BNB Fishing Mag | December 2024 by bnbfishing

Merry Christmas 595

Includes GST

December 2024 Print Post Approved PP100001534 Volume 35, Number 12

Bass fishing techniques

Moreton Bay options

Fitzroy River Barra Bash wrap up ISSN 1832-4517

12 Proudly produced and printed in Australia

Gibb River adventure Tuna time off Tweed

Nerang River whiting tips

9 771832 451001

Estuary • Offshore • Freshwater • 4WD • Camping • Touring www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, December 2024 – Page 1

Simon hooked a weighty golden trevally on ultralight gear in an area that was unrewarding earlier in the week.

Finding consistency for a fish

Topping a great session off, Rebecca caught a monster flathead. This spot was unproductive a couple of days previous.

For All Your Needs and More...

Shop 10, 127 Colburn Ave

VICTORIA POINT

07 3820 9757

Page 8 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, December 2024

ELL, it’s December already… time has absolutely flown by. For me, this year has definitely been one of the toughest, particularly when it comes to weather and health issues. We haven’t been able to put in a lot of time on the water at all. One thing I will say is, bring on next year – hopefully it will be a little better. I think the biggest problem has been finding consistency for a fish. Unfortunately, it was more that things didn’t align rather than the fishing being slow. It was absolutely terrible, though when everything did cooperate, the fishing was fabulous. We do tend to talk more about the good sessions, while for the bad or difficult outings, we’re inclined to close the door and lock them away.

Southern Moreton Bay by SEAN CONLON

Running a fishing charter, it’s amazing to watch these less-appealing scenarios unfold. And I’ve had a few this year. Bear with me while I talk about some of these. I try to encourage

my customers to book the better days of the month for catching fish but, due to their circumstances, some people have only a particular day they can go out. Plus, weather comes into it. * continued P9

Same spots and techniques on a good day, Rebecca made only a couple of casts for a 50cm plus flathead.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Finding consistency for a fish * from P8

It’s unfortunate, but some charters don’t fall on days when everything lines up and is perfect – it’s just the way it is. Though I do try to avoid the tougher days for my clients. These sessions are very noticeable when I’ve had a few charters in one week. The first couple can be tough days on the water, then for the next, everything lines up perfectly. The fish decide to chew their heads off even though you haven’t done anything differently to the initial sessions. You go to the same spots, you use the same techniques and they’re on, yet two days before, they showed no interest in what was presented to them. For me, this is the tough thing about fishing. If you go out only

once a month, or once every few months, and you hit tough fishing days, you can be left feeling as though there’re no fish at all swimming in southern Moreton Bay. But I can tell you there’re definitely fish in this body of water, it’s simply that they’re not out there waiting to jump on our hooks. Believe me, when I go out fishing, I’m like everybody else. I want to catch as many fish as possible and have the best day on the water that can possibly be achieved. Yet after 15 years of doing this as a job, it doesn’t work that way. When things aren’t aligned – tides, moon phase, water clarity, barometric pressure, weather and such – it makes fishing difficult. Made very apparent when I went out three days in a row – the first two days were tough, really tough.

We had to work very hard to get a few ‘reasonable’ fish. Fish I call ‘reasonable’ include 30cm bream, 50cm flathead, 40cm squire and such. Now, when it’s tough, I’m the same as everybody else, I tend to stay out there longer, which can be challenging for both myself and my customers, particularly if it’s hot or the weather is not quite playing the game. Staying out longer is draining, and you don’t catch any more fish. As I’m writing, I can picture a few of you reading this and nodding your heads. Back to my story… On the third day, I knew there were fish in these spots, so I went back. I worked the same areas with the same techniques – I didn’t change anything because I know that what I’m doing works. * continued P10

A pan-sized squire from an area that produced no fish days prior.

When not everything aligns, you might catch one or two reasonable bream instead of hoards.

A decent southern bay flathead caught on a tough day by trolling bulldog cranks.

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, December 2024 – Page 9

Tide Times AUSTRALIA EAST COAST EAST COAST – BRISBANE BAR BRISBANE BAR AUSTRALIA, 2024 LAT 27° 22’ S LONG 153° 10’ E

Time Zone –1000 DECEMBER

Time

0331 1009 MO 1700 2220

0.30 2.64 0.54 1.75

Time

JANUARY

Times and Heights of High and Low Waters FEBRUARY MARCH

Time

0.37 2.55 0.60 1.84

0443 1114 TH 1759 2328

0.43 2.52 0.62 1.85

313 936 612 141

0.18 2.60 0.44 1.94

0300 0932 SU 1606 2125

0.36 2.40 0.63 1.79

352 022 704 229

0.21 2.63 0.48 1.82

0332 1009 MO 1646 2204

0.37 2.42 0.64 1.76

0.34 0.37 0518 0.50 17 0414 2 0436 1054 2.60 1115 2.57 17 1147 2.44 1747 0.57

430 108 757 317

0.28 2.59 0.55 1.70

0.39 0454 0.41 0.39 0003 1.86 3 0407 3 0518 1046 2.43 18 1136 2.52 1156 2.56 18 0554 0.58 1830 0.62 1729 0.65

