address: Miragliotta Street, Lancelin 6044 Phone: 0458 00 44 11

Web: tailoredtreks.com.au

KEY

1 Lancelin Beach Hotel 2 Lancelin Beach Breaks Accom.

4WD Beach Access

3 Reel Force Charters

Lancelin Sand Dunes Access

4 Tailored Trek Tours 5 Lancelin Surf (sandboard hire) 6 Arttek Timber Art

Lancelin Lookout

8 Experience Lancelin Holiday Park

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Lancelin and Edwards Island Nature Reserve

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Lancelin Surf 5 Address: Shop 2-127 Gingin Road, Lancelin Phone: (08) 9655 1321 • Sandboard hire • Surfboards • Gifts and more

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King St

Public Toilets 4WD Beach Access

Wangaree Park Public Toilets

Gull Roadhouse

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APRIL 2020

Arttek Timber Art Address: U11, 17 King Street, Lancelin Phone: 0422 974 348 • Made to order wooden sculptures

Edwards Island

To scale

Web: reelforcecharters.com.au

Back Beach Surfing, Swimming and 4WD Beach Access

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Offshore Cafe 7 Address: 160 Gingin Rd, Lancelin Phone: (08) 9655 2828 • Coffee • Cakes • Pies • Sandwiches • Burgers Lancelin Angling & Aquatic Club Address: Lot 1022 Hopkins St, Lancelin Phone: (08) 9655 2162 • Serves dinner & drinks Wednesdays & Fridays from 4pm

LANCELIN • LEDGE POINT LEDGE POINT ACCOMMODATION AND SERVICES

Reference map

Ledge Point Lucraft Loop

BIG 4 Ledge Point Holiday Park Address: 742 Ledge Point Road, Ledge Point 6043 Phone: (08) 9655 2870

Ledge Point Country Club Address: 381 Turner St, Ledge Point 6043 Ledge Point 6043 Phone: (08) 9655 1008

Web: ledgepointholidaypark.com

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Big 4 Ledge Point Holiday Park

Web: ledgepointcountryclub.com

Sunday-Thursday 4pm til late Friday & Saturday 3.30pm til late Dinner Wednesday, Friday & Saturday nights

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Web: ledgepointstore.com

4WD Beach Access

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Roe St

Public Toilets Picnic Area

4WD Beach Access

Ledge Point General Store and Australia Post Address: 13 Prince St, Ledge Point 6043 Phone: (08) 9655 1041

B Ledge Point Country Club

Swimming Beach

To scale

THINGS TO DO...

Surf the dunes Sandboard Hire Surfboards Bodyboards SUP Boards Clothing Souvenirs Gifts & More Shop 2-127 Gingin Road • Ph: (08) 9655 1321 • E:infolancelinsurf@gmail.com

Made to order wooden sculptures.

U11, 17 King St, Lancelin WA 6044 candido.pete@gmail.com APRIL 2020

Metro

Easter feeds will be much easier to gather METRO OFFSHORE

Jacob Crispe

The weather has been very pleasant and is cooling down by the day. This calm weather will continue into April and make getting offshore a lot easier and stress free.

the comp reported that there were better numbers around the North Wall area. Coming in closer, good numbers of mahimahi have been taken from around the FADs, with plenty of fish ranging from 60cm to 1.2m. Around the FADs you’ll also find tonnes of little southern bluefin tuna (SBT).

match the hatch with your presentation. DEMERSALS In closer, there have been good numbers of black arse cod (breaksea cod) on the edges of 5 fathom bank, and with them are a hell of a lot of small just undersize pink snapper. These small pinkies are a good sign for

This just goes to show you don’t need to go far to find quality fish!

Tim O’Donnell shows us how it’s done, with a lovely looking West Australian dhufish. OUT WIDE AND FADS April’s weather will good for deep dropping in areas deeper than 200m, with species like eightbar cod, blue-eye trevalla, Bass groper and even hapuka a possibility. Right offshore, big game like blue marlin are on the cards for those able to get out. At the recent Blue Marlin Classic, a good number of fish were raised but only one was caught and tagged. Those fishing

SBT are seen not only at the FADs, but also sporadically from 5 fathoms out to 30 fathoms, and the further out you go the thicker the tuna schools seem to get. It’s best to use a stealthy approach, as they are not staying on surface for long. Small metals are the go for those wanting to cast, and small skirts are the best option for those trolling. With tuna, it is important to identify size of bait they are chasing and to

the future, and are great for anyone wanting a bit of fun, especially kids. Dhufish have been a little bit shy around Perth recently, but there are always good catches to be had as you go north, from Two Rocks and up to Jurien Bay. Plenty of sergeant baker, which are a popular bait for dhuies, have been present on a lot of reef systems. The early risers have been pinging a few good dhuies using sergeant baker as bait

on the limestone lumps at the back of 5 fathom bank. There are also some good dhuies out wide, but these fish are sensitive to the barometer. The rest of the demersals, like baldies and harlequin, have been showing up in good numbers, and anglers have filled bags quite easily. The big pinks have been in slightly deeper water on north and south of Rotto, but when we get stormy weather

snapper are frequenting, people are catching King George whiting, and some large blue-spot flatties. These make a great addition to the bag, and are well worth the effort. Squid have been good around the Sound, and we’re starting to see larger specimens showing up on the shallow reef systems. They are spawning so they will be hungry and aggressive,

with the water still warm. This month, rather than trolling, a more natural approach should produce better results. Live baits are definitely the better method, and a rig should contain single-strand wire (anything from 40-69lb), one keeper hook, plus one or two treble stingers to maximise hook-up rates. If you just drift any areas holding baitfish of squid,

Left: When it comes to catching squid out the front of Fremantle, Dom Magoo doesn’t miss! Check out this great southern calamari. Right: Tim O’Donnell has been on fire lately, mixing it up with mixed bags of 5-star fish. Here he holds up an absolute beauty of a blue spot flathead taken close to the beach.

Left: Nick Burke holds up a true deep water trophy, a massive Bass groper caught in 400m. Right: A morning’s catch in close by Dom Magoo from Dom’s Fishing Adventures. There’s big whiting and plenty of them out there at the moment, with some squid on the side. 14

APRIL 2020

and a rapid pressure change, the snapper push in close. If you’re using bait, remember that fresh is best. It’s a good time of year to anchor off shallow reef edges in 5-6m of water, and berley into the reef, and unweighted baits are the way to go. If using soft plastics is more your thing, jerkshad styles in the 5” size are dynamite. BREAD AND BUTTER In same spots that

and if you’re fishing from a boat you can bag out quite quickly. Herring are really easy to catch in April, and when chasing these scrappers berley is a must (one that contains pollard is great). This species is great for kids, and they are very good on the plate as well. PELAGICS Lastly, there are still a lot of Spaniards around,

chances are mackerel will move through at some point. When fishing like this, you could also throw stickbaits or metals at the same time, as this maximises your chance of a hook-up. Be sure to have your engine off as well! So get out and make use of this fantastic weather. There’s so much going on and you won’t gather a great feed by sitting on the couch!

Metro

Great time for a river raid METRO

Jacob Crispe

The hot weather has been seeing the salt go further into the rivers, meaning a lot of the estuarine species are heading further upstream than usual, however in April the weather will start to cool. BIG GAME The most exciting thing for land-based anglers is still the Spanish mackerel, and there have probably been better numbers this year than in the past. Most beaches from Point Peron to Guilderton are seeing anglers not only hook but land Spaniards, with some just shy of 20kg. For more serious landbased anglers, when they can get the right wind (usually an easterly wind), using helium balloons and skip baiting gars out has been most effective method. Those just using surface balloons with a livey like herring, however, (single-strand wire is a must) are also catching fish. The latter have been having success in the Sound off the Woodmans Ammo Jetty. There are a select group of anglers who target sharks in the metro area, with some

around in the early morning, but if you’re a night owl, anglers fishing into the night have caught some too. Off the beaches and rock walls around Freo and heading north up towards Guilderton is where you’ll find them right now.

and squid are starting to increase in size. The squid are spawning and will be getting noticeably bigger and more aggressive on average. Because of this, it’s a really good time to chase a feed, and any rock wall should get

Pavle Biserko doesn’t catch small fish, so when he gets a mulloway it’s usually a monster! This one was caught at E Sheds in Fremantle. If you’re chasing mulloway, the beaches around Madora Bay and Mullaloo are the places to be looking, and as these are also good places for tailor, if you can get some to use as bait you’ll be in the money. Remember to stick to size and bag limits of tailor, as they are not an official bait species.

you into some action, South Mole rock wall and the Freo Sailing Club rock wall are probably the easiest to access. You should find tailor and skippy anywhere with a depth of 2m or more along those rock walls. Just be patient and stay in the game. Herring are really easy to catch at the moment from

An excellent land-based capture by Nick Denvir. This Spanish mackerel was caught skip baiting whole garfish with helium balloons from an undisclosed beach location south of the river. landing some big models (mostly tigers) to 3m. These captures have been strictly catch and release. BEACHES AND ROCK WALLS There’s been good numbers of tailor getting

A by-catch for mulloway are small sharks, and often they will bite off rigs, so it may be handy to have a wire trace with you if you want to add some flake to your bag. Around the rock walls in Freo, good-sized skippy

just about anywhere, and like herring fishing everywhere, berley is a must. On beaches there are bluespot flatties, and these are a great species to enjoy a leisurely morning or afternoon chasing a feed.

RIVERS AND ESTUARIES In the river, there are large models of yellowfin whiting available, and although these things are tricky to catch, Claremont and East Freo are good places to have a crack with lures or bait. You’ll have to be lucky to get some on topwater presentations, and the best results have come from a nighttime approach with bloodworms. Fishing at night ensures minimal trouble from the resident blowfish. For easier topwater action on the whiting, Mandurah is the place to head. The yellowtail (or bartail) flathead are still in good numbers, and fishing for these guys is a good way to keep cool on a hot day. The area around Dalkeith, Point Resolution and Point Walter are the hotspots on this tasty and rewarding species. Hardbody minnow lures are effective when worked at a slow pace, but hopping blades along the bottom claims its share of flatties in the estuary too.

Evelyn Crispe with her uncle Jake (the author) showing that there are some great size bream in the Swan around Garvey Park. weather, the salt is pushing further up, so the tailor are traveling up a fair way. People are finding it’s a similar story on the river mulloway. Anywhere from the E sheds to Ascot is a good bet for mulloway in the Swan, and there have even been reports from beyond Ascot. For mulloway, you

land even the biggest mulloway. As always, Garvey Park, and down to Heirisson Island around the causeway and Burswood are great spots to try for black bream. These fish can be targeted on a wide range of lures, but are actually a great target for kids with bait, as the river

Ninja of the shallows Han Yeoh caught this great flathead wading knee-deep on the Swan River’s flats. Tailor are pretty spread out in the estuaries from East Freo to Burswood, and anglers casting stickbaits or shiny metal lures to cover water quickly are faring best. If fishing for tailor in the evening, a mulie or blue bait on a gang rig under a float with a glowstick is the way to go. Thanks to hot

TURN FISHING INTO CATCHING

must use live bait on a running rig, and the best baits are scalies, bonies or trumpeter. Just a tip to help your livey stay alive: try using a smaller hook around the 3/0 size. This will keep your precious livey swimming longer, but also give you enough strength in your hook to

environment is safe, and they pull hard for their size. The best bait for these guys is river prawns. So make the most of the glorious weather and try squeeze in a fish around the Perth metro! There’s a lot going on and it’s a great time to score a feed without travelling too far!

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Does colour matter? NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.fishotopia.com

It’s the perennial question on the minds and lips of so many lure and fly anglers: does the colour of your offering really make any difference to your overall fishing results?

the part of the colour spectrum visible to them is often a little different to what we see. For example, some fish can detect reflected ultraviolet light, which is invisible to us, while differences in tones from the red end of the spectrum that are obvious to us may be much less discernible to our fishy friends.

of the spectrum), perceived colours are rapidly altered with increasing depth or horizontal distance through the water. The exact rate at which this loss of colour occurs varies with the strength of the sunlight (directly overhead or low on the horizon, cloudy or sunny conditions and so on), the clarity and colour of

Shallow water predators such as Spanish mackerel have eyes that are just as sharp as their teeth!

The size, shape and action of this Shimano Baku Tiger jig most likely played a much greater role in enticing this snapper to bite than any perception of its colour at a depth of 45m. There are all sorts of theories about what fish can and can’t see. Some folks insist that fish view their underwater world in black and white, while others claim their vision is poor. Fortunately, there’s

However, there’s another vital consideration we need to factor into the great colour debate: water (even very clear water) progressively absorbs light of different wavelengths. This means that colours effectively

the water, and the presence of any suspended matter such as weed or plankton. Even in very clear ocean currents far from shore, less than 25% of available sunlight hitting the water’s surface will penetrate much further than 10-15m of water. By the time we get down to around 100m, the remaining light may be as little as 0.5% of what’s available on the surface. It’s pretty gloomy down there! As already mentioned, red is the first part of the spectrum to disappear, and this colour is typically gone

within 5-6m (less in dirty water). Orange disappears next, then yellow, followed by green and then purple. Blues (both the tones of blue visible to our human eyes and also the shorter, ultra-violet wavelengths that many fish can see) penetrate deepest of all the colours. This scientific phenomenon has a profound impact on the way things look underwater to us and also to fish. White or silver objects will typically appear bluish underwater, with the darkness of that blue increasing with depth. Red objects will begin to look dark grey or even black within a few metres of the surface. Down at 15-20m, even in clear water, the world appears to be composed entirely of shades of grey, blue and black; to both our eyes and those of the fish. It’s worth stressing that this loss or alteration of visible colours occurs in both the vertical and the horizontal plane. So, 10m of vertical depth has roughly the same impact on light waves and the visibility of reflected colours as 10m

of horizontal separation between an object and its observer. In other words, a red lure may look dark grey or black when viewed at a depth of 10-15m, but it’s also likely to look black or at the least very dark grey when viewed from the side at a

Natural colours that mimic food items often work well on bream but a little bit of glitter doesn’t hurt either. distance of 10-15m, even if it’s up in the surface layer. At face value, this phenomena of spectrum loss at depth would appear

Light levels and colour intensity fade rapidly with depth and lateral distance in the water. Lures often look very different from when they are in your hand to when they’re even a metre or two under the surface. been some solid science to investigate this over the years and these days we actually have quite a few solid answers. According to scientists, most of the popular fish targeted by anglers — and especially predators living in relatively shallow, clear water — have very good eyesight. Also, the majority of these fish can definitely perceive colours, although 16

APRIL 2020

‘vanish’ one after another as ‘white’ sunlight travels through the water column. With increasing depth (and with increasing horizontal distance through the water), the colour in sunlight is absorbed and the amount of visible light also diminishes. Because absorption is greater for longer wavelengths (the red end of the spectrum) than it is for shorter wavelengths (the blue end

to make a mockery of the importance of colour in lures anywhere beyond shallow, ultra-clear flats fishing. However, most experienced anglers know that lure colour can sometimes make a difference, even in

What was more of an attraction for this cheeky little Murray cod: the flash and vibration of the Hell Yeah chatterbait’s metal blade, the pulsing action of its skirt, the silhouette of that soft plastic trailer, or the proven freshwater combination of black and purple? You be the judge!

deepwater jigging scenarios. Maybe we’ll never understand exactly why this is so, although it’s certainly an interesting subject to ponder! Similarly curious is how many deepwater species are red themselves — a colour that effectively doesn’t even ‘exist’ down where they live. While I accept that colour can be a critical component in lure and fly choice on its day, I generally rate colour down the list of key selection criteria when choosing a lure or fly; well below things like size, shape, action and running depth. In my opinion, far too many fishers get completely hung up on the colour question, often at the expense of other factors that are at least as important to their chances of success. By all means, consider colour when selecting lures and flies, but don’t let it dominate your thinking!

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South Coast

Beach fun in the sun ALBANY

Jacob Crispe

The weather is starting to become a bit more userfriendly in the south, and with salmon schools now gracing this coastline, it’s

should all put you in the money. Remember that a good 4WD and a bit of knowledge is important if you’re taking on this task. For the rock fishers, there have been numbers of bonito and SBT mixed amongst the salmon around

Kira Brown can’t wipe the smile off her face after catching this big South Coast salmon! a great time to get out of the house and after one of the South Coast’s most prized species. SALMON The talk around Albany at the moment is of course the annual visitors, the mighty salmon! The Salmon Holes are a popular and well-fished area for this iconic species, and if you are targeting salmon at the Holes, it’s best if you stay off the rocks. You can catch just as many off the beach in perfect safety. If you must fish the rocks, be cautious and wear a PFD! If you don’t own one or can’t afford one, most tackle shops will loan you one free of charge. Other popular spots around Albany include Shelley Beach, Lowlands and Bornholm, and they

these areas, but again, please take adequate safety precautions if you’re fishing off the stones. RIVERS AND ESTUARIES The Kalgan is probably the best bream river in WA, as it provides good fish for serious anglers to tangle with, also plenty of places for kids to get stuck into some better than average black bream. East Bank Road, which runs along the side of the river, has lots of spots to park and fish. Alternatively, you could also drive to end where there’s a walking trail, and from there you can walk along until you find a good spot. The Kalgan River is also great river for mulloway, and it holds them year round. These can often come as

a by-catch when chasing bream, however they can be found throwing bigger lures and baits in areas where bait is holding. Tailor are also a fun target in the Kalgan, however they are usually small, and salmon trout can be taken near the mouth. While not huge and powerful like their larger brothers and sisters on the beaches, they provide ample fun for youngsters and youngsters at heart. The King River bridge is also known to harbour good mulloway, along with plenty of bream next to the pylons. This is a user-friendly spot, because can fish on top into the channel, or you can cast from the carpark and into the channel. Emu Point in Oyster Harbour will be a good place to search for some squid, especially around the boat pens. You’ll also have a shot at a mulloway in here if you’re fishing a little heavier. Emu Point’s horseshoeshaped jetty is a good spot to walk out and catch KG from its deeper parts, and in this area you can also catch

Ashley Brown displays a beautiful prized capture from the rocks around Albany, a harlequin fish, also known as a Chinese lantern fish. Ashley always wears his PFD for safety when rock fishing. flounder, flathead, black bream, and a lot of small squid as well. Around here you can fish all day in peace, as the blowfish that are such a pain further north don’t come this far south. In the town itself, the platform in the harbour has been producing lots of squid,

and in good sizes too. In any of these spots you’ll also find a range of bread-and-butter species like herring, leatherjackets, small pink snapper and skippy, especially if berley is involved. There are lots of blue manna crabs about, which

Left: Justin Crispe got this beauty while casting a jig around Frenchmans Bay! Good polarised sunnies are a huge help to spot the weed patches where the squid will be most active. Right: This little oriental or striped bonito fell to Zak Hart’s metal lure as he fished the rocks near Cheynes Beach. Zak also wears his PFD when rock fishing.

can be scooped up quite easily in the shallow water. If hand spearing is your thing, cobbler and flatties can hang out in the same areas as the crabs, so keep your eyes peeled. BEACHES Middleton Beach has a small jetty that you can walk onto and fish, and anglers regularly get KG whiting, herring and sand whiting from this spot. The Salmon Holes will be a good spot late at night for those chasing gummies, which are well worth the effort, as not much beats fresh flake. Those wanting to tangle with some big squid should try Frenchman Bay. On all the prominent rock ledges and headlands the usual demersal and pelagic species (as well as salmon, of course) will be chewing well, and are a good challenge to those who are prepared adequately. Harlequin, breaksea cod, dhuies and samsonfish have all been reported from a variety of headlands. As mentioned above, please take care when fishing the rocks, and make use of the great salmon migration!

Salmon schools in close BREMER BAY

Keith ‘Fisho’ Morris

In the Pallinup River the fish are dying due to low oxygen caused by the lack of flow and hot water. I went there the other day and saw bream from 20mm-300mm dead on the bank of the river everywhere, along with a heap of dead yellow-eye mullet. It was a sad sight. Barring a significant rain event, you should give this river a wide berth. The 18

APRIL 2020

fish wouldn’t be good to eat anyway. Pallinup Beach is fishing well for herring, and there are also a few salmon and skippy. Anglers fishing Reef Beach are getting good catches of herring, along with some salmon, skippy and flathead. I recently went to Reef Beach and caught some herring and goodsize skippy, and spotted a school of salmon in close that looked to be about 10 tonnes. There were sharks cruising around, and one of them was a 5-6ft bronze

whaler just off the beach (see photo). At Fosters, Dillon Bay and Bremer beaches you can pick up herring, skippy and salmon. Black bream can be caught in the Bremer River, although there’s still not enough water for a boat. At Triglow Beach anglers are catching herring and gummy shark at night, with the best bait being sand crab. Offshore has bean quiet due to rough weather; hopefully there will be more to report next month.

This hungry bronze whaler was prowling around a salmon school.

