Queensland Fishing Monthly January 2020 by Fishing Monthly

ABT BARRA TOUR RESULTS • FISHING THE FLATS

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Features Fishing the flats • Mackay impoundment barra • Barra facts: sights and sounds • Tips for summer camping •

Boating & Kayaking Kitting out the kayak • Propeller know-how • Yakking the creek: Tallebudgera •

Tried & Tested Obsession Spinnerbaits for bass • Whittley SL22 HT with Yamaha F150hp • Stessco 620 Albacore with Yamaha F200hp •

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January 2020, Vol. 32 No. 3

Contents NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES Yamba 20 Ballina 22

Managing Editor: Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au Editorial Manager: Jacqui Thomas

Printing: APN – News Corp Australia Production: Karen Millward Keith Hawley

Sub-Editors: Nicole Penfold Bob Thornton Lucette Eggleton

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Warwick Lyndon with a 70cm passionfruit trout he caught on a soft plastic off Cairns. A Simon Vaughan image.

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values of recreational fishing and other outdoor activities, and will help to answer such questions as: • Does recreational fishing have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of fishers? • How do the benefits of recreational fishing compare to other outdoor activities? • What is the economic value of recreational fishing to the Australian economy, and the

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quantify that! You can fill it out at www.nationalrecsurvey.com. au, and be in the running to share in $6000 worth of prizes. The survey is run by the Valuing Recreational Fishing project, which is funded by the federal government and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC). The survey will measure the social and economic

economy of different states and territories? • What barriers sometimes prevent people experiencing benefits from fishing? All Australians aged 18 or older are invited to take part, even those people who don’t fish very often, or haven’t been fishing for a while. If this is you, you’ll be asked when you most recently went fishing, and why you haven’t gone recently. This is an important part of understanding when fishing does and doesn’t form part of people’s lives. And if you go fishing all the time, that’s great too – you’ll be able to provide valuable input on the value of fishing for you. The bottom line? Please spend the time to do this survey. They won’t ask for GPS marks, and the information won’t be used to restrict fishing access, regardless of what the tinfoil hat brigade will have you believe! The survey is open until 14 February, 2020.

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Got a spare 15 minutes to help protect recreational fishing? Take some time to fill in the National Recreational Fishing Survey, and show policy-makers how important fishing is to Australians. Surveys like these don’t come around very often, and they help us to understand how many people fish, their patterns in doing it, how much money they spend doing it, and some of the more indirect stuff, like how fishing affects your mental health. If you’re anything like me, fishing time is quality time – either by yourself or with family and friends – where you can renew your connection to the natural world. You don’t need to stress about the pace and demands of modern life when you’re fishing, and there’s an old saying about the time spent fishing not coming off your number of days allocated on this earth. Maybe the NRFS will

REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics 14 Camping and 4WD 70 Cooking 67 Dam Levels 62 Freshwater 62 Fun Page 88 Sheik of the Creek 69 Tech Tricks 16 Tournament News 71 Track my fish 84 Trades and Services 86 What’s New Boating 95 What’s New Fishing 80 SPECIAL FEATURES Fishing the flats Mackay impoundment barra Barra facts: sights and sounds Tips for summer camping

From the Editor’s Desk...

BOATING AND KAYAK

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Whitsundays 50 Ayr 51 Townsville 52 Cairns 54 Port Douglas 54 Hinchinbrook 55 Cairns NFZ 55 Lucinda 56 Cooktown 56 Cape York 57

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Hervey Bay 40 Rainbow Beach 41 Gladstone 42 Lake Monduran 43 Bundaberg 44 Rockhampton 44 Yeppoon 45 Mackay 46

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After a flat start to the year? BRISBANE

Bob Thornton

One of the great things about South East Queensland and Northern NSW is that you really don’t need a boat to experience some great fishing. It’s true that landbased fishing elsewhere in the country can turn up some pretty fantastic results,

While many of us may have started our fishing journey flicking lures across the sand flats for bread and butter species like bream, whiting and flathead, we still come back to fish these same areas time and time again. Why? Because it’s accessible, requires very little tackle, and it provides a good fishing fix! It’s a popular pastime at this time

Flathead are the real prize on the flats in SEQ, and soft plastics are usually the most effective presentations. but SEQ and Northern NSW’s beautiful, sandy and crocodile-less flats would rival the best. Walking tidal flats is where many anglers cut their teeth on lure fishing, and even now with so many people fishing these areas, it’s still possible to find your own patch of flat to spend a few hours.

of year when quick, easy and kid-friendly is on the menu, and it’s a great way to score a feed while you’re at it. Sure it’s not as glamorous or untouched as the flats fishing in the north of the state, but what could beat parking the car, walking to your spot without constantly looking over your shoulder

for crocodiles, catching a feed for you and the family, and walking back into town to grab an ice-cream? For those yet to try walking the flats, or anyone wishing to hone their skills further, let’s dive in and check it out. WHERE TO GO Finding suitable flats to fish is probably the most difficult part, and it helps to be able to identify the things that attract bread and butter species. Flats can form anywhere along the tidal section of a river, creek, coastal lake, inlet, harbour or bay, so there’s a lot of water to rule out. As a general rule, I won’t fish a flat that doesn’t have at least some yabby holes on it. Yabbies are an important food source for a range of predators, including whiting, and given that many bigger predators also eat whiting, it just makes sense to fish where the yabbies are. The second thing I look for is some changes in depth. Small undulations, holes, drains, and even the drop-off back into the main channel are things that give predators a reason to be there. They allow the fish to hide from prey and predators of their own, and to seek shelter from the current. Speaking of current, it’s definitely something else I like to have on a flat. Tidal movement brings everything alive, and ambush predators like flathead can lay buried in the sand while food is brought to them. Hunting species, like bream, whiting and trevally, will use the current to move around and find the small animals that have become exhausted fighting against it. Something that is not necessary but preferred, especially when chasing flathead, is some structure. Sporadic patches of weed,

rock or shale are sufficient structures for flathead, as these things too hold small forage species like crabs, baitfish, prawns and other small morsels. Of course, you want your chosen flat to be wadable, and anything deeper than waist deep becomes uncomfortable. I like to find a flat with shin to knee-deep water, with deeper water over a metre deep within casting range. The bigger the flat, the longer you can spend exploring and catching fish! WHAT TO BRING Essentials To me, the gearing up aspect is what makes this form of fishing so attractive. You can get away with carrying so little gear, you sometimes don’t even need a bag! Apart from a rod and reel, if I had to list the ‘bare essentials’ and why they’re essential, I could do it in one sentence, so here goes: A pair of pliers for unhooking fish safely, 4-6 different lures to cover your options and some spare fluorocarbon trace if you break off. That’s it. It’s worth remembering though that with summer upon us, water and adequate sun protection also become essential. Optionals There are a few things that I’ll also bring along to make the whole process smoother. One thing I like to bring with me, especially if chasing flathead, is a small trout net, which I keep clipped to my backpack. Dealing with flathead in knee-deep water while they trash with trebles in their mouth can potentially end up a disaster, so the net helps me to keep some distance while I unhook it. Some people may prefer a lip grip for the same reason. An old school wading bag is a good idea if you intend to keep fish, as it saves having to run back to an esky way up on the bank every time you

Sight casting to flathead is not impossible, but this image demonstrates just how hard it is to see them against the sand, let alone from a distance! catch a keeper. The good old Alvey Surf Wading Bag is still fantastic for this job, however there’s other brands producing products like these now. A measuring tool that you can fold away easily will also be essential if you’re keeping fish. Alternatively, you can do what I’ve seen plenty of old timers do, and mark the legal lengths of your target species with a marker pen on your bag. It’s simple, but it’s clever! TACKLE Tackle for the most part can be kept fairly light, unless you want to specifically target larger flathead. Most bread and butter fish you’ll cross paths with in the shallows can be easily subdued with light estuary tackle. For rods, any spin rod in the 1-5kg range will handle most things, including big flathead if you take it easy. With reels, it’s not necessary to have the latest and greatest in spin reel technology, so anything from in a 1000-3000 size is fine.

