• FREE 40 PAGE MAGAZINE INSIDE: BOATING EXTRA • Species Spotlight
John Loeskow takes us coral trout fishing out yonder QLD
NSW
VIC
TAS
WA
NEW FIND THE
LOGO COMPETITION SEE INSIDE
Features
Unstructured: coral trout fishing • Searching for spring gold • Mackerel under the microscope • Sustainability for snapper stocks • Citizen Science during COVID •
VIC
WA
QLD
September, 2021
INSIDE
ISSN 2652-5798
09
9 772652
wp.fishingmonthly.com.au
579005
Registered by Australian Post Publication No:100002088
$6.95
(GST inc.)
issuu.com/fishingmonthly
fishingmonthly
Fishing Monthly Magazines
FishingMonthly
CONTENTS
OUR COVER September 2021, Vol. 2 No.5 VIC
TAS
QUEENSLAND Gold Coast Jumpinpin Southern Bay Brisbane Northern Bay Noosa Bundaberg Mackay Whitsundays Townsville Hinchinbrook Port Douglas Cairns Cooktown Cape York Freshwater
12 14 16 18 20 21 22 26 28 30 31 31 32 32 33 36
NEW SOUTH WALES Pittwater Sydney North Sydney Rock Sydney South Ballina Coffs Harbour Coffs Coast Hastings Forster Port Stephens Swansea Central Coast Illawarra Batemans Bay Bermagui Tathra New England Rivers Hunter Valley Batlow Albury/Wodonga Lithgow/Oberon Canberra
44 47 46 48 49 50 52 54 55 58 58 59 60 61 62 62 64 65 66 66 67 68
VICTORIA Warrnambool Portland Cobden Apollo Bay Geelong Port Phillip West Port Phillip East Gippsland Lakes Lakes Entrance Marlo Mallacoota Robinvale Bendigo Ballarat Wangaratta Shepparton Crater Lakes Eildon Yarrawonga
74 74 75 75 76 78 79 80 82 82 83 84 84 87 86 88 88 89 89
TASMANIA Offshore Hobart
70 71
4
SEPTEMBER 2021
From the Editor’s Desk...
WA
Sydney reporter, Gary Brown, with a 69.5cm flathead caught on a ZMan 3.5” Trick SwimZ in motor oil. He was on Port Stephens Fishing Charters run by fellow contributor Paul Lennon.
“Can we Fish?” This is the question that’s causing the most confusion in the industry at the time the magazine goes to print. And as it stands, it’s a lucky dip depending on what state you live in and what part of that state. It’s obvious that the new Delta variant of COVID is very challenging and very transmissible and governments are doing what they can to slow the spread or keep it out of their states. Often the challenge is what’s allowed and what’s not when it comes to health orders. Those lucky enough to live near the water are often allowed
A Gary Brown image. Come and visit Fishing Monthly Group’s official Facebook page for all your monthly fishing information. Download QR Reader to access.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Esperance Augusta Bunbury Mandurah Metro Lancelin Geraldton Kalbarri Exmouth Broome Karratha Freshwater
93 94 95 97 96 98 99 99 100 100 101 102
REGULAR FEATURES Freshwater Unstructured: coral trout fishing Starlo’s back to basics Mackerel under the microscope Sustainability for snapper stocks Sheik of the Creek What’s new fishing WIRF Recfishwest Track My Fish Trades and Services Tournament Calendar Tide page
112 6 10 38 40 41 42 90 92 104 106 109 110
COMPS AND OFFERS Find the logo Fun page/Sub page
27 108
90 WIRF
20 46
to participate in fishing as a form of exercise or food gathering. Those who live away from the water aren’t often as lucky. And I know lockdowns are a balance between physical and mental health. Get it wrong either way and everyone suffers. My opinion, for what it’s worth, is that if you’re chasing some loophole to let you do what you normally do, you probably shouldn’t be doing it. As a part of the long game, COVID is only a short blip in most of our lives and if we do what we can for the greater good, then we should bite that bullet. It seems that vaccination is going to be a pathway to greater freedom. The data shows that it will free up our hospital space and let us get back to something resembling normal, sooner. I’ve been vaccinated, and I’d encourage you to do the same when it’s your turn. It doesn’t hurt and it adds to all the other things you get a jab for. And importantly, it’ll let you get back travelling and fishing ASAP. After all, we often define our happiness by our ability to participate in things we love doing. We hope y’all can get back on the water soon. * Please check with your local and state authorities before you go fishing for all the latest COVID updates.
FISHING MONTHLY MAGAZINE Published by:
Qld Fishing Monthly Pty Ltd
82
ABN 72-010-542-195
SINCE 1987
Business Office: Unit 1, 11 Knobel Court, Shailer Park, Qld, 4128 FREECALL: 1800 228 244 Fax: (07) 3387 0801 Managing Editor: Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au Editorial Manager: Jacqui Thomas Editorial: Nicole Penfold Field Editors: Jason Ehrlich
95
Publishers: Steve Morgan, Matthew Drinkall Advertising: Copy and materials should be sent direct to: ads@fishingmonthly.com.au Advertising Enquiries: Peter Jung: pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au Phone: 0410 662 927 Nicole Kelly: nkelly@fishingmonthly.com.au Phone: 0407 369 333 Fax: (07) 3387 0801
92
PARTNER CONTENT
QLD NSW
Printing: APN – News Corp Australia Production: Matthew Drinkall Website: www.wp.fishingmonthly.com.au Distribution: Gordon & Gotch Pty Ltd Subscriptions: Kym Rowbotham Office Manager: Marie Dykstra
SUBSCRIPTION HOTLINE FREECALL 1800 228 244 $65 for twelve issues (GST inc.)
Recfishwest
All material is © copyright, and cannot be reproduced in part or in full, by any means, without written permission of the Managing Editor. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.
GET ONBOARD
FULL RANGE OF MODELS AVAILABLE...
500 CUDDY
550 CUDDY
550 RUNABOUT
600 CUDDY
650 CUDDY
650 HARD TOP
650 HTG
650 WALKAROUND
750 HARD TOP
QUEENSLAND: Karee Marine 1776 Ipswich Road, Rocklea QLD Phone: 07 3875 1600 email: sales@kareemarine.com.au Web: kareemarine.com.au
VICTORIA: Melbourne Marine Centre 393 South Gippsland Hwy, Dandenong South VIC Phone: 03 9703 2003 email: info@melbournemarinecentre.com.au Web: melbournemarinecentre.com.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Christies Beach Marine 19 Sherriffs Road, Lonsdale SA Phone: 08 8387 6411 email: sales@christiesbeachmarine.com.au Web: christiesbeachmarine.com.au
NEW SOUTH WALES: GRE Marine 24 Stoddart Road, Prospect NSW Phone: 02 9898 1010 email: sales@gremarine.com.au Web: gregarine.com.au
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: Bluewater Marine 18 Hawkins Street, Bunbury WA Phone: 08 9791 1499 email: bluwater@bigpond.net.au Web: bluewatermarine.com.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Port Lincoln Boat Supplies 7-9 Porter Street, Port Lincoln SA Phone: 08 8682 3122 email: info@boatsupplies.net.au Web: boat supplies.net.au
Northbank Fibreglass Boats
@northbankboats
Unstructured: coral trout fishing out yonder QLD
John Loeskow
Coral trout would have to be one of the most soughtafter fish species across the top half of Australia. From the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to Shark Bay in Western Australia, trout are often the target for anglers chasing demersal fish in shallow to medium depths of water off the coastline. A hard fighting fish that combines spectacular looks, an attraction to natural and artificial presentations from top to bottom, and a welldeserved reputation as one of the tastiest fish on the planet, it’s little wonder coral trout are such a popular species. Although trout are usually associated with hard structure, like shallow reef and ledges, some of the bigger specimens can be found (and successfully landed) well away from significant bottom structure. Trout are generally more prevalent through the warmer months, but we’ve caught trout every month of the year and some of our biggest have been through late autumn and early winter. In this article I will outline some of the effective techniques and
A stunning bar cheek trout caught by Mike Dunning on a live bait in 115ft of water.
frequent angler exposure. Regular anglers will confirm that while sharks may ignore less desirable species like triggerfish, trevally and remora, as soon as a trout takes a bait, they will hone in like an Exocet missile. I’ve seen a couple of trout heads come to the surface after shark intervention and have come to the conclusion that sometimes it would be better not to know… As the country we fish is generally devoid of obvious structure you normally won’t get too many clues from a standard chart or map. Fishing away from obvious structure may seem counterproductive but is essential for finding locations that go under the radar. The more time you spend looking for new spots, the better. I
away from the bottom they generally give up the ghost, but the experienced angler will recognise this as typical trout behaviour. Nevertheless, as soon as a good trout comes in to view all attention on the boat goes underwater until the landing net slides under the fish. AREAS TO TARGET Looking at a contour map or Navionics chart, the typical locations to target
A glassed out winter afternoon run home makes for a perfect end to the day.
Sharks are pretty common wherever good fish are found and this is the unfortunate result. areas that bigger trout like to call home. In the regions we predominantly fish out from Bundaberg, the vast majority of trout caught are bar-cheeked coral trout (Plectropomus maculatus). Occasionally we’ll catch common trout (Plectropomus leopardus) but these fish are normally encountered closer to hard reef in shallower water under 25m. Their colours can vary quite a bit, but the distinct horizontal blue bars on the side of the head are a key distinguishing feature. Unlike fishing in shallow water under 20m, we rarely see fish under 3kg and a trout isn’t regarded as a big fish until over 5kg. Fish this size put up a great fight upon hook up, and the first 10 seconds are where the fight is either won or lost. Once pulled 6
SEPTEMBER 2021
coral trout are pretty obvious. Shallow reefs, steep ledges and gutters all show up well on charts and can’t be discounted as potential spots to try and catch a trout. But with ever-increasing fishing pressure you can be assured
away from structure so search the surrounding area for clues as to where the bigger fish might be located. Despite what many people may say, trout will range a reasonable distance from isolated structure to feed because the bait schools in these patches are highly mobile. This is especially true at the top and bottom of the tide when predators move away from holding points. RIGGING TECHNIQUES The majority of coral trout line fishing uses a single or gang hook rig fished below a running ball sinker. In shallow water, fishing with dead and flesh baits is a very effective technique. Concentrations of small and medium sized fish are high and competition for food is at a premium. In deeper water, where numbers are much lower but average size increases, you will need a bigger carrot to get their attention. We do catch a few trout on dead baits and their appeal to other species, like grass sweetlip, red emperor and tuskfish, mean they should definitely be a part of your fishing arsenal. The best baits are fresh fish slabs, whole scad and cocktail baits like pilchard and whole squid combos. But looking back through the last few years, over 90% of the trout we’ve caught have been on live baits. Every trip we do these days we will have at least one angler fishing a live bait, and if we expect the fishing to be good, we’ll put a live bait down on each side of the boat.
if something looks productive on a map or chart, it has no doubt been fished extensively. The additional problem of high levels of shark activity seems to be directly related to well-known drop-offs, gutters and ledges that experience
Not many fish put a smile on the dial like a solid coral trout. Lorne with another ripper.
