Western Australia Fishing Monthly January 2020 by Fishing Monthly

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January 2020, Vol. 2 No. 5

Contents 9

From the Editor’s Desk...

METRO Metro Offshore

Metro 13 SOUTH COAST Esperance 14 Bremer Bay

Albany 15 WEST COAST Augusta 16 Busselton 19 Mandurah 20 Lancelin 22 Bunbury 24 Jurien Bay

With the New Year hopefully there’s a few fishing related New Year’s resolutions. Mine for this year are to do more fishing with the family and to get out on the water more with friends. It sounds easy enough, but as with all of you it is surprising just how often the daily toil and life puts barriers in our way. So this year I am going to make a concerted effort and make it happen. Our kids will only be kids for a very short time and the more time we can give them in the outdoors the more it will set them up for a happier life in the future. Mental health seems to be a major issue in kids these days, and I have no doubt that screens, devices and the online world with social media are major contributors. So everyone should do their utmost to get a kid into fishing this year. It is not just about the fishing, it’s also about being outdoors with family and friends, and

camping and fishing trips will be remembered by kids for a long time. Try asking them what they did last week on their ipad… The fishing around the state seems to have slipped into summer mode, and on the most part going by the reports the fishing is pretty good too. So if you are still wondering where to go on the school holidays, have a read through the reports and you may be able to narrow down your options! With summer upon us it is also a good idea to start planning those northern winter fishing trips. If you plan and make arrangements now you can get some good deals on accommodation and also ensure that you get the accommodation you want. It is also a good feeling knowing that everything is sorted and you can just spend your time planning and prepping for fishing! Being a new year I really want to thank all of the writers and area report contributors for

their great efforts through 2019. There have been some fantastic and informative articles over the year, which makes reading them all the more enjoyable, both for me and for you the readers. Writing area reports is no easy task, it may seem easy, but writing fishing reports every month eventually becomes hard work, so for the area report writers I also take off my hat and say thank you very much for your fantastic efforts. I would also like to make a special mention to all of the report writers who have been with us from the very beginning! If you see an area report from a tackle shop in a town you will know that these staff are happy to share info and give you the best advice so that you get the most out of your visit to their area. Be sure to drop in and have a chat with the area report writers and make sure you let them know you read their reports in Fishing Monthly! I am sure they will appreciate

Ian Sewell the acknowledgement. While I am on the subject of writers, if you live in a coastal town that does not have a fishing report, why not do something for your community and write one for us? We will happily pay you for your efforts and your community will also benefit from visiting tourists. We are also always looking for more feature articles, so if you think you have something worth sharing with the WA fishing community, be sure to get in touch with me. I am more than happy to help you make getting your first article published an easy process. The hardest part is taking that first step and making contact. Before I go, thank you also to you the readers out there! I hope you had a happy and safe festive season and hope that 2020 brings a few bucket list species and some personal bests. Stay safe and get out on the water!

Geraldton 31 GASCOYNE COAST Exmouth 32 Kalbarri 32 NORTH COAST

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OUR OUR COVER COVER

James Brown managed to wrestle this truly spectacular samsonfish ashore on the South Coast, and released it after a quick snap.

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Mastering the art of how to read the beach FMG

Sean Thompson

Beach fishing isn’t just a sport, it’s a passion. Get it right and it can be incredibly productive. Not only that, but in our fast-paced world filled with digital gadgets and deadlines, it can be damn good for your mental and physical health. The sights, sounds and feel of the waves as they wash away your woes is something special. Even better if it is interrupted by a screaming reel and buckling rod! GENERAL RULES To get your best results from the beach, you need to understand how, where and when to fish. The number one rule in beach fishing is that you need to be able to read the beach to understand where the fish might be. Inexperienced

anglers often make the mistake of just throwing in a line wherever the sand track leads them out to the beach, and then expect fish. Even if there is fishable water there, these same areas are also popular with swimmers and surfers, and thus tend to spook flighty fish. There are a few other general rules and tactics that will significantly increase the odds in your favour when beach fishing. These include knowing your target species and seasons, having the right gear, and knowing the right time and techniques to catch them. You also need a few plan Bs and Cs for when the fish play hard to get. When you have some sneaky little tactics up your sleeve, it can turn a very ordinary session into a very good one! For now, let’s start by learning how to ‘read’ a beach.

The author and his son in a double hook-up in a shallow gutter at high tide. One fish is being landed while the other is being played out. CHOOSING THE RIGHT WATER You can have the best tackle, baits, lures and surf conditions, but if you’re

An elevated position gives a good view of a big long channel. Note the smaller whiting gutters close to shore and the big entrance halfway along at the back.

fishing where the fish are unlikely to be, you won’t catch much! This is why it’s is so important to know how to read a beach. Gutters, holes, channels, spits, rips, sweep, back banks… fishing has a vocabulary all of its own, but these areas aren’t that complicated to spot or understand. Basically, the colour of the water (darker water is deeper) and the wave patterns are the main giveaways, and when you know what to look for you’ll maximise your catch rates. Gutter Gutters are stretches of deeper water scoured out of the sand, characterised by darker, greener water. They generally have a back sand bank where the water is shallower, and the waves break over this bank before reforming in the gutter, and don’t break again until they get closer to, or hit the shore. Fish like tailor, salmon and dart will prowl the edges of the back bank, and these same fish may roam inside the deeper water of the gutter looking for food. The shore break of a gutter (where waves are breaking on the shore) is the place to target foraging fish such as herring and whiting. These predators roam in the shallower gutters just beyond the shore, and as the waves break and surge up

the beach, the fish quickly follow the water in and help themselves to the worms and pipis exposed, or any vulnerable baitfish. Entrance An entrance is often found with a gutter, and

Light, long graphite outfits are an inexpensive yet effective option as a second outfit for spinning the gutters for tailor.

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JANUARY 2020

it’s like a funnel of deeper, cleaner water that channels faster flowing water from the inner gutters or holes out to the open sea. This is known by swimmers as a rip. A break in the rolling waves can indicate an entrance, and this area is also characterised by more rippled water. Fish use these entrances to enter and exit the shorebased gutters that hold a smorgasbord of food for them. Fish like to use entrances because they don’t like sand in their gills or becoming disorientated by breaking waves. One entrance to a gutter is good, and two entrances is even better! Gutters can also vary in size and depth, with deeper gutters tending to hold bigger fish like tailor, salmon and mulloway at the right time of day. Shallower gutters are perfect for smaller forage fish such as whiting and dart. Fish like whiting can be found in a couple of different types of shallower gutters.

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

Tailor are a popular target for beach anglers, but you need to choose the right water for them.

Examples include shallow inner gutters that fill over an exposed back sand bank at high tide, or shallow low tide gutters that have a blind end. A blind end is where the gutter closes off to the shore or a sand spit and, provided it has a little bit of white water for protection, the fish will feed right up in this corner. Hole Holes are pockets of scoured-out sand in the surf which are formed as a result of big seas. They are evidenced by their darker blue/green colour and also by waves, which don’t break

at all over them. Holes can either be fully enclosed as they are surrounded by sand bars, or they can have an opening to the sea. These are great locations to fish at night on the high tide for predators such as mulloway, particularly if the hole has an opening or entrance to the sea. At low tide they can be good locations for flathead and bream. Smaller ‘melon’ holes are indentations of around a metre or so in diameter, and can often be found on

sand spits or smaller gutters. Whiting like to forage for worms and yabbies in melon holes. Channel Channels are simply very long gutters which are scoured out parallel to the beach. They can run for several hundred metres or even kilometres at times. They act like a fish highway, with fish travelling along them in search of food. If there are few other features nearby to fish, your best option when confronted with

a long channel is to look for areas where the beach shelves away steeply on the shore into the channel, or the back bank is within castable distance for species such as tailor and salmon. Outer channels can be described as a second channel running parallel to an inner channel closer to shore and the beach. These are the highways for very big fish, including sharks and pelagics such as mackerel, tuna, giant trevally and more. You can reach these outer

Hooked up to another tailor on a light graphite outfit.

When choosing where to fish channels look for a sloping beach into deeper water and a back bank breaking within casting distance.

channels at low tide if you choose an inner channel with a close back bank, and cast over it using big grapnel sinkers and running ‘slide baits’ of live fish or big flesh baits out to this deep water. Another alternative is to cast out with a more standard rig but with a big bait into an entrance or rip, and let the fast-flowing rip take the bait out to this outer channel. Sand spit Sand spits are areas where the sand on the shore juts out to form a point in the surf zone. These areas can

be exposed at low tide and are great worming locations. They are usually surrounded by a hole or a gutter so you can fish from them at low tide, or fish over them at high tide for fish like whiting and smaller dart – provided they have a sufficient coverage of water and a bit of white wash from waves as protection. Beach corner Beach corners are another part of the beach fishing vocabulary. These are areas where permanent holes have been chiselled out next to headlands or large patches

of rock. These can be great places to fish, especially when the seas are very calm and the baitfish seek shelter from the calm, clear conditions in these locations. Vantage point To most effectively read the beach, it’s important to get up on a higher vantage point. This may be a sand dune (provided it isn’t closed for regeneration), a headland or simply the highest point on the beach. Even better if you can do this at low tide during the middle of the day, To page 10

JANUARY 2020

From page 9

so you get a clearer picture of the sand build up and areas of deeper water with the sun directly overhead.

Another consideration when reading the water is to work out how far the fishable water is to cast to, taking into consideration the tide when

A perfect example of a low tide whiting gutter with a blind end closing up to the right of the photo. Likewise, an elevated view will also allow you to see how close a back sandbank is to the shore, as indicated by waves breaking and spilling foam into the darker, greener water of the gutter. If you’re

you plan to fish. It is no good picking out a great looking gutter at low tide if that same gutter is too far out to reach at high tide. Other factors to consider include how close the deep

indicate the beach is dropping into deeper water. Patches of rock are another key feature to look for along the beach. Isolated patches of rock will attract baitfish, barnacles and oysters, which in turn attract predators. These areas are particularly worth a fish when the beach has limited gutters or structure, or when the seas are flat. If you are in a 4WD and driving along a beach looking for a likely spot, it’s a good idea to have your passengers ‘spotting’ gutters. Your passengers should also keep an eye out for schools of fish, which can appear as darker patches or flashes in the waves. These schools can be tailor or salmon and so are worth investigating. If you live a long way away from your beach destination, and you want to hit the ground running, you can check out any webcams which might be located in the area you intend to fish. Coastalwatch.com has live

A steeply sloping beach drops into a nice gutter. riders spooking your fish, or making it hard to get a cast in. BEACH CONDITIONS Once you have found one or more of the locations above and are ready to fish, you might then be faced with some beach conditions that make life a bit tricky. This includes sweep, wind, swell and weed. Sweep Sweep (also referred to as longshore drift) is where the water is being pushed either north or south

Deep gutters that break close to shore are great spots to target tailor. It’s also an easy place for kids to fish as they aren’t getting smashed by the waves washing up the beach. chasing fish like tailor or salmon, choosing a deep green gutter with a couple of entry points and a back bank within casting distance from the shore should give you a good shot at the fish if they are around.

water is to the beach, how steep the slope of the beach is, and the swell to determine whether you could reach it at high tide. Steeply shelving beaches tend to be fishable on both stages of the tide because they generally

camera streaming across a number of beaches across Australia. These not only give you an indication of where the good water is, but also how much activity is going on in that water, like swimmers and board

along the beach, and it’s caused by ocean currents or prevailing winds. Strong sweep can be very difficult to fish, so your best bet in these conditions is using

Above left and right: A clearly defined entrance or rip into a shore gutter. JANUARY 2020

OTHER TRICKS AND TIPS Most species of fish have peak seasons when they are much more prolific in a particular region. Find out what the best seasons are for the area you plan to fish, and focus your efforts on the species that you have the best chance of capturing at that time. Being mobile is another key to sustained fishing success. Being mobile can mean either travelling from gutter to gutter in your 4WD

An elevated shot of what a back bank looks like dropping into a gutter. Note the waves starting to break as they reach the drop-off.

RIP or ENTRANCE

a heavy star sinker on a paternoster rig, or fishing the downcurrent side of a rip or entrance of the gutter out to sea. For example, if the sweep is running towards the north and runs out to a rip, you should fish on the downcurrent or north side of the rip. Wind and swell Ideal beach conditions for most species of fish is when the surf is neither too heavy nor too light. Too much swell or wind and the baitfish (and the

predators chasing them) will seek shelter elsewhere from the dumping waves and churned up sand. Too little swell or wind on the water, and the fish will be hesitant to come in close to shore, particularly during the daylight hours. This is because calm conditions reduce the overhead coverage of foam or ripples on the water, exposing the fish to attack. Weed Weed is another factor that can quickly spoil a beach angler’s day. There is no silver bullet when the weed is thick except to drive along the beach with a pair of quality polaroid sunglasses to spot patches of cleaner water. Either that or find another beach.

before dusk until you find a patch of fish, or minimising the amount of gear you carry, so it’s no chore to walk from gutter to gutter. Being mobile means carrying just your rod and reel and all the gear you need in a smaller backpack or shoulder bag. This should include water, a few spare rigs and small tackle box. If you are going to keep fish, bring a soft cooler bag inside your shoulder bag with a small amount of ice or small ice brick. It’s also a good idea to keep your shoulder bag wet and cool if you keep fish in it. Many modern anglers like to mix it up, and on calm days walk and cast soft plastic lures in low tide using 7’+ light graphite rods

and 2000-2500 spinning reels filled with 6lb braid. Multiple outfits At the other end of the scale, if you have a 4WD, or find a big isolated gutter on the beach that you are going to settle in at for the night, it can pay to increase your odds by having a couple of different rod and reel combinations. This allows

you to fish one stage of the tide with one outfit and change to a heavier outfit for tailor or mulloway towards dusk in the deeper high tide water. Another option I like, particularly when I have the luxury of having access to my 4WD, is to have a couple of outfits when chasing tailor. I will travel

a bucket full of a concoction such as bran, chicken pellets, pieces of pilchards, sand and tuna oil. Soak it in water for a while and then throw out a couple of handfuls every few minutes to create a constant stream. A word of warning though, don’t do it when there is too

containing fish offal and frames, and allow the waves to wash it around. This is particularly popular on some of the remote southern beaches of Australia for anglers chasing snapper and giant mulloway. It’s a great option if you have the means, time and energy.

HOLE You don’t always have to cast far to catch fish; this dart was caught from a gutter close to the shore.

When the swell is up, fishing just inside an estuary mouth can result in beach regulars such as salmon.

with a medium-heavy outfit for throwing big baits and sinkers if the tailor are patchy and I need to play a waiting game for the fish. This same outfit can convert to throwing big baits after dark for mulloway. In addition, I like to carry a long light graphite rod (12’+) and spinning reel filled with 15lb braid to throw lures when the action is a bit faster. Times and tides The change of light period (dawn and dusk) is the best time for species like tailor and salmon, while bigger fish like mulloway will tend to patrol the inner gutters under cover of darkness. For a more detailed article on night fishing, check out my article called ‘The rewards of fishing at night’ at

wp.fishingmonthly.com.au. The ‘best’ tides vary for different species, and also according to the type and amount of water in the gutter. Sometimes a gutter can only fire up when there is enough water over the back bank or running in the entrance to bring the fish close to shore. At other times deeper water close to shore might only be accessible at low tide. For more information on this topic see my article ‘Best times and tides’ at wp.fishingmonthly.com.au. Berley Finally, berley is a very much-underused technique on the beach and can really improve your results, especially when the fish are otherwise sparse. There are a few different ways to do it effectively. One technique is to carry

An isolated deep hole close to the shore. much sweep about or you will take the fish away from you. An easier alternative is just to slice up a few older mulies and toss it into your gutter at a similar sort of rate. This can bring tailor and salmon in closer to shore, and even attract bottom feeders. Last but not least, some serious beach anglers will stake in a large berley cage

ENJOYING THE EXPERIENCE Beach fishing is a wonderful way to get outside and enjoy nature, while also being great for your health. I hope these tips help you catch more fish in your local area or on your next holiday to the beach. • For more tips and reports from the author, look up ‘Ontour Fishing Australia’ on Facebook.

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www.jurofishing.com JANUARY 2020

12/06/2019 11:48:45 AM

Metro

Boundless options from the top to the bottom METRO OFFSHORE

Jacob Crispe

What a great month this is! With demersal fishing now open again in our West Coast bioregion the options are truly endless. You can literally choose your target species from top to bottom and what a selection you

and those on the five fathom are having best results in the 25-35m mark. The plastic hex pots have proven themselves to be one of the cheapest and most effective ways to go when it comes to choosing what pot to use, as they don’t need to be soaked and catch well right from first drop! Heads and blue mackerel has been the best bait combination

The best method for these speedsters would have to be rigging a dead garfish on a single strand wire rig. Slow trolling live herring with single strand wire is also good if you can’t get garfish. Trolling a spread of bibbed minnows lures is great if you don’t like using bait, or for those who like to cast, you can anchor up near bait fish and spin lures. Stickbaits, bibbed minnows and metals will all work. Just a little tip: if using metal lures, cast them out and let them sink all the way to the bottom before retrieving them back at high speed! Remember single

other key is fresh bait. Catch yourself some fresh squid for bait (which can be caught in the same area) and your catch rate will certainly increase. Pre-made rigs from your local tackle store can also make a world of difference and allow you more time to fish rather than retie rigs. Tailor are another fun species to target at the back of any breaking reef systems. Casting lures like small metals such as or even stickbaits style lures is great fun, while others prefer to use a bait like a fresh mulie on a set of gangs either unweighted or under a float.

The author caught this yellowtail kingfish on the southwest side of Rotto.

Kaila Williams with a lovely dhufish caught while jigging. now have! With such a great choice back on the board I’m going to start from bottom and work my way to the top! First off I will mention one of the tastiest critters, our sweet blue swimmer crabs. They are currently in great numbers, and a lot of large crabs have been coming from around the Fremantle area and pushing up into the Swan and Canning rivers. There are a number of areas you can chase them, with drop offs and flats great places drop your nets. Stretches from East Fremantle up to The Narrows bridge are proving to be super effective as always. Please be aware that the bag limits have changed in some areas, and so have some of the rules and regulations regarding our crab fishery. So please get into your local tackle store to get a pamphlet regarding the new rules and regulations or download the Recfishwest app to keep up to date with the current laws to avoid any unnecessary mishaps on the water. Crayfish are still in great numbers! Now with the Christmas rush over it gives those who haven’t been out yet more of a chance to sneak into some of those more popular areas. The anglers around Rottnest have been catching from 10-20m deep 12

JANUARY 2020

when worked over a few days between pulls, however if you are pulling your pots daily, then blue mackerel alone has proven itself sufficient. With the demersal season now open, West Australian dhufish have to be on the top of the list when it comes to the demersals that we have available to catch. These great fish can be found in good numbers around our metro waters this time of year from Rockingham through to Fremantle and up into our northern suburbs such as

Mindarie and Quinns Rocks. They will predominantly be found in water depths ranging from 30-50m. If you are unsure of how to target these tasty trophy fish, then hopefully this will help you out. A simple paternoster rig with hooks between 6/0-10/0 will do the job. Using one smaller hook and one bigger hook will allow you to also catch some of the other demersal species that are swimming around down there in the same areas, such as baldachin groper, breaksea cod, harlequin, and even the odd King George whiting. Baits such as thick octopus with all skin removed, fresh fillets or smaller fish butterflied such as herring or mullet have all proven very effective. Soft plastics and jigs have also proven to be a super effective way to target all these bottom species, and some anglers now completely disregarding bait all together and only using their favourite jigs or soft plastics! Pearls, pinks, blues and chartreuse colours have to be right up there when it comes to chasing these fish on artificial baits.

A lot of yellowtail kingfish are around this time of year along most reef systems. The southwest side of Rottnest has been super productive, with fish ranging from 5-15kg, while other systems like Steggys Reef up off Mindarie have also been producing. Effective ways to target these great sportfish have been live baiting, jigging and trolling bibbed minnows style lures, and for anglers who like to cast, lures like stickbaits and metals have been a excellent way to target these brutes! It’s hard not to me mention a golden egg we have been given in these warmer months, the Spanish mackerel! These fish can be found all along our great stretch of coast, however there are certainly some spots that will produce more then others. The main thing to remember is that these are a top predatory fish, so if you find bait schools then you will find mackerel. I would have to say that close reef systems around Fremantle and inside Cockburn Sound would have to be my top choice if I were to chose an area to target.

This awesome looking mahimahi was taken working the offshore FADs by Sean Mulcock.

Sam O’Donnell with a prized gummy shark, which are arguably the best eating shark in metro waters. strand wire is always the most invisible wire to use and will prevent any bite-offs. A welcome by-catch of long tail tuna and shark mackerel is not uncommon when chasing these highly-prized spreaders. Squid are still around in great numbers along all our close in weed beds and broken ground, from 2-8m in depth. Natural baitfish colours and silver or gold foils are my winners at the moment, as the days are sunny and these are generally the best colour combinations while it’s sunny. Bread and butter species such as herring, whiting and skippy are always a great option when people are chasing a easy feed or looking to take the kids out for a good time. Just a couple things to remember when targeting these species to help increase your chances. Berley is always the biggest key to success for these species! The

If you can make it out wide we have more FADs (fish aggregation devices) then ever, with another six being deployed along our coast. Recfishwest can supply coordinates for these FADs on there website, and this will greatly increase your chance to head out and share more space to target mahimahi and tuna! These fish are super exciting to catch, as they are extremely acrobatic and run fast! The best methods are live baiting small yellowtail scad or herring unweighted on the surface, or casting stickbaits lures around 100mm in size. You can even troll small bibbed and skirted lures for a more relaxed approach. If you would like to more information on anything I have mentioned in this report, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line down at Anglers Fishing World Fremantle to talk more in depth.

Metro

Estuary systems firing right up METRO

Jacob Crispe

Now that the lovely sunny days and balmy nights have set in, we sure do have some great options when it comes to Perth’s metro fishing!

getting yourself some nice flake for the table. Rigs for mulloway are generally a basic style running rig with a decentsized weight to suit the conditions at the time and using a leader line of at least 1m with two snelled hooks will get you in the

The author picked up this decent-sized blue swimmer crab using a drop net from a jetty near the old brewery in South Perth. Let’s start on our beaches. Tailor, herring, whiting and mulloway are your more common suspects with some sand between your toes at this time of year. Prime times for all these species are first or last light, but it’s more about finding the right location. Look for nice gutters or drop-offs along your intended beach to target, as these areas always hold more fish then a flat area. Areas with some nice reef close by will always increase your chances, and you can also expect to see pink snapper pushing in close at night time feeding on the sand whiting. Keeping this in mind, snapper and mulloway are both predator fish, so if you can catch your own live bait to use when targeting these larger species your chances of catching will increase a lot. Also keep your tides in mind, and the peak of a high tide and the first hour of the run-out is the best time to expect a bite, however you can catch anytime as long as you have a line in the water. There are also a lot of small sharks that petrol these beaches at night, so if you find you are getting bitten off then use a small wire trace around 80-100lb if you are interested in

game. Keeping your leader as light as possible will also help increase your chance of a bite. Anything from 40-80lb is fine. Tailor and whiting rigs can be very similar, with a simple paternoster rig just fine. The main difference

Cottesloe Beach, Trigg Beach, Mullaloo and even further north, you just need to get out there find some nice gutters, surf breaks and reef systems in the day, then fish them in those prime times. Squid is a great species you can always rely on, especially around the Fremantle area. South and North Mole are always a couple of hotspots to try. Don’t be scared to venture into the river, because as the salt water pushes further upriver all your common salt water species like herring, yellowtail, scaly mackerel and smaller whiteboard style baitfish will follow. You can always find squid in the same areas where you find baitfish schooled up. Glow bodies and red foils would have to be my colour choice of squid jigs in the river, however under lights you might find natural baitfish colours to be more effective! When it comes to Fremantle’s rock walls, don’t be afraid to mix it up. Gold and silver foils in the day are my pick, but if the water is a little murky or you are in low light, try mixing it up with red foils, bright fluoro or dark coloured cloths. Smaller jigs around size 1.5-2.2 in marina areas and the river will give you the upper hand. Speaking of the river, you can always find nice feed of tailor when casting lures or just putting a simple mulie under a float with a glow stick. Applecross, Como and The Narrows have always produced tailor at this time of year and from what I have been

Edmund Liu caught this lovely Swan River flathead casting a hardbody lure. will be the hooks. A mulie rigged on gangs hooks works for tailor, and a small single hook with squid or prawn for bait will be enough for the whiting. A little tip: a glow stick can be added just above your hooks on the tailor rig to help give a added advantage at night. Both these species can be found from Madora Bay,

seeing recently they still are. For those in small boats, trolling small bibbed minnows is a great way to target these fish, and you can even slow trolling a mulie. Remember, these fish have teeth, so give yourself an advantage by using a slightly stronger or harder leader line like fluorocarbon around the 20lb, or a very light wire

trace. A good place to start is always around the Point Walter area in the deeper parts where the flats begin to drop off. Mulloway are also in good numbers in the river at this time of year. Good size captures are commonly caught from places like Esheds in Fremantle, Mosman Bay, Como and The Narrows Bridge. Don’t be afraid to fish further up, as catches from as far up as Guildford are not uncommon. Fresh baits are always the best, with live baits being the ultimate. Keep in mind undersized fish are illegal to use as live bait. Legal size tailor, trumpeter and bony herring will see you have the best results if you are able to catch them. Blue swimmer crabs are thick in the river at the moment as the salt water pushes in, and all the jetties from East Freo to the causeway will produce good numbers. For those willing to get wet, there is a nice drop off from the back of the flats running from Canning Bridge all the way to The Narrows Bridge that you can trust there to be crabs along. Mandurah’s Peel-Harvey Estuary System is rife with crabs at the moment and they are big! This can be a whole family affair, with some quality fun available for everyone scooping crabs in the shallow water. Please remember the laws and bag limits have changed regarding blue swimmer crabs in our waters, so pop into your local tackle store to get a pamphlet or download the Recfishwest app to get yourself up to date with these new rules and regulations. Flathead are in full swing all through the Swan River flats areas. Lures are by far the most effective way to target this species, but if you do not have any lures with you can slow retrieve on your bait. Be sure to cover an area thoroughly by fanning out your casts before advancing forward, as you may spook a lying fish. Small bibbed minnows, metal blades and soft plastics are the choice when targeting these fish. You can also expect to see yellowfin whiting on these same flat systems and also down in Mandurah. Small surface lures like stickbaits or poppers are always the best way to target these guys, and they are a extremely acrobatic fish when hooked. The visual aspect of targeting these fish on surface is a big drawcard. If these fish are playing hardball on the

Han Yeah with a chunky Peel-Harvey Estuary yellowfin whiting he caught while staying sun smart. surface, then take the game to them with small metal blades, working them on the bottom. This can sometimes be the difference between catching none to catching what you need in a session. Spanish mackerel can be found spinning lures off

North Mole and Woodmans Point Jetty, with bibless minnows, bibbed minnows and metal lures all super effective lures. Keep an eye out for baitfish, because if you find them then the mackies won’t be too far behind.