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

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

JANUARY 2020

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

Bream are another main player in the shallows, and respond to a variety of different lures and flies.

For all my flats work I use braid for the simple reason that I can cast light offerings further – a huge advantage when fishing this shallow – and most braids between 2-10lb will suit this work. Some bream tournament anglers use light fluorocarbon straight through to minimise the shadow cast by the line, but I prefer the extra bit of distance I get when using braid. On the end of my braid I like to use a fairly long leader of fluorocarbon, and again, anything in the 2-10lb range will suffice. If big fatties are on the cards it may be worth upsizing your leader, but in doing so you’ll probably prevent a lot of enquiries smaller fish. I prefer to fish as light as possible to maximise my bites, even if it comes at the risk of losing a bigger flathead. With your lures, you don’t need to bring a whole boatload with you, but it does pay to have a few different types just to keep your options open. To cover my bases, I’ll usually have some topwater presentations like poppers and small stickbaits, some small bream-style crankbaits, some minnow-profiled jerkbaits, and some lightly-weighted soft plastics. If you organise a box with 2-3 of each, you’re more than ready to hit the flats. Just keep in mind that the majority of fish in these shallow areas are used to eating small prey items, so keeping your presentations under about 50mm is a good idea. Again, if flathead are your target, you can go bigger than this, but it will come at the expense of bites from bream and whiting. KNOW YOUR TECHNIQUE When I go out for a flats session, I usually fish in a way that doesn’t limit me to any one species, so instead of

focussing on species, I’ll look at some techniques. Bibbed lures Small crankbaits are what I would call the ‘all-rounder’ of flats fishing. They can imitate many different food items, and they will catch just about anything. Because you’ll only be

fishing in water around 2ft deep or shallower, there’s no need to use a hardbody with a giant bill, because all this will do is make the lure dig up lot of sand and swim sideways. Instead, I like to get a small crankbait or jerkbait that dives to around 2ft. This will mean the lure makes contact

A delicious bag of flats-caught bounty, with a few tasty crustaceans thrown in. There’s no shame in taking a few for a feed; they don’t call them bread and butter species for nothing!

occasionally with the bottom, stirring up sand and mud and starting predators from afar, but still swims fairly true. How you work your hardbodies can vary. With small traditionally crankbaits I prefer a steady wind where I can feel occasional contact with the bottom, throwing in a pause here and there to mix up. These presentations will catch everything on the flats, but are particularly favoured by bream. If you feel the tell-tale ‘tap-tap’ of a bream trying to eat your lure, just keep winding until you feel them eat it properly and let the weight of the fish load up the rod. It’s very simple! This will work particularly well around rubbly bottom. When using longer minnow-styled hardbodies, I like to work them with twitches and paused. Several rips to get it kicking up sand before a few second’s pause drives flathead crazy, especially if the lure suspends. Soft plastics Softies are a good trick to have up your sleeve, and definitely one of the main players on the flats. They are very versatile, and are the sort of lure you can fish different structures and depths. Generally speaking, light weight of 1/8oz or under will be fine, especially in such shallow water. If you want to

fish into some deeper holes, going up to a 1/4oz may be a good idea, especially if there’s a bit of wind and current around, making contact with your lure difficult.

Again, sticking to 50mm and under is the way to go to cover your bases. Topwater Fishing topwater presentations is without doubt

Hardbodies are a great tool for covering water and finding local hotspots. In terms of shapes and sizes, there are really no rules. Small creature baits that imitate yabbies will obviously work wonders on any flats-dwelling predators, especially whiting. Flukes, jerkshads or flick baits are a great choice if there are prawns around, and will fool anything that’s in the mood for these small crustaceans. Traditional paddle-tail shads or grubs are great for either slow winding or hopping along the bottom, and would be my number one choice if I was targeting flathead.

the most fun way to fish the flats, and given that the surface is only inches from where most of the fish are sitting, they work pretty well too! If the area you’re fishing is experiencing a run of prawns, you’d almost be silly to want to start with anything else. It was about 15 years ago that throwing small poppers, stickbaits and bent minnow type lures over sandy flats became a popular technique for whiting, and today it’s still a very effective way to fish. I’ve found that fishing this way tends to select out bigger whiting, and I doubt anyone would complain about that. Of course, when people started having success on the whiting, many noticed that other fish didn’t mind smacking a small piece of plastic off the surface To page 12

Casting lures in shallow water often produces bigger whiting.

JANUARY 2020

Tech Tricks

Quick and easy way to make the Snapper Jig BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

Recently I came across a great jig, which is quick and easy to assemble yourself with minimal materials. It is rather similar to a fly I have previously tied to catch an array of tropical species. This jig is a more weighted version of that pattern and could be used to catch species such

as snapper, barramundi, pearl perch, flathead, trevally and numerous reef dwellers. It can be fished in deeper offshore waters and will cast exceptionally well for shore jigging. The Snapper Jig, as it’s simply called, was initially developed and used by Kiwis for targeting snapper across the ditch. After making a few of my own and swimming them, it wasn’t hard to imagine how well they would work on our snapper as well as

numerous other demersal species. When jigged near the bottom, or simply dead sticked in current, the action of the fur creates a very lifelike appeal. I am sure they would also be a hit with Murray cod when tied on lighter jigheads. The Snapper Jig is tied predominately with zonker (strips of rabbit fur). This material possesses a lot of action in the water and will waft and ripple with the slightest movement. Even a slight current will

There is a small material list required for the Snapper Jig and most aspects will be available from a good tackle store that additionally sells fly tying gear. I have used the TT Big Eye jigheads because these have strong hooks and already come painted. However, you could use any quality painted or unpainted jighead. A little flash adds life-like appeal and flat-waxed nylon thread is used to affix the materials to the hook. You can use any colour of zonker strip you like but I have chosen a white and a pink barred zonker for this jig. A bobbin and a fly vice will make the task easier but is not a necessity. Scissors and some glue will also be required.

Cut 10-15 strands of krystal flash that are a little longer than the hook you are using. Krystal flash (twisted strands of mylar) gives life-like appeal to any lure however any reflective flash is worth using. Tie these strands in at the point where you attached the thread. Do a couple of half hitches with the thread (or whip finish if you know how) and then add a little glue to increase durability. 16

JANUARY 2020

create great action from this material. Additionally, zonker is fairly durable and comes in an array of colours, some with barring to offer greater effect. The two strips added to the rear of this jig are similar to the candles (long tentacles) of a squid. I am not too sure how the snapper and other species visualise the snapper jig, however they seem to like it. This could either be due to hunger or curiosity. As fish do not possess hands, they will

often bite something foreign to ascertain whether it is a food item or not. Regardless of why they bite it, once your rod is buckled and your drag is screaming I guess the reason doesn’t matter. Fishing this jig can be as simple as lowering it close to the bottom and then putting the rod in the holder and allowing the rock of the boat to do its job. This deadsticking approach can be very successful, especially in a bit of current when drifting along.

Another approach is to cast it out (either from a boat or shore-based perspective) and allowing it to hit the bottom before lifting the rod to hop the jig. Next, lower the rod, wind in the slack and allow the snapper jig to sink down again before repeating the sequence. Obviously a wide array of other retrieves could also work well. Let’s look at how simple it is to tie a snapper jig.

