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Count the Perch
Win one of five sets of the new Atomic Semi Hardz Vibe lures containing three lures (one ea of 40, 50 and 60mm) valued at $45.
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Hervey Bay young gun Aidan Roberston with a Sandy Straits lizard. The humble flathead is truly one of Australia’s favourite fish. Easily accessible to anglers young and old, boat or land-based, they offer great sport and excellent eating qualities. Pic: David Granville Read more Young Guns on page 110. 6
HOW DID HE DO THAT? No, it’s not an aquarium. Photographer Matt Young captured this incredible image of a school of free-swimming, wild jungle perch by luring them close to the camera with some persistent berleying and dedicated mid-winter wading. An encounter like this would have most sweetwater anglers twitching and frothing to make the first cast!
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Jungle perch provide an exciting visual battle in ultra-clear water, and can often be sight-cast. Fish above 30cm will also take drag on light spin outfits, so don’t be too complacent. JPs can break leaders as they barrel under boulders and into undercut banks. 10
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Catching luderick or blackfish on lures such as small hard bodies might not be a regular occurrence for most anglers, but it’s also nowhere near as rare as you might think.
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Starlo sings the praises (and reveals some of the secrets) of one of the most easily accessible and readily available target species found along our south eastern seaboard: the humble blackfish or luderick.
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The reason for using singles. The rear treble has failed to hold, and the fish has been side-hooked. Retro-fitting with Decoys means this doesn’t happen any more. 67
How’s that for a trout! Lee Brake jigged this horse up near one of the outer islands in the Cumberland Group. It took almost three hours to get there, but when the sounder blacked out on arrival and this came up first drop, it was well worth it!
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