Gun angler Jayden Pittorino showing off a magnificent metro land-based Spanish mackerel from Cockburn Sound. JANUARY 2020

South Coast

There’s great summer fishing close to home ESPERANCE

Murray Johnson

The beach fishing has been steady when the weather has allowed, and we should see more good weather as summer progresses. We are still seeing salmon schooling up around local beaches such as Salmon Beach, Fourth Beach, 9 Mile Reef and Roses. Mixed in with the salmon have been some reasonable herring, half kilo skippy and flathead going 35cm. 14 Mile has been consistently producing good numbers of mulloway over 1m, especially around the full moon. Mixed in

mulloway as well. Thomas River has been fishing better with the gummies they’re being caught quite consistently, along with smaller mulloway. Skippy around 2kg are also being caught, as well as some flatties going 50cm. Out at Israelite Bay, anglers are getting gummies and mulloway in good numbers. At this time of year you should start to see schools of small 3-4ft bronze whalers coming in. You can also chase good size tailor, which often go 4-5kg. Moving back into town, the bream lakes such as Woody, Wheatfield and Windabout have been producing bream up to

Oli Stevenson with a 44cm Esperance bream taken on a fast worked soft plastic. Image courtesy of @olistevensonn.

Danielle Cook with a double header of herring and skippy at Bandy Creek Weir. Small pieces of prawn always yield lots of bread and butter species on an afternoon bite. Image courtesy of @olistevensonn. with them are plenty of skippy around 2kg and the occasional gummy up to 20kg. Alexander Bay has been producing gummy sharks, the occasional salmon, skippy around 1kg, plenty of herring, and the occasional 14

JANUARY 2020

45cm, and the fish are definitely getting more aggressive with the warmer water temperatures. The bream are still attacking baits such as river prawns and herring fillets. They’re also taking soft plastics such as 3” ZMan MinnowZ

in mood ring, and 2.5” Slim SwimZ in motor oil fished around the snags. It’s best to retrieve with a slow, constant wind. At the Tailor Street jetty, anglers are still getting 1kg+ squid. The most consistent results have been coming at first light, late in the afternoon and into the night around the lights. Locals are also getting plenty of small herring around the jetties, and the average size will increase as summer advances. There are still garfish being taken at night, and during the day you can catch King George whiting. The average size of the whiting is around 28-30cm, with the occasional bigger fish up to 40cm. Jane Street is a good spot to try for squid and herring. At the Bandy Creek Boat Harbour there are still plenty of herring and small skippy, along with the occasional flounder and bream. Out in the bay, the tinny brigade is catching plenty of squid, herring and sand whiting. The guys also picking up the occasional gummy shark while targeting whiting, which is a lot of fun if on whiting gear. Around the islands you will still get blue groper and sweep. There are also samsonfish in around some of the reef systems close to town at this time of year, with some big fish to 20kg just 0.5-1km offshore.

The first few bluefin of the season have been caught in the bay, and we can

reporting good numbers of nannygai up to 650mm, which are nearly 3kg

Knife jigs with a fast action work well for the sambos, with one of the standouts being the Black Magic Deepwater Slim Jig in 300g in pilchard colour or silver glow. On top of that we’re also getting yellowtail kingies, with sizes up to 15kg. A good way to target them is to drift down an unweighted bait, such as a Sargent Baker or herring. FISHING IN JANUARY Bigger bull herring will make their presence felt this month. We’ll also see more mulloway being caught off the beaches, more small bronze whalers cruising around, and more bluefin tuna. The bluefin will move across the front of town, with schools coming within 5km of shore. They’ll cruise along the back of Charlie and Cull before heading out to Woody Island. We will see bigger schools out wide as well, so keep an eye out for the birds. • 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

Large red snapper are schooling up in close as the water warms up. Image courtesy of @olistevensonn. expect to see more of these prized sportfish turning up in the coming weeks. Guys fishing out wide (around 30km offshore in 60-70m of water) are

fish. Mixed in are smaller breaksea cod and plenty of queenies. Blue groper are also in good numbers, and there are reports of samsonfish up to 30kg.

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.

South Coast

Action for all anglers in Albany ALBANY

Cowan Wise

There has been some very strong winds and a lack of rain in the Albany area, however those who are using good weather windows to their advantage have been enjoying some fantastic fishing. January sees a bit of extra traffic in town, however this will taper off as we approach February. OUT WIDE Out on the shelf, hapuka, blue eye, Bass grouper, saddle back cod have been available for those who have been using the good weather windows. Anglers are generally heading out early to beat the easterlies, which usually pick up around midday. A little closer, there’s been red snapper biting baits and jigs, which are excellent table fare and very popular targets in the area. CORAL GROUNDS Albany is in the South Coast Bioregion, which means the demersals don’t get a closed season and therefore a rest from angling pressure, however this hasn’t seemed to matter. During the closure on the West Coast, a lot of people come down

for long weekends to target some tasty demersals, but it seems they’ve left plenty for locals! Dhuies are in good numbers, and anglers are reporting them to be in some of the best numbers in years, especially around the 14-15kg mark. Red and pink snapper have both been frequenting

a matter of getting out when the conditions are safe. On the pelagics front, the sambos and kingies have been a bit quiet, but certainly available for those willing to drive around and find them. BAY AND BEACH Moving shallower, skippy, King George and sand whiting, herring, and skippy are all viable targets

The land-based action has been red-hot, and samsons will always test your gear. the Coral Grounds, and have been reported in a variety of sizes. Breaksea cod are another fish you can expect in this area. All demersals seem to be responding well to jigs, bait and soft plastics, and it’s just

for those who don’t want to venture out too far. Small double paternoster rigs with fresh squid seems to be the best trick to use, especially with a bit of berley. On the beach front, salmon are slowly tapering off, but tailor are certainly

on some beaches, and if you know where to look you can catch them all year. As always, herring, skippy and sand whiting can be caught very easily from most beaches. ESTUARIES Wilson Inlet in Denmark and the Kalgan River in Albany have been producing mulloway and big bream. The Wilson at this time of year will produce good pink snapper, however the area desperately needs some rain, as the inlet has not yet been opened manually for some time. Down toward Nanurup, the inlet remains closed, but mulloway and big salmon, bream and mullet are available for those willing to put in the effort. Mulloway in particular are firing in all the rivers and estuaries, with some thumpers taken recently, including a 1.17m model. Bait and lure fishing is producing results, with hardbodies and plastics (trolled or cast) your best bet during the day, and whole dead baits of yellowtail of mullet working better at night. ROCKS Land-based fishing has been red-hot as always, with queen snapper, groper, red

Red snapper have been taken out wide and on the Coral Grounds. snapper, dhufish, kingfish and samsonfish all lurking around some of the rock ledges. The general rule for land-based action around Albany is if you’re willing to put in the hard yards and fish the areas others don’t, you will be rewarded. Smaller pinkies are still around for those fishing land-based, with plenty of 40-50cm coming, which is good of this time of year. Anglers usually look forward to the April period when the bigger models move in, which isn’t far away! Rock fishing reports have been a little slow lately, most likely due

to some deaths that have occurred recently, which is extremely sad. Rock fishing is a dangerous activity, and you should do everything you can to minimise your risk. The number one safety precaution should be a lifejacket. Put simply, they save lives, and you can hire them for free at from many local tackle stores. • This report was put together with the help of Albany local Cowan Wise. You can follow his fishing exploits on social media. Follow ‘Cowan Wise Fishing Adventures’ on Facebook and @ cowanwisefishingadventures in Instagram.

Big black bream are back in form down south BREMER BAY

Fishy Morris

The fishing has been quite good lately, with some decent black bream being caught in the upper reaches of the Pallinup River. I haven’t heard of any skippy being caught anywhere lately, but they typically come back on after Christmas. Hopefully by the time you read this report, they’ll be biting again. Near the beach there are still a few herring,

but they’re only small. The larger specimens won’t return to the beaches until around March/April. A few salmon are getting caught, but they’ve gone off a bit on most of the beaches. They won’t pick up until around February/March. Fortunately, the Bremer River is producing a bream and mullet, so there are still options for anglers to turn a reel this month. The offshore brigade are catching good nannygai, breaksea cod, blue morwong, yellowtail kingfish, flathead and King George whiting. The

whiting are a good size, with some specimens up around 30cm long. You can catch them by finding some mottled weed/sand bottom, and then dropping down a paternoster baited with squid, cuttlefish or a strip bait. Unfortunately, white pointers are pretty active at the moment, and have been harassing a few of the boats out wide, particularly around Doubtful Island. There’s nothing you can do but pull up and move on. There are still a few squid being taken, and you can always find a spot

regardless of which way the wind is blowing. With an easterly wind you can fish on the west side of the headlands on the beaches, and if it’s blowing from the west you just move to the east side. Some anglers are catching them on Yo-Zuri Aurie-Q squid jigs, but I prefer to use a squid spike baited with a small herring. I fish it under a balloon, and let it float out with the wind. The Bremer River has lost a bit of water, and it’s getting pretty shallow upriver. The bream are leaving the warmer estuary

water in search of deeper, cooler water in the river. You can catch them on a running sinker rig with a strip of mullet bait, herring or mulie. Let them run for a metre or so before you strike. At the moment the water is quite clear, which can make the fish more wary. However, the clear water does have the advantage of helping you see where the mullet are digging around in the mud, looking for food. A few yelloweye mullet have been caught in the estuary lately, taking the same baits as bream.

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FISHING IN JANUARY Most of the beaches should fish quite well this month, just remember to let your tyres down because the conditions are quite soft at the moment. If you come across a nice gutter or hole you can try for herring, and there’s also a chance of the odd salmon and tailor. The river fishing should stay pretty much the same. Offshore should be quite good this month; out at the shelf you can expect good catches of nannygai, breaksea cod, queenies, kingfish and big skippy.

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West Coast

Anglers should watch the wind this summer AUGUSTA

Anthony Gillam

Augusta in the summertime really is the place to be, as it’s not too hot and not too cold, and there’s fish everywhere, with plenty of room to find your own piece of territory. Annual holidays at this time of year are just the best!

fish will come on the bite with the run-in tide, so time it right to get the results. For bait fishers, the everpresent glass shrimps make a fine bait that doesn’t last a full retrieve when the ghosts of the flats are in any sort of numbers. Sand and bloodworms are also dynamite, but just remember that a bit of movement is key as, whiting definitely respond

the saltwater pushing further up as the freshwater inflow decreases. The salt not only brings them on the bite, it also makes them taste so much better than their freshwater brethren further upriver. The saltwater seems to remove the muddy taste you sometimes get when they spend all their time in the freshwater. Although there always

however some of the bigger fish will chase them. Stick to the more natural colours and prawn or worm shapes until you are confident, then start experimenting with colours, shapes and retrieves to see what is working. You could also talk to the staff in the local tackle store, who are up to date on what’s currently working. BEACHES Summer beach fishing conditions can be really special or just horrible in Augusta, and the winds dictate what you will be doing. Southeasterly winds once above a gentle breeze begin to make fishing uncomfortable around the eastern side of Flinders Bay. If it stays down then the long warm days merge seamlessly into the long warm nights and become the memories that your children will remember for the rest of their life. Laying around on the sand with a line in the water while the kids are swimming in the shallows and eating sandwiches with sand in them will be those gems that you will cherish.

are learning to cast, which will thrill them to bits. Squid, prawn or even whiting pieces will get results. Use small hooks and small baits in close, as quite often there are large numbers of smaller whiting, which will let the kids outfish the parents. DEMERSALS Most local boaties were feverishly marking off the days on the calendar to the end of the demersal closure. There is only so many times safety gear can be checked, boats polished and tackle handled. Restless nights of sleep punctuated with dreams of being out amongst them quickly turn into reality, but then the wind usually arrives. Summer in the bay will provide plenty of opportunities for fishing deep, but it is important to choose your days carefully. Weather apps are plentiful, and most have pretty accurate predictions, with live updates of actual conditions a must. Willy Weather, Windy and BOM Weather are good apps to use to work out your plans for the

and just as many options in the 12-25m range. Big baits will catch big fish, but try soft plastics in the 5-7” range and you will be surprised at the variety of fish that you can pick up. If you are not familiar with the area, it is important to ensure you are not encroaching on sanctuary zones, Augusta has a few that you need to keep an eye on. Download the Recfishwest app on your phone and you can see if you are in the clear or not. It is free and well worth getting for all the rules, fish ID and marine park maps. ROCKS Rock fishing along the coast should provide plenty of fish during summer and the conditions should be great most of the time. 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

This dhufish is a magnificent example of what can be found in Flinders Bay when the skipper puts you onto the right spot. If the old man in the red suit was really nice to you, then there should be a few lures to try out or a nice whiting outfit under the tree that just begged you to get out wading on the flats. If you were very good, then there could even have been a shiny new boat in the driveway waiting to hit the high seas, or the river at least. HARDY INLET The warming waters of the Hardy Inlet not only invite you in for a swim at The Colourpatch, they also

to visual clues. This is clearly shown by those who prefer to use lures to bait. If you haven’t got the technique that they are responding to, you won’t catch a thing. Work out what they are looking for on the day and you are in for some fun. They love small poppers ‘blooped’ along in the shallows and if that’s not on the menu for the day, then try a selection of stickbaits or soft plastics. There are plenty out there to choose from and your local tackle shop will

seems to be plenty of black bream, it should be remembered that they are slow growing in the South West waters and the fish you catch that are of just legal size are probably around five years old. I never begrudge anyone taking a feed, and I usually keep a couple myself, as they are great when cooked whole. Just remember that the bigger they are the better spawners they will be. A true ‘fish for the future’ species if ever there was one.

The Blackwood River is well known for the delicious but slow growing black bream, and these specimens are perfect for many Chinese style whole fish recipes.

Yellowfin whiting are plentiful in Augusta throughout most of the year, but really come alive in summer. make for pleasant conditions for wading in the shallows for the fast-moving yellowfin whiting that are now hunting in packs ready to pounce on anything that resembles food. With the sandbars standing proudly from the water at low tide, it is not difficult to pick the areas to have a flick. The 16

JANUARY 2020

show you the better ones to try. Prawn imitators do really well, just think like a prawn and imitate their action, and sooner or later you will get the knack. BREAM Bream fishing continues to be great from Molloy Island to Alexandra Bridge, with

River prawns, coral prawns and various worms are working well on the bait front, whereas Gulp, ZMan and Squidgies soft plastics are doing very well for those who want to try something different and keep your hands clean. Hardbodied lures need more work for the results,

Should the winds come up (usually somewhere around lunch time) you should still be able to get a session in during the morning to catch a feed. Setting yourself up at Hamelin Bay, Elephant Rock, Deepdene or Cosy Corner if the wind is predicted, as you can usually tuck yourself into a nice sheltered spot to carry on creating memories. Try casting out a live or dead bait for some of the many shark species in the area, or cast small chrome lures for herring or skippy near the reef. Whiting are often found in gutters or channels and will come around to some berley. Kids quite often score plenty just in the shallows while they

day. If the conditions are right then there is no reason not to head out to the deep waters for eight bar cod, hapuka or blue eye travalla. There is no point going out there without the right gear, as you won’t get anything in water half a kilometre deep on your regular bottom bouncing gear. Plan well, go with other boats and if the weather looks like it’s changing against predictions then don’t do it! Plenty of large dhufish, pink snapper and bight redfish can be caught in waters 40m or less, and most of the demersal fishing undertaken in Augusta is in that depth. There are numerous reef outcrops to explore in the 30-40m range,

are a recipe for disaster. Please remain vigilant when rock fishing; wear a lifejacket and tie off to something solid. • You can hire a lifejacket 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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Stephen Norman

We experienced a busy end to 2019, with anglers keen to get back into the demersal species after the two-month ban period. WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING? Anglers fishing out of canal rocks and Gracetown found the usual variety of demersals, all in good numbers. Dhufish, pink snapper and nannygai all making their way into anglers’ ice boxes. A big advantage of this time of year, particularly on the West Coast, is that a lot of these species can be found close to shore. Rough bottom in and around 15-20m of water has been firing well for the tinny anglers, with breaksea cod, dhufish and many other demersal species seeking refuge close to shore. With the weather staying quite warm over the holiday period the whiting have remained active for both land and boat-based anglers. Yellowfin have been gathering in huge numbers in the shallows right along the Geographe Bay shoreline, taking a liking to small surface lures and bloodworms. The Leeuwin current has had a noticeable impact over the past month or two, with water temperatures slowly on the rise and pelagic species beginning to pop up. Tuna have been moving into the bay, and the best catches have come from around Cape Naturaliste around the 25-30m line on small skirted lures and bibbed minnows around the 120mm size. UPCOMING 2020 kicks off with one of our favourite fishing months of the whole year. Warm weather and warm waters make for perfect conditions for hitting the water in the south. Tuna captures have been on the rise from both the bay and West Coast thanks to a rather slow but consistently rising sea surface temperature. We have seen the largest numbers of tuna congregate on the West Coast region, with schools being found in anywhere from 50-250m. Areas off Gracetown ramp and just about the whole way up and down the West Coast should hold good numbers of tuna, just keep an eye out for any surface breaks and birds working above. If you’re not venturing to the West Coast, your next best bet would be to zig-zag the 25-30m line off Cape Naturaliste and Eagle Bay. This area is a hotspot for bait to ball up and provide the tuna with plenty of

food. Despite their large numbers, the bluefin can be spooked easily, so if you find yourself approaching an area of feeding tuna, circle the school rather than running right through them. Work the outer areas of the tuna to avoid spooking them. The best lures for the southern bluefin tuna are definitely

should find that as the tide rises the fish in these deeper areas will become much more active and move out onto the flats. A bright sunny day is vital, as the warm waters increases fish activity as well as aiding your visibility. Although it is nice to fish on those glassy calm days, we

Flathead of this size and bigger aren’t too common around Busselton, but the Port Geographe Marina is definitely the number one spot to find them. small skirts. These come in a range of styles and colours, but some key features to look out for are small metal jetheads, bright colours and an overall size of around 15-20cm long. The Port Geographe Marina has been a hot spot for chopper tailor as the weather heats up and more bait appears inside the rock walls. Late afternoon and evening has been the bite time, with many tailor venturing into the mouth of the marina to feed on baitfish. Small metal lures around 15-30g and small surface stickbaits will get their attention every time. During the day there are a plethora of options inside the marina. Whiting, flathead, flounder, bream and many more species are all easy targets. A simple running sinker rig coupled with prawn or bloodworm will always get results, and it’s a great hassle-free spot to take the kids. Yellowfin whiting are also easy targets at this time of year. Small poppers and stickbaits are an awesome way to target the yellowfin, but they don’t always play the game. To up your chances, fish as shallow as possible. Find an area of open sand flat with some deep holes for fish to seek refuge in. Dunsbrough Flats just down from the main street is a great place to start. Fish the bottom of the tide and cast into the deeper holes as the tide slowly rises. You

have found that a light breeze is helpful, both for casting distance for providing a small amount of chop or disturbance on the surface of the water. The whiting seems to be extremely spooky on those glassy calm days. If all else fails, bloodworms and prawns on a simple running sinker rig will be your best option! The run of crayfish has thus far been reasonable, but most are having to do some work for their bags. Divers are spending time around the 30-35m marks have had huge success off Busselton and Bunbury. Those dropping pots have reported solid catches around the quarries and inshore areas around Kilcarnup. Orange roughy and hoki heads have been the most popular bait among anglers. Scooping for crabs along Geographe Bay is always a good idea throughout January and the warmer months of the year as they are very active, especially later in the day. Try shallow areas such as river mouths and drains. Wonnerup, for example, and all entries to inland waterways between Busselton and Dunsbrough are great areas for this caper. • 2 Oceans Tackle is the South West’s premium fishing tackle outlet. Drop in and see our friendly staff for professional advice and choose from our massive range of fishing tackle that is sure to keep you fishing for longer. JANUARY 2020

West Coast

Hot fishing action in local waters MANDURAH

Jesse Choy

December fishing was good in and around Mandurah. As the demersal closure has now been lifted, it means there are plenty of boaties out and about attempting

Inshore there are plenty of species getting active at the moment. As usual we have a healthy amount of herring, yellowfin whiting and skipjack being caught around town and out towards Dawesville Cut. Within the estuary, there have been good numbers of crabs showing up, although there are

of water, with the bait of choice being fresh octopus, squid baits or jigs. There is also good numbers of pink snapper on offer in 5-30m, with plastics certainly proving effective. While fishing for snapper on lures can be a bit more difficult, it is definitely rewarding and

A great haul of blue swimmers from the Mandurah flats. There’s enough there to feed a big family! to bag a few fish. Reports have shown that there are plenty of pink snapper, dhufish and also tuna available for those looking in the right spots.

still plenty that have eggs or that are undersized and must be thrown back. OFFSHORE Offshore the dhufish are firing well in 20-40m

a very active way to fish. If you’re heading out to drift some baits for pinks, fresh herring, whiting, mullet and squid are all a great choice, whether you are

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fishing them unweighted or weighted. Tuna are definitely available, but catching these fish can sometimes take a keen pair of eyes. Some schools are in as shallow as 15m, but they are more typically found around the 30-50m depth mark and can very spontaneously show up at any given moment. Being ready for these fish can be the key sometimes, so always be prepared for them. Small casting metals or thin profile plastics retrieved quickly are dynamite when the fish are picky, but skirts and diving minnows work most other times. ESTUARY Good numbers of crabs are being captured throughout the estuary, with plenty showing up on the flats for the scoopers. The jetties are also proving a great spot to try for land-based drop netters. Reports indicate that you can try anywhere from local canals to the far corners of the estuary and still return with a feed. Stingrays are a good indication that you are in the right area, as they often frequent areas with regular feeding activity hoping to find an easy meal. Bream fishers are doing particularly well, with reports that there are a few larger fish about. Most reports are showing that though they may take a bit more work to catch, but they appear quite willing to attack lures and baits.

Mulloway can be quite hard to catch, but at times they can switch on in the estuary. legal-sized tailor showing up, particularly following those days where there is a string of warmer weather. Halls Head, Dawesville Cut, White Hills and Tims

While there is plenty of fishing available along our coastline during this time, it is easily forgotten that we should be safe about our approach to fishing.

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Choosing a location to throw a line in can be difficult, but the beauty of bream fishing is that they are widespread and you will generally pick a few up wherever you try. BEACHES The northern beaches including Secret Harbour, Golden Bay and Madora Bay are all well worth casting your pilchards or metal slices from. There have been a few good size mulloway being caught from these beaches, and there is also no shortage of

Thicket are all great places to try if you are going to head out on some of the more renowned beaches south of Mandurah. Regardless of where you are trying, you are in with a fair chance of good size tailor, herring, whiting, school shark or mulloway. Using fresh baits, as always, is a deadly approach when going out for a beach fish, as it will generally withstand some harassment from smaller fish and allow for more time in the zone.

During your outings on these long summer days, it is wise to remember to be sun smart, and to also to drink lots of water and be constantly on top of your hydration, especially if you are out wading the flats. Being conscious about your health when heading out on a mission will just heighten the chances that you will return home safe and able to have a crack at it again another day. Here’s to another year of great fishing!