South Coast

More accessible fishing ESPERANCE

Oli Stevensonn

This time of year is when all the beaches start to fire with bigger fish. All the herring get pushed in close, which draws in the larger fish such as mulloway and gummy sharks, and the salmon are starting to school up too. The shallower gutters seem to be producing more fish of all three species. At the beaches east of town such as Thomas River, anglers fishing the shallow, longer gutters are getting up to half a dozen mulloway in one arvo session. The prime bite times seem to be an hour before high tide through to around 1.5 hours after high tide. Gummy sharks are out there biting at the same times, and there have been some large ones caught up to the 5.5ft mark. Further east at Poison Creek, anglers have been getting lots of smaller mulloway around the 70cm mark sitting in those long, shallower gutters. Water temps are dropping on the beaches, which brings in the larger skippy. Specimens up to 4kg have been caught by anglers targeting larger species. The dropping water temperatures also bring the salmon in really close; these fish have schooled up and are starting to congregate along the west coast up to Perth. There have been a lot of very large schools spotted lately around town starting to head west, with a few up around that 10-tonne mark. A lot of smaller schools are also moving quickly along the coast. The most popular metals for salmon are the Halco Twisty and Samaki Flash. Instead of doing a straight

wind, give your lure a few twitches and a quick pause now and then to make the fish more curious. This seems to increase catch rates. All the fish on the beaches have been taking a lot smaller baits. Strips of herring on a 6/0 snell rig have been what’s been getting the gummies, mulloway and large skippy. The cooling water has caused some large squid to leave the deeper water and move in close, sitting in around 2-5m of water. A lot of large specimens have been caught, up to 40cm hood length. Both boat and land-based anglers have been having success, and two of the best squid jigs are the River2Sea Gesola Egi in

twitches seems to be getting the larger ones. Small tinny fishers in the bay have been getting large numbers of big snook in the same areas that they’re catching squid. Trolling a small chrome lure is a good way to catch a lot of snook and herring, along with large skippy. At this time of year the herring get quite big and fat, with the average size being around 30cm. OFFSHORE Offshore the water is getting cooler and all the seriolas (kingfish, amberjack and samsonfish) are starting to move out deeper. There are large numbers of kings and samsons schooled up out

This 40cm+ bream was taken off the surface on an OSP Bent Minnow. Image courtesy of @beaudi_hill. brown/orange and the Daiwa Emeraldas in mango shrimp. The squid seem to tend to feed on more natural colours in clean water, and if the swell has been up and the water is murky, the brighter colours seem to work better. The squid are feeding in mid water at the moment, and a really slow, finesse retrieve with subtle

further in the deeper water, and livebaits seem to be the best option in the cold water. The fish are still hitting knife jigs, but a livebait works better at this time of year. If you’re going bottom fishing, the nannygai are schooling up, sitting in quite tight, large schools about 100m off lumps. There are still

Oli Stevenson with a nice sized gummy shark caught on fresh bait at Thomas River. Image courtesy of @olistevensonn. plenty of harlequin breaksea and queen snapper around the lumps, taking soft plastics. One of the best is a 7” Gulp Jerkshad in pilchard, rigged on a 3oz Elevator or Vexed Dhu Bomb jighead. These jointed jigheads give the lure a lot more action and look more appealing to fish in the deeper water. The tuna fishing has been a lot better this year than it was last year. SBT to 20kg have been caught off Esperance, and the smaller fish have schooling up close to town behind flat rocks. Further out towards Woody Island there have been schools of 10kg fish. A good lure to troll for these fish has been the 4” Black Magic Jet Setter in burple or saury. The schools of tuna aren’t spooking easily – they can come right up boat-side – and flicking small stickbaits and small slices can be fun. After you have trolled beside the school and caught a few, drift down over it so as not to spook the fish, and cast your lures. Good options include the 40g Halco C-Gar stickbait and 35g Samaki Torpedo slice. BREAD AND BUTTER FISHING Good size King George whiting are being caught off the local beaches and

boat harbour, usually in the afternoon or early morning. These fish tend to have a short bite time, only around half an hour, but during that time they really go off. It’s pretty common to have two fish on the one rig. The most popular is a 2-hook paternoster with a size 6 long shank hook and a bit of flash or lumo beads to attract them. Water levels are still quite low in the lakes and rivers around town, and the water quality is quite clear in the estuaries. There is a lot of weed in the water though, so if you’re targeting bream you should use shallow diving or surface lures. At this time of year the bream tend to sit in the weed instead of the snags, and a slow and erratic retrieve can draw the fish out of the weed. It’s quite an easy fight because they’re not in the snags, and you can drop your leader down to 2-3lb fluoro so you’re less likely to spook the fish. Minnow style profiles are working the best, particularly larger profiles while the water is low. Standouts include the 60mm Daiwa Double Clutch in lazer ayu and 68mm Austackle Banana Boat. The OSP Bent Minnow is also a very productive sub-surface lure with all the weed; make slow sweeps with a 4-second

pause to let it rise to the surface. The bream think the lure is an injured baitfish, and they dart out of the weed to hit it. A good soft plastic for the bream is the 2.5” ZMan Slim SwimZ in mood ring rigged on a 1/16oz size 2 jighead. Work it with a medium pace consistent roll, and keep the rod tip high to keep the plastic just below the surface. This technique works better in areas that have higher salinity so there are more baitfish around. If you’re heading into the freshwater reaches, I have found that the 2.5” ZMan GrubZ in blood worm works better, because it imitates a tadpole. Keep rod tip high, and work it like a tadpole swims. All lures at the moment are producing a lot more fish when smothered in catch scent, and this applies to offshore fishing as well. I use S Factor, and reapply it every 10 or so casts. • Southern Sports and Tackle specialise in the supply and servicing of fishing equipment. They have an extensive knowledge of the local area and provide all brands, whether you’re fishing from beach, jetty or boat. Drop in for a chat at Shop 16, The Boulevard, Esperance, give them a call on 08 9071 3022 or look them up on Facebook.

APRIL 2020

West Coast

Salmon aren’t the only option AUGUSTA

Anthony Gillam

It’s that time of the year again. The salmon fever strikes and everything takes a back seat to the pursuit of catching the fast-running, hard-striking torpedoes. It’s enough to strain relationships

win some pretty good prizes as a bonus. Augusta usually starts seeing the odd school coming through about the end of February, however the main run hits the beaches in March and April. The run over the last few years has been exceptional, with the numbers moving up the coast rivalling those from

eastern side of town from the marina to the lighthouse. On the western side, Deepdene is easily accessible with a 4WD vehicle and Cosy Corner is just a short walk from the car park, where the schools can easily be spotted before heading down. Hamelin Bay and Boranup produce many fish during the season, however, a commercial salmon netter operates there and you must be careful to not interfere with their right to earn a living. Gear for salmon fishing has shown a big change over the years, with everything downsizing as technology improves the efficiency of equipment. Rod and reel combinations have reduced in size with the 12 footers with a big Alvey or eggbeater being swapped out for much lighter 8-10ft rods and smaller reels using much thinner braid, mono or fluorocarbon. The ability of modern equipment to toss lures, poppers, soft plastics

squid and mulies. Try stuffing a mulie inside the hood of a squid and thread this cocktail onto a circle hook and watch what happens! Yellowtail kingfish around a metre and bigger are in big numbers and there have been reports of large Spanish mackerel being sighted, hooked and lost around the islands. It’s only a matter of time before a mackerel stays on the hook. I would suggest a large garfish, whiting or herring on a solid trolling rig; this should see you scoring a trophy-sized mackerel. Whiting fishing in the Hardy Inlet has continued, with a great run of yellowfin and King George that shows no sign of slowing. As the weather begins to cool off through autumn, this will slow somewhat, however now is the time to be taking advantage of their strong numbers. Glass shrimp, bloodworm and river prawn are all popular baits and a

The three amigos spent a day out on Hamelin Bay with Leeuwin Marine Charters and were happy with their nice demersal bag! to breaking point and requires the deft touch of a seasoned flyfisher to be able to coax a quick trip out to the coast without things getting broken off. That is unless you manage to infect your partner with the same virus. I find that once approval is obtained it’s best to make haste and get on the road before they see sense! These days there is a plethora of social media pages devoted to the pursuit of the Australian salmon and increasingly there are also a number of fishing

20 years ago. This probably has a direct correlation with the reduced demand for commercial caught fish, as well as the trend towards catch and release by many people. If you want to give it a go for the first time, then Augusta is the place to head, as the majority of the schools that come in close are medium-sized fish to around 80cm. These are well and truly of the size that will give you an unbelievable fight on light to medium gear, but are not quite the massive South Coast monsters that

Earn your stripes with demersals in Augusta where dhufish are accessible within minutes from the marina or Hamelin Bay boat ramp! competitions organised to coincide with their run up the coast. Someone with a smart phone and a bit of time can fish the schools from Esperance to the metro area without missing a beat and also get the chance to 20

APRIL 2020

can really test your abilities. If you want to introduce your children to the salmon frenzy, then this is the place to do it. When it comes to locations for safely fishing the schools, then you can’t beat the beaches on the

The Blackwood bream population is very healthy, but it means you may need to sift through the large numbers of juveniles to pick up trophy fish. or baits over vast distances has certainly made for a new age of fishing. Salmon will take just about anything that resembles food if it passes within their vision, which is obviously excellent going by their ability to hone in on a target. Grab some shiny metals, bright hardbodied lures or a packet of bait and give it a go this season; you too could end up with the best type of fever to have for the rest of your life! There have been a number of very nice fishing days where low swell and just enough wind to get a nice drift going has resulted in plenty of fish meals for those lucky enough to have the time and equipment to get offshore. Dhufish are everywhere and are snapping up soft plastics and baits left, right and centre. Gulp paddle-tails and minnows in the larger sizes are deadly, followed closely by whole

slowly retrieved bait will usually get many more hits than a bait plonked on the bottom and left. Crab fishing has been patchy at best this season, with those having a go at drop netting really working to get a feed. The numbers

Dhufish abound in sizes like this one taken in Hamelin Bay on an octopus bait. have been best around east Augusta and West Bay. As a consolation, those caught have been big and full of meat. The Blackwood River as always has a very healthy black bream population, and it is not difficult to locate the thousands of juvenile fish around the myriad of snags along her banks. The task of separating the little pickers from the trophy fish is not so easy. Robust baits tend to hold up well against the dozens of mouths all vying for it at the same time. Pieces of coral prawn or whole river prawns are always successful, however hardbodies lures and soft plastic tend to be better for the larger fish. Squidgies make a great range suitable for bream and I find that in Augusta the natural colours work best. Drop in to the tackle shop to find out what is working best, as it tends to change fairly regularly. Cyclonic weather up north has caused some heavy rain showers in Augusta, which has meant that fishing off the rocks could be somewhat dangerous. Most

Whiting popping can turn up all types of fish on the flats, just like this healthy juvenile salmon.

of the time however, rock fishing conditions lately have been favourable. The marina rockwall has been a nice sheltered spot to fish, and there have been some big herring and skippy caught, with enough squid around to make it worth having a session catching them alone. If you want to test your strength, there are a few monster samsonfish that patrol the length of the main wall. Try flicking a whole herring or squid in front of them during the day for some spectacular arm stretching torture. The rocks at Cosy Corner, the Honeycombs and Elephant Rock have all been producing a mixed bag of samsonfish, yellowtail kingfish and small sharks along with the usual herring, tarwhine, tailor and skippy. • As I always point out, Augusta has some really productive rock fishing locations, however, people have died here being washed off by king waves. Unpredictable weather can quickly affect the fishing conditions and slippery rocks are a recipe for disaster. Please remain vigilant when rock fishing; wear a lifejacket and tie off to something solid. You can hire one for free from Augusta Xtreme Outdoor Sports at 66 Blackwood Avenue Augusta, the local tackle shop and font of all local fishing knowledge! Look for the big green sign on the roof, it’s right next to the Better Choice Fuels Service Station. • The locations mentioned are all well-known and are marked on most vehicle GPS units, especially if they have HEMA maps or a list of locations can be obtained from the local tackle store, Augusta X-Treme Outdoor Sports.

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This has to be my favourite time of the year for a land-based assault. Whether you’re fishing the local beaches, The Cut or inside the marina, our famous Australian salmon can pop up out of nowhere in huge schools! I’ve spent many mornings and afternoons chasing the salmon up and down jetties, rock walls and beaches around Bunbury just to feel that screaming run on light gear that we don’t always have the opportunity to experience fishing land-based locally. If you’re fishing the jetties and rock walls I’d suggest a well balanced soft plastic around 6”, as I find those areas to have more sharp drop-offs or ledges, and you’ll benefit fishing a lure that can get close to the bottom. This is something a diving lure can’t always accomplish. While fishing the beaches I’ll take the heaviest metal slug or minnow profile hardbody lure that my rod will allow. Having that bit extra weight with a well matched line can be the difference of 20m on your neighbour’s

Josh Luvera with a lovely dhufish. These guys have been in good numbers lately. Local rock walls and jetties are also holding some tasty flathead holding on the drop offs, with flathead being one of the easiest and most enjoyable fish to catch on lure. Both boaties and landbased fishers have been

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This chunky South West bream took a liking to a vibe. cast, and ultimately it will give you first punt at the school of bruisers. As always the crabs are still in the marina on the drop-offs, with plenty of locals still coming in to report bag-out sessions. We even have the odd few that swim their nets off the beaches to some pretty impressive honey holes.

collecting some impressive numbers of herring both for their breakfast toast and as excellent bait for their bottom bashing. Half the fun of a trip offshore is the bait collection beforehand! Boaties are experiencing some pretty hefty-sized squid that are pillaging their drift baits around the 15m mark while baiting for

hungry snapper, and there’s been some fat skippy and tailor showing up in the shallow waters as well. As always, plenty of dhufish are available in Bunbury waters if you’re happy to put in the time and effort sounding up new grounds. King George whiting quite often haunt the same grounds as the dhufish, and that’s been evident lately, with some solid specimens taking unsuspecting anglers’ dhufish baits. What a problem to have! With no surprise, shark catches have escalated lately with the salmon running up the coast, which are coaxing the toothy critters along with them. Plenty of tigers and bronzies have been taking the baits recently, particularly around Dalyellup Beach, making for some exciting sportfishing. A slab of stingray is the most popular bait, otherwise the Mandurah mullet we have delivered weekly have been enticing them well. Black bream catches start to ramp up this time of year. Local fanatics are fishing the higher ends of the Collie for big 40cm+ fish, with a few being successful in catching and releasing some of these slabs. • If you have any questions about something you have read or just want to have a chat, duck into Whiteys Tackle and Camping at 1/143 Grand Entrance, Treendale, Australind. One of the staff or Whitey himself will be happy to help get you on the right path to that next trophy fish. APRIL 2020

April aces come to town BUSSELTON

Stephen Norman

It was a windy start to the 2020 summer, but things have been progressively calming down over the past month or so and we have seen some excellent fishing as a result.

Targeting whiting from the shore has still been a worthwhile endeavour, with reasonable numbers of yellowfin whiting coming from Wonnerup Inlet. Cooler waters so far this year have meant our pelagic species have been quieter than usual, with very few mackerel sightings noted, however

Chunky herring are a common sight along our West Coast beaches at this time of year. WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING? Inshore areas off Gracetown have been producing glorious bags for anglers fishing from smaller vessels, meaning they don’t have to travel far for a quality feed of demersal fish. Some anglers fishing within 1.5km of the shore even have found chunky dhufish ranging from 4-8kg, as well as breaksea cod and pink snapper. Small bommies and broken ground in 15-30m range have been fishing hot for these species. Back on dry land salmon have been here and there, with a high number of resident fish holding along our West Coast beaches.

bluefin tuna numbers have remained relatively consistent around the 25-30m mark in the bay. Tuna are often seen feeding on mulies on the surface, so keep an eye out for them. UPCOMING April brings about a time of change for the South West, as the weather patterns begin to dictate the quality of fishing. Temperatures some days are still in the mid 30s, while the next day can bring a cold front. This has ripple effects on our fishing, both good and not so good. The first noticeable change we will see is in squid numbers. Already this month and even in late March

the squid have been slowly increasing in numbers and turbulent weather will only bring about more of this change as we drift into our winter months. Cold fronts and rougher weather will push the squid inshore and places like the Busselton jetty will hold decent numbers throughout this time. Squid can be caught all year round here, but during summer it can be hard work, so these weather patterns bring welcome change to the quality of the squid fishing. Size 3.5 squid jigs in glow patterns are always my go-to. In particular, glow white, pink, red head, orange and lemon lime are my favourites. Pack at least a few of these colours in your tackle box and you should be in with a decent shot at bagging a feed. One tip I have for people fishing the jetty for squid is to move around until you find a patch of them. For this reason, carry only a backpack rather than a bucket. Have a bag to keep your squid in instead, so you can effortlessly wander up and down until you run into these slippery suckers. I have always found the best time to target squid around this time of year is an hour either side of sunset, and having a fresh yellow tail out isn’t a bad option either! Coinciding with the return of the squid should be the herring. Herring become difficult to find at times over the summer period in the bay, but as the weather stirs, so too will the herring. We have had a pretty bumper summer on the herring, so we should see this continue into April and May. April is when the salmon numbers should definitely begin to ramp up. Again, going by last year’s

Small salmon are super aggressive and will often bite off more than they can chew. experiences, early April saw proper schools passing by our coast as they made their way north. Injidup Beach, Canal Rocks and in particular Hamelin Bay were hot spots. When it comes to salmon, 90% of the time they will eat just about anything. However, there are a few tips that will help to increase your catch numbers. Firstly, use a heavy lure. Of course you must pick some that suit the rod and reel outfit you are using, but a common mistake made by anglers is they use lighter poppers and bibbed minnows in the surf. These lures are certainly effective on salmon, but will often fail to provide you with the weight needed to cast the required distance to the school. Furthermore, if one school is being targeting by multiple anglers, often the salmon will hug the bottom and become hard to tempt into taking a lure. This is where a well-weighted lure will come into its own, as it will allow you to sink the lure down into the school and persuade a fish into a strike. Try using metal slices ranging from 60-100g (rod and reel dependant) or

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Inshore jigging sessions can often turn up lovely dhufish like this one, which was taken just a few miles off Gracetown ramp.

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Cool temperatures will tempt the big fish bite MANDURAH

Jesse Choy

A lot of great fish were caught in March, and April is usually a fun month for fishing in Mandurah, going by past reports. Mulloway have been firing off the beach for anglers fishing on the changes of light and there has also been

plenty of reports of these heading well up into the river systems. The upper reaches of both systems are also producing great-sized bream, particularly on artificial lures. Though it is well worth bait anglers giving it a crack with prawn or mullet cubes, there is definitely some good quality fish coming on natural soft plastic and hardbody lures. Retrieving

these lures a bit slower than you would in summer has been seeing some good success, as these fish are beginning to slow down and be more selective about their feeding. In the month to come, we can expect some nice cool days out on the water. While this weather drives numbers of fish like tailor and yellowfin whiting to become quite shy, it can certainly encourage some

Catching a fish is often a bonus – the beauty of chasing fish off the beach is that you often also get to go for a fun drive!

A juvenile mulloway hooked on the cheek by a small 2.5” plastic intended for bream.

of the bigger specimens to hang around. These bigger models are quite clued on to the fact that there is less competition at this time. Not only will this type of weather act as a trigger to bigger fish, but it will also bring about some species that you generally

don’t catch while the water and ambient temperatures are too high. Good-sized salmon are one of those species and they are starting to thin out, with the southern beaches being a preferred location. Tims Thicket, White Hills and the Dawesville area are

WATER BALL AST

APRIL 2020

ACTIVE TRANSOM

really good options when chasing Australian salmon earlier in the season, but will also often turn up some interesting by-catch. As these fish move up the coast in migrating schools, targeting the town rock walls, as well as the more northern beaches definitely

TRUE SELFDRAINING DECKS

West Coast becomes more viable. There are some good sized tailor lurking in the wash at our local beaches, with anglers also finding that the mulloway are not far behind. Anglers are

come inshore searching through newly turned up sea floor. Surprisingly, there have been a few reports of reasonable flathead coming from Mandurah town and

This solid salmon was caught by local angler Dan on a shallow diver. finding that these fish are happily taking tailor fillets, indicating that there are still a good number of tailor about. Those opting to use fresh baits are finding there

within the estuary. These fish are hard to target, but are a welcomed by-catch, particularly for Mandurah anglers who do not get to see these fish unless

In the rivers, anglers are finding that the bream fishing is heating up considerably. Like many other species, the black bream in our rivers quite like the change in conditions. These fish seem to bite best in the overcast conditions, which make them less attentive to what is above them, giving them more confidence to venture away from structure. Overcast conditions just tend to make the a bit more active than in the warm, calm and clear conditions. If you are heading up either of the rivers, you will generally find that the bream are well spread throughout and that likely looking holding spots will usually hold fish. With the infrequent rains, fish will tend to be further downstream. Offshore in the 20-60m range, you will find that there are plenty of decentsized pink snapper and dhufish around. While there has been the odd big fish being caught off the inner reefs like James Service, it certainly appears as if the bigger numbers of bigger fish are likely to come out of the deeper pockets of water and holding on structures within these depths. Taking the opportunity to visit some of the shallow reefs out of Mandurah can and will also produce some tailor and salmon at this time of the year. It is definitely worth giving the shallow waters a crack! Going into May we can expect our cold water fishing to really improve and the warm water species

This beautiful fish was released back into the river to provide an opportunity for another angler. are also plenty of school sharks and the odd pink snapper being captured in the less favourable conditions. Although land-based pink snapper can be difficult from our shorelines, the stormy, overcast days certainly help you out and offer an opportunity as the fish

heading offshore or to nearby rivers like the Swan or Canning. Around Dawesville Cut there is plenty of herring, tarwhine, smaller whiting and there has also some great-sized skipjack trevally being caught on soft plastics and lightlyweighted cube baits.

to become increasingly difficult to locate. While whiting can be found year round in Mandurah, tailor are certainly one of those species that come and go in search of warmer water. Rivers, freshwater and land-based fishing should all pick up as a result of changing conditions. APRIL 2020

recfishwest FADs fantasia and Awesome Autumn of Salmon It’s been another big month with a new set of fish aggregating devices (FADs) deployed – this time off Exmouth – and also with the Awesome Autumn of Salmon in full

species. While species such as mahimahi and tuna are expected to be encountered around those FADs located closer to shore, those located further offshore are expected to attract bigger

species. With the reputation of Exmouth being the sportfishing capital of Western Australia, we are anticipating big things from these newly deployed FADs off the Ningaloo Coast.

