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Features hen, where, why and W how of whiting • Rock fishing basics • King threadfin tips •

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May 2018, Vol. 30 No. 7

Contents NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES

Yamba 20 Ballina 22

From the Editor’s Desk...

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND The Tweed 24 Southern Gold Coast 26 Gold Coast Canals 28 Jumpinpin 30 Gold Coast 32 Southern Bay 34 Brisbane 38 Brisbane Offshore 40 Northern Bay 42 Noosa 44

DODGING BULLETS ON MARINE PARKS It’s been a busy month behind the scenes of fishing. The big story was that recreational fishing dodged a pretty big bullet with the passage of the latest Marine Parks plan from the government. In the opinion of Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA), Australian Recreational Fishing Federation (ARFF) the Game Fishing Association (GFAA) and even the Seafood Industry Association (SIA), the government’s plans for federal marine parks were balanced. They provide a great compromise between keeping fishing and seafood industries alive, while preserving areas for conservation. Heck, the associations even got together to co-operatively launch a press release telling the

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Hervey Bay 48 Rainbow Beach 49 Bundaberg 50 Lake Monduran 50 Gladstone 51 Stanage Bay 52 Rockhampton 52 Yeppoon 53 Mackay 54 TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Whitsundays 60 Ayr 61 Townsville 62 Hinchinbrook 63 Cairns 65 Port Douglas 64 Cairns NFZ 64 Lucinda 67 Cape York 66 Weipa 66

politicians that they thought this. You don’t often see recreational anglers and commercials working together like that. The opposition tried to get the legislation thrown out by moving a disallowance motion. Luckily the government and every single

way, there’d be great swaths of the ocean tied up, never to be sensibly enjoyed again. Like deadly asteroids passing close to the earth, sometimes bad outcomes are closer to becoming reality than you may think. For that, I thank the dedicated volunteers who

crossbencher voted against it, and the sensible plan is a step closer to reality. A lot of this happens behind closed doors, but at the end of the day, it really does affect how and where you can go fishing. If the Labour/Greens had their

work behind the scenes to make sure that our businesses and pastimes are protected. To the Col Tannahills (President of AFTA) and the Brett Clearys (President of ARFF) of the world, we thank you for your hard work behind the scenes to

make sure that I can keep going fishing. To the government, thank you for letting common sense prevail and for listening to the user groups who actually spend time on the water, rather than just battling for the wilderness from behind a keyboard. And to the anglers of Australia, thank you for doing what you do, for buying licences and for being a force to be reckoned with when serious issues arise. There’s not a sane polly alive who’s not scared of a cranky fishing sector against them at election time. Want to play a small part? Like the ‘Keep Australia Fishing’ page on Facebook, and when there’s a call to action, become a keyboard warrior yourself. It’s the only way we will win the war on our sport.

Sea Jay 460 Velocity Sports with Mercury 75hp

BOATING AND KAYAK

101

REGULAR FEATURES

111 The rear of the cockpit is clean and clear with high gunwales and offers plenty of room to fish all around the back of the boat.

- SC

TENT -

Back to Basics 18 SINCE 1987 Come and visit Fishing Monthly Group’s official QUEENSLAND FISHING MONTHLY Facebook page for all your monthly fishing Camping and 4WD 76 RE ONLINE information. Download QR Reader to access. MO Cooking 69 Advertising Enquiries: Business Office: Dam Levels 70 Peter Jung Unit 1, 11 Knobel Court, ads@fishingmonthly.com.au Shailer Park, Qld, 4128 Freshwater 70 Fun Page 100 Advertising Sales: Phone: (07) 3387 0800 OUR COVER Ph: (07) 3387 0800 Fax: (07) deck 3387 storage 0801 up the front. As such, the boat more Junior Northern 68 You can see in the images bounced than chopped Nicole the Steve Kelly Rick Clark caught this impressive here (and in the Video Boat waves and we know that it’ll Junior Southern 36Morgan Managing Editor: nkelly@fishingmonthly.com.au Test on the Fishing Monthly ride a lot more smoothly green jobfish while fishing in the YouTube channel), that the with some real-world weight Steve Politics and fishing 59 What do you get when you Morgan biggest compartment easily holding it down. Coral Sea. Printing: APN – Print cross one of the proven Sea swallows Rob Gaden Jr. Powered by the s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au Jay Samurai hulls with a There’s room up there as maximum 75hp Mercury Sheik of the Creek 77 A Nicole Penfold image. Above: We loved the all-round grab rail on the console and the multiple console of a 5.9m boat? You well for a couple of trolling 2.1L 4-stroke, the Velocity seat base points. Inset: The front deck is beamy and high enough to get this – the new Sea Jay motor batteries and Jacqui of course Thomas jumped onto the plane Production: and Editorial Manager: Sunfish 55 offer great vision (pun intended about the sister Sea Jay hull). 460 Velocity Sports. In Say there’s a fabricated mount displayed best economy Karen Millward Jay speak ‘sports’ means for your choice of long shaft figures at 4500rpm, where Suntag 82 ‘side-console,’ so Sub-Editors: this is electric motor. With that it delivered 2.4km/L of Keith fuel Hawley basically a Vision hull with 100kg or so of weight up burned. That’s right in the TO SUBSCRIBE SEE PAGE 29 a side-console. there, the boat will feel a zone of what you can expect Bob Thornton Tech Tricks 16 Based on the popular lot less flighty than it did on from a rig this size. FIND THE DAIWA LOGO Samurai hull, theNicole shell Penfold the test day. We rode this rig Drop the hammers and Tournament News 86 www.fishingmonthly.com.au features a 4mm 5083-grade basically empty with a couple the speed went up a littleWebsite: and COMPETITION PAGE 102 Cordelia bottom sheet and 3mm side ofAdams 80kg humans on board the economy drops markedly. Track my fish 96 sheets. Samurais also have as ballast. We achieved 48km/h and Queensland Fishing Monthly magazine Distribution: Gordon & Gotch Pty Ltd reverse chines, a heavy duty Main: Sea Jay’s 460 Velocity Sports brings the features of sale the larger goes on the Velocity first week of each month Jason Ehrlich SPECIFICATIONS capped keel and a Field visually Editors: models into a smaller package. This one was powered by Mercury’s rock solid Trades and Services 98 sale date this 7th of the month). 2.1L 75hp Kym 4-stroke. Above: With a beam of 2.3m and(latest a length of 4.6m, pleasing upswept bow that Kampe Rowbotham Overall.Length......................................... 4.74m Subscriptions: Wayne hull is half as wide as it is long. The end result is that it’s pretty stable. turns heads at the ramp and Bottom ............................................4mm (5083) What’s New Fishing 78 on the water. Sides ..........................................................3mm want to add electronics. The all of the big boat features at 48km/h at WOT. ItMarie was a bitDykstra The 4.6m hull Publishers: is also Manager: Beam..........................................................2.3m Office hold a small by: rough to open the throttle fully big-boy console can Published boat price – the test very beamy. In fact, the What’s New Boating 103 Depth .......................................................1.24m on the test day. At full speed bracket mounted units up rig weighed in the low to mid beam of 2.3m is Steve exactly Morgan Floor.Ribs ...................................................... 11 Annual to 16” as well as all of the Fishing expectSubscriptions: around 2km/L. $30,000 and you could drop half the length of the hull, Qld Capacity ....................................... Five persons Matthew Drinkall The Sea Jay arrived at switches you’ll need to control the price even more with a making it very stable in the Supplied on a Dunbier-built Sea Jay trailer, Hull.weight .............................................. 495kg $65 for twelve issues (GST inc.) Monthly Pty Ltd the ramp on a single-axle Sea the on-board accessories. 60hp motor. water. Combine this with SPECIAL FEATURES this rig – and all rigs bought with a Sea Jay Max.HP ..........................................................75 Jay trailer, manufactured by The console also comes with If you want more high gunwales and raised Q

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s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

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Basics aside, the 460 Velocity Sports is a blank canvas that you can personalise to your own needs. Factory

RPM........................Speed........................km/L 700 ................................. 3 .......................... 2.3 1000 ............................... 5 .......................... 2.1 2000 ............................... 9 .......................... 1.7

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family car, the little sibling in date on all of the latest Sea written permission the Velocity Sports family has Jay releases. of the Managing Editor.

a dearth of places for salt water to pool while at rest. They like

SUBSCRIPTION C-Section or alloy HOTLINE I-beams views expressed in this publication are not which are easily washed down PERFORMANCE necessarily those of the publisher. FREECALL after use. 1800 228 244

The test boat was more bounced over them like the Samur I N addition of all of you G S