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West Coast

Beat the sea breeze LANCELIN

Peter Fullarton

There will be plenty of visitors in Lancelin over the holiday period, not only for the fishing. They also come for the renowned afternoon breezes that make for the fantastic sail and kite boarding Lancelin

is famous for. January can be one of the windiest months of the year, but don’t let that deter you. It is all about using the weather to your best advantage and timing your fishing for the best parts of the day. Morning offshore winds make beach fishing easy, compared to battling

afternoon sea breezes. The best bite time starts at first light well before the sun rises. Boating is also best done before the afternoon breeze, but be cautious heading out at dawn. Check forecast winds, as the easterly sometimes does not kick in until after sunrise, and if you are already well offshore it can

A surprise catch! The author recently landed this samsonfish, which he had tagged three months earlier. make for steep, sharp wind waves quickly becoming dangerous for small boats to easily return to shore. If an easterly is forecast, wait for the wind to pick up after sunrise and assess how far out it is safe to go. As the easterly begins to ease later in the day, you can expect

really happening at Lancelin and further offshore. The nearest live offshore wind readings are at Rottenest Island, onshore the nearest recordings come from Ocean Reef, though some distance from Lancelin it generally gives a much better indication when the

people have been chasing the summer staple of tailor, with the best bite times being sunrise and sunset. Most of the tailor at this time of year are regarded as ‘choppers’ and usually under 45cm, although some larger ones are still along the turbulent beach

Tesly found some tasty tailor while fishing a typical calm summer morning on the beach.

Arun landed this 110cm mulloway on his first cast of the day – not a bad start to a morning session!

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the further out you go the lighter it will be until you meet the sea breeze. Timing it well, you will get a few hours of relatively light winds at the fishing grounds. Lancelin winds they are recorded at Gingin aerodrome, some kilometres inland, which can be very deceiving as to what is

offshore easterly is easing. If you monitor the wind at Rottenest and Ocean Reef and make your own observations, it’s easier to decide the best time to head out. As the sea breeze comes in you will have a much more comfortable following sea to return to shore. On the beach most

gutters and reef breaks. We normally see more school size mulloway at this time of year around 70-90cm. This year there have been some good mulloway coming from the beaches, with a number well over the meter mark landed recently. With warming water, early summer always sees a

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Lancelin Jetty is a very popular evening fishing platform during the holidays. 22

JANUARY 2020

West Coast boost in small whaler sharks being caught from the beach and this year there have been plenty of them. We have also seen some nice flathead in the shallows, and most have been caught as by-catch by tailor fishers. Sand whiting can be caught along the beaches casting small baits of prawn, worm,

hooks, with the top hook being a no. 1 circle hook with a green lumo bead and slightly larger bait to help score a few herring as well. North Point in Lancelin Bay has been fishing well for both species and is easily accessible even if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a 4WD. Fishing for demersal species is the most common

In January we can encounter a number of pelagic species, so it always pays to keep an eye out for any surface or baitfish activity, keeping in mind that most schools will be tuna. So far, the pelagic season has kicked off well, with plenty of tuna about, and it is looking to be a great year

baitfish. The tuna can be caught throwing small metal lures ahead of the schools and winding them in flat out, and it pays to use a length of wire leader just in case a

usually fairly poor. It is best to wait until late afternoon, as with a strong sea breeze most the boats will leave and the fish will start to come back in.

out to 25m or more and baiting them up heavily for 2-3 day pulls will find some large jumbo crayfish. Blue swimmer crabs are along the shallows of the bay, so

Jarryd Jones with a good size shark from the beach.

Casting lures for tailor with the assistance of morning offshore winds makes for a lot of fun. squid or beef heart on no. 4-5 hooks. A small red bead above the hooks helps attract the whiting to the bait. I use a paternoster rig with three

activity for boat fishers out of Lancelin, with dhufish, baldchin, pink snapper and breaksea cod making up the majority of the catch.

to chase some mackerel. Spanish and shark mackerel will commonly travel along with the schools, picking off small tuna and other

mackerel hits the lure. The water is still a little cool for the Spanish mackerel to be feeding aggressively. A wellpresented live bait near tuna or baitfish schools is an easy meal for a lazy mackerel and a good way to tempt them at this time of year. Fishing off Lancelin Jetty is very popular with holidaying fishers over the Christmas holiday period. The mornings are very busy around the jetty, with lots of boats, jet skis and swimmers, so the fishing is

Tailor can be caught in the late afternoon casting pilchards off the northern end of the jetty. Herring school up under the jetty in the evenings and can be caught using small soft plastic or metal lures. For the most reliable way to get a feed of herring, use an unweighted berley cage and a 60-70cm leader to a small hook baited with prawn. Use a mix of pollard water and a little fish oil in the cage. Cast it out and let it sink a little before a slow wind back in. Moving lobster pots

dropping nets for them along the shore line where the sand meets the weed edges gets the best results. On calm nights a great fun activity is to hunt for cobbler along the shoreline with a hand spear. Using a bright light you can encounter mullet, garfish, crabs, squid and yellowfin whiting, making for a nice late night seafood snack. Kids really enjoy the activity, but make sure they wear shoes and understand were the cobblersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stings are and how to handle them.

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* Photo courtesy of GCBC JANUARY 2020

West Coast

Tasty treats swimming and crawling the reefs BUNBURY

Josh Italiano

With the demersal ban being lifted in mid-December there has been some great numbers

Cray divers as usual are picking up great numbers, with plenty of jumbos to help fill the bag while those dropping pots from the boat have been rewarded for the efforts, as the crays made the beginning of their

Kurt Krispyn had a dive for this lovely dhuie and cray. of dhufish and snapper being reported and even more reports of divers seeing some monster dhus in close that have followed the walking crays.

walk earlier than what was expected. Between spot changes or cruising in or out of the jetty, be sure to have a trolling lure out the back,

as the chances of tuna or bonito popping up is high at this time of year, and they can be really tasty or even make fresh bait for the next trip. Alternatively, they can make a nice oily bait to top up the cray pots. Boaties aren’t having all the fun, as black bream are firing in the Collie River along with some mulloway late at night. The most productive way to target these guys at night is to present a nice live mullet on a light setup, as mulloway can be fussy eaters. A good few throws with a cast net in the estuary should gather you enough baits for a night. Keep them in a bucket with an aerator and you will find they are still alive at the end of the expedition. Bull shark captures are making for some great fun, especially by the weedy, snaggy banks of our beautiful system. The long hot summer days we’ve been having are doing a great job of warming the local estuary, turning it into what may as well be a warm bath, and as a result the blue swimmer crabs are thick and the whiting even more so. Unless we receive an unusual summer rain, the estuary will

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Neale Bird with a beautiful john dory taken offshore of Bunbury. remain very clear, making for some awesome flats sessions on the whiting. With the warmer water in full force the whiting are hungry and aggressively taking close to any surface lure anglers are presenting given they aren’t too large. Something a little different that is starting to become a popular sport is fly fishing for whiting. Local fly fishers are being able to present a subtle bloodworm or prawn imitation and coax a bite from these beautiful specimens. Fly fishing can be a lot of work, but is often rewarding. Who knows? This could be your next hobby! Beachgoers can expect to find some good numbers of tailor patrolling the beach and the odd mulloway in between cruising the gutters. Like all beach fishing, you don’t always need to cast far to find a fish, as quite often a metre long mulloway can be in behind the wash on the drop off. Berley up for your herring and keep a few for dinner and you can present the rest as a butterflied or live bait, which are irresistible for the mulloway. Worst case you have a tussle with some rays or banjos, but it’s all good fun! After the local crabbing ban finished in December, the crabs have moved into the estuary in full force. The easiest and most enjoyable way to get your quota has got to be scooping. Scooping truly is great fun whether it’s done alone or as a family. Look for nice patchy weed beds on a high tide where

the crabs will be burying themselves alongside the weeds waiting for a passing meal. I recommend an old pair of sneakers or reef boots for this job, as they can be sneaky critters and when you step on one most the

unpleasant for you but also to the crabs, so pick up and try a new location. • If you have any questions about something you have read or just want to have a chat, duck into Whiteys Tackle and Camping at

Squid are always a great option in January. time they just spook, but if they manage to snag a toe it can put a dampener on the trip. Remember, if you think you’re walking in a colder area, not only is it

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Looking inshore to target big black marlin For many anglers, catching a marlin is the pinnacle of fishing and often thought of as an unrealistic target species that’s best left for hardcore anglers with all the gear and big boats. While this could be said when it comes to chasing a blue marlin in 600 fathoms of water 40nm+ off the coast, there are certainly much easier ways to tick a marlin off your bucket list. This is especially true if you live on the East Coast anywhere between central QLD to the South Coast of NSW. Every year around spring, black marlin start making their way down the coast, providing amazing fishing opportunities to inshore anglers often within a few miles of land. In some areas, they can even be caught land-based. If you know what to look for, what to use and when to do it, these fish are not that hard to catch.

There isn’t a better sight than a marlin in full flight. if they’re not there. Early in the season, it’s important to keep an eye on reports up the coast. I live at Port Stephens, so I know that if they haven’t shown up at South West Rocks I’m

Black Magic’s KLT Hooks are the best in the game and their tough fluorocarbon leader is perfect for inshore black marlin. TIMING Knowing when black marlin are going to show up is the first thing you need to understand, as you won’t catch them

probably wasting my time. When they do show up, it tends to be in waves over couple of months with water temperatures and bait dictating their

movements. Warm blue water between 21-25°C is ideal for inshore black marlin and sea surface charts will give you a good understanding for where the best water in your area is currently holding. While you will have to pay for access to the most current sea surface temperature sites, it’s worth it to take out much of the guesswork for which direction you should head. Once you’ve found the water you’re looking for, bait schools are the next thing to further hone in on. Slimy mackerel, yellowtail scad and pilchard schools are the primary food source for inshore black marlin and usually hold around structure, current lines and temperature breaks. A good sounder will not only mark the bait but can also mark up actively feeding marlin. GEAR AND TACKLE Having the right tools for the job is very important for any fishing and marlin fishing is no exception. Mono line is definitively the way to go, as the stretch in the line acts as a shock absorber, especially when the fish jumps. Something like Black Magic IGFA rated line in 10-15kg is spot on when it comes to fishing for black marlin and will subdue even fish approaching 100kg, which are not as uncommon as you might think when fishing inshore. When that big stubborn fish does come along, even on light tackle it can put the

hurt on you. This is where the Black Magic Equaliser Gimbal and Harness comes into play, taking much of the pain away from long fights with big fish that don’t want to play the game nicely. The new equaliser also has a twin pin system that will accept bent butt rods without any adapters needed. Leaver drag overheads are traditionally favoured for marlin fishing. The main advantage of these reels is the free-spool function, which allows you to disengage a pre-set drag, allowing the marlin to eat the bait with no resistance on the strike. This is very important when trolling

live or skip baits on circle hooks, which is the most effective way to catch black marlin. Once the fish bites, the line pops out of the outrigger clip in free-spool with the ratchet on and then it’s just a matter of pointing the rod at the fish while it’s taking line and gradually applying drag as you lift up on the rod. When done correctly, this gives the best possible hook-up rate for marlin fishing by far. Larger spinning reels with the baitrunner function will also act the same way and are becoming popular alternative options, particularly when fishing with 10kg line.

The best circle hooks to use for inshore live bait trolling are the Black Magic KLT range, as they are the perfect shape and size as well as being super sharp. For inshore black marlin, the 6/0-7/0 size is right on the money. Bridle rigging the baits will keep them alive longest and also limit the chance of the hook getting caught in the bait when the fish strikes. This is done by attaching a short loop of either Dacron or 50lb mono to the hook and using a bait needle to poke it through the clear cartridge in front of the eyes of your slimy mackerel or yellowtail. Once the loop is through the fish, you put the hook through the loop a number of times and secure it about an inch from the fish’s nose. It’s important to not go too heavy on your leader so 60-80lb Black Magic Fluorocarbon Leader fits the bill. While slow trolling live baits is probably the most effective way to catch inshore marlin, lures also have their place. They are particularly useful when you want to travel to another area but could potentially catch fish between locations. They allow you to cover more ground, as you can troll them much faster than live baits. For inshore fish, skirted lures like the Black Magic Maggot, Flea and Saury ranges are all the perfect size.

It’s thrilling to fight marlin only a few kilometres from the shoreline. JANUARY 2020

Why is structure so important? NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.fishotopia.com

Recognising and understanding structure is critical to catching so many types of fish — in both fresh and saltwater — yet some anglers still struggle getting their heads around this basic concept. Here’s how (and why) it works: Fishing writers like me are always banging on about the importance of ‘structure’ in our how-to articles, yet I’m sure this term still leaves some anglers puzzled, confused and scratching their heads. Basically, structure — at least as it applies to fishing — is any object, feature, element or abnormality that breaks up an otherwise reasonably uniform stretch of terrain, seascape or environment. It could be something as obvious as a dirty big boulder, a fallen tree or an undersea reef pinnacle, or it may be as subtle as a line of bubbles or foam drifting in the current, a transition

First light filters through the fog on prime bass water. There’s plenty of juicy structure along that deeper left bank, but don’t rule out a weed bed or isolated log on the shallower side, either, especially in low light conditions.

FADs or fish aggregation devices are classic pieces of artificial structure that attract all manner of marine life, including tripletail like this beauty Jo Starling pulled from under a bamboo raft FAD in Indonesian waters.

Frigate birds begin to wheel overhead and a brown booby lands on the raft. A passing loggerhead turtle paddles over for a look. Down below, a squadron of tiger-striped wahoo hangs menacingly in the current

between dirty and slightly clearer water, or the hidden layer in a lake where the water temperature changes abruptly across a vertical distance of less than a metre. These are all structures and they can all be keys to finding and catching fish. Most anglers understand

This bream is finding both food and shelter in a wavewashed gutter that’s literally bristling with marine life.

It’s not only fish that love snags or fallen trees! The presence of water dragons like this gorgeous specimen is often a good indicator of the likelihood of encountering bass, Murray cod or other fishy predators.

that when they’re chasing bass, Murray cod, bream, jacks or barra, they’ll tend to do better if they cast their baits, lures or flies as close as possible to the cover of snags, mangrove roots and rock bars. Fewer stop to think about why

What a fishy set-up! A tropical run-off drain with a snag right in its mouth. You’d almost guarantee a strike from a barra, jack or estuary cod on the first cast at a structural element of this calibre. 26

JANUARY 2020

these structural elements actually attract and hold catchable fish. The best fish-holding structures offers three critical benefits to the fish they attract: food, shelter and a point of reference or home base for navigational purposes. Think about a bamboo raft FAD (fish aggregation device) anchored or drifting in warm, tropical seas. Within days (sometimes hours) of being deployed, tiny fish and larval crustaceans will begin to gather in the shadow of this raft, seeking shelter from seabirds or other predators, and possibly nibbling on the algae already beginning to grow on the bamboo. Shortly afterwards, the first cruising mahimahi (dolphin fish), rainbow runner or tripletail will wander by, spy the cloud of little organisms sheltering under the raft and happily chow into them. Soon other predators will join the first one and, even if they succeed in eating all the small fry, they’ll tend

beneath the FAD, while further out, a massive blue marlin begins to stalk a pod of juvenile yellowfin tuna that are also using the raft as the centre of their hunting activities. A fallen casuarina tree in the upper reaches of a southern estuary works a little differently, but the same general principles apply. Tiny fish, shrimps and prawns hide amongst the twigs. Barnacles and algae grow on the timber. Bream move in to crunch open the tasty barnacles and luderick graze on the algae. A school of estuary perch swing by to chase the small fry and their flashes and splashes attract a passing mulloway. The system is working: life is attracting other life, all driven by the presence of a single, fallen tree. Consider these things every time you wet a line. Think about why a particular piece of structure might attract and hold certain types of food and

An old set of bridge pylons and the accumulation of flood debris they’ve trapped marks a prime piece of mid-stream structure. to hang around in close proximity to the raft, using it as a home base or a point of reference in the otherwise vast and featureless ocean. Life attracts life.

the fish that eat them. Consider which items of structure have more to offer than others. Then question your assumptions. If you do, I guarantee your fishing results will improve!

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GEORGE & NEV by Michael Hardy

The ‘Real Fish Oita’ is an incredible, award winning squid jig manufactured in Europe by leading Croatian company - DTD. Taking out the coveted ‘best new product’ in its class at the EFTTEX 2015 Expo in Warsaw, this wonderful range is now available in Australia through Dogtooth Distribution. The product imitates real fish species. This coupled with DTD’s use of only the highest grade materials available, ensures great balance and results in superior catching ability. With the unique ‘fish parasite’ feature, aimed at luring predators in for an ‘easy kill’, these truly unique jigs are set to explode into the Australian market. FEATURES - Double weight system with inner weight designed to produce sound while squid jig is in action. COLOURS - 7 different designs representing popular fish species. ADDITIONAL - Luminous body, fish parasite, great balance, sound effect, quality stainless steel hooks SIZES - 5 Sizes available www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au

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The answers to Find the ZMan Logo for November were: 9, 11, 12, 16, 20, 22, 29, 31, 33, 37, 44, 47, 49, 50, 55. – WAFM The Find the ZMan Logo prize winners for November were: D McGillivray of Moora, G Uren of Ballajura, D Myers of Sorrento, G Shute of Claremont, C Walker of Canning Vale, J

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recfishwest

Treating demersal fish stocks with dhu care RECFISHWEST

Ben Carlish & Matt Gillet

Do you remember catching your first dhuie? I bet putting one of these fabulous WA-endemic demersals on your deck was one of your stand-out fishing memories.

colour appeared below us, all our fellow charter fishers were looking on intently and there were excited shouts of “Yeeeaaaah boooy, it’s a bloody ripper dhuie,” and backslaps as the black and silver beast finally broke the surface. Once the fish was on board, there was a spontaneous round of

This breaksea cod is showing signs of barotrauma. For me, I have particularly fond memories of seeing the elation my son – then just a 12-year-old – catching his first one. Not yet owning our own boat at that point, we were on a charter out of Gracetown. It was a stunning summer morning and as we sat up on the top deck steaming down the coast, the anticipation and excitement we shared was simply magic. Finally, we neared the fishing grounds and the rods were primed and baited. We had strategically located ourselves out the back of the boat (always the best spot on a charter vessel in my view) and within seconds of the first drop, my son’s rig was getting hit. Then BOOM! He was in to that solid thumping weight that tells you you’re connected to a substantial lump of fish muscle on the end of your line. For a 12-year-old, it was a fair old tussle for the lad, with just a little bit of help from dad. By the time

applause for my son as he yelped with joy picking up the prized fish. He and I couldn’t have felt prouder that day. It wasn’t a monster dhuie, but at 81cm it was more than big enough for

Baldies are particularly susceptible to the effects of barotrauma. him! This was a golden dad/son moment both of us will remember for the rest of our lives. For a long time after that the hoodie he was wearing that day became the ‘lucky fishing

The thrill of hooking up to big demersals can be addictive, but you need to stop fishing for them once you’ve reached your bag limit. 28

JANUARY 2020

hoodie’, which he insisted on wearing every time we went fishing after that. Back at our digs, the family were suitably wide-eyed and gob-smacked when my son lifted out the prize fish from the ice box. We got plenty of delicious dhuie fillets off the fish, which fed the family well that night and provided several more great meals after. For a English fishingfanatic like me brought up fishing for piddly-sized roach and gudgeo’ on the canals of the West Midlands, this couldn’t have been a more dream-like experience and was a reminder if I needed it that the fishing in WA is some of the world’s best – a big factor in our moving to these shores. And I think many West Coast rec fishers would agree. We’ve got something special here, with such quality fishing for dhuies and other great demersals like baldies and pinkies right here on our doorstep. Many would also agree we’ve got to make sure we look after these species to ensure not just we can continue to enjoy this

amazing resource – but our sons and daughters and their sons and daughters can too. RECOVERING WEST COAST DEMERSAL FISH STOCKS Stocks of West Coast demersal scalefish have been under recovery since 2010, when both recreational and commercial fisheries took on board management changes aimed at cutting each sector’s catch by 50%. As the fishery is composed of multiple species existing over a large area and targeted by both recreational and commercial fishers, who use different fishing gear, it is a complex fishery to manage. One of the issues around managing this suite of species is that of postrelease survival. Many of these species suffer from barotrauma, which is when air inside the swim bladder

This is the stuff lifelong memories are made of. Anglers need to do what we can to ensure future generations can have these amazing WA fishing experiences. and other organs of the fish expands as the fish is bought to the surface with not enough time to adjust to the rapid changes in water pressure. Some fish suffer from barotrauma more than others but generally bottomdwelling (demersal) species caught in depths greater than 30m are amongst the fish most affected. The physical effects of barotrauma can be seen in the form of inflated abdomen, bulging eyes, stomach protruding from the mouth and distended intestines. Undersize or unwanted fish that are returned to the water showing signs of barotrauma may often have difficulty swimming and returning to the bottom and subsequently are at much lower risk of surviving. These fish also have a much greater risk of being eaten by sharks because they can’t escape and make an easy meal. TARGETING DEMERSALS FOR CATCH AND RELEASE FISHING IS NOT COOL The feeling of hooking up to a solid demersal is one of those great fishing experiences that keeps you coming back for more. Consequently, some rec fishers want to carry on fishing for demersals once they’ve hit their bag limit. Some fishers mistakenly

think a release weight ensures all released fish will survive, making it acceptable to target demersal fish for catch and release purposes. These practices are not as innocent as they seem and end up having a larger impact on these fish stocks than people realise. Research on dhufish has shown a large proportion of fish caught at

take into account the estimated number of fish that die after release as part of their calculations. This estimate is added to the ‘catch’ component in a total mortality model. This means as fishers, it is essential we do everything we can to ensure the number of fish that survive release is high. DO THE RIGHT THING FOR DEMERSALS There’s a number of simple ways in which we can achieve this. • Never intentionally target demersals for catch and release purposes. • If a legal-sized fish is caught in deep water, consider keeping it rather than releasing it in the hope of catching a larger one. • If you must release bottom fish, use a release weight. As responsible stewards of this prized resource, it is imperative that we all do as much as we can to ensure our fish stocks rebuild. These

What every fisher loves to see, a rod locked up with a big thumping demersal on the end of the line. depths over 30m die when released, with survival rate decreasing the deeper the fish was caught. When undertaking assessments of these fish stocks, fisheries researchers

simple steps will make a difference by ensuring both fewer unwanted fish are brought to the surface, as well as a greater rate of survival for those that are released.

DEMERSAL CARE GUIDE • Handle your fish with care. • If you do need to release your fish, there are a number of things you can do to increase their chances of survival. • Minimise the time fish are out of the water. • Support the body of the fish; never hold a fish by its mouth or gills. Studies have shown significant damage can be done to fish when they are held by their gills or jaws. • Keep fingers and hands clear of eyes and gills. Fish gills contain fragile blood vessels that are easily damaged by hands. • Use wet hands, a wet cloth or a wet glove to handle fish. This will prevent the loss of protective slime from the scales. The slimy coating on fish protects them from infection and disease. Removing this coating can leave a fish susceptible to infection. • Lay fish on a wet towel or brag mat. Never lay fish on the hot deck of a boat. Excess heat causes undue stress on the fish and affects body functions. • When fishing, lift your fish clear of the side of your boat or walk to the water’s edge to land it. Do not drag your caught fish over the ground or edge of your boat as it can irreparably damage the fish.

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West Coast

Time to enjoy the joys of January in Jurien Bay JURIEN BAY

Jason Harris

The beaches have been fishing well, with reports of mulloway, tailor, whiting and flathead all coming ashore. Alex from Seasport

Tackle reports that the mulloway fishing has been best on the beaches north of Hill River. Fishing either the early morning or into the night, the mulloway have been taking mulies and poddy mullet. Keeping a good berley trail going is important.

The tailor have also been good around Hill River, with fish in the 30-60cm range being caught. Fishing with mulies as bait in the afternoon is best. The tailor are also being caught on the beaches along the bay, and spots like Island Point and out to Sandy Cape are

Shane caught this samsonfish while jigging on a large lump.