Cape Naturaliste FADs being deployed. swing, with the Salmon Slam 2020 fishing comp going full steam ahead! Recfishwest’s Aaron Moses brings you an update on the FADs and the salmon migration.

species such as wahoo, yellowfin tuna and marlin. The Exmouth FADs deployment has been a long time coming, with the community asking for them for a number of years, and

DELIVERING A TRIAL STATE-WIDE FADS NETWORK In November last year, we promised a trial statewide FADs network, and that’s exactly what we’re

the north, with Geraldton and Broome to follow soon. We have also received positive reports from fishers in the south, with fish, mostly mahimahi, being caught off both the Albany and Cape Naturaliste FADs. The Perth metro FADs are also firing, with plenty of fishers getting amongst the action and landing some great mahimahi and tuna. While a number of the FADs have been fishing well, there has been a few breakaways experienced in the Albany and Metro regions earlier this year. Due to all our FADs having trackers placed inside them, we were able to track the FADs in question, and when conditions suited, were able to recover them. Some of these FADs have since been replaced, and as this program still remains a part of a state-wide trial, we will continue to refine locations and the design of these FADs to improve their ability to aggregate fish, but to also improve their robustness. This enables them to be deployed for longer periods, even in particularly heavy seas, such as those experienced along the South Coast. GERO AND BROOME FADS COMING SOON By the time you read this article, Recfishwest will be closer to deploying FADs off Geraldton and Broome. We plan on deploying one FAD closer inshore to Geraldton and the remaining three, west of the Abrolhos Islands, in the hope of attracting larger gamefish. The Broome FADs in particular are

It’s easy to see why Jacob Carlish looks stoked with this beauty of a Cheynes Beach salmon. somewhat of an experiment, as we’re deploying them in shallow water, relatively close to shore making them easily accessible to fishers in all boat sizes including tinnies. This presents the tantalising prospect of opening up some great bait-

holding potential to enhance fishing action for pelagic species within just a quick run-out from the shore HIT UP THE FAB FADS PHOTO COMP Want to be in the mix to win a Shimano Stella 4000 in our fabulous FADs

Clay Lewis bagged himself this nice mahimahi off the metro FADs and is in the running to win a Shimano Stella 5000 as a result. The deployment of the four new Exmouth FADs will open up more fishing opportunities for local and visiting boat fishers who intend to target a range of highly-sought after pelagic 28

APRIL 2020

it’s another example of rec fishing license fees being used to create fantastic new sports fishing opportunities by aggregating abundant schools of fast-growing, spectacular-fighting pelagic

delivering, with FADs now deployed in four different locations in the southern half of the State (off the north metro, west of Rotto, Cape Naturaliste and Albany) and Exmouth in

Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland, the Premier and Fisheries Minister Peter Tinley and local fishers in Albany at the launch of the Awesome Autumn of Salmon.

recfishwest photo comp? We have made the entry conditions as easy as possible so more of you can enter and be in for the running for this top of the line reel, which is also perfect for taming any small to mediumsized pelagics you might encounter while fishing the FADs. This competition will be running until June 30 and includes all FADs deployed across Western Australia. So, here are some basic rules and what you need to send us to be in the running: • A high-quality picture of a fish caught at any of the FADs deployed across the State (see contact details below). • In your picture make sure the FAD is clearly visible in the background. • If the fish is bleeding heavily, wash away excess blood before taking the photo. • Fish must be caught during the competition time. • Unlimited entries per fisher. • Competition is open to both line and spear fishers. By entering you waive any intellectual rights to the image and agree to us to use the image you sent

This is what keeps salmon fishers coming back for more every year – big schools of spectacular sportfish within casting distance of spectacular southern beaches. for any of our promotional materials including all of our digital channels and for any content we provide for external publications. Email in your highquality pictures to aaron@ recfishwest.org.au. Now – it’s over to you – get out there, give

the FADS a crack and let us know how you go – we’d love to hear from you and see some of your pics of prized catches on the new FADs! AWESOME AUTUMN OF SALMON By the time this article goes to print, our

Salmon Slam 2020 fishing comp should be going gangbusters. This is a free three-month long fishing comp that kicked off in March, with anglers of all abilities and ages eligible to enter. Simply download the free Salmon Slam app, take

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a picture of your salmon catch next to a ruler and submit the pic through the app to be in the winning to heap of cool prizes, including a Sea Jay 3.5m tinny and 6hp four-stroke Honda outboard package valued at $9k provided by Salmon Slam platinum sponsor Rusty’s Marine. This is part of the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Funded (RFIF) Autumn Awesome Autumn of Salmon we launched in Albany in February, with the Premier Mark McGowan and the Fisheries Minister Peter Tinley following the results from an economic study into the value of salmon rec fishing to WA. The study found that each year recfishers spend $331 million chasing the mighty West Aussie salmon as the schools migrate up the coast, with 80% of that spent in regional WA on bait, gear, ice, food and accommodation representing a significant boost to the regional economy. Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland commented at the launch, “Having the State Premier recognise the economic

value that the annual salmon migration up the South West Coast brings to regional WA every year is a great step forward in ensuring the abundance of these superb sportfish is protected. “It’s that abundance of these fish that means WA salmon on average are bigger than anywhere else in Australia and ensures such exciting fishing experience that keep fishers coming back every autumn.” In addition to the Slam, there is also the Albany Salmon Spectacular run over the Easter weekend (10-12 April) – this is a family-friendly salmon fishing competition being held in the heart of salmon fishing country. There will be thousands of dollarsworth of prizes and you won’t need to even catch a salmon to be in with a chance to win! With filleting demos, sausage sizzles, kids’ casting comp and special guest Mark Lecras, there will be something for everyone at this great Great Southern fishing bonanza! For more info on all these cool events check out recfishwest.org.au/salmon.

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APRIL 2020

West Coast

Plenty of visitors to Lancelin fishing from the beach, boat or jetty. The kids can be well occupied fishing from the jetty, with garfish, herring, sand and King George whiting, skippy, squid, pike, tailor and tarwhine among the most commonly encountered species. ANZAC Day is considered the official ‘start’ to the herring season. In

LANCELIN

Peter Fullarton

With the Easter break, ANZAC Day long weekend and school holidays during this month, Lancelin will be buzzing with activity from visiting fishers. There will be plenty of fishing opportunities on offer to keep everyone occupied

reality, herring are about here all year, but from ANZAC Day on it is peak season to be catching them. We have already have schools of very good size fish about the bay for months, so it’s looking to be a bumper season. The herring can be caught from the jetty during the daytime, but as the sun sets they move into position around the jetty in huge numbers. By the

time the lights take effect, fish can be seen swarming in the water. Most nights it is pretty easy to reach a bag limit of herring using either baits or lures, though on calm still nights they may become finicky to bite. Try an unweighted piece of prawn on a very light leader and move it slowly through the water to tempt them on these nights. If you’re daytime fishing from the jetty, sand whiting are the easiest species to chase, and most are caught along the walkway or by casting back towards the beach from the jetty. The bays’ beaches are also a great place for the younger fishers, with shelter from the wind and swells. The south side near sea rescue is great for herring, tarwhine, skippy, King George whiting and flathead. Fishing further north in front of Lancelin Island you can get herring, sand whiting, flathead, tailor and after dark mulloway and sharks can move in.

Steven Toothill battled this samson solo out of his tinny in 14m of water. sea weed rolling in the surf break. Heading south along the back beach there are numerous shallow gutters, that scour out a bit deeper

Mackerel are one of the speedsters on offer at the moment. This good size school mackerel was caught trolling in just behind the first line of reefs.

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once the winter storms start to hit. These can fish well for mulloway and tailor. In-between the sections of gutters are Tailor Reef, Fence Reef and Mile Reef. These are all great spots to access

a bit of deeper water where you can catch the usual bread and butter species and find some sharks, mulloway, samsonfish, tailor and snapper. North of town offers a variety of mixed reefs and sections of gutters. The best gutters are up towards the Wedge Island end, with a similar mix of species on offer, and there are plenty of dart in these gutters. Lancelin offers exceptional fishing from small dinghies and kayaks. If berleying within the bay there will be a multitude of species you can expect to turn up at the back of the boat. Anchoring up near the sand holes and weed edges or reef gives the best chance of a diverse mix of species you can easily expect to encounter like herring, tarwhine, skippy, King George whiting, flathead, flounder, tailor, snook, pike and squid. Schools of samsonfish prowl the bay, and will often start busting up the party at some stage at the back of the boat when you have a good session on. Leaving the bay requires some sound knowledge on where the safe passages are and can only be done when

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The picture details why tailor fishing is so enjoyable on the West Coast of Australia. Brett picked a fantastic evening to be out fishing!

West Coast the swells are not too big, and anything over 2.5m should be approached with caution. If you’re unsure, ask a local for advice. The outer reefs breaks of the bay can be good for lure casting to yellowtail kingfish and big tailor. Once outside the bay, there are plenty of nearshore reefs and bommies where you can find snapper, dhufish, samsonfish and breaksea cod. April is a great time

to find all these species in close to the shore. It is also a great time to try for mackerel, as you only need be just outside the bay’s reefs to find them. Early morning and late afternoon is when they most actively feed, although you can land one at any time of the day. Trolling is the most common method to fish for them. You can troll dead baits, live baits or lures. Red head/white body coloured

Kirk with one of several good size dhufish he has managed from the nearshore lumps in recent times.

lures have been getting the most strikes this year, with the natural sardine colours also doing well. The fishing out wide in big boats is fantastic, and the condition that is probably the reason why the fishing is so good out from Lancelin is that launching is from the beach only. There’s no fancy concrete ramps, so you will need a 4WD and take into account the weather, tide and swells to make a safe launch and retrieve. The plus side is that if you can manage the beach launching, there are no queues to get the boats in and out of the water. Everyone has their own little bit of beach to launch and you can park for free. Be mindful of where you park your trailer, as you want to allow other vehicles to pass by, and please protect the foreshore dunes but not driving up them. WHAT HAS BEEN BITTING? The jetty has been fishing very well each evening, with plenty of herring schooling up each night. Squid numbers have not been great, though if you’re fishing at dawn or dusk most days you will go home with a feed. The bay has been full of good size herring, especially over the southern sand holes. Schools of big

samsonfish have been busting up on these herring schools early mornings and late afternoons. Skippy have been around the weed beds and reef areas. Some good size blue swimmer crabs have been

Snapper catches have been increasing, with the bigger ones coming later at night. Several school mackerel have been caught on tailor baits north of the Moore River mouth.

Around 35m has been where the best catches of big dhufish have been made, however recently the inshore lumps started producing some good fish too. Baldchin groper have just been everywhere, and you

Richard with one of the biggest southern shovel nose the author has seen in a long time. along the shore south of the jetty and in front of North Point. Beaches have been plagued with sharks, especially after dark. Plenty of tailor have been caught, with evenings fishing better than mornings.

Plenty of dart have been caught from the beach gutters up towards Wedge Island. There have been stacks of tuna this year, mostly found out from 30m. Bluefin tuna have been the most prominent species followed by striped tuna.

can pretty much start a blind drift once in 24 meters or more and expect to find them. The inshore lumps have plenty of samson fish taking up residence, and the mackerel have started to fire up with the water temperatures over 24°C.

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West Coast

Demersal delights dominate GERALDTON

Graham Maunder & Michael Triantopoulos

This summer’s beach fishing is certainly having its ups and downs, with consistently strong swells tearing up the sea grass beds and summer southerlies pushing plenty of seaweed up onto many of our beaches and reefs over the last month or so. BEACH Even with challenging conditions, fishing has not been all doom and gloom, especially if your prepared to travel a bit or put a bit more time into fishing the more protected beaches around Point Moore, Southgates, Cape Burney and Drummonds Cove through to north of Coronation Beach. Tailor catches have been reasonably consistent from the first and second points at Cape Burney, and also from the middle and northern end of Greenough Beach to south of West Bank when the floating weed has eased of a bit.

for short periods. Mulloway season has also been a bit hit and miss, because sometimes weed movement has made fishing our usual hot spots south of Flat Rocks, Royces, Sunset Beach, Drummonds and north of Coronation

APRIL 2020

those anglers prepared to put in the time and effort. BOAT The summer southerly breeze has certainly eased, giving us some sensational weather over the last 2-3 weeks, with clear water and low swells making great

Kevin Moss with a nice goldspotted estuary cod on the Samaki Vibelicious 150mm.

Matt Boylen caught this lovely dhufish working a soft plastic.

Rob Boylen and his dhufish both smiling for the camera! Pike catches have remained very consistent this season, especially around Greenough, Southgates, Pages and north of Drummonds to Coronation. Pike are not generally considered much of a table fish, as they are a bit bony, but as bait either whole, as fresh fillets or as balloon bait they make a great offering for large mulloway, tailor and sharks. I don’t know of any pelagic species that will not take pike, with tailor and garfish also being good baits. Herring catches over this summer have been very inconsistent, but a few of the reef holes and gutters at Flat Rocks and Drummonds Cove are holding schools of very large 30-40cm herring

too difficult. On top of this the usual run of school fish (up to 1m) have not shown up in the usual spots or numbers. Big mulloway are considered one of our most prized beach species and while there has not been as many big mulloway landed

earlier in the season, there have been recent reports of an excellent 34kg fish and other 10-15kg mulloway at Lucky Bay, Coronation and a few 5-10kg fish outside the weed north of the Chapman River mouth. These reports have given us hope that the season is not over yet. The harbour and marina rock walls are not that easy to fish unless you’re fairly fit, but a new generation of anglers are taking up the challenge. These anglers have reported excellent catches of goldspotted estuary cod, sharks, shovel nose rays, bream, sweetlip, chopper-sized tailor, skippy and a few unknown species that are unstoppable on standard surf/rock tackle. This keeps the evening fishing sessions both interesting and rewarding for

boating weather. Dhufish numbers from south of town, Greenough River mouth and south to Dongara has been very consistent with fish to around 18kg. Pink snapper and baldchin groper are making it a nice mixed bag. Rob Boylen, brother Matt Boylen and mate Neil Shaw have recently been

had consistent numbers of goldspotted estuary cod around 70-95cm, dhufish, sand snapper, baldchin groper, breaksea cod and sweetlip. The northerly current has been making fishing extremely hard work on days, with a 1.3-1.9knot drift not uncommon. Spanish mackerel numbers have been fairly inconsistent, with mostly school-sized fish from 7-10kg reported, and the occasional fish to 20kg. Trolling baits such as garfish, pike, tailor and

from Horrocks, with Paul landing a great dhufish, coral trout and goldspotted estuary cod on the new Vexed IDICT plastics and IDICT head. SMALL BOATS/KAYAKS Fishing from late afternoon to sunset out from the Pages Rock Groyne has produced pike, tailor to 50cm, herring and some reasonable numbers of squid. Anchoring and berlying helps attract the fish and keep them around your area, and although the blowfish have been a nuisance early, they tend to move away as it

This horse 18.1kg dhufish caught out from Dongara was a big reward for Neil Shaw’s efforts.

Paul Blades with a nice coral trout caught on the new Vexed iDict plastics.

fishing out from Dongara landing some great fish on the new Vexed IDICT plastics and Vexed Occy Heads, with Neil landing an impressive 18.01kg dhufish. Barry Fisher and farther Ernie also went fishing from Dongara and reported a nice 16.3kg dhufish. The fishing west to northwest of town has

mullet is your best bet, but weed has made trolling lures and baits difficult at times. Kevin Moss has been fishing out from Horrocks using the new Samaki Vibelicious 150mm soft vibe, catching dhufish, goldspotted estuary cod and coral trout. Local angler Paul Blades and mates recently fished out

gets a bit darker. • Geraldton Sports Centre is the Mid West’s specialist fishing tackle store. Drop in and see the friendly professional staff for local advise and knowledge and browse the extensive range of fishing equipment on show at 204-208 Marine Terrace, Geraldton, or phone (08) 9921 3664.

West Coast

Great time to hit the reef JUIREN BAY

Peter Holland

The weather has been fantastic lately, as we’ve had a lot of offshore breezes, and the inshore breeze (when it has blown) has been light. Beautiful weather, light winds and stunning fish make March and April the best months to be fishing Jurien! OUT WIDE Out wide big pink snapper over the 100m line have been the main targets. Bait fishing with octopus or squid has been working a treat, although soft plastic squid and octopus imitations have also been taking fish as well, sometimes as effectively as bait! We’ve been getting a few yellowtail kings, and this is always great fun for clients, as they pull hard and really test gear to its limit. Back up the edge of the continental shelf in water a bit under 100m, baldies and dhufish have been taking baits readily, and many anglers have returned with full bags of these two species.

Dhufish have been a regular target on charters, and some great specimens have come over the side! although this area is harder to fish because it’s really heavy ground and lost rigs are a regular thing. Windy days also make it hard, as the drift becomes too quick.

Pink snapper have been busy snapping up octopus and squid baits. REEF On top of the bank in about 40-50m, everything from dhufish, breaksea cod and pinkies to redthroat and spangled emperor has been hitting the decks. A variety of baits have been working. There’s been plenty of Spanish mackerel being taken just outside the reef, and all types of lures have been getting results. Trolling is usually the best way to go, and we tend to go out early in the morning and troll around, looking for birds and surface activity. Jurien has a reef right the way around it, so anywhere behind it is a good area to start your search. You’ll also pick up southern bluefin tuna in the same areas. Inside the 50m line is a good area to sound up lumps that usually hold dhufish. Then we get back on the shallow reef, where we get all demersal species,

BAY Back inside the reef in the bay, we still have skippy, herring and tailor in good numbers for those bait and lure fishing. A good berley trail will increase your results.

Land-based anglers can expect all beaches to be firing for tailor and herring, and in the evening or early mornings are the best times. You’ll get the odd mulloway and pink snapper off the marina walls, especially as we move towards winter and we see more winter blows. Crabbing is good in the harbour, and all the weed banks in the bay will hold crabs as well. Cray fishing at this time of year is also very productive, and those wanting to spear up a feed, now is a great time. Stay safe out there, and enjoy the beautiful weather! • Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience offers sea lion and marine life tours, snorkel excursions, rock lobster catching, offshore fishing charters and more. You can contact them and book a charter on 0432 806 234, online at www. jurienbayoceanic.com. au, or emailing info@ jurienbayoceanic.com.au.

Some stonking dhufish are available during April, so make the most of the calm conditions and get out! APRIL 2020

Gascoyne Coast

Getting up to speed in Kalbarri KALBARRI

Stephen Wiseman

Last month I wrote about speed being some anglers’ thrill. There are a few anglers wishing for a little more speed this month, and many great catches have been reported. Activity to the North around the Sand Patch is still hot, with plenty of Spanish mackerel to be caught along with the occasional wahoo and cobia. A regular to Kalbarri was lucky to end up with 39kg of ’hoo, but wished he could wind a little quicker, losing the tail of the fish to a shark. That’s still a very nice fish, Mr Beales! Some anglers like to tail wrap catch their fish, but I normally gaff my Macs and put them on ice. On the happier side of fishing, some very nice table fish are being caught around the 50m depths and more. Big red emperor and

Chinaman cod to 10kg, with some pink snapper over 80cm have filled the eskies in the last month. River fishing has been tricky, with the whiting

being very spooky in the shallows but still worth a go for a breakfast feed. Some cod to 45cm are still around Bird Rock just in front of the VMR, and I suspect

Chas lost the majority of what would have been a very tasty mac.

a few resident jacks are around as well, with some bust-offs reported recently. If you are after some nice fat whiting as thick as a stubby, then try around the front of the Blue Hole and down to Jakes Bay, just remember that The Blue Hole itself is a sanctuary. The resent rains inland have finally reached the mouth of the Murchison and will no doubt bring in the mulloway to feast on the washed out bony herring and small baitfish. This will probably give us another spawning of mulloway and add to this iconic species’ stocks in the Murchison for years to come. Fishing well offshore has produced the occasional mahimahi and yellowfin, and serious 24 kg gear is needed to subdue these guys before the sharks take a munch. If you if you get into gear and crank like mad, the reward is always yummy!

Despite losing the tail of this massive wahoo, it still weighed in at 39kg!

Whale sharks moving in EXMOUTH

Barry Taylor

Small to medium sized black marlin have been turning it on inshore, providing a lot of fun for small boat owners.

predators. The big blues are still running in 200-1000m of water, with quite a few getting tagged along with some fish dropped reported to be potential granders. One Charter skipper was spooled on 60kg tackle by one before

have also been having some success. Ben Naggs from the Exmouth Gamefishing Club got a broadbill swordfish last month which weighed in at around 100kg. Bottom fishing is quite good at this time of year, with catches of red emperor, norwest snapper and ruby snapper. Spearfishers have been doing particularly well, catching good size trout and big red emperor. Queenfish have started to come on up the end of the Cape, and a lot of land-based anglers are lure spinning for them from town up to Bundegi and through to Lighthouse Bay. Jackson

species can be caught here – Atlantic permit (Trachinotus blochii) and oyster crackers (Trachinotus anak) – and both are generally taken on crab patterns. It’s a good time of year to target them, but you have to be patient, persistent and stealthy. The bycatch includes sizable GTs, queenfish and golden trevally. If you’re very lucky you might even catch a barra. APRIL FORECAST Whale sharks will bring the tourists to town this month. As the whale sharks move in, we can also expect an increase in cobia numbers, as these fish like to shadow their big, spotted

Holding up a big AJ after fighting it isn’t always easy! Image courtesy of On Strike Charters. There have been good numbers of blacks in that 40-60kg size range, and they’re cruising quite close to the back of the reef, only 1-3km from the boat ramp. Kalvin Gates, aged seven, recently got a black around 40kg harnessed in on 15kg tackle, which is fantastic. While fishing in that country you can catch anything from Spanish mackerel to longtail tuna, wahoo and yellowfin tuna. There’s also the chance of catching a 20-45kg sailfish, which are usually found anywhere from the back of the reef in 15-20m of water right out to the shelf. This area doesn’t hold lots of bottom structure, but it has plenty of bait to attract the 34

APRIL 2020

they could clear the spread and begin backing down. There are also some very solid yellowfin tuna being caught, ranging from around 60-80kg, taking trolled skirted lures meant for marlin. Store owner Matt Gates got an 84.8kg yellowfin on 60kg line, which is a pending Australian record for that line class. If you specifically want to catch a yellowfin, it’s a good idea to downsize your skirts to around 6-8”. Alternatively, you can do what some anglers are doing and cast lures at them. You’ll find them by looking for birds, or you might see the tuna leaping out of the water in their feeding frenzy. Anglers deep dropping

This whale shark was only 300m from the marina in the gulf!

A sneaky cast from On Strike Charters crewman Dan produced this fat trout. Image courtesy of On Strike Charters. Kaiken stickbaits have been a standout lure. International anglers fishing with Ningaloo Fly Fishing have been having a great time sight casting to permit on the flats at Exmouth Gulf. Two permit

motherships. We will also see more mackerel being caught as the water temperatures start to drop. The marlin will be less prolific but will still be a viable target. Norwest snapper are always around, taking lures

and baits inside the lagoon of Ningaloo reef. Effective lures for these fish include poppers, stickbaits and soft plastics. Look for them in around 2-3m of water, with a bit of weed and rock cover (it doesn’t have to be too lumpy). The snapper like to graze over the weedier sections around the sandy patches, and these same areas also hold spangled emperor and the occasional hard fighting chinaman fish. Fishing a couple of hours either side of the high tide is best. And if all else fails, you can get really good squid over these sand/weed patches. You can get them all year round but they’re best in the cooler months.

Finally, if you’re up for the challenge, it’s a good month to target bonefish on the flats on the west side of the gulf. • For all the latest news on what’s biting and where, drop in to Tackle World Exmouth at 3 Maley St, Exmouth or give them a call on (08) 9949 1315. You can also view the range at www. tackleworldexmouth.com. au, and see the latest catch photos on their Facebook page. This family business stocks a large range of tackle, from light spin to big game. The staff have a wealth of local knowledge and expertise, and are always happy to help.