Lorne Stuppart with a distinctively marked coral trout. This black pigmentation shows up fairly regularly.
know this is hard for anglers that don’t fish as much as they’d like but it’s the only way to get ahead of the game. If you have a few marks that see more pressure than you’d like, identify some adjacent areas that could potentially hold productive ground. In flat country you won’t need to see big variations in depth to hold fish. Concentrations of bait are the key. Bait will often hold
There are a range of rigs that can and do consistently catch coral trout on live baits. The particular method you use will depend on how you plan to fish other baits at the same time. Some anglers will fish a live bait in a rod holder while fishing smaller baits for other species like sweetlip, tuskfish and hussar. In this situation an 8/0 to 10/0 circle hook pinned through the upper lip will
allow a bait to swim freely and prolong its lifespan while waiting for the bite. After a fair bit of trial and error we have decided that live baits should be fished with the angler on the rod ready to go. While sweetlip and
to-go angler is generally the difference between success and failure. Anglers’ preference will dictate the outfit used for this type of fishing. Both threadline and overhead setups are suitable, but both
50lb braid for this fishing but if you are exclusively fishing live baits, I’d bump that up to 80lb. During the warmer months we use about 4m of either 80 or 100lb mono leader and, although this sounds like overkill, it
standard paternoster rigs will both catch fish, but fishing a modified paternoster is very effective in areas without prominent structure. A dropper loop in the leader 20-30cm long allows the angler to alter sinker size as the tidal run changes. From the dropper we generally run 1-2m of leader before the two hook snelled rig. Longer leader lengths allow the live bait to swim more freely in low current situations but can let the bait swim around or under structure and get snagged. For most of the bigger live baits a two hook snelled rig will always outfish a
The striking blue bars on the cheeks are what give this fish its common name.
Big grass sweetlip are a common by-catch and aren’t shy about eating live baits. red emperor will often ‘play’ around with a bait before eating it, nine times out of ten a trout will simply engulf the bait with a buckled over rod the consequence. As the first few seconds are so crucial, a switched on and ready-
will need to be up to the task to get the job done. Reels don’t need to be able to hold a huge quantity of line but will need a heavy drag to dictate the early stages of the fight. I would recommend a minimum of
doesn’t seem to deter trout from eating. In late autumn and winter, we may drop that back to 60lb fluorocarbon if the water is extremely clear or the bite slows down. Running ball and
Make sure that drag is set tight. Shaun Rissman showed this big trout who’s boss.
single hook. On the days where the fish are really smashing the baits, a single hook will get a reasonably good hook up rate. But obviously the fish don’t always play that way. On big baits like mackerel scad, pike and whiptail, we have found a two-hook system that has produced big coral trout consistently. The front hook is a Shinto Octopus 8/0 that is pinned sideways through the nostrils for scad and through the top lip for other bait species like whiptails. These hooks are seriously sharp and we haven’t had a hook bend out under load yet. This hook is snelled to a 6/0 To page 8
Queensland’s Used Boat Specialists Always Buying, Consigning & Selling Queensland’s Best Used Boats Since 1964 Seajay 448 Navigator CConsole 25,995
$
BE QUICK!
86,995
$
One owner since new, Yamaha 40Hp 4S – 70 hours, Redco braked trailer, Garmin 9” GPS/Sounder, Inshore safety gear, bimini top, 2 x 24l fuel tanks, 2 pedestal seats, bait board. Ideal solo fishing rig!
Repowered 2017 Suzuki 200Hp – 118 hours, Dunbier trailer, Lowrance HDS12, Simrad S20-09 sounder, VHF, Stereo, full camper covers, deck wash, freshwater, electric anchor winch and so much more!
Ocean Cat 2600 Weekender
Chaparral H20 19 FishnSki
299,995
$
GREAT FISHING RIG!
Cruise Craft 625 Outsider
HEAVILY OPTIONED
Stunning boat built to exacting standards, fully optioned for long range and comfort, Dual Yamaha 200Hp, Alloy trailer included, Galley, enclosed head, full camper cover, refrigeration, too much to list!
AMAZING VALUE
48,995
$
Ideal summer crossover package, fish one day, water ski the next. 220Hp V6 Mercruiser 173 hours, Mackay trailer, wakeboard tower, stereo, sounder, LB tank, VHF, dual batteries all in stunning condition!
Whether you’re buying or selling, call us today on 07 3890 2322 or visit the sales yard at 1029 Manly Road, Tingalpa Brisbane. View the entire range at www.johncrawfordmarine.com.au SEPTEMBER 2021
7
OLD
It’s warming up in the NFZ my favourite time of the year to target jacks in the NFZ, this is because the water is usually just the right temperature. As dkaggelis@gmail.com we move closer to the end Spring is finally upon us, of the year the water can get that’s not to say we even really hot, which shuts the fish had a winter here in FNQ. down. All the creeks in the The water temp really never NFZ will be fishing well for dropped below 24ºC this jacks. Throwing lures tight to year, which saw plenty of mangroves along the edges of action in the NFZ. creek will be the best bet on This included some either the coming in or going awesome barramundi caught out changes. Paddle-tail plastics over the magic metre mark are always a favourite this time and many of the charter boats September will be the last month to get crabs so of year and it’s hard to go past were regularly putting clients get your pots out if you are after one last feed. the RT Molix for this type on to these great fish. While of fishing. live baits have been the best Jacks will be firing on all types of Many of the systems in the like the ZMan GOAT down see the last run of the good way to target these fish over structure, so get casting. NFZ, especially the Inlet have on these spots. Make sure mud crabs before they start lots of hidden wrecks and reef- you have a strong leader as moving back into their holes. the cooler months, now with like structures that hold fish. these fish will pull you into So if you are after a feed of the warmer water they will be If you can find these it pays structure quite easily. muddies you had better make much more active and easier to drop medium-sized plastics Finally, September will the most of it. to catch on lures. The Inlet will be your best bet and straight across from the marina along the mud flats has been proving to be a great spot on the run-out tide. In the creeks, look for deeper holes and bends where structure is found as well. The Inlet barra love to hang out on artificial structure as well, so fish any pylons, rocky boat ramps or wharves that could hold bait. Barra are not the only fish Barra will be on the chew as the on the chew, as the jacks have water warms up in the NFZ. also been firing. September is If you can find hidden wrecks and structure like this, you will certainly find the fish. CAIRNS
Dan Kaggelis
Sizzling spring sessions COOKTOWN
Justin Coventry
Although the weather has been cool, the fishing has been hot. We are experiencing unfamiliar times and the weather here has been surprising with some nice calm days, which is almost unheard of at this time of the year in Cooktown. Usually June, July, August winds rarely drop below 25 knots. We recently had a day of 0-5 for 24 hours and the fishing boats hit the water in droves. You know it is calm when you can make out the horizon due to the glass out conditions. In summer, these conditions
There have been some excellent barra catches at night, as Mark Boothey found out with this 90cm specimen. can be beautiful but hot, however they are also slow in regard to fish. Nevertheless, in winter, with little activity on the reef over the last month the fish were fired up and hungry. The
Nannygai are great eating and put up a hell of a fight, especially when they are 10kg+. 32
SEPTEMBER 2021
trout were in a frenzy and most people where reporting great captures. One friend went out by himself and bagged out on seven coral trout by 8:30am, he came home as the wind was predicted to increase quickly (and it did) but he was very happy them all in the first hour. Another friend, Scott Thomoson, had a rare capture luring the reef edges and caught two legal trout on the same lure – coral trout are very aggressive and can fight over food. Lure fishing can be a good way to cover some ground and usually produces well with hungry coral trout keen to attack. However, you must have the right gear as a tough setup helps to get them moving quickly to the boat without them turning towards the reef. Otherwise you’ll be diving to try retrieving your lures or it will cost you a
considerable amount of money for lures. Large mouth nannygai are still in good numbers with some 10kg+ models being caught. They fight so hard sometimes you think it’s a big shark until you see that red shape cruising up from the bottom. I unfortunately lost a large specimen as it rubbed under the boat and powered down and broke the leader. I wasn’t impressed but managed to hook another around the same size. They are beautiful eating and put up a hell of a fight, especially around the 10kg mark. Red emperor captures have been slim, with only the old one here and there. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen any decent sized ones for a while. I have notice lots of little ones recently so stocks are still there but large specimens have been hard to find. Barramundi have also been active despite the cool temperatures. Great captures, especially at night, with tide movement the key to success and finding ambush areas seems to produce. They aren’t silly and having a spot that the bait unexpectedly move over on the tidal movements provides an opportunity for a rewarding meal for feeding barramundi. Ambush sites continue to produce as fish will seek these spots out for an easy meal. So as a fisher observing the way tide and bait move around a river
Scott Thomoson had a rare capture with two legal coral trout on the same lure. system is key to locating the great areas, so it pays to access your local areas at different tides to see what could show potential. The wharf has started to see at last some bait activity so fishing will remarkably improve this month at the wharf. Mackerel will start to chase the bait schools as they hang around the wharf, along with the trevally. The Cooks Landing café has seen up to six groupers when they feed them in the late afternoons so beware that they are lurking around waiting for
an easy meal. The grouper feeding at the Landing is a great way to see these massive fish up close, and Tom does his best to remove any hooks from their mouths as they come in to grab the fish frames. So if you are able to travel to Cooktown for a visit, check out the grouper feeding and throw in a line at the wharf for some action as it will be the month for it. Lots of fun to be had with kids catching bait and the chance to put some fish on the dinner table as well.
OLD
As the water dries up CAPE YORK
Tim O’Reilly wildrivercompany@gmail.com
As we start drifting deeper into the dry season, Cape York’s multitude of inland creeks and waterways
Barramundi and saratoga are often found together in the fresh water reaches, lagoons and billabongs. Both of these majestic fish have coexisted for so long because they fill slightly different niches. Their predatory nature
underneath your surface presentation, the culprit is most likely a barra. If you see a dark shape and a bow wave flying towards a lure, it’s probably a toga. The time of day and a host of environmental factors seem to determine
Barra are suckers for a well-placed frog imitation. differences between a barra retrieve and a saratoga retrieve once you sight a fish. With saratoga, hook-ups are generally more likely and strikes
more aggressive when the surface retrieve moves at a consistent pace out in front of the fish. You want them to chase it and gobble it up. A static retrieve will
often be closely inspected, refused or short bitten by wily togas. Barramundi require an adaptive approach to the To page 35
A beautifully coloured saratoga taken on a fizzer. how aggressive each species might be at a given time. Water temperatures will be another determining factor in where the fish are sitting. Sight casting mixed with surface lures in low light conditions can make for some truly memorable moments. Stealth is a prime factor with this style of fishing. Picture a silhouette under a log when walking high on the bank above or climbing an old stump to get a better look at a pool with surfacepatrolling saratoga. These situations require finesse, accurate casts and good balance to make everything come together. There are subtle
bassco boats
Saratoga can be found in some very picturesque country. This fish came from the upper Jackson River.