Alec caught this amberjack using a live herring over a reef just outside the bay.

producing best. Herring, whiting and flathead are coming from the beaches as well. Whiting are preferring ox heart and sandworms, while the flathead and herring are taking squid and prawns. Make sure you keep the

berley going to attract some fish in and keep them interested. The have been some good-sized samsonfish taken jigging and drifting over shallow reef areas and ledges. An alternative is the anchor over some sandy

patches and burley up to bring the fish in. In the bay, herring have been coming from around the islands and near the South Passage. Look for lumps in the bay around areas like Wire Reef and Pumkin To page 31

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www.wp.fishingmonthly.com.au 30

JANUARY 2020

West Coast

Fresh breeze to start the year GERALDTON

Graham Maunder & Michael Triantopoulos

The fishing action is having its ups and downs, but with most mornings starting with calm conditions or at worst a mild east to south easterly wind, an early morning’s fishing session makes a great start to the working day.

coral prawns, blood and sandworms, ox heart and fresh softened squid. Port Denison Marina has been fishing much better than Geraldton in recent weeks, with plenty of mixed species being caught. Recently a couple of Geraldton locals went for a late afternoon bait catching session off the Denison Boat Jetties and ended up catching 12

from Greenough River mouth south to Head Butts and Wakeford Road where tailor up to 60cm and mulloway of up to 1.2m are becoming more consistent. Flat Rocks, Clinches, S Bend and north to West Bank have been the same, especially from sunset to about 9pm. Pilchards and fillet baits of pike, mullet or tailor are all working well, with the fillets staying on a

Graham Maunder put together this nice bag of tailor and mulloway south of Geraldton. BEACH The rock walls and groynes around the Geraldton Harbour have been very inconsistent, with whiting being the only reliable species in the early mornings, late evenings and for about a couple of hours after dark. Both yellowfin and school whiting sizes are around 20-30cm, which is not large, but 10-20 of these with a couple 35-40cm fish in the mix makes a good meal. The best baits are From page 30

Hollow. Anchoring up and berleying has been the trick for trevally. Whiting have been on the sand patches, but the numbers have dropped off. The fishing in the bay and offshore has been limited due to the demersal closure, but now it’s open season the reports should start flooding in again. Dhufish are usually in close and can be caught in the bay or on the reefs just outside around 20m. Catches are good further out too. Other bottom fish like snapper and baldchin will also be around . Either drift over reefy ground or anchor up on some structure like a bommie and you should be into the action. The fish usually take jigs, as well as octopus, squid and mulies. The water temperature is already around 22°C, so it will soon be worth

different species. Yellowtail was their target species, and even though they were only using ultra-light tackle, small hooks and small pieces of pilchard fillet, they landed 35cm tailor, black bream, salmon, yellowtail to 30cm, herring, scalies, tarwhine and an eating size leatherjacket. Not bad for a couple of hours mucking about! Surf and reef fishing has improved a lot over the last two or three weeks, especially

little better. Throwing lures such as sinking stickbaits and metal slices is also working well, but floating weed is making bait the only option some times. North of Geraldton weed movement has made fishing the same spot consistently difficult, but when you can find clean water, whiting, tailor, pike and mulloway are being caught regularly. The early morning bite does not last long, but is worth the effort.

having a troll for yellowfin tuna and Spanish mackerel. Look for birds working just outside the bay and in front of the lighthouse. Troll minnow lures for the mackerel and small skirted lures for the tuna. The jetty is producing some big herring at the moment, as well as good catches of squid at night. Now is also a great time to find tailor. The best time for tailor has been dawn or afternoon to evening. Tailor are taking whole mulies on gangs and the herring are falling to either prawn or squid. Whiting have been caught at the shallow end, and there is the odd sighting of a blue swimmer crab. The water quality in the marina has improved and already there are herring showing up. Herring can usually be caught in the evening and late into the night. It’s best to find

a sheltered spot and use prawns or squid for bait. Use a berley mix of pilchard oil and pollard to get the fish interested. Continuing improvement in the water quality should see the return of the squid, crabs, tailor and samsonfish. Crabs can be caught in nets either from a boat, or dropping them off one of the service jetties. There are often a lot of small tailor and trevally, so make sure you measure them carefully and return any undersized ones in as good condition as possible. The crayfish are in close and in the bay. The whites ran around the end of November, but there are still good numbers of reds around. There are a lot of spawning crayfish around at the moment, that is females with tar spot or berries. There will be a few clean ones and males mixed in.

BOATS The demersal fishing season re-opened on 16 December, so if you haven’t got your gear ready yet, you better start soon! Pre-closure was very good, with excellent snapper catches from Drummonds Cove north to Horrocks. As usual the dhufish were a bit less consistent, but as the new season drew closer schools of slimy mackerel, yellowtail, scalies and pike were building up around the inshore markers, and juvenile cobbler and crayfish were starting to show up around the sea grass, weed beds and protected areas inside the inshore reef line. So there should be plenty of food to keep the fish inshore for a bit longer! The strong southerly breeze in summer makes fishing opportunities very difficult, usually only allowing small windows pre-dawn and early morning for a few hours before the breeze becomes too strong and uncomfortable. Species such as Spanish mackerel and tuna have been a little slow. Bait schools have been plentiful of the lighthouse and north towards Drummonds Cove. Casting small baitfishprofiled stickbaits and metal slices amongst the schools is great fun on light to medium tackle. Doing this

André de Kooker with an impressive land-based capture, an 84cm 13kg dhufish caught at Flat Rocks. Early morning seems to be the more productive time. Using berley and throwing a handful in every 30 minutes or so will keep the herring

40-60mm minnows, small stickbaits and metal slices will all work. Until next month tight lines and screaming drags!

Colin Llewellyn found this quite rare catch for the Geraldton area, a forktail catfish caught at Port Gregory. will account for longtail and striped tuna, and there has also been the occasional Watson’s leaping bonito in the mix. SMALL BOATS/KAYAKS Herring, pike, skippy and whiting catches have still been very consistent around Point Moore to Pages Beach and north towards St Georges.

around you. Using light tackle, small hooks, small pieces of coral prawns or pilchard fillet for bait and not pulling too hard will result in losing a lot of fish. They are also very aggressive and take lures well. Small paddle-tail or grub soft plastics in the 2-2.5” range with suitable jigheads,

• 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 call (08) 9921 3664. JANUARY 2020

Gascoyne Coast

Looking forward to the glassy conditions EXMOUTH

Josh Bruynzeel

It’s the time of year for blue marlin, and big ones are beginning to make their presence felt. There have been quite a few good reports in recent

weeks of anglers going wide and getting a few, with an average size ranging from 150-300kg. There are still a few sailfish around the head of the gulf, harassing the bait balls. Whiting are still being taken along the beaches

along the eastern side of the Cape. They are taking surface lures in the shallows, such as the Jackson Pygmy Popper and Ebi Panic. On the east side there are flathead, small trevally and queenfish. On the west side you

Three superb bottom fish from the Muiron Islands caught recently in 17m of water.

A solid Exmouth GT caught by Julian Demarco from Black Ledge Lure Co.

can encounter spangled emperor, snappers and bigger trevally, such as golden, gold spot, brassy and GTs. The GTs are averaging 20-30kg, with the odd specimen up to 45kg. It’s a good time of year for tangling with

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JANUARY 2020

large trevally, and we often encounter bigger ones popping up the Cape by the wreck. As the water temperatures have continued to rise, more queenfish and trevally have been turning up

for the guys walking the shoreline and casting medium to large lures. The standout poppers have included Halco Roostas and Nomad Chug Norris, and stickbaits such as Nomad Mad Scads. To page 33

Gascoyne Coast

Pelagics storm along the coast KALBARRI

Stephen Wiseman

On the morning I wrote this report I was up at 4:30am with a cuppa at the table while overlooking the reef at Oyster, and after a quick clean of the binoculars I was having a quick sqizzy to see what was about on the ocean. A quick scan soon picked up some birds forming up just north of the north cardinal marker, and within seconds there was the tell tale boil From page 34

The water has cleared up nicely in the Gulf, which has been great for spearfishers chasing coral trout in the shallows. There are also a few squid around both the Gulf and inside the Tantabiddi Lagoon. Down around the islands we saw about half a dozen cruising between the sand and weed patches, and had fun catching a few. FORECAST FOR JANUARY Billfishing will hot up in January, with

and bust up of bait being smashed by a predator from the deep. The sight of a deep blueish torpedo shape half out of the water was what I had been waiting for: yellowfin tuna. My guess was yellow fin tuna in the order of 15-20kg; just what the doctor ordered. The warm water flowing from around Steep Point this year is keeping close to shore and is holding plenty of bait, which will lead to plenty of macs and yellowfin being caught. Early macs have been hooked and lost at

the boat by local anglers already, with a few tuna to 10kg being boated before this report was penned. By now they should be around in good numbers. The macs are showing a liking to garfish baits on the troll and bibbed lures, with the hot colour being the old red head. Mulloway are still being picked up to the north and are taking baits well into the day long after sunup, but they are getting harder to find. The sand movement to the north has changed the usual spots a

an increase in numbers of smaller black marlin inshore. The blue marlin will continue through until February, and the sails will start to taper off in the Gulf. They will still be on the west side, with the odd larger specimen up to around 40kg mark. Typically the guys doing that will also encounter mahimahi and the odd wahoo. As the water continues to warm we can expect to get more pelagic species as well. Best of all, the weather conditions will continue to improve, building up to

those glassy days offshore in February. • 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.

little, but get up into the dunes and look around to locate the outgoing rip for a better than even chance at a fish. Tailor are still around for the bait casters working Oyster and Chinamans, with the odd yellowtail king showing up in catches as well. Nice fat whiting are still being picked up in front of the IGA on the sand flats and along the edge of the sand spit towards Bird Rock. The best bait has been river prawn. The black bream are being a bit touchy and picky, but are still good in size at around 38cm and larger. These make a very tasty meal, but can be tricky to fish out of the pylons on the jetty. Last trip out with the boat resulted in a return to the shed, as my EPIRB while being in date was out of date with the battery, so check your gear as DPI are out and about doing their duty of checking all equipment such as anchors, flares, life jackets and what ever is required depending on where you are going. Happy and safe fishing for this holiday period.

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JANUARY 2020

North Coast

Fingers crossed for an excellent wet season DAMPIER/KARRATHA

Troy Honey

The Pilbara region is not as widely known for big barra (or barra at all) as its northern neighbour, the Kimberley. Locals

barramundi fishing and so far this season hasn’t disappointed. Quality catches have been reported on live baits and trolled lures spread evenly amongst all of the creeks in the area, with boat anglers reporting them all. Over the next

some action so I will report on the success of this over the next two editions. Mangrove jack have been thick at times in the creeks and around the rocky headlands of the coast and archipelago, with lures and stickbaits

Local angler Reuben Bufton caught a very large mud crab by hand during a session of land-based fishing. and regular visitors know better but the region is generally known for great demersal and pelagic fish species. Anglers planning a big barra trip usually head straight to Broome or Kununurra, but one should never look past the Pilbara. The creeks around Karratha offer fantastic

couple of months, the landbased action should start to heat up in the warmer water. While I will be out in my boat chasing a lot of barra this wet season, it’s a great time to dust off the fishing kayak in order to gain access to some of the tighter and less frequently visited creeks in search of

recording the most catches. Size has been on the smaller end of the scale but the numbers have made up for this. Please remember the bag limit for mangrove jack is only two in the North Coast Bioregion, as I have seen some offenders recently taking more than the legal limit.

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Demersal catches have been very strong, with coral trout in particular being landed in large numbers. Smaller specimens in the 30-40cm range are nothing short of prolific. In just about every boat’s daily catch over the last few weeks, there has been a very good-sized trout well over 50cm included. Coral trout can be found around the Karratha and Dampier regions from as little as 1m of water and 1m from the bank to out wide in 40m or more. Blue-lined and red emperor, blackspot tuskfish, Spanish flag and saddletail seaperch have been caught on a regular basis with the blue-lines being the most prominent. November through to mid-December has seen relatively windy conditions for the most part, with only small windows in the morning or the odd day of calm seas. January and February experiences less wind with the exception of the odd tropical low moving through but even then the conditions can be near perfect for the couple of days prior, so watching the long range forecast to align your fishing day is highly recommended. The ever present Spanish mackerel have being making themselves at home, crashing just about every boat’s attempts to snag a late lingering billfish, which have pretty much dropped right off with no reported catches. If you are out for a day on the mackies, they can be found off broken ground surrounding the shoals on the outer western and northernmost points of the archipelago in as little as 3m of water. Barra has had everyone gearing up and heading out to the creeks on their days off. Threadfin salmon have been caught, not in the quantity we are seeing further north from Port Hedland to Broome, but they are around. Working the flats and creek mouths on the incoming tide is your best strategy to finding them. The area around Harding River to Sherlock River would be the pick for threadies, as the mud flats along the coastline provide the perfect hunting ground. This area is best accessed by boat but if you are landbased and not looking to find yourself stuck in a salt pan for the day or even worse, lose your vehicle to the big tides, try the banks along the back beach in Karratha. You can park at the boat ramp car park and walk out at low tide

to continue either floating baits such as cooked prawns or try your luck with brightly coloured soft plastics such as fluoro pink and green. Cast into the shallow water less than a metre on the incoming tide and work your way back to the shoreline. Be very careful where you tread, as stonefish are always present in the mud and solid soled footwear is a requirement. While out chasing mighty barra in the creeks, it is worthwhile to throw out a couple of drop nets for mud crabs. Big greens are always about and go on the walk at high tide for the next hour or two in search of food, so with the access into the creek systems being open it makes sense to do both at the same time for the best chance of a feed. Tropical rock lobster reports are very consistent and can be found under most coral bombies around the archipelago. Stingers such as Irukandji are present at this time of year so a full suit and facemask is a must if you are diving,

especially as the water temperature is higher in the shallower water where they are found. A good practice to remember is if the wind has been blowing them into the coastline where you are diving, the chances of Irukandji being around are far greater. Hopefully the wet season this year lives up to its name and brings lots of rainfall. The inland creek beds are all but dry as we’ve had very little rain over the last few years. Fingers crossed the cycle we are in is coming to an end as we are well overdue. If it does, we just may see some of the deeper inland pools fill up with mangrove jack and bream, which will really add to the camping experience in the unique and colourful landscape that only the Pilbara can offer. I will remind you to never camp in a creek bed in the Pilbara. The water from rainfall you may not even see can rush down in a few hours or less and if that coincides with night, you could really end up with a disaster on your hands.

The rocky outcrops around Dampier and Point Samson provide the ideal location to target big bluebone from shore, such as this one caught recently by the author.

North Coast

Rain ain’t a bad thing BROOME

Troy Honey

January in Broome is a quiet time for most locals, with tourism numbers dropping off and a break from work or school. One thing that doesn’t quieten down is the fishing. January to March really ramps up in the bay and all creeks surrounding Broome such as Crab, Dampier and Willie creeks to name a few. Big barramundi including a few over the metre mark have been caught over the last couple of weeks around Broome, with the larger barra being more commonly caught in the creeks up Cape Leveque. The Cape Leveque creeks

more popular spots to target them. Over January anglers will mostly be focusing on the barra, threadies, jacks and triple tail but out wide there are still the odd Spanish mackerel hanging around along with brassy trevally and longtail tuna in good numbers. The usual demersals such as red and blueline emperor, saddletail seaperch and coral trout will still be about. You will have more luck on these demersals by going out wider into the cooler deeper water beyond the 40-50m mark. Golden snapper, Spanish flag and bluebone will continue to be found closer to shore in shallower water for boat anglers. Threadfin salmon, being one of the most targeted

Broome local angler Shane Healey caught this big mangrove jack while casting a hardbodied lure. are accessed by the many tracks off both Cape Leveque Road and Manari Road. These tracks can be quite corrugated, and are best accessed by 4WD and small boats with suitable trailers. Tinnies are well suited for fishing this area, as they are easy to launch and retrieve. By mindful of road closures from rain, traditionally owned land (which requires permission to access) and the ever-present crocodiles in and around these creeks. Plan your trip and be well prepared for all circumstances. Cape Leveque is a very pristine area, so please respect it and leave everything as you found it so it can be enjoyed for generations to come. Roebuck Bay has been producing good numbers of good size threadfin salmon and triple tail. Both landbased and boat anglers have been landing queenies and trevally in big numbers around Broome from the old jetty at Town Beach right around to Coconut Wells and up the Cape. Bluebone catches have been consistent, with the wharf being one of the

species over the holiday season, will certainly put many an angler to the test. The area in and around Crab Creek will be littered daily with small tinnies right up to large cabin boats trolling their favourite lure up, down and around in circles. The shoreline along Crab Creek Road will also be a common spot to set up the beach umbrella, put the rod poles in the sand, cast out a prawn with running sinker rig and sit back in the camp chair to listen for the big run. Fishing the incoming tide, preferably the few days before spring tide to a few days after, will produce the most success. As the tidal water rolls in over the mud flats the threadies will follow, searching for food over ground not exposed to water for many hours. With their whiskers they will sense crustaceans in the murky water, and this is where it is best to present bait or brightlycoloured lures for the best chance of a hook-up. Be prepared for a solid fight by using quality

tackle. Threadies over 140cm have been caught in this area, and fish that size are no easy feat to overcome. If you are lucky enough to land one, which shouldn’t be too much of a problem with the rapidly increasing population of threadfin in Roebuck Bay, you are certain to enjoy one of the most delicious fish species in the whole of Australia! The not so widely targeted triple tail are a great fish for the whole family to have fun with over the wet season. You will need a boat, as shorebased catches are very rare. In fact, I have never heard of one, but I am sure they have occurred at some time. Triple tail are a very predatory fish that prefer the protection of floating structure such as marine buoys, clumps of seaweed or the odd length of floating timber. They hide underneath and wait for passing baitfish or prawns before striking. They can sometimes be seen away from structure, but are often mistaken for a piece of seaweed themselves. With the magic turquoise colour of Roebuck Bay waters and the dark colour of the triple tail, it is easy to spot them from a distance. They look like floating weed and often weed is sparsely floating across the bay. By having a spotter on the front of the boat and someone driving near the floating weed at slow speed, you should find them. Casting small lures such as those commonly used for bream in our southern waters or small unweighted baits you stand a very good chance of a hook-up. If they are under structure, they will soon show themselves with swift strikes at the lure. Work your lure or bait slowly past each structure and if no triple tail appears after a few casts, move straight on to the next one until you find one. Triple tail are a very unique fish both in appearance and in the areas they reside. They fight hard on light gear and will satisfy even the most avid anglers, all the while providing a most memorable Kimberley holiday season dinner. Please remember to stay hydrated if out fishing in the humidity and sun at this time of year, as it is very taxing. Try to fish with shade by installing a bimini on your dinghy if you can, which makes a long day out in the bay all that more enjoyable.

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JANUARY 2020

Tech Tricks

How to make your own rod and reel tube BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

Most anglers take great pride in their fishing tackle and want to look after it to ensure its longevity.

Regardless of the price of the tackle, getting it to and from your fishing destination safely is a necessity. The last thing you need after driving a distance to your destination is to take your rod out of the car and find that you have a dislodged guide

insert or, even worse, a broken blank. There are plenty of rod tubes available that will protect your rod, however most require that you take the reel off. Therefore, being able to transport a rod ready rigged will maximise your fishing time.

Many anglers enjoy various forms of land-based fishing using lures and baits targeted at an array of species. Sometimes anglers may try several locations during an outing, especially when casting egi for squid, popping for whiting, fishing

the shallows for flathead or probing lighted areas of the Swan River for bream. Unrigging your rod to store it securely in a tube between each location can be rather tiresome. Being able to store your rod ready rigged with a lure or terminal tackle still

attached will protect your rod and also eliminate the chance of a hook penetrating the car’s upholstery or another passenger. After trying several options, I have come up with a rod and reel storage tube that works a treat and is simple and cheap to make.

The tools required to complete this project are fairly basic: a drill and an assortment of drill bits from 4-13mm, a hacksaw, coarse sandpaper, file, marker pen, a screwdriver and a spanner to suit the M4 screws and nuts. If you don’t have a drill and drill bits, a sturdy pair of snips will do a sufficient, yet cruder, job. The tools are so simple that this project could even be attempted by younger anglers, with adult supervision.

Materials required are a length of PVC pipe (50mm in this case), two end caps and a relevant sized PVC connector. These can all be purchased at a hardware or plumbing supply shop. The PVC pipe can usually be purchased in a 1m length (only suitable for 2 piece rods of 1.95m or less in length) or a 3m length, which will allow you to make at least two tubes for rods to 2.4m. You will also need a bungee strap, button and two screws, which can be purchased at a chandlery outlet. I used M4 (5/32”) 316 stainless bolts with M4 Nyloc nuts, which were just long enough to get the nuts on after attaching the bungee loop and button to the pipe.

The size of PVC pipe will be dictated by the size of the lowest (stripper) guide on your rod. Obviously the tube must be wider than the guide so the rod can be slid in. For this rod I used 50mm PVC pipe, you may need to use the 65, 80 or 100mm. A 3m length of the 50mm PVC cost around $18 but I was able to make two tubes with this. End caps, connectors and other bits needed to completely make two tubes brought the cost to around $40 total, $20 per tube.

Place the connector beside the rod so that the lower edge of it is level with the reel foot (stem). Mark the position on your PVC pipe that coincides with the middle of this connector. This will be the second cut. 36

JANUARY 2020

This rod is 7ft (2.12m) total length, or around 1.1m long when separated. I made my tube around 1.2m long so I could use it for other rods that may have different length butts to this one. Rod wraps can be used to hold the two sections of your rod securely together. Lay your rod beside the pipe and mark the overall length you want the tube to be. This will be the first cut.

Cut the pipe all the way through with your hacksaw at these two marks. Use sandpaper to smooth off and slightly taper the lip of the PVC where you cut the pipe.

Tech Tricks

Put the connector onto the shorter section of PVC (which will encase the rod butt) and mark on the pipe where the end of the connector will be. About 10mm below this line, drill a hole with your smallest drill bit. Widen the hole more using the next sized drill bit.

Take the connector off and use your largest drill bit (13mm in this case) to enlarge the hole further. This hole needs to be a fraction wider than the reel foot – you may need to use a file to widen it if you don’t have a large enough drill bit.

10 9

Use a hacksaw or cutters to cut a slot from the edge of the PVC pipe down to each side of the drill hole. Check to ensure it is large enough to accommodate the reel foot as shown. Use the file and sandpaper to smooth the edges of the slot.

Secure the bungy and button in place using your M4 screws and Nyloc nuts. Ensure the screws do not protrude from the nuts or they may scratch your rod as you are putting it in and out. If they are too long, then either use shorter ones or remove, cut to length and re-insert. Your rod can be inserted into the tube (even with a lure on) before the rear section is slid on with the reel stem positioned in the slot. As you slide the two ends of the tube over your rod, ensure there is a little slack in the line because it needs to come back against the reel stem.

Put the end caps on both pieces of pipe and the connector onto the longer section. Tap these firmly down into position. Use some PVC pipe glue to secure them if you wish. Position the bungy strap and button as shown so that the bungy will stretch slightly to secure over the button. Drill the two holes where these will be affixed with your 4mm bit. I prefer to put the clasp on the side of the tube at 90º to the reel foot slot so the small nuts inside will not rub the rod blank.

Once the two sections are slotted together and the bungy clipped over the button, you can add a quality reel bag to further protect your reel. This particular one will go around the rod tube and fasten. The neoprene flap also covers the bungy and button. You can paint the tube if you wish or attach a few stickers. Once at your destination, you only need to take the rod out of the tube, connect the two sections together and you are ready to fish. This tube is not only convenient but, more importantly, it will protect your ready-rigged rod from mishaps while in transit. JANUARY 2020

Making the most of that new secret spot LANCELIN

Peter Fullarton

Make the most of opportunities when they come your way. At certain times, stretches of beach might open up a nice hole or gutter that works in a perfect way to attract the beach going predator species of tailor and mulloway. Some form up around the same time most years, while

A little further up the beach there was another gutter. This was a little shallower, with an outside sand bank breaking the waves. Again with plenty of weed in the water, I stuck with the stickbait plan to prospect the hole to see if it was holding any fish. I use the big 14cm cm stickbait with single hooks, as it helps separate out the small choppers from the greenbacks I was looking for. Even so, several of my casts had little rat tailor not much bigger than

them spilling over the deep hole. A long cast could be made across the reef drop offs with surface lures or a short cast bait would sit in deep water below the foam of the breaking waves. I timed the first cast to hit the water just behind a breaking wave on the outside reef, pulsing the lure once with a move of the rod tip winding the slack back and on the second pulse I was on! A respectable 51cm tailor hit

Above and below: The author was doing well with a stream of fish over 50cm on a 14cm stickbait.