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MAY 2018

10 46 56

trailer – gets an extra year of warranty. Make cheques payable to local giant, Dunbier, to Sea a rail the full way over the information, make sure you ABN 72-010-542-195 Jay’s specifications. LikeMonthly all windscreen, giving passengers check out your local Sea Jay Queensland Fishing Sea Jay trailers, they add a and the captain something to dealer or visit them on www. PO Box year to3172 the boat’s warranty if hold onto in less than ideal seajayboats.com.au. Like them All material is © copyright, and cannot be they’re ordered on one. And, conditions. on Facebook at Sea Jay Boats LOGANHOLME QLDthere’s 4129 Easily towable byreproduced the and you’ll like all Sea Jay trailers, up-toin partbeorkept in full, by any means, without RA

Rec.HP ...........................................................60 Advertising: Max.motor ............................................... 175kg Ph: (07) 3387 0800 Fax: (07) 3387 0801 Copy and materials should be sent direct to: ads@fishingmonthly.com.au

casting decks and there is a ridiculous amount of under-

AUST

The when, where, why and how of whiting Rock fishing basics Threadfin salmon tips

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WHITING

The when, where, why and how of whiting BRISBANE

Sean Thompson

Whiting are one of the most popular species for anglers of all ages for a number of reasons. Not only do they taste great, but they are widely distributed and the ‘fighting whiting’ fight pound for pound like a fish two to three times their size. However, there is a big difference in the catch rates of the casual angler compared to the wily old whiting angler. To enjoy the sort of success that experienced whiting anglers achieve, you need to

is one of the most underrated yet productive ways to catch a feed of legal size fish. Yet, I’ve lost count of the amount of times casual anglers have been surprised to hear me say that. The fact that so many casual anglers consider beach fishing unproductive probably comes down to where and how they fish. All too often I see inexperienced anglers or families fishing the beach directly in front of the track to the beach. This is usually in barren, featureless water or in an area full of swimmers and surfers. Added to that they are using baits like frozen prawns and squid, or fishing with line

Diagram A: a sand-spit covered on high tide. understand the fish and adapt to the location and conditions. This article aims to provide you with the keys to unlock the ‘whiting code’ in four main types of whiting locations across South East Queensland and New South Wales. These locations include the beach, sand flats and estuaries, deep river tactics, and winter whiting tactics. This article describes the best tides and techniques for each location and then describes the best baits, lures, tackle and rigs to target summer and winter whiting. THE BEACH In my mind, beach fishing

as thick as whipper snipper cord and with enough lead to sink a small ship! All is not lost, however. Once anglers learn a few beach fishing secrets, they will soon realise the beach can turn on some great fishing for species like whiting and even during the middle of the day! BEACH LOCATIONS AND TIDES I often read in fishing books and magazines that the last two hours of the rising tide and the first hour of the falling tide is the best time to fish for whiting off the beach. This can be true in the right gutters and conditions, but be assured that

Diagram B: a shore dump high tide gutter. in certain circumstances the opposite applies, and the best time is the hour or so either side of the low tide. While every rule can be broken, outlined below are the type of beach formations and conditions I like to fish according to the stage of the tide. High tide gutters I have three favourite types of beach gutters I prefer to fish at or around high tide. In all three cases, I am looking for nice clean water with a bit of white wash. This provides cover for the whiting. The first is a big sand spit covered by about 0.5-1m of water on high tide (see diagram A), which drops away into a slightly deeper gutter. The surrounding gutter is reassuring for the fish to escape into if predators come hunting for them in the shallows. The other reason I like these types of gutters is that even in a slightly larger swell the fish get some respite from the choppy surf on the shallow sand spit. Added to that is the fact the sand spit usually holds their favourite menu of pipis and beach worms. To fish these type of gutters, stand back 10m or so from the water’s edge and cast to the back of the sand

spit and slowly retrieve your bait towards shore. If no fish, cast from an angle onto the sand spit and retrieve the bait over the edge/drop off into the slightly deeper gutter. Another favourite high tide location is a shallow gutter pressing hard up to the shore with a small shore break (see diagram B). The waves generally curl up less

sinker to hold your long 1m trace in the strike zone. A third type of high tide gutter I like for whiting is one which at low tide has a very shallow and clear inner gutter along with an exposed back sandbank (diagram C). By high tide, the inner gutter has nice foam covering from incoming waves, while the back sandbank is covered by about 1m of water. In this case, waves will break on the edge of the bank and expose yabbies and worms, which will be washed by the force of the water just over the edge of the sandbank into the gutter. So in this case, a cast up onto the sandbank and slowly retrieved into the gutter just after the wave has broken and spread its foam over the gutter is the way to go. Low tide gutters Low tide shallow gutters (see diagram D) are some of the least fished on the beach, but can turn on some of the best whiting action of the

Diagram C: before and after shots of a gutter with a back bank that filled nicely at high tide to produce a dozen fish to 40cm. than 0.5m and break right on the beach and thus expose beach worms and pipis to the hungry whiting. The whiting usually feed just behind the shore dump, so it is important to either retrieve your bait into this zone, or cast just behind the break with a heavier 4 ball

lot. Features of a great low tide gutter include; a short or narrow gutter very close to shore, a blind end that closes up on the shoreline, a back sandbank that runs at 45° from the shore, enough depth so the water is not too turbulent and light swell of under 1m.

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Diagram D: a low tide gutter.

Usually, the gutter has a clear northern exit and entry point. By far the peak period for these types of formations is one hour before to one hour after low tide. With the right conditions (light swell), low tide concentrates the whiting in the deep water closest to the pipis and worms at the shore or along the back bank. As the tide rises, the fish spread out with access to more water or disperse to cleaner, calmer water if the swell and water movement becomes too turbulent. The first place to start in such gutters is position A on diagram D. This is known as the blind or closed end of the gutter. As this is so close to the shore, do not walk right down to or even in the water before you cast. It is possible the fish are right up near the shoreline, so your first casts should be with you standing more than a rod length away from the water’s edge. After you have worked spot A with a series of casts or let the bait sit for 5 minutes or so, you should move and cast to the back bank (spot B). Generally casts to spot A should be left to wash around just beyond the break, while for spot B you can try and cast and retrieve the bait over the edge, or let it sit around the edge of the drop off. If after 10-15 minutes you have caught no fish, or the fish stop biting, move to the next gutter of similar formation. Given the small window with the tides, it is best to have scoped these spots out beforehand so you know how far you have to travel between gutters. Beach corners While still technically defined as ‘the beach’, beach corners are another brilliant location for whiting. Beach corners are areas where the sand meets either rocky headlands or large rocky outcrops that protrude into the water. The only other ingredient you need is some slightly deeper water where the beach meets the rocks. Generally there is a permanent gutter carved out at such spots. You should use the

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same set up and rigs for beach corners as the main beach, but be aware that the best time to fish them will depend on the swell and wind direction. On those days with very calm, flat seas and clear blue skies, beach corners can be the most productive spot on the beach for whiting as

It is in these estuaries where most of the big ‘elbow-slapping’ whiting of 35cm+ are caught. Shore-based Catching whiting while wading the flats is one of life’s simple pleasures. You can either hop out of the boat and wade the flats at low tide, or you could fish land-based from

looking for are large sandbanks or estuary flats that end up with a decent flow of water over them during the middle stages of the tide. You will always find the bite slows for half an hour to an hour around the change of the tide period, so be sure to focus your efforts on the rising and falling tides. The best sort of flats or

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Diagram E: a selection of whiting rigs. banks are those with yabby holes, as well as plenty of melon holes, undulations and small drains from the fast flowing water. This ‘fast run’ will stir up plenty of bait and provide the fish with access to areas such as holes and drains that they can hold up and feed. As the tides increases, the whiting will follow the drains in for the first few hours of the tide, before they disperse to the shallows for more access to the bait when the flats are well and truly covered. As the tide falls, you want to be following the fish out in the drains, until eventually you might want to be fishing off high sandbanks or spits into slightly deeper water during the bottom 2 hours of the tide. By far and away my favourite technique bait

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While estuaries tend to hold bigger whiting, some thumpers can still turn up on the beach.

it gives them some form the shore of rivers, creeks, or of structure and therefore my favourite location, the protection. flats on the western sides of NEW RELEASE In terms of technique, Queensland’s big sand islands. To page 12 cast your bait out into the The areas you want to be gutter (not too close to the rocks that it becomes snagged), and commence a slow retrieve. Cast back to the same area if you land any fish. I find these spots can fish very well at dawn and dusk regardless of the tide due to the structure provided for the fish, as well as the lower light conditions. SAND FLATS AND ESTUARIES Estuaries and sand VELOCITY SPORTS CRUSADER flats are broadly defined as either saltwater rivers, creeks, bays, broadwater, sandy straits or the western or calm side of islands such as Fraser, Moreton and the Stradbroke islands in Pipis can be caught under your feet on Queensland. the beach and are great whiting bait.