509 0.38 155 2.50 850 0.63

2245 1.73

0443 1127 WE 1813 2330

0.42 2.41 0.67 1.70

2307 1.72

2351 1.69

0355 1035 WE 1721 2239

TH 1803 0.58 2325 1.86

FR 1845 0.57

FR 1829 0.64

SA 1219 2.35 1858 0.65

0.50 1.87 0040 1.86 19 0534 4 0012 1216 2.42 0604 0.46 19 0631 0.69 1911 0.67 TH

SA 1237 2.51 1927 0.56

SU 1251 2.23 1927 0.66

2025

Time Zone –1000 APRIL

Time

0515 1136 SA 1818 2359

0.33 2.63 0.45 2.11

0534 0.59 1142 2.30 SU 1808 0.57

0420 1032 SA 1709 2255

0.30 2.65 0.36 2.31

0443 1039 SU 1700 2303

0.57 2.26 0.51 2.24

0545 0.49 1127 2.15 TU 1743 0.38

0532 1104 WE 1712 2341

0.73 1.88 0.56 2.33

2.06 17 0005 0608 0.69

0506 1111 SU 1745 2340

0.34 2.55 0.35 2.36

0.63 17 0515 1106 2.16

0005 0636 WE 1212 1819

2.56 0.62 1.94 0.48

0.80 17 0608 1138 1.78

TU 1240 2.02 1903 0.64

MO 1818 0.39

TU 1749 0.56

TH 1304 1.73 1900 0.62

FR 1215 1.68 1814 0.71

WE 1314 1.85

TU 1230 2.17

WE 1204 1.89

FR 1413 1.58

SA 1304 1.60

0559 0.42 1215 2.52 SU 1855 0.45

MO 1210 2.17 1834 0.59

MO 1723 0.52 2334 2.25

1 2

TH 1741 0.63

After casting stickbaits and soft plastics near the area, James caught a bull dol0045 2.13 0.43 0041 2.05 0548 0.71 2.48 0015 2.27 3 phinfish. 3 0551 3 0055 0646 0.54 18 0645 0.81 1150 2.39 18 1134 2.03 0736 0.75 18 0648 0.88

MO 1254 2.36 1931 0.48

2.13 0121 2.01 2.37 0008 2.22 2.37 new 0057 2.21 fishmas and a jawsome year 4Merry 4 0025 4 0151 0849 0.86 19 0739 0.94 0.70 19 0730 0.93 0640 0.58 19 0624 0.81