On the first trip to the hole, casting a stickbait yielded this 56cm tailor. others might just pop up for a short while after a big swell or wind direction. It pays to look for a nice deep nearshore hole or gutter with an outer bank or reef with waves breaking over the area covering the deep stretch with foamy white water. Predators just love it! I recently found a nice little purple patch of fishing from such a hole. It started with an early morning exploratory trip after a spot of rough weather. Looking for a feed for dinner, I set off to see what the blow had done to the fishing and the beach features. JUST BY CHANCE This particular morning, there were some lots of weed piled high on the beach from the rough weather where the tide had left them high and dry. Even so, there was still enough weed left in the water to make fishing difficult. The first hole I fished was one of my favourite spots. It has an outside reef that often forms a deep side on the lee. I had timed it so I was there at first light so I could see the weed situation. It had plenty of loose weed floating about and large brown masses of weed passing through intermittently from an oscillating current. This isn’t much good for bait fishing with the current, as the weed quickly collects on the line and with a reefy bottom the weed will drag the rig until it snags. I decided to tie on a Rapala X-Rap stickbait in blue sardine colour. After 30 minutes of casting without a touch, I decided to push on to try find some fish while the best bite time was still on. 38

JANUARY 2020

the lure chasing it down all the way to the beach. With no sign of big fish I pushed on. The next stretch had some great deep gutters, but it was full of weed to the point the water was brown. As the beach narrowed and steepened, it was getting risky with the 4WD. I was not game to drive further along the soft sand, but could see an upcoming blue hole! I had fished this hole when it had formed in previous years with great success. So I alighted from the 4WD and walked the next few hundred meters to the spot. It just ‘looked fishy’, the beach was narrow and steep falling into a deep hole at the waters edge, two small reefs were just offshore with a narrow deep gap between them to open sea and waves were breaking over

the lure hard and was easily subdued on the 12kg line. Next cast was almost a carbon copy, except the fish failed to connect as I tried to set the hooks, quickly dropping the rod tip for one more pulse before the lure was smashed again by a 56cm tailor! Having what I wanted for dinner, plan B was to snatch one on a popper. By the time I walked back to the 4WD and put the fish on ice and rigged up the popper, the sun was rising. A further 15 minutes of casting drew no more hits. SECOND VISIT Two days later I had a visit from my parents, and as they love a good feed of tailor, the plan was set to take dad to the ‘spot’. Bee lining straight for the ‘hole’ at dawn, we were greeted with

a beautiful weed free stretch of beach. With tyre pressure at 15psi, I attempted to drive all the way to save dad the long walk in soft sand. I idled down to the spot in first gear low range, keeping to the hardest sand right at the top of the soft steep beach. Low gear and no revs is a great way to move a vehicle

over a soft steep section of beach, avoiding slipping towards the sea. Novice fourwheel drivers often go for the throttle when on the soft sand when a deft touch will more often get better results. Having made a track for the wheels, I was set to reverse back until the beach was wide enough to safely turnaround.

Left and right: The second day out, the author’s dad was collecting a great feed, scoring plenty of tailor on pilchard baits. Every time the author looked up he was dealing with another fish, keeping the smaller ones and releasing the larger fish.

I set a berley pot in the wash and rigged both rods to fish pilchards, using break away sinkers to anchor the baits in the strong surge. It was not long before the fish started to flow, and with most near 50cm dad quickly had some fillets to take home. I switched to my trusty X-Rap stickbait, knowing it usually pulls the better size fish. A steady stream of tailor from the mid to high 50s range quickly fell for the lure. I snapped a quick pic of the bigger ones before releasing them. Dad was too busy catching his own fish to help with the photos. I had my phone set so on selfie mode with a timer enabling a quick pic and fast release of each fish. The next cast got absolutely smashed and a tailor came flailing out of the water. It looked a big fish even from a distance, and once it hit the water was taking a good amount of string, so I knew I had gone up a class in size. It was doing a lot of aerobatics, so I kept the rod tip low to try keep the fish in the water and side on to keep a bend in the rod to try keep everything tight during the head shaking

jumps. I played it to the surf break, timing the surge of a wave to wash it into the beach, for a quick picture and release. It is always great to see the fish power off through the waves when you drop it back in the water. Dad kept a good feed of eight of the smaller fish and we left them bitting. THIRD VISIT Next trip to the ‘hole’, I had a young group whose mum had booked a mornings fishing tour with me while

mulloway session at dawn the next morning when the wind would be offshore. To my pleasant surprise, the previous evenings sea breeze had pushed the weed north and the hole was relatively clear by morning. It was looking good, with the swell breaking over the deeper nearshore hole. I set up the berley and set a whole whiting out as bait only a few meters out from the beach downcurrent from the berley bag. As I expected,

So much for the fabled finicky mulloway needing perfect bait presentation and playing with the bait before running! I was doing the best I could to keep a steady pressure on the fish to keep those hooks tight, thinking it was going to be a big fish well over a metre, especially after the first powerful run and the dogged fight it was now giving me. The battle moved to the surge zone at the edge of the steep beach I was fishing. What I

tick off some of those goals. Setting up a berley pot at dawn to draw the fish in close, I rigged a ZMan GrubZ in shimmer pearl, as these have worked well for me in the past. Peppering the hole methodically trying all the sandy edges to the deeper clear water I was only finding the odd tailor bite that would remove the rear end of the plastic. Then I saw a massive tailor that could have given the meter mark a nudge leave the water at the back edge of the hole in pursuit of some large baitfish or smaller tailor. I quickly switched to the popper ready rigged on the other rod and started to cast to the backside of the hole across the reef through the white water wash. I made several casts working the lure with short pulses to ‘bloop’ the popper along without scattering or tumbling it across the surface. Each cast was worked with trepidation, watching the lure for that

A chubby 94cm slab of beach chrome. shallower. Even so, the two fishers with me Brett and Chris had a great session, managing to bag out on decent size tailor to 50cm very quickly. They landed four double headers between them on the one gang in the session. The next few trips back to the hole saw the beach

the season. Hopefully, I can tick this years’ mulloway on a plastic challenge off the list. If you come across that little ‘honey hole’ yourself, try make the most of it. Once you have a feed do some things you might not ordinarily do. Challenge yourself for some PBs with some light line or try

What great results for a first ever beach fishing attempt! they were at Lancelin on the school holidays. They had not previously done beach fishing. The day started slow, but as the berley started to kick in, the fish were coming on better and better. The tour group caught a number of tailor with several over 50cm, and the biggest Ashleigh caught at 58cm. Then Matt hooked a lovely mulloway at 84cm that generated a lot of excitement

there were very few tailor, as they had moved offshore during the blow. A couple of small tailor and tarwhine took the first baits, but otherwise it was a slow morning compared to the previous days I had been there. After missing another tailor bite, I wound in the bait to find only the tail end of a whiting left. With only three more baits I chucked back the half, thinking to myself as I

would win with one wave, the fish would take back with the backwash, as it kept side on to me using the waves well to its advantage. Finally I turned its head, and just as a wave came I had it surfing the wave as I ran up the beach to be sure it would be left high and dry as the wave retreated. I scooped it up for a quick photo and measured (it went 95cm) before sending

Chris with one of four double headers of tailor in the one session. exciting surface smash from below. It never disappoints or fails to surprize when it comes, and this time a fish slashed across the surface smashing the lure, connecting up tight. It was not a huge tailor, just scraping in over 60cm, but ticking one challenge off the list for this season! Next trip the beach had widened and the hole was

widening as the seasons changed into a summer like pattern, becoming less steep and making the ‘hole’ narrower and with less depth. It still produces fish, but doesn’t look anywhere near as fishy. LESSONS I will certainly be heading back to the ‘spot’ again and prospecting for new spots as the beaches change during

some different types of lures. I find the most rewarding fishing experiences come from achieving personal goals. After putting a lot of effort into hooking a fish in a certain way, or of a bench mark size, it certainly makes for a nervous fight and gets the adrenalin running until you finally see that fish hit the sand and achieve you’re goal.

Finishing up day two with a solid 68cm on the stickbait. and numerous ‘OMGs’. They kept nine tailor and the mulloway for a good feed for the families and released many more tailor. Another big storm and swell hit on the Friday, wiping out fishing for a few days. Sunday afternoon I went for a quick drive as the seas were settling again and the hole was still there but weeded up. Even so, I decided to defrost a bag I had of a dozen whiting overnight and go back for a

cast, ‘I should have replaced the bait’. Barely had the bait reached the bottom and the reel was screaming. It ran fast parallel south along the beach with myself in hot pursuit. At first I thought it must have been a monster tailor, as I could just feel strong tail beats and lots of speed. The fish settled down to head shaking and the direction changed in the fight told me there was a mulloway on the other end of the line.

it back to fight another day. It was a very bulky fish for its length, explaining the great battle it gave. GOING FOR GOLD I always set myself a few goals every year. One was a 60cm tailor on a popper, another was a mulloway on soft plastics off the beach. The hole was proving very productive and I had some good fish under my belt already, so next trip was a perfect opportunity to try

Another box ticked! A 60cm tailor on a surface popper. JANUARY 2020

Avoid the heat for trophy trout FRESHWATER

Peter Fragomeni

With summer well and truly upon us, some freshwater anglers head to our estuaries or the saltwater to chase species better suited to our hotter days. This is not the case with some of us, although if you are chasing trout then you need to pay attention to the weather patterns and choose

it’s recommend to carry a snake bite survival kit with you just in case. Also, remember that total fire bans are in place and with all the recent fires around the authorities are coming down hard on those that are being irresponsible. Aussie natives are very active this time of the year, and the few reports coming through indicate a growing trend of people chasing these hard-fighting sportfish. I was

to reproduce in dams or our rivers (as they require a spring flood followed by a algae bloom to create micro plankton for the tiny young to feed on) and being a omnivore (feeding on both plants and animals) makes them a perfect candidate for our redfin dams that offer little food and good weed beds, especially in the summer months. We have commercial breeders here turning out

banks. I tend to fish up the back at Fishtail, but if you want to target trout then your best being out on the water fishing deep. Here is where a fast sinking fly line or deep diving lures will be most productive. Some good redfin have been caught lately, but those who moved around had the best success. Drakesbrook Weir Reports I have been receiving indicate that the redfin size has increased, but numbers have declined. Some have put this down to the increased number of large trout getting stocked, but I can say I’ve rarely seen redfin in the stomachs of trout I’ve cleaned. I’m of the opinion that it’s the heavy pressure, which is worsened by the fact that the whole of the dam is accessible and it being such a small dam. Whatever the case, I can confirm numbers are down

Silver perch are a great sport fish and are well suited to the South West’s hot climate. They also coexist with trout in some places. as I write the hatchery is releasing advanced yearlings on the point next to me. I’m not sure why they are stocking so late, as the water is warming up and they will head down to redfin territory where there is little food available. The idea behind growing larger yearlings was to have them stocked in autumn to offer immediate sport and better

A nice section of the Collie River fed by cold irrigation flows, which offers some good summer trout fishing. a string of cooler days if you are targeting our northern dams in particular. Some of our northern streams fish reasonably well, and of course any waters fed by cold irrigation flows out of the dams are your best bet, even on the hottest of days. The southern waters around Pemberton fish reasonably well in January,

lucky to nail a huge silver perch while chasing trout on my little 5wt fly rod and I can say it was the best fight I have experienced on that rod yet. It hit a number 12 brown bead head nymph on a 5lb leader fished over a weed bed in shallow water. Although it was only 50cm long, it would have run rings around any other freshwater

disease free healthy stocks, so supply is not a issue. With our warming climate I feel we need to look at other species to supplement our trout stockings or we may have to drive further south to enjoy our sweetwater fishing or settle for redfin in once prime trout waters. If you are in favour of promoting the stocking of

Redfin prey heavily on marron and this one was still hungry enough to take a lure. and size is up, a classic situation of what happens when a predator is present. Logue Brook Dam It’s hard going at the moment, but trout are present. I wrote up some good techniques in previous editions in my reports on how to fish this water in the warmer months. You can read up in some previous copies online for free for more information. Harvey Dam This is our premier trout water, but only in spring, as it relies on hatchery stockings for its fame and

survival against redfin and the smaller cormorants. I purchased my yearlings from a small grower that uses a bio filter system that recycles the water and he attains a 28cm rainbow by May. Mine get to approximately 40cm by November, but he tells me some of his aquaponic customers are attaining 1.4kg at harvest, which is not bad for a trout that is only 16 months old. I think some serious discussion needs to be had at the next FFRG meeting to alter this situation.

I must say having said all that the fishing started off slow, but peaked in late spring, with one well known angler landing 21 large rainbows in one trolling session from his kayak using shallow running minnows. He also hooked and lost a dozen more. The interesting thing to add is his mate trolling with him had similar success in his kayak trolling similar lures. I can’t imagine this will be repeated soon, but this indicates a good head of stock in this water leading into summer. Unfortunately the water levels are extremely low this year, at around 50 % as of late November, so survival will be a issue this summer. Things change quickly, as on my visit in late November I only managed a few trout in the days I spent fishing this water. Redfin are turning up and the sizes have been varying, with the best areas being First Causeway, Quarry Bay, Summer Brook Bay, Nicholson Point and opposite Chesters Point. Other areas producing toward the back have been Rocky Point adjacent to Waterfall Bay (one of my favourite locations for big redfin), The Sticks, Spinnerbait Bend and through the timber all the way up to Harvey Causeway and Falls Brook Arm. This water and those locations are also prime marron haunts if you are there for the season this month.

Marron are considered a delicacy by some, with 11,000 licences sold each year. The season is generally from 8 January to 5 February and is policed heavily, with strict limits applying. but low flows makes it hard for stream fishing, although the Lefroy seems to produce trout at this time of the year. Redfin are very active throughout all waters, and with the marron season upon us it’s a great opportunity to combine a rod and reel with your snares and nets, making it a truly memorable experience out on the water. Be watchful for snakes, and 40

JANUARY 2020

species we have here in the south of the state. It’s a shame these species aren’t included in a government stocking program, as they are active over the hotter periods when trout are hard to find. The gentle nature of this species with their tiny mouths makes then very unlikely to prey on a marron larger that the size of a yabby. Their inability

native species like these into some of our northern dams that are overrun with tiny redfin, then join a Facebook group called ‘Aussie Natives Freshwater Anglers WA’ and have you say. DAMS Waroona Dam This water can be hard in January, with ski boats active most of the day and noisy crowds lining the

A good array of lures in varying depths down to 8m is essential if you are trolling our dams in summer. Vary your speed to suit the lure as you troll.

Just a reminder that this dam along with Drakesbrook Weir is a non-powered boat waterway. Wellington Dam This water continues with its hit-and-miss reputation, although the size is good if you are lucky enough to be in the right

Big Brook Dam This pretty little dam is worth a go this month, with a few trout still coming out late in the season. There was a report of a large 8lb brown caught on fly late at night recently, but this could have been one stocked last year, as I know a number around

also popular marroning destinations. For trout, I will only list the ones worth exploring through the hotter months. Serpentine River This water is fed by a small environmental flow, so if you are intrepid it may by worth a look.

Wellington Dam is a popular marroning spot and can turn up some decent redfin at times. You require a separate $50 licence to fish for both, unlike our neighbouring states where a blanket licence covers all species in all waters. Dam and although it can be warm when it flows over the town weir, it generally cools down again as it passes through the tall timber and for this reason I would consider fishing below the highway bridge and all the way to where it meets the Warren.

or kayak to increase your chances of hooking a trout. The best method is to either troll lures, stopping to cast at the mouths of the little feeder streams that flow in both above and below the landing. If you don’t catch a trout then black bream

boat in this state. You can transport this equipment to your destination along this river but you must not use them from your boat or kayak, only off the bank. See the Fisheries website for details So that’s my wrap up

The Lefroy Brook can flow hard in winter, as seen here, but come summer it’s reduced to a trickle. place. The Hamilton River Junction right up to the farm on the right has fired for some, but this requires some good leg work if you are on a kayak. The secret is to cover lots of water and constantly monitor your sounder until you find where they are and fish depths they are sitting at.

this size were released by the hatchery. It’s hard to tell, as many of the hatchery browns have full tails unlike the rainbows that have their fin nipping characteristics causing a rounded appearance. I would like to see these larger browns clipped before releasing (as they do on the east coast),

Collie River below Wellington Dam This is by far our best summer fishery, but angling pressure is high, so I would put a day pack on and leg it down below Honeymoon Pool. The best results come from those who get their offerings down deep. Some nice bigger browns come

Ben Kelly with one of the 21 rainbows he caught at Harvey Dam trolling lures.

Summer evenings are a delightful time to fly fish, but unfortunately water temperatures can often be too high for trout. This water is a popular marroning destination as well, with good numbers but generally a smaller average size than other waters Glen Mervyn Dam This little water fished well for redfin recently, with a few trout being landed as well. Skiing is popular so it can be frustrating to fish at this time of the year. All the common lures work well, but try to get them down deep if you want success.

so better understanding can be documented. There are only a few hundred, so not a huge task for the staff at the hatchery. Redfin are still being landed but the best numbers are coming from deep water off kayaks RIVERS All the rivers I listed in previous issues fish well for redfin in the hotter months like the Murray, Upper Collie and Warren, and are

from this section, although they could be some of the 50 released this year. Lefroy Brook This little stream seems to fish well in summer, but unfortunately I don’t get down to this beautiful part of our state as much as I would like to. I get good feedback from my area reporters and without these guys my job would be very difficult. Because this steam is fed by water out of Big Brook

Some big browns lurk in the undercut banks, but the going is tough and they spook easily by a careless approach. Remember a near state record was caught in this vicinity last year, so they still turn up occasionally. Most prefer lure fishing, but sometimes drifting a fly down a tight area is a better option. The section above the town weir known as Rainbow Trail is worth a visit, but unfortunately you need to leg it as the road is closed to traffic. A dry fly cast into the small runs is sure to stir interest from the rainbows that inhabit this area. Donnelly River The last water I would try is the section around Boat Landing, but you need a boat

inhabit this stretch and are a great by-catch. This is a popular marroning water and this section is the only place you can carry your marron drop nets and scoop net on your

on the freshwater scene in our south, so get out there and enjoy our great inland region this holiday season! Stay safe and remember, no fires and keep the scene clean!

DAM LEVEL PREDICTIONS FOR JANUARY The dams are faring well after the dry winter, but Harvey, Glen Mervyn and Wellington dams are still well below last year’s levels. It seems they are drawing down Harvey Dam the most, as it’s linked to the Waroona system and the latter has not dropped as predicted, and the same is the case for Logues. WAROONA DAM DRAKESBROOK WEIR LOGUE BROOK DAM HARVEY DAM WELLINGTON DAM GLEN MERVYN DAM BIG BROOK DAM

82% 79% 73% 48% 53% 62% 95% JANUARY 2020

WHAT’S NEW FISHING STORM ARASHI GLIDE BAIT

Engineered to achieve the perfect lifelike swimming action, the Storm Arashi Glide Bait lets you take advantage of one of the hottest, most effective techniques for targeting trophy flathead, mulloway, barra and Murray cod. The Arashi Glide Bait is very responsive, with an exaggerated swimming action that flows from side to side with every turn of the handle and every twitch of the tip. It is very stable and has a super slow sink rate (.4ft/sec), and can be fished effectively at all speeds, allowing anglers to speed up or slow down to match the behaviour of the fish. Made to target the largest predators, this lure is built with a durable triple-pin construction and swivelling hook hangers that prevent fish from gaining leverage during a fight. Included with a snap and an extra tail that will keep your bait in running order, even after vicious strikes, the Arashi Glide Bait offers a high-quality alternative to overpriced, hard-to-find glide baits. It’s available now in eight fish-catching colours. www.stormfishing.com

BLACK MAGIC UTILITY BOX

Black Magic has added a new waterproof Utility Box to their range. One of the main differences with the latest model is that it has a seal fixed to the lid designed to keep the contents dry, and less likely to suffer from water damage or corrosion. There are two latches on the front and one on each side. When combined with the two sturdy hinges, they lock down securely, ensuring a good, tight seal. There are 13 compartments in the Utility Box for storing an array of tackle, some of which have removable sidewalls, allowing the box to accommodate larger items. This box measures 270mm x 170mm x 45mm, and has been specifically chosen to fit into Black Magic’s Tackle Bags and Tackle Packs. Visit the Black Magic Tackle website for more information on the Utility Box and a range of other tackle storage solutions. You can also find more information, news and catch photos on their Facebook page (www. facebook.com/blackmagictackle), check them out on Instagram (@blackmagictackle) or subscribe to the Black Magic YouTube channel. www.blackmagictackle.com

SAMAKI ZING XTREME V2

Zing Xtreme’s amazing blanks are only one of the features that contributes to the series’ success. The smart Samaki technology of MDC (Multi Direction Carbon layer) improves strength, and the X Power weave construction gives you precision casting, great action in the fight and enough grunt to get you out of sticky situations. Other features include Fuji KW and LKW series guides, Fuji TVS and VSS reel seats on spin models, Fuji PTS and SK reel seats on baitcast models, and custom super-hard EVA camouflaged grips with superior carbon locking rings. Zing Xtreme caters to all fishing enthusiasts, with 7’0” spin models in extra light, light, medium and medium heavy 1-piece and 2-piece that sit alongside the 7’6” extra light solid tip flats rod, and 7’6” extra heavy offshore rod. Cast models range from 5’4” through to 7’0” in medium, medium heavy, and heavy, covering everything from bass to barra. www.samaki.com.au 42

JANUARY 2020

PRODUCT GUIDE

X-RAP MAGNUM PREY

The Rapala X-Rap Magnum Prey is a compact, long cast stickbait that works with a variety of techniques, from subsurface sweeps to skipping on top – just add a boiling school of pelagics, cast and repeat. This lure is weighted extra heavy for extreme casting distances, and features a darting baitfish action. It’s an ideal choice for fast and aggressive predators feeding on top or in the shallows. Lipless design and fluttering action on the drop allow natural baitfish-imitating presentations. On fast retrieve, the lure skips on the surface like a fleeing baitfish. Equipped with VMC 3X Strong Coastal Black Trebles, the 100mm Magnum Prey weighs 41g and comes in 12 proven colours, including UV colours. Built heavy and aerodynamic for extreme casting distances, it delivers even in the most demanding saltwater fishing conditions, and stands up to unforgiving punishment. Other features include through-wire construction, quality X-Rap finishes, saltwater prey patterns, and 3D holographic eyes. Price: approx. SRP $30 www.rapala.com.au

WILSON CAMO BACKPACK

Designed specifically for fishing, the Wilson Camo Series Backpack makes life easier. Side access to the internal cargo area allows anglers to easily keep the backpack over one shoulder while accessing the internal cargo area – there’s no need to completely remove the backpack. Other features include three tackle trays inside the main cargo area. There are two standard large trays, and one large tray (with no dividers) for bigger lures such as swimbaits and surface lures. There are also four external zippered pockets for accessories such as leader and fishing gloves, as well as two Velcro secured tool holders and a massive front flap with even more storage for things such as plastics and spare hooks. An external sunglass holder and a retractable tool lanyard are also included. The top pocket has elastic webbing for securing jumpers or rain jackets, and the adjustable shoulder straps are padded for comfort and feature a chest strap. The sturdy zippers are easy to open, even with cold hands. As well as being ideal for hiking, this backpack serves as a complete kit for a boat. www.wilsonfishing.com

PALMS TURN POP

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The new Palms Turn Pop is designed to target smaller species like bream and whiting on the surface. Fitted with a treble on the belly and twin assist hooks at the rear, this proven set-up will convert more strikes into hooked fish. The rear assist hooks are also fitted with red rubber legs, giving the presentation more appeal on the pause. Retrieve options include pop and long pause, quick short sharp pops, and consistent skipping on the surface. The Palms Turn Pop measures 50mm and weighs 3.9g. There are six transparent colours in the series, covering all conditions – clear water, dirty water, bright light or low light. For more information on this and other Palms lures, visit the EJ Todd website. www.ejtodd.com.au

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DAIWA SHORE SPARTAN

Daiwa Shore Spartan lures are designed with a dimpled body that helps you cast further, while their through-wire construction and durable 1.8mm ABS thick plastic bodies ensure ultimate durability. Featuring Owner split rings and hooks, there are four models – the 140mm Power Splash popper, 140mm floating Rough Ride stickbait, and the 120 and 140mm Break Through sinking stickbaits. The Power Splash cup-face popper is capable of spitting a large amount of water, however it can also be retrieved fast, creating an enticing bubble trail and wobble. The Rough Ride stickbait has a tungsten weight at the rear, producing the perfect floatation level to create the tantalising dive and ‘S’ wave action. The lures’ dimpled design acts like a golf ball travelling through the air, aiding the lure to track straight and true, and it also aids the bait’s motion subsurface. This design characteristic is most evident with the Break Through sinking stickbait, which can be retrieved ultra fast without breaking the water’s surface – a key trait for targeting high-speed pelagics. The Break Through also features a very low centre of gravity for enhanced performance and tracking. www.daiwafishing.com.au

TALICA II 20 AND 25 REELS

The iconic Shimano Talica II 20 and 25 models have received a welcome upgrade for 2019 with the introduction of a spare mono line cam. The reels are still factory fitted with a braided line cam that provides a smooth drag curve to suit anglers spooling with braid. For those who run a full spool of mono IGFA line, a spare mono cam is available inside the box to make the drag curve ideal for the preferred line class once changed over. All of the other Shimano features that make the Talica II reels so sought after have remained the same, but now the reels’ drags can be set more accurately so you can be even more confident when you hook that gamefish of a lifetime. Price: SRP $1010-$1030 www.shimanofish.com.au