North Coast

Big silver slabs as river flows BROOME

Troy Honey

The start of March saw some solid downpours fill the mighty Fitzroy River and had all of the local flats flushed perfectly into the creeks in the Broome region. Cyclone Esther changed her course in the dying hours and instead of taking a southwesterly track towards the Western

River to the Broome creeks, and all the way up Cape Leveque. With the flow in the Fitzroy starting to ease, it is recommended to look for snags in clear water to either cast at or troll past if fishing from boat. The creeks to the east and north of Broome including Dampier Creek are all holding good numbers of barra, with a few solid fish being taking on live baits from shore. With the cooler weather on its way, the barra

caught using a paternoster rig baited with mulies, bony herring or fresh caught whiting. Strips of fresh fish bait work great as well. Search for holes and trenches holding fish in the bay and using either your electric motor or anchor, position the boat over the holes and drop your rig down into them. Black jewfish have powerful first and second runs, so strong tackle is required to subdue them. They swim

Simon Marwick was out fishing at night with friends recently. With a few factors working both for them and against them, they managed to find this 104cm barra, which was tagged and released as part of the Westag program. They went on to land another four barra for the night and lost a few runs as well! Pilbara, she crossed straight through between Derby and Broome. She was a small cyclone, but brought with her muchneeded rain, which set the scene for a barramundi fest to finish off the wet season. Reports of barra, many of very good size, have been widespread from the Fitzroy

will start to slow down, so now is the time to get out for a couple of last fishing sessions chasing them. Out in Roebuck Bay the quantity and size of the northern black jewfish has been outstanding, with quite a few local anglers getting amongst them on a regular basis. Black jewfish are

around a lot, so tangles on the boat with other lines in the water are not uncommon, but if you do hook one you are in for really a good fight. While out in the bay, you can try your luck on the tripletail, which have been making their presence well known of late. Reports of catches have been coming

on a regular basis, with fish mostly in the 45-55cm range. Look for floating debris and weed, or target the buoys and moorings where you will find the tripletail underneath, waiting to ambush small fish and crustaceans as they swim past. By mimicking these with lures or bait, you can entice them out to strike. Tripletail are superb on the plate and make a great target species to knock off the bucket list while on holiday in Broome. Out wide in the boat there are a few Spanish mackerel about, although most are in the smaller size range. It will be a couple of months yet before we see the consistent fish over 120cm. Smaller Spaniards tend to attack smaller lures. At this time of year, I would use lures around 120mm of various diving depths and as the months progress, increase the lure size to the 1800-200mm range. Coral trout, saddletail seaperch, bluebone, golden snapper, Spanish flag and the odd rankin cod are being caught in depths between the 25-40m, with coral bottom producing more fish and less sharks than large lumps and reef. These latter places are where sharks tend to congregate in the warmer waters from December to April. If a day of sports action is what you are chasing at this time of year, then head out to Disaster Rock to the southwest of Entrance Point. Here you can use berley pellets or pollard to fire up species such as queenfish, brassy and giant trevally, and cobia. There are always a few resident bronze whaler sharks around the 3m size here, so you will need good strong tackle and to work hard to get the fighting fish

Simon Marwick proving that if you put the effort in by fishing the extremes you will certainly be rewarded for your efforts. Fish of this calibre don’t come easy, and that is why big barra are so prized as a trophy fish. to the boat. Use white feather lead weighted lures for all of the species amongst the berley at Disaster Rock. When they become fired up, they will attack anything that moves, and these lures are available in all tackle shops and are not expensive, which makes them the perfect lure to use amongst the big bronzies. Mud crabs are around in numbers and if dropping a net in any of the local creeks at the moment, it won’t take long to find them. Head upstream around high tide, as this is when they go on the walk. Remember, if they are soft to press on the under shell or are shiny on appearance, they are more than likely full of water, so they are best released to put on some condition. The change of season is approaching, and with it

the change in popular target species. One species that has made its presence felt year-round in Broome is the threadfin salmon. Threadies are being caught regularly in Roebuck Bay right now, and plenty of land-based threadies have been landed in Willie and Barred creeks. Once place to never go past for a magic day of threadfin fishing is Cable Beach. If you really want to experience the what is referred to as ‘Broome time’, then grab yourself an esky, deck chair, umbrella, fishing rod and a few prawns and park yourself north of the rocks on Cable Beach with the line in the water and a frosty beverage. From here, you can kick back and wait for a run. I think it is almost impossible to beat as a day out fishing!

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APRIL 2020

North Coast

It’s time to explore new ground DAMPIER/KARRATHA

Troy Honey

In regions such as the Pilbara, weather is a major factor in determining when and where to fish. The when is predominately the

primary focus for anglers, with the where being often neglected. In day-to-day scenarios, weather conditions such as wind will often steer an angler towards or away from certain areas. But if we dig deeper and look at longer-

term weather events such as cyclones, large swell and heavy rainfall, we start to come up with some exciting new opportunities. Nearshore and coastal grounds that aren’t usually exposed to large swell, such as those in the Pilbara,

You don’t have to travel far to get into some trophy fish, as the author shows here with a 47cm red emperor taken in 13m of water on the edge of the Archipelago.

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can really take a battering during a cyclone. Banks are bombarded by the swell and waves, which results in new bars and gutters being formed. For the land-based anglers chasing pelagics and demersal species, it means they will almost have to start all over again and find new locations to fish. Rocky areas can become sand filled, holes can become flats and flats can become holes! By spending some time exploring the grounds, (best done at low tide) finding the changes and then working them accordingly will give you are much greater chance of a successful day, rather than fishing your usual spots. The same goes for the creek environments, which is probably where even bigger changes occur after heavy rainfall. Many changes can occur such as new banks, sand bars, and snags such as deadwood and mangrove trees swept into new areas that were once just muddy bottom. Mangrove jack, bream, cod and barramundi will move into or out of these areas as soon as the strong flow recedes, so if you troll over your long time favourite spot with no action, it is time to sound around for new ground. Over time you can be sure that many other anglers have come to learn your favourite spots, so heavy flow throws everyone out and back to square one, which is a fantastic opportunity to land some great fish now you are not working a regularly fished area. We have had some great follow up rains since Cyclone Damien filled the local rivers and salt pans and with them all now either running clear or holding good amount of water in pools, there are endless locations to

Trevally can be found all around the Archipelago and are often a by-catch when retrieving your jigs while chasing demersals. explore. These can be fished by casting a few lures or soaking some live baits. Demersal catches offshore are ramping up, with reports of some great red emperor and rankin cod coming in. Some of these fish are being caught in water as shallow as 20m, so you don’t have to go far to find good fish. Coral trout are plentiful around the islands, with some good fish around 45-50cm being caught over reef in less than 4m. these fish are taking trolled lures such as bibbed minnows in the 80-100mm range, as well as brightly-coloured vibes, with fluoro green and pink working best.

Bluebone are also a demersal that is showing up around the rocky outcrops, and I was lucky enough to overcome and fierce tussle with a 68cm bruiser in 5m of water next to East Lewis Island. After a few drops using cooked Australian prawns for bait and only landing a few Spanish flag, I felt the line move slowly, then nothing. Smaller fish tend to ‘tap-tap’ then run, but you will know when there is a larger bluebone down there, as they suck on the bait for a bit at first. Knowing this, I immediately swapped to a blue rock crab and dropped down on the same spot. I use my electric

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Dylan Munn knows how to find coral trout in Dampier, with this nice example being caught only a short drive from the boat ramp.

North Coast motor in anchor mode to hold me over the lumps that were displaying fish, and with this I knew I would be dropping back in the zone of

on bluebone of this size! Pelagics such as Spanish mackerel, queenfish and giant trevally are being caught regularly over the

but getting no strikes. If you are looking for some sports action for the whole family to enjoy, then you cannot go past the mac tuna that

Solid mangrove jack can be found all around Karratha and Dampier. Dylan Munn managed to draw out a few good fish from their hidey-holes recently. where I felt the larger fish. The blue rock crab did not even touch the bottom before I was in a battle to beat the monster bluebone, but he secured himself in a rock hole. You only get a second or two to gain the upper hand

shoals to the north and west of the archipelago. Tide changes are always best for targeting these species, and don’t be afraid to change your lures or stickbaits if you are seeing fish either visually or on the sounder

are in huge numbers on the outside of the islands. They are certainly not the best table fish, but they fight hard to the end and can be easily found by looking for the birds feeding. I find trolling for mac tuna less successful;

choosing to instead motor ahead of the feeding schools and cast small heavilyweighted stickbaits. Here we are in April, and for many in the Karratha region that means just one thing: blue swimmer crabs! Blue swimmer crabs reach a good size at this time, and they are always in huge numbers in the bays such as Nickol and around Cleaverville, Cossack

and even in the Dampier Harbour. It is something thet I look forward to, and it’s a nice change from the mud crabs that Karratha is better known for. You will find the numbers will often be moving through certain depths, so start in one depth and if you are not finding them, then move out or in to another depth about 2m and keep trying this until you

find them. Please remember to always respect other drop netters and give them some room. The areas you will find the crabs in Karratha are huge and the crabs will be widespread, so there is no need to drop your nets right on top of someone else’s nets. I’m looking forward to bringing you some good photos of the crabs catches over coming months. Good luck out there!

RINCON

Like the California point break it was named for, the Rincon has a classic West Coast straight bridge, wrapping style lines and edgy curved temples.

GREEN MIRROR: Enhanced vision and contrast for fishing inshore and on flats. • Copper Base • 10% light transmission

OPTIMAL USE: • Sight fishing in full sun • High contrast

Check out the full Northerner range of boats at horizonboats.com.au or call your nearest dealer

DINGHY WORLD 252 Canning Highway, Como 6152, Perth City, WA Phone: 08 9367 6555 david@dinghyworld.com.au APRIL 2020

Time to break out all the trout fishing gear FRESHWATER

Peter Fragomeni

With the cooler weather well and truly upon us, inland areas can be some of the best places to visit at this time of the year, especially if the nights are cold towards the end of April. It’s relaxing to sit around

this cold water species more cooperative and willing to take your offering. Don’t expect NZ style fishing or even that of the highland lakes, the Snowy Mountains or Tasmania, because our waters offer a more subdued experience. This wasn’t the case back in the pre-80s for those lucky enough to have fished waters like the Murray, Waroona Dam or the

not as big, our dams are set amongst some impressive jarrah forest. Redfin are also more active and this is the time to look for the schools that congregate prior to spawning in spring. AUSSIE NATIVES This is a different story over here and I would suggest that if you aren’t one of the lucky ones that know where

Silver perch are common in metro lakes and well established. They would offer a great angling opportunity in waters that already contain introduced feral species. golden perch, bass and more in the other states, there’s plenty on offer. Even South Australia is stocking their inland waters, so that’s a shorter drive or flight for us here in WA.

opportunities for the more experienced, however it will promote fishing for our youth as long as they go unhampered by some in the public that tend to wander these lakes taking a

something like silver perch, as they can tolerate a wide temperature range and lower oxygen content, plus there are a few good breeders with good genetics

Redfin become more active in April, and this one was caught deep trolling in 8m of water. a nice warm camp fire, or for those that don’t like ‘roughing it’, around a log fire in a secluded cabin on a cold night with family and friends. Most would agree this is hard to beat! If you happen to be a trout fisher then you will find

Warren down at Pemberton before the redfin took hold. I believe most would agree if they too had experienced those boom years. Still, our southern scenic karri forests will match the best in the country and while

to go, or happen to know one of these lucky individuals, then plan a trip to the East Coast, because you have no less than 150 dams and countless numbers of rivers to choose. From barramundi in Queensland to Murray cod,

An early morning autumn trout on fly. With mild summers, trout do better competing with redfin for any available food. Luckily efforts have been made to change this situation, with possible stocking of urban lakes with trout and barramundi being a starting point. Some say, and I tend to agree, that this won’t offer good sport fishing

A stealthy approach can be rewarding when streams are low in autumn. 38

APRIL 2020

grim view on our chosen sport! The other issue is temperature suitability, with winter being too cold for barramundi and summer too hot for trout in this region. A better suited species would be

and disease free stock already available in this state. I feel we should all get behind this program and others like it by supporting Recfishwest and others to help make a difference for all freshwater anglers.

A section of the Serpentine River fed by environmental flow out of the Pipehead Dam upstream.

DAMS Waroona Dam In the early years this water was the prime destination for Perth-based trout fishers and recently with better stocking, has at times produced some exciting

be aware, as it gets extremely slippery to outright boggy close to the waterline. Redfin have become more consistent, with April being a better prospect for the bigger specimens in the deeper water. If you have a sounder on your

Norilup Dam I’ve had success fishing the drop-off on the farm side for small rainbow trout, but be careful when wading as it drops straight down into very deep water. The dam is situated near Greenbushes

pools, with some impressive catches coming from the National Park by those mixing it up with hardbodies and soft plastics alike. Trout will become more active if we get some early rain. Lefroy Brook A favourite amongst many trout anglers, this little brook can turn it on in April, especially if we get some rain to increase the flow. Try drifting a fly or working a small lure in the gentle current. A good number of small to medium rainbows have been caught with the occasional

large brown in the mix. I would concentrate on the area below the hatchery, with The Cascades being a delight to fish in better water flow. The bottom end near the Warren is worth a look as well. Donnelly River A few reports have come in of brown trout being caught, so it’s good to see the decision made by the stocking committee to stock this species has paid off. I would concentrate on the lower section from Boat Landing, but unfortunately you need to be on the water, and trolling close to the tree

line is a favoured method with a lure that dives to around 2m. You have a good chance of hooking a large bream if no trout show up, so be prepared for long deep runs towards any timber close by. Our state unfortunately doesn’t offer world-class freshwater fishing, but it keeps us fine-tuned for times when we do visit places that do. It’s tough going, but at least this time of the year we don’t have to be vigilant of fires or snakes, so get out there and experience what our state has to offer. You may be pleasantly surprised!

A good sounder is imperative for success. This shot shows trout holding in a bay at Harvey Dam. fishing. With reasonable water levels currently, working the bays with a lure or fly should turn up a trout or two in the cooler water. Redfin have been active, but your best chance of success is out on the water working the deeper sections with lures or soft plastics. Drakesbrook Weir A few reports have come in of 40cm+ rainbows being caught off the bank, so it’s good to see some have survived through the summer. Redfin have been harder to find, but size is up on previous years. Most of the popular lures are working and it seems everyone has their favourite they prefer to use. Just remember that this is an electric motor water only, as is Harvey Dam. Your petrol motor can be in place but cannot be used. Logue Brook Dam There’s been no reports, but I know that I will be visiting this water in the late autumn, as trout are your only option. Harvey Dam Unfortunately this dam has suffered from extremely low water levels and it could go to below 20 % capacity if we don’t have any decent rain in autumn. Launching a boat on a trailer will be difficult, so

boat or kayak, then look for the schools that congregate at this time of the year. I find a dropshot rig with soft plastics bounced on the bottom works well for me. Another technique is to cast over the school and slowly roll it back to you. Trout have been on the quiet side and until the hatchery stocking begins, they will only be a by-catch unfortunately. Wellington Dam As is the case with Harvey Dam, this water is extremely low. I don’t believe that it will hinder the fishing, as there’s plenty of water in this storage to facilitate the low density of redfin that occupy the many bays and arms available. As stated in earlier editions, this dam can frustrate some of those who visit it. The redfin are there, but you need to keep moving until you find them. Some nice size fish come out, with now onwards being the prime time to target them. Note this is a electric motor dam only outside the ski area at Potters Gorge. Glen Mervyn Dam Glen Mervyn is very low this year, but on the positive there is a ban on skiing, so it’s worth a cast if you are in the area. Trout and redfin are available in varying sizes.

DAM LEVEL PREDICTIONS FOR APRIL With some nice rain experienced in late February and the predicted wetter than usual autumn, it’s hoped that irrigation draw will be reduced resulting in a steadier dam level. Harvey, Glen Mervyn and Wellington dams are still extremely low, with Harvey being the lowest in nearly a decade. The others are at a reasonable level fortunately. WAROONA DAM

50%

DRAKESBROOK WEIR

85%

LOGUE BROOK DAM

61%

HARVEY DAM

21%

WELLINGTON DAM

37%

GLEN MERVYN DAM

22%

BIG BROOK DAM

57%

on the right heading down the highway. Big Brook Dam Good water levels has resulted in better fishing this year. Some nice rainbows and the occasional brown trout have been reported recently. Redfin are always active, with some reasonable size fish occasionally coming to the net. RIVERS Serpentine River I dropped in to this water on a hot day in February and was surprised by the cool water flowing under the highway bridge, and although not a great flow, it was encouraging to see this environmental flow after such a dry summer. No fish where spotted. Murray River It’s very low with only redfin coming out of the deeper pools around Dwellingup, however those who are venturing well upstream have been getting into bigger models. A good map is a must to find the better pools. Trout have been harder to locate. Collie River Below Wellington Dam Small rainbows continue to be caught but the sudden shut down of irrigation can see the fish turn off. This can occur in April if rains fall over the irrigation area. Blackwood River Some nice redfin have come from the upper reaches, but exact locations have been kept a secret. My suggestion is to try upstream of Bridgetown and keep fishing all likely looking water until you find fish. Trout are normally found well downstream around Nannup. Warren River This is a great time to chase redfin in the deeper

Some of our dams are low but still offer good bays to explore in autumn. LETTERS

Letters to the Editor Dear Ian Sewell, Thanks for a great magazine. I would like to point out however, that in the Black Magic Master Class article by Paul Lennon on fishing for longtail tuna, March 2020, that he writes the best jig is the Black Magic Sabiki Rigs with 4 hooks. While this may be true, WA fishing rules make it illegal to use more than 3 hooks. I would hate for the unaware to get caught out by Fisheries. – Lee Wolsoncroft Thanks Lee, you are indeed correct and I apologise for not picking it up! We are lucky enough to have a huge pool of writers from all across the country that contribute to our magazines and sometimes it can be tricky to pick up all the different regulations from each state. Great pick up on your behalf, and thanks for writing in. – Ian Sewell Dear Peter Fragomeni, I look forward to each month’s edition of Fishing Monthly, especially your articles on freshwater fishing. In the recent issue, you mentioned the scarcity of

redfin perch and that some people were blaming the introduction of brown trout and maybe even pelicans. I have been freshwater fishing for over 20 years and, like most beginners, didn’t catch a trout for sometime but my interest was held in the sport catching reddies and enjoying their eating qualities. The government, along with Recfish, are actively promoting freshwater fishing by releasing more trout. I know redfin are classified as feral and the arguments against releasing them, but I always find it hard not releasing small reddies. If a lot more people are going to take up the sport, then catching a few nice reddies while waiting for that elusive trout will keep their interest up. I have caught hundreds of reddies over the years and always check their stomach contents and have found very few marron in them, mostly it’s small shrimp. Also, the government started a marron restocking program this season. – Frank Kennington.  Thank you for the letter,  Frank. I will start by saying that we will never

reduce redfin numbers to a level that won’t offer reasonable angling opportunities.   What has been happening can’t be pinpointed to any particular situation. Some people have pointed to trout stocking, but I’ve yet to find a single redfin in a rainbow trout I have cleaned in over 40 years of fishing. Browns might be a different story but ‘like most’ I don’t take these fish in recent years.  It could be the increase in fishing pressure by anglers being armed with better suited lure selections and, of course, better electronics on our vessels.  It could just be the fact that they experienced a particular bad breeding season recently. What is clear is that in some waters, such as Drakesbrook Weir, the numbers seem to have reduced. This is a good thing as they have less competition and the average size has increased. It also offers better availability of food to trout that have suffered at the hands of the redfin infestation in the last few decades.  I hope this shows a clearer picture of WA freshwater.  – Peter Fragomeni APRIL 2020

WHAT’S NEW FISHING

PRODUCT GUIDE

DELUXE ZMAN BAIT 1 BINDERS

ZEREK INFINITY BLADE

ZMan soft plastics are best stored in their original packets, and the new TT Deluxe ZMan Bait Binders feature extra heavy-duty rings designed to fit the pre-punched, reinforced holes located in the bottom corners of ZMan packets. Other features include larger, heavy duty zips, carry handle, water resistant, durable material and an internal pocket for storing a jighead tray, leader and snips. Deluxe Bait Binders are available in a Small (single) version that holds approximately 10 packets of ZMan 3” MinnowZ (more packets in less bulky models), and a Large (double) version that is designed to hold around 20 packets of ZMan 3” MinnowZ (more packets in less bulky models). By clipping your ZMan packets straight into the binder, there is no need for clear plastic sleeves to hold the packets and take up space in the binder. It’s also quicker and easier to access plastics and there is no need to remove the plastics from the binder, where they can then be misplaced or blown into the water. Price: SRP $19.95-$39.95 www.tackletactics.com.au

The Zerek Infinity Blade spinnerbait redefines spinnerbait design by providing an extra blade under the chin of the head weight. This addition gives the lure extra attraction through the water, while maintaining the standard spinnerbait benefits of snag resistance, excellent fish appeal and ease of use. Weighing an easy-to-cast 28g and available in 10 fish-catching colours and two blade configurations, the Infinity Blade features silicone skirts, durable hardware and strong hooks. Smart anglers have been adding trailer plastics and stinger hooks, making these lures deadly weapons in the water. During testing, Australian bass and Murray cod found this spinnerbait to be very appealing, and with an affordable price tag, this lure will be a great addition to your tackle trays. www.wilsonfishing.com

NEW EUREKA OCTANE JIG SIZE

In response to angler demand, Eureka Lures Australia has released a new 100g size in its popular range of Octane Jigs. The Eureka Octane Jigs are a realistic squid/octopus imitation designed for slowpitch jigging that have exceptional realism and a tantalising action. Each lure features a solid ring with quality Dacron running to twin assist hooks that feature ultrasharp points that have the fish hooking themselves. Most of the jigs also feature a highly luminous body for added attraction. Eureka Octane Jigs are available in six realistic colours. To find out more on the Eureka lure range, visit the Juro Fishing website. www.jurofishing.com

DAIWA 20 LUVIAS

Made in Japan and featuring Daiwa’s LT Concept, Infinite Anti-Reverse, Silent Oscillation, Air Rotor and CRBB bearings, the 20 Luvias is the lightest, strongest, and most refined Luvias that Daiwa has ever produced. The single-piece Zaion Monocoque (MQ) body not only makes the 20 Luvias lighter, but also improves the strength and size of the drive gear. The new larger main gear is forged and meticulously machined using the Tough Digigear concept, which improves strength and creates an effortless rotation. The MQ screw-in engine plate applies 360° pressure to the main gear to achieve perfect gear alignment and meshing. The result is flawless smoothness, today, tomorrow and long into the future. Finesse perfection continues with Air Rotor providing ultimate rotational balance and rigidity, while a new Longcast-ABS spool increases casting distance and line performance on and off the spool. The 20 Luvias finesse drag is the greatest that Luvias has ever had to offer, with Daiwa’s ATD providing flawless, silky smooth drag control even with the lightest of lines. www.daiwafishing.com.au 40