LOGO DESIGN
boats Built tough for seriousbassco anglers
NEW
O ONLINE DE
CAN QR CO –S
• 5 metre centre console • Large front casting deck • Folding rear casting deck • Huge storage lockers • Livewell under seat
AT TEST VI BO
For full pricing & specifications – Contact Michael Boag
0417 545 593 www.basscoboats.com.au or visit:
LOGO DESIGN CAN QR CO –S
TO VIEW DE
• Huge storage lockers • Livewell • Space space space • Fully Customisable
• Twin console • 5 metres • Front & rear casting decks • Huge storage lockers • Mercury 115 Pro XS
TO VIEW DE
• Side console • 5 metres • Large front casting deck • Removable 2nd console
bassco boats
O ONLINE DE
and good looks are what draws anglers into an endless cycle of stalk, catch and release of these majestic critters. Despite barramundi probably winning out when it comes to fighting ability and edibility, the saratoga makes up for it in good looks and wiliness. Both are a terrible adversary to any amphibian, crustacean, small reptile or large insect found near the water’s surface at dusk. Casting surface walkers, poppers, fizzers and frogs are a great way to get a reaction bite from both barra and togas. If you see a set of gleaming eyes and an upturned face loom
AT TEST VI BO
begin to shrink. This means two things for wandering anglers. Firstly, there is more accessibility to drive and wander into remote locations, and secondly, fish are more concentrated in less water. Despite a great wet season throughout much of the Cape, the beginning of spring will likely bring dry, warm and clear conditions. These are the kind of conditions perfect for camping out and fishing remote stretches of inland waterways. Let’s take a look at two of the most recognisable inland species, especially in the westerly flowing rivers into the Gulf.
ALSO AVAILABLE: • Centre console • Small front casting deck
SEPTEMBER 2021
33
NSW
September is a great time to chase snapper COFFS HARBOUR
Dayne Taylor
September is my favourite month of the year to get out offshore here on the Coffs Coast. Snapper are plentiful at this time of year, with the larger models in the shallow water early in the morning and late in the evening. Remember you will not necessarily get a lot of big fish from the one spot, so don’t be afraid to move around a bit after you land a couple. For quantity rather than quality, try the deeper reefs and gravel grounds around that 30-60m range. Slow pitch metal jigs, octo/squid style jigs and of course strip baits dropped in these depths will all provide great numbers of snapper along with a plethora of other
Joel Sorensen caught this trophy-sized snapper from the shallows on a soft plastic.
SLAM47
mixed reef species schooled up together to take for a great feed. Some nice pearl
perch along with teraglin are a welcome by-catch whilst fishing these same depths. Quality electronics such as a GPS/sounder and even an electric motor with an anchor lock function makes finding and staying on these deeper water fish much easier. I’d expect the XL size kingfish to become more prolific over this month. Of course, we have a staple population all year round, but traditionally we see some better numbers of 1m+ kingfish through our winter months and into springtime. Topwater stickbait lures and big knife jigs are a great way of tempting one of these bigger fish, and a live bait dropped to marked fish on the sounder on a downrigger is irresistible. ESTUARIES AND BEACHES Bream and luderick are continuing to be found in good numbers along the rock training walls
in all our river systems. Both bait and lure fishos are getting good results fishing prawn and crab style baits or lures for bream. The resurrection of luderick fishos is on the rise, with plenty of younger anglers taking up the art form lately. Even some keen fly fishos have been spotted in numbers trying to tempt a few on the magic wand around the Coffs Coast, which is great to see. The shallow sand flats and deepwater edges are holding good numbers of flathead and whiting, although it can be hard to tempt them into biting a lure after the first few hours of daylight. I believe this is due to the crystal-clear water pushing into the lower reaches of our estuaries, making the fish flighty. A stealthy approach will help; try longer casts and a longer fluorocarbon leader. It also helps to
ne
Hurrica a h t i w h c t a c r ease you
Incr
FISH LOVE TO
Smack Em! Ties the perfect FG knot
EVERY TIME
Hurricane Lures Australia - East Gippsland Victoria P: 0438 516 617 e: sales@hurricanelures.com.au
hurricanelures.com.au
Sally Taylor with a plastic-munching trevally from the Bellinger River.
FG KNOT MADE EASY FG Wizz keeps even tension when wrapping Makes a smooth, strong and reliable join Means longer leaders, longer casts A MUST HAVE for your boat or tackle box Watch the video Order online www.fgwizz.com.au
50
SEPTEMBER 2021
SUITS ALL SIZE BRAIDS AND LEADERS
NSW
explore these rivers. To be honest, if you catch some bass it’s just a bonus. We are still having a good run of tailor and salmon on the beaches and headlands. There’s also the chance of a snapper making an appearance if you are in the right place at the right time. Off the headlands, some great-sized mulloway have been taken recently. Paddle-tail plastics and shallow diving crankbait lures around the 6” size work well to mimic a mullet or tailor in the washes. Be sure to upgrade the hardware to handle these big, powerful fish. And of course your line and leader will need to handle some serious abrasion, so a leader and line class around 60lb+ is necessary. Until next month, cast like there is no tomorrow and retrieve like you have all the time in the world.
Luke Tinson with a nice night-time tailor.
ROCKS Marine
THIS BUSINESS IS
FOR SALE BAIT & TACKLE
BIG BRANDS & BEST ADVICE
• Fishing Tackle • Bait • Camping gear • Trailer Parts • Rod & Reel repairs • Beach driving & fishing permits
BUY BETTER T H A N C IT Y PRICES
ROCKS MARINE BAIT & TACKLE Kane Fairchild with a bass he found on the sounder while fishing brackish water for bream and flathead. The bass were schooled up, moving upstream after breeding, and were in great condition.
email - rocksmarine@tsn.cc
Mark & Denise Bird and Paul & Michelle Martin Ph
02 6566 6726 Fax 02 6566 6395
25 Memorial Ave, South West Rocks NSW 2431
IL
ABLE
NCE
A FIN AV
LE
Your home of Garmin Marine Electronics on the Coffs Coast
AVA
drift or electric motor into the area a little slower and stealthier than usual. In the mid sections and deeper waters of the estuaries you have a good chance of a river mulloway. They love to come in at this time of the year and chase the mullet, bream and luderick. September marks the official open of the NSW bass and estuary perch season, and the Coffs Coast is spoiled for options when it comes to our native Australian bass. These fish can be found from the upper reaches of the Macleay River around Kempsey in the south all the way up to the north on mighty Clarence River and all its tributaries. The landscape and terrain these rivers run through are something special. Grab a few friends and the family, get yourself a canoe or some kayaks, and go and
An Australian bass caught by the author.
AILA
B
Home of Suzuki Marine On The Coffs Coast! 2 Marina Crescent, Urunga
Follow us:
“It’s all about Customer Service”
Sales I Spares I Repairs I Repowers Servicing all makes and models
Phone: 02
6655 7700
www.northcoastboatingcentre.com SEPTEMBER 2021
51
VIC
Murray cod season is one to remember ROBINVALE
Rod Mackenzie codmac@bigpond.net.au
Between Covid lockdowns and deluges of rain, I would have to rate this year’s cod season as one to remember. In our local waters good numbers of sizable cod to a metre or more in length have been a regular catch on both bait and lures. The Murray River at Swan Hill was a standout location and one that produced consistent results for the entire season. Before the water cleared in the warmer months bait ruled supreme turning up multiple metre cod in the current rich flows. Yabbies, grubs, worms and cheese were all regular cod catchers but the standout bait this season was chicken.
Power for your GOPRO or VIRB from your navigation light socket
$199 + P&H
AVAILABLE FROM:
www.tournamentboats.com.au
GOPRO not included
84
SEPTEMBER 2021
Fresh breast fillet diced and fished on a circle hook accounted for numerous big fish encounters from both boat and bank. As the water cleared enough to use lures, numerous cod of varying sizes were taken on the troll.
Shallow running lures hit the mark in a river where the average depth is less than 3m. Rock bars produced plenty of action as the cod stacked at these locations. Regular hot spots included Pental Island and Brooks Lane.
As the weather cooled the surface action started to fire with numerous metre-plus cod boofing a wide range of top water offerings. As winter rolled in the bite slowed and most activity both on bait and lures was influenced by
Clinton Hann with one of 20 metre-plus cod caught this season with the author.
sharp spikes in barometric pressure or the promise of an oncoming rise in water levels. It was a similar story at other locations along the Murray with the same bite windows and techniques producing some good cod catches throughout the season. Robinvale showed promise but still did not deliver compared to the old days. In saying that a few metre models did turn up during the season amongst a good number of smaller fish so perhaps it’s just a matter of time. A similar story on the Murray River at Wemen, it’s always productive when it comes to turning up a few perch amongst the odd good sized cod. Mildura and Wentworth were good big cod destinations this season with plenty of sizable cod landed on both bait and lures. This region has fished well for the past few seasons thanks to the refuge the Darling River provided numerous big cod during
past Blackwater events. With the Mildura Weir dropped out for maintenance towards season’s end, these same large fish should once again travel upstream towards Euston. It will be good to visit old haunts next season with the chance of loading the rod to a big cod. The Darling River had good seasonal flows that once more sparked life in a river hard hit by drought and poor mismanagement. A good population of cod managed to survive and they too have bounced back dispersing in the flows and fattening up with the renewed opportunities to feed. Hopefully this river and its fishes have turned a corner. On a side note, even with the lockdowns and bad weather, we managed enough trips to land a good number of large cod this season. My offsider Clinton Hann scull dragged more than 20 metre-plus cod to the boat on bait and To page 85
Going for gold despite the chill BENDIGO
Roger Miles codhuntertours@bigpond.com
With the closed season upon us for the Murray cod, many anglers now change their focus on targeting golden perch. For those anglers who have been putting in the hard yards with cold frosty mornings, chill blains on the tips of fingers and toes then the change in weather is more than welcome. Increasing water temperatures will help in getting the golden perch to fire up. With the improved weather we start to see more of the fair weather anglers come out of hibernation and start fishing again. The Bendigo region is currently on track for a fantastic season of fishing ahead. Our water catchments have continued to receive some terrific rainfall and our local impoundments are starting to fill at a good steady rate. LAKE EPPALOCK There are three impoundments above Lake Eppalock these are the Upper Coliban, Lauriston and Malmsbury reservoirs. These impoundments have reached capacity and have been spilling for several weeks producing good inflows down the Coliban
River into Lake Eppalock. When these impoundments are full Lake Eppalock can receive some very good inflows after any significant rainfall events. The catchments for these impoundments are currently saturated and only small rainfall events are producing runoff. The current situation is very
exciting, if we continue to get average or slightly above average rainfall over the next couple of months Lake Eppalock water levels will reach very high levels this seasons. My current prediction is that Lake Eppalock will reach over 100% capacity and we will see the spillway running this season. At the time
of writing this report, the water levels in Lake Eppalock were at 43.5% capacity and rising steadily. How productive the fishing will be in the lake this season will be highly influenced by the amount of inflows the lake receives over the next couple of months. Once the water level reaches the
Quality golden perch like this beautiful fish will become the target species for many anglers in the Bendigo region over the next few months.