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Tech Tricks

A few reasons to change the hooks on your lures PART II BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

In the April issue we looked at some of the different types of split ring pliers and various things you need to know when using split rings to attach different

hooks to your lures. This month we will explore the various reasons why you rig some lures with particular hooks, ways to overcome the torsion that can be created when a fish is hooked, plus a few other facets involved with lure rigging. Additionally there will be a few tips to

enhance action from your favourite lures. I often play around with lure hooks to change the lure’s intended floatation rate. For example, when chasing barramundi I like a minnow lure which floats up very slowly in the water during a pause. Often the strikes come on the pause as

the lure rises. I will adjust my treble hooks and split ring size until I can get it right. In salt water there is greater buoyancy, therefore a lure that suspends in the freshwater may still rise or float in the salt water. Often, something as simple as changing one split ring to a different size

or adding an extra split ring will attain the desired floating, suspending or sinking of the lure. However there is obviously no point using treble hooks and split rings on our lures that aren’t up to withstanding the rigours of the target species so this is another big consideration.

There’s a lot to consider when you are rigging your minnow lures, however you can greatly improve a lure’s action, the hook-up rate and the likelihood of the hooks staying set during a fight. Therefore a little bit of thought and preparation can greatly increase your success when lure fishing.

1 With some lures you’ll need to link two split rings to get the hook to sit at the correct position. Without two split rings on this lure, the hook point would face out to the side of the lure instead of upright. Another option with this lure would be to use a single split ring and an inline hook (a hook with the eye in line with the shank) instead of the J-pattern. However, the double split ring decreases torsion between the lure and the hook, decreasing the chance of the hook being bent or the ring distorted.

2 A different way to decrease the effects of hook-to-lure torsion is to use a swivel, which totally eliminates it. Many lure makers put these swivels directly on the lure eyelet during production, which eliminates the need of the second split ring to attach swivel to the lure’s eyelet. Additionally, this is also sometimes done to increase distance between the hook and lure, and makes the whole lure less inhibited and promotes more positive action. However, you would commonly only do this with larger lures designed for big bluewater adversaries.

Here we have two chromed metal lures designed for high-speed retrieves when targeting mackerel, tuna and other pelagics. The top one has been rigged with an inline single. A single hook sets well around the jawbone of quality predators, is easier to remove and less dangerous to the person removing the hook. This is great for catch and release fishing as the fish can be unhooked quickly (often without removing it from the water) and sent on its way with minimal damage. The lower lure has been rigged with a quality treble, which is more likely to find a mark on the strike but will do more damage to the fish and be harder to remove.

This is the same lure rigged two ways for two different requirements. The top lure is for barra, and sports the stock standard trebles. However, when used for bluewater trolling, you might choose to replace the trebles with singles as they tend to hold in better and give the lure better action at speed. Singles are also easier to get out of a thrashing fish, and are less dangerous. When rigging inline singles, the rear hook should face upwards and the belly hook should face downwards to offer maximum hook-up potential. With trebles, it doesn’t matter at what angle the rear hook is attached, however it does with the belly hook. The belly eyelet should be in line with the eye of the treble hook, and the hook should sit so that two points are against the side of the lure and the other point faces straight down in the centre of the lure. This will allow the lure to be trolled at the maximum speed, as there is no preference for the treble to sit to one side. Taking the time to fit quality hooks and rings in the correct manner is worth it, because your lures will swim better and everything will hold when a big fish hooks up. 16

MAY 2018

Vibration lures (both hard and soft) can be rigged in numerous ways, often depending on the intended use and the owner’s preferences. The Samaki Thumpertail at the top is rigged with two trebles that offer great hooking potential when the lure is hit on the drop when hopping or taken during a slow roll. The clever design of this lure has the rear treble held in place at the tail, which is where the majority of strikes are received. The middle blade comes with single hooks, which offer a great hook-up potential but can often suffer from torsion as the hook is held quite rigidly against the lure. The front hook has the points facing upwards towards the body, which eliminates the chance of the lure fouling. Light double hooks like these are okay for small fish species, however they can suffer in the strength department when connected to larger game. The lower lure is a larger blade, which can be used for everything from barramundi to dogtooth tuna. In addition to being a casting lure, these also troll well. For bluewater use I prefer to rig them with single hooks.

For lures aimed at mid-range pelagics (tuna, mackerel, mahimahi, cobia, wahoo and others), anglers often use single hooks instead of trebles, as a larger single offers better purchase around the jaw and permits the lure freer action. With inline singles you will only need a single split ring to rig the lure correctly if the hook eye is in line with the lure eyelet. However, this particular lure has its rear eyelet at 90° to the hook eye, therefore two split rings are required when using an inline hook. Sometimes an assist hook (a hook on a Kevlar cord) is used as it also offers a great hook-up ratio, no hook to lure torsion and there is less need to use two split rings. However, for toothy species such as mackerel, this is not desirable as they will often bite through the cord.

Tech Tricks

Most minnow-style lures, both floating and suspending, are rigged with treble hooks because these offer the best hook-up potential with slow moving lures. With trebles, one of the biggest issues is linking. This happens when trebles are close enough together that one hook can snare the one beside it. This can decrease the lure’s action and greatly reduce the hook-up potential. Choosing trebles that are a little shorter in the shank may reduce the likelihood of treble linking

Here we have some stickbait style lures rigged in a couple of ways to demonstrate your options. While a single tail hook is used for the top two lures the belly hook is either two J-pattern singles rigged back to back (with a zip tie or rubber band to hold them in place) or a treble. The lower lure is rigged with conventional trebles at the belly and rear. Try different combinations on lures of these types until you are happy with your rigging option. Factors to consider are how the hooks hang during pauses in the retrieve and also when the lure is worked. Do the lure hooks foul on the leader during the cast? Is the gape in the hook (or hook combination) wider than the lure to improve hook-up rates? Swim the lures with different hook combinations until you are happy you are getting the best possible hook-up rate and the most prominent action from the lure.

Here are two identical lures. The lower one is rigged with three treble hooks as intended. Linking between the front two trebles is highly likely with this lure, so I have removed the middle one. When doing this you can upgrade the front and rear treble to slightly larger or heavier duty models without affecting the lure’s action. These larger hooks are far enough apart that they can’t link, and they’re also likely to increase hook-up ratios. Due to the wider gape, which offers better purchase, they are more prone to staying set during the fight. Win, win, win!

8 Poppers also offer anglers plenty of rigging options. The stop and start retrieve of poppers, the fact that they sit on top of the water and common occurrence of them getting eaten during a retrieve pause offers anglers plenty of things to consider. The top rigging option is my personal choice as the hook gape of the rear hook is wider than the lure and the flexible swinging head hook offers many good attributes. Whether at rest or during movement, this hook will be in the head area of the bait, which is where many large pelagics such as GTs initially attack. As poppers can cartwheel during retrieve in rough, turbulent water this flexible hook offers almost no chance of permanently fouling with the leader. It will simply fall back into place. Additionally the single hooks do less damage to the fish and are less dangerous to the person releasing the fish. However I know plenty of seasoned popper fishers who wouldn’t dream of using anything other than treble hooks. The back-to-back belly hooks also have a lot going for them. In conjunction with a big single tail hook you have hooks that protrude out each side of the popper and one that is wider than the rear of the popper. Again, trying different hook combinations will soon give you a good idea as to what you are happy with for your chosen lures.

Another reason to adjust the size of your lure hooks is to change how your lure sits in the water and also how it performs. This particular lure will float with smaller trebles on it, however the manufacturer has added a larger belly treble to get the lure to suspend (neutral buoyancy). By adding the treble to the belly, the lure will still sit fairly horizontal in the water. If the larger treble were on the tail, the lure would sit tail down and head up at rest, which isn’t natural and will stifle the lure’s action on the retrieve. I often play around with lure hooks to change the lure’s floatation. For example, when chasing barra I like a minnow lure which floats up very slowly during a pause. Often the strikes come on the pause as the lure rises. I adjust my trebles and split ring size until I get it right. In salt water there is greater buoyancy, so a lure that suspends in the freshwater may rise or float in the salt. Often, something as simple as changing one split ring to a different size or adding an extra split ring will attain the desired floating, suspending or sinking of the lure. Just remember there’s no point using trebles and split rings on lures that can’t stand up to the rigours of the target species. MAY 2018

Rock fishing made easy – hints for the beginner BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Long before I owned a boat I did a lot of fishing around ocean rocks, sea walls, headlands and the like. At Iluka’s Woody Heads if the water was sudsy and looked likely to conceal a fish, I’d have a bait in it soon as I could safely see of a morning at any time of year.

FISHING CLOSE TO THE ROCKS One thing I quickly learned almost from the outset was that my target species were never going to be far from the wash as it concealed them and served tucker from time to time when things were washed in. This meant that a small bream-sized bait had to be cast out a little way and then submerged; trouble was that a sinker usually resulted in a snag and pesky re-rigging.