APRIL 2020

SHIMANO SALTIE

The new Shimano Saltie rod series has been designed and developed for Australia’s northern species. Built tough, the Saltie range includes two spin and four baitcast models with varying actions to suit a range of lure fishing styles. Traditional 5’8” and 6’ baitcast rods popular for barramundi are complemented by longer 6’4” and 7’ models, designed for casting large soft plastics and swimbaits. Saltie blanks are made with Shimano’s TC4 layered graphite construction, which is highly durable and enables great lure action and control. The TC4 construction also reduces rod twist, increases sensitivity and feel, and offers impressive power and fighting performance in a lightweight package. The Saltie range features a durable matte green finish, custom shaped premium grade cork grips and Fuji K guides with Alconite inserts. A larger diameter guide train has also been used to accommodate the use of thick leader, which is often required to wrestle big fish out of structure. Price: SRP $329.95 www.shimanofish.com.au

SAMAKI PACEMAKER

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

5 6

The Samaki Pacemaker range has been boosted with three new colour concepts and a wicked upgrade. The sleek design has been tweaked and fine tuned to allow you to troll faster with a wider trolling spectrum to attract a variety of species. The new yakka, redbait and coral trout colours let you target new species and matching the hatch with precision, and the slimey mackerel colour has had a valuable upgrade with enhanced detail and chartreuse hints on the underbelly. Each colour has UV attributes to aid in enticing the bite. Pacemaker has an ideal trolling speed of 6 knots for you to target most pelagics, but can be trolled at up to 15 knots. It comes in 140mm and 180mm sizes, with a deep and double deep diving depth allowing you to target species from 2-10m. Other features include a 1-piece stainless welded wire, heavy-duty split rings and VMC 3X Perma steel hooks, realistic fish eye and prism tape inserts. www.samaki.com.au

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

SHIMANO BEASTMASTER 9000 7 The new Beastmaster 9000A electric reel possesses superior power, speed and durability. The Beastmaster utilises the upgraded brushless Giga-Max Motor that offers 10% more deadweight winding power than the previous model, taking it to 19kg from 17kg, and has 25kg of Cross Carbon Drag output. Regardless of the load applied to the reel, the Constant Speed Mode maintains a consistent retrieve speed without loss of cranking power during the fight. Meanwhile, the Heat-Free system allows for heat to be released from vents in the side plate, ensuring reliable performance. To reach the significant depth required, the reel can be spooled with up to 900m of PE8 braid. The new Beastmaster also features an aluminium cold-forged clutch lever and a sharp LCD screen with an easy to operate English menu. The Beastmaster is backed by Shimano’s 10-year warranty and is ready to lift monsters from the deep. Price: SRP $2269.95 www.shimanofish.com.au

NEW 3” DEUS COLOURS

The BIWAA Deus 3” paddle-tail now comes in four new colours. These soft finesse swimbaits are tailored for a wide range of techniques at any retrieval speed, and are ideal for trailers on skirted jigs, or rigged on a jighead for bream and bass. The Deus is injection-moulded using two different densities of plastic. The bottom half contains a denser, heavier salt formulation which allows the Deus to keep a balanced keel, even while rigged weightless. The ventral and dorsal hook slots create a perfect weedless presentation, and a prepositioned hole lets you add nail weights, while not compromising the action. A shrimp based, water-soluble scent is infused into the body and on the outside. It creates a strong scent trail, activating aggressive feeding behaviour. Meticulous attention to detail provides a big advantage in clear water, with a lifelike scale pattern. The tapered speartail design works at any speed, imitating a distressed fish. www.ejtodd.com.au

WILSON LURE WALLETS

Wilson’s upgraded Lure Wallets are available in two sizes, large and small. Featuring a clear swatch to allow you to see what’s inside, these lure wallets are exceptionally functional, allowing anglers to store plastics and spinnerbaits in a convenient and easy to manage way. The Large Lure Wallet is ideal for larger spinnerbaits and 7-9” soft plastics. It features eight zip-lock sleeves that are held in place by three stainless steel rings. The Small Lure Wallet is perfect for 5” and smaller plastics, as well as spinnerbaits up to about 1oz in weight. This wallet features 10 sleeves and a two stainless steel rings. Both wallets are double zippered with easy-pull zipper tabs, and feature a sturdy carry handle to make them easy to transport from home to the boat. www.wilsonfishing.com

CHASEBAITS RIPPLE 10 CICADA

The Chasebaits Ripple Cicada has been designed for Australian Freshwater natives like bass, saratoga, jungle perch and sooty grunter. Whether you are fishing in creeks, dams or lakes, the Ripple Cicada is a great option, especially in cicada season. The 43mm, 6g Ripple Cicada has a soft hollow body that feels lifelike to the fish. It sounds just like a cicada hitting the water, and the fast-acting crawling wings kick into gear almost instantly. Other features include ultra-sharp BKK trebles, robust wing structure, flexible wings and seven colours that will suit all conditions. The best way to use the Ripple Cicada is to let it land and sit for roughly 20 seconds, allowing the ripples to spread out, and then begin a steady slow wind or short, sharp twitches. For more information on the Ripple Cicada or other lures in the Chasebaits range, visit the Chasebaits Australia website. www.chasebaits.com.au

SAMAKI C-12 V3

NOMAD MADMACS

The new Samaki C-12 V3 is the lightest C-12 range of rods ever! The new 40-tonne prepreg blanks deliver the ultimate in strength, casting distance and power. The cork grips are perfectly tapered, and the ultra-light Fuji K and LKW silicon guides enhance the lightweight sensation. This premium rod series includes both spin and baitcast models. The 7’, 3-8lb model has a fast, crisp tip for casting small hardbodies, with a softer belly section to maximize hook-up rates and land big fish on small trebles. The 7’ light 4-8lb is perfect in the estuary for throwing plastics and vibes, with plenty of grunt to land juvenile mulloway. The 7’ medium 6-12lb is a crossover model targeting heavier estuary applications using large vibes, or light inshore snapper fishing. You can use the 7’ medium heavy 10-17lb for jacks and barra on soft plastics, or the 7’ heavy 10-20lb for dam barra, large snapper or chucking slugs at pelagics . In the baitcast range there’s a 6’8” 6-12lb rod for throwing spinnerbaits and hardbodies for freshwater species, a 6’8” medium model designed for football jigs or light barra, a 6’ traditional barra baitcaster, a 7’ medium for chucking vibes at barra, and a 6’8” heavy brute stick for dam barra. www.samaki.com.au

The new Nomad Madmacs range of super high speed trolling lures comes in 3 sizes – 6”, 8” and 10”. Developed specifically for trolling at high speeds, the 6” and 8” are capable of a max speed of 20 knots with the 10” rated at 15 knots. The Madmacs can also be trolled as slow as 5 knots and has an enticing vibrating action even at very low speeds due to the Nomad Autotune system. This feature allows the Madmac to always troll straight and to run perfectly and with an amazing action at a huge range of speeds. The Madmacs run at a depth of around 8-15ft when trolled at slower speeds, and around 3-4ft when trolled super fast. Featuring a machine-stamped stainless steel plate and full body foam core construction, this is one of the toughest lures available. Fitted with super strong BKK hooks and heavy-duty split rings, the Madmacs is ready for battle. Nomad recommends trolling it in the spread with a DTX Minnow to cover the whole water column. www.nomadtackle.com.au

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au APRIL 2020

WHAT’S NEW FISHING RAPALA X-RAP HAKU

PLATYPUS HARD 13 ARMOUR LEADER

The all-new Rapala X-Rap Haku features Rapala’s 3R System Titanium Release Rig with VMC Coastal Black hooks. The 3R System, when clipped into place under the belly of the Haku, rests snugly in the lure’s belly groove out of the way and protected from weeds and other obstacles. At hook-set, the hook rig will partially release from the body, allowing a direct contact to the fish, from line to hook, removing the lure from the fish’s mouth which helps to reduce leverage that could allow the fish to break free. The 3R System also makes it easier to unhook the fish, as the body of the lure no longer gets in the way. Varied actions can be achieved by either twitching the rod or by imparting a stopand-go retrieve with your reel. Twitching the rod will create a faster turning side-to-side action, while a stop-and-go retrieve allows for a longer, gliding presentation. A fast burn in between the stops will send the Haku fleeing from predators, mimicking a frantic baitfish trying to escape. The durable rig is built with 100lb titanium wire and features a solid connector ring, heavy-duty split rings and premium VMC Coastal Black round bend trebles. www.rapala.com

SKITTER POP AND SKITTER V

With its unique loud popping, cupped plastic lip and balsa wood body, the Rapala Skitter Pop can be popped, blooped, walked and skittered across any aquatic surface with ease. Rapala has now expanded the colour range with the addition of two new patterns (TGS and THB), bringing the total number of colours to 9. Rapala has also released a new size in the Skitter V stickbait – a 13cm version, which joins the popular 10cm model. This topwater lure features an exclusive design that radically alters its action. V-Rap Technology combined with tail-weighed balance allows the lure to turn sharply with a snap of the rod, ending with a soft, long glide on slack line. Boasting excellent attention to detail, the Rapala Skitter V features a translucent body, 3-D holographic eyes, and a premium finish. The 13cm model is available in six colours, and the 10cm version comes in seven colours. www.rapala.com

LUMICA CHAP ON FLOATS

APRIL 2020

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Platypus Hard Armour mono leader is Australian made, has increased knot strength and up to 20% more strength and abrasion resistance than its competitors. It’s all thanks to intensive product development and testing to create a product that is worthy of Australia’s only fishing line manufacturer, which has been producing line for over 120 years. Manufactured from premium Japanese copolymers, Hard Armour has superior levels of clarity, controlled stretch for shock absorption and outstanding knot and crimp strength. It is available in both Tough (the ultimate abrasion resistance when extracting fish from cover), and Supple (increased sensitivity and action while still maintaining extreme abrasion resistance). To avoid frustration with spool management and locating the tag end, there’s a Line Tamer for leader control, spool management and simple leader dispensing. Supple leader is available in breaking strains from 20-100lb, and Tough comes in 20-15-lb breaking strains. Price: SRP: $19.90 www.fishplatypus.com.au

WHAT’S NEW FISHING

Made in Japan and featuring Daiwa’s most advanced technologies, the 20 Saltiga is the ultimate saltwater spinning reel. The new single-piece Monocoque body is machined from high-strength aluminium to provide superior strength and improved sealing. A new G1 Drive Gear is thicker and larger with a newly designed Tough Digigear concept of larger and deeper cut teeth, providing increased strength. Drag pressures have been increased to an impressive 25/30kg, with 10 times the drag durability compared to the 15 Saltiga. All that pressure generates heat, and a newly designed aluminium Radiation Drag Knob delivers improved cooling and heat dissipation. The new ABS Longcast lip design offers improved casting performance and enhanced line management, while a brand-new aluminium Air Rotor delivers more than double the rigidity of its predecessor. Protection from the elements has been elevated with a new screwless rear cover, a reduction in spool porting and a unique underside lip in the spool design, all combining to reduce water intrusion. www.daiwafishing.com.au

15 16

TIEMCO LONESOME 18 15 SWEEPER

Lumica Japan, inventors of the chemical light stick, have now developed a high quality range of LED floats for anglers targeting fish at night and in low light conditions. Lumica Chap On Floats are running floats that are available in both green and red and are visible for 100m. They measure 37.5mm x 29mm and weigh 12.5g. Chap On Floats are water activated and come with 2 x LR41 batteries. These floats are ideal for anglers fishing for trout and garfish at night time. To see more information and videos of the Lumica range of LEDs, chemical lights, deep sea lights and soft plastic squid, visit the Juro Fishing website. www.jurofishing.com 42

PRODUCT GUIDE

EJ Todd, the Australian distributor of Tiemco, has expanded the colour range of the popular Lonesome Sweeper surface lure, bringing the total number of colours to six. The 75mm Lonesome Sweeper is a popular topwater lure for tournament bream anglers. It is rigged with feather trebles, has a neon fibre tail and a jointed body to produce a tantalising yet subtle commotion on the surface that bream, whiting and bass find attractive. This subtle little lure is ideal for targeting spooky fish that are feeding just below the surface. Fished on a twitch and long pause retrieve, the Lonesome Sweeper is very effective for a range of species in both fresh and saltwater. www.ejtodd.com.au

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WHAT’S NEW FISHING

Newly released Hurricane Lures Sprat 65 and 75 Hurricane Lures is the brainchild of Peter Nord, a super keen angler from East Gippsland in Victoria. Peter has been producing lures since 2006, releasing his newest offerings in late 2019, the Sprat 65 and Sprat 75. Both are small profile plastics, with the 65 being a paddle-tail format and the 75 a jerkbait-style plastic.

aware of with plastics made of this type of material is that they do not play well with others. Mix these plastics with other plastics and you’ll end up with a tackle tray full of unusable mess. The manufacturer recommends keeping the plastics in their original packets and in the plastic sleeves they come in, to ensure they will keep their shape and stay in pristine condition.

The Hurricane Sprat 65 and 75 are classic paddle-tail and jerkshad profiles. WHAT THEY HAVE IN COMMON Both models are made of a FlexiTech 8X tough material. This material makes the plastics very durable, super stretchy and very supple. The advantages this has for the angler are that multiple fish can be caught with just one plastic; you may not even have to change your plastic in a day’s fishing.

The Sprat 65 was perfect to fish the shallow sand pockets and depth changes of the sand flats in Yamba. I was impressed by the suppleness and softness of these plastics. They are very soft to touch, which equates to a natural feel for any predator eating it. Even better, the suppleness maximises the lure’s action, and this is particularly evident in the Sprat 65. The paddletail really rocks and rolls with minimal movement, and it even gets some body roll as well. Both plastics also have a hook penetration guide along the top of them. This helps you keep the hook nice and straight when you’re rigging them, while giving an indicator of where the hook needs to protrude from the lure. Something else you need to be

COLOURS From the moment I opened the parcel of plastics in the office, I loved the colour range that’s available in both the Sprat 65 and 75. Each model comes in six colours, with three colours standard in each and three unique colours to each shape. I had no doubt that all of them would catch fish. The colours are heavily baitfish orientated, and I like the fact that a number of the colours are two-tone and some are also UV enhanced. If you are looking to match the hatch, there is bound to be a colour that is suitable. FIRST IMPRESSIONS The shapes are not unique, but are a clever twist on these styles of plastics. The key is the profiles, which lend themselves to targeting multiple species in our estuary systems. They are subtle enough to finesse fish with if you are targeting bream or estuary perch, while also having a presence if flathead or other reaction type feeders are your preferred targets. Rigging the plastics is also easy. The guide helps you rig them straight, and the relative softness of the FlexiTech material makes getting a hook through it easy. IN THE FIELD My first opportunity to test the two Hurricane Sprat lures was in Yamba, NSW. Yamba is an amazing fishery at the mouth of the Clarence River. It offers all sorts of fishing opportunities for all of our estuary favourites, and that certainly proved to be the case over the Christmas period. My first challenge was fishing the middle wall, in hopes of picking up a mulloway or one of the big flathead that the area is known for. I chose the Sprat 75 because it was slightly larger. I wasn’t sure whether the mulloway or flathead were there because the tailor were in huge numbers right along the wall and nabbed the Sprat pretty much every time one hit the water. It may not have been the test for the lure that I envisaged, but it did show the value of an 8X Strong FlexiTech soft plastic. Tailor are savage on terminal tackle, so any time you land multiple fish on one lure and it doesn’t get destroyed it is a bonus. I left the fish biting because there are only so many 25cm tailor that you want to catch. Once the wall experiment was over it was back to the areas and type of fishing that I love: large sand flats and undulations, which Yamba has an abundance of. It is very visual fishing (you are focusing on fish in 2-3ft of water) and the profile and size of the Hurricane Sprat lures lends itself to this.

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

The Hurricane Sprat 65 and 75 are a great baitfish profile, which means the species you can target with them is only limited by your imagination. Once I started fishing these areas I was met with instant and consistent success. I was targeting sand patches in weed and subtle depth changes – areas where bream and flathead love to ambush their prey – and the Sprats matched the hatch beautifully. The small tailor were quickly forgotten as predominantly flathead consistently found their way into the net. I caught fish on every colour in both sizes, which is a great testament for the colours that are available. FINAL OBSERVATIONS Four months down the track and my initial thoughts still stand true: the colours,

The Sprat 75 is available in six colours, all of which have plenty of fish-catching potential.

profile and the suppleness of the plastics makes the Hurricane Sprat soft plastics very effective lures. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind to get the most out of your Hurricane Sprat purchase. First of all, due to how supple these plastics are, your choice of jighead is very important. Although the Sprats can be rigged on a standard jighead, it doesn’t take long before the plastic will consistently slip off the grub keeper. Hurricane produces a jighead range that has a wire keeper that is very effective in this scenario, but there are a number of other products to choose from that will do the job just as well. My solution was a dab of quality super glue on the grub keeper (not on the head) of my jighead, and it was sorted. You should also definitely take heed of keeping these FlexiTech plastics separate from other types of soft plastic, and I have also taken to unrigging my Sprats after using them and putting them back into the sleeves provided. It maintains their shape and lets me use them multiple times. You can check out the full range of Hurricane Lures at www.hurricanelures. com, and the site also has some helpful tips and stockist locations. These lures are well worth a look. - Peter Jung

Plenty of flathead hit the net while the author was testing the Hurricane Sprat 65 and 75 in the Clarence River. APRIL 2020

WA Bream Classics Walpole round tests anglers An impressive 20 teams made their way down to the picturesque town of Walpole to kick-start the 2020 Getaway Outdoors Cockburn/Kelmscott and Hobie Polarized WA Bream Classics Boat Series. Just like a typical weekend on the South West coast of WA, the anglers

As difficult as it was for the teams to adapt to the changing conditions, finding the better size bream proved even more difficult. Walpole, unfortunately has seen a decrease in the size of the bream over the past decade and this was reflected with the size of the bags brought back to the weigh-in. If it

day of the event, that still wasn’t enough to counteract the slow tidal movement over the weekend. In the end it created a very tough assignment for the teams that found themselves doing battle, much like a group of boxers competing in the featherweight division. The fish were small, but it was

Alex Greisdorf (left) and Graeme Kovacevich (right) from Team Lowrance/Tackle Tactics rarely miss out on the action, and these Walpole bream ensured this event was no exception.

Winners are grinners! Ben Poutney (right) and Rhys Black (left) from Team Razor Edge Lures proved they had what it took with their swag of Walpole black bream. were dealt with four seasons over the course of the event. From scorching sunrays to blustery winds and persistent rain, the anglers had to adapt to the changing weather conditions in order to find the right size fish to take out the first round of the boat series.

couldn’t get any tougher for the anglers to find the larger fish that still reside in the system, then it was made all the more challenging when the conditions over the weekend didn’t encourage the larger fish to even want to feed. Despite inclement weather on the second

can certainly lose it. Ben Poutney and Rhys Black from Team Razor Edge Lures certainly didn’t win the event on the first day, but they put themselves in the box seat to do just that, with a full limit for 2.235kg. They managed to get 400g clear of the team sitting in second place. It was such a commanding lead that

When the big bream don’t want to play the game then sometimes it’s a matter of throwing the lure deep into their home to the point that the lure sinks past the front door and rings the doorbell. This is exactly what Ben and Rhys did as they cast their lures as far into the snags as possible before allowing the lure to

the top of the podium using a range of quality gear to get the job done. Ben Poutney did most of his damage using a 7’, 1-5kg Atomic Arrowz rod equipped with a 2500 Daiwa Certate. Spooled onto his Certate reel, Ben ran 10lb Gosen Hard Type braid connected to a few meters of 4lb Shimano Ocea fluorocarbon leader

still a question of who could throw in that sucker punch or two with a couple of decent bream to knock their competitors over and reign supreme in the first round of the 2020 boat series? RAZOR EDGE HAS THE WINNING EDGE They say you can’t win on the first day, but you

Team Razor Edge Lures pose with their prizes from their 4.105kg winning bag.

Mother and Son team Jenny and Joseph Gardner from Team B1 & B2 hold their day two bag that took them into second place, with Jenny’s fish taking out the Big Bream competition! 44

APRIL 2020

despite not finding the same quality of bream on the second day, with a 1.870kg bag, it was enough to hold off the rest of field from taking home the bacon. On both days of the event, Ben and Rhys headed upriver on the Frankland to put their skills to test on the bream that reside in the timber snags that line the riverbanks in that region. The key to their success was mostly down to how they presented their green pumpkin and motor oil coloured Razor Edge Brawler Baits and Fat Boy Swims on 1/16oz Razor Edge Jigheads.

sink to the bottom, and with hops and long pauses they would slowly work the lure back to the boat. By pausing the lure for longer than usual, this allowed the larger bream to make up their mind on whether they wanted the soft plastic or not. In the end the Razor Edge Brawler Baits proved too irresistible and this was the major reason behind their winning total of ten bream for 4.105kg. Speaking of irresistible, Ben and Rhys were never going to turn down $1200 cash for their fantastic efforts either. Ben and Rhys reached

line. Rhys on the other hand used a 6’11”, 1-5 kg, Abu Garcia Salty Stage rod equipped with a 2500 Daiwa Caldia reel. Spooled onto his reel was 14lb Gosen Casting braid and a few meters of 4lb Shimano Ocea fluorocarbon leader. During the presentation, Ben and Rhys both thanked the organisers for the work involved in putting on this event in Walpole, and so too the sponsors for supporting the series. Ben also thanked his sponsor Razor Edge Lures and Rhys sent out a special thanks to Trailblazers tackle store from Albany.