high water mark from last season then there will be a smorgasbord of food for the fish as the water rises over large volumes of vegetation. These are the perfect ingredients to see the food chain explode. Thanks to some good fish stockings from Victorian Fisheries in recent year’s anglers should experience some very good golden perch fishing at Lake Eppalock this spring. Victorian Fisheries are planning a huge stocking of native fish into the Lake Eppalock this season. If the conditions happen as I am predicting it will be perfect for the newly released fingerlings. The numbers of golden perch being currently being caught has been low. We should start to see good improvements in catch rates by the end of September. Once the water warms up and water levels are going over last season’s high water level we will start to see good numbers of fish feeding around the edges of the lake. Good lure options early in the spring season will be silent lipless crankbaits, blades and suspending hardbody To page 85
VIC
LIGHT, POWERFUL, DURABLE…
VIC
LIGHT, POWERFUL, DURABLE…
INTUITIVE CONTROL
INTUITIVE CONTROL
QLD MERCURY DEALERS
VIC MERCURY DEALERS
ROCKLEA ROCKHAMPTON Cod like this are proofNORTH enough that the fishery is returning to the good old days at some locations. KAREE MARINE RIFEN BOATS 1776 Ipswich Road Rocklea 6 Dooley Street North Rockhampton From page 84 If the rivers don’t run great season locally and P: (07) 3875 (07) 9150last lures.1600 Proof enough the black P: like the4927 previous am now looking forward E: sales@kareemarine.com.au E: rifen.boats@bigpond.com fishing has improved in two floods we might just to some fine golden perch our local waters. see a W: great breeding event sessions on both bait and W: www.kareemarine.com.au www.rifenboats.com.au Wi t h t h e that’s long overdue. lures, Covid permitting impoundments would BEACH be awesome of course. NORTHERN GOLD COAST full to It AIRLIE overflowing and numerous to see native fish numbers Fingers-crossed in the ONSHORE MARINE WHITSUNDAY OUTBOARD CENTRE northern rivers running a explode and yabbies by predicted high flows we Horizon banker Shores it’s Marina William Murray Drive will Cannonvale fair Woongoolba to assume the 17 truckloads easy see a boom of native P: (07) 5546 2480 P: (07) 4946 7286 that we will be looking at to catch. fish that will set us up for a big river this spring. AllE: woc@whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au up it’s been a many seasons to come. E: onshoremarine@ozemail.com.au W: www.onshoremarine.com.au W: www.whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au From page 84 conditions colour choice River at some stage over lures. For those anglers in your lures can be very the spring months or early EVERTON HILLS CAIRNS targeting the redfin the important. Colours that summer period. HOLT MARINE AUSSIE best concentrations present darkMARINE silhouettes Cairn Curran has 25 Queens Hillsbeen Hannam Bungalow ofRoad fish Everton have still such 5 as black,Street purple, produced some very good found brown, dark green numbers of golden perch P: (07) 3353 1928in8 depth ranges P: (07) 4033 8800 are of 10m+. If water levels goodE: sales@aussiemarine.com.au options. Others over the last couple of E: info@holtmarine.com.au continue to rise as I am colours which become seasons for those anglers W: www.holtmarine.com.au W: www. aussiemarine.com.au who have put the time predicting then good excellent choices during concentrations of redfin reduced water clarity in at this location. The CAPALABAwill start to move into KARUMBA are colours with a high same situation applies at MIKES MARINE the shallower water to ultra JONES violet MARINE presence such this location like Lake make Capalaba the most of the new as pink, bloodStreet nut red, Eppalock. The higher the 9 Smith Street 30 Yappar Karumba food sources becoming orange, chartreuse or a UV water levels go over the P: (07) 3390 3418 P: (07) 4745 9159 high water mark from last available to them. blue or UV purple. Lures E: sales@mikesmarine.com.au E: jonglo@bigpond.com CAMPASPE RIVER with an ultra violet blue or season the more productive W: www.mikesmarine.com.au W:can www.jonesmarine.com.au The productivity purple be hard to find the fishing will be. in the fishing in the but are a good option if LODDON RIVER SLACKS CREEK IPSWICH Campaspe River has you have some. The fishing in the Loddon River has been been low CENTRE due to cold CAIRN AUSTRALIAN MARINE IPSWICHCURRAN MARINE CurranStreet water slow but by the end of water 3491 Pacific Highwaytemperatures Slacks Creek Cairn 45 Huxham Raceview combined with reduced levels have also been the month we should start P: (07) 3808 7333 P: 07 3294 3944 water clarity. steadily increasing. At to see water temperatures E: sales@amcboats.com.au E: enquiries@ipswichmarine.com.au I am predicting a the time of writing the increasing nicely and W: www.amcboats.com.au www.ipswichmarine.com.au slow start to the fishing reportW: the reservoir was the productivity in the fishing improve. in the Campaspe River at 50% of capacity. The this spring mainly rainfall events Water clarity is NOOSAVILLE GOLD COASThave been currently good at most of the reduced perfect. Consistent rainfall SUNSHINE because COAST MARINE TR MARINE water clarity. in the catchment but not locations along the Loddon 122 Eumundi Road Noosaville 167 Currumburra Road Ashmore If Lake Eppalock too heavy to produce large River at the present time. P: (07) 5449 7633 P: 07 surges of 5532 water.5812 The end Given the current saturated does reach maximum E: sales@sunshinecoastmarine.com.au jason@trmarinegc.com.au capacity and the spillway resultE:has been relatively catchment situation the starts running make sure clear W:water running into water clarity can change W: www.sunshinecoastmarine.com.au www.trmarine.com.au Cairn Curran. very quickly at this time of you make the most of the angling opportunities While the water clarity the year. this situation can present. is not crystal clear it is A couple of major The fishing does not fire currently very good and rainfall events and water up straight away when the the best it has been at this clarity will deteriorate due to inflows. spillway is going over. time of the year at this It usually takes a location for over a decade. I am also predicting week or two and then the If the lake continues to there is a good chance that fill at this steady rate it we may see Cairn Curran fishing can really fire up. There is a good will be perfect. Conditions also reach over 100% chance that we may see can change quickly and capacity and therefore some flooding down the a couple of large rainfall produce some degree of Campaspe River this events and the water flooding down the Loddon River during spring or spring or early summer clarity will deteriorate. months. If this does I am predicting that early summer. As always occur water clarity will we will see some level of with the weather things flooding down the Loddon can change quickly. be reduced. In these
ALBERTON ALBERTON MARINE 39 Johnson Street Alberton P: (03) 5183 2344 F: (03) 5183 2219 W: albertonmarine.com.au BENDIGO BENDIGO MARINE & OUTDOORS 160 Midland Highway Epsom P: (03) 5448 3988 W: bendigomarine.com.au MELBOURNE BL MARINE 612- 614 Plenty Road Preston P: (03) 9478 1420 F: (03) 9470 4638 W: blmarine.com.au SHEPPARTON BOATS AND MORE 207 Numurkah Road Shepparton P: (03) 5822 2108 F: (03) 5821 2908 W: boatsandmore.com.au
MELBOURNE MELBOURNE MARINE CENTRE 92 Hallam South Road Hallam P: (03) 9703 2003 W: melbournemarine.com.au MORNINGTON PENINSULA MY MARINE Cnr Nepean Highway & Ponderosa Place Dromana P: (03) 5987 0900 W: mymarine.com.au MORNINGTON PENINSULA NAUTICAL MARINE 141 Hotham Road Sorrento P: (03) 5984 1666 E: info@nauticalmarine.com.au W: nauticalmarine.com.au TOORADIN P&J MARINE SERVICE CENTRE P/L 101 Tooradin Station Road Tooradin P: (03) 5998 3107 E: pjmarine_services@bigpond.com
MORWELL CRAWFORD MARINE 71-77 Chickerell Street Morwell P: (03) 5134 6522 F: (03) 5134 6455 W: crawfordmarine.com.au
GEELONG PORTSIDE MARINE CENTRE 36-38 Geelong Road Portarlington P: (03) 5259 1110 E: info@portsidemarinecentre.com.au W: portsidemarinecentre.com.au
ECHUCA EADES XTREME MARINE 24 Sturt Street Echuca P: (03) 5482 2333 F: (03) 5482 2133 W: xtrememarine.net.au
MELBOURNE THE MARINE SHOP 6 Holland Drive Melton P: (03) 9747 0588 F: (03) 9747 3999 W: themarineshop.com.au
BRAESIDE JV MARINE WORLD 878 Springvale Road Braeside P: (03) 9798 8883 F: (03) 9798 7554 W: jvmarine.com.au
MELBOURNE TRIPLE M MARINE 117 Northgate Drive Thomastown P: (03) 9465 8787 F: (03) 9466 1418 W: triplemmarine.com.au
SEPTEMBER 2021
85
WA
Excellent spring fishing ahead FRESHWATER
Peter Fragomeni
There was a time when we would look forward to September because it was once the official opening of the trout season in WA.
I again witnessed this on a two week fishing trip down to the south of the state recently. The fishing was slow because of the swollen water, making it hard to get to the better areas to present a lure or fly to where the fish normally lie. I found using heavy jigs and
8lb fluorocarbon, resulting in recovering most of my tackle. Even the dams proved hard, as the high rainfall clouded the water to the extent that visibility was around 300mm in some waters. The few trout we ended up with were mostly wild
on farms growing avocados, although these dams would offer a great opportunity if they were stocked with trout and permission granted to fish them. I can see why our rivers suffer low water levels through the summer period in low rainfall years, as most of these catchments has been placed on vital springs that once fed the rivers. Most dams were full and overflowing well at that time, fortunately. I managed to visit the Pemberton Trout Hatchery and had a good chat to the manager Terry who has been running it for a number of years now. I have known Terry since the 90s when we electro fished one of our club dams, which was stocked with Tasmanian brown trout that were flown over as eyed ova and hatched at the hatchery
Bec Crossingham is a member of the Territory Women’s Hunting and Fishing Group and loves to get out and fish the freshwater south of Perth.
Little scenic farm dams offer some fantastic spring fishing if you are lucky enough to have access to one. Although most of the dams were open all year it was the streams that were closed for the trout spawning season. This has changed in recent times with the decision to abolish the trout closed season, so now we just look forward to the warmer days that September brings, and of cause the annual hatchery stocking of ex brood trout that are placed into our dams throughout the south of the state. The good news is the very wet winter has resulted in higher dam levels, also rivers flooded on many occasions this season. It’s something I haven’t seen since 1996, which happened to be the year I caught the state record rainbow trout in Pemberton. That year two other big trout were caught that nudged the 3.5kg rainbow that engulfed my fly in July.
soft plastics the better option as I could achieve better depth in the fast water, and it didn’t hurt the hip pocket when you snagged up on obstacles hidden by the high water. The weaker jig hooks tended to straighten when extreme pressure was applied to the
stock but lacked the condition of those on previous trips. This should change because high water means better food being available from the flooded areas of both rivers and dams alike. The redfin fishing was also slow for me, but other
Rainbow brood trout are held at the Hatchery in circular pond for two years, and are then released into our dams after being stripped of their eggs and milt.