GOOD FOOTWEAR IS ESSENTIAL First up is attire. When fishing from the rocks it’s usual to be close to the water, which will see some of the salty wet stuff likely being splashed about the place, so a spray jacket is a good idea, but don’t overdo things in order to keep dry. Waders, gumboots, plastic or waterproof trousers and the like are out. These all offer resistance for wave action to work with and upset the

Setting up for a session at the Seaway. Note the length of those rods.

Mullet strips are excellent bait but if a fresh one isn’t available, salted is the next best thing. The author’s Kaydee plastic sandals are 15 years old and still going strong. Results always varied but some mighty feeds of fish such as bream and tailor – even a snapper on one occasion – were taken when things worked out to my advantage, which meant that seas were not so rough I couldn’t fish close to rock edge, the chosen area of white water was safe enough to access with confidence and the sudsy stuff from wave action was remaining long enough to coax fish into casting range. The reality is that I loved rock fishing then and do so just as much now!

You can, of course, be lucky and have a fish do the right thing and grab the hung up bait. Here’s a hint. Don’t hold the breath while waiting for this to occur, as a blue contorted face is not a good look on the rocks or elsewhere. Jokes aside though, there’s quite a bit to know about this business – and how to avoid those snags – so it’s likely best to start at the beginning and understand just what rock fishing entails, which is far more than I have indicated in the opening paragraphs.

balance, which should be avoided at all cost. Joggers, track shoes, and any ‘standard’ shoes are out too, as they usually don’t offer sufficient grip. The safest, essential footwear consists of purposedesigned rock fishing shoes, which are set up to offer maximum grip. These won’t be as cheap as the old half worn-out joggers from last year but will save a nasty spill when marine grown or slippery rock surfaces are underfoot. I have a pair of Kaydee plastic sandals – old

but still good, although I’m not sure if these are still available. Also it’s pretty wise to wear shorts to prevent waves and wash from pulling at the legs should a big green one come up. Rely on layers of clothing on the upper body to maintain warmth. In winter this is a big ask, but it’s actually quite surprising just how warm the sea can be in contrast to the surrounding land and things are not so bad once a few fish start to brighten the picture. Remember, proper footwear is the key; it’s essential to maintain balance

it because when waves are coming in there it’s at best very uncomfortable, at worst even dangerous. If an adjoining area is dry but within reach of the chosen fishing spot, it’s likely a suitable position to fish from. Next is the state of the tide. A rising tide is a time of serious caution as waves will be building, so the higher the spot, the better. A falling tide presents less problems but again, if an area is already wet, be very wary of it. LEAVE THE BREAM GEAR AT HOME There has been a

serious trend towards using ultra fine tackle in the last decade, doubtlessly honed to perfection by the bream fishing competitions featured in this magazine and although this is fun tackle to use, it really has no place around the rocks and wash areas. Here we looking for reach, winching power and a degree of brute force at times to turn and then lift a rampaging fish. You let that fish run and he’s bricked you! Got the picture? A 3m rod will likely be just too short. It’s far better to make use of one around 3.5m in length to assist in

Plastic sandals are on, the rod’s at the ready and out goes a cast.

The float in action just past the rocks. 46

MAY 2018

at all times. My last advice is to watch the water for a short while before starting out to ensure that the location is safe enough. WHERE TO FISH Sudsy water is the key but some caution needs to be exercised when it comes to actually getting at the hotspot and this starts with a really hard look at the area adjacent the wave action. Any area that’s wet will likely be copping a wave now and again, so avoid

“Does it look like I’m enjoying things?” The author loves his rock fishing.

keeping tackle just out of the reach of snags which are always happy to grab a bit of terminal tackle for the fun of it. The rod should be

mono line. The most important part of the whole setup is – drum roll, please – a float. Yes, a $2 polystyrene float – these are best as

The float’s in just the right place – in an area of suds just off the rocks.

system; the depth where bait is suspended is controlled by having a small bead on the line above the float, which in turn is set to come up against a bit of floss, wool, or onion bag material tied a few times around the main line higher up. It’s similar to luderick fishing, but far less refined, because bream in a wash aren’t finicky. They react quickly to anything moving about, so a large easilyseen float is no obstacle to success. Completing the rig will be a small sinker about 20cm above the bait; this is also kept in place by a split shot. A well-presented bait kept a small distance from the sinker by the split shot, moving and dipping with wave action, is virtually impossible for a fish to

offer the chance of tailor as well as bream. If tailor are biting the hook off an upgrade to ganged hooks is necessary. One bait that makes a beautiful bream breakfast is a couple of legs or the body of one of those little crabs we see around the rocks. They are hard to catch, but always offer fun for the kids. TACKLE TIPS It’s important to keep the float close in, but not so close that the terminal gear will snag. The clue is to cast out past the wash and then draw it back. As a wave recedes the float can be allowed to drift out a bit again and that’s a hot time for a bite. As soon as the float bobs down the rod is lifted quickly and the fish will be on – it’s that simple. What’s not so simple is gauging exactly when and how to lift the whole rig back in without locking onto a ledge. When the angler decides a fish is ready to be brought in, the idea is to work it up on a wave by reeling the line in quickly to avoid any slack. As a swell comes in lift the rod up quickly and the fish should come up, stranded. This is pretty straightforward and comes with little chance of a snag. When it’s time to replace a bait, reel the rig in close, again lower the

rod right down to minimize slack and with an incoming swell. Lift smartly and wind very quickly to clear all obstructions. If the rig goes

flying up that’s fine, at least it hasn’t snagged. Those are my tips on successful rock fishing, particularly for bream.

Snapper like this one taken by the author at Woody Heads are a real prize when rock fishing with the float.

Keeping the rod up will allow some line to go out as the float recedes with a wave, while also assisting with a retrieve should the float drift out too far. matched to a reel that can handle 5kg line and yet be light enough to use for extended periods without strain. Many anglers rely on monofilament for their rock fishing. Braid is lovely

they cannot shatter – is the key to a lot of rock fishing success. Here’s why. That float offers a highly visible means of keeping bait in just the right position in the wash without becoming

ignore. The depth of drop will depend on the overall depth in the area but 1.5m is a good starting point. This setup casts well as the float will fall down onto a swivel tied about 1m above the

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Rock fishing involves waves and wash; the scene here is not for the beginner. stuff but it can either float (and make a pest of itself) or be blown about by the breeze and end up touching something sharp (and make more of a pest of itself) hence the trend towards

snagged. Moreover, as the suspended bait is always on the move it’s a mighty big temptation for a bream or tailor to latch onto it quickly before it gets away. It’s a really fool-proof

hook prior to the cast. BAIT Strips of salted fish flesh are hard to beat in this situation. Mullet, bonito, gar, pike and pieces of salted pilly are all very good and

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Take advantage of the fishing before it slows down TOOWOOMBA

Jason Ehrlich fishability1@bigpond.com

We hit the transition time this month, where the fish begin to change their habits, with cooler water temperatures and shorter days on the way. Expect the shallower holding fish to change the most. Reaction lures may need to be replaced with something that has more finesse about it or something that stays in their faces. Longer bite times may be experienced in the shallower water

areas, as the fish will be less pressured to move into deep water to find protection from the bright sun and heat. As the golden perch and barra steady up due to their metabolism slowing, the mighty Murray cod will become a good option. The cooler months are a great time to chase a goodoo in the dams and rivers. The swimbait craze has only grown over the last year and there are so many new big lures to toss at these fish. Big lures require specific tackle and tossing them on an outfit that is too light is likely to end in tears.

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND CRESSBROOK CLOSEST TOWN: CROWS NEST Cressbrook Dam remains closed to all water-based recreational activities due to the blue-

green algae outbreak. It has now been closed for several months and it seems the only thing that will roll this algae is the onset of some colder weather. The lake’s current state

Lures over 2oz (60g) require specific rods to throw them. Using a standard baitcast or spin rod is likely to overload it and the result will be the dreaded loud crack of broken graphite. Gear up for tossing these lures with a dedicated swimbait rod and a tough reel suited to bashing out casts with heavy lures. As some things slow down, there is still plenty to be excited about, so start planning that next trip. Take advantage of the fish before they get even tougher and get ready for when the big cod come out to play. Until next month, buckled rods from the Colonel!