Attach the thread onto the shank of the hook, roughly opposite the barb. Flat waxed nylon thread will not rot like many other threads however you could even use some rod binding thread, light braid or almost any other strong thread you have at hand for this task.

Cut a strip of zonker that is at least as long as the entire jighead. Tie the first one in on the far side of the jighead using a series of thread wraps. Again half hitch and add a little glue (fly tying head cement is ideal but superglue or Zap-a-Gap will suffice).

Tech Tricks

Add another length of zonker (which is the same length as the first) on the side closest to you. Again, half hitch the thread and add a little glue. These two strips will move enticingly and kick as the jig is retrieved.

At this same position, secure in one end of the zonker you have chosen for the body. This can be the same colour or a contrasting colour to the first two pieces you tied in. Do a few half hitches and some glue before wrapping the thread forward until it is all the way up to the jighead.

Begin winding the zonker strip around the hook shank firmly while keeping the skin flat to the shank. As you do each wrap, preen the hair backwards before doing the next wrap. Continue along the shank like this until you get all the way up to the rear of the jighead. Use a series of thread wraps to secure the end of the zonker strip. Cut away the remaining thread and add some glue to increase durability.

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When completed the snapper jigs present well and look enticing. There are no rules as to colour and it pays to make several different models. Therefore, you can try several options on any given day. Different weights can also be made depending on the water depth and current in which you are going to use them. There are a lot of options in relation to colours and you can even add numerous other materials to spruce up your jig. Once you have fished these jigs, I reckon you will agree that they are an easy-to-make and exciting jig.

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JANUARY 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888 74

JANUARY 2020

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

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

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

Scan the QR code to see the Day 3 highlights.

Scan the QR code to see the Day 1 highlights.

Scan the QR code to see the Day 2 highlights.

BREAM Series presented by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2019 BARRA Tour busts big barra records! The Zerek BARRA Tour is always a highly anticipated event by barra teams from all over the country.

It’s a week and a half of high intensity barra tournament fishing, with four events in the period, mainly focusing

on the afternoon and evening bite. It means that you don’t have to fish in the heat of the day, and anglers take advantage

of the rising/full moon conditions on some of the best barra dams in the state. Like 2018, this year’s

tour focused on the Mackay/Whitsunday area, with events on Kinchant, Teemburra and Peter Faust dams. All these dams are

famous for their potential to produce XOS barra, and the tour started with a real bang on the very first night!

Kinchant yields three monsters Often dismissed by BARRA Tour regulars as being the ‘mud puddle’, Kinchant Dam didn’t fish to its potential when it came to numbers of fish, but it really delivered when it came to big barra. And one team, Western Adventures from South East Queensland (Dylan Mott and Ben von Pein), bagged two giants to claim the Power-Pole round of the Tour, a 35.24kg (128cm) and 31.44kg

John Campbell, who later that evening bagged the event’s Big Barra (49.6kg and 137cm) next to the boat ramp, is in the background of the pic. “We noticed that the barra were sitting pretty close to the bottom, so we fished our baits close to the bottom,” said Ben, who hooked and landed both of Western Adventures’ big fish. The first one ate a Jackall Transam with upgraded hooks and the

Scan the QR code to see the winners’ interview.

With a 32kg+ winning margin, team Western Adventures left the event with plenty of cash and trophies and one of the biggest winning margins in BARRA history! much weight the fish would gain them. All weights allocated are calculated from a length/ weight curve supplied for impoundment barra from Queensland Fisheries after anglers log an image of the catch on the ABT

‘JC BIG BARRA’ IS BORN It’s hard to comprehend catching two barra for well over 60kg and not being the focus of attention the day after, but that’s exactly what happened. It was John Campbell’s Jackall Big

Team Western Adventures’ Ben von Pein broke the internet with this 128cm (35.24kg) brute at the Kinchant event well before the sun set. (125cm) fish. They added two smaller fish later in the session, finishing one barra shy of a limit. Here’s how they did it. “We decided to mix it up a bit and try a run-and-gun approach,” Dylan said when quizzed about his tactics, “and we caught that first fish in a spot we hadn’t fished before.” While he was a little cagey about their spot choice, most anglers would agree when looking at the image of the 128 that it was in the area of the boat ramp.

125cm fish scoffed a Slick Rig burned off the bottom. Ben’s tackle consisted of an Edge ISR706 rod and Shimano Stella 4000 reel spooled with 30lb Sufix braid and 80lb Schneider leader. “The 128 was actually a pretty lazy fish,” Ben said. “It tried to jump a few times and then wore itself out.” “It was a big, deep, old fish that had a glazed over eye,” continued Dylan, who mentioned that they kept a pretty close eye on the scoreboard to see how

JANUARY 2020

was larger than any barra ever caught on the tour, and much longer than the 130cm Zerek brag mat supplied to all teams at the start of the tour. After the pixels were counted, a new BARRA Tour legend was born. John caught the fish on a jighead-rigged Castaic Jerky J swimbait, a relatively small lure for a giant fish.

For all the people who thought Ben just got lucky, he did it again after dark with a 125cm (31.44kg) fish! Tournament Series app. Mott contributed some smaller fish to the bag later in the evening on his Dobyns Sierra 704 rod and souped-up Shimano Tranx reel but Ben’s two early giants sealed their win. They finished nearly 33kg ahead of second place.

Barra of 49.6kg (137cm) that set social media alight. The brute was the team’s only fish for the night and saw them jumping into second place from dead last. It was landed right at the start line next to the boat ramp. “It was definitely a fish

Swimming the big girl before release. She was last seen in the vicinity of the Kinchant Dam boat ramp…

ROUND 1 RESULTS

JACKALL BIG BARRA

John Campbell of team Barrametics/Castaic landed a 49.60kg (137cm) beast fishing a jighead-rigged Castaic Jerky J swimbait right near the boat ramp.

of a lifetime,” said John, left with only a brag mat shot and an image of swimming the fish for release. “I really wanted this amazing fish to swim away, so we did the brag mat shot only and let her go,” said John, with the move proving popular with anglers and the mat-shot showing how ridiculously large the fish was. Tournament organisers had to get Infofish to extrapolate the length as it

Scan the QR code to see John Campbell’s Big Barra interview.

Place Team

Anglers

Fish Weight(kg) Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Dylan Mott/Ben von Pein John Campbell/Brody Eves Geoff Newby/Phill Lyons Craig Griffiths/Karim DeRidder Matthew Mott/Tom Griffiths Quintin MacLean/Col Brett Mick Chelepy/Chris Ballard Peter Laine/Zac Hunt Mick Weick/Brendan Barnett Steve Morgan/Nicholle Smith

4/5 1/5 5/5 3/5 3/5 3/5 3/5 2/5 2/5 2/5

Western Adventures Barrametrics/Castaic Lowrance Likely Lads Humminbird/Edge Rods Garmin/Dobyns Rods Imakatsu Extreme Secret Spot Barratrauma Tree Huggers Fishing Monthly

82.42 49.60 38.91 33.36 27.54 24.64 23.29 18.37 17.59 15.59

$1,500 $1,000 $750 $500 Prize pack Prize pack Prize pack Prize Pack Prize pack Prize pack

Teemburra tough work with only two limits For a lake full of big fish, Teemburra sure has been tough for the last couple of years on the Zerek BARRA Tour, the Edge Rods round being a struggle for most teams with only two catching a limit. It was the momentum of team Barrametrics/ Castaic, however, on the back on another Jackall Big Barra (22.33kg, 116cm) that trumped the smaller fish limits and delivered John Campbell and Brody Eves their first ever BARRA Tour win, a pile of cash and a cracking pair of Edge rods. This time, however, it was Brody who stole

a little bit of tension so that the hook doesn’t come out and then you go in and try to untangle it,” Brody said. And that’s just what he and JC did. “We tried to keep it a little quiet because there were a few other teams in the vicinity,” said JC, “but there definitely were a few little quiet fist pumps going on.” Earlier in the session, JC landed a small barra of 60cm. It added 2.66kg to

their 2/5, 24.99kg bag. That fish ate a Jackall Squirrel that he fished on his favourite saltwater casting rig - an Edge Black Widow Inshore 6’6” paired with a Shimano Curado and 30lb Toray braid. With a first and second place in the books, Brody and JC hit the half way point of the tour leading the coveted Team of the Year (TOY) race and headed towards Proserpine for the final two events.