Newly hatched rainbow trout fry being held at the Pemberton Trout Hatchery. There will be around 300,000 released this spring throughout the rivers and streams in the south of WA. anglers have been getting a few from different waters than the ones I’ve been fishing. Driving around the Pemberton area I was alarmed by the number of dams that have been placed
before being released into this particular dam. On my latest visit the staff had just finished the sorting of brown trout eggs, and although the numbers were down it seems they will have plenty for future stocking. They do a great job of providing us with trout in a marginal and sometimes hostile environment, with summer conditions not favourable to salmonoids in this part of the world. There were around 30,000 rainbow yearlings still in the ponds with 10,000 already stocked into the rivers and although still small,
PREDICTED DAM LEVELS Overall storage in our dams that allow public access and recreational activities is currently 52.3% as of the end of July, compared to 38.2% at the same time last year. This is a great turnaround, with huge rains falling in all catchments recently. Perth experienced its wettest July since 1958 with around 280mm but dwarfed the 1958 record of 450mm. I noted that Dwellingup just south of Perth recorded just over 400mm but although well above its July average of around 230mm it fell short of the 1946 record of 573mm for July.
Damian Gansekoele with a nice cod that fell to a 175mm Frillseeker fished slowly in the dark. 102
SEPTEMBER 2021
WAROONA DAM DRAKESBROOK WEIR LOGUE BROOK DAM HARVEY DAM WELLINGTON DAM GLEN MERVYN DAM BIG BROOK DAM
to the rainbows. AUSSIE NATIVES Reports have been slow over the winter, but things should start to warm up in the coming months. I have a number of anglers asking me how the progress is going on stocking some of these species here in WA. The truth is I don’t actually know as it seems it’s been put in the too hard basket with all the red tape, and nobody is willing to pursue it. WAROONA DAM A few trout from last year’s stocking are still showing themselves, and with the brood stocking stepping
68% 100% 74% 72% 71% 87% 100%
Vince Gervasi from Prestige Tackle with a superb silver he landed on one of his many trips. These fish would offer some great summer angling if there was a controlled government stocking into selected WA impoundments. there are plenty going into our waters this year. The 500 brown broods look great as usual, and should offer some exciting sport to those lucky enough to land one this year. They are hard to produce in this state, so I encourage anyone who catches one to consider releasing it as they are known to survive better in our redfin waters, opposed
up it should improve through spring. Most of the popular lures are working but my advice would be if you are fishing from the shore then use something that will cast a long way. Water should be up so pay attention to the shallow areas, especially early in the morning and of an evening. Redfin are still being caught but not in the numbers
WA
they were earlier in the season. Unfortunately, the camp area is still closed and the caravan park has limited spots in peak times. DRAKESBROOK WEIR This water started overflowing in mid-July, but all reports have indicated the fishing has been slow. However, this will change when it’s stocked by the hatchery. The annual Troutfest will be held here again this spring so keep an eye out for this event.
were a few large logs floating around so be careful if you are on the water. Remember this is an electric motor water only if you are boating. The annual Harvey Bash will be held again this year with big prizes and even cash prizes for tagged fish. It’s great to see Harvey Water being the major sponsor this year as they lease this water and many others from Watercorp and have been very angler friendly. Fishing has been slow, with discoloured water
shade this little water are. We fly fished it into the dark, but the beauty soon turned into eeriness when it got dark. Although a few trout were rising I was unable to tempt one with the fly. The same was the case with my partner using lures. RIVERS Murray River The river was flowing hard through winter, making like most waters with big catchments virtually unfishable. I believe with
recently and was astounded by the amount of water coming down. It was interesting to see the results of a water sample I took of the salt content that
an option but again later this month things may change. Collie River below Wellington Dam No reports but I believe
dirty throughout winter. This river fishes best in November from Bridgetown to Nannup in times of above average rainfall.
This beautiful 51cm brown trout fell to John Vickery’s lure. He releases all his browns because they are believed to compete with our redfin and offer better year-round fishing.
Big redfin occasionally turn up amongst the hordes of smaller ones. Curtis Milne targets them with a range of lures from his kayak on our larger dams. LOGUE BROOK DAM This water continues to frustrate those who try to fish it and I’m no different. One day it fishes reasonably well but the next it seems to be dead. The skiing activity will pick up, but it’s the unpredictable direction switching of jet skies that make it difficult if you happen to be on the water trolling a couple of lines. HARVEY DAM After a record low water level of around 20% at the
read 2.5 ppt. That’s 2.5g per litre of water, in comparison to sea water which is around 36 ppt. The east branch carries more salt so I’m not sure how this will affect Wellington Dam, which is its final destination. Fishing was not
making things hard. WELLINGTON DAM Not a lot of reports coming through, but rapidly rising water levels should provide the 10,000 rainbow yearlings some good pickings and also cover by late spring. GLEN MERVYN DAM I paid this water a visit in July and was surprised to see just how much it has risen after heavy rains we had through the month. Unfortunately, the water was very muddy but this will settle in time. Fly fishing Bigbrook Dam can be productive, however a strange eeriness descends on the place as darkness falls.
A quick flick in the Lefroy Brook waiting for the hatchery staff to arrive resulted in this nice little rainbow that took Wendy’s soft plastic in the high water. beginning of winter this dam rose to over 50% by mid-July. On one trip the water rose nearly half a metre in 48 hours. This has caused a lot of run off the exposed banks and very dirty water. There
BIG BROOK DAM Although this water had been fishing well through autumn, the fish eluded me on my couple of visits recently. I had forgotten just how scenic the towering karri trees that
the good rains predicted this water would only be viable when flows subside in September. Northern Jarrah streams These streams that flow into the bigger rivers and major dams just south of Perth fished well through winter as the big rains pushed spawning trout further up than in previous years. I had a look at a few and was surprised to see trout in places I haven’t seen in a few decades. These trout are unique to the northern waters as they have crimson red flanks and gill covers, no doubt brought on by the gravel bottom structure and colour of most streams in the area. All the trout were paired up, so I was reluctant to disturb them going about their natural desire to reproduce. Collie River above Wellington Dam I had a good look at the south branch above Collie
it would fish well, given that a number of streams flow in just above Honeymoon Pool resulting in better flows in high rainfall years. Keep an eye on water releases because sometimes they will open the valve to release the saltier water that sits close to the bottom of the dam. Preston River Flowing hard and very muddy through the later part of winter. It will be interesting to see how the newly stocked rainbows do in this river considering the good rains this year. This water has a steady flow let out of Glen Mervyn Dam for irrigation in the summer months so keep an eye out next year. Capel River Flooded and no reports of redfin. Blackwood River As with other rivers it was flowing very fast and
A couple of nice redfin from one of our irrigation dams south of Perth. Image courtesy of Tom Henderson.
Warren River Again, too high and not worth fishing but wait for it to drop and the trout will appear in all the usual places at the top of the pools. I’m predicting a bumper year as high rainfall results in high numbers and high average weights. Lefroy Brook I donated more lures into this water than I would have liked to on a recent trip. It doesn’t help when your fishing partner is trying to catch trout in the trees on the opposite bank. I now know why I took up fly fishing as it does not hurt as much losing flies you tied yourself. Rain was persistent and high water made presenting a lure very hard. Expect good fishing when the water recedes in spring this year. I know I’ll be back later in the year. Donnelly River This river wasn’t flowing as hard as the other major river I visited. We managed a few little rainbows in the fast water next to the bridge pylons on Celta style lures, but persistent rain dampened the enthusiasm on our visit. The planned trip down the river from Boat Landing was also cancelled due to high water levels and the persistent rain. I was sent a photo of a brown trout that was caught in this water. It must have been not long after the rainbow yearlings were stocked because it had six of the yearlings in its stomach. This shows how susceptible these small yearlings are to larger predators already in the systems. With all the rain we have had this winter I am confident that spring will be better than previous years in our state. Remember you need an Inland Freshwater Fishing Licence if you are over 16 years old, and you can check the Fisheries website for details. SEPTEMBER 2021
103
2021 Boating EXTRA
- SC
TENT -
RE ONLINE MO
Q
R
RA
CON
AN THE
CO
DE FOR EX
T
Whittley SL22 HT with 200hp Mercury 4-stroke SPECIFICATIONS Overall length............................6.79m Length on trailer........................7.90m Height on trailer...... 2.20m (to windscreen) Width on trailer.........................2.40m Beam..........................................2.40m Transom deadrise..........................23° Fuel............................................... 210L Water.............................................. 40L Standard hp............................... 150hp Max hp.......................................225hp Capacity...............................7 persons
FMG
Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au
We must have tested more Whittley Sea Legend combinations over the years than any other boat. We’ve used them with inboard Volvo Pentas, Yamahas and Mercurys in soft and hard top configurations. We’ve done them with owners and with Whittley staff and dealers. And you know what? Everyone loves their Whittleys. They’re an Aussie built boat with a heritage in cruisers, but are rapidly evolving as fishing rigs as well. These Sea Legend (SL) Hard Top models will tick plenty of boxes for the anglers amongst us. Whittley’s new partnership with Mercury has come at a good time for the builder. Mercury’s V6 and V8 platforms are finding plenty of advocates as more and more enter the market. They say there’s no replacement for displacement, so we were keen to see how the SL22 went with a 200hp 3.4L V6 strapped on the back. The answer? Quite nicely, thank you! Jumping straight into the performance specs, the rig has a top speed of 67km/h at 5,850rpm. At that point, it’s burning a litre of gas for each 900m it travels. Not the most economical craft we’ve tested. But drop it back into the 4,000rpm range as your economy nearly doubles, yielding 1.6km for every litre you burn. Couple that with the standard 210L fuel tank and there’s around 300+km of range. Plenty for 90% of keen anglers.
PERFORMANCE RPM..............km/h............. km/L 600...................... 3................ 0.8 1000.................... 5................ 0.6 2000...................11................ 0.6 3000.................. 22................ 1.0 3500.................. 32................ 1.6 4000.................. 44................ 1.6 4500.................. 52................ 1.5 5000.................. 60................ 1.3 5850.................. 67................ 0.9
16 2021 Boating EXTRA
Main: Just the typical Sovereign Island mansion in the background and Whittley’s SL22 Hard Top in the front. It’s a nice match with the Mercury 200hp V-6 4-stroke. Above: Even though it’s 25hp less than the maximum allowed, the SL22 has plenty of punch, especially in the mid-range, which is what the platform is known for. Subjectively, though, it’s that cruising speed punch you get when you drop the throttle that makes the grown men giggle. The hard top itself is connected to the hull with some huge windscreens. There’s ample visibility and side windows to let the breeze flow through in the warmer days. With an optional shade extender, you can add clears to make this a fully enclosed section if that’s what you want. From the transom forward, there’s a full coverage of Whittley’s EVA decking, which looks great and makes for much easier maintenance than the carpet it replaces. There’s a freshwater shower concealed inside the transom and a neat battery closet under the optional bait station. This allows easy access to the isolators and breakers. The SL series also features Whittley’s quad helm seats – with a forward (higher) and rearward (lower) for the driver and passenger. There’s a mile of storage under these. The test boat used some of the space for a slide-out fridge. Luxury! This seating arrangement does chew up a little cabin space, but if you use your rig for more than fishing, they’re very practical. The helm has evolved to take large MFDs
flush mounted. Round of applause there. There’s plenty of room to run all of your electronics as well as the digital engine gauges. The cabin can be shut with a sliding door to gain some security and privacy.