14 31

Weipa

Toowoomba

BRISBANE

IMPOUNDMENT DAM

should be hot. For all your fishing supplies and the latest reports on Cressbrook and the surrounding dams, call in to see Fish’n’Bits in Alderley Street. They have a great range of lures and fishing gear. The staff can sort you out with the right gear and give you some tips on where to find them. Just remember there is a speed limit of 8 knots and a restricted area at Cressbrook Dam. Check

Gold Coast

24 1 Tinaroo Falls Dam 2 Peter Faust Dam 3 Burdekin Falls Dam 4 Eungella Dam 5 Teemburra Dam 6 Kinchant Dam 7 Cania Dam 8 Lake Monduran 9 Isis Balancing Storage 10 Wuruma Dam 11 Lenthalls Dam 12 Boondooma Dam 13 Bjelke-Petersen Dam 14 Lake MacDonald 15 Gordonbrook Dam 16 Borumba Dam 17 Somerset Dam 18 Wivenhoe Dam 19 Pindari Dam 20 Copeton Dam 21 Moogerah Dam 22 Maroon Dam 23 Leslie Dam 24 Connolly Dam 25 Coolmunda Dam 26 Clarrie Hall Dam (NSW) 27 Hinze Dam 28 Lake Cressbrook 29 Callide Dam 30 Lake Awoonga 31 Lake Samsonvale 32 Fairbairn Dam 33 Koombooloomba Dam 34 Cooby Dam

can be monitored on the Toowoomba region website if you Google search Cressbrook Dam. Check in case it reopens, as the fish will have almost forgotten what a boat and lure is. Find them and the action

Golden perch will still take lures this month, but things will get tougher as it gets colder. Make the most of the action now.

Gympie

Cairns 1

Townsville 2

3 4

Proserpine 6 Mackay

Rockhampton

Emerald 29 7

Highlighted dams are covered in this issue

Gladstone

30 8

Bundaberg 9

Maryborough

Roma

out the signage to ensure you stay out of trouble and abide by the rules. When the dam reopens to fishing, the open hours will also change to 7am to 6pm. SOMERSET CLOSEST TOWNS: ESK, KILCOY The bass fishing has been a bit tough but on the right day anglers are still managing to whack some quality fish. Bigger fish seem to be coming from the middle reaches of the lake

BRISBANE

with most action within sight of Pelican Point. Spoons are hard to beat but the fish will also take soft plastics, tail spinners and blade baits. Up in the timber north of Kirkleigh, the bass action has been a bit better. These fish will also take smaller profile spoons, tail spinners and definitely blades. Golden perch numbers may start to drop off but fishing the humps and To page 71

WATER STORAGE LEVELS Dam............................ % Full

        

DAMS Atkinson Awoonga Bjelke-Petersen Boondooma Borumba Burdekin Falls Callide Cania Clarendon Cooby Coolmunda

FEB MAR APR 11 14 14 97 98 96 17 17 22 41 42 40 99 102 100 74 106 104 80 80 77 97 99 98 3 4 3 47 47 45 58 50 45

Dam............................ % Full           

Copeton Cressbrook Dyer/Bill Gunn Eungella Fairbairn Glenlyon Hinze Julius Kinchant Koombooloomba Leslie Macdonald

30 29 29 58 57 56 4 9 8 92 92 100 25 27 26 59 57 54 99 103 100 71 70 98 56 62 97 42 92 98 11 10 10 99 105 102

Dam............................ % Full           

Maroon 97 100 100 Monduran/Fred Haigh 100 103 100 Moogerah 87 90 88 North Pine/Samsonvale 73 89 90 Peter Faust/Proserpine 67 69 78 Pindari 63 60 59 Somerset 76 77 79 Teemburra 90 91 98 Tinaroo 38 48 95 Toonumbar 100 102 100 Wivenhoe 69 77 77 Wuruma 98 101 99

For fortnightly updates on Sunwater dams visit www.sunwater.com.au This symbol indicates that a Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish these dams. All figures are % readings Current as of 17/04/18

(All levels correct at time of going to press. Dam levels can change at any time, so please check with local authorities to ensure safe boating and fishing.) 70

MAY 2018

DARLING DOWNS GRANITE BELT REGION COOBY CLOSEST TOWNS: HIGHFIELDS, TOOWOOMBA The golden perch action has been a bit unpredictable over the last month. One minute they are on and the next they are near impossible to tempt. I don’t expect too much to change as things cool down even more. Trolling the weed edges will score a few fish with TN60 Jackalls being a standout performer. Hopping small blades can also produce golden perch. Bait fishing tends to be the most reliable technique as things cool down more. Live shrimp or saltwater yabbies are the best baits. Fish these

directly below the boat just outside the weed edges in the afternoon. During the day, also try your luck out in 6-8m of water. For all your bait, hooks and sinkers call into Craig’s Home Hardware in Highfields. Cooby D a m ’s proximity to Highfields and Toowoomba makes it a very popular fishery. If you are looking for somewhere close to home to drop the boat or kayak in, Cooby is definitely worth a visit. The dam hours are now 7am until 6pm. Remember, no outboard motors are allowed to be used on the dam. The concrete boat ramp is on a shallow angle when the dam is full and

can be slippery in places, but a big electric powered boat can still be launched with care. Outboard motors can be left on the boat and must not be used. COOLMUNDA CLOSEST TOWN: INGLEWOOD The fishing has been pretty steady at Coolmunda. A few goldens and the occasional cod are being caught, but they are hard work. Put the time in and you will be rewarded. Adam Krautz learned this last month when he landed a few golden perch and one Murray cod for the day’s fishing. The cod was a beauty of 109cm and took an Austackle Gizmo spinnerbait fitted with a trailer plastic and Hot Bite Assist Stinger hook. The stinger was wedged

right in the corner of the jaw. When the bites are hard to come by, make them count. Ensure all your knots are up to the task, your hooks are sharp and you have a stinger hook on your spinnerbait. One good bite is sometimes all it takes to make a slow day a memorable one. If you’re chasing the cod, head to the timber and fish the trees and laydowns. If I’m not fishing structure on the sounder, I like to prospect through the trees, concentrating around the bases in shallower water (under 3m) and up in the tree forks in deeper water (over 3m). Don’t be afraid to cast between the trees and

draw your lure back through tight country. My motto is ‘hook ‘em first, get ‘em out later.’ Hardbodies cast and trolled can also pull a few cod in the timber. There was also a cracker caught on one of the new Jackall Mega Pompadour surface lures. This just goes to show you need to be out there having a crack and put in the time to catch them. You never know if the bite will come on the first or last cast of the day. Unfortunately, sometimes it doesn’t come at all. The Coolmunda Caravan Park is only around 1km away from the lake. The park is just off

SUNSHINE COAST REGION MACDONALD CLOSEST TOWNS: TEWANTIN, NOOSA There have been quite a few reports of saratoga caught over the last month. These fish are falling for poppers fished around structure. Expect bass as well when fishing these topwater lures. However, the action will only be reliable early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Schooling bass have been caught in the deeper water on 3” curl-tail grub plastics. Davos in Noosaville is

just a short drive away and they carry all the right lures to use on the lake. Check in with them to see if they have heard the latest news on how the lake is fishing. Word is they also have some sweet new offerings that the bass and toga are going to love. BORUMBA CLOSEST TOWNS: IMBIL, NOOSA Toga are still taking lures in the upper parts of the lake. Quite a few bass are also coming from up in the timber as well. Blades and beetle spins are a good

the Cunningham Highway and far enough away from the noise of trucks to get a good night’s sleep. It offers camping sites, cabins, caravan facilities, tennis courts, a swimming pool, BBQ shelter and a camp kitchen. The park now has an extra two new wheelchairfriendly cabins to add to their older ones. Camping is also available near the boat ramp with toilets and hot showers to make your stay more comfortable. To take advantage of this and the great fishing opportunities in the lake and the river below, give the park a call on (07) 4652 4171. option throughout the day and surface lures are worth a try early in the morning. The start of the Kingham Arm has been worth a flick for quality bass. Jackall Squirrels fished with plenty of pauses or slowly wound Bassman spinnerbaits have been the go. Davos at Noosaville has all the gear you’ll need to tackle the fish at Borumba and Lake MacDonald. The store caters well for fresh and saltwater anglers. They can be found in the Homemaker Centre on the corner of Mary and Thomas streets.

Adam Krautz extracted this 109cm Coolmunda Murray cod on an AusTackle Gizmo spinnerbait. A Hot Bite Assist Stinger Hook was all that was wedged in the corner of its mouth. Make sure you make the bites count, as fish like this don’t come all that often. From page 70

edges of the creek bed out from Kirkleigh should see some action on live shrimp. Small bass and barred grunter can be a pest at times, so if they plague you and steal the baits, it’s time to move on. The redclaw crayfish have been abundant. Setting pots in 5-6m of water seems to be most effective with the middle reaches of the lake producing well. Good baits are part-boiled potato and over-ripened pawpaw. Somerset Fishing has moved the tackle van up the hill closer to the campground. Look for them inside the day area up near the toilet block above the boat ramp. The staff will be there from Friday to Sunday. They have the right gear, and they can steer you in the right direction, as they always know where the fish are schooled up.

MAROON CLOSEST TOWNS: BOONAH, BEAUDESERT Maroon is a great lake to fish this month. A lot of the bass will be smaller fish below 40cm in length but there is always the chance of a bigger model. The weed edges will be the place to hit. Early and late in the day, surface lures may still produce a few fish. Fish tight to the weed edges and even over the top of submerged weed if you can stealthily find it. It doesn’t take the fish long to drop back into deeper water as the light level increases. Switch to deeper presentations like hopped blades and soft plastics. Spinnerbaits are often a good way to nail some of the better quality fish out of the weed. With cooler weather on the way, they may soon refuse these and prefer something a little more natural and slower.