When you’re on a roll, you’re on a roll! Two big barra and a 1st and 2nd placing saw Team Barrametrics/Castaic lead the Team of the Year race going into the third event. Scan the QR code to see the winners’ interview.

the show, boxing the big fish amongst some serious timber. “It was pretty late in the

JACKALL BIG BARRA

night and I was fairly tired. I was sitting on JC’s motor and casting when the barra hit,” Brody explained. It ate a 6” Berkley Hollowbelly rigged on a 5/8oz jighead with 30lb braid and 60lb Black Magic leader. Brody fished the bait on a Samaki 7’ spin rod and

a 4000 Shimano Stella. “The fish jumped once and then just ran through the trees, it went around three or four and then ended up in a weedbed,” Eves continued. Brody’s advice about what to do when a big barra runs through the trees? “You freespool it with

Col Brett is a BARRA Tour stalwart who jags the odd barra occasionally.

ROUND 2 RESULTS

Brody Eves, the other half of team Barrametrics/ Castaic, managed the big barra for round two. The 22.33kg (116cm) Teemburra terror ate a Jackall Squirrel in tight to the timber, and had to be gently coaxed out to be landed.

Place Team

Anglers

Fish Weight(kg) Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

John Campbell/Brody Eves Ben Tunsted/Dylan Bryer-Mills Troy Dixon/Bone Lim Jamaes Wilson/Liam Robinson Mick Slade/Ben Wilcox Craig Griffiths/Karim DeRidder Steve Morgan/Nicholle Smith Peter Price/Greg Thomas Michael Detenon/Luke Mulcahy Quintin MacLean/Col Brett

2/5 3/5 3/5 2/5 5/5 5/5 2/5 1/5 1/5 1/5

Barrametrics/Castaic BME NQ Zerek Silver Roll Hole Lucky Craft Humminbird/Edge Rods Fishing Monthly Lowrance Venom Imakatsu

24.99 21.56 21.14 19.53 18.10 17.48 14.54 10.85 10.85 8.00

$1,500 + EDGE Rods $1,000 $750 $500 Prize pack Prize pack Prize pack Prize pack Prize pack Prize pack

JANUARY 2020

Samaki All Nighter gives Venom best limit Michael Detenon and Luke Mulcahy have fished plenty of BARRA Tour events in the past, but it all came together for them in what we unofficially call the ‘BARRA marathon’, a 16 hour event that runs from 4pm-8am the next morning, allowing competitors to fish an afternoon, evening and morning bite time.

With their biggest five barra weighing 76.05kg, Team Venom had a sensational session, boxing a dozen fish between sunset and 1am. “We were fishing a spot in around 10ft of water with scattered trees,” Michael said after the third round, “and fish seemed to be moving through all night. We had very little company but we do expect

there to be a few more boats around tonight for the start of the last event.” Reaping the karma associated with using the sponsors’ products, both Michael and Luke used Venom 7’6” Swimbait rods to deliver a pair of Zerek Flat Shads to the strike zone. Luke used a 9’ Flat Shad retrofitted with a TT

Team Venom registered a near-80kg limit to take the chocolates at the Samaki All Night event.

Michael and Luke’s first BARRA event win yielded cash, badges and trophies.

Swimlock jighead with an extra treble. He pinched two points on the treble under the plastic of the lure to make it swim true and hooked most of his fish on that treble hook. He fished this on a Shimano Tranx reel loaded with 40lb braid. “My theory was ‘big lure big fish’, which sort of worked out. I only landed four barra myself, but it included the biggest one.” Michael downsized to the smaller 7” Flat Shad and only modified it by adding a split ring and treble to the factory attachment point.

JACKALL BIG BARRA

Rick Napier managed to wrangle the biggest barra for round three, a 20.70kg (114cm) Faust beast.

JANUARY 2020

“The smaller Zerek was getting more bites on the night and they’re definitely a tough lure, you’d never wear one out on a barra. You’d definitely lose it before it failed.” Indeed, the pair had to chase several of their fish through the trees to land them. If a metre long barra wants to run around a tree, there’s not much you can do to stop it. You just need to follow them around, untangle your line and hope for the best. With all of their fish coming before 1am, the pattern looked good for them

to keep the roll going in the final event of the tour, the Wilson Fishing Faust two-dayer.

Scan the QR code to see the winners’ interview.

PETER FAUST ALL-NIGHTER RESULTS Place Team

Anglers

Fish Weight(kg) Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Michael Detenon/Luke Mulcahy Quintin MacLean/Col Brett Dylan Mott/Ben von Pein Craig Griffiths/Karim DeRidder Rick Napier/Dustin Sippel Peter Price/Greg Thomas Glen Smith/Julian Howard Ben Tunsted/Dylan Bryer-Mills Geoff Newby/Phill Lyons Peter Laine/Zac Hunt

5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 5/5 4/5 3/5 5/5 3/5

Venom Imakatsu Western Adventures Humminbird/Edge Rods Triton/Edge Rods Lowrance Better Late then Never BME NQ Lowrance Likely Lads Barratrauma

76.05 71.61 63.91 59.51 59.04 44.56 41.91 39.41 44.56 35.34

$1,500 $1,000 $750 $500 Prize pack Prize pack Prize pack Prize pack Prize pack Prize pack

Garmin/Dobyns Rods takes Faust Two-Dayer Matthew Mott has always performed well on Peter Faust Dam and he and his teammate Tom Griffiths were pretty disappointed with their performance in the all nighter. “We had plenty of good bites from fish that most

likely would have won that event, but most of them didn’t stick,” Matthew said. “Come this event, everything went right.” Because of this, Team Garmin/Dobyns Rods took the final event of the tour and $1,500 cash in a fine

display of barra fishing that had them win with a margin of over 30kg from the closest competitor. “It’s good to have the monkey off the back, I dropped quite a few fish in the first three events and it felt great to stick them one

It all came together in the final event of the Tour, with Garmin/Dobyns Rods distancing themselves from the rest of the field by over 30kg.

after the other,” said Tom Griffiths. By ‘monkey off the back’, you might wonder whether he meant his teammate, Matthew Mott… The pair set up in a bay on the southern (windy) side of the lake and didn’t have much company the whole time they fished. Their prime lure? A 130mm Squidgy Slick Rig in TNT colour that took Tom’s fancy. After six fish in a row, the lure also took Matthew’s fancy. “We were fishing a weedy bay in about 9ft of water. There was a channel with a little less weed in it and it seemed that’s where the fish would bite,” Tom explained. He fished his modified Slick Rig with spinning tackle and definitely thought the extra speed he could gain with the lure got him the extra bites.

Scan the QR code to see the winners’ interview.