GARDNER’S WEED OUT LARGER BREAM Slotting into second place and proving what a quality team the Gardner family make was Joseph and Jenny Gardner from Team B1 & B2, who became the first mother and son team to finish on the podium in a WA Bream Classics Boat Series event. Joseph and Jenny Gardner put together two consistent performances on each day and it was the ability to find those slightly better than average size bream that propelled them into second place, with a full limit of bream on both days to record a total weight of 3.845kg. Just like Team Razor Edge Lures, Team B1 & B2 travelled to the upper reaches of the Franklin River, but instead of primarily targeting snags, they mostly focused on the edges of reeds. Joseph and Jenny knew the bream were patrolling these reed edges looking for food, so they threw 3.75” ZMan StreakZ in watermelon colour, salt n pepper coloured Ecogearaqua Bream Prawns, and also motor oil coloured 2.5” ZMan GrubZ into the strike zone where the fish were feeding. Each lure was worked differently to draw a strike from the fish. The ZMan StreakZ were sunk to the bottom and given a series of high lifts, the Ecogearaqua Bream Prawns were presented weightless so that the plastic would slowly waft into the strike zone, and the ZMan GrubZ

were given a series of short hops before being paused. As their second placing suggests, each technique worked a treat and allowed them to catch the fish they needed to complete their

with a 2500 Daiwa Luvias reel. Spooled onto his reel was 12lb Yamatoya Jigging braid with a few meters of 6lb Yamatoya fluorocarbon line. Jenny Gardner used a 7’2”, 2-4kg Atomic Arrowz

REGULARS ROUND OUT PODIUM Rounding out the podium was Alex Greisdorf and Graeme Kovacevich from Team Lowrance/Tackle Tactics, who managed to

Team B1 & B2 worked hard for their limit, but had plenty to show for their 3.845kg bag, which put them in second. first podium finish together. For their efforts, Joseph and Jenny took home $400 cash, a Daiwa and an Okuma rod, a Daiwa 2000 Crossfire reel each and a pack full of quality sponsor provided products. Joseph and Jenny make a good mother and son team, but they couldn’t work so well together without reliable gear at their disposal. Joseph used a 6’10”, 2-4 kg JML Accurate Presentation rod equipped

rod accompanied by a 2000sized Shimano Vanquish reel. Spooled onto her reel was 12lb Yamatoya jigging braid connected to a few meters of 6lb Yamatoya fluorocarbon leader. During the presentation, Joseph and Jenny both thanked the organisers for their work over the weekend and also to the series sponsors. Joseph also thanked his sponsor JML for their support they’ve shown in him over the years.

improve on their first day bag to squeeze onto the podium and get their year started off in good fashion. The two anglers worked the downriver structures of the Frankland River on both days. By doing so they caught fish hanging around areas with rocks and also along drop-offs using bloodworm coloured 2’5” ZMan GrubZ. The techniques that tempted the better fish into biting their GrubZ was to either slow roll the grub along the bottom or

to give it continuous hops before letting the plastic pause to give wary fish a chance to strike the lure. The two anglers picked up $300 in cash, a Rod Armour prize pack and another product pack full of assorted items provided from the series sponsors. Alex and Graeme went about their business on the water using their tools of the trade very effectively. Alex’s outfit was a 6’10”, 2-4kg Duffrod Bream Stick equipped with a 2500 Daiwa Luvias. Spooled onto his Luvias was 10lb Daiwa Evo 8 braid and 4lb Sunline fluorocarbon leader. Graeme used a 7’2”, 1-3kg Daiwa Infeet rod equipped with a 2500 Shimano Stella reel. Spooled onto his reel was 14lb Gosen Casting braid and connected to his braid was also 4lb Sunline fluorocarbon leader. During the presentation both Alex and Graeme thanked the organisers, the series sponsors and everyone who took part. Alex also made a special mention to his sponsors Lowrance and Tackle Tactics. COMPLETE ANGLER NEDLANDS BIG BREAM Catching the biggest bream in an event is never an easy feat. Although, it’s an even tougher task when the remaining big bream in the Walpole system had lockjaw syndrome and don’t want a bar of anyone’s offerings. So when Jenny Gardner brought back a bream within the mid 30cm range to the scales, it caught the attention of the crowd. Normally a fish of this size wouldn’t raise so

many eyebrows, but in an event when the big bream didn’t want to play the game, it definitely turned a few heads. To Jenny’s delight, she was $500 richer thanks to the Compleat Angler Nedlands Big Bream prize that she won for weighing in a 630g bream. OTHER PRIZES Nigel Kelly won the Guess the Weight novelty game for guessing closest to the eventual winning bag weight for the event. Nigel Kelly guessed that the winning bag would be 4.25kg and being only 145g from the actual winning weight of 4.105kg, he walked away with an easily made $50 cash! So that wraps things up for the first round of the 2020 Getaway Outdoors Cockburn/ Kelmscott and Hobie Polarized WA Bream Classics Boat Series in Walpole. On behalf of the organisers from WATA (West Australian Tournament Anglers) we would like to thank the following series sponsors for supporting the series. Therefor a big thanks goes out to Getaway Outdoors, Hobie Polarized, Compleat Angler Nedlands, Tackle Tactics, Lowrance, Razor Edge Lures, Rod Armour, Challenge Batteries, Tackle HQ, Duffrods, JML, Daiwa and Pure Fishing. We also thank the anglers for supporting the event and we hope to see as many of you in Perth to kick-start the opening round of the 2020 Getaway Outdoors Cockburn/ Kelmscott and Hobie Polarized WA Bream Classics Kayak Series! – WATA

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2020

APRIL

4-5 Apr

ABT BREAM Round 5 Mandurah

abt.org.au

MAY

2-3 May

Hobie Kayak Bream Series 12 Round 4 Blackwood River

hobiefishing.com.au

24 May

WA Bream Classics Kayak Round 2 Guilderton

www.watournamentanglers.com.au

JUNE

14 June

WA Bream Classics Boat Round 2 Mandurah

www.watournamentanglers.com.au

SEPTEMBER

13 Sept

WA Bream Classics Boat Kayak 3 Mandurah

www.watournamentanglers.com.au

OCTOBER

3-4 Oct

Hobie Kayak Bream Series 12 Round 8 Albany

hobiefishing.com.au

25 Oct

WA Bream Classics Boat Round 3 Perth

www.watournamentanglers.com.au

14-15 Nov

WA Bream Classics Kayak GF Mandurah

www.watournamentanglers.com.au

28-29 Nov

WA Bream Classics Boat GF Augusta

www.watournamentanglers.com.au

NOVEMBER

Add your tournament or competition to this list by emailing jthomas@fishingmonthly.com.au or calling 07 3387 0800 in office hours. Just supply a date, venue, tournament name and a telephone number and contact name. APRIL 2020

Rays of hope in Australia! WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Mike Ladle

I’ve just returned to England from a visit to my son Dan and his family in Perth. It was a family holiday so my opportunities for fishing were limited, but I made the most of the time I did have.

open-minded. After my limited success in the Canning River, we went on a six-day family expedition to Busselton. It has a long stretch of clean sand and a jetty that’s almost 2km long and well equipped for fishing. It was like nothing I’d ever seen in the UK. At the tip of the jetty is a glasswalled viewing chamber

and I suspected they might not welcome a pom pushing his way in, so I stuck to the beach. I’d read that you can catch yellow finned whiting on plugs, poppers and flies from the beach and flats. Although the fish are not large, I fancied trying to land one; so I tackled up my spinning rod with fine

beach and saw only a few shoals of little fish following the lure. As I walked, I often spotted the dark shapes of rays gliding over the sandy seabed, often within a few metres of the edge. On the third morning I decided to try from the jetty. It was still dark as I made my first cast and being baitless, I persisted in spinning. Since the water was deeper than from the shore, I tried a couple of different lures but had no luck. As it became light enough to see, I noticed a few squid under the pier and by jigging a small, white, soft plastic eel I managed to induce a couple of attacks. Later that day I walked to Tackle World to buy myself a squid jig. Since the squid had attacked my pale eel, I searched the shelves for a cheap (I’m a typical, mean Yorkshireman) white jig. I found just one amid the rows of multi-coloured creations. I decided I would use it the

The author’s first squid on the new jig. following morning to catch some bait. That evening I tried spinning from the beach again, resulting in another blank. However, I did meet a couple of local blokes who were catching whiting by bottom fishing with tiny bits of shrimp. They were very friendly and gave me a few tips. I thanked them and wished them good luck before going home. The next day, I was back on the jetty as it got light,

armed with my little jig. I lowered it down and watched as it sank steadily in a few metres of clear water. I began to flick the rod, making the little plastic torpedo twitch up and down near the seabed. For 10 minutes nothing happened, then a dark shape rocketed towards the jig. There was a sudden increase in the tension of the braid, and I was onto my first squid. I allowed it to squirt out clouds of black ink before lifting it onto the deck. Now

Here you can see the 2km long Busselton jetty in the background. Many shore-based anglers fish solely for food, which is fine, but I really like to hook something that pulls some string. However, I was starting from scratch and any catch was likely to be a new experience, so I was

which provides a chance to see what is swimming about under the waves. Most people with rods headed straight for the jetty, but I wasn’t keen to join the busy throng. At night the keen local fishos took over

braid, a nylon trace, a short length of knottable wire (ever hopeful of a tailor) and a small jointed Rapala. Two days of spinning at the crack of dawn and again at dusk produced zippo. I flogged many kilometres of

Above: This fiddler ray wasn’t big but it was beautiful. Below: One of the yellowfin whiting caught during a beach session.

Fish, mostly scad and herring, under the jetty.

SEASON

IS HERE!

Every Saturday 5.00pm on 46

APRIL 2020

OUTDOOR & FISHING SHOW

Listen on 5am-6am Every Saturday

I had my bait; so I took its picture, despatched it and popped it into my poly bag. At this point I was joined by a local man armed with three rods and a load of gear;

the same rod and line, and free-lining with a substantial chunk of squid on a 6/0 circle hook. As soon as it was light enough to see, I walked

breath and gently closed the bail arm. The rod bowed, the clutch buzzed and then, after a short, powerful run, the line went slack. ‘Freddy, Uncle, Charlie, Katie!’ I muttered.

John’s pal concentrating on his fishing. he was returning from a fishless night further out on the jetty (which encouraged me). We exchanged g’days, and when he saw my squid he quickly clipped on a jig. I caught two more squid, which were more than I needed, so I gave them to my new pal. The following morning I was back on the beach, using

along the beach looking for rays. I enjoy stalking fish, and my idea was to lob the bait in front of a potential victim, then draw it back to a collision course. I was excited when the first ray that I found circled over the bait and picked it up. The fish must have felt the line because it immediately set off at warp speed. I held my

There was nothing for it but to try again. Soon afterwards I had another bite, and after a decent struggle landed a beautiful southern fiddler ray of 3-4kg. I released it, and had no more bites. On my final morning I decided to try the local style: a light paternoster with a tiny lead and two

size 8 hooks on 3kg mono droppers. I walked along the beach in the dark and as I arrived at my chosen spot, I was joined by John, who I’d met there before. While he baited with shrimp, I tried little slivers of my frozen squid. Almost at once we both had bites, and each landed a yellow finned whiting. I then had a dragging pull which produced a beautiful blue manna crab, and this was followed by a herring. By now I was feeling well satisfied to have caught three more new species, and I donated my catch to John. The sun was rising so I baited up for one last cast. Within minutes I had a decent pull and connected with something a lot stronger. Line poured off the reel against as much pressure I thought my light nylon trace would stand. It was soon clear that I was into a fair-sized eagle ray. Ten minutes of fast, powerful runs and dogged, slow retrieves followed, before I drew the 13kg fish into the shallows and was able to grip the spiracles and drag it ashore. Of course, it wasn’t a mulloway or a big trevally, but jeez did it fight! I returned my catch alive and well, said goodbye to John, and walked back along the beach – a happy man.

Above: A nice blue manna crab for the author. Below: After a last cast and a long struggle, the author landed his first eagle ray.

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SCUBADIVE SNORKEL KAYAKING PADDLE BOARD JET SKI KITE SURFING RAFTING FISHING BOATING

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Name: Address:

P/Code:

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

WA APRIL 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

BARRA COUNTRY by Brett Currie

ORIGINAL

FIND-A-WORD

Congratulations to Jeff Pye, who was last month’s winner of the Find-a-Word Competition! Monthly winners receive a Fishing Monthly prize pack. Prize delivery can take 8 weeks. – WAFM

SUBSCRIBER PRIZE

The subscriber prize winner for February is B Markham of Geograph, who won a Fishing Monthly Subscriber prize pack. All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – WAFM

K Lockwood of Rockingham, B Jacobs of Safety Bay, L Yardley of Carey Park, L Scott of Lockridge, B Simmonds of Silversands, D Werder of Dawesville, G Underdown of Bunbury, P Baskerville of Glenfield, J Curley of Falcon, K Andrews of Kalgan, D McGillivray of Moora, J Hislop of Yokine, C Carey of Bentley, C Walker of Canning Vale, S Szabo of Albany, B Bizjak of Boddington,

N Harvey of Floreat, R Coddington of Hillarys, C Warren of Wagin, K Cowton of Mount Helena, L McFarlane of Brookton, S Cameron of Tyndale, M Shute of Wembley Downs, R Crossingham of Secret Harbour, M Curry of Ballajura, L Gibbs of Boulder, G Uren of Ballajura, B Pitt of Yakamia, P Dunlop of Capel. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – WAFM

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS

FIND THE ZMAN LOGO

APRIL 2020

This month’s Guess the Fish Answer: Red Emperor

The answers to Find the ZMan Logo for February were: 9, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 22, 24, 57, 60, 62, 67, 72, 75, 78. – WAFM The Find the ZMan Logo prize winners for February were: G Higgins of Eaton, L Doecke of Byford, A Honey of Oldbury, K Culshaw of Banyo, R Stoddart of Denmark, D Godfrey of Cooloongup, D Elkerbout of Dunsborough, A Hogan of Parmelia,

GUESS THE FISH?

Answer:

WHAT’S NEW BOATING HUMMINBIRD MEGA 1 360 IMAGING

RIVIERA 505 SUV

With Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging you’ll view fish and structure in a whole new way, with a scanning diameter of up to 250’ (76m) around your boat. The high-frequency beam of MEGA Imaging CHIRPs across the megahertz range reveals the world below in picturelike detail all the way around your boat. You can use it alongside multiple sonar and map technologies, and can also customize sweep speed, viewing area, display info, sonar zoom and colour palette. Range rings indicate the distance to the target, so you can cast directly to it, and mark the waypoint on your 360 Imaging screen. Humminbird MEGA Imaging is now built into select Minn Kota electric motors, for a crystal clear view with no cluttered wires or clamps, and a transducer that’s fully protected. Whether you’re trolling or using Spot-Lock, MEGA 360 Imaging is independently mounted, so your sonar picture remains unchanged as the trolling motor turns. To see underwater footage of structure vs how it appears on the MEGA 360 screen, look up ‘Fishing Monthly’ on YouTube. www.humminbird.com.au

When Riviera’s design team set out to create their newest addition to the SUV Collection, their objective was to make the best of both worlds even better. The result is the Riviera 505 SUV. The same pedigree of a single-level alfresco entertainer with bluewater ability but with the added dimension of the mezzanine: a dining and relaxing space offering privacy and protection from harsh sun and weather. The generous cockpit is low to the water to maximise action and adventure, whether you’re cruising or fishing on the reef. From bow to boarding platform, you’ll experience the handcrafted luxury and operational technology. There’s a full-beam master stateroom, private en suite and walk-in robe, and two guest staterooms with shared bathroom. Topping it off is the Volvo Penta Glass Cockpit navigation system and smooth and economical performance of twin Volvo Penta IPS turbo diesels with joystick control. www.rivieraaustralia.com

CHILL WITH BAR CRUSHER

The new Suzuki DF300B strikes the perfect balance between superior power and thrust, with excellent fuel-efficiency and reliability all in a lightweight design. It features Suzuki’s Dual Prop system – contra-rotating, 6-blade propeller design which provides blistering acceleration and extreme cornering grip. The proven 4.4L block gives tremendous torque, making it the largest displacement V6 on the market. It has been engineered to run on 91 RON fuel, features Suzuki’s Lean Burn technology and 10.5:1 compression ratio. The materials of the new DF300B gears are ultra-strong to withstand high loads, and provide additional strength and reliability. Not only does this configuration record high speeds under heavy loads, it also produces a strong reverse thrust, aiding in greater manoeuvrability. The Dual Louver System keeps the intake air free of moisture and close to ambient temperature for ultimate performance, and the dual injectors deliver both cooling and power. The new DF300B comes in either a 25” or 30” shaft length, can be paired with Suzuki’s Precision Control system, and is backed by a 3+3 year warranty. www.suzukimarine.com.au

Aussie boat builder Bar Crusher has expanded its range of seating options with a new side-mount bolster seat with integrated tackle storage and slide-out 90L icebox. The stylish matte black framework is constructed from heavy-duty 32mm alloy tubing and accommodates three easilyaccessible tackle trays, with hassle-free bungee cord retention (as per the standard tackle storage seat boxes). Along with offering cool storage for food, drinks, bait, fish, and general dry storage for all sorts of gear, the split-lid icebox also provides additional seating, similar to Bar Crusher’s larger king/queen seat boxes. The icebox can be slid forward (towards the bunk) to maximise cockpit fishing space, while a strap point helps secure the icebox when underway. Fitted as standard with a range of features many other boat brands charge as extras, this latest personalisation option is available on both skipper and passenger sides, and suits all cuddy cabin (C Series) and hard top (HT Series) models from the 575 through to the 780. Check out Bar Crusher’s online boat builder to personalise your fishing weapon. www.barcrusher.com.au

BOAT POWERED BY 3 SEAWATER Energy Observer is the first vessel in the world to both generate and be powered by hydrogen, and is designed to test the efficiency of combining different renewable energies. The boat produces and stores hydrogen using seawater, solar panels (21kW peak), wind turbines (2 x 1kW), a traction kite and electric motors (2 x 41kW) of hydrogenation, lithium battery (106kWh), desalinisator, electrolyser, compressor, fuel cell (22kW), and 62kg of hydrogen. Another innovative project under development is a ferry that uses both sun and wave energy to produce hydrogen for propulsion. As renewable technology becomes more efficient, and fuel prices continue to climb, who knows what the boating world might look like in the decades to come? www.energy-observer.org

SUZUKI LAUNCHES NEW DF300B

YANMAR 6LF SERIES

PRODUCT GUIDE

Yanmar has announced the release of the 6LF and 6LT series of diesel engines. This advanced six-model line-up extends Yanmar’s portfolio of common rail diesel engines to encompass an output range from 40hp to 630hp. Enabling Yanmar to supply more compact, high performance solutions, the 478hp to 630hp 6LF and 6LT engines are ideal for leisure boats. The two series, consisting of the 3000rpm 6LF485, 6LF530 and 6LF550 engines and 2530rpm 6LT500, 6LT580 and 6LT640 engines, feature Yanmar’s next generation VC20 vessel control system for enhanced onboard comfort and an easier overall boating experience. The global emission-certified diesel engines also offer leading fuel economy and are compatible with a wide range of fuel types. Available as a complete package including engine, ZF transmission and VC20 vessel control system, the 6LF and 6LT are supplied with a full range of options. The 6LF and 6LT series will be available from Q3 2020. www.yanmarmarine.com

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APRIL 2020

Trades, Services, Charter BAIT & TACKLE METRO

CARNARVON

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

Carnarvon Tackle & Marine (08) 9941 4161

ESPERANCE

KALBARRI

Castaway Tackle Malaga (08) 9248 3800 Earlybird Bait Rockingham (08) 9527 3333 Gun-Mart & Tackle Midvale (08) 9274 5699 TackleHQ Kingsley (08) 9309 4200 WA Bait Supply O’Connor (08) 9314 1755 Tackle West Beckenham (08) 9350 6278

Kalbarri Sports & Dive (08) 9937 1126

EXMOUTH Tackle World Exmouth (08) 9949 1315 Exmouth Tackle & Camping Supplies (08) 9949 1179

BUSSELTON 2 Oceans Tackle (08) 9752 4924 Geographe Camping & Tackle World (08) 9754 2909

SKIPPERS TICKETS Fremantle Boat School AP Maritime Training School 0405 209 101

FISHING GUIDES/CHARTERS

Baitmate-Bricap Wangara (08) 9309 5474 Bluewater Tackle Mindarie (08) 9407 9766 Bluewater Tackle World Joondalup (08) 6244 0344 Bluewater Tackle World Morley (08) 9375 9800 Bluewater Tackle World Myaree (08) 9330 7766 Compleat Angler Nedlands (08) 9389 1337 Dawe’s Bait & Tackle Mandurah (08) 9534 6661 Fishing WA Pro Tackle Wangara (08) 9409 2253 Hillarys Boat & Tackle Hillarys (08) 9401 4331 Sportsmarine Bunbury (08) 9721 4961 Tackle World Miami (08) 9534 5533 Tim’s Tackle Plus Bassendean (08) 6161 0044 Anglers Fishing World South Fremantle (08) 9433 4768

Anglers Fishing World Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour Mews Road, Fremantle WA 6160

(08) 9433 4768

Achievement Charters Fremantle 0418 655 188 Apache Charters South Fremantle (08) 9339 2432 Black Jack Charters Bandy Creek 0429 106 960 Blue Horizon Fishing Charters Exmouth 08) 9949 1620 Blue Juice Charters (08) 9401 4666 Diversity Bluewater Adventures Exmouth Exmouth 0488 009 989 Duke Charters Condingup (08) 9076 6223 Esperance Diving And Fishing Esperance (08) 9071 5111 Evolution Fishing Charters 0477 901 445 Fly Fishing Frontiers Exmouth 0427 366 142 Great Southern Discovery Albany 0455 105 127 Jazz Charters Fremantle 0433 521 297 Kalbarri land Based fishing Carters 0418930695 Mills Charters Hillarys (08) 9246 5334 Oceanic Experience – Jurien Bay 0432 806 234 Perth Fishing Safaris 0422 686 363 Port Bouvard Charters Wannanup 0477 347 465 Reel Force Charters – Lancelin 0458 004 411 Set The Hook Exmouth 0433 049 988 SHIKARI Charters Fremantle 0412 131 958 Spinners Charters Emu Point (08) 9844 1906 Specialist Fishing Charters 0407 259 399

SPECIALIST FISHING CHARTERS Demersal / Reef Fish Exclusive Fishing Charter Deep Drop

www.anglersfishingworld.com.au Getaway Outdoors Balcatta (08) 9344 7343 Getaway Outdoors Cockburn (08) 9417 4644 Getaway Outdoors Joondalup (08) 9300 1330 Getaway Outdoors Kelmscott (08) 9495 4444 Getaway Outdoors Mandurah (08) 9581 8877 Jet Cycles & Compleat Angler Gosnells (08) 9398 2359 Tackle World & Outdoors Mandurah (08) 9581 6953

ROCKINGHAM Compleat Angler & Camping World -Rockingham (08) 9528 5255 Port Kennedy Cycles and Fishing (08) 9524 6774 Whitey’s Tackle & Camping Australind (08) 9797 0762

ALBANY

Departs Fremantle

Bookings/Enquiries 0407 259 399 Tailored Treks - Lancelin 0427 941 126 Top Gun Charters EXMOUTH 0418 925 131

ONLINE TACKLE PRODUCTS FG Wizz www.fgwizz.com.au

GET THE ULTIMATE FG KNOT TOOL Ideal for braids and leaders large and small.