Suspending lures will be excellent over the colder months. You can start fishing shallow in the early morning and push deeper as the day wears on. The water is very clear. so use stealth and place long casts to the weed edges. Try to fish as close as possible to the weed without continuously fouling up in it. A few upward rips will usually free the lure from strands of weed. Bass lures have finer hooks, which tend to cut the weed if you use an aggressive rip to free them. Don’t be surprised if the commotion of tearing the lure from the weed draws out a hiding bass, which then hammers your lure. When the water is very clear you can slow your surface and suspending lure presentations down a lot more. The fish have much better visibility and if you can entice them to rise, they will swim a long way to take your offerings.

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MAY 2018

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MAY 2018

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Japan produce some of the most lifelike lures in the world and the Bassday Sugar Deep 90 Barra Tune is no exception, except this time it’s been tuned for Aussie conditions. This realistic 90mm jerkbait is available in seven fish-attracting colours, covering everything from clear to dirty water, making them ideal for inland dams as well as rivers, streams and estuaries. The Bassday Sugar Deep 90 Barra Tune has heavy-duty construction and extra strong trebles. It has a life-like appearance and can be cast accurately, quickly diving to a depth of 2.5m. This versatile lure can be used with a slow, steady retrieve producing a sharp wobble or a fast erratic stop-start retrieve which will have the lure darting about, imitating a dying baitfish. It also works well in heavily fished waters or on days where the fish are timid, as its neutral buoyancy lets you pause it near structure and it will suspend right in the strike zone. The Barra Tune will be perfect for barra,

Shimano’s Nexave spin reels represent great value for money for an entry level series, perfect for newcomers and kids who need the right start in fishing. There are five models in this new FE series, from 1000 through to C5000, with the 3000 HGFE and the 5000 HGFE being of compact body design. The cold forged aluminium spool with AR-C lip promotes longer casting without wind knots, and smooth transmission through the stripper guide, which is important when using fine diameter braid. Varispeed II assists in this regard, as it ensures that line lay on the spool is neat and even. An XT-7 body keeps weight down, while three shielded stainless SS bearings and one roller bearing makes winding the single piece aluminium handle effortless, whether retrieving or hooked up. Gear ratios range from 5.0:1 to 6.2:1, and drag power is from 3kg on the 1000 size, up to 8.5kg in the 3000, 4000, and 5000. And despite all these features, the price will come as a pleasant surprise. www.shimanofish.com.au

Gamakatsu have added two new sizes to the EWG Monster worm hook range. The new sizes offer more versatility, and build on the popular 7/0 EWG Monster. A 5/0 and 6/0 now complete the range of the strongest worm hook on the market. The EWG Monster was designed for only the largest plastics, and features extra heavy-duty wire, an inline hook point and an impressive black nickel finish. Coupled with Gamakatsu’s chemical sharpening procedure, the EWG Monster has impressive hook setting power, which is crucial when throwing big baits for large fish. The EWG Worm hook allows anglers to rig their lures in the traditional way with the hook point well exposed, or weedless. This offers incredible versatility, and the hooks can be used effectively in areas of heavy weed or timber, which are commonly encountered when chasing iconic species such as barramundi. EWG Monster worm hooks are also perfect in shallower water for offshore species such as snapper and kingfish with a slow sink offered by the unweighted hook. www.gamakatsu.com.au

PRODUCT GUIDE

Mustad has released a range of bucktail jigs designed for fishing freshwater through to the deepest saltwater ledges. Built on the 32824NP-BN 2X strong hook, the Mustad Big Eye Bucktail Jig features two line tie positions to give the angler options. The nose tie lets you cast and retrieve the jig, mimicking a swimming action. The top tie lets you employ a more traditional jigging retrieve. But don’t think there are only two uses for these jigs – clever anglers are already fitting them out for trolling dead baits for mackerel and more. Featuring oversized 3D eyes, the Big Eye Bucktail Jig has hand-tied deer hair and crystal flash to give the jigs a lifelike appearance in the water. There is also a keeper wire located near the lead head so you can add bait or a soft plastic trailer. An epoxy finish gives the head maximum durability. There are eight colours in the range, and sizes range from a 3/4oz jig with a 5/0 hook, all the way through to 8oz with a 9/0 hook. www.wilsonfishing.com

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WHAT’S NEW FISHING SHIMANO STELLA FJ

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It’s been 26 years since the first Stellas hit the market, and the innovation continues with the new FJ series. One of the latest features is MicroModule II. Unique gear teeth surface design makes the FJs even smoother and quieter, and with Improved Hagane Gear they’re now twice as strong and durable as before. The Long Stroke AR-C spool increases casting distance, and the line clip has been improved so light leaders aren’t damaged during storage. There’s also a Tangle-Proof Rotor design. SilentDrive reduces handle play and eliminates the clicking noise and feeling from the worm shaft when winding. EI Surface Treatment protects the exterior, while the X Protect labyrinth system keeps water and dirt at bay in key areas. All these advancements are housed in a Hagane Body with 12 SA-RB bearings and one roller bearing, with X-Ship bearing supported pinion gear, plus a G-Free Body where the centre of gravity is closer to the rod. There are five models, with drag power from 3-11kg, and gear ratios from 5.1 to 6.4:1. www.shimanofish.com.au

BLACK MAGIC BMAX 8 COLOURS Black Magic has updated their range of bibbed BMax lures by adding five new colours. For those who haven’t tried one, the BMax 60 is designed as a subsurface lure ideal for numerous freshwater and estuarine species across Australia. This lure measures 60mm long, is an ideal weight for casting, and is perfect for both spinning and trolling. The short bib lets the lure dive down to 1.2-1.8m, and ensures a very enticing swimming action. The BMax 60 is rigged with two strong, sharp treble hooks – one on the belly and one on the tail. It’s available in a range of 10 colours designed to suit a range of species and conditions. These lures are well priced and are available now from Black Magic stockists. www.blackmagictackle.com

OKUMA HELIOS SX SPIN 12

The new Okuma Helios SX is all about high end performance and cutting edge features at an affordable price, and it’s now available to Aussie anglers in a 20, 30 and 40 size. Okuma’s new C-40X long strand carbon fibre technology is substantially stronger than standard graphite material, and is also 25% lighter and 100% anti-corrosive. Combine this with Okuma’s TCA: Torsion Control Armor, a double-arm design in the reel stem that reduces twist and torque, while keeping internal parts perfectly aligned, and you have a lightweight, rigid reel that sees power transferred effectively. Other features include 8HPB + 1RB corrosion-resistant SS bearings for silky smooth performance, ALG: Precision Alumilite alloy main gear and oscillating gears, heavy-duty, solid aluminium bail wire, RESII: Computer Balanced Rotor Equalizing System, CBD: Centrifugal Disc Bail for smoother and easier bail operation, and Progressive Drag, a 1-K woven carbon fibre drag knob that reduces weight and creates a more progressive drag setting. Price: SRP $189.90-$219.90 www.okuma.com.au

WILSON NEOPRENE 10 WADERS Winter isn’t far off, and Wilson Fishing has released new neoprene chest and hip waders for the colder months. Featuring a 4mm neoprene construction that is welded and glued to a sturdy boot, these waders will go the distance. The Hip Waders feature adjustable Velcro straps that hold these waders in place with the aid of a belt. Internally, all seams are covered for comfort, and the boot is lined to provide the ultimate in comfort for your feet. The Chest Waders feature an oversized chest pocket for storage of tackle and the same internal construction for maximum comfort. The Chest Waders are also attached via Velcro straps that allow ultimate adjustability. The Wilson Neoprene Wader range is available in boot sizes from 8 through to 15, and you can find more information on the Wilson Fishing website. You can also see the latest news and tips on Facebook (www. facebook.com/LWilsonAndCo), and great catch photos on Instagram (@wilson_fishing). www.wilsonfishing.com.au

BERKLEY GULP 6” SWIMMING MULLET 11 The Berkley Gulp 6” is the big daddy Swimming Mullet. The Berkley Gulp Swimming Mullet’s ‘fat’ profile and flickering curl-tail is a deadly fish magnet, and is now available in 6” size for those big occasions. The swimming action of the large curltail, combined with an enticing ‘body roll’ at a slow retrieve, makes the 6” Swimming Mullet a slow roll specialist. Add in fish attracting Gulp Scent, with its powerful scent release properties, for a perfect cod and barra hook up. Gulp releases 400 times more scent than plastic baits, expanding the strike zone so you catch more fish. Made from 100% natural ingredients, Gulp is environmentally and fish friendly. The 6” Swimming Mullet comes in chartreuse, glow and pearl white. Price: SRP $13.99 Berkley-fishing.com.au