OKUMA KOMODO BAITCAST RODS

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The Komodo SS baitcast reel has a reputation for strength, reliability and stopping power. The matching series of rods follow the same design principles, from their quality finish, 30T Toray carbon blank construction and Seaguide Hero Hi-Grade Low Frame Casting Guides, to the attention to detail in bind and metal component highlights, and custom ergonomic reel seat for increased ‘feel’. Available in a selection of models that cover heavy bass fishing and extracting mangrove jack, to taking on monster impoundment barra and bucket-mouth Murray cod, this series of rods will impress in terms of both finish and performance. For those throwing big swimbaits, there’s even a model for you, without the insane price tag commonly associated with swimbait rods. This model (KM-C-801H) is 8ft of pure casting and stopping power, with an 8-15kg rating and casting weight rating of 1-4oz. The other four models are: KM-C-601MH (med-heavy action, 6’0”, 6-8kg line rating, 1/43/4oz casting weight), KM-C-661MH (medheavy, 6’6”, 6-8kg, 1/4-3/4oz), KM-C-661H (heavy, 6’6”, 8-15kg, 1/2-2oz), KM-C-661XH (X-heavy, 6’6”, 8-20kg, 1-4oz). Price: SRP $129.90-$149.90 tackletactics.com.au

BALISTA TREMOR

The BalistaTremor is an Australian creation designed for one purpose: to catch big native fish. At 200mm in length, the Tremor has a 3-piece jointed body, and internally it is fitted with advanced electronics with a rechargeable battery, with an in-built vibrator to mimic an injured fish. Of course, it also features Balista’s trademark LED technology that will entice the most aggressive reaction bite. The Balista also comes with three interchangeable bibs – crawling, wake and diving swim bait. Whether it is trophy Murray cod, barramundi or any other big bait eating predator you are chasing, the Balista Tremor has been designed to get bites from temperamental big fish. On its first day in action at Lake Mulwala – a notoriously pressured fishery – it produced four Murray cod between 95-110cm, at a time when it was unheard of to get so many bites from big fish in the one day. To see the Tremor in action, search for ‘Balista Tremor’ on YouTube. You can also see the rest of the range on the Balista Lures website, or on their Facebook page. www.balista.com.au

JIG STAR KATANA BRAID 8X

Jig Star evolved after its founder and acclaimed Jigging expert Chris Wong in New Zealand had spent many years jigging with some of the world’s most renowned big fish anglers from Japan, USA, Taiwan, SE Asia, South Africa and New Zealand. Hundreds of hours were spent testing products on ridiculous sized yellowtail kingfish and humungous hapuka. Katana Jigging and Popping Braid is an 8-Carrier high pitch Dyneema line. Katana Braid is a multi-coloured braid that changes colour every 10m and features Micro Pitch braiding technology, with an advanced coating process. This helps produce a braid that is extremely strong, while still being thin and having minimal guide friction. Katana Braid is available in 300m and 1000m spools in PE 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 breaking strains. To find out more on the Jig Star braid range visit the Juro OzPro Tackle website. www.jurofishing.com

DAIWA SEAJIGGER

Seajigger has been one of Daiwa’s most popular surf and rock fishing line of rods, and this year the series has been updated to be better than ever before. HVF carbon is where it all begins, with Daiwa’s low resin, high strength, reduced weight, high density carbon the foundation for a series that is stripped of unwanted weight, and loaded with all the power that you need. Daiwa’s X45 blank technology further enhances Seajigger’s design and performance level by eliminating blank twist and distortion to increase casting distance. Design features include ultra-thin Winn wrapped butt section for blank protection, minimalist EVA grips, and Fuji reel seat, while Fuji Alconite Lowrider stripper guides and new lightweight LKW guides provide superb casting ability delivering anglers tangle-free casting all day long. Classic in style, and advanced in design, function and application, Seajigger offers diversity, strength and exceptional value like only Daiwa can. www.daiwafishing.com.au

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

WHAT’S NEW FISHING LUMICA L.E.D ROD LIGHTS

Lumica Japan are the developers and inventors of the chemical light stick, and they have now developed a superior range of LED lights for anglers targeting fish at night and in low light conditions. The Lumica L.E.D Rod Tip Lights are perfect for fishing at night, and simply clip onto your rod tip. They are quite small so they don’t weigh down or affect the tip action of your rod. The lights are available in two colours, sunset red (visibility of 60m) and sea green (visibility of 100m). They are both available in two sizes so they will fit most rods on the market, and they are super bright and re-useable. The lights are very easy to use and also feature an on/off switch so you can turn them off easily when not in use. The LED rod lights require a lithium BR/CR 425 battery, and will last approximately 12 hours with continual use. To find out more on the Lumica range visit the Juro OzPro Tackle website. www.jurofishing.com

OKUMA SABIKI UTG ROD

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LIVE FIBRE BLADE N TAILS

The Samaki Vibelicious is now available in two new sizes and five new colours. The new 85mm size is designed to target the likes of bream, flathead, jewfish, yellowbelly and bass, while the 150mm is a heavier weight vibe to target offshore reef fish and bigger estuary brutes such as barramundi and jewfish. Each model’s colour selection has been created for different target species in all locations around Australia. The new colour range includes natural baitfish colours and bright attractants with UV additives. Introducing Hardy Head, Coral Trout, Stripey Snapper, Fairy Floss UV, and Ghost Bait UV. The Vibelicious Fork Tail comes in 70mm, 85mm, 100mm, 125mm and 150mm sizes. The 100mm and 125mm have now been upgraded with the new YS81 Decoy Hooks and new Decoy EX Strong Split Rings. The 70mm, 85mm and 150mm are all available with BKK super sharp hooks and Decoy EX Split Rings. As always, every Vibelicious contains premium Japanese stainless wire and is made of the toughest 10X super stretch material, for maximum durability. www.samaki.com.au

BANDICOOT HEADLAMP

BETTER TACKLE FLASHER RIGS

The Knog Bandicoot Headlamp isn’t like other headlamps. It uses silicone to seamlessly merge the strap, body and LEDs together, rather than fabrics or multiple elastics which are fiddly and unreliable. The silicone band is tangleproof, won’t lose strength, and doesn’t need constant adjusting. The durable Bandicoot is super lightweight at just 60g, with a compact and sleek design. The headlamp incorporates quad optics which are integrated into a single-piece chassis, removing the need for a clunky hinge. The four sets of LEDs are optimally placed for their each individual purpose – a high beam to see with, elliptical beams for broad ambient light, a red light for darker environments, and down lights for reading. Now, with the ModeMaker app, users can experience added functionality and program their Bandicoot Headlamp from a library of light modes - with 100 lumens being its maximum output. The Bandicoot Headlamp also offers USB charging capabilities, meaning you can top up the battery at any time and always begin your adventures at maximum brightness. Price: SRP $59.99 escape2.com.au

JANUARY 2020

The Okuma Sabiki UTG rod is designed for jigging sabiki rigs when gathering bait, with the design allowing the rig to be wound inside the rod to minimise snagging and tangling when not in use. This rod boasts quality components, and has been designed from the ground up to overcome the shortcomings of other sabiki rods. A slight increase in length allows more brands of jigs to be wound completely inside the rod, while the slimmer design increases the action of the rod and in turn the fishcatching action of the jig. Designed to be used with either spin or overhead reels, the Sabiki UTG is a 2-piece design for easy storage, with a butt join rather than the traditional join above the bottom line guide, which can make line feeding difficult and cause snagging of swivels on sabiki jigs. The tip of the Sabiki UTG is also uniquely designed to remove the snagging that occurs both on the outside of the tip and internally where the tip joins the rod blank on traditional sabiki rods. Price: SRP $79.90 www.okuma.com.au

The Live Fibre Blade N Tails series takes in just about every lure casting scenario available to Australian anglers. Built on Toray graphite blanks and fitted with Fuji Faslite guides, the new Blade N Tails series has been modelled on the popular BNT series. Features include specialised skeleton reel seats that allow the angler’s hand direct access to the blank for the ultimate in sensitivity, actions that have been specifically developed to enhance lure casting and the effective working of lures, and a range of one- and two-piece options that allow the travelling angler to fish with a quality stick built for Aussie fishing. There are 18 rods in the range, with everything from ultralight 4-8lb spin models through to a 30-60lb heavy baitcaster. The range will be expanded as demand heats up for this series. www.wilsonfishing.com

NEW VIBELICIOUS ARRIVALS

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When Australian fishing rig specialist Josh Price designed Better Tackle’s flasher rigs, he had one thing in mind: to make every product better than anything else on the market. Better Tackle’s flasher rigs feature a rapidrelease rig-winding board, making it quicker for you to get out on the water when the fish are on the chew. Tried and tested two-tone colour selections, along with lumo eyes that mimic baitfish eye-shine, give you the ability to match your offering to what your target species is chomping on. The unique design gives this flasher the perfect shape, flash and silhouette to attract finned predators, while still keeping its shape fish after fish. The outstanding strength on each rig’s knot and leader is no accident, nor is the quality of the hooks used. Every component and design feature of every rig has been carefully considered, to maximize catch rates and longevity. And remember that flasher rigs are no longer just for snapper – they are perfect for a range of species, including coral trout, red emperor and nannygai. Price: from SRP $8 www.bettertackle.com

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Obsession Spinnerbaits now obsessed with bass NTENT CO

FOR EXTR

At the time I realised that he did have a few styles that could crossover into the tackle box of someone looking to catch Australian bass. They were his Mini Single and Mini Twin Spin models, of which a few had to come home with me. Fast forward two years and the Mini Single has become a part of my go-to bass fishing arsenal. I have also gotten to know Ray better, even fishing his home waters (Lake Mulwala) with him. During that two-year period he was always keen to create a range that had a bass focus, and the Bass Six Pack was born. In the range there are six bass-specific colours based around

CA N T H E Q R

The GOAT colour in action.

RE ONLINE MO

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Several years ago I met Raymond Parry from Obsession Spinnerbaits at the Australian Lure Expo in Ipswich. He’s a down to earth Aussie lure maker, designing lures to catch Australian native fish. Initially, the main focus of his spinnerbaits was targeting Murray cod and golden perch, and with my love of using spinnerbaits I promptly tested a few for the magazines. You can check out that review at www.tacklejunkie.fish.

TESTED

Raymond’s Mini Single model. The new spinnerbaits are available in three weights – 1/4oz, 1/2oz and 5/8oz – and are a single Colorado blade configuration. The six colours are GOAT, WB, DONC, GM, BG and PBJ. A COMBINATION OF ROBUST AND FINESSE Spinnerbaits for bass in Australia have come a long way. Gone are the days where large profile, clunky lures were good enough. Bass anglers now demand smaller profiles with quality components. From the instant that the spinnerbait hits the water, we want it to work to our advantage. The spinnerbaits in the Obsession bass series fall somewhere in the middle of finesse and robust. The use of a single Colorado blade reduces the footprint of the lure while

The PBJ colour, or peanut butter jelly as the author’s youngest daughter calls it, is a natural colour with a purple highlight through the skirt. colours, so GOAT and PBJ naturally appealed to me. However, the baitfish profiles of WB and GM quickly became favorites of mine in waterways like Somerset Dam and Wivenhoe Dam here in Southeast Queensland, as they contain large populations of bony bream. More recently I have tested the BG (black and gold) and DONC colours. The surprise packet has been the DONC colour, which is a natural colour with a chartreuse highlight through it. It has quickly rivaled the GOAT as a favourite, and who doesn’t need a Donk (reference Crocodile Dundee). If you scan the QR code on this page you’ll see a video that takes you through the colours and has some fishing action from my field testing. Alternatively, you can go to YouTube and search for ‘Obsession Spinnerbaits’. Although I have been mainly targeting bass, and have caught bass on every colour, the Six Pack spinnerbaits have also accounted for a number of other species like golden perch, Mary River cod and southern saratoga. Due to the slightly more robust style of the lure, I have no doubt that they would deal with a Murray cod as well. To view the full range, find your local stockist or place an order online, head to www.obsessionspinnerbaits. com. They are well worth checking out!

All the six pack colours are ideal for our native species. This is 54cm of Lake Somerset golden caught on the GOAT colour.

It pays to bring a DONC.

maximising the flash and vibration. The wire and even the hook are on the heavier side, while the skirt quality and style is finesse orientated. This combination is the key to the effectiveness of these spinnerbaits. They work well as soon as they hit the water, they will deal with a lot of abuse, and most importantly they have consistently caught fish for me on many different waterways and in many different situations. THE COLOURS Although the colour range isn’t huge, this may well be a blessing in disguise. The six colours are a good mixture of baitfish and natural colours, and the head colours are also cleverly matched to the skirts, with some having highlights that extend into the skirt colour. There is no questioning the bass appeal of the colours available. ON THE WATER I have been using the GM, WB, GOAT and PBJ colours for more than 12 months now. I have always fished natural

WB will be a very popular colour in lakes that have large quantities of baitfish.

JANUARY 2020

Taylor finally seals a BREAM Grand Final win Thirty-six year old dentist Tristan Taylor finally got the job done at the 2019 Costa BREAM Series Grand Final, held on the Gold Coast in late November/Early December, 2019. He’s placed second twice previously – the last time the headline event was on the Gold Coast in 2007 and once in a Forster, NSW Grand Final.

The win capped off a magic year for the Brisbane breamer. He committed to fishing the full series in 2019 and attended every event across the country. His qualifying effort earned him two event wins (at Bribie Island and Gladstone) and the Power Pole Angler of the Year title.

Now that’s a reward for three days of quality breaming. Tristan Taylor took home a $70,000 Bass Cat Margay powered by a Mercury 150hp ProXS and fitted with a Motorguide X5 and a Lowrance LIVE12.

Tristan’s secret to success was quality bream from the Macleay Island area.

His win was not a sure thing, though, with fellow Brisbaneite Denis Metzdorf leading the event after day one and challenging the whole way through. Ultimately, Metzdorf fell 500g short, but it was a magic final stop for Taylor that got him the final upgraded he needed to seal the deal and take home a BassCat Margay/Mercury outboard package, worth $70,000. “We had a very ordinary final day on my regular run, which included trashing the prop and gearbox on my motor,” Taylor said, “and we

left early with under 2kg in the livewell.” “But on the way up to my northern spots, I saw this bank on the inside of Stradbroke Island with some rocks on it and we decided to give it a go on the way back. Before I’d gotten a cast in, my non boater, Col Wilson, was hooked up on a big upgrade.” After that, Taylor and Wilson boxed two more solid upgrade fish before limping back to the weigh-in. “Best. Decision. Ever,” Taylor continued. Although Col caught that

BOATER RESULTS Place Name 1 Tristan Taylor 2 Denis Metzdorf 3 Mark Crompton 4 Vaughn Lewis 5 Jamie McKeown 6 William Lee 7 Michael Thompson 8 Scott Towner 9 Steve Morgan 10 Brett Crowe

Total Fish Total Weight (kg) Prize Bass Cat/Mercury rig worth $70,000 15/15 8.42 15/15 7.93 Power Pole shallow water anchor 15/15 7.54 Millerod 15/15 7.46 Costa Sunglasses 15/15 7.18 Costa Sunglasses 15/15 7.17 Cranka Crab pack 15/15 6.87 OSP/Imakatsu pack 15/15 6.84 Cranka crab pack 15/15 6.75 15/15 6.70 Sunline/Lucky Craft pack

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888 46

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upgrade fish on a Gulp Crabby rigged on a jighead, Taylor’s weapon of choice was the ubiquitous Atomic mid depth 38mm crankbait in a variety of natural colours. “You couldn’t even count the number of bream these baits have caught over the years. Not just for me, for people all over Australia,” Taylor said. His colour of choice for this event was GGB (ghost gill brown). He threw the bait on a SamuraiReaction 201 rod, a model that he has been using successfully for the last decade. He paired it with a Megabass Idaten Racing Condition 2506 reel, 10lb Unitika braid and 6lm Unitika Eiger leader. “With that outfit, I’d be confident bream fishing anywhere in Australia,” Taylor concluded. Bass Cat Australia’s Craig Simmons was on hand to present the prize. “This rig is ideal for anyone who wants to move up into a comfortable bass boat for the right price. It goes well with 115hp (even though the prize model runs a 150hp ProXS Mercury) and you can tow it behind most mid-sized vehicles,” said Simmons. “What a finish!” Said Mercury Marine’s Anthony

Brown, watching the coverage afar from Melbourne. Indeed, all ABT sponsors created prizes and atmosphere worthy of a season-ending national event. Taylor’s future plans involve training for a gruelling triathlon next year before concentrating on fishing again.

Scan the QR code to watch the interview with Tristan Taylor.

Scan the QR code to see the Day 3 highlights.

Scan the QR code to see the Day 1 highlights.

Scan the QR code to see the Day 2 highlights.

BREAM Series presented by

Denis settles for second place Denis Metzdorf is considered a southern Moreton Bay specialist and he came out guns blazing with a tournament best 3.20kg limit on the first day to take the lead. Unfortunately, he couldn’t repeat his day two heroics and slipped into a solid second by the end of the event. “One day my time will come,” said Metzdorf, who is a perennial placegetter in local events, from club derbies through to the Queensland Open.

Taking home a PowerPole for the runner up position, it’ll match his existing pole nicely and offer him total boat control. Denis concentrated on his regular spots around Macleay Island and threw a combination of baits, including his favourite Pontoon 21 crankbaits. “That Crackerjack 48 in the deep diver had saved me so many times over the years. It really is a musthave bait for me when I’m fishing for bream,” Denis continued.

He definitely lost key fish over the three tournament days, mainly in shallow, rocky water, but conceded that it’s the nature of the beast in the environments he chooses to fish. But he had some wins as well. One particular fish is memorable from the highlights video. Denis hooked and was winding in a small bream when he saw it was being followed by a cloud of bigger bream. He quickly

Denis Metzdorf led the event after the first day of competition, but struggled for quality kickers on the final two days.

Boaters and non-boaters fished together and shared their collective weights over the course of the Grand Final. The shared weight events have been happening at the BREAM Grand Finals for 20 years.

got his non-boater, Glen Sturrock, to drop a Cranka Crab into the mix and he immediately hooked a quality upgrade. “That’s awesome teamwork,” Denis said when recounting the story on stage. “I’d also like to thank my friends and family for their messages of support … they’re awesome,” he concluded.

Wilson wins from back of boat Scott (son) and Col (father) Wilson are regulars on the Costa BREAM Series and although Scott did well on the boater side, the old man took top honours in the non-boater division. He, as well as second placed Tani Konsul, took home a Hobie Passport MirageDrive 10.5 kayak for their efforts. Unlike normal qualifiers, the BREAM Grand Final is sharedweight. This means that a boater and non-boater fish together for the day for a collective limit of five bream between them. The fish are weighed and both anglers get that weight on the scoreboard. It makes for a supportive environment on the boat

and allows anglers to work as a team. As it happened, Col not only got to influence his own fate, both he and Tristan used their last minute surge to pip their opponents. “I caught that first upgrade on a Gulp Crabby on a jighead and it was a pretty busy little session we shared,” Col said. When asked about his experience on tour this year, Col was very happy with the format. “You get to meet and fish with some good people and you end up looking forward to catching up with them again at the next event,” he said. Travelling with his son is just a bonus and so is the Hobie, which will help Col to further fishing freedom.

The top two non boater prizes were the quality Hobie Passport kayaks with MirageDrive, a great way to get out on the water for some fishing freedom!

Scan the QR code to watch the interview with Col Wilson.

The Grand Final is unashamedly a winner-takesall event, but don’t worry, Denis won a Power Pole as well as a second place badge.

McKeown wins Australian and Queensland Open winner Jamie McKeown added a further trophy to his mantelpiece with the 2019 Mercury Cup. Awarded to the highest ranked Mercury owner for the season (which includes Opens and Grand Finals that the Angler of the Year doesn’t), it gave him a $1,500 bonus at the end of a great season from the Queenslander. McKeown entered the event only needing to finish to get the points needed to take the win. Finishing 5th made the margin very comfortable indeed. “I run a 225hp OptiMax on the back of my bass boat.

She’s done plenty of hours and has plenty of mojo,” McKeown said. Indeed, Mercury stepped up to the plate in a big way this season to help celebrate their 80th anniversary. There was $8,000 in total given to the top three Mercury owners in each of the BREAM Qualifiers. That’s $1,000 per event supporting those who support the ABT sponsors. The Mercury Bonus program will continue in 2020. The 2020 ABT season is nearly locked in. All dates and information can be found on www.abt.org.au. We really appreciate all sponsors and anglers from 2019. It’s been a season to remember!

NON-BOATER RESULTS Place Name 1 Col Wilson 2 Tani Konsul 3 Craig Johnson 4 Neil Kelly 5 Bernard Kong 6 Sam Peck 7 Glenn Sturrock 8 Jacob Smythe 9 Fred Fraser 10 Stuart Walker

Total Fish Total Weight (kg) Prize 15/15 8.07 Hobie Passport 10.5 15/15 7.86 Hobie Passport 10.5 15/15 7.46 Millerod 15/15 7.46 Costa sunglasses 15/15 7.13 Costa sunglasses 15/15 7.09 Cranka crab pack 15/15 6.83 Cranka crab pack 13/15 6.81 Keitech pack 15/15 6.66 Squidgies pack 15/15 6.65

Jamie McKeown won the 2019 Mercury Cup based on rankings points of Mercury owners over the 2019 Tournament Season, including the Grand Final. JANUARY 2020

2019 Getaway Outdoors and Hobie Polarized Crabulous take out top spot in Grand Final The Grand Final for the 2019 Getaway Outdoors and Hobie Polarized WA Bream Classics Boat Series unravelled in dramatic fashion, similar to that of the 2019 Kayak Series Grand Final.

for some very comfortable conditions to target bream. A rising tide and a new moon phase complemented the weather conditions, which added up to the perfect recipe for a hotly contested battle to ensue.

sparring match as they traded blows in their desire to win the Grand Final and team of the year. The way the teams went at it resembled the fight titled Rumble in The Jungle as the heavy weights of the

Travis Newland (left) and Josh Phillips (right) of Team Absolutely Crabulous show the photographer their winning bag of bream. Eighteen teams made the journey down to Albany to fish the 2019 Boat Series Grand Final, where they would battle it out for not only champion team honours, but also for the Team of The Year title. Albany can be an unpredictable part of WA when it comes to the weather, but for this weekend the weather remained relatively consistent. Partly cloudy skies, light winds and a mild 20°C each day made

The teams didn’t disappoint either. Big bream equated to big bags and this created a Grand Final riddled with twists and turns from day to day. Some teams rode a high on the first da, only to experience the lows the next day as they fell away out of contention, while other teams bounced back after an ordinary first day. Some teams backed up their performance from day to day and it was these teams that found themselves in a

WA Bream Classics Boat Series went toe-to-toe in an enthralling contest over two days. The question was, who would be the last team standing? Travis Newland and Josh Phillips from Team Absolutely Crabulous is exactly who were left standing after a contest that took every bit of their strength to get over the line and become the 2019 boat series champion team! Team Absolutely Crabulous ended

up weighing in a combined two-day total of eight bream for 6.640kg. They laid the foundations on day one by throwing OSP Bent Minnows and Razor Edge Bruce soft plastics on a 1/12oz size 2 Razor Edge jighead over the sandflats and drop-offs in the Kalgan River. This approach allowed them to sift through plenty of small bream in order to eventually connect to the larger bream that reside in the river. This included a 43 cm bream that Josh caught using a Bent Minnow, which helped anchor their day one bag of 3.40kg to have them sitting in second place by 130g. Travis and Josh were perfectly perched and ready to strike with the knockout blow. The next day, Team Absolutely Crabulous made their way to the same location that served them so well the day before. The approach and the tactics remained the same. Again they were slowly rolling Razor Edge Bruce soft plastics across the river bottom with slight wobbles of the rod to shake the lure over the sand, and this allowed

them to continue their charge for the title. The right size fish were coming to the boat consistently throughout the day, and as a result their rivals just simply couldn’t keep up. One by one they ducked, weaved and dealt blows, which dispatched the challenging teams, but they just hadn’t quite delivered the knockout blow. After two long days on the water, the mind starts to become weary. Staying focused until the very end is challenging, but it’s the key in these situations. It was literally do or die, as they both launched their lures into the water of the Kalgan River for the last time for the event. It was at this moment on the last cast that Team Absolutely Crabulous delivered the knockout blow! Josh’s Razor Edge Bruce in green pumpkin was inhaled by a bream that had their collective hearts pounding as Josh wrestled this fish to the boat, which was followed by a swift net job. And just like that, 41cm of black gold lay on the deck of their boat, as the two anglers celebrated like two prospectors that

RESULTS Place Team Name 1 Absolutely Crabulous 2 Team DG 3 Lowrance/Tackle Tactics/Temple Reef 4 Good Vibes 5 Team G 6 Ecogear/JML 7 Team Tom Tom 8 Bush Chook 9 Gladiator/Tackle HQ 10 Prime Time

had just kicked a giant gold nugget. It was gold in their eyes and that’s exactly where they found themselves on the podium. It was a moment they’ll never forget, eanring prixes that included $1200 cash and a Lowrance Elite Ti 2 sounder. Josh and Travis fought their way to victory using their tools of the trade that have been very reliable for the two. Josh Phillips used a 6’8” 2-4kg Pflueger Trion rod equipped with a 2000 size Daiwa Silverwolf reel, which was spooled with 14lb Gosen 8-ply Casting Braid. Connected to the braid was a few lengths of 4lb Yamatoya Harris Fighter fluorocarbon leader material. Travis used a 7’ 1-3 kg Atomic Arrowz rod equipped with a 2000 size Daiwa Caldia reel loaded with 10lb Daiwa J-Braid. Connected to his J-Braid Travis ran a few lengths of Sunline 4lb FC Rock fluorocarbon leader material. During the presentation Travis and Josh thanked the organisers for putting on a fantastic series and also the sponsors that got behind the series.