0135 0739 TU 1338 2013

2.15 0.53

1937 0.72 tell 1853 0.46 1816 0.63 1956 0.77 1858 0.80 AN anyone 007 1.60 0522 0.46 0034 1.67 0103 1.88 0121 1.85 0234 2.12 0210 1.96 0114 2.34 0044 2.16 Northern 0300 2.25 0150 Moreton me what hap5 1209 2.39 20 0615 0.61 5 0654 0.55 20 0714 0.82 5 0844 0.85 20 0825 1.04 5 0734 0.74 20 0704 0.91 5 1014 0.89 20 0847Bay2.15 550 0.50 0.96 242 2.38 pened to 2024? 1546 1.53 SU 1414 1.56 1.68 TH 1900 0.69 FR 1256 2.31 SU 1321 2.42 MO 1325 2.09 WE 1430 1.92 TH 1359 WE 1315 1.93 TH 1238 1.75 by SAMARK TEMPLETON 1949 0.71 944 0.70 2010 0.55 2102 0.59 1932 0.57 2117 0.87 2000 0.87 2000 0.68 2020 0.80 1846 0.72 December already and 101 1.53 1.67 0120 1.65 0159 1.90 0345 2.14 1.93 0210 2.27 2.19 0300 2.13 0210 1.84 0125 2.09 here we are waiting 6 0019 21 0315 6 6 6 0418 636 0.64 0608 0.53 21 0700 0.72 0751 0.67 21 0804 0.95 1008 0.95 0944 1.10 for6 0843 0.89 21 0755 1.00 1130 0.84 21 1007 0.92 330 2.25 1541 1.72 FR 1505 1.56 1413If1.71 1714 1.61 1545 get 1.60 out and 1322 1.62 FR 1255 2.36 SA 1336 2.20 MO 1408 2.28 TU 1404 1.93 TH the TH SU MO FR you don’t have a If you can in the 2029 0.72 038 0.75 1950 0.68 2057 0.55 2206 jolly 0.65 man 2124 0.86 red 2023 0.68 2253 0.88 2126 0.88 2042 0.71 1927 0.81 boat, try hiring a tinnie catch your own, it is suit pay a visit. 203 1.49 1.66 0212 1.65 0303 1.95 0310 1.84 0505 to 2.19 0439 1.96 0321 2.21 0221 2.03 0532 2.20 0417 2.17 7 0115 7 7 22 7 731 0.77 0702 0.60 22 0752 0.84 1146 0.94whole 1230 time 0.76 22 0858 0.78 22 0910 1.05 1123 1.07 has7 1015 0908 crab 1.06 pots 1117 0.81 and0.96 set22 a few well spent. This year 422 2.13 SA 1345 2.33 SU 1418 2.08 TU 1502 2.12 WE 1454 1.78 FR 1710 1.62 SA 1637 1.52 FR 1540 1.55 SA 1430 1.52 MO 1819 1.76 TU 1704 1.73 out0.78 while having a great However, 131 0.77 2045 0.65 2111 0.72 2321 0.66awesome, 2148 0.54 2132 0.74 2245 0.85 2029 0.89 2250 if 0.82you are been with 2136 time wetting a line. to do2.27 this, drop 315 1.52 0222 1.69 0315 1.68 0415 2.04 0424 1.89 0620 2.29of fish 0556 caught, 2.07 0445 2.19 0342 2.01 0010 not 0.81able 0526 plenty 8 0806 0.67 23 0855 0.94 8 1015 0.86 23 1032 1.09 8 many 8 1151 0.90 23sand 8 0631 2.24 23and 841 0.86 1044 1.02 1312 0.83 23 1243 0.95 1216 0.67 or mud the lost1.59andSA 1720Fresh 518 2.05 1.56 SU 1608 1.52 0.68 WE 1808 support 1.92 SU 1441 2.28 MO 1506 1.97 WE 1606 1.96 TH 1600 1.66 SA 1835 1.64being SU 1800 TU 1318 down 224 0.74 2140 0.59 2158 0.70 2245 0.52 2233 0.75 0.80 2200 0.91 1.92 crabs on the Christmas1910 local trawler fishers on so many people get- 2308 426 1.60 1.77 0424 1.76 2.17 0537 1.99 0036 0.62 0000 0.76 0602 2.25 table 0507 would 2.09 0.72 0003 0.71 dinner be Sinbad St, Shorncliffe personal 9 0335 9 0527 9 ting 9 0108 0920 0.73 24 1008 1.00 959 0.90 1142 0.87 24 1200 1.04 0722 their 2.40 24 0656 2.23best9 1302 0.79 24 1203 0.91 0718 2.27 24 0623 2.36 1541 2.22 616 1.99 1601 1.87 1716 1.83 1714 1.61 1414 0.71 1340 0.82 1838 1.67 1734 1.63 1357 0.61 0.54or three MO TU TH FR SU catches! MO SU ideal. MO WE TH 1308 and grab a kilo 2236 0.52 314 0.68 2248 0.66 2346 0.50 2337 0.72 1943 1.72 1902 1.71 2325 0.82 1951 2.05 1903 2.12 Island, Jacobs0155 of0.65the 0108 sweetest bestI love this time of year, 0030Bribie 527 1.74 0446 1.91 0529 1.88 0633 2.31 0637 2.12 0103 0.63 0614 2.23 0.60 0140 0.55 10 0704Well0.73 25Cabbage 10 0759 cooked 110 0.89 10 1036 0.74 25 1125 0.99 10 1306 0.81 25 1310 0.93 10 the 0815 anticipation 2.48 25 0745 2.38 2.27 25 0715 2.33and 1302 0.76 Tree 2.41 prawns local of too 713 1.96 TU 1644 2.15 WE 1700 1.79 FR 1830 1.75 SA 1823 1.62 MO 1355 0.69 TU 1838 1.80 MO 1503 0.63 TU 1428 0.69 TH 1430 0.57 FR 1355 0.43 Creek Queensland much food, getting great 1934 358 0.60 2338 0.62 2330 0.44 2034 1.81 2.15 1954 1.85 1.81 all hire tinnies2028 in 1953 2.31– that is well and0.63 I’m sure fish, losing 0159 tackle 617 1.89 0551 2.10 0623 2.03 0048 0.47 0035 0.65 0232 0.48 0.50 and 0130 0035there 0.68 are a0236 money 0.62 0207 spent. 