Overall, it’s more a ‘dad’s boat’ than a ‘mum’s boat’, although we’re sure that mum will be happy with the appointments and dad will be happy with the fishing chops of this rig. And if you have a 3.5t towing capacity ute, you’ll have no problems towing it – even if it’s fully loaded. For more information, visit www.whittley. com.au. The test boat was supplied by Whittley Queensland Sales and it is priced at $141,962 as tested. You can watch the video review of this boat by scanning the QR code at the start of the article.
Sometimes when we instruct the boat driver to ‘not be shy’, they really do lose lots of their inhibitions.
2021 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2021 Boating EXTRA
You really do need an anchor winch on a rig like this, considering that it’s not easy to access from around the cabin or through it. Who wants to pull up and anchor anyway?
Even fully fuelled and loaded, the SL22 easily falls under the 3.5t weight rating for many twin-cab utes.
All Whittleys come with ‘rubber’ decking as standard. It’s a decent sized cockpit for the hull size and gunwale height isn’t a problem.
This is neat – a cupboard under the bait station that houses the dual battery setup and all of the isolators and breakers that you’d need to access.
Whittley’s unique forward/rear facing seat setup is great for both fishing and social reasons. There’s a pile of room under them to store gear...
... or you can add a fridge! How neat is that?
A raw water deck wash is an option, but the Sea Legends come with 40L of freshwater capacity as well with a shower at the rear.
There’s dedicated room for a toilet in the cabin and access is controlled with a sliding door. Like most Whittley cabins, it’s pretty plush.
The dash will hold huge electronics flush mounted, with extra room for your motor gauges. Whittley’s switches are a nice touch.
You can stash half-a-dozen rods up and out of the way in the rocket launchers. The LED lights are a nice touch with pre-dawn starts or for night ops.
The lid of the anchor well lifts up and away for cleaning and maintenance.
2021 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2021 Boating EXTRA 17
2021 Boating EXTRA
- SC
TENT -
RE ONLINE MO
Q
R
RA
CON
AN THE
CO
DE FOR EX
T
Stessl 440 Sportsman with Honda 50hp 4-stroke FMG
Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au
Bribie Island is a special place in Queensland. There is extensive shallow mangrove-lined estuaries where you can go to catch a feed of whiting, flathead, and mud crabs. The relatively protected waters of the Pumicestone Passage are abundant, and Dave O’Neal from Bribie Marine sells the boats to enjoy them. We got to test the Stessl Sportsman 440 matched with a Honda 50hp 4-stroke on the test day. He calls this build of Stessl a ‘Bribie Special’ and sells plenty of them to residents of the island. The rig is light enough to be supplied on a non-braked trailer, can be towed by any car and offers access to all of the shallow waters. Runabout style boats are popular because they offer shade, a large cockpit,
SPECIFICATIONS Length........................................4.45m Beam..........................................2.05m Depth..........................................1.05m Bottom.........................................3mm Sides.............................................3mm Hull weight.................................300kg Max HP........................................ 60HP Capacity...............................4 persons and enough comfort to spend hours on the water chasing a feed of fish. You can also take the family out in them and enjoy swimming and some light tubing. Families and retirees in particular find them popular because of their affordability and functionality. Stessl have made a few improvements to the existing 440 Sportsman by changing the aluminium dash for a moulded one and incorporating their Delta hull design with reverse chines and improved stability. Dave adds to the package by adding a
20 2021 Boating EXTRA
Main: The Stessl Sportsman 440 is a ridiculously easy rig to tow, launch and use and is an ideal sheltered watercraft. Above: With over 2m of beam, the rig is comfortable for a couple of anglers. bimini top and clears as well as a transom door. Dave is particularly impressed with the 50hp Honda strapped to the back. “Honda’s new 50 was only released a few years ago and offers best-in-class power-toweight and fuel economy,” Dave said. This hull is rated to 60hp but the 50 Honda does just fine. On the test day it returned a maximum speed of just under 50km an hour – although the weather was superb. There was no fuel metering available to measure economy, although the 50L underfloor fuel tank would offer sensational range for close fishing. The transom door allows easy access both on the water and when the boat is on the trailer. It is matched with a set of aluminium steps, which allows easy step up onto the duckboard. Given the short length of the boat, the Sportsman is quite spacious. Swivel the seats around and you have a large cockpit space to lay down a few fishing rods and wait for a bite. If you are travelling with
more than two persons on board, more passengers can sit on the fold down storage seat on the back starboard side. This compartment eats up a lot of gear and when folded over allows access to the batteries and pumps in the transom. Up for’ard the split windscreen opens and gives easy access to the anchor well, which holds enough rope and ground gear to keep you in place while fishing. Back at Bribie Marine we wash the boat down and discussed why this is such a popular boat in the area with Dave. “Nearly all of the rigs we sell come with the bimini and the transom door option. The locals just like it because it suits their style of fishing to a tee. We can’t get enough of them recently,” he concluded. For more information on the hull you can visit www.stessl.com.au or for more information about the Bribie Special version see Dave at Bribie Marine. Their website is www.bribieboatsales.com.au.
Dave O’Neal says the Honda 50hp is best-in-class for power-to-weight and economy.
2021 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2021 Boating EXTRA
Top: Stessl have changed from an aluminium dash
to a moulded dash for the Sportsman models. Above: A small glovebox with a couple of drink folders lets you stash some gear on the passenger side.
Top: There’s some underfloor storage under the cockpit floor. Above: The 50hp Honda pushes the rig along economically, but you won’t find it easy to break the 50km/h mark. The hull is rated to 60hp.
Top: There’s a split windscreen that allows you access to the anchor well.
Above: Looking for’ard from the windscreen, there’s a built in anchor well.
The ‘Bribie Special’ build comes with a canopy and front clears.
There’s comfortable seating for the driver and passenger. Others can sit on the folding storage bin at the back of the cockpit.
Top Left and Right: How cool is the Railblaza sliding mount system? You can adjust easily the position of your rod holders, cup holders and other accessories without drilling any holes. Left: You can fit plenty of gear in the folding, rear storage box. Right: Fold the box over and you have access to the battery and pumps, and such like, in the transom.
Top Left: The Sportsman is one of the easiet boats we’ve tested to get access to the anchor. Left: Folding aluminium stairs allow access for swimmers in the water or while the boat is on the trailer. Right: The transom door is another option that Bribie Boats had added.
2021 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2021 Boating EXTRA 21
2021 Boating EXTRA
- SC
TENT -
RE ONLINE MO
Q
R
RA
CON
AN THE
CO
DE FOR EX
T
Sea Jay 453 Territory with Yamaha 60hp 4-stroke FMG
Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au
We’ve tested a few of Sea Jay’s Territory hulls since release. The range, released at a Brisbane Boat Show (you remember when boat shows were a thing, right?) was unashamedly a response to consumer and dealer feedback that wanted a hull with a massive front deck and a flexible console option. Ever since, they’ve been a popular addition to the Sea Jay catalogue. The 453 is the smallest of the Territory line up, which also includes a 483, 503 and 533. All of the hulls are made from 3mm aluminium bottoms and sides in their Bundaberg factory in Queensland. The Elliott River, where we were testing the rig, is only a short drive from where they’re made. The test boat was fitted with a Yamaha F60 4-stroke, part of the 1L platform that includes their 50 and 70hp models. Performance-wise, it was brilliantly economical. Cruising at 4,000rpm the Yamaha delivered 3.9km/L at 35km/h
SPECIFICATIONS Length..........................................4.9m Beam.......................................... 2.12m Depth............................................1.2m Sides.............................................3mm Bottom.........................................3mm Capacity...............................5 persons Max HP............................................. 70 Floor Ribs........................................ 10 Hull Weight................................. 442kg while a wide open throttle (WOT) run saw 58km/h on the speedo and a reduced economy of 2.7km/L. With those numbers, expect around 250km of theoretical range from the 70L underfloor fuel tank. Remember that all Sea Jay boats are available on a factory-matched Sea Jay trailer and taking this option, whether it’s in aluminium I-Beam or galvanized steel, extends the hull warranty by a year. On the water, there’s a lot of usable space. The front casting deck is made even more usable by moving the usual bow anchor well from above the deck to under
Fuel economy in this rig is remarkable – 3.9km/L burned at 4,000rpm and 35km/h. Makes current fuel prices not sting as much. 22 2021 Boating EXTRA
Main: Sea Jay’s 453 Territory is all about maximising casting room in a package that you can use all over Australia. The test boat was fitted with a Yamaha F60 4-stroke outboard. Above: The Territory is available in several options. The rig tested has a side-console, but you can also get centre-console versions. it. There’s a concealed cleat under the gunwale and enough room under the deck compartment to hold all of your ground gear. It works in tandem with your electric motor – the design of the hull makes sure that they’re not in each other’s way. Because of the height of the casting deck, there’s a pile of storage room under it, although remember that it’s not dry storage if it rains. You can easily fit a large esky or a swag up there and then some. The console is fairly basic – a small compartment for your wallet and mobile phone and lots of room up on top for a bracket mounted sounder. The set up is pretty standard for sub 5m tinny. There is the option to order this hull in a centre console build. The two seats provided are comfortable and the test boat had options to move the passenger seat around, with several bases inbuilt into the deck.
You can expect a full transom on the Territory, with the extra gunwale height keeping water, and whatever other nasties swim in tropical areas, out. Each Territory comes with duckboards and a solid boarding ladder as standard. As tested, this rig came in around the mid $30,000 mark, although with a maximum of 70hp rating, I’d be ordering this rig with the 70. It’s the same platform engine with the same capacity. You can get more information about the Sea Jay Territory at www.seajayboats.com. au. Thanks to Bundaberg Marineland for supplying the test boat.
PERFORMANCE Best Economy: 4,000rpm at 35km/h with 3.9km/L Best Speed: 5,900rpm at 58km/h with 2.7km/L
2021 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2021 Boating EXTRA
Although the seats are offset here, there’s a mount further back if that’s where you want to travel. Also note the Territory’s full transom.
The Territory tested was fitted with an optional bait station on the transom.
Yamaha’s 1L 60HO is the same platform as their F70 and a 70hp is the maximum horsepower this hull is rated for.
Sea Jay’s consoles are typically wide, although there’s no room to flush mount a sounder in them. You need to bracket-mount on top.
The Territory is all about the enormous deck up front. And it’s elevated from the hull enough to give you massive storage underneath.
A traditional ganged switch panel operates all of your pimps and lights.
The 453 boasts 10 floor ribs and there is room for horizontal rod holders on some of the exposed ribs here.
With a full transom (and no transom door), duckboards like this are essential for boarding. The port side has fold down fishbone stairs.
There’s no anchor well intrusion into fishing space, just a hidden cleat and the rope storage under the deck.
The Sea Jay NexGen hull features reverse chines and a moderate vee.