Tom Griffiths fit right into the BARRA Tour. He’s a bit of a larrikin and super handy with a rod. There’s footage of several of Tom’s fish and retrieve style in the winner’s interview video that’s available on the ABT Tournaments YouTube channel (or by scanning the QR Code hereby). Motty also praised the latest Dobyns rods for their success. “We’re finding that the extra 6” on these 7’6” spin rods is making a lot of difference for us with casting distance,” Matthew explained.

“And what about the Garmin gear? That Force electric is solid as a rock and the Live Scope is changing the game when it comes to watching how the fish behave around your baits,” he continued. Noticeably relaxed, the team not only took the final event win, but plenty of laughs from the Tour. “It’s a great time with a bunch of like minded anglers and I love it,” said Matthew. “ I t ’s bloody grouse,” said Tom.

JACKALL BIG BARRA

PETER FAUST TWO-DAYER RESULTS Place Team

Anglers

Fish Weight(kg) Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Matthew Mott/Tom Griffiths Ben Tunsted/Dylan Bryer-Mills Peter Price/Greg Thomas Steve Morgan/Nicholle Smith Craig Griffiths/Karim DeRidder Rick Napier/Dustin Sippel Troy Dixon/Bone Lim Aaron Beck/Jamie Brady Dylan Mott/Ben von Pein Mick Weick/Brendan Barnett

10/10 8/10 7/10 9/10 6/10 7/10 5/10 7/10 6/10 5/10

Garmin/Dobyns Rods BME NQ Lowrance Fishing Monthly Humminbird/Edge Rods Triton/Edge Rods Zerek Part Time Hookers Western Adventures Tree Huggers

114.60 83.34 76.60 75.16 74.89 60.01 54.83 54.33 52.59 47.82

$1,500 $1,000 $750 $500 Prize pack Prize pack Prize pack Prize pack Prize pack Prize pack

For the Faust Two-Dayer, big barra honours went to Greg Thomas, who landed a solid 19.18kg (112cm) fish.

Humminbird/Edge Rods Team of the Year It’s hard to keep great barra anglers down and for a fifth time (Craig) and fourth time (Karim), Team Humminbird/Edge Rods took the coveted Team of the Year trophy. Judged over the four events, it rewards the most consistent team over the course of the Tour. Finishing with a 4th (Kinchant), 6th (Teemburra), 4th (Faust all-nighter) and 5th (Faust 2-dayer), the pair displayed the ability needed to always be within striking distance of the win. They credited their tackle and gear to their win, praising the Humminbird imaging, Edge Rods and a variety of baits distributed by Fish Tec Solutions.

“With the way the weight system is versus length it’s harder to get up there,” said Craig, “so we aimed to be consistent

through the events and stay in the top five.” “Also, with the draw (teams pick their start number out of a hat at the

briefing), you couldn’t plan what you wanted to do, so in pre-fishing we were trying to find more ‘areas’ than ‘spots’, so we could just go

There are plenty of versions of this photo; just the years and the sponsors change. Well done to the 2019 Zerek BARRA Tour Team of the Year, Craig Griffiths and Karim DeRidder.

and work around certain areas. I think the key was to find the numbers of fish so you could wing it on the night,” Karim added. “We’ve been doing it long enough now to know what the fish do when the wind changes and the sun goes down, so we just had to keep running around to find them fish,” said Craig. At Kinchant, the guys used Edge baitcasting rods to throw plastics and vibes to the weed edge, while at Teemburra, it was a suspending OSP Rudra jerkbait that did the damage. The final events at Faust were spin rod territory, with an Edge Rods Delta 744 spooled with a Stella and 50lb braid doing the damage.

“These rods are incredibly light and strong,” said Craig. “You can cast them all day and night and that’s important in the BARRA Tour events.” Congratulations on your continued success, Craig and Karim!

Scan the QR code to see the TOY interview. JANUARY 2020

WHAT’S NEW FISHING STORM ARASHI GLIDE BAIT

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

BLACK MAGIC UTILITY BOX

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

SAMAKI ZING XTREME V2

Zing Xtreme’s amazing blanks are only one of the features that contributes to the series’ success. The smart Samaki technology of MDC (Multi Direction Carbon layer) improves strength, and the X Power weave construction gives you precision casting, great action in the fight and enough grunt to get you out of sticky situations. Other features include Fuji KW and LKW series guides, Fuji TVS and VSS reel seats on spin models, Fuji PTS and SK reel seats on baitcast models, and custom super-hard EVA camouflaged grips with superior carbon locking rings. Zing Xtreme caters to all fishing enthusiasts, with 7’0” spin models in extra light, light, medium and medium heavy 1-piece and 2-piece that sit alongside the 7’6” extra light solid tip flats rod, and 7’6” extra heavy offshore rod. Cast models range from 5’4” through to 7’0” in medium, medium heavy, and heavy, covering everything from bass to barra. www.samaki.com.au 80

JANUARY 2020

PRODUCT GUIDE

X-RAP MAGNUM PREY

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

WILSON CAMO BACKPACK

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

PALMS TURN POP

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

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DAIWA SHORE SPARTAN

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

TALICA II 20 AND 25 REELS

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

OKUMA KOMODO BAITCAST RODS

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

BALISTA TREMOR

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

JIG STAR KATANA BRAID 8X

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

DAIWA SEAJIGGER

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

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

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

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

OKUMA SABIKI UTG ROD

PRODUCT GUIDE

LIVE FIBRE BLADE N TAILS

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

BANDICOOT HEADLAMP

BETTER TACKLE FLASHER RIGS

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

JANUARY 2020

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

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

NEW VIBELICIOUS ARRIVALS

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

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WHAT’S NEW FISHING

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Obsession Spinnerbaits now obsessed with bass NTENT CO

FOR EXTR

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

CA N T H E Q R

The GOAT colour in action.

RE ONLINE MO

-S

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

TESTED

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

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

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

It pays to bring a DONC.

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

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

JANUARY 2020

Trades, Services, Charter BOAT MODIFICATION & REPAIRS

BAIT & TACKLE

Boat Collar (07) 5441 3636 CMC Marine Sales 0409 910 808 Iconic Boats Brisbane 0475 311 447 Marine Windows and Doors Brisbane (07) 3284 5088 Small Craft Electrics (mobile) 0408 063 064

Allfly Outfitters – 0428 615 885 Alvey - www.alvey.com.au Bait Tackle Store - www.baittacklestore.com Barambah Lures - www.barambahlures.com Bayside Bait & Tackle – 07 3820 9757

MARINE MECHANICS

C & Horsey Lures - 07 3275 1881 Chilton Tackle Co - http://www.chiltontackleco.com.au/ Coomera Bait & Tackle - www.coomerahouseboats.com.au Crab’n Gear - www.crabngear.com.au

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

Gem Bait & Tackle - 07 3287 3868 Halco - www.halcotackle.com

Brisbane Yamaha (07) 3888 1727 Caloundra Marine (07) 5491 1944 Capalaba Boat Centre 04011 728 379 Coorparoo Marine (07) 3397 4141 Cunningham Marine Centre (07) 3284 8805 Holt Marine (07) 3353 1928 Northside Marine (07) 3265 8029 Stones Corner Marine (07) 3397 9766

Hillies Lures – www.hilliesspinnersandlures.com Hot Bite Fishing – 0427335343 JML - www.jmlaa.com Lazer Lures – www.lazerlures.com.au Nomad Design Tackle – www.nomaddesigntackle.com Tackle Club - www.tackleclub.com.au Southern Cross Lures – 0428 667 550

NORTH QUEENSLAND

Sportys Fishing - www.sportyswarehouse.com.au Wilson Fishing - www.wilsonfishing.com

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND North Queensland Outboard Wreckers Townsville 1800 812 748