0.52 213 0.84 11 1153 0.72 26 1233 0.93 11 0732 2.45 26 0728 2.26 11 0900 2.52 26 0830 2.52 11 0753 2.39 26 0707 2.38 11 0833 2.25 26 0802 2.40 Is your gear few more about, possihaving the kids run802 1.94 1745 2.07 1759 1.75 1416 0.71 1405 0.82 1545 0.59 1512 0.57 1437 0.62 1352 0.62 1500 0.53 1437 0.34due for WE TH SA SU TU WE TU WE FR SA 1938 1.74 1921 1.69 2117 1.89 2101 replacement, 2.24 2041 2.48 has it been bly1.94 close to1930 you1.98 too. ning around2042 the 1.99 house 2018 038 0.53 0024 0.37 0027 0.56 0145 0.43 0129 0.56 0248 0.39 0.55 times 0134 you 0.54 don’t0314 lost 0302 the 0.46kids put 0316 0.44 0.60 or have screaming that they’re 0219Most 701 2.04 12 0650 2.28 27 0710 2.17 12 0826 2.54 27 0814 2.39 12 0938 2.53 27 0913 2.62 12 0834 2.42 27 0755 2.50 12 0905 2.21 27 0848 2.34 307 0.78 1553 0.48 0.58to TH 1436 far 0.49to get 1621 0.58 I TH TH 1308 0.67 FR 1332 0.84 SU 1514 0.63 MO 1454 0.72 SU 1517 0.29so safe WE bored… SA 1527 it0.50 somewhere have travel wouldn’t missWE 1513 847 1.92 1852 1.73 1845 1.98 2037 1.76 2012 1.77 2127 2.11 2057 2.03 2019 2.15 2128 2.62 2154 1.95 2133 2.30 you can’t find it? a feed. it for quids. 115 0.46 0115 0.32 0112 0.51 0237 0.40 0216 0.47 0300 0.51 0229 0.43 0354 0.43 0335 0.32 0350 0.61 0356 0.44 13 0911Shorncliffe 28 0953 2.67 13 0935 2.15 The28Shed and Tack741 2.17 13 0744 2.45 28 0753 2.29 13 0914 2.60 28 0857 2.50 13 1014 2.41 28 0839 2.56 Pier, 2.51 holidays 0935 2.23 School should 356 0.72 1415 0.61 1423 0.76 1604 0.58 1538 0.63 1545 0.56 1517 0.40 1652 0.58 1632 0.40 1552 0.48 FR SA MO TU TH FR TH FR SU MO 1556 0.28 Land have2.70you covScarborough, Nudgee, be 930 1.89 1942 1.90 1941 1.73 2127 1.79 2059 1.85 2130 2.10 2105 2.31 2229embraced. 2.00 2212 2.22 2205 le 2.36 2215 pre-trained gear Woody Point, Decep-0425 ered, They give you so many 0336 151 0.41 0154 0.46 0202 0.29 0323 0.38 0302 0.39 0429 0.46 0319 0.37 0.63 0447 0.47 14 0942tion0.50 2.38 29 0921 2.56 14 1004 2.08 29 1022 2.09 818 2.28 14 0834 2.56 29 0835 2.38 14 0957 2.60 29 0938 2.59 14 1045 2.46 from The Shed or a new Bay and Pumicesweeks of being able to 441 0.67 TU 1647 0.58 WE 1621 0.56 FR 1719 0.58 FR 1612 0.54 SA 1556 0.33 MO 1617 0.48 TU 1634 0.32 SA 1515 0.56 SU 1510 0.69 2211 1.82 2144 1.94 2300 out 2.03 and about with 2201 2.16are some 2150 2.44 2.38 2301 2.72 009 1.86 2027 1.75 2038 1.84 present from tone of the2236 Christmas get 0404 0.39 0346 0.33 0501 family 0.51 0.52 to 0408 0.67 main0541 0.53will get 226 0.38 0248 0.28 0235 0.42 store places start0.35setting0459 the the and make 15 0410 1012 2.33 30 1002 2.48 15 1033 1.99 30 1111 1.93 856 2.36 15 0923 2.63 30 0915 2.45 15 1037 2.58 30 1018 2.65 15 1115 2.39 1725 0.59 1701 0.51 1744 0.57 1636 0.52 1632 0.30 1644 0.51 1713 0.40 524 0.64 1609 0.53 1555 0.65 you out fishing! your gear for a great WE TH SA some awesome memo-SA SU TU WE SU MO 2250 1.84 2229 2.01 2332 2.06 2232 2.21 2234 2.54 2308 2.37 2349 2.66 047 1.82 2130 1.79 2111 1.77 Both stores have a ries – the ones you talk feed of sandies. 0.31 0.39 0.38 31 0430 31 0456 great range for you to 31 0315 As always, keep about around the barbe1058 2.67 1045 2.34an eye 0955 2.51 FR 1741 0.46 MO 1708 0.31 TU 1638 0.62 pick from and we will cue or at family gather- on your pots 2313 2.07 2319and 2.58 brush 2155 1.80 ings – so much potential up on the new Fisheries keep you fishing over • Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2024, Bureau of Meteorology Queensland regulations. the Christmas holidays. right there. First Quarter New Moon Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Scott and his crew got This year, why not The Christmas dinner Full Moon Last Quarter and hit the wadoMoon something different notMoon be com- together New First Quartertable wouldFull Last Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Last Quarter ull Moon * with the kids? plete without prawns. 9 continued P15 9