Skipper Co Angler Travis Newland Josh Phillips Jayden Webb Adam Smart

Fish Weight (kg) 8/8 6.64 8/8 6.15

Alex Griesdorf Peter Degroot Greg Cooper Kim McIntyre Tom Harders Paul Burton Shane Owens Josh Mcalindon

8/8 8/8 8/8 8/8 8/8 8/8 8/8 8/8

Jack Dawson Oliver Seear Oliver Sustek Ben Scott Tom Howe Tom Schuiling Steve Owens Dom Cera

Second place for DG Literally the only team to stand in the way of Team Absolutely Crabulous until the final minute of the Grand final was Jayden Webb and Adam Smart from Team DG, who weighed in combined two-day total of eight bream for 6.150kg. They fought gallantly and put together a consistent performance over the two days, by weighing in a 3.280kg bag on day one and a 2.870kg bag on day two. They also had the chance to weigh 3kg on both days, except a missed chance on a very large bream on day two denied them the feat. It may very well have denied Team DG the win as well, but at the end of the day, Jayden and Adam put in a great performance to go toe-to-toe with Team Absolutely Crabulous right up until the end. 48

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Jayden and Adam methodically worked the banks of the upper Kalgan River for both days of the tournament. Their approach consisted of throwing Smith Camion Dredge hardbodies and 2.5”Bekley Gulp Crabbies in camo colour and 2.5” ZMan Slim Swimz in motor oil along the natural banks of the upper Kalgan. Cleverly and systematically they threw Smith Camion Dredges in between snags to cover the open water and once they got to a snag they threw their soft plastic presentations. This tactic worked a treat, and the big bream gave this approach the tick of approval, which ultimately proved invaluable in their pursuit to become the champion team. Unfortunately, they fell short, but their efforts didn’t go unrewarded, with the boys winning a heap

of prizes. Jayden and Adam wouldn’t enter the ring without some quality weaponry by their side. Jayden Webb used a 7’ 1-3kg Berkley Venom rod equipped with a 1000 size Shimano Stella loaded with 14lb 8-ply Shimano Mission Complete braid. Connected to his braid he ran a few meters of 4lb Shimano Ocea fluorocarbon leader material. Adam Smart on the other hand used a 7’ 2-4 kg Shimano Duel rod matched with a 2500 sized Shimano Symetry reel loaded with 14lb 8-ply Shimano Mission Complete braid. Adam also used 4lb Shimano Ocea fluorocarbon leader line. During the presentation, Jayden and Adam both thanked the organisers for their efforts this year, and so too the series sponsors for their support.

Second place getters Jayden Webb and Adam Smart from Team DG show off the winnings from their 6.15kg bag.

5.48 5.45 5.43 5.42 5.21 4.24 4.22 3.91

WA Bream Classics Boat Series Consistencey for Lowrance/TTs/Temple Reef A podium finish is usually the type of placing Alex Greisdorf and Jack Dawson from Team Lowrance/Tackle Tactics/ Temple Reef achieve during events in Albany. The only difference is they’re normally standing on top of the podium! Their dominance in Albany over the past decade ensured they were going to be one of the teams to watch during the Grand Final. Even after a slow first day by their standards weighing in a bag of 2.4kg and finding themselves in eighth spot, they rallied on day two to weigh in the second biggest bag of 3.080kg to climb the leader board into third spot.

Alex and Jack worked a mixture of areas throughout the two days, which included sandflats, drop-offs, shallow snags and bridges. In these areas the two anglers worked 2” Berkley Bulky Hawgs, 2.5” ZMan CrawZ and also Cranka Crabs. The bridges delivered some good fish for Alex and Jack, but none of their catches during the Grand Final would compare to Alex’s 45cm bream that he caught in the middle reaches of the Kalgan River. This fish most certainly had a part to play in them achieving third spot and a stack of prizes. Alex and Jack achieved their comeback podium

finish using some quality products. Alex used a 6’10” 1-5kg Duffrod Bream Stix equipped with a 2500 size Daiwa Exist spooled with 10lb Daiwa Evo 8. Connected to his braid Alex ran a few meters of 4lb Sunline FC Rock. Jack used a 7’ 0.4-1 PE Temple Reef Grand Opus rod equipped with a 2000 sized Daiwa Sol. Spooled onto his reel was a straight through spool of 3lb Sunline FC Sniper fluorocarbon line. During the presentation Alex and Jack thanked the organisers, the series sponsors and also their own sponsor, which for Alex is Lowrance, Tackle Tactics and Getaway Outdoors. For Jack that was Temple Reef.

Plenty of winners On each day of the event one lucky angler would win $250 in cash thanks to Compleat Angler Nedlands for catching the biggest bream. Twelve bream over 40cm were weighed in at the Grand Final, so something special was needed to take home the $250 up for grabs each day. Jayden Webb produced just that, with a 45cm giant weighing 1.240kg. Alex Greisdorf took home the $250 big

bream prize on day two with a whopping 45cm bream weighing 1.310kg. The boat series Team of the Year was a hard fought race throughout the year. Team Good Vibes was leading the event after day one and as a result they lead the race for the Team of the Year title by a few points. If they managed to back up their performance from the first day and other teams in contention didn’t finish too high up the leaderboard, then the trophy was theirs.

Unfortunately for Team Good Vibes, they didn’t have a good second day and this left the door open for other teams to strike. One team that you don’t want to give a sniff to is Alex Greisdorf and Jack Dawson from Team Lowrance/ Tackle Tactics/Temple Reef. They proved why this is a bad idea, by making the necessary comeback on the second day to claim the Team of the Year title. The two anglers were very proud of this achievement

Jack Dawson and Alex Greisdorf from Team Lowrance/ Tackle Tactics/Temple Reef slid into third.

Alex Greisdorf displays his 45cm black bream caught on day two.

Tom Schuilling from Team Bush Chook tangled with this absolute cracking bream, which helped their team make a come back on day two.

given they were playing catch up for most of the year. It just goes to show that you can never write this team off. So that wraps it up for the 2019 Getaway Outdoors and Hobie Polarized WA Bream Classics Boat Series. On behalf of the WATA (West Australian Tournament Anglers) organisers

we would like to thank everyone who supported the 2019 Getaway Outdoors and Hobie Polarized WA Bream Classics series. This goes to the anglers, the individuals who helped us run the events and lastly our series sponsors. These sponsors have been invaluable to the boat series and they go by the name of

Getaway Outdoors, Hobie Polarized, Compleat Angler Nedlands, Pure Fishing, Gladiator Tackle, Tackle Tactics, Challenge Batteries, Lowrance, Daiwa, Tackle HQ, Razor Edge Lures, JML, Duffrods and Whiteys Tackle. Get ready for a bigger and better 2020 boat series!! JANUARY 2020

2019 Getaway Outdoors and Hobie Polarized Ben Oakes stands firm at Kayak Grand Final It needs to be asked, which was hotter? The weather or the competition? We will let you decide, that but one thing is for sure, the 2019 Getaway Outdoors and

The leader board over the course of the two was like a yo-yo and the finish couldn’t have been any tighter! Anglers experienced the highs and lows of

raising the temperature to 40°C on the first day. Anglers sweltered under the conditions, but the anglers still pushed on and caught plenty of fish.

Ben Oakes holds his three fish for the camera that won him the 2019 kayak series Grand Final. Hobie Polarized WA Bream Classics Kayak Series Grand Final had everything you could want for a grand final show down.

tournament fishing and the merciless weather conditions that Mother Nature can deliver. A hot northeasterly breeze swept across Perth,

Brett Dowsett made sure everyone stayed hydrated by taking his boat out on the water and offering cold water to anglers in need.

This may have quenched their thirst for water, but the anglers’ thirst for the title of being the 2019 champion wasn’t going to stop until the end of the second day. Plenty of anglers weighed in bags that set them up for a day two assault. Thankfully, the weather on day two was a lot more tolerable. Overcast skies, a moderate northwesterly breeze and a maximum temperature of 26°C ensured the anglers only had to worry about one thing, and that was catching the right size bream needed to either back up their day one performance or make a charge to perform the comeback necessary to win the 2019 Grand Final. Did this happen? You bet it did, and this is when the twists and turns really began! Yet through a whirlwind of twists and turns, the highs and the lows, an angler would rise to the challenge and become the champion angler for the 2019 Getaway Outdoors and Hobie Polarized WA Bream Classics Kayak Series. Battling his way through searing heat, a day one deficit of 270g and the 2017 Hobie National Champion biting at his ankles on day two, Ben Oakes withstood everything the event had to throw at him to claim championship honours for 2019. Ben won’t have to worry about his fingernails scratching his trophy, because he wouldn’t have any left after a nail-biting finish that saw himself and

the second placed angler both weigh-in a two-day combined total of six fish for 3.61kg. Yes, that’s right, the top two anglers had tied! But there still had to be a winner and this was resolved by awarding the angler who caught the biggest bream over the course of the two days. Ben Oakes’ 750g bream that he caught on day one saw him edge ahead in the tightest of finishes we have seen in a WA Bream Classics Series Grand Final! After a poor pre-fish upriver, Ben Oakes decided to concentrate his efforts on areas that featured sand flats downriver of the launch site. On both days Ben travelled downriver to the Belmont ski area and would work his way around the bend to the Windan Bridge. His approach on day one consisted of throwing Ecogear SX40 Long Cast hardbodies along with 2.5” ZMan Slim SwimZ in the bloodworm colour over the sand flats. The technique was slow rolling both of these lures along the bottom of the flats to imitate baitfish and shrimps scurrying across the sand. To achieve this technique, Ben used 1/16oz Razor Edge Jig Heads painted in the Red Bug colour in order to maintain contact with the bottom as he slow rolled his plastic with small twitches thrown in. This technique enabled Ben to weigh-in 1.71kg on day one, which saw him in

fourth place, 270g behind the day one leader, John Sorrel who weighed in a 2.08kg bag. Ben was positioned nicely to strike for gold on day two. He couldn’t just hope that those ahead of him had lousy days, he had to catch the fish that gave himself every opportunity to win the event and he did exactly that. Once again, Ben headed to the same region, but this time he chose to throw only ZMan Slim SwimZ in the bloodworm colour due to the success he had on this lure on the first day. Once again Ben went to town on the bream and delivered what was needed to take out the event. Eclipsing his effort on the first day, Ben Oakes weighed in the second largest bag over the course of the grand final, weighing 1.90kg, to claim victory. Ben also claimed a cool $1000 and a Power Pole Micro Anchor for his stellar achievement. Ben weaved his magic using a 7’9” 1-5lb Daiwa Gekkabijin rod equipped with a 2505F Daiwa Aegis reel. Spooled onto his Daiwa Aegis reel was 3lb Sunline FC Sniper fluorocarbon line that he used a straight through set up. During the presentation Ben thanked the organisers for putting together an enjoyable kayak series, the series sponsors and also Whiteys Tackle for the support they’ve given him over the years.

Paul Burton falls short So close but no cigar is the best way to describe the conclusion to Paul Burtons Grand Final after tying with Ben Oakes, but narrowly missing out on the win. It was only a few weeks ago that Ben Oakes and Paul Burton were both sharing the spoils of winning a boat series qualification round together on the Blackwood River. Yet, it goes to show how quickly things can change as the two anglers were now locking horns in their pursuit to become the champion angler. As the result suggested, things were neck and neck right up until the very end. This also translated to how they approached both days on the water. Just like Ben Oakes, Paul Burton fished the flats in Belmont on both days and slowly rolled 50

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ZMan Slim SwimZ in the bloodworm colour over the sand using a 1/12oz Gamakatsu Round 25 jighead. After day one, Paul Burton found himself in third position with a bag weight of three fish for 1.72kg, just 10g in front of Ben. Paul relied on his tactic to win the 2017 Hobie National Championship by going back to the same areas and repeating what he did on the previous day. So with that Paul ventured back to Belmont and systematically worked a sandflat, which worked for him so well on the first day. After what was a very entertaining day, Paul enjoyed an even better day than he did on day one. Just like Ben did. Literally nothing could separate the two anglers and not even the weigh-in could do the trick. Paul weighed in three fish for 1.89kg, which was 10g less than Ben Oakes’ day two bag.

Sure enough, things were tied and fishing’s version of a penalty shoot-out had to be applied in the form of a count back on who caught the biggest bream between the two tied anglers. Unfortunately, Paul Burton was denied victory but he wasn’t denied $750 cash, a Lowrance Hook2 7 Tripleshot sounder and a bag full of sponsor provided products for coming second. Paul consistently performs on the big stage and the gear he uses to help him do so is a GLoomis GL2 2-6lb rod equipped with a 2500 Shimano Ci4 Stradic. Spooled onto his reel was 14lb Gosen Casting braid and tied to the end of the braid Paul ran a few meters of 3lb Chinu Harris Fighter Yamatoya fluorocarbon leader material. During the presentation Paul thanked the organisers for putting on a great series and also the series sponsors.

Paul Burton wishes at least one of these bream ate something extra for breakfast after tying with Ben Oakes for first but missing out on the countback.

WA Bream Classics Kayak Series Shane Owens takes out third podium spot Rounding out the podium in third place was Shane Owens who weighed in a two-day combined bag of 3.2kg. Shane was a considerable margin from giving the top two a scare by the end of day two, but on the flip side, he wasn’t waiting nervously during the weigh-in to see if he had won or not. Belmont was the flavour of the event given the fact that Shane also headed to Belmont for both days of the event. Yet unlike the top two placed anglers, Shane found that a change of tactic from one day to the next was needed for him to catch the fish he needed to place well. On day one Shane slow rolled soft plastics along

the bottom of the sand flats with erratic twitches thrown in. Not pausing during his retrieve was the key to this technique, because it helped the fish hone in on the lure in the dirty water. After day one Shane was sitting in fifth place with a bag of three bream for 1.62kg. The next day, Shane couldn’t buy a bite on soft plastics, so he opted to use an Ecogear SX40 in the vampire colour. Once he made the switch, Shane enjoyed an action packed day and despite not catching any real monsters, he still caught bream big enough to see him move from fifth to third place. Some luck catching a couple of handy upgrades late in the second

day certainly attributed to his podium finish. Shane Owens took home $500 cash, a Duffrod and a bag of sponsor provided products. Shane achieved third place using a 6’8” 1-3 kg Gladiator Pysborg rod equipped with a Daiwa 2000 Freams LT spooled with 14lb Gosen Casting braid. Connected to his braid, Shane ran a few meters of Gosen Tiny FC 4lb fluorocarbon leader. During the event presentation, Shane thanked his fellow organisers for being a great team to work with, the series sponsors, everyone for supporting the event and also his own sponsors Gladiator Tackle and Tackle HQ.

Shane Owens produced decent-sized bream like these each day to climb into third spot. RESULTS

The 2019 Kayak Series Angler of the Year, Alex Greisdorf.

Place

Name

Fish

Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Ben Oakes Paul Burton Shane Owens Peter DeGroot Joseph Gardner Sean Higgins John Sorrel Alex Greisdorf Stuart McCarthy Travis Newland

6/6 6/6 6/6 6/6 6/6 6/6 6/6 6/6 6/6 5/6

3.61 3.61 3.20 3.01 2.98 2.86 2.81 2.73 2.60 2.55

Top winners On both days of competition there was a $250 big bream prize up for grabs. On the first day, Brendon Knowles took home the $250 for his 990g bream and on day two it was Peter DeGroot who won the big bream prize for his 770g bream. The 2019 Angler of the Year was a one horse race from start to finish, which is testament to the consistency shown by Alex Greisdorf who took out the AOY honors with a score of 388 from a possible 400 points. His results throughout the year was third place in the first round, third place in the second round, second place in the third round and eighth in the grand final.

So that wraps things up for the 2019 Getaway Outdoors and Hobie Polarized WA Bream Classics Kayak Series. On behalf of West Australian Tournament Anglers, we would like to thank our sponsors for getting behind the series to help us deliver a tournament series of professional standard for the anglers of WA to enjoy. These sponsors are Getaway Outdoors, Hobie Polarized, Compleat Angler, Gladiator Tackle, JML, Lowrance, Daiwa, Whiteys Tackle, Tackle HQ, Duffrods, Challenge Batteries, Pure Fishing and Razor Edge Lures. We also like to thank everyone for supporting the series this year for without your support and

The Grand Final field of anglers ready to hit the water in their pursuit for the honours of being the 2019 Kayak Series champion and Angler of The Year. the sponsors support, the tournament series simply cannot exist. We will also be releasing

the 2020 calendar soon and strive to make the 2020 series an even better series than 2019.

Congratulations again to Ben Oakes, our 2019 Kayak Series champion! Also to Alex Greisdorf, our

2019 Kayak Series Angler of the Year! We hope to see everyone again in 2020! JANUARY 2020

Kitting out for kayak fishing BRISBANE

Justin Willmer Find me on Facebook at Yaks On

Summer is a time when many anglers buy their first kayak. Kayak fishing is a great sport because it’s inexpensive, you can launch anywhere, keep it as simple as you like, and catch some quality fish. Some of my biggest fish have come from my smallest and most basic kayak. Over the coming months I have a few adventure articles planned, however I will also be getting down to the nuts and bolts of kayak fit-out in more detail, including installing a sounder to my small kayak, along with fitting out rod holders and lights, and looking into more detail on kayak storage and transportation. To kick things off though, let’s take a look at the gear that I carry in my small and large kayaks. Hopefully this will assist you in selecting items to make your adventures safer and more comfortable, and ultimately help you catch more fish. Yaks on! 1. LIFEJACKET The first on any list would be a PFD (personal flotation device) or lifejacket. Ensure you have a quality, comfortable and well-fitted PFD and, more importantly, wear it! I am a capable swimmer, but I still wear one. For years I have worn an inflatable PFD for

The author prefers not to use flushmounted rod holders, as they keep the reels close to the water. These combos are safely stored at the front of the kayak. paddling. It also lets you focus on the fishing, rather than your sore butt! 3. PADDLE If you’re purchasing a package there may be an opportunity to upgrade the paddle, and it’s probably worth doing. Alternatively, if you already have a kayak with a cheaper paddle, and you’re enjoying kayak fishing, you can look at upgrading your paddle down the track. Cheap paddles often have alloy shafts, which can be heavy and transfer cold through your hands, while a fibreglass shaft is lighter and more comfortable. Cheap paddles often also have basic plastic blades that are less efficient due to their shape, and power is lost when the blades

An accessory float is ideal for keeping landing nets and other accessories from sinking. freedom of movement and comfort. However with the development in the design of foam-filled PFDs, including mesh backs, better distribution of bulk, lighter and more compact materials, quality zips and accessory pockets, I will be looking to change up to these. When it comes to safety, they are the ultimate. 2. SEAT I still see kayak anglers out paddling and fishing without a quality, well-padded and supportive seat… or a seat at all! A quality seat allows you to be more comfortable, spend more time on the water, have more support and power when 52

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flex. Fibreglass-infused plastic blades, along with some of the more techy plastics, are much more durable and rigid. Carbon fibre is another option and one that is often preferred by ocean paddlers looking for the ultimate in rigidity and weight savings when covering distance. However for the river, estuary and impoundment paddler who is battling rocks, logs and other structure, the price and fragility of carbon fibre is probably not desirable. 4. WATER I always carry more water than I think I’ll need. I carry it in a vacuum-sealed flask so

that even when it’s warm in the sun, the water inside the bottle is still cool and can keep me cool and refreshed, even when I’m covered head-to-toe in sun protection clothing. It’s much better than a single-use

sun angle. A decent pair of polarised sunglasses will allow you to fish longer and make your sessions more enjoyable, and often more productive. When I want a photo without them, I push them up on my head, with the head sock securing them, or push them onto my leg. Other anglers prefer to use retaining leashes or clips to secure their sunglasses. The important thing is to have a plan, otherwise you will be looking for them, hear a splash and then watch them sink! On extended adventures I carry a spare pair in a dry bag inside the hull of my kayak, along with the first-aid kit and other bits and pieces. 7. TROLLEY A trolley is a handy accessory, allowing you to set up the kayak and wheel it to and from the water ready to go, rather than carrying the kayak to the water and then carting

Everything within reach, including sounder, tools, rod storage and icebox. I now have complete piece of mind that no components of the trolley can separate and end up in the water, with the trolley also attached by bungee cord. My larger kayak has a specifically designed trolley to suit it, however even this trolley has been retrofitted with C-Tug wheels.

8. LANDING NET A landing net makes landing and handling fish simpler and safer. As kayak fishing has grown in popularity, the range of ‘kayak’ nets has increased, and there are now several quality options for anglers. I prefer a shorthandled net, which I stow in a rear, flush-mount rod holder

The layout of the author’s large kayak. plastic bottle. I add a few ice cubes to the bottle too, as it helps to keep me going in warm weather. In the big yak my water bottle sits behind my seat or tucked under the front of the seat, while in the small yak it rests in the bottle holder between my legs. 5. SUNSCREEN/SUN PROTECTION Don’t forget the sunscreen, and don’t forget to put it on your legs if you’re wearing shorts! I always apply sunscreen before I venture out fishing, and I reapply throughout the day, keeping the sunscreen handy. In my large yak, I store the sunscreen in the mesh side pocket, and in the small yak I keep it tucked in behind my seat or stowed in my tackle dry bag. Sun protection clothing is a big part of kayak fishing, and there are many options to cover you head to toe, while keeping you warm, cool or dry. 6. SUNGLASSES Sunglasses aren’t just for protecting your eyes from the sun; sunnies also protect your eyes from branches, flying lures and other objects, while cutting glare and increasing your chances of spotting fish. In a kayak we are often low to the water, making it more difficult to see what is in the water, due to glare and

gear back and forth. The C-Tug trolley is a standout for me, with its durable, corrosionresistant materials, wheels that don’t require inflation, and the ability to dismantle it and stow it inside your hatch. I carry a bungee strap (occy strap) to secure the trolley to the rear of my smaller kayak while fishing. When I secure the trolley on the back of the kayak I also take the strap that’s designed to hold the kayak on the trolley, and I feed this through each wheel and the two top sections of the trolley, then do the strap up.

on my small yak or beside the seat in my large yak, both within easy reach. If you’re using a short handled net, remember to leave enough line out of the end of the rod to guide a fish in. Some anglers prefer long-handled nets, however I find that when stowed in a rear flush-mount rod holder they can be in the way when casting, and they also act as a sail in windy conditions. Rubber net material is ideal because hooks and lures rarely tangle in this material. It’s also less likely to snag on other items in the kayak, it

passes through the water easily and protects the slime coat on the fish. In the past I leashed the net to the kayak, but when landing and handling fish the leash tangled with rods, lines, other leashes. Moreover, leashing a net to your kayak creates a potential tangling risk for the angler should anything go wrong and you end up in the water. Instead, I now attach an accessory float that will save the net should it be dropped into the water, while allowing much more freedom of movement with the net, and minimal tangling.

The big rig fitted with everything within easy reach.

9. LIP GRIPS Lip grips make it safer and easier to handle fish for photos, release and transfer to the icebox. My lip grips are leashed to the kayak on a retractable leash that is long enough to reach comfortably to the water on either side of the kayak. Better quality lip grips are especially important when handling larger fish that can twist and open cheap grips. These are another accessory worth spending more money on if you plan on doing a lot of kayak fishing. 10. PLIERS I often don’t carry pliers when fishing soft plastics as I am dealing with a single hook that makes handling and removal simple. As soon as treble hooks are involved though, I carry pliers. It’s safety first when multiple hook points are flying around attached to an angry fish. A net, lip grips and pliers should see you avoiding those trebles. I keep my pliers leashed

An anchor and running rig or anchor trolley can make fishing easier in the wind and current. 13. RULER Don’t forget your local rules and regulations in terms of size and bag limits, along with a ruler to measure your catch, be it for keeping track of PBs or keeping a fish for a feed. Some anglers prefer a roll-up mat style of measuring device, which can be stowed

foreign odours, such as fuel and sunscreen. I like to apply scent every 30 or so casts and after catching a fish, which means I need to keep the tube handy. In my larger kayak I stow the scent within easy reach in a mesh side pocket or in the accessory tray in front of me, while in the smaller kayak I stow it

in the drink holder, tucked in the space under my legs or in one of the many pockets of my long fishing pants. 15. ROD HOLDERS In my smaller kayak I have two rear flush-mount rod holders and another two in front of me. However, on the whole I’m not a fan of flush-mount rod holders as I believe your reels are too close to the water. I have also seen a few rod combos lifted out of the rear ones with the paddle, and lost while paddling the kayak. If you want to use flush-mount rod holders, I recommend keeping an eye on how wet the reels are getting, while also attaching leashes to the combos. In my smaller kayak I lay my two rod combos in front of me, and in my larger kayak I have created and attached a 4-rod holder unit using Railblaza mounts and accessories. Railblaza adjustable rod holders allow you to slide a lock around

I use a Deeper mobile sounder that clamps onto the kayak and connects to my mobile phone as a head unit (screen). There are plenty of videos and articles out there about mounting sounders, and I will also be mounting a sounder to the small kayak in a future issue, outlining options such as in-hull transducer and external mounting options.