FISH TAXIDERMY Fish Taxidermist www.fishtaxidermy.net.au or 0428 544 841

GOLD COAST T&S Marine (07) 5546 2599 Whitewater Marine (07) 5532 4402

Fisho’s Tackle World - www.fishostackleworld.com.au

MARINE OUTBOARD WRECKERS

Reef Marine Mackay (07) 4957 3521

FISHING GUIDES CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Lake Monduran Barra Charters 0407 434 446

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Hooked On Hinchinbrook www.hookedonhinchinbrook.com

MARINE TRIMMERS SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Affordable Boat Covers Gold Coast 0419 424 587 Brisbane Yamaha (07) 3888 1727 Rays Canvas & Marine Caboolture (07) 5499 4911

SAMPLE AD - BUSINESS NAME

Rowland Street Boat Trimmers Springwood (07) 3208 9511

This is where your copy will appear. You will have approximately 50 words within a 5x2 ad size. $320 + GST for 6 months Email nkelly@fishingmonthly.com.au

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND The Islander Retreat, South Stradbroke Island 0420 967 557

FRASER ISLAND Apurla Island Retreat 0437 739 121

BOAT HIRE // HOUSE

Great family and fishing boats! • 600km2 of sheltered waterways on the Gold Coast Broadwater.

CALL FOR A DEAL

• Fantastic Fishing • Tackle Shop • Bait and Ice

NO LICENCE REQUIRED

+ 07 5502 6200 + www.coomerahouseboats.com.au

NEW

TINNIE HIRE AVAILABLE

MINN REPAIRS & SERVICING

Cathedrals on Fraser (07) 4127 9177

• All electric motor brands • Australia wide freight • Quick turn around • Authorised Minn Kota/Watersnake repairer

Fraser Island Beach Houses 1800 626 230

Minn Repairs & Servicing Call Troy 0412 605 080 – W: minnrepairs.com minnrepairsservicing E: minnrepairs@gmail.com

Eurong Beach Resort 1800 111 808 Waddy Lodge on Fraser 0414 516 364 Yidney Rocks (07) 4127 9167

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Baffle Creek Holiday House 0419 624 833

Bottlecreek Farm Accommodation ENQUIRIES : STACEY AT REMAX ON [04 3887 7403] OR STACEY@REMAX.COM.AU

MARINE MECHANICS // MOBILE

$150p/n

Sleeps 10 people

WYNUMM MANLY-BAYSIDE Lake Monduran Houseboat – www.lakem.com.au Moreton Bay Holidays Afloat - www.moretonbayholidaysafloat.com

BOAT MODIFICATION & REPAIRS

FIBREGLASS Repairs

Brisbane South and Gold Coas t

• Modifications • Detailing • Repairs JOE BONNICI

0410 480 203

Salt-Away www.salt-away.com.au ASM Mobile Welding Brisbane 0409 624 402 Bluewater Windscreens Brisbane (07) 3382 7883

Excellent fishing and crabbing

Wondall Rd Marine (07) 3396 5633

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1.3km River Frontage Boat Ramp

Huge games room cres 150 a Enjoy ourself! y all to

• Pool table • Ping Pong

All this for only...

only $150p/n

COOKTOWN River of Gold Motel 4069 5222

MACKAY BEL AIR MOTEL, MACKAY - PLENTY OF ROOM FOR BOATS AND TRAILERS.............PH: 07 4957 3658

MARINE TRAILERS Oceanic Boat Trailers (07) 5597 0577 Sea-Link Special Trailers (07) 3881 3568 Spitfire Trailers (07) 0400 866 323T Tinnie Tosser (07) 5498 7339

FRESHWATER Lake Boondooma Caravan Park (07) 4168 9694 Lake Cressbrook Regional Council 131 872 Yallakool Caravan Park on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746 Yallakool Park and Kiosk on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746

This section in QLD Fishing Monthly consolidates the trades and services in your area that are relevant to your fishing and boating. Whether you’re a local looking for more options or a travelling angler fishing around the state, this guide will direct you to reputable businesses in the area you’re searching. 86

JANUARY 2020

Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory CHARTER BOATS

NORTHERN NSW

N O W AVA IL A B L E

Evans Head Deep Sea Fishing Charters 0428 828 835

GOLD COAST

Reel Time Fishing Charters Yamba 0428 231 962

BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters 0414 293 034 Coastal Sports Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0412 691 929 Discovery Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0427 026 519 Fish The Deep Charters 0416 224 412 Hooker 1 Charters Gold Coast (07) 5528 6469 Paradise Fishing Charters 0403 531 428 RU4 Reel Tweed Heads 0449 903 366 Sea Probe Fishing Charters 0400 312 330 True Blue Fishing Gold Coast (07) 5510 9622

ALL YOUR FISHING MONTHLY GEAR

Wooli Fishing Charter (02) 6649 7100

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Ultimate Sportfishing Charters 0450 753 726

From

T-Shirts

MV Capricorn Star 0408 755 201

Mikat Cruises Fishing Charters 0427 125 727

22 85

Dave Gaden’s Yamba • Deep Sea

REEL TIME FISHING CHARTERS

BRISBANE Big Cat Charters and Tom Cat Charters 0433 430 248 Frenzy Charters Brisbane (07) 3209 4576 John Gooding Outlaw Charters 0418 738 750 Moreton Island Fishing Charters 0413 128 056

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• 6am to 2pm $150pp • 3 boats – holds up to 30+ people • All fishing gear and bait is supplied • No fishing licence req. • Pickup from Yamba Marina or Iluka ferry wharf

Phone Cases From

Phone Dave today: www.fishingyamba.com.au 0428 231 962

29 45

Mugs

From

OPEN 7 DAYS

EASY PARKING

1 7 27

MARINA BOAT & TACKLE, YAMBA MARINA

YAMBA’S LARGEST TACKLE STORE Fishing Offshore Noosa 0418 889 956

• Chandlery • Boat Sales • Ice & Gas • Bait & Tackle • Trailers Sales & Parts • Charter Bookings Ph: 6646 1994 or 0428 231 962 Email: dave@gaden.com.au

Hervey Bay Fishing Charters (07) 4125 3958

Now Agents For

SUNSHINE COAST Fish n Crab Charters Mooloolaba 0412 155 814

Clocks $

42 7 0

Carry Bags

Incredible Charters 1300 655 818 Keely Rose Deep Sea Fishing Charters 0407 146 151

HERVEY BAY

From

Noosa Fishing Charters (07) 5665 8170 Odyssey Charters Deep Sea Fishing (07) 5478 1109 Offshore Reef and Game Fishing 0413 485 402

Fully Guided Lure & Fly Fishing •

• Custom Sportsfishing Vessels • Quality Fishing Gear Supplied

Throw Pillows

Smithy’s Fishing Charters Sunshine Coast 0407 574 868 Sunshine Coast Fishing Charters (07) 5500 0671 Top Catch Charters Sunshine Coast 0429 013 012

Jump onto our website and place your order today!

20 3 3

BORN AND BRED LOCAL GUIDE

Rainbow Beach Fishing Charters 0439 775 070

Get your very own Fishing Monthly shirt, carry bag, stubby cooler, or neck scarf...