A single axle trailer is all that’s needed to tote this rig around. The dry weight of the hull-only is under half a tonne.
2021 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2021 Boating EXTRA 23
2021 Boating EXTRA
- SC
TENT -
RE ONLINE MO
Q
R
RA
CON
AN THE
CO
DE FOR EX
T
Stabicraft 1450 Frontier with Yamaha F50hp
that holds a bracket mounted sounder, helm and a gauge or two. Sitting behind it, you feel that you’re not right behind it, but it matters little as it’s an easy boat to drive. Passengers will sit on the front deck or deck extentions looking backwards or on the padded ice box that’s movable around the floor. There’s some decent shelves each side, however, dry storage is limited. As tested, this kitted-our rig came in at $46,995 with plenty of options boxes ticked, but I suggest you call the team at Northside Marine to get them to quote you on your ideal rig and options. Packages for the 1450 hull start at around $27,500.
FMG
Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au
There’s something about Stabicraft boats that people just love. We’ve tested quite a few over the years, right up to the head-turning 2250 Centra Cab that’s broken all sorts of houserecords for YouTube views on the test video. If you’re unaware, we do video tests for all of the boat tests we publish in the magazine, they’re available on our YouTube channel or by scanning the QR code above. This time, however, it’s from the smaller end of the range. It’s a new model, the 1450, which is 4.42m long and comes in versions from a basic, unpainted tiller-steer right through to the decked out model we’re testing for Brisbane dealer, Northside Marine. Northside Marine import the hull from New Zealand and then add a locally built trailer, and a Yamaha outboard. In this case, a 50hp model, which is the largest size rated for this hull. Like all Stabicraft boats, it features their lifering construction. This is nearly 1000L of air sealed inside the aluminium pontoons. It acts to make the boat positively buoyant if it is ever submerged and the reverse chines help to smooth the ride and deflect spray. It’s always handy to know that if you ever get into trouble, the hull is basically unsinkable. Northside’s Mark Golden reckons that this hull is incredibly popular. “It’s because you can get into a hull that you can take offshore on a good day and do it in safety. You can do it in this hull without having to buy a 6m boat,” he said. Overall, though, this is a hull that will be
PERFORMANCE RPM..............km/h............. km/L 700...................... 4................ 4.8 1000.................... 6................ 3.3 2000.................... 9................ 2.5 3000...................12................ 1.9 3500.................. 24................ 3.5 4000.................. 31................ 3.9 4500.................. 38................ 3.5 5000.................. 42................ 3.4 5900.................. 50................ 2.5
28 2021 Boating EXTRA
Main: Here’s the fully kitted out version of the 1450 Stabicraft – it’s called the Frontier Profish and is the top of the line in 1450. Above: Built in New Zealand, Brisbane’s Northside Marine imported the test craft and added a 50hp Yamaha outboard and a locally built trailer. able to do anything from crabbing up the creeks to chasing pelagics, and is ridiculously economically. It’s kind of strange to have a boat of this size fitted with remote fuel tanks, but when you consider that you get nearly 100km out of a tank, then you realise that you don’t need a 100L of fuel to get the job done. Best economy was at 4000rpm, where the Yamaha returned 3.9km/L economy at 31km/h. Wide open throttle yielded inferior economy (2.5km/L) but a top speed of 50km/L at 5,900 rpm. It was running an 11” Yamaha aluminium propeller. Out on the bay, the boat rode flat. And that’s not just because it was a glass-calm overcast day. It turns flat, there’s no banking into corners like you may have to do in your current boat. And in tight turns, the 15° of transom deadrise helps it hold on. Internally, my initial impressions was that it’s not spacious – that’s the other side of the lifering equation. The beam of this hull is 1.89m that decreases to 1.35m internally. The upside, though, is that all of that space is 100% usable. You never feel uncomfortable in this boat. It keeps you inside the chine lines and the gunwales are high enough for this to be easily fished in in a sea. Move up to the front casting deck and you’ll find it’s a workable size without being huge. The whole deck is covered in a foam flooring material that makes it very pleasant underfoot,
and I assume, easy to keep clean. There’s a very solid electric motor bracket that welded (not just screwed on) and a tray for the accompanying battery up the front as well. Juggling people around inside the boat on the test day and we came to the conclusion that the extra weight up front will actually help the ride. In the cockpit, there’s a small side console
SPECIFICATIONS Length........................................4.42m Beam..........................................1.89m Dry tow weight.......................... 720kg Max HP............................................. 50 Max engine weight................... 165kg Transom Deadrise.........................15° Hull/sides.....................................3mm Pontoon volume......................... 960L Capacity...............................6 persons
Stabicraft have always sported a futuristic design, regardless of what they’re photographed next to.
2021 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2021 Boating EXTRA
The Yamaha F50 is the maximum horsepower this rig is rated to. It got to 50km/h at 5,900rpm and 2.5km/L. The most economical speed was 31km/h.
In addition to the gunwale mounted rod holders, there’s some vertical rod storage near the front deck. The front deck is workable if not large.
You can get the 1450 hull unpainted, but the Frontier ProFish model comes painted.
The ice box serves a dual purpose keeping stuff cold and for passenger seating. Something you don’t see often, a handy side bait board.
Some buyers will be surprised that there’s no inbuilt fuel tanks for this rig, yet the 25L remote tank gives nearly 100km of range.
All Stabicraft hulls feature a solid reverse chine, and a vee deep enough to take the sting out of the landing on the rougher days.
This livewell sat on the port side transom step.
Rather than inbuilt passenger seating, there’s a padded chilly-bin (that’s NZ for esky) lid to sit on.
Stabicraft’s folding seating is very comfortable and definitely looks the part.
A single axle trailer is all that this rig needs and you can tow it behind nearly anything.
Yamaha’s remote control box is pretty basic for the 50hp, but it’s positioned well and comfortable to drive.
The side console feels a little like you sitting beside it and not behind it, but you can bracket-mount a decent sized fishfinder on top of it, behind the windscreen.
2021 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2021 Boating EXTRA 29
2021 Boating EXTRA
- SC
TENT -
RE ONLINE MO
Q
R
RA
CON
AN THE
CO
DE FOR EX
T
Surtees 610 Game Fisher with Yamaha 150hp FMG
Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au
I must admit I’ve only ever been in one Surtees before. We tested the bigger brother of this rig, the 650 Game Fisher, a couple of years ago in the same location. It was Clontarf in Moreton Bay, Queensland. That day was glassy calm, hot and sunny, which is perfect for fishing, yet frustrating when you want to see how the water ballast system that this brand is famous for, rides. Fast forward a couple of years and we have a forecast for a 20 knot northerly. This time in winter. Everyone knows a stinkin’ nor-wester sucks, so we could finally fill the ballast tanks and bust some chop. Day dawns glassy. Insert facepalm emoji! So if Surtees claim to actually flatten the sea instead of taking the edge off a rough ride, I’m all for that. Seems like it does to me. Regardless, we met the team from Northside Marine at the ramp, led by Bill Hull, their appropriately named head salesman. “We’ve been doing Surtees boats for 11 years now and from day one, we had sold the first shipment before it even landed and have never looked back. We’ve enjoyed this product immensely,” he said. But let’s backtrack a little. Surtees is a New Zealand built, plate aluminium hull that features a ‘water ballast system’. This means
that at rest and with the ballast door open, it taken in over 340L of water. This drops the chines lower in the water and makes the hull more stable at rest by doing so. And although the water can drain out in just a few seconds after you power on, you can choose to retain the water in there to add mass to the boat and to have it ride like a heavier hull. And we all know that a heavy hull with a steep V will cut through chop better
SPECIFICATIONS Length..........................................6.1m Beam..........................................2.26m Bottom.........................................5mm Sides.............................................4mm Fuel...............................................200L Transom deadrise..........................19° Capacity...............................6 persons Max HP....................................... 150hp Tow weight............................. 1,450kg than a light, flat-bottomed rig. That’s the theory anyway. FYI, it rode beautifully on the glassed-out bay. Like everything. That aside, the Surtees is a beautifully finished boat that’s fitted onto a locally built trailer. Northside then adds a locally sourced Yamaha and you’re ready to go. They’ll back the 10 year hull warranty 100%.
Insert gratuitous shot of boat running past the Black Pearl, anchored at Clontarf in Moreton Bay. 150 horses sure beat sail power on the test day. 30 2021 Boating EXTRA
Main: This is how all of your Surtees dreams start – inky calm water, sun rising and headed out to your favourite fishing spot. The Surtees sure does make this comfortable. Above: With a 200L fuel tank, and peak economy of 1.9km/L, the 610 Game Fisher has a potential range of well over 350km at 36km/h. There’s also a 10 year warranty on the hull. The test rig was fitted with the maximum sized outboard, an F150 Yamaha 4-stroke, that delivered a top speed on 70km/h at 5,900rpm while achieving 1.2km for each litre of fuel burned. The rig was most efficient at 3,500rpm where that economy jumped by around 50% and delivered 1.9km/L at 36km/h. With a 200L fuel tank, that’s well over 350km of theoretical range and appropriate for a hull that’s named a ‘Game Fisher’. The boat features an innovative bait station that has both inbuilt sliding trays and the ability to securely hold standard sized plastic tackle trays in easy reach. Under it, there’s dry storage space and isolation switches behind a cupboard door. Under that, there’s easy access to the batteries under a false floor. All of the deck is covered with EVA foam that looks the part and feels great underfoot. The cockpit also features wide gunwales with rod holders and shelves underneath to hold your gear that needs to be readily accessed. Moving forward, the helm seats are comfortable with storage options underneath. In the test boat’s case, these are a cooler box and some additional tackle storage. The Surtees’ helm has evolved to a point that’s functional and capable of holding all of the electronics you’d be likely to fit your rig out with.The cabin isn’t the biggest in its class but does offer a balance between cockpit
space and shelter. It’s separated with a zipup canvas door and, when locked in, the infill bunks complete an area to get away from the elements. Supplied on a twin axle trailer, this rig will tow easily with any dual cab ute. As tested, you’ll be looking at $115,687 with all of the options fitted, although BMT package prices start from around the $88,000 mark. Give Bill and the team at Northside Marine a call if you want to organise a test ride or to get a quote for a version that will suit your style of fishing. Also, make sure you check out the video version of this boat test by scanning the QR code hereby. Subscribers to the channel may well have already seen it.
PERFORMANCE RPM..............km/h............. km/L 600...................... 5................ 2.8 1000.................... 7................ 2.5 2000...................11................ 1.8 3000.................. 20................ 1.5 3500.................. 36................ 1.9 4000.................. 44................ 1.8 4500.................. 50 ............... 1.7 5000.................. 58 ............... 1.6 6100.................. 70................ 1.2
2021 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2021 Boating EXTRA
The trailer features a simple auto catch system for launching and retrieving, powered by gravity.
You can see the water ballast system at the apex of the transom. There’s a cover that you can deploy to keep the water in there to soften the ride when conditions get rough.
The live tank is cleverly located under the transom doorstep and the door itself slides up and down rather than inwards.
The folding boarding ladder is a standard inclusion and is built to last forever.