Page 14 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, December 2024

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Merry fishmas and a jawsome new year * from P14

ters of Moreton Bay to celebrate Ethan turning 14 years old. Here is part of their story from that day. I put the call out and had James and Nick jump on board. Nick asked if his friend Wayne could come along with his son Ethan, who’s a keen fisher. It was also Ethan’s fourteenth birthday. The plan was to cross South Passage Bar, get some livies, go to 150m for kingfish and bar cod, head to the shelf at 450m-1000m due east of southern Moreton, then go south. We rallied at my place at 3.30am, which was fairly early for Ethan, but he looked pretty keen. After logging on with

Volunteer Marine Rescue, we cruised through the bay, crossed the bar, picked up live bait and headed towards the 150m mark. Wayne and Ethan were very interested in whether we’d ever caught marlin, asking several times – both had fishing shirts with a black marlin on them. I let them know we didn’t really target that species, considering them by-catch when going for yellowfin. We had no luck at 150m, so took off towards the shelf with the main game-spotting flocks of birds. After investigating a few that dissipated and seeing some large dolphins and whales, I had a feeling we were in a good area.

We saw a discarded small boat fender floating in the water, so given that dolphinfish are attracted to floating objects, we cast stickbaits and soft plastics near the area – the strikes were immediate. As they went off the bite, we got the live bait into the action and had luck. Br i l l ia nt- colou re d dollies came up, with good-sized cows and a bull. After catching the bull, the school shut down and we moved on. We decided to head in towards shore reefs to target jewfish and snapper. Given it was still early, we decided to troll from about 600m deep towards 200m and enjoy * continued P16

After slogging it out for 1.5 hours, the crew got this sizable marlin to the boat. A great birthday present for Ethan.

Queensland’s Used Boat Specialists

Always Buying, Consigning & Selling Queensland’s Best Used Boats Since 1964

Hooker 5.0 RSC

Stacer 429 Outlaw TS $17,995

$53,995

PERFECT ESTUARY RIG Fully optioned for fishing and crabbing. Yamaha F40 EFO with ES / PTT, Stacer trailer, Garmin sounder/GPS, VHF radio, bimini, live bait tank, 2 x 24L fuel tanks, inshore safety gear, bow mount electric motor.

Sea Storm Sea Sport SC $34,995

NOW REDUCED Heavily optioned platey, Evinrude 115Hp DI freshly serviced 253 hours, Swiftco trailer, Motorguide bow mount electric, 2 x lithium batteries, Lowrance touchscreen with “Active Target” transducer, and so much more!

STUNNING PACKAGE Wow, rare opportunity to secure one of these! Rear side console design, Yamaha F70 4S, Redco Sportsman trailer, Raymarine Axiom 12” MFD linked to a 1kW transducer, stereo, VHF, UF fuel tank, trim tabs - ready to go - are you?

BOATS

Cruise Craft 685 Explorer

Make selling your boat SIMPLE and HASSLE FREE

WHAT A RIG Brand new Redco alloy trailer, Yamaha 300Hp XCA 4S, Garmin 16” MFD inc radar and autopilot, stereo, VHF, full camper covers, dual CC Eskies, 50L FW tank, pie warmer, 300L fuel, and so much more - don’t miss “Silver Mist”!

WANTED

cash or consignment

$179,995

Whether you’re buying or selling, call us today on 07 3890 2322 or visit the sales yard at 1031 Manly Road, Tingalpa Brisbane. View the entire range at www.johncrawfordmarine.com.au www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, December 2024 – Page 15

RIP Squidgie and tips for success on summer species

ELLO all, before I get started on this month’s article, I’d like to take the opportunity of thanking Ben (our editor) for his touching tribute to my friend Gary ‘Squidgie’ Palmer, following his passing last month. Many of you may have known Squidgie and I’m sure plenty of you would have read his articles over the years, hopefully learning something from him during his time as a writer for this magazine. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and the wider fishing and sporting community. For those who didn’t know him, he was described recently as a man who loved and was devoted to his tribe, with a few swear words thrown in for good measure. For those who did know him, we would all agree that that is a rather accurate description of him. The world will certainly seem a little quieter and a lot less col-

Ballina Bait & Tackle by BRETT HYDE

ourful without him in it. Another good friend of mine told me recently, “You know you have lived a great life when those who are left recount stories of your life and those stories bring a tear to their eyes or a smile to their faces.” Well Squidgie, you definitely lived a great life! Until we get to wet a line once again my friend, may you rest in peace. Minimal rain over the past month has given the river an opportunity to clean itself to some degree, with the clear water beginning to push up past Pimlico Island during the run-in tides. Hopefully this trend continues over the next month and we start to see good numbers of our usual summer species. Whiting have increased in numbers in recent weeks, with quality fish being caught in the main river

and in North Creek. Worms, yabbies and surface lures have all been good options lately. With the run of warm weather continuing, flathead have moved into some of the deeper channels of the river in an attempt to combat the heat. Their march towards the mouth has also continued, with some improvement in their numbers in the lower reaches of the river. In the meantime, bream are showing up from the ferry to Broadwater, with quality fish coming from the rock walls in this area. Mullet fillets, prawns and yellowtail have all been good bait options, plus plenty of fish have also been responding to hard-body and surface lures during the run-in tides. The warm weather seems to have fired up mangrove jack too. Some quality fish have already been landed us-