NEW FROM STRIKE PRO

Strike Pro has released two new colours (A68 and A93-CP) in the popular Bob N Spoon range. The Bob N Spoon is a new take on an old classic spoon; it is plastic with chambers that allow for features like inbuilt rattles to be included, and have transparent finishes. The Bob N Spoon has an erratic swaying action and it can be reversed to change its action. It is 5.5cm long, weighs 7.3g and comes with quality trebles. It’s proven to be very effective on trout, bass and redfin. Strike Pro has also released eight new fish-catching colours in its 1/4oz and 3/4oz Spinnerbaits. Many hours of testing have gone into producing these colours for the Australian market. These spinnerbaits feature the highest quality USA skirts that are rounded silicone silk cut to produce the ultimate pulsating action. They also feature holographic colour matched blades, quality ball bearing swivels and R-bend arms. Strike Pro Spinnerbaits are super effective on Murray cod, yellowbelly, bass and redfin. www.jurofishing.com

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au MAY 2018

WHAT’S NEW FISHING RHINO-RACK BATWING AWNING

TSUNAMI SOFT 13 VIBE SHADS

Rhino-Rack’s new Batwing Awning provides 270° of refuge, and comes with top quality brackets that have a high and low fitting position. Its integrated legs simply unclip from the storage position and drop into place, making it a oneperson job. The rare earth magnets, which click to hold the arms in place, allow for quick and easy storage, and there are thicker Velcro straps to keep the awning secure when packed in place. The lightweight, durable powder-coated aluminium poles have an easy grip handle to loosen and extend, up to 2.3m. If it’s windy, the moulded fittings on the end of each pole can accommodate two pegs through the base of the leg. And for extreme conditions, included with the Batwing are eight guy ropes with inbuilt hooks and 10 pegs that are easily stored in the new pocket. Made from heavy-duty rip-stop fabric, the awning is water and mould resistant, and rated to UPF 50+. It comes in a UV resistant PVC bag, and it’s compatible with existing additions like sidewalls, extensions, and tents. Price: SRP: $849 www.rhinorack.com.au

REDINGTON MINNOW COMBO

The 580 Minnow from Redington was designed and tuned to meet the needs of younger anglers. This 5wt rod is built with enough power to throw a wide variety of flies, but the shorter 8’ length offers less swing weight to make it easier for casters of smaller stature to make effective stops at the end of their casting stroke. Features of this four-piece rod include: easy casting medium action; supplied cotton rod sock, and alignment dots for easy rod setup. The combo includes a Minnow rod and Crosswater 4/5/6 reel pre-spooled with RIO Mainstream WF fly line, and a Cordura rod tube. This great looking rod is also backed by a 1-year warranty. For more information on the 580 Minnow, or any of the other rods and reels in the Redington range, visit the JM Gillies website. www.jmgillies.com.au

PLANO WEEKEND SERIES

For 2018, Plano’s successful Weekend Series includes three distinct, reimagined models that work as hard as you do. These models are called the Weekend Series Tackle Cases, Weekend Series Softsider Tackle Bags and Weekend Series Speed Bags. Each one is available in Plano’s popular 3600 and 3700 sizes to build – or integrate seamlessly into – any tackle management system. And they look better than ever in brand new, classy and clean tan or grey colour schemes. In addition to standout new aesthetics, these bags feature upgraded, no-fail zipper pulls and tactical-inspired MOLLE exterior webbing for easy attachment of fishing tools or accessories. Best of all, these handsome and durable standout performers are available at very reasonable prices that any working angler can afford. For more information on this and other Plano tackle storage solutions, visit the JM Gillies website. You can also get all the latest news and catch photos on the JM Gillies Facebook page at www.facebook. com/jm.gillies. www.jmgillies.com.au 80

MAY 2018

PRODUCT GUIDE

Tsunami Soft Vibe Shads are moulded from supple, yet tough plastic that maximises action and enhances durability. The wirethrough design and sharp Mustad hooks add further strength to the lure, tipping the odds of landing big fish in the angler’s favour. The precisely balanced internal weights produce an enticing shimmy action that drives predatory fish into a frenzy. The translucent bodies, foil flash, natural colour tones and 3D eyes will even fool timid fish. Soft Vibe Shads are available in two sizes (60mm, 14g and 90mm, 20g) and five colour combinations (chartreuse/pearl/orange, sand eel, clear/gold/pearl, red head and golden bunker). The 60mm shad is ideal for freshwater native fish such as Australian bass, golden perch and sooty grunter, while the 90mm model will entice bites from barramundi, mangrove jack, mulloway, threadfin salmon and more. You can skip these lures along the bottom, drop them down weed edges, or roll them across the shallows to get the predators’ attention. www.jarviswalker.com.au

DAIWA TD HYPER

Rocketing onto the scene is Daiwa’s latest weapon – TD Hyper. Combining Daiwa cutting-edge blank design with striking looks and excellent value, the TD Hyper series is built to perform and destined to turn heads. The foundation of the TD Hyper series is Daiwa’s HVF Nanoplus graphite technology, with HVF combining precise resin control with unidirectional graphite fibre to produce a blank that is outstandingly light, crisp and responsive, while X45 blank technology further enhances rod performance eliminating blank twist and distortion to further increase rod strength, function, and sensitivity. TD Hyper’s hardware is equally top shelf, with Fuji Alconite O Ring guides, Daiwa’s famous RR (reduced resistance) guide design system and Surround Hold reel seats, and custom alloy componentry enhancing rod performance and style. Additionally, its matt green colour offers a unique look and swagger rarely seen down under. If you’re looking for performance, style and value for money, check out the TD Hyper at your favourite tackle store. Price: SRP $129 www.daiwafishing.com.au

GALAXIA MINNOW NEW COLOURS

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The Strike Pro Galaxia Minnow was the first Strike Pro lure released in Australia, and over many years it has been extremely effective in both fresh and estuarine waters. The Galaxia Minnow has now been released in six hot new colours that are certainly going to be very effective on many species. This deep diving baitfish profile lure is 6cm long, weighs 7g and dives to approximately 9ft on the cast and retrieve and dives to 16ft on the troll. The latter technique in particular has been deadly on estuaries and has accounted for many species. It features a tight shimmy action and has a superb sonic rattle. The Galaxia Minnow is very effective on bream, bass, estuary perch, flathead, snapper, mangrove jack, trout and redfin, and these new colour are bound to rack up even more fish. www.jurofishing.com

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING

Phenix Rods – I saw, I purchased, a big thumbs up Phenix Rods are a US-based rod manufacturer which has had a couple of incarnations here in Australia. My interest in them was sparked by a conversation with Julian Frank, who is the new Australian importer of the brand through his Southbound Custom Tackle business. After a phone call with Julian, I had a good look through the US website for the rods, and I was immediately intrigued. One of the main headings on the page was ‘Trout’, with a dropdown box of a number of trout-specific rods. The Elixir series drew my attention – high modulus graphite rods based on traditional fast taper fly rods. I prefer fast taper rods for the majority of my fishing, but with my trout fishing in recent times I have had no choice but to use slower taper rods. This is mainly due to the lack of stretch in braided line, and a trout’s inclination to jump and spit lures. To avoid this you need to have a rod that absorbs the shock of these acrobatics, and to keep your leader intact. This focus on fast taper rods also had me looking at other options for the fishing I do here in Queensland. A big part of that is targeting flathead in the salt, and bass in our impoundments. The freshwater M1

The author’s first fish on the Elixir Trout rod was this quality brown trout caught in Lake Eildon.

Another feisty trout from the Eildon area. The Elixir FX701 has become the author’s favorite trout rod. series tickled my fancy, with its carbon fibre nanotube technology based blanks. Nano technology has become a big part of rod ranges for many manufacturers in the last five years, mainly due to the additional strength it offers under load (to avoid rod breakage) and power when fighting a fish. However, I would not put any of the nano rods I have seen in the fast taper category; they’re medium fast at best. I was so interested in the Phenixes that I got my credit card out and ordered two rods, the Elixir FX701 and the M1 MX72ML. I have now had eight months to thoroughly test them, and share my findings. ELIXIR SERIES RODS I don’t get to trout fish as often as I would like, and when I do get to go I want a rod specific for the task, rather than compromising with other rods.