The batteries live under the removable floor in the console under the bait station. Sounds like they’re buried, but they’re actually easily accessible.
What the cabin loses in overall length it makes up for in usable space with the infills added. It’s not lockable but has a canvas screen that zips closed for privacy.
The 2.7L Yamaha 150hp 4-stroke has well over a decade of reliable boating under its belt. The test boat was fitted with standard hydraulic steering.
Surtees’ helm seating is comfortable and boasts clever combinations of storage options.
The bait station has its own drawers and a clever space that lets you store standard sized aftermarket tackle boxes.
The rocket launchers aren’t the easiest to get rods in and out from with the optional sunshade extension added, as you’ll need to climb up on the gunwale to get them in and out.
Surtees have the helm design well refined after years of experience.
2021 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2021 Boating EXTRA 31
2021 Boating EXTRA
- SC
TENT -
RE ONLINE MO
Q
R
RA
CON
AN THE
CO
DE FOR EX
T
Anglapro Bandit 484Pro with Yamaha F70hp FMG
Yamaha’s F70 4-stroke is legendary for its efficiency. It’s a 1.0L engine that gets 53km/h at wide open throttle and 6,100rpm. At that speed it gets 2.3km/L. Drop the throttle back to 4,000rpm and you get much better
Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au
When I was a teenager mucking around in tinnies, the next boat I thought I wanted to progress to was a centre console tinny. After all, at the time (and this was 30 years ago) all you needed was a ton of gas, plenty of oil to mix it with, and a couple of MBSS (Moreton Bay Spin Sticks) with Shimano TSS4s on them, and there was virtually nothing you couldn’t catch. I did get distracted along the way and ended up making a boat with a bow mounted electric motor… but that’s beside the point. The centre console tinny is still where it’s at when it comes to stretching your legs into water where you just wouldn’t go to in a 12ft tinny. And the thing is, nowadays, you can do it with a bow mounted motor, casting deck, sweet electronics and all of the things my homemade boat had back in the day. And you can tow it all with the family car. Anglapro’s Bandit centre consoles are aimed squarely at anglers at this end of the market. Ones that want more range when they can pick their days, but haven’t got $100K to spend on their ultimate bay boat. In fact, you can pick up one of these boats and a trailer for just over $20,000 and add whatever motor you like (up to 75hp) and that’s definitely affordable for many anglers wanting to step up. The other thing with the Bandit is that you can fold down the bimini and the console to slip it into a garage, if your place suits that.
PERFORMANCE RPM..............km/h............. km/L 1000.................... 7................ 5.4 2000...................11................ 4.0 3000...................16................ 2.2 3500.................. 24................ 2.7 4000.................. 32................ 3.1 4500.................. 37................ 2.8 5000.................. 43................ 2.6 6000.................. 52................ 2.3 6100.................. 53................ 2.3 * Yamaha GP AlloySDS Prop 14”
34 2021 Boating EXTRA
SPECIFICATIONS Length..........................................4.8m Beam..........................................2.27m Max hp............................................. 75 Fuel................................................. 85L Capacity...............................5 persons Hull................................................3mm Sides.............................................3mm
Main: Here’s what $31,300 worth of ally Anglapro centre console looks like. For that, you get the bimini, the electric motor and Yamaha’s F70 34-stroke, and a 5-year boat warranty. Above: Even on a day of white capping westerlies, safe harbours like the southern bay’s Peel Island are an easy trip. And being on a single-axled Dunbier trailer makes manoeuvring easy. While we’re talking about trailers, you’d be crazy not to pick up your Bandit on a factorysupplied and fitted trailer. If you do, it extends the warranty to five years. That’s pretty big for a tinny. Like most sub-5m aluminium boats, you’d still have to pick your days to have a comfortable day’s fishing. A white capping cross breeze means that you’ll need to drive clever to stay dry. They like it straight into and downwind, but quarter anything rough and you’ll need a spray jacket. That aside, you have a garage-able boat that has a casting deck, shade, rear cockpit for fishing and a centred helm. There’s not many inshore species that you can’t chase in it. And there’s plenty of storage in this rig. You have a massive area under the helm seat that will swallow a lot of your safety gear and there’s even more space under the casting deck that will hold a mid-sized esky. Just remember that this isn’t dry storage if it buckets down rain. The rear lounge seat folds out of the way when you want to fish from the cockpit. Plus,
it is an added luxury to have a place to sit while travelling. There’s dry storage under the console and plenty of options to store the keys, wallet and phone. It’s not the fastest rig on the water, but you sure do get bang-for-buck at the bowser.
economy at 32km/h. At that speed, you’ll get 3.1km/L and your 85L underfloor fuel tank will get you a theoretical 250-ish kilometres. You can see the Bandit in action on the video-test of this rig – just scan the QR code hereby to get taken straight to our video. If you want to be notified of all of our video boat tests, just subscribe to the Fishing Monthly Magazines YouTube Channel and you’ll get notifications when they go live. Otherwise, see your local Anglapro dealer or connect with the company on their socials (search Anglapro on Instagram or Facebook). As tested, this rig weighed in at $31,300.
You won’t win many on-water drag races, but the economy of the Bandit is exceptional. The 85L tank will give you well over 200km of range.
2021 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2021 Boating EXTRA
The console is quite narrow, but it does allow easy access to the front casting deck. It also folds down to get it into a garage.
Rob Gaden seemed to enjoy driving the test boat while we captured the moment. It’s a tough job.
You can run with the bimini extended for shade or you can fold it away for easier 360o casting – your choice. Some will order it without the top at all.
The rear bait station is simple and removable for days you don’t need it or want to tow the kids around on a tube.
The handrail design chews into your sounder flush-mounting space a little, but there is plenty of dry storage underneath the console.
You’re covered for both options when anchoring with a MotorGuide Xi5 fitted GPS locking and traditional anchoring. This rig fits both.
There’s plenty of room up front for lure casting – either in calm water or offshore.
The rear lounge looks like it will get in the way while fishing, but it folds away neatly under the transom.
Yamaha’s F70 is an in-line 1.0L 4-stroke outboard that has fans all over the world.
The traditional anchor well holds plenty of bottom gear.
There’s two hatches under the front casting deck. The main one will hold a mid-sized esky when needed. The smaller one gives access to the electric motor battery.
Imagine what you can shove in here! Anything from easily accessible safety gear to a pile of camping gear for a weekend getaway.
2021 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2021 Boating EXTRA 35
2021 Boating EXTRA
- SC
TENT -
RE ONLINE MO
Q
R
RA
CON
AN THE
CO
DE FOR EX
T
Stessco Bowrider 520 with Yamaha F115hp
trailer and the hull together is that you get a 5-year warranty on the hull by buying the combination. “A factory trailer means that it’s fitted right and that’s how we can extend the warranty in this way,” said Jones. As tested, the 520 came in at $53,550, but with no options and a 90hp, you can start at $46,000 for this package. The smaller 490 Bowrider begins at around $42,000. You can tow any of them with a standard, family car and manoeuvre it easily with the single axle trailer. Search for more information at your local Stessco dealer or by visiting www.stessco. com.au online.
FMG
Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au
If you’re an active angler, the bowrider platform is probably your best compromise boat when it comes to picking something that is family friendly as well as fishing friendly. They have a front deck full of casual seating that can be converted to a full front deck by adding a deck infill and removing the cushions. Head aft and the situation is the same – this Stessco has a removable ski-pole and you can drop in a bait station into the same hole to complete the change, while still having a bimini top amidships that offers shade for the helm seats. Stessco have been making bowriders for a while now, but this is the first we’ve seen with a new pearl-white Yamaha 115hp bolted on the back. In the afternoon sun at Redcliffe, the metallic paint matched nicely and the photo shoot drew a few spectators. Not bad for a rig built a short drive north at Narangba, north of Brisbane. Stessco’s Owen Jones joined us for the test, which you can also watch on the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel. Since y’all are COVID check-in trained, you can watch it just by scanning the QR code above on your smartphone camera. “This boat is the type of rig that a family would buy as their first comfortable boat,” Owen said, “They’ll usually come from owning a tinny and be looking to spend around the $50K mark for something with more range and comfort.”
PERFORMANCE RPM..............km/h............. km/L 700...................... 3................ 3.1 1000.................... 7................ 2.9 2000...................12................ 2.2 3000.................. 27................ 2.7 3500.................. 36................ 3.0 4000.................. 42................ 2.8 4500.................. 50................ 2.6 5000.................. 57................ 2.4 6300.................. 71................ 1.7
36 2021 Boating EXTRA
Main: In the afternoon, winter sun, the Stessco Bowrider looked great with the new pearl white Yamaha 115hp. Above: With the front deck infill, you can use the front casting deck as a fishing platform as well as the rear cockpit space. Fitted with the maximum sized outboard, a Yamaha F15 4-stroke, the Bowrider got up and moved with a top speed on 71km/h at 6,300rpm. At that speed, it got 1.7km/L. Drop down to the most economical cruising speed of 36km/h and that economy rises to a neat 3km/L. That’s a range of over 300km with a 110L underfloor fuel tank. The new, white Yamahas are proving popular with local builders and customers alike and, at the time of testing, they’d just released the colour in engines down to 50hp. The hull liked a little trim as well and when you get a little air under it, the mechanical steering lightens and you really feel like you’re driving a speedboat. The transom door and heavy duty, folding boarding steps are standard, as is the folding rear storage compartment that doubles as a bench seat for a couple of passengers. It takes a little room from the cockpit, but adds a lot of storage. Folded, it offers access to the transom hatches, and batteries and isolators. The helm is simple and effective and able to hold a mid-sized sounder, flush-mounted,
and the passenger side has a glove box for valuables. The test boat is supplied on a factory-fitted Stessco trailer. The advantage of buying the
SPECIFICATIONS Length........................................5.29m Beam..........................................2.29m Depth..........................................1.20m Max. hp...........................................115 Bottom.........................................3mm Sides.............................................3mm Capacity...............................5 persons Fuel................................................110L
Wide open, the Yamaha 115 delivered 71km/L at 1.7km/L. Drop back to 3,500rpm and 36km/h and the economy rises to 3km/L. There’s 110L of fuel underfloor.
2021 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2021 Boating EXTRA
Here’s the front deck with the infill fitted and the cushions on. You can remove the middle section to turn the deck into bowrider-style seating.
Couple the transom door with the rugged, folding boarding steps and there’s solutions for getting on-board, on the trailer or in the water.
There are two main helm seats behind the windscreen and a starboard skewed storage box for extra seating.
Looking for’ard, you can access the bow area through the folding windscreen section.
The rear seat box folds over to give access to the sealed transom hatches.
There’s a clear-doored glove compartment for the passenger as well as an indented section to stop your valuables from sliding off the dash.
The helm is simple and can hold a mid-sized sounder flush-mounted.
Stessco boasts a rib-count higher than in standard plate aluminium boats.
The bimini top on the test rig was an optional extra but a necessity in most places in Australia.
Here’s what it looks like with the seat infill listed. Plenty of room for socialising.
2021 NEW RELEASES • BOATING • MARINE • ELECTRONICS • ACCESSORIES • KAYAKS
2021 Boating EXTRA 37