BALLINA

BAIT & TACKLE

Ballina West Shopping Centre Pacific Hwy, Ballina NSW

02 6686 2527 Page 32 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, December 2024

ing hard-body lures and soft plastics this summer, with the rock walls from the mouth of the river to Broadwater all holding fish. As is usually the case, run-out tides later in the day have been the best times to target a few jacks, but some of the larger models have come from live bait at night around some of the bridge pylons. The beaches have fished quite well over the past month. Lighthouse, Shelly, Patchs and Seven Mile beaches have all produced a mixed bag of fish, with bream, flathead, whiting, tarwhine and tailor being landed. Worms and pipis have tempted bream, whiting and tarwhine, while flathead and tailor were keener to chase down blue pilchard or mullet fillets. For most of the species, the numbers of fish reportedly caught have been fairly good, however the quantities of tailor were quite small. Though the quality of this species has more than made up for the lack of numbers, with some extra-large models hitting the sand in recent weeks. Most of these better-quality fish were landed at night, while some of the smaller fish have been taking metal spinners and hard-body lures earlier in the day. As for fishing offshore, at present the current has kicked into normal summer mode and is running to the south at a great rate of knots. The speed has been a little inconsistent from day to day but on the

whole, it’s running and making fishing anywhere wide of the 48-fathom line a very difficult proposition. Most of the fish caught lately were from the 32 and 42-fathom lines. The majority of the better snapper were spread out on the 32s, along with a few mulloway, teraglin and flathead. Soft plastics and octopus-style jigs were the stand out once again, yet a number of fish have also taken bait such as squid, pilchard and mullet fillets. As is typically the case at this time of year, mahi mahi have been inconsistent around the fish aggregating device. Their numbers should continue to increase over the next month or so, but for now, trolling skirted and hard-body lures will probably continue to tempt the larger fish, with blue pilchard or live bait a great option for the smaller models. The current usually makes it rather difficult to target pearl perch, kingfish and amberjack during this period, but those who persisted have managed a few fish using live bait and high-speed jigs. A popular choice lately have been 250-400g jigs – depending on wind and current conditions from day to day. Jigs with a fair degree of silver and/or chrome in them seem to have enjoyed the most success, though a number of other colours have also worked. Well, that’s about all from me this month, until next time – tight lines and happy times.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

POWER YOUR LIFESTYLE WITH MERCRUISER – BUILT TO PERFORM, BUILT TO LAST, BUILT TO ENJOY Mercury MerCruiser engines and drive systems are designed, tested and purpose built for the marine environment.

POWERFUL - High displacement delivering more torque FUEL EFFICIENT - Providing extended range DURABLE & RELIABLE - Complete peace of mind

Go online or see your nearest Mercury Dealer to discuss powering your time on the water.

Contact or visit us for more information.

AIRLIE BEACH

GOLD COAST NORTH

Whitsunday Outboard Centre 17 William Murray Dr, Cannonvale Q 4802 P: 07 4946 7286 www.whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au

Onshore Marine - Horizon Shores Marina, Cabbage Tree Point Rd, Woongoolba Q 4207 P: 07 5546 2480 www.onshoremarine.com.au

BRISBANE NORTH

IPSWICH

Holt Marine 25 Queens Rd, Everton Hills Q 4053 P: 07 3353 1928 www.holtmarine.com.au

Ipswich Marine Centre 45 Huxham St, Raceview VQ 4305 P: 07 3294 3944 www.ipswichmarine.com.au

GOLD COAST TR Marine Gold Coast 167 Currumburra Rd, Ashmore Q 4214 P: 07 5532 5812 www.trmarinegoldcoast.com.au

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, December 2024 – Page 33

TOURING& exploring Heading east on Gibb River Road

All set for our Gibb River Road adventure.

The scenery was simply breathtaking.

One of the many little creek crossings. Page 46 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, December 2024

ITH our time in Broome coming to an end, it was time to start preparing for the adventure ahead, which was the Gibb River Road. The 660km fourwheel-drive trek is the best way to explore the natural treasures of the Kimberley. Originally constructed in the 1960s as a way to transport cattle from Derby to Wyndham, it is now an iconic journey that is on many a bucket list – including mine. When embarking on any extended adventure, particularly into the remote sections of Australia, it is essential you take enough food and water for your trip. And a decent recovery or breakdown kit is also crucial. Yet if you have a catastrophic failure, sometimes the only way out is via an expensive tow truck. I’m only mildly handy on the mechanical side, so don’t let a lack of this skillset scare you off remote explorations. I find common sense is possibly the best tool to possess – though make sure to use it wisely. After ensuring we were well stocked with all the necessities in Broome, a stop in Derby was required before we hit the Gibb. While we didn’t have an exact itinerary, we planned to spend about