On the smaller kayak I generally drift or anchor in the shallows, and have the anchor tied to the front handle, with a short second rope tied with a loop around the main anchor rope and then back to a side handle. I can simply pull on this rope to bring the anchor rope back to me and then retrieve the anchor. 19. ANCHORING An anchoring device can be a good option for holding

The C-Tug trolley makes for an easy trip to and from the water. It can be strapped on the back or dismantled and stowed in a hatch. 17. ICEBOX Regardless of the size of my kayak, I always attach an icebox, using the rear well and bungee or tie-down straps to secure it in place. An icebox allows you to take a feed and cold drinks out, or bring a feed home in the best condition. I either use a zip-lock bag containing a couple of ice bricks or a couple of frozen bottles of water to keep things cool, washing and reusing the

The layout of the author’s small kayak. to an attachment point or attach an accessory float. 11. SNIPS/SCISSORS Don’t forget your scissors or snips for rigging. I carry a Boomerang Tool Retractable Line Snip as I can attach this with my lip grips and it has its own retractable cord. If you have a drink bottle holder on your kayak, this may be your go-to place for storing snips and other bits and pieces. 12. DRY BAG OF TACKLE Over the years I have stowed my tackle trays, tackle and plastics in a variety of different storage devices, however in recent times I have found a dry bag to be the simplest. I load in a couple of small tackle trays, a dozen packets of plastics, leader and other accessories, and roll the top closed, leaving enough air to float it should it end up in the water. You can tuck a dry bag behind the seat, in the rear well, under some bungee, use its locking clips to clip it somewhere, or pretty much stow it anywhere out of the way. I use a Sea 2 Summit dry bag as they are quality, keep the gear dry and they are white inside, which makes it much easier to find what you’re after, including a particular colour soft plastic.

when not required, and rolled out and dampened prior to use, to protect the slime coat on the fish. I prefer a plastic ruler as it is less prone to being blown around in the wind. I use either a 40cm model, which covers me for a flathead’s minimum size in QLD, or a folding version if I’m after more length. This ruler is either leashed to the kayak or has an accessory float attached so that it floats if lost overboard. 14. SCENT I am a big believer in applying scent to my lures to attract fish and trigger strikes, while also masking

A portable sounder, like those from Deeper, is a good option for smaller kayaks.

The little yak rigged and ready. to secure the combo in the holder. In the future I will be fitting out my smaller kayak with rod holders, and will write an article on the process. 16. SOUNDER As you explore deeper water your sounder will become your eyes under the water, assisting you in locating depth, structure, bait and fish. On my larger kayak I have a sounder and transducer mounted using Railblaza mounts and accessories. On the smaller kayak, if I require a sounder,

water bottles to minimise my impact on the environment. 18. ANCHOR RUNNING RIG I have an anchor running rig fitted on the larger kayak. It consists of a pulley on the front and rear of the kayak, with a loop of cord running between them and then a tag line running off this loop to which the anchor line is attached. This allows me to easily slide the anchoring point from the front to the rear of the kayak, or anywhere in between to control the drift or anchoring angle, when it is safe to do so.

position, especially if the wind is blowing or there is a bit of current. A safety note when anchoring: be careful not to get side-on too much in wind or current when your anchor grabs. Also, when retrieving an anchor, be prepared for it to suddenly release from the bottom. Anchoring options include an anchor, grab anchor, stakeout pole, sea anchor (drogue/drift chute) and more. You will find articles and videos on each of these options, and we will look at breaking them down in more detail in a future article. I generally carry a Cooper poly anchor, as it is lightweight (weighted in the point), plastic and grabs well in the bottom that I generally fish, which is weed, mud and sand. If you’re offshore or in heavy current, a length of chain and reef anchor are a good alternative. Other aspects to consider when getting into kayak include visibility, such as a brightly coloured kayak, flag, paddle, icebox or clothing, along with lighting if you’re paddling in darkness. Basic survival equipment and a first aid kit are other items that I also often include in my kit, depending on the adventure. After 35 years of fishing from a kayak, this is the setup that I have found to be the safest, most comfortable and most productive. I’m sure that over time this will evolve further, however for now I hope this has inspired you to consider how your kayak is kitted out next time you are out fishing, or maybe add an extra piece of gear or two that improves your experience. See you on the water. JANUARY 2020

Trades, Services, Charter BAIT & TACKLE

DONGARA & GERALDTON Dongara Sport & Tackle Dongara (08) 9927 1196

METRO

Geraldton Sports Centre (08) 9921 3664

Castaway Tackle Malaga (08) 9248 3800 Earlybird Bait Rockingham (08) 9527 3333 Gun-Mart & Tackle Midvale (08) 9274 5699

Getaway Outdoors Geraldton (08) 9965 3766

CARNARVON Carnarvon Tackle & Marine (08) 9941 4161

TackleHQ Kingsley (08) 9309 4200 WA Bait Supply O’Connor (08) 9314 1755 Tackle West Beckenham (08) 9350 6278

KALBARRI

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

BOAT HIRE BlueSun2 Boat Charters Ardross 0405 353 353 Boating West O’Connor 0429 887 798 Boat Hire Perth Mindarie 0403 095 868

Bluewater Tackle Mindarie (08) 9407 9766 Bluewater Tackle World Joondalup (08) 6244 0344 Bluewater Tackle World Morley (08) 9375 9800

FISHING GUIDES/CHARTERS Achievement Charters Fremantle 0418 655 188 Apache Charters South Fremantle (08) 9339 2432

Bluewater Tackle World Myaree (08) 9330 7766

Black Jack Charters Bandy Creek 0429 106 960

Compleat Angler Nedlands (08) 9389 1337

Blue Horizon Fishing Charters Exmouth 08) 9949 1620

Dawe’s Bait & Tackle Mandurah (08) 9534 6661

Blue Juice Charters (08) 9401 4666

Fishing WA Pro Tackle Wangara (08) 9409 2253

Diversity Bluewater Adventures Exmouth Exmouth 0488 009 989

Hillarys Boat & Tackle Hillarys (08) 9401 4331 Sportsmarine Bunbury (08) 9721 4961 Tackle World Miami (08) 9534 5533

Duke Charters Condingup (08) 9076 6223 Esperance Diving And Fishing Esperance (08) 9071 5111

Tim’s Tackle Plus Bassendean (08) 6161 0044

Evolution Fishing Charters 0477 901 445

Anglers Fishing World South Fremantle (08) 9433 4768

Fly Fishing Frontiers Exmouth 0427 366 142 Great Southern Discovery Albany 0455 105 127

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

(08) 9433 4768 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

Jazz Charters Fremantle 0433 521 297 Kalbarri land Based fishing Carters 0418930695 Mills Charters Hillarys (08) 9246 5334 Perth Fishing Safaris 0422 686 363 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 FAD’s Squiding and Whiting Crayfish (craypots) and Whiting Deepwater Wrecks / Samson Fish

Departs Fremantle

Bookings/Enquiries 0407 259 399 Tailored Treks - Lancelin 0427 941 126

Albany Rods & Tackle (08) 9841 1231

Top Gun Charters EXMOUTH 0418 925 131

Trailblazers Albany (08) 9841 7859

West End Charters Winthrop WA 6150 (08) 9332 4303

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

ONLINE TACKLE PRODUCTS FG Wizz 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 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

Port Bouvard Charters Wannanup 0477 347 465

Demersal / Reef Fish Exclusive Fishing Charter Deep Drop

ESPERANCE

HOPETOUN – BREMER BAY

Kalbarri Sports & Dive (08) 9937 1126

EXMOUTH

Baitmate-Bricap Wangara (08) 9309 5474

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

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. 54

JANUARY 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 – CERVANTES Branchys Holiday Homes Guilderton (08) 9577 1321 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

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A layman’s look at propellers PART II BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

As we discussed in last month’s issue, there’s far more to buying a prop than just putting one on and seeing how the boat performs.

affected propeller design. These engines need to run at very specific RPMs for maximum longevity, which means that propellers are now pitched in far smaller increments than they used to be. This caters for the need to adequately match the 4-stroke engine’s torque curve. This also raises the

sports or when the engine is fitted to a larger craft with extra weight around the transom area. Interestingly, a 4-blade unit can often run faster, and more economically, at mid-range rpm than a 3-blade prop! This is significant because many anglers prefer to run their rigs at mid-range revs in

the correct operating range. In some instances a poorly handling craft will improve markedly if you switch to a 4-blade prop, but for most of our lightweight fishing rigs and runabouts, a 3-blade propeller is the go. STAINLESS STEEL OR ALLOY Now comes the controversial question: stainless steel vs alloy. Both materials have their own advantages and disadvantages. In years past, alloy was able to be tweaked into more complex shapes than stainless steel. However, modern manufacturing techniques have largely overcome this alloy advantage. Alloy props are cheaper and available for virtually every boating situation these days, and can be

Three-blade alloy props are cheap and versatile. This old stager has done some work but still does the job. instance). However, the material is not so capable of withstanding bumps and knocks. A boat that is going to be used frequently

The right propeller on the right rig is an awesome combination. Last month we looked at diameter (the overall size of the blade as measured tip to tip), as well as pitch (the theoretical distance the propeller will move the boat with one revolution). The

question of whether a 3-blade or 4-blade prop is the best one for a given task. Generally, 3-blade props are more common because they are available in more size ranges and cost less

the pursuit of economy, especially if they are travelling long distances. It’s often the case, too, that a 4-blade prop might keep a larger, heavier boat planing at less speed and RPM than a 3-blade counterpart. A 4-blade prop will often have a smaller diameter for the same pitch as a 3-blade prop, so if you switch from a 3-blade to a 4-blade you might see the pitch decrease by 1-2”. This will ensure that the engine’s rpm remains in

Although not as common as 3-blade propellers, a 4-blade prop can make a big difference to some boats. formed into some pretty dynamic shapes to get that bit more performance from a given size (by cupping the tips of the blades, for

around hard or shallow ground, or in stumpriddled impoundments, will likely not have an alloy prop stay in shape

Sheer strength is the strong point with stainless propellers. Look at the thickness of those blades! ideal propeller has the correct diameter, plus a pitch that will keep the engine in its most favourable operating range while maintaining a chosen speed. The engine should be running at factory-specified RPMs at full throttle, not overw or under-revving. While it’s true that blade area gets the boat going, it’s pitch that gives the desired momentum. THREE BLADES OR FOUR? The proliferation of 4-stroke engines has 56

JANUARY 2020

than 4-blade models. They also frequently provide a higher top speed, but let’s not write off the 4-blade prop just yet; 4-blade props usually provide more thrust and very smooth cruising performance. Also, 4-blade propellers can provide more lift at the stern because of the additional bite created by the extra blade. This is an important factor to be considered when pulling very hard from start up, as is the norm with tow

As the water levels go down, the stumps and submerged obstacles come up! The best plan to avoid damage to props and/or gear boxes is to keep the speed down.

as readily as a stainless one with its thicker, stronger blades. It doesn’t take much of a ding to deform an alloy prop, and I speak with some experience here! Stainless steel is far more able to withstand a few dings or nicks without malformation. That said, if a boat running a stainless prop happens to collide with a rock or big stump at higher engine revs, the prop might well survive the impact but shortly afterwards the gear box might start making noises that cost a lot of money to eliminate. Repairs can cost far more than replacement of a prop. Luckily, many propeller manufacturers these days incorporate a very strong splined rubber bush in the prop’s hub to safeguard the gearbox by shock absorption of any impact on the blades, as the boat is put into or out of gear, or from an impact. An alternative is just to swing an alloy prop and keep a spare on board. Alloy props can cost around half as a much as stainless ones, which means you can keep a replacement alloy prop on board for emergencies. The choice comes down to what your plans are for your new rig. Tell the dealer what you’ll mainly use the boat for, the expected performance and terrain. This should result in the right propeller, as per the dealer’s judgement, on your rig from day one. LOOK AFTER THAT PROP! Take care to respect the propeller at all times. Careful inspection is essential after any impact to avoid vibration or possible gear box damage at a later time. A damaged prop will also reduce performance considerably. While minor scuffs or imperfections can be easily filed out of alloy, it’s much harder with stainless steel, and should be left to a professional.

WHAT’S NEW BOATING

PRODUCT GUIDE

FOULFREE TRANSDUCER COATING 1

SILENT TORQEEDO 1103

Propspeed has created a revolutionary foulrelease coating designed specifically for transducers: Foulfree. Designed by industry-leading engineers and designated by Airmar as a certified transducer coating, Foulfree releases marine growth, reducing the maintenance needed to keep transducers clean and streamlining water flow. Fouling on the face of transducers can reduce their sensitivity, bottom-echo returns and positive fish targets. Transducers also perform best with minimal turbulence over their surface during operation. Foulfree is a specialized foul-release coating that is biocide-free and does not poison marine growth. Once cured, Foulfree forms a super-slippery surface over the transducer, preventing marine growth from attaching to its surface. Offering a long service life – it lasts a minimum of 12 months. www.oceanmax.com

With its integrated lithium battery and its outstanding efficiency, the Torqeedo Travel is equivalent to a small petrol outboard. The newest Travel model is the 1103, which features direct drive, making the motor almost completely silent. The 1103 is completely waterproof (IP67), has an instant throttle response, and an on-board computer with GPS-based calculation of speed and remaining range. This information can also be accessed via your smartphone. The Travel 1103 is virtually maintenance free and comes with a 915Wh battery for increased range. It can be recharged from normal household power, from your boat’s 12V battery, or from a foldable solar charger (sold separately), even while underway. The overall weight is 13kg, and the motor can be easily disassembled into three parts (motor, battery and tiller). To get a sense of just how quiet the 1103 is, search for ‘Fishing Monthly’ on YouTube to see our boat show video. www.powerequipment.com.au

RAILBLAZA RODRAK

The Railblaza RodRak is an expandable fishing rod storage system for hanging your rods from any vertical or horizontal surface. This kit will hold two fishing rods inside the gunwale, under the cabin roof, on the shed or garage walls, or any other place you can screw into. The hooks can be installed standalone, or joined together. If needed you can add a 4mm bungee cord (not supplied) as a retention band. RodRaks are made from UV stabilised, fibreglass reinforced engineering plastics with stainless steel fasteners. Features include: soft flexible inserts protect handle and tip, and allow fast and easy stow/ removal; rod handle size from 2.5-3.8cm diameter; stackable for multiple rods; suits vertical or horizontal surfaces; made from UV stabilised, fibreglass reinforced engineering polymers and stainless screws; fits all rod lengths; and available in white or black. The kit comes with 2 x handle end hooks, 2 x tip end hooks, 4 x hook inserts and 8 x stainless steel screws. Price: SRP approx. $35 www.railblaza.com

GARMIN GPSMAP 86I

The Garmin GPSMAP 86i is a premium handheld that has wireless connectivity, making it a virtual extension of your onboard marine system. The 86i is water resistant, floats and has a sunlight-readable 3” display. It lets you stream boat data from compatible chartplotters and instruments, and stay in touch with inReach satellite communication and two-way text messaging via the global Iridium satellite network (subscription required). It also functions as a remote control for Garmin autopilot and select Fusion products. The 86i supports BlueChart g3 charts, and its adjustable GPS filter smooths speed and heading indications over swells. You can track and share your journey, and, if necessary, trigger an interactive SOS. You can also receive marine weather forecasts directly on your device. A worldwide basemap is preloaded, and there’s the option to add BlueChart g3 coastal charts. You can also sync the 86i with the Garmin Explore portal and app. GPSMAP 86i offers Wi-Fi connectivity, ANT+ and Bluetooth. Its internal, rechargeable lithium battery provides up to 35 hours of battery life in 10-minute tracking mode2. www.garmin.com

STANDARD HORIZON GX1400

The GX1400 Marine VHF Transceiver is ultra compact, measuring just 156 x 61 x 100mm. Its slim rear case allows for greater mounting flexibility in tight spaces. Constructed with an advanced rugged diecast chassis, this 25W VHF radio has a host of features, including: meets Class D DSC (Digital Selective Calling); radio controls on the microphone; E2O Easy to Operate icon/menu system; oversized full dot matrix display (31mm x 55mm) with new brighter backlight for better contrast; built-in separate receiver for CH70 (receiving DSC calls); DSC test call and auto DSC channel change selection; GPS position and time shown on a full-dot matrix display when connected to a GPS receiver; NMEA in and output connections to a compatible GPS chart plotter; programmable soft keys; automatically poll the GPS position of up to six ships using DSC; submersible IPX8 waterproof rating (1.5m for 30 minutes); preset key used to recall up to 10 favourite channels; and programmable scan, priority scan, and dual watch. Price: approx. SRP $295 www.standardhorizon.com

STABICRAFT 1850 FISHER

Stabicraft’s new 1850 Fisher has more beam, more stability, more space, more bow access, more fuel capacity, and more choice in package configurations. There are now multiple 1850 Fisher packages to suit different styles of boating. Each package has varying specifications and multiple options, allowing you to customise to your preference, whether fishing with the kids, or heading offshore with your mates. The new 1850 Fisher range has EPAcompliant fuel tanks, which carry up to a huge 150L of fuel – more than its predecessor and one of the best in its size class. The biggest upgrade though is space. The new Wide Body hull gives boaters much more cabin and deck space plus more stability and on the water performance. It provides a safe and stable platform for anglers and families alike. The walk-through windscreen, as well as increasing visibility and cockpit space, opens up crucial access to the bow. It creates an ideal loading, un-loading, casting and anchoring point. For more information see the Stabicraft website or contact your nearest dealer. stabicraft.com

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

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JANUARY 2020

Stessco 620 Albacore with Yamaha 200hp 4-stroke - SC

TENT -

RE ONLINE MO

CON

AN THE

toward the stern will negate the need for extra eskies. The large console also allowed for plenty of dry storage. Overall the ride was very smooth, and the boat handled extremely well and felt stable on the turns. Given the day we had and the centre console configuration of the boat, we did get a bit wet, but if you drove more sensibly than we

DE FOR EX

BRISBANE

Bob Thornton

It’s rare enough that I get to leave the office to test such a big, bad-ass boat, but even rarer that mother nature dishes out some conditions to adequately test it in! Stessco never cease to amaze me by just how many types of boaters they can cater to. From decked out tinnies and jon boats for fishing ponds, to sleek, tournament-ready fishing machines, to familyfriendly runabouts, and all the way to comfortable offshore rigs for the most serious of anglers – they literally do have it all. This time round we were testing out a boat in the latter category, the 620 Albacore, the biggest in its series. This premium fishing rig, with its hi-tech fit-outs, big T-top and dual-axle trailer was a tad intimidating at first, however after a quick tour courtesy of Stessco’s Lance Warren, it was clear to me that this boat was built with the serious offshore angler in mind! A QUICK LOOK Having a quick walk around, Lance told me that this is the largest of the Albacore series, at 6.55m long, with the others coming in at 5.9, 5.6 and 5.42m. “The Albacore series of boats was one of the first boats the Stessco name branded as a centre console sea-going boat, so it’s one of the original Stessco boats,” he explained. And with it being one of SPECIFICATIONS Length (mm) ....... 6550 Beam (mm) ......... 2480 Depth (mm)......... 1480 Bottom sides (mm) .. 5 Top sides (mm) ......... 4 Max. HP ................ 200 Transom height .....25” Max. people.............. 6 58

JANUARY 2020

VERDICT There are many specific boats on the market for very specialised purposes, and sometimes even singular species. This version of the 620 Albacore is the perfect boat for someone who wants to fish offshore but not limit their fishing to only a few species. This is truly a ‘jack of all trades’ offshore boat. Whether

PERFORMANCE

Main: With four aboard and the hammers down, this big offshore machine was in its element. Above: The Yamaha F200hp was extremely quiet, even while cruising. the originals, it’s clear Stessco have had a long time to modify and perfect the fit-out and design, culminating in a boat that is, as Lance puts it, “tough as nails.” This latest version of the well-proven workhorse is tougher than before, with thicker plate bottom and sides and upgraded horsepower rating. This rig was fitted a Yamaha F200hp (its maximum horsepower), and its optional features included but were not limited to, dual Humminbird Solix units, JBL stereo, BLA Drum Winch, deck hose and a 112lb Minn Kota Ulterra on the bow. All this added up to an impressive looking rig that was not only perfect for taking on just about any offshore fishing challenge, but also a boat with enough creature comforts to entertain any non-fishers. You can get a more thorough rundown of these electronics from Marcel Krieger from BLA by scanning the QR code hereby! TRAILER AND LAUNCHING It always makes sense to put a boat on a trailer designed specifically for it, and this is especially for true for larger rigs such as this one. Stescco offer their customers an extended warranty of five years (on their premium hulls

like the Albacore) if they chose to sit that boat on one of the OEM trailers built by Dunbier. Stessco actually set these trailers up for their boats, so you’ll know you’re getting the best trailer possible for that rig. In this instance, the dualaxle composite design of the trailer made launching and retrieving very easy for two people, with one person needed to connect/disconnect at the winch end and one person at the helm to guide it as it gently slides on or off. Trailing will obviously demand a vehicle with a decent towing capacity, but this is the reality of owning a sea-going boat of this size. ON THE WATER When we motored out of Scarborough Marina, there were four of us aboard; two shy of the maximum persons allowed on this craft. Once underway the first thing I noticed – and it is such a small thing – is the padding around the gunnels, which is a great bracing point for passengers, especially on the choppy day Moreton Bay dished up. The cast deck up the front featured removable padding, meaning the cast deck doubles as a lounge if you just want to enjoy a day on the water with a

few snacks, almost like a bowrider. I also liked that with the way the Ulterra was mounted, it didn’t impede sitting space when stowed. Being a fishing boat, this boat had space to move around the whole boat’s perimeter unobstructed while fighting fish. This is a huge plus when going after bigger ocean going trophies, and while this is going on the skipper can position boat with ease from the centre console. Underdeck and gunnel storage will be very attractive to serious offshore fishers, and the underfloor kill tank

RPM ...................... km/h ....................... km/L 1000 ............................. 7 ......................... 2.41 1500 ........................... 11 ......................... 2.13 2000 ........................... 13 ......................... 1.46 2500 ........................... 15 ......................... 1.22 3000 ........................... 24 ......................... 1.32 3500 ........................... 35 ......................... 1.54 4000 ........................... 44 ......................... 1.49 4500 ........................... 53 ......................... 1.30 5000 ........................... 59 ......................... 1.00 5500 ........................... 68 ......................... 0.97 WOT ........................... 68 ......................... 0.93 did you could easily avoid the late shower! The top speed of 68km/h was impressive for a boat this size, however if you wanted to save on fuel and still get to your spot fairly quickly, idling back to around 3500rpm will still get you along at about 35km/h with a fuel economy of 1.54km/L.

it’s dropping baits and jigs for reefies, trolling for mackerel, popping for GTs, or even searching for billfish, this boat would step up to the challenge! With all the bells and whistles this boat had fitted, it would go for around $95,000, however Albacore 620 packages will start at about $60,000.

The slightly rougher than usual conditions allowed the team to really test out the offshore capabilities of this boat.

Top: Entrance from the rear of the vessel is not only easy, but also very safe for younger passengers. Above: Wiring is all internal, but not unreachable – a great balance.

Top: Space is a big feature of the 620 Albacore, which is important when fighting big angry ocean predators, or rocking out to your favourite tunes played through the speaker, as the team may have done… Above: The bait board is an essential piece of equipment to anyone dropping bait for reefies.

The F200hp is one of the more popular models in the Yamaha range, and given the quietness, economy and reliability, it’s not hard to see why.

The room at the stern was fantastic, and the underfloor kill tank had room enough for even long fish such as Spanish mackerel.

That’s one tricked up dash! You can check out Marcel Krieger’s tour of the dash in the video.

Top Left: It’s a small thing, but the foldaway checker plate ladder at the rear makes getting into the boat that much easier. Bottom Left: The BLA drum winch is a luxury for anyone who doesn’t want to be manually pulling the anchor rope all day. Right: The T-top managed to keep the sun off four people, while also not impede on casting space.

Left: Being able to walk all around the boat unobstructed will appeal to any serious angler, and the padded gunnels make an excellent brace point. Right: The view from the lounge/casting deck up the front shows the internals of a boat that is, as Lance put it, “tough as nails.” JANUARY 2020

175, 200, 225hp V6

A New Era in FourStroke

TAKING PERFORMANCE, EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY TO A LEVEL YOU HAVE ONLY DREAMED ABOUT. POWERFUL & EFFICIENT • Superior torque from high-displacement V6 powerhead • Lightest weight for maximum performance • Quicker acceleration from performance-inspired quad-cam design • Unprecedented fuel efficiency with Advanced Range Optimisation (ARO) MORE INTUITIVE & MORE REFINED • Smoothest, quietest operation through advanced engineering • Maintain rpm regardless of conditions with Adaptive Speed Control For new boat packages or repower see your nearest Mercury dealer today.

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