From

25 4 2

and lots more...

www.herveybaysportfishing.com.au

Andrew Chorley

0407 627 852

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND (Cont.) Bundaberg Fishing Charters 0429 017 217

MANY DESIGNS TO CHOOSE FROM ON A WIDE VARIETY OF PRODUCTS ALL MADE TO ORDER

Sport Fish 1770 (07) 4974 9686 Coral Coast Game Fishing 0447 347 437 Norval Reef Charters 1800 771 234 Iluka Fishing Charters Gladstone 0414 940 911 Kanimbla Charters Gladstone1800 677 202

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Action Charters Mackay 0417 452 346 Cairns Charter Boat 0427 533 081 Cairns Fishing Charters 0427 400 027 Cairns Reef Charter Services 1800 119 044 Eclipse FNQ Weipa Charters 0488 058 668 Fairdinkum Fishing Charters Townsville (07) 4751 5324 Fish’s Fly & Sportsfishing Weipa (07) 4069 9957

wp.fishingmonthly.com.au

Fishing Charters Townsville 0403 386 722 JC’s Fishing Charters 0438 753 382 Roko Island Fishing Charters 0488 074 593

fishingmonthly.redbubble.com

Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0834 or email nkelly@fishingmonthly.com.au JANUARY 2020

FUN PAGE AND COMPETITIONS GREAT BARRIER REEF SPECIES

ANGELFISH BUTTERFLYFISH CARDINALFISH CLOWNFISH DAMSELFISH GROUPER POTATO COD PARROTFISH HAMMERHEAD SURGEONFISH

DTD - REAL FISH OITA

TRIGGERFISH MAORI WRASSE RED BASS WHALE SHARK CORAL TROUT STOUT MORAY BLUE SEA SLUG MINKE WHALES GREEN SEA TURTLE

Name: Address:

P/Code:

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

QLD JANUARY 2020

Phone (day):

GEORGE & NEV by Michael Hardy

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

SPOT THE

10 DIFFERENCES

FINS SCALES & TALES by A. Both

ORIGINAL

FIND-A-WORD

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

SUBSCRIBER PRIZE

The subscriber prize winner for November is N Boulton of Marsden, who won a Fishing Monthly Subscriber prize pack. All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

P Moody of Kingston, S Dawson of Gympie, D Buxton of Kippa-Ring, T Sharp of Wodonga, D Johnson of Woodgate, W Robinson of Raceview, J Boneham of Eight Mile Plains, D Gates of Strathpine, B Verhoeven of Redbank, E Dillmann of Southbrook, P Mader of Aitkenvale, A Scott of Proserpine, B Rosenthal of Thornlands, S Theofanes of Home Hill, T Sugaya of Currumbin, K Cook of Bli Bli, D McClurg

of Boondall, Z Steinhardt of Tivoli, K Bennett of Doonan, G Mason of Kalkie, J Kelly of Deception Bay, S Davies of Emerald, A Stoffels of Yarrabilba, L Pirlo of Modanville, P Cauchi of Kepnock, R Brown of Edmonton, C Rowe of Loganholme, A Hall of Lucinda, G Stephan of Aratula, J Dawson of Cordalba. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS

FIND THE ZMAN LOGO

JANUARY 2020

GUESS THE FISH?

This month’s Guess the Fish Answer: Gummy Shark

The answers to Find the ZMan Logo for November were: 10, 14, 26, 29, 32, 36, 46, 48, 52, 57, 66, 69, 84, 90, 94. – QFM The Find the ZMan Logo prize winners for November were: D Harrison of Millbank, M Gillett of Boonah, R Elworthy of North Bundaberg, K Edwards of East Innisfail, R Davis of Sarina, T Gretton of Springsure, G Watter of Ripley, T Gyte of Aspley, J White of Aspley, D Parker of Branyan,

Answer:

boats & kayaks

In the skipper’s seat 90 Summer fun in the yak Inside story...

Stessco is an Australian owned and operated family business. With a love of fishing and boating, Stessco has built a wide-ranging network of dealerships, with the goal of providing customers with dependable, value-for-money aluminium boats. Stessco prides itself on the wide variety of options available which can be added to the already wide range of different vessels.

Troy Brown recounts some recent forays in his kayak and provides tips for finding some of your own summer fun!

92 Kayak kit-out

Justin Willmer looks at kayak kit-out options in time for the best time of year to be out on the water!

94 More on propellers

Made for...

Wayne Kampe takes a more in-depth look at propellers and the pros and cons of different materials.

This month...

98 Whittley SL22 HT with Yamaha F150hp

Anglers who are after a reliable tinny that can be customised to suit their individual requirements and fishing style. QFM’s Bob Thornton climbs into the new Stessco Albacore 620 powered by Yamaha’s F200hp. Check it out on page 96!

Editor Steve Morgan tests out this magnificant fishing machine in some beautiful conditions.

JANUARY 2020

A layman’s look at propellers PART II BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

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

THREE BLADES OR FOUR? The proliferation of 4-stroke engines has affected propeller design. These engines need to run at very specific RPMs for maximum longevity, which means that propellers are now pitched in far smaller increments than they used to be. This caters for the

the additional bite created by the extra blade. This is an important factor to be considered when pulling very hard from start up, as is the norm with tow sports or when the engine is fitted to a larger craft with extra weight around the transom area. Interestingly, a 4-blade unit can often run faster,

as a 3-blade prop, so if you switch from a 3-blade to a 4-blade you might see the pitch decrease by 1-2”. This will ensure that the engine’s rpm remains in the correct operating range. In some instances a poorly handling craft will improve markedly if you switch to a 4-blade prop, but for most of our lightweight fishing rigs and runabouts, a 3-blade propeller is the go. STAINLESS STEEL OR ALLOY Now comes the controversial question: stainless steel vs alloy. Both materials have their own advantages and disadvantages. In years past, alloy was able to be tweaked into more complex shapes than stainless

Three-blade alloy props are cheap and versatile. This old stager has done some work but still does the job. formed into some pretty dynamic shapes to get that bit more performance from a given size (by cupping

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

need to adequately match the 4-stroke engine’s torque curve. This also raises the question of whether a 3-blade or 4-blade prop is

and more economically, at mid-range rpm than a 3-blade prop! This is significant because many anglers prefer to run their rigs at mid-range revs in the pursuit of economy, especially if they are travelling long distances. It’s often the case, too, that a 4-blade prop might keep a larger, heavier boat planing at less speed and RPM than a 3-blade counterpart. A 4-blade prop will often have a smaller diameter for the same pitch

Although not as common as 3-blade propellers, a 4-blade prop can make a big difference to some boats. steel. However, modern manufacturing techniques have largely overcome this alloy advantage. Alloy props are cheaper and available for virtually every boating situation these days, and can be

the tips of the blades, for instance). However, the material is not so capable of withstanding bumps and knocks. A boat that is going to be used frequently around hard or shallow ground, or in stump-

Sheer strength is the strong point with stainless propellers. Look at the thickness of those blades! boat with one revolution). The ideal propeller has the correct diameter, plus a pitch that will keep the engine in its most favourable operating range while maintaining a chosen speed. The engine should be running at factory-specified RPMs at full throttle, not overw or under-revving. While it’s true that blade area gets the boat going, it’s pitch that gives the desired momentum. 94

JANUARY 2020

the best one for a given task. Generally, 3-blade props are more common because they are available in more size ranges and cost less than 4-blade models. They also frequently provide a higher top speed, but let’s not write off the 4-blade prop just yet; 4-blade props usually provide more thrust and very smooth cruising performance. Also, 4-blade propellers can provide more lift at the stern because of

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

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

WHAT’S NEW BOATING

PRODUCT GUIDE

FOULFREE TRANSDUCER COATING 1

SILENT TORQEEDO 1103

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

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

RAILBLAZA RODRAK

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

GARMIN GPSMAP 86I

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

STANDARD HORIZON GX1400

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

STABICRAFT 1850 FISHER

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

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

SCAN THE QR CODE!