Family Adventures by BEN COLLINS

13 days on the Gibb River Road. Our route was a little loose as well, due to the fact that certain parts of the Gibb weren’t open at the time, so we needed to play it a little by ear. As we embarked on the trip and took the obligatory tourist picture for the start of the Gibb, I wasn’t entirely sure of what I expected out of this next adventure. The last time I was in this neck of the woods, I went the ‘easier’ way, between Kununurra and Derby on the Great Northern Hwy. Admittedly, this was over 25 years ago and I was in an old Holden HX panel van, so things were a little different. Like most avid travellers, we ticked off a few of the key spots we

wanted to see, and allowed enough time for staying a little longer if we chose to or so we could take our time. As the road conditions were mostly unknown, we had prepared for the worst and hoped for the best. Thankfully the start of our trek east was relatively easy, with only mild corrugations. When driving on corrugations, you need to find a speed that works for your vehicle, caravan and occupants in the car, and your driving skill level. Sometimes this might mean going a little quicker to get over the corrugations, so you and the rest of your gear is not pounded to pieces. Conversely, some sec* continued P47

Nothing better than a s'more after dinner.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

TOURING& exploring

The climb down to Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge) was definitely worth it.

Heading east on Gibb River Road * from P46

tions – especially the little rutted-out creek crossings – might need you to slow down to a crawl. Whatever you are comfortable with is fine. However, you do also need to be aware of other travellers who may want to go faster or slower. Fortunately we didn’t have any issues while on the Gibb. In fact, it was a little quieter than expected, which we took as a blessing. Particularly when we had a whole waterhole to ourselves – simply bliss. After a reasonably uneventful first day on the Gibb, aside from taking in the breathtaking scenery, we decided to camp slightly off the road near Lennard River. This was a bush camp

www.bnbfishing.com.au

– which is on WikiCamps – called March Fly Glen. As we were staying for only one night, our setup was very simple – we pulled out the camp chairs and made a fire. Thankfully our JB Scorpion has airbag suspension, which enables us pull up on relatively flat ground and adjust the airbags so the van is level for sleeping. This eliminated the need for chocks or having to unhitch which, when you’re at a place only to sleep, makes the set up and pack up that much easier. Unfortunately, the Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek) National Park section of the Gibb River Rd was closed when we were there, so our first real hands-on experience of the Gibb was going to be Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge). The closest campsite

to Dalmanyi was the Dulundi (Silent Grove) Campground. Our plan was to spend two nights there so we could enjoy Dalmanyi. Dalmanyi Our crew really enjoys bush walking, so the 4km return walk didn’t phase us, even though it was graded level 4, which is hard. The walking trail meandered through the bush, allowing us to take in the awesome scenery. We eventually arrived at the top of the falls, where we took in the breathtaking view. There was also a great spot for a refreshing dip. If you’re keen, you can make the grade 5 walk down into Dalmanyi, where you can swim in the deep hole below the falls, which we did. * continued P48

To get to the pool below, we crossed the Bell River, which was very slippery.

Up close at the Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge) falls. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, December 2024 – Page 47

Bass are readily available to anglers fishing from a boat, a kayak or land based.

Bass fishing in summer

A chatterbait has the action, vibration, noise and flash that is perfect for a summer reaction bite. Page 54 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, December 2024

HE warm weather is upon us and for a lot of anglers this signals the heating up of the Australian bass bite, along with quality by-catch species including golden perch and saratoga. For many, the holiday period also creates the opportunity to explore new waterways, the chance to target bass for the first time or perhaps land a new personal best fish, with a 50cm bass considered a trophy. In this article I wanted to run through five of my favourite types of bass lures and breakdown where and when I fish each presentation. Australian bass are an iconic species that hit hard, are renowned for the power and speed of that first run, the stubborn fight and they photograph well, giving anglers a lasting souvenir of their catch. Quality bass fishing is available to anglers along much of the east

Tackle Tactics by JUSTIN WILLMER

coast, from around Tin Can Bay in Queensland down into eastern Victoria. This freshwater species can be found in many rivers and creeks, along with plentiful numbers stocked into lakes and impoundments throughout their region of distribution. Remember to check your local rules and regulations regarding targeting this species. Over the past 30 years of targeting bass, I have learnt that it’s important to have a variety of presentations at your disposal, as the mood and aggressiveness of this fish will vary dramatically based on variables such as weather, water temperature, wind and available bait species. Factors such as shifts in barometric pressure around weather events,

the lead up to a full and new moon, the rising water temperature throughout the day and afternoon low light – all can trigger a hot bite. Let’s take a closer look at a handful of presentations that have been effective additions to my bass kit over the years. Soft plastics and jig spinners Soft plastics have long been a favourite for anglers targeting bass, as they are inexpensive, look real, feel real and can be rigged to fish a wide range of environments – from topwater to deep schooled fish, even weedless for fishing heavy cover. Two of the most popular options are curl tail and paddle tail plastics, with paddle tails my preferred option, representing the many small baitfish that bass feed on. * continued P55