Albany Rods & Tackle (08) 9841 1231 Trailblazers Albany (08) 9841 7859

ESPERANCE

MODIFIED DESIGN

Esperance Camping & Workwear Esperance (08) 9071 2142 Southern Sports & Tackle (08) 9071 3022 Tatey’s Bait ‘n’ Tackle Castletown (08) 9071 5003

DONGARA & GERALDTON Dongara Sport & Tackle Dongara (08) 9927 1196 Geraldton Sports Centre (08) 9921 3664 Getaway Outdoors Geraldton (08) 9965 3766

FAD’s Squiding and Whiting Crayfish (craypots) and Whiting Deepwater Wrecks / Samson Fish

allows braid tension adjustment

CHECK IT OUT ONLINE ORDERS

www.fgwizz.com.au

Bathers Paradise Caravan Park Esperance (08) 9071 1014 Esperance Chalet Village Bandy Creek (08) 9071 1861 Munglinup Beach Holiday Park Munglinup (08) 9075 1155 Ocean Beach Holiday Units Esperance (08) 9071 5942 Pine Grove Holiday Park Esperance (08) 9071 4100 Pink Lake Tourist Park Nulsen (08) 9071 2424

HOPETOUN – BREMER BAY Bremer Bay Beaches Resort & Tourist Park Bremer Bay (08) 9837 4290 Hopetoun Caravan Park Hopetoun (08) 9838 3096 Wavecrest Village & Tourist Park Hopetoun (08) 9838 3888

ALBANY Albany Happy Days Caravan Park King River (08) 9844 3267 Albany Holiday Park Albany (08) 9841 7800 Albany Holiday Units Middleton Beach (08) 9841 7817 Cheynes Beach Caravan Park Cheynes (08) 9846 1247 Emu Beach Chalets Emu Point (08) 9844 8889 Havana Villas Albany (08) 9844 1085 King River Palms Caravan Park Willyung (08) 98443232 Lilacs Waterfront villas & cottages Robinson (08) 9841 2390 Two Peoples Caravan Park Kalgan (08) 9846 4024

DENMARK Denmark Rivermouth Caravan Park Denmark (08) 9848 1262 Denmark Waterfront Denmark (08) 9848 1147 Karri Aura Caravan Park & Motel Suites Shadforth (08) 9848 2200

WALPOLE – MANJIMUP – PEMBERTON Big Brook Arboretum Pemberton (08) 9776 1207 Coalmine Beach Holiday Park Walpole (08) 9840 1026 Manjimup Central Caravan Park & Deli Manjimup (08) 9777 2355 Nornalup Riverside Chalets Nornalup (08) 9840 1107 One Tree Bridge Chalets Manjimup (08) 9777 1196 Peaceful Bay Chalets Peaceful Bay (08) 9840 8169 Rest Point Holiday Village Walpole (08) 9840 1032 Riverside Retreat Walpole, (08) 9840 1255 Warren Way Caravan Park Balbarrup (08) 9771 1060

AUGUSTA Flinders Bay Caravan Park Augusta (08) 9780 5636 Hamelin Bay Holiday Park Hamelin Bay (08) 9758 5540 Molloy Caravan Park Kudardup (08) 9758 4515 Sheoak Chalets Augusta Augusta (08) 9758 1958

MARGARET RIVER Gracetown Caravan Park Gracetown (08) 9755 5301 Margaret River Tourist Park (08) 9757 2180 Prevelly Caravan Park Prevelly Park (08) 9757 2374 Riverview Tourist Park Margaret River (08) 9757 2270

YALLINGUP – DUNSBOROUGH Caves Caravan Park Yallingup (08) 9755 2196 Dunsborough Beach Cottages (08) 9756 8885 Yallingup Beach Holiday Park 1800 220 002

BUSSELTON Amblin Holiday Park Busselton (08) 9755 4079 Busselton Beachfron Busselton (08) 9755 2607 Busselton Holiday Village Busselton (08) 9752 4499 Busselton Villas & Caravan Park Busselton (08) 9752 1175 Fourseasons Holiday Park Busselton (08) 9755 4082 Geographe Bay Holiday Park Busselton (08) 9752 4396 Lazy Days Holiday Park Busselton (08) 9752 1780 Sandy Bay Holiday Park Busselton (08) 9752 2003

BUNBURY Binningup Beach Caravan Park Bunbury (08) 9720 1057 Brunswick Junction Caravan Park Bunbury (08) 9726 1544 Bunbury Glade Caravan Park Bunbury 1800 113 800 Discovery Parks - Bunbury (08) 9795 7100 Riverside Cabin Park Bunbury (08) 9725 1234 Taralea Farm Bunbury (08) 9728 1252 Waterloo Village Caravan Park Bunbury (08) 9725 4434

This section in WA Fishing Monthly consolidates the trades and services in your area that are relevant to your fishing and boating. Whether you’re a local looking for more options or a travelling angler fishing around the state, this guide will direct you to reputable businesses in the area you’re searching. 50

APRIL 2020

Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory MANDURAH Belvedere Caravan Park Mandurah (08) 9535 1213 Estuary Hideaway Holiday Park 0407 838 061 Footprints Preston Beach (08) 9739 1111 Lake Clifton Caravan Park (08) 9739 1255 Lake Navarino Holiday Park (08) 9733 3000 Mandurah Ocean Marina Chalets (08) 9535 8173 Miami Holiday Park (08) 9534 2127 Peel Caravan Park (08) 9535 4343 Pinjarra Caravan Park Mandurah (08) 9531 1374 Pinjarrah Holiday Park (08) 9531 1604 The Dwellingup Chalet and Caravan Park (08) 9538 1157 Timber Top Caravan Park (08) 9535 1292 Waroona Caravan Village (08) 9733 1518 Waters Edge Caravan Park 0427 281 622

MOORE RIVER – LANCELIN – LEDGE POINT Big 4 Ledge Point Holiday Park (08) 9655 2870 Experience Lancelin Holiday Park (08) 9655 1056 Guilderton Caravan Park (08) 9577 1021

JURIEN BAY – GREEN HEAD – LEEMAN Green Head Caravan Park Green Head (08) 9953 1131 Jurien Bay Tourist Park Jurien Bay (08) 9652 1595 Leeman Caravan Park Leeman (08) 9953 1080

DONGARA – GERALDTON Batavia Coast Caravan Park (08) 9938 1222 Double Beach Caravan Park (08) 9921 5845 Horrocks Beach Caravan Park (08) 9934 3039 Leander Reef Holiday Park Port Denison (08) 9927 1840 Port Denison Holiday Units (08) 9927 1104 Seaspray Beach Holiday Park Dongara (08) 9927 1165

KALBARRI Kalbarri Anchorage Caravan Park Kalbarri (08) 9937 1181 Kalbarri Beach Bungalows A & B Kalbarri (08) 9937 0400 Kalbarri Blue Ocean Villas Kalbarri (08) 9937 2442 Murchison caravan park Kalbarri (08) 9937 0400 Murchison House Station Kalbarri (08) 9937 1998 Murchison River Caravan Park Kalbarri (08) 9937 1005

SHARK BAY Bay Lodge Denham Shark Bay WA (08) 9948 1278 Denham Seaside Caravan Park, (08) 9948 1242 Oceanside Village Denham Shark Bay (08) 9948 3003 RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort (08) 9948 1320 Shark Bay Caravan Park (08) 9948 1387

CARNARVON Capricorn Holiday Park (08) 9941 8153 Carnarvon Caravan Park (08) 9941 8101 Coral Coast Tourist Park (08) 9941 1438 Norwesta Lifestyle Park (08) 9941 1277 Outback Oasis Caravan Park (08) 9941 1439 Wintersun Caravan and Tourist Park (08) 9941 8150

CORAL BAY Bayview Coral Bay (08) 9385 6655 Ningaloo Club (08) 9948 5100 Ningaloo Reef Resort (08) 9942 5934 Peoples Park (08) 9942 5933

EXMOUTH Exmouth Escape Resort (08) 9949 4800 Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort, Exmouth (08) 9949 0000 Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort (08) 9949 2377 Ningaloo Lighthouse Holiday Park (08) 9949 1478 Yardie Homestead Caravan Park (08) 9949 1389

ONSLOW Discovery Parks - Onslow (08) 9184 6007 Ocean View Caravan Park (08) 9184 6053

DAMPIER Aspen Karratha Village Baynton (08) 9185 2726 Dampier Transit Caravan Park (08) 9183 1109 Discovery Parks - Balmoral, Karratha (08) 9185 3628 Discovery Parks - Pilbara, Karratha (08) 9185 1855 Karratha Apartments Karratha (08) 9143 9222 Karratha Caravan Park (08) 9185 1012 Karratha Village Karratha 1300 321 669 Searipple Village Karratha Bulgarra (08) 9158 7400

PORT HEDLAND Blackrock Tourist Park South Hedland (08) 9172 3444 Discovery Parks Port Hedland (08) 9173 1271 Landing Resort Port Hedland (08) 9172 4111 Port Tourist Park Port Hedland (08) 9172 4111

BROOME Broome Caravan Park (08) 9192 1776 Broome Vacation Village Caravan Park Broome (08) 9192 1057 Cable Beach Caravan Park Broome (08) 9192 2066 Discovery Parks - Broome (08) 9192 1366 Tarangau Caravan Park Broome (08) 9193 5084

WELDING & MANUFACTURING CSD Designs Bayswater 0407 772 010

BOATS Aquasports Marine Midvale (08) 9250 3339 Midway Marine (08) 9527 6963 Bluewater Marine (08) 9791 1499

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DERBY

GET ONBOARD

Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park (08) 9193 1055 West Kimberley Lodge & Caravan Park (08) 9191 1031

KUNUNURRA Discovery Parks - Lake Kununurra (08) 9168 1031 El Questro Wilderness Park 1800 837 168 Hidden Valley Caravan Park (08) 9168 1790 Ivanhoe Village Caravan Resort (08) 9169 1995 Kona Lakeside Caravan Park (08) 9161 1139 Kununurra Lakeside Resort (08) 9169 1092 Lake Argyle Caravan Park (08) 9168 7777 Lake Argyle Resort (08) 9168 7777 Town Caravan Park (08) 9168 1763 Wyndham Caravan Park (08) 9161 1064

MARINE MECHANICS Bay Marine Maintenance Crawley (08) 9386 7059 Boat Fix Balcatta (08) 9240 8778 Boat Lifters Blue HQ Perth (08) 9239 9333 Bravo Marine Services Bayswater (08) 9272 9300 Bravo Marine Services Bayswater (08) 9272 9300 Chandlers Marine Service Wangara (08) 9303 9366 Falcon Services Australia Midvale 0458 852 591 GP Marine Cockburn Central 0408 913 104 GP Marine Cockburn Central 0408 913 104 Hitech Marine Wangara (08) 9309 2888 Mandurah Outboards, Mandurah (08) 9581 7224 Matich Marine East Fremantle (08) 9339 7722 Mobile Marine WA Osborne Park 0428 225 877 Parker Marine Fremantle (08) 9336 6979 Parker Marine Fremantle (08) 9336 6979 Perth Boat Mechanics Huntingdale 0405 593 786 Platinum Boating Maintenance Wangara 0402 477 656 Pleisure Marine Maintenance O’Connor (08) 9337 9569 Seapower Australia Pty Ltd (08) 9335 9777 Seasport Marine Kelmscott (08) 9498 1799 The Boat Business Henderson (08) 9437 5144 Total Marine Repairs Mandurah (08) 9582 7211 West Coast Boat Works Perth Landsdale 0439 969 459 Westmarine Boating Services Fremantle WA 0425 177 700

MARINE ACCESSORIES Challenge Batteries Osborne Park (08) 9446 6122 Crackpots Marine Supplies O’Connor (08) 9337 2211 JPW Marine Wholesale Distributors Perth (08) 6253 3000 Offshore Marine Guildford (08) 6278 1299 Searano Marine Malaga (08) 9248 2242 Whitworths Marine & Leisure - Leerderville (08) 9381 1442 Whitworths Marine & Leisure - Mosman Park (08) 9385 5877

18 HAWKINS ST, EAST BUNBURY, WA 6230

(08)

9791 1499

Northbank Fibreglass Boats @northbankboats

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MARINE TRIMMERS

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Cutting Edge Marine Trimming O’Connor 0432 062 834 Exclusive Marine Trimming & Upholstery O’Connor (08) 9314 6882 G.K. Trimmers Canning Vale (08) 9455 7144 John’s mobile trimmers Jandakot (08) 9417 4414 John’s Motor Trimmers Auto & Marine Upholstery Welshpool (08) 9470 5531 Mandurah Motor Trimmers Greenfields (08) 9581 8180 Mason Marine Trimmers O’Connor 0418 923 787 McCarroll Motor & Marine Trimmers Osborne Park (08) 9244 1449 Prestige Marine Trimmers Perth (08) 9303 9536 The Trim Shop (08) 9430 5332 Universal Marine & Automotive Upholstery O’Connor 08) 9314 1770 Waters Edge Marine Trimmers Leeming 0412 204 085

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Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call 0417 901 301 or email nick@fishingmonthly.com.au APRIL 2020

Biosonics surveys go prime time

SUNTAG

Stefan Sawynok

February was a huge month for Infofish survey wise, with Lake Somerset, Lake Jindabyne and the Maroochy River on the list for surveys. All up, that’s over 200km of transects, 40km2 of area surveyed, and if you like really big numbers, 451 million cubic metres of water sampled. This month the objective was to take two years of preparation and development and put it all into practice on the water. There were a lot of changes from the addition of a new rig on the water, to new views on the data and a

a long while ago, so pretty much every survey we have done in the past 12 months can be re-run with the latest processing to answer more questions for the client. A QUICK INTRO TO THE BIOSONICS SURVEY Our Biosonics unit is a scientific echosounder – 200kHz, the same frequency that most downscan echosounders operate at. The unit is a split beam unit that produces a cone of sound with an array of receivers that provide pinpointing of objects in the beam. Biosonics transducers come in a range of frequencies 38kHz, 70kHz, 120kHz, 200kHz and 420kHz and up to four transducers can be attached to a single survey unit. We are aiming to add 120kHz and 420kHz

Scientific echosounders have a greater range. The 38kHz unit for example can punch up to 4km in freshwater and over 1km in salt. Our 200kHz unit can hit over 200m+ in freshwater and 200m in salt. Biosonics units can operate at an angle from vertical to horizontal, which allows us to survey the water column from the side and cover much larger areas. Scientific echosounders can detect the size of the fish in the beam. All up, that makes scientific echosounders an ideal tool for surveying very large areas of water for fish. All the same, even with all those advantages there have been serious challenges to overcome in order to get the results.

Aaron Dunlop (front) and Jimmy Reid (left back) taking Brisbane Valley Anglers member Steve Gaudron out on the water to see the biosonics survey in action. technologies are giving fishers an edge and there is quite a lively debate among fishers on whether they are a good thing or not. Unfortunately while both technologies are good at finding fish in a small area, they don’t scale well for larger surveys. As things stand, nets, electrofishers, divers and cameras in good conditions remain the main survey techniques. With the exception of cameras, each

of these techniques has issues when it comes to impact on fish or risks to humans. Biosonics surveys are for the most part relatively low risk, as no fish are sampled and nobody has to enter the water. The equipment can be set up before entering the water and removed off the water. In our case, the survey lines are parallel and start at the same end, so when we finish off a transect we have to shoot on back to

water column from the side is that there is no bottom – which has been one of the certainties of echosounders since their earliest design. This leads to the second challenge – while there is no bottom, there are sides where the beam hits the bottom. In our earliest surveys this presented real problems, as when the beam hits the bottom side-on it makes a mess of the echogram and it’s often

Aaron’s latest bracket makes working with the transducer easier and safer on the water. new way to deliver data direct to the client and even the survey team on the water. For the past 18 months, most of our Biosonics technology has been a work in progress; not so much on finding fish but almost every time we were out on survey, clients would ask bigger questions once they saw the data, which increased the amount of processing we needed to do. More than once I had to scrap our processing system and start again, as we either ran into performance issues or new requests that went past the design capabilities of the processing engine. Finally though, we have a good baseline that keeps the team on the water and allows the back room team to make improvements. The good part about our processing system is that by and large we worked out the baseline dataset we needed 52

APRIL 2020

A SAFER APPROACH TO LOOKING FOR FISH Hardly a day goes by at fishing events we attend, particularly inland, where the conversation doesn’t turn to technologies like the Humminbird 360 and Garmin Livescope. There is no doubt that these

Reviewing sidescan images.

Individual fish mapped out at Lake Jindabyne.

the beginning. That requires taking the transducer out of the water and doing that 30 times a day is harder than you might imagine. Our transducer is around 15kg in weight, add to that the mounting and you have an awkward time lifting then replacing the transducer. Aaron has recently added an additional innovation: a pivot so the transducer can be easily stowed for travel between transects or to get out of windy conditions. ACCOUNTING FOR HABITAT The big challenge that comes with surveying the

transducers in the next year to add a mix of greater range and resolution to allow more flexibility in how we survey. There are three key differences between Biosonics Scientific Transducers and the consumer transducers on most vessels – besides costs.

impossible to see fish. Our early solution to this problem was to create a false bottom by drawing a line on the echogram before the bottom noise kicks in and only keeping the echos in clear water, but that often left us with a tiny amount of data. Our current solution is to take a second set of data, bathymetry recorded on a conventional echosounder. While this often extends the time required to complete a survey, it gave us a map of the bottom to refer to in processing. As a second measure we started recording

sidescan, giving a view of the environment and allowing us to identify things like wood elements. We are targeting 10,000 pieces of wood this year so that we can train new machine learning models to improve our ability to pick out wood directly from the biosonics data. SEDIMENT TYPING One of the advantages of adding the bathymetry

I had expected. Taking that process one step further, if we have a higher sampling rate we can pick up unexpected variations on the bottom, such as fish that live on the bottom, crabs or shellfish where we go specifically looking for difference to the background. This technique has been used widely with a vertical beam, but we are the first globally

on how many fish have to be processed and it can typically cover depths to a few metres. We can cover around 25km per day, and at 200m range we can reach depths of 20-25m with the full width of the beam. That coverage has allowed us to develop an optimal survey pattern of parallel lines spaced 200m apart in depths >10m and 100m apart for <10m.

Example echogram with lots of bottom noise.

Sediment typing at Lake Burrendong. Brown = clay, yellow = sand, red = gravel, black = rock, and green = wood. survey is we can sample the bottom deliberately if we need to. All that noisy data that causes problems in the echogram actually turns out to be quite useful. There are good reasons to go looking at the bottom: the biosonics unit is very efficient at covering a wide territory and sediment type is a key piece of information when it comes to assessing the environment fish live in. For example, in a survey in Burrendong Dam we found carp were more often detected around hard gravelly/rocky bottoms than soft clay bottom, which was counterintuitive to what

to be using an angled beam to cover a larger area. REDUCING SURVEY COSTS One of the key objectives of the biosonics survey process is to reduce the costs of collecting high resolution fish data and that was the focus of new survey patterns developed for the month on the water. In this case we had two big impoundments, Lake Somerset followed by Lake Jindabyne, and anyone who has done social mapping will tell you that is a crazy area to do. The typical alternative – electrofishing can cover 10-15km per day depending

Fish, direction of movement lines and sidescan.

That kind of pattern allows us to cover large areas, in the case of Lake Somerset 17.7 square kilometres in four days, and Jindabyne 24 square kilometres in a bit over five days. That is a significantly larger sample that can be achieved with any conventional means and constitutes the two largest samples generated anywhere in the world to date. In fact, over the past six months we have reset the record for the largest area surveyed in the world five times. LOOKING FOR SHARKS Sharks are an interesting critter to go looking for, with their lack of the hard skeletons of fish, but

typically they have rough skin and a large surface area. There are good reasons to want to be able to detect sharks via echosounder – from early warning to scientific study. There are shark and ray species that live on the bottom and in the next round of surveys we will be looking closely at free swimming and bottom dwelling sharks. We have reviewed work on tracking sharks via echosounder and we know it’s been done, but as with many things, sharks have been looked at in a ‘can we see them’ sense, not in a larger scale data capture sense. So at this point we will be starting from scratch,

Sample survey pattern. and Aaron is in his element when it comes to solving on the water fish survey issues. As we go, we regularly take time to assess new ways of using the biosonics to solve real world data capture problems. Sharks are just the latest, but I am heading to the US in June to meet with the manufacturer and I expect a lot more challenges to come in the next two years. NEW AND FASTER DELIVERY Crunching the biosonics data has always been a challenge, and the reality is that there are a lot of steps to the processing, from: • Generating the bathymetry • Cleaning up sidescan • Generating the actual datasets which include processing all signals,

separating the fish, size grading, calculating where they are (latitude, longitude, depth), and generating their movements • Generating all the sediment types • Assessing wood habitat In general we try to have data to the client within 24 hours of survey – which is a first draft that provides a snapshot in mapping form. Over time, we have narrowed it down to two key maps that are easy to assess and determine if anything needs to be adjusted in the survey: one that combines bathymetry, survey tracks, fish sizes and locations, and one that combines sidescan, fish locations and depth of the fish. Now that is a lot to do, so we have to be really efficient in sending data from the field as well as in minimising the handling. The other thing that we need to do is then get that to the client and here Mapbox has been a godsend. Mapbox is an online mapping delivery system that accepts a range of mapping data including raster data (important for sidescan). With Mapbox, we can upload the finished datasets and provide maps that are usable on desktop and mobile by the client and survey team. We still have work to do to automate that process, but all the feedback has been really positive – not least because it provides a map of where the fish are within 24 hours. THE FUTURE In the near future we will be able to deliver those rich datasets via apps. While we are still working out the best way/context to do that, it’s pretty exciting to pull together such a complex data collection process and make it simple to use and access. The bonus is once we have the delivery options streamlined, we can start to look at the next generation of technologies that will provide even more insights into what is happening under the water. Next month, I will do a data dive from a survey and highlight some of the questions we are answering and new questions raised by our survey teams. APRIL 2020

Choosing the perfect kayak for your needs BRISBANE

Justin Willmer Find me on Facebook at Yaks On

Kayak fishing has only grown in popularity! It’s inexpensive, allows you to launch almost anywhere and access new locations, can be relaxing or adrenaline filled, provides the advantage of stealth, has a low carbon

may be a little extreme, but I know many anglers that have two different kayaks in the garage for different applications. If 95% of your fishing is skinny water creek bashing, then purchase a kayak to suit that application. Similarly, if it’s offshore or estuary fishing, this will require different kayaks. Once you decide on your type of fishing, you can

getting into kayak fishing. SIT INSIDE OR SIT ON TOP For many, the first decision is between a sit-on-top or sit-inside. A sit on top is by far the most popular kayak style for fishing as there are many options available, they are inexpensive, easy to get in and out of, feature selfdraining scupper holes so as not to hold water like

A sit-inside kayak is still a good option for smoother waters and skinny water adventures.