JANUARY 2020

Stessco 620 Albacore with Yamaha F200hp - SC

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plenty of dry storage. Overall the ride was very smooth, and the boat handled extremely well and felt stable on the turns. Given the day we had and the centre console configuration of the boat, we did get a bit wet, but if you drove more sensibly than we did you could easily avoid the late shower! The top speed of 68km/h

DE FOR EX

BRISBANE

Bob Thornton

It’s rare enough that I get to leave the office to test such a big, bad-ass boat, but even rarer that mother nature dishes out some conditions to adequately test it in! Stessco never cease to amaze me by just how many types of boaters they can cater to. From decked out tinnies and jon boats for fishing ponds, to sleek, tournament-ready fishing machines, to familyfriendly runabouts, and all the way to comfortable offshore rigs for the most serious of anglers – they literally do have it all. This time round we were testing out a boat in the latter category, the 620 Albacore, the biggest in its series. This premium fishing rig, with its hi-tech fit-outs, big T-top and dual-axle trailer was a tad intimidating at first, however after a quick tour courtesy of Stessco’s Lance Warren, it was clear to me that this boat was built with the serious offshore angler in mind! A QUICK LOOK Having a quick walk around, Lance told me that this is the largest of the Albacore series, at 6.55m long, with the others coming in at 5.9, 5.6 and 5.42m. “The Albacore series of boats was one of the first boats the Stessco name branded as a centre console sea-going boat, so it’s one of the original Stessco boats,” he explained. And with it being one of the SPECIFICATIONS Length (mm) ....... 6550 Beam (mm) ......... 2480 Depth (mm)......... 1480 Bottom sides (mm) .. 5 Top sides (mm) ......... 4 Max. hp ................. 200 Transom height .....25” Max. people.............. 6 96

JANUARY 2020

specialised purposes, and sometimes even singular species. This version of the 620 Albacore is the perfect boat for someone who wants to fish offshore but not limit their fishing to only a few species. This is truly a ‘jack of all trades’ offshore boat. Whether it’s dropping baits and jigs for reefies, trolling for mackerel, popping for GTs, or even

PERFORMANCE

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

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

mounted, it didn’t impede sitting space when stowed. Being a fishing boat, this boat had space to move around the whole boat’s perimeter unobstructed while fighting fish. This is a huge plus when going after bigger ocean going trophies, and while this is going on the skipper can position boat with ease from the centre console. Underdeck and gunnel storage will be very attractive to serious offshore fishers, and the underfloor kill tank toward the stern will negate the need for extra eskies. The large console also allowed for

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

searching for billfish, this boat would step up to the challenge! With all the bells and whistles this boat had fitted, it would go for around $95,000, however Albacore 620 packages will start at about $60,000. For more information or to find your closest dealer visit www.stessco.com.au.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Whittley SL22 with Hard Top and Yamaha F150hp - SC

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Length................. 6.6m Beam................... 2.4m Transom.deadrise .23° Fuel ..................... 210L Water..................... 30L Dry.tow.weight2100kg Max.hp .................. 225 Capacity ..... 7 persons 98

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s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

We’ve previously tested a Whittley SL22 with a 250hp Volvo Penta inboard, so it was good to be able to get out in the same hull powered by an outboard, albeit 50hp less than the SL22 that we tested with a 200hp Volvo. The Whittley Sea Legend hulls are a deep vee (23° at the transom) designed for boating in open waters. On the spectrum of fishing boat to cruisers (Whittley do both) these are a solid fishing boat with just a little bit of luxury. Whittley’s cruisers are the opposite: luxury that you can fish from. The test boat had the hard top option fitted. The options list is a little unusual in this boat; the hard top is optional while the rubber flooring, freshwater deck wash and plumbed live bait tank is standard. Order the hard top, though, and all of the handrails and rocket launcher rod holders are included. As a fishing boat, the SL22 is entirely capable. The flooring is full, custom-

The helm is comfortable and well laid out. Increasingly though, I find cable-driven throttle and shift boxes stiff and clunky compared to Yamaha’s digital shift and throttle. If you can afford the upgrade, you’ll never go back. This boat is fitted with

Steve Morgan

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Whittley dealer Northside Marine, and although the boat with all of the options as tested was $118,000, packages start from $104,000. For more information visit Northside Marine at 2294 Sandgate Road Boondall or www.northsidemarine.com.au.

PERFORMANCE

Main: The Whittley Sea Legend 22 (SL22) is one of Whittley’s fishing boat range, as opposed to their popular trailerable cruisers. Above: With a deep vee and plenty of weight in the hill, the SL cuts through rough water with ease, and lands softly both into and with the prevailing chop. routered decking and is easily maintained with a hose when you get home from a day’s fishing. There’s a substantial kill box under the floor, and the optional bait station at the back complements the built-in live bait tank on the port side. Unlike some other Whittleys, there’s room to flush mount large electronics and to see them from the cockpit. On a twin axled trailer, there’s just over two tonnes to drag around, meaning that you can haul it with a standard twin-cab ute or 4WD. Getting in and out of the rig while on the trailer isn’t difficult with the boarding ladder folding down on the starboard side. At first glance, I thought that this rig would be a little underpowered, yet the F150 4-stroke Yamaha got the

boat up and on the plane pretty easily. This motor is a stalwart of the Yamaha range and will offer years of trouble-free boating. Wide open, the rig delivered 70km/h at 6000rpm, while the most economical cruising speed was at 4000rpm where the Yamaha yielded 1.7km/L at 41km/h. With a 210L underfloor fuel tank, that gives the boat a theoretical range of well over 300km, which is plenty for a big weekend on the water with your mates. Quite unique are the seating arrangements at the helm. Off the back of the helm seats are some rear-facing single seats with significant storage underneath. Not only are these an excellent place to sit and watch if your rod is getting a bite, they’re a

way to keep extra passengers in the shelter of the hard top while travelling. A rear lounge seat doesn’t do that.

RPM......Speed.(km/h). Economy.(km/L) 1000 ......................... 9 ....................... 3.5 2000 ....................... 15 ..........................2 3000 ....................... 21 ....................... 1.3 3500 ....................... 32 ....................... 1.5 4000 ....................... 41 ....................... 1.7 4500 ....................... 48 ....................... 1.6 5000 ....................... 56 ....................... 1.6 6000 ....................... 70 ....................... 1.1 trim tabs and you do need to use them to level the ride. With a big day’s load on board, they will be increasingly important. This test rig was put together by Queensland

Make sure that you check out the video boat test through the QR Code at the top of this page. You can also find the video on the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel.

As a fishing boat, the SL22 has plenty of space and plenty of storage for your tackle. Bait fishos aren’t forgotten about either, with very comfortable rear-facing seats.

Top: It’s a neat set-up for the cranking and backup batteries – up and out of the bilge and in the cupboard down the back. The charger and isolators are easily reached. Below: The rear-facing passenger seats are an alternative to a rear bench seat. These ones have plenty of storage underneath.

Top: It wouldn’t be a Whittley if it didn’t have some basic comforts. The cabin is comfortable and practical. Below: The dash is simple, yet there’s plenty of room to flush mount your favourite brand of sounder as well as engine gauges.

Yamaha’s 150hp pushed the SL22 to 70km at 6000rpm. The best economy was at 4000rpm with 1.6km/L.

The fibreglass hard top is an option in this boat. It costs around $6400, but it comes with all of the rod holders and grab rails.

The custom SeaDek is a great feature of many modern boats, and this Whittley comes with plenty of it. It’s on the floor, in the side pockets and on the gunwales, and comes standard with this model.

Top: A padded gunwale, versatile side pockets and a movable vertical rod storage lets you organise your gear and your day on the water. Bottom left and right: Freshwater washdown is standard, as well as the plumbed bait tank.

The white hatch on the floor leads to an underfloor kill tank/wet storage area. JANUARY 2020