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Bass fishing in summer * from P54

If I was to suggest only one plastic, it would be the Z-Man Slim SwimZ, a proven tournament winner. I run the 2.5” if the bite is tougher or the average size of the bait smaller, stepping to the 3” model when targeting bigger fish, often in bigger impoundments with larger bait. Slim SwimZ have an underhooked tail that makes them swim on the sink and throughout the retrieve, even when winding extremely slow if the fish are shut down and holding on the bottom. I commonly fish this plastic on a 1/4oz jig head for fishing slower tapering edges, stepping up to a 3/8oz and even 1/2oz jig head along steeper edges and when chasing bass in schools that are commonly holding in 6-12m of water. Colour wise, I’ll run a natural-coloured baitfish such as Baby Bass or Opening Night if the water is clear, switching to a dark silhouette or ultraviolet-reactive colour such as Gold Rush or Blood Oil in dirty water and low light. These can be matched to a colour in the TT DemonZ jig head range, with a 1/0 my go-to hook size for the 2.5” and 2/0 or 3/0 for the 3” Slim SwimZ.

A priceless addition to your kit is a jig spinner – a small stainless-steel frame with an attached blade that can be clipped onto the jig head to add flash and vibration to your soft plastic, attracting fish and triggering strikes. This little accessory can fire up the bite, and I will commonly start the session with a jig spinner attached, removing it if the fish are totally shutdown and are looking for a more finesse presentation. Spinnerbaits Key areas I’ve had consistent success when targeting bass include points, rapid changes in depth and available structure, such as timber, weed, rock and lilies. Structure holds bait and also absorbs warmth from the sun, in turn warming the surrounding water. One of my favourite presentations for targeting bass around structure is a spinnerbait, with its design characteristics adding to its snag resistance. The stainless-steel wire frame allows it to bounce through structure, while the blades produce flash and vibration, and the jig-like head and skirt pulse, creating movement and added attraction. Spinnerbaits can also

A chunk of bass on a Z-Man ChatterBait MiniMax.

* continued P56

A selection of TT Switchblade+ blades ready to fish, including some retrofitted with TT assist hooks. www.bnbfishing.com.au

A double up on impoundment bass, fishing the Z-Man ChatterBait MiniMax.

The author with a solid bass that ate a ChatterBait MiniMax fished through a school holding deep on a weed edge. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, December 2024 – Page 55

Subscription offer for December!

* Valid until December 31, 2024. Picture for illustration purposes only.

SUBSCRIPTION FORM

n O NE YEAR $55 (inc. post)

Receive 12 issues delivered.

n T WO YEARS $100 (inc. post)

n New subscriber

Receive 24 issues delivered.

January edition will be posted to you on December 18, 2024

n Renew/extend subscription

n YES, please send me two free BNB stickers

Send your cheque, money order or credit card details for $55 or $100 (inc. GST) to Bush ’n Beach. We’ll advise you when your subscription runs out. Return completed form to: Bush ’n Beach Fishing PO Box 162 Wynnum 4178, ph 07 3286 1833 or go online www.bnbfishing.com.au Name: ..........................................................................................Email: �� Address: �� .......................................................................... Postcode: .............................. Phone: ......................................... Date: �� PAYMENT DETAILS

❑ Money Order

❑ Cheque

❑ MasterCard/Visa

Card No: ................................................................................... Expiry date: . .................. CCV: ........... Phone: .................................... Name: ............................................................................................................. Signature: ��

GIFT CERTIFICATES

❑ Merry Christmas

❑ Happy Birthday

❑ Happy Father’s Day

❑ Happy Mother’s Day

❑ Happy Fishing

To: ................................................................................................ From: ��

Subscriptions are non-refundable. They can be transferred to another subscriber.

Page 68 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, December 2024

www.bnbfishing.com. au

BRISBANE Neptune Marine Oceania Unit 1/3361 Pacific Hwy, Slacks Creek www.neptunemarine.com.au 07 3290 6370

www.bnbfishing.com.au

GOLD COAST (NORTH) Slades Marine 16 Paradise Pde, Paradise Point sladesmarine@bigpond.com 07 5577 1011

SUNSHINE COAST Port O’ Call Boating 29 Production Ave, Warana www.marinecenter.com.au 07 5493 2255

GOLD COAST (SOUTH) Midcoast Marine International 254 Trees Rd, Tallebudgera www.midcoastmarine.com.au 0416 088 771

TIN CAN BAY The Chandlery Bait & Tackle Shop 1, The Marina Emperor St, Tin Can Bay www.tcbchandlery.com.au 07 5486 4744 Bush ’n Beach Fishing, December 2024 – Page 69