This sit-inside kayak was excellent for targeting barra in a small impoundment, as you’re lower to the water so you catch less wind. footprint and offers a level of exercise, often without even realising it. Probably the most common question that I get asked from anglers both new and old to kayak fishing is ‘what is the best kayak for fishing?’ The short answer is the one that best suits your needs, so I’m going to explore the features and benefits, pros and cons, and applications for different kayak types. APPLICATION The first consideration when selecting a kayak for fishing is the application that you have in mind for the kayak. One single kayak will not be the best solution for offshore fishing, bush bashing the creeks, estuary fishing and the many other applications that anglers may have in mind, so it’s important to decide what type of fishing you want to focus on. My passion for kayak fishing has seen up to half a dozen different kayaks in the shed at times, which

APRIL 2020

kayak to keep water out. CAPACITY Most adult kayaks will have a capacity rating from around 80kg up to hundreds of kilograms. It’s

estuary fishing. If I wanted to carry more gear for kayak camping or extended fishing adventures, then I would be looking for a kayak with increased

If you’re fishing colder conditions further south, sit-inside kayaks will protect you from the elements better than a sit-on-top kayak.

Grey nomads geared up with their compact 280 by 85cm kayaks that are rated to 147kg capacity. start comparing models. Keep an eye out for kayak store demo days, borrow a kayak or even look at hiring a couple of kayaks to get a feel for what is out there and what you need. Kayak forums, magazines and the internet can also assist with your research. It is important to consider the limitations of you and your vessel when

A simple set-up is all you need to get started, however you need to consider the physical size and weight of the kayak, its capacity and your fishing applications. 54

Sit-inside kayaks are therefore preferred for backwater creek fishing where the kayak is often dragged, carried and frequently contacts vegetation and other structure, as well as in colder southern environments. However, you need to be conscious of the open cockpit that can take on

a sit-inside, and landing and handling fish can also often be easier as you can drop your legs over either side to slow the kayak and increase stability, and even turn completely sideways on the kayak to access iceboxes and other items in the rear well. On the other hand, sit-inside kayaks allow you to keep gear stowed securely inside the kayak where branches cannot drag items into the water, while also protecting you from these overhanging branches along with the elements, such as the wind and cold. The hull on sit-inside kayaks generally has less drag than comparable length sit-on-top kayaks, so it glides more efficiently, making it popular for covering further distances when fishing. Longer sit-inside kayaks (sea kayaks) are the choice for long-range sea kayaking adventures/touring.

important to keep in mind your weight plus the weight of the gear that you wish to carry on board with you. I have a small, inexpensive kayak that I load with a 20L

capacity, which would likely also increase the space available for stowing gear, fitting additional rod holders and increase the length of the kayak. For this option, I have

From left to right: the wider, slower sit-inside; a grey nomad’s 147kg rated all-rounder; the author’s all-rounder; and Sheri’s speed machine. water, so for anglers and sea kayakers who are venturing into rougher water a skirt is often attached around the waist of the paddler and around the cockpit of the

icebox, a couple of rods and a dry bag of lures, tackle and accessories. This kayak is 9’ (2.7m) and has a rating of 130kg, which is enough to cover basic creek and

a 12’ 6” (3.8m) kayak that has a weight capacity of 180kg. WEIGHT As kayaks get longer, wider and their capacities increase, generally so does

their weight. It’s important to consider how you will be transporting and storing your kayak, such as whether you will be lifting your kayak onto a vehicle, trailer or storage racks. You need to be able to handle the kayak without injuring yourself or

good to paddle, with its multipiece paddles packing into the compact kit. However, for most anglers the inflation, deflation, drying time and pack up take away from the simplicity of kayak fishing, meaning that inflatable kayaks are usually only chosen by

will often opt for something in the middle, giving them a balance of speed and stability. Remember if the kayak becomes too wide, it can also be difficult for smaller paddlers to paddle the kayak comfortably and effectively.

Sit-inside kayaks are good for skinny water adventures that require some portaging. damaging the kayak. Kayak loading devices can assist in loading and unloading your kayak if you wish to purchase one that you cannot physically load and unload without assistance, but this is an additional expense. It is worth investigating further to ensure you can manage the loading device prior to purchasing both it and the kayak. Otherwise, you could use a kayak trailer. There are high-tec, lightweight kayaks, but the current selection is limited and they generally carry a higher price tag than rotomoulded polyethylene kayaks. Inflatable kayaks are another option and the quality and rigidity of these have improved over time thanks to advancements in materials and drop stitched flooring. Sheri and I have a double inflatable kayak that packs into a suitcase to take with us on adventures and it is stable, durable and pretty

adventurers and anglers with extreme space restrictions. LENGTH The length of the kayak can impact its speed, tracking and handling in choppy conditions. Longer kayaks will generally track better, paddle faster and ride through chop better, while shorter kayaks will bob like a cork amongst chop, take more effort to paddle straight and control in wind and chop, and won’t be capable of the speed achieved in longer kayaks. On the flipside though, shorter kayaks are often more manoeuvrable and lighter, so they are preferred by many for smooth water, skinny water and short paddles to more sheltered fishing spots. WIDTH The width of the kayak can influence stability, speed, handling and capacity. Thinner kayaks generally track straighter and paddle faster, while wider kayaks are slower but more stable and with larger capacities. Anglers

An inexpensive, 2.7-3m kayak is all you need to target bread and butter species. Do your research and stick with a reputable brand.

the kayak and attempting to swing the bow. You can also use the rudder when wind drifting and fishing, controlling drift direction and maintaining your position a cast distance from the edge or structure as you drift, should the wind be blowing in the right direction. PADDLE VS PEDAL Pedal kayaks allow for hands-free fishing, additional distance to be covered and less fatigue, as you are powering your vessel using larger muscle groups. They also provide increased control when fishing as you can hold your position in wind or current. Pedal kayaks often dominate kayak tournaments these days, due to these distinct advantages for anglers. You don’t need a pedal kayak to catch fish, but they do make fishing easier. There are a few downsides to pedal kayaks. The obvious one is the additional cost, but

You don’t need a big kayak to catch big fish. Smaller kayaks can even have the advantage in accessing some areas. My wife is a smaller paddler than myself, so she has a kayak that is narrower, slightly longer and has less capacity than mine, while I require additional capacity to handle my weight along with additional width for stability due to my larger frame. I would be unstable and uncomfortable in her kayak, while she would find my kayak more difficult and heavier to paddle. RUDDER A rudder adds cost to your kayak price but it makes paddling more efficient and steering much simpler. It is often foot-powered, allowing you to focus on a steady paddle stroke and adjust the tracking with a small movement of your feet. Many kayaks come fitted with rudders, while others have the option of retrofitting a rudder. Most rudders are designed to kick up if they come into contact with structure when moving forward, with a simple cord system to flip the rudder up into a stowed position or into the water for use. A rudder allows you to focus on paddling and makes control easier, even in a side wind or when waves are crashing against one side of

if your application involves covering distance or battling wind and tide then it may be worth it. Another downside of pedal kayaks is the space lost in the cockpit area due to the pedal units taking up space; however, over time pedal kayak manufacturers have come up with some creative storage options to ensure that rods and gear are secured safely, so this is less of an issue. Finally, pedal kayaks have the disadvantage of the pedal unit protruding from the bottom of the kayak, which rules them out for many skinny water adventures where the system is riddled with snags and structure. Other than that, if you love kayak fishing, saving your pennies for a pedal kayak may

This is the perfect environment for a sit-inside kayak: cruising through lilies and timber as you’re protected from the elements and everything is stowed securely. be a good choice if you haven’t already made the leap. I have heard a few negative stories about the cheaper ‘copycat’ pedal kayaks that are popping up around the place, so I would stick with the tried and true Hobie or Native Watercraft pedal kayaks until the others have proven themselves. Likewise with paddle kayaks, do your research and stick with the more well-known and reputable brands that have a history of quality, performance, quality fit out and proven accessories. POWER A less common option but one that is available to kayak anglers is to power up your kayak with a small electric motor. Powered kayaks have allowed anglers with injuries and conditions that would otherwise prevent them from kayak fishing to get out there

when selecting a kayak that will be powered include options for mounting the motor, along with the kayak’s capacity for carrying the motor and battery. MAKING YOUR CHOICE Once you have narrowed your kayak search down to a couple of options, it should just be the little things that separate them. This can be as simple as available colours, such as a stealthy colour for skinny water bass or a hi-vis colour for paddling offshore. It may also come down to available storage and its configuration, seating, mounting and attachment points, available accessories and so forth. I hope I have touched on some points that will assist you when selecting your first or your next kayak. Remember that the best fishing kayak is the one that best suits you, so

An important consideration when selecting a kayak is handling and transport, as well as storage at home. and into a few fish. These power options have also been taken on board by those who love the serenity, stealth and overall vibe of kayak fishing, and are looking to cover more water, troll and make the most of short windows of time. Important considerations

take the time to think about the types of fishing and adventures you wish to undertake and what requirements you have for your craft. Try and get out there and paddle or pedal as many options as you can to get a better understanding of what’s available.

Offshore kayaks are generally longer, with a bow designed to ride over and through waves and a rudder for control. APRIL 2020

Do you know the different PFD regulations? BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

I saw an ad on TV with an interesting and accurate message: ‘Wearing a

Victorian anglers have met Queenslanders fishing in Port Phillip Bay during the snapper run. It’s not hard to hook up the boat and head interstate, so maybe we should think about those PFDs a bit more seriously. It makes sense to

manufacture of various types of lifejackets. Just like spinning reels come in a thousand increments, the number increasing with size, lifejackets have numbered levels as a standard. These different numbers tell

use them frequently. The 50S pretty much identical, but not so brightly coloured. Level 100 As we move out into open waters – bays, estuaries and offshore – there are Levels 100, 150 and 275.

more pricey, but many anglers still prefer inflatable PFDs because of their slim fit and freedom of movement. As a fly angler waving arms about like a windmill while fishing, I favour an inflatable lifejacket hands down.

typically for people working on commercial vessels. QUEENSLAND In Queensland you are legally obliged to have lifejackets in your boat, one per occupant, and they must comply with the AS 4758

Youngsters need their lifejackets on when in my boat as it’s under 4.8m. lifejacket has never spoiled a day’s fishing!’ Reflecting on this pearl of wisdom turned my thoughts towards lifejackets (PFDs), the different styles on offer, and whether regulations might vary from state to state.

consider local requirements and different regulations if you’re in another state. AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS Australian Standards demand that lifejackets comply with set criteria

you what level of protection the lifejacket provides, and what conditions it is suited to. Level 50 The first option is the brightly-coloured Level 50 PFD which, although it will keep you afloat, has no collar

Our Porta Bote is over 25 years old, so even when enjoying smoko on Wyaralong Dam the PFD stays on. Level 100 lifejackets have a neck support to keep the wearer’s face out of the water. These PFDs are suitable for most excursions into open water and have a high level of floatation. However, they are not quite as good for use in seas with larger waves as the type 150 and 275 PFDs are.

Next is the non-inflatable Level 100, which has foam incorporated within a vest-like shape. It is always ready for use, if a little more bulky than an inflatable jacket. Level 150 and 275 Level 150 jackets are a good choice in rough conditions, and should

standard. You also need to have prominent signs pointing out exactly where those lifejackets are stored (more information on signage is available at www.msq.qld.gov.au). If your vessel is under 4.8m there are two extra regulations. First of all, if you are crossing a designated

In a good marine store it’s easy to find the right lifejacket for any boating situation. We anglers like to fish in lots of different places; I have run into Victorian anglers while fishing in Queensland barra dams, and

regarding manufacture and performance. The current standard throughout Australia is AS 4758, and it outlines the best practice for the design and

to keep your head out of the water. Basically, this is a PFD for short-term use where you don’t expect to be in the water for long. Water skiers

With the water temperature hovering around 15°C in summer, it makes sense to wear a lifejacket in Tassie lakes.

Angler David Falconer on Tasmania’s Little Pine Lagoon. David’s PFD is a 150 model. 56

APRIL 2020

Level 100 PFDs are either inflatable or non-inflatable, and both will save lives. The inflatable 100s rely on a CO2 cartridge to inflate bladders within the jacket. There are two styles of inflatables – one that is manually activated by pulling on a toggle, and the other self-inflating on contact with water. The latter option is

be able to turn a fully clothed wearer into a safe breathing position even if incapacitated, and that’s a pretty big call. Most are inflatable, and they are particularly popular with kayakers and rock fishers. Level 275 inflatable PFDs are designed for the roughest conditions,

coastal bar, those aboard have to wear a lifejacket. Also, persons under 12 years of age must wear a lifejacket in any sub-4.8m open boat that’s underway. There is no specification as to which level of lifejacket should be worn. NEW SOUTH WALES New South Wales skippers are required to carry an AS

Type 50 4758-compliant PFD for everyone aboard, and have their location in the boat clearly marked with an appropriate sign. Children under 12 must have their lifejackets on. When on enclosed waters in a craft less than 4.8m long, or on the open deck of a boat up to 8m long that’s underway, children must wear a Level 50S (or greater) lifejacket. If you’re in open waters, the child’s jacket must be at least a Level 100. On all boats less than 4.8m, everyone on board has to wear at least a Level 50S PFD if: you’re boating between sunset and sunrise; in alpine waters; or boating alone without an accompanying person over 12 years of age on board. A Level 100 or greater standard must be worn at all times while boating in open waters or crossing a coastal bar.

Type 100

VICTORIA Going boating in Victoria? Down in that neck of the woods waters are significantly cooler, and the lifejacket regulations reflect that. Generally, there’s no boating without AS 4758-compliant lifejacket being worn. In Victoria (and WA), the lifejacket levels are referred to as types 1, 2 and 3. Type 1 denotes level 100 or higher, Type 2 is Level 50, and Type 3 is 50S. In general, those aboard powerboats up to and including 4.8m long must be wearing a Type 1 lifejacket or greater while underway (which includes drifting). This applies in both enclosed waters (i.e. within a port) and coastal waters. On inland waters you can choose between types 1, 2, or 3.

If the boat is over 4.8m and up to 12m in length, occupants must wear Type 1 lifejackets at times of ‘heightened risk’. This applies in the following scenarios: crossing a bar; boating by yourself; between dusk and dawn; boating in reduced visibility; and after a BOM weather warning has been issued. Children under 10 must wear appropriate lifejackets at all times. It is a legal requirement to carry an appropriate size and type of PFDs for each person on board. Lifejackets must be easy to access. TASMANIA The big issue in Tasmania is the water temperatures, and in the popular inland trout lakes it can be as cold as 15°C, even in summer. Any prolonged immersion is a huge life-threatening issue. Imagine

Type 150

trying to put a lifejacket on when you are gasping to say alive! Not a good scenario. For this reason, if you are in a craft under 6m long and underway, a Coast Guard prescribed AS 4758 PFD must be worn. Children under 13 must wear a jacket when a larger craft is underway, unless below decks. Vessels must always carry a compliant lifejacket for each person on board. WESTERN AUSTRALIA In WA, vessels operating out of unprotected waters must carry AS 4758-compliant Type 1 lifejackets. In protected waters, the lifejackets can be Type 1, 2 or 3. They must be stored in easily accessible places and be the appropriate size for each passenger.

There does not appear to be any laws dictating when you must wear a lifejacket. Instead, there are recommendations, which include wearing one during times of poor visibility, bad weather, when boating alone, and for children under 10. SOUTH AUSTRALIA In vessels not more than 4.8m, all persons must wear a lifejacket, with the PFD Level appropriate to the conditions (i.e. protected, semi-protected or unprotected waters). In 4.8-12m vessels, the same applies to persons on an open deck or during times of heightened risk. Children under 12 or weighing less than 40kg must not wear an inflatable lifejacket.

ACT AND NT In the NT, all pleasure craft must carry lifejackets, one for each passenger. In the ACT this rule applies to all craft under 4.8m long. In both territories it is suggested that lifejackets be worn, but there does not appear to be any mandatory requirement. THE NEXT LEVEL In next month’s issue I will discuss which lifejacket best suits different situations, and what the various styles of PFDs offer. Also, because of the popularity of inflatable-style jackets for a lot of boating situations, it’s timely to have a look at servicing, to ensure they will work when you need them to. Until next month, happy boating.

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Bar Crusher 575C vs 615C, which is best for you? *Manipulated image

- SC

TENT -

RE ONLINE MO

615C

APRIL 2020

one to two anglers, locally, and want a cheaper (by around $10K) rig that’s a little easier to launch, store and handle by yourself, then the 575 may be the rig for you. If you like to travel more to fish and do it with a couple of mates and want a bigger tank that translates to more range, then the

DIFFERENCE TABLE Main: Definitely not the natural environment for a pair of tough-as-nails Bar Crushers, but even a thoroughbred needs a little bit of quiet paddock time, right? Above: All Bar Crusher hulls feature their unique water ballast system that fills while the craft is at rest and empties quickly as the boat takes off, giving the best of both worlds – stability and performance with minimal beam. through its water ballast system. Both of these boats feature Bar Crusher’s Gen 2 hull design with incorporated water ballast system. Overall, the Bar Crusher hulls are a little narrower than most hulls for their length, which explains their sea legs. At rest, the water ballast fills up and sinks the

chines deeper in the water, giving the hull greater stability. When you take off, the water virtually instantly runs out the back of the cavity, vented through the anchor well. It’s a neat system that’s stood the test of time. “The length beam equation in a bit of a dark

Feature Length: Beam: Material: Trailer: BMT weight: Internal gunwale height: Height on trailer: Horsepower: Price: Top Speed: Best economy: Theoretical range: Price: that are options on most other brands. “These boats come with a bait board, boarding ladder, through transom door, bilge pump, twin batteries, live bait tank, hard top roof,

575C

The 615 is 10cm wider than the 575 and offers an extra 5cm of internal gunwale height. Doesn’t sound like much but it makes a difference, especially offshore. 58

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We recently had the opportunity to test a couple of Bar Crushers out on Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne; the 5.75m and 6.15m Cabin versions that are incredibly popular rigs in the Bar Crusher range. Instead of presenting a couple of very similar boat tests, we thought it’d be a great opportunity to look at the similarities and differences in these two rigs to help you make the decision about which one is the best for your fishing and boating needs. And although there’s only a legal snapper-anda-half difference in length between these boats, it equates to a lot more than you’d think by the time the boats are on a trailer and ready to fish. BAR CRUSHER 101 Bar Crusher is a Melbourne-made boat that’s famous for its build quality, finish and stability at rest

s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

clears and a rocket launcher,” said Matt, “You only need to choose your electronics like sounder, radio and maybe an anchor winch to complete the package.” WHAT DO WE RECKON? After looking at the differences between these two rigs, there’s a couple of conclusions that

Steve Morgan

CON

AN THE

art that I think we’ve got pretty much right for both these hulls,” said Bar Crusher’s Sales Manager, Matt Urzia, who is much more comfortable 10ft above the water off the back of a wave than he is in front of a camera. Matt also outlines the standard feature list in these boats, which includes many

FMG

575C 5.75m 2.15m 4mm bottom/3mm sides Single axle for local trips 1360kg 730mm 2.15m 115hp from mid-$50K 62km/h@6,000rpm 2.6km/L@4,400rpm 280km from mid-$50K we’ve come to. Firstly, these rigs’ standard inclusions are, indeed, very generous and the fact that they’re matched with locally made Easytow trailers means that Bar Crusher will ensure that the cradle is suitable for the hull. Urzia also says that if you want a single axle or twin axle on either rig, that’s legal and achievable. So, you’d opt for a twin axle if you’re doing a lot of highway miles; or, a single if you need manoeuvrability or use your boat locally most of the time. We’re particularly impressed with the cleverness of the fold-down hard top and windscreen that allows you to fit these boats in most garages. If you usually fish with

615C 6.15m 2.25m 4mm bottom/4mm sides twin axle for longer trips 1500kg 780mm 2.20m 140hp (max. 150hp) from mid-$60K 60km/h@6,000rpm 2.7km/L@3800rpm 370km from mid-$60K 615 will offer all of these benefits, and it’s price tag justifies the extra abilities. It’s a simple conclusion and definitely stands up to the ‘boat ramp test’, which is the nautical version of the ‘pub test’. Whichever you choose, you’ll enjoy the features and never break these Aussie-built tanks of boats. Make sure that you watch the video review of this comparison on the Fishing Monthly Magazines YouTube channel - you can do it on your smartphone by scanning the QR code hereby. For more information, visit www.barcrusher. com.au. They’ll have everything you need to help decide which is the best Bar Crusher for you in their range.

615C

575C

You’d think that the 140hp was faster than the 115hp? Wrong. The 575 was a little bit faster than the 615 at WOT, even if slightly less economical.

Although both models can be fitted on single or twin-axle Easytow trailers, there’s a good case for twin axle for long trips and a single axle for local journeys. Single axles can also be manoeuvred around easily in a tight garage.

Interestingly the 140hp Suzuki delivered marginally better fuel economy than the 115hp on the 575.

Erected, the folding hard roof/top offers rod storage and shade. The 575 folds down to 2.15m while the 615 is 2.20m high when folded down.

Both the windscreen and folding hard roof/top folds down on both models and there’s ample space to flush mount electronics of your choice.

Both models feature an enclosed cabin with bunks for overnight comfort. The 615’s wider beam gives it a little more space.

Bait boards are options on most boats on the market. On the Bar Crushers in this size range, they are standard.

Plumbed livewells and transom doors are also Bar Crusher Standard. Take this into account when comparing boats of different brands. APRIL 2020

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• High Displacement – For power and efficiency • Command Thrust Gearcase – For improved acceleration and maneuverability The Mercury 40-60hp FourStroke range ticks all the boxes, so see your nearest Mercury dealer to find out more. www.mercurymarine.com.au