Unpacking my Elixir FX701 was exciting, and I was amazed at how incredibly light it was. It is definitely a fast taper, but I wondered whether it would cast my favourite trout lures. Interestingly enough, my first chance to test this wasn’t with my own purchase. A trip to Lake Eildon working for the magazines provided the opportunity to trout fish, but I hadn’t brought my new rod with me. Fortunately, Gary Constantine from Eildon Bait and Tackle stocks the rods, and he kindly lent me his own Elixir that just happened to be the FX701. I needn’t have worried whether it would cast my favourite lures; it cast them easily and a very long way. I knew the ultimate test though would be how it would deal with the area’s feisty trout. Luckily for me it didn’t take very long to find out. Several decent browns came on the first morning from the lake, and a few rainbows followed from the Goulburn

TESTED River. The rod did exactly what I had hoped it would. There was plenty of power to fight larger fish, with the finesse and shock absorption to not pull hooks when using braid. It’s the perfect trout rod for me. M1 SERIES RODS The MX72ML was always going to be the rod of the two that got the most use. I went for the 7’2” version because I wanted to be able to cast lighter weights further, but still have the ability to comfortably throw the 3/8oz and 1/2oz jigheads I regularly use. As soon as I had unpacked the rod, I matched it with a 2000 size reel and 6lb braid, and was on the water the next day. Like the Elixir series rods, the M1s feel as light as a feather. My M1 MX72ML has some serious kahunas for a medium light rated rod, with plenty of hook setting power and plenty of grunt to stop larger fish on what is a light rod. The flathead may not have played the game that first trip, but some decent snapper did and I was a very happy camper with my new purchase. Eight months down the track and I still enjoy using the M1. It has done battle with a couple of nice mulloway in that time, as well as quite a few flathead. The mulloway certainly tested it, and the M1 won. Is it the perfect rod for what I wanted, like the Elixir? Probably not. In hindsight I think I should have purchased the 7’

Although purchased to target flathead, the M1 MX72ML has proven it is a quality rod on plenty of other species like this snapper.

This solid mulloway was no match for the Phenix MX72ML. Although only a light rod,it has plenty of power to deal with quality fish.

version of the rod, because 3/8oz and 1/2oz jigheads test the limits of what can be cast comfortably. Not so much with your standard casts, but when you want that bit of extra distance, the extra length and taper feels like the rod is being overextended. Vigorous hopping these same heads and larger plastics also works the rod tip a bit too much. Would it break? Absolutely not, but the slightly shorter version is most probably the way to go for my needs. CONCLUSION If you are a fan of fast taper, well presented and made fishing rods with quality components, then Phenix rods are well worth looking at. I am glad I have dabbled, and given the opportunity I will look at other options in the future. To find out more about stockists in Australia, check them out on Facebook on either the Southbound Custom Tackle or Phenix Rods Australia pages. - Peter Jung

MAY 2018

News

Suntag Monitoring Summary: Cairns fishery SUNTAG

Stefan Sawynok

Cairns is an area that needs more public tagging and data collection, especially as the data we have on sports species in Cairns is limited and we know there is some decent inshore sportfishing to be had. With the NFZ in place, this is an excellent opportunity to show how positive its impact has been to the community. Nonetheless, Suntag does have fishers who are contributing valuable data in the north, and we are very grateful for their contribution. The other two groups that are missing in the assessment at this point are game fishing and spearfishing, which so far we don’t have datasets for. Game fishers have been active in tag and release for years, and many good stories are coming out of that work. Fishers report that 74% of fish are released, which is the 6th highest rate overall in the state, Townsville being the best (83%), and Brisbane is the worst (58%). Cairns is an unusual fishery. Sportfishers have

to contend with shorter estuaries, making for smaller natural populations of estuary predators, but the inshore and offshore reefs offer alternatives such as GTs and queenfish. Grunter and golden snapper (fingermark) displace the mainstays of the southern bread and butter fishery, whiting and flathead. Offshore there are a lot of productive reefs, and locals and visitors alike take advantage of them. Rain is a key influencer, with most of the rain falling on the coast means that Tinaroo, in particular, can run right down. In January they were issuing hazard warnings for timber as the dam was down to a 10 year low of 36%. Cue a cyclone and the current level is around 93%. In many respects, the range shapes the fishery more than any other factor, affecting weather and water retention. In fishery development terms, Tinaroo Dam, the new emerging fishery developing in Copperlode, and the Net Free Zone, not to mention the hard work Carefish is doing to ensure infrastructure development, there is a lot of work going on in Cairns.

TOURISM TRAFFIC Visitor traffic to the region makes up around 35% of the general fishing traffic, but only 2.5% of that traffic is from southern destinations like SEQ, NSW and Victoria. As a comparison, the nearest alternative, Hinchinbrook, has 71% of its traffic being visitors, with around 23% of that traffic being from southern destinations. It seems the southern traffic diverts west. Weipa

Data: Queensland Fisheries Boat Ramp Surveys Pikey Bream

Data: Queensland Fisheries Boat Ramp Surveys Mangrove Jack

has around 27% traffic from visitors, of which 15% is southern, indicating that Weipa might be the final destination for the southern traffic. Karumba gets even more traffic, with 88% of fishing being conducted by visitors, with 56% of that traffic being southern traffic. When fishers come to Cairns, it’s offshore reef species that they tend to target.

HOW GOOD IS THE FISHERY? Infofish Australia has assessed four key fisheries: sportfishing, bread and butter, crabs and offshore. It would be interesting to see local satisfaction with the fishery, as geography does offer some challenges in fishery development. That said, the variety on offer is better than many destinations; the locals are not short up for opportunities, including some premium experiences. Cairns has an acceptable if not spectacular bread

and butter fishery, a good to great sportfishing fishery, including impoundments, and some excellent offshore fishing. The local word is that there is also a great game fishing experience to be had, which I suspect is where international visitors head, but at this stage with no data to compare, it makes assessment difficult. To view a detailed analysis of the 13 species reviewed, go to http:// crystal-bowl.com.au/cairnsfishery-summary/.

Sportfish Cairns was one of the recipients of a Net Free Zone, although at this point the data available is a little thin to state conclusively that the

BARRY OXFORD’S BASS TAGGING

Australian bass

1990s

2000s

2010s

Tagged Only

146

4838

6467

All fish (including recaptures)

155

4074

7151

MAY 2018

impact has been positive. Locals report that they are seeing barra in places they haven’t for some time, which is exciting news. Given the recent cyclone, conditions may change somewhat this year, making history a little less useful. Regardless, a lot of development work has been going on in the impoundment and Net Free Zone that will help Cairns improve as a local fishery in

the coming years. Local development has disrupted much of the recruitment habitat for barramundi over the years, so the system’s ability to add fish is limited. Stocking in impoundments plays a crucial role in providing access to sizable barra. The fishing at Tinaroo has been upended by the recent cyclone. This year’s Tinaroo Barra Bash will give a good indicator of where

the fishery is up to, with fish able to access parts of the impoundment they haven’t for years. Copperlode Dam is a developing fishery and an exciting one, offering the kayak barra experience in tropical surrounds. Most of the fish in Copperlode are in the 600-800mm range, so expect some epic battles in the coming years. Mangrove jack, on

News the other hand, is a target species in the estuary and the results are better for those targeting them. Sportfishers report a catch rate of 1.1 fish/fisher/ day, which is around half that experienced in Gladstone, with 2.7% of fish being trophy fish. Catch rates for mangrove jack are higher at 1.9 fish/ fisher/day, with 60% being legal size. In fish reported to Queensland Fisheries Boat Ramp Surveys, mangrove jack is the more dominant, with a catch rate of 0.5 fish/ fisher/day, which is 2nd in the state, and the average size of 430mm being 9th. See Figure 1 for the breakdown. While there is less data on GTs and queenfish, the historical catch rates show better than one fish/fisher/ day for those targeting them, with fish in the range of 500mm-1m being common. Bread and butter fishing Cairns has a productive bread and butter fishery, with both yellowfin and pikey bream, as well as barred javelin and golden snapper. Flathead and whiting make up a much smaller proportion of the catch than southern regions, which is probably a mix of lower abundance and less targeting. The bream in Cairns tend to be amongst the largest in the state, with Queensland Fisheries Boat Ramp Surveys reporting pikey bream averaging 280mm (3rd best average) with fish up to 400mm reported. See Figure 2 for the breakdown on the pikey bream. Yellowfin is also a very respectable 286mm (2nd best average) with fish up to 360mm. ABT might want to consider Cairns as a destination for one of their tournaments! Golden snapper is the other local highlight, with the 4th best catch rate in the state at an average size of 470mm.

Crabs There is good news and bad news in the mud crab fishery in Cairns, as the data says that the fishery is operating on optimism. The good news is that one pot in two nets a crab, the bad news is one pot in 14 nets a keeper. The commercial crab fishery in Cairns is not significant in size (2017 data shows 0.3% of the state catch at 3.1T), suggesting that local conditions are not suitable for a large crab fishery. Nonetheless, crabs are the second most targeted species after coral trout. See Figure 3 for the breakdown of crab data. Offshore Offshore coral trout is the big highlight in Cairns, having an excellent catch rate of 2.1 fish/fisher/day, the second best in the state in 2017. The average size of fish clocks in at 458mm, with fish up to 780mm. It’s little wonder that coral trout is the one species visitors target, with 42% going to visitors. Catch rates have gone up between 2015 and 2017, that may be a function of the survey process. Interestingly, catch rates have also improved for commercial fishers from 38.4kg/day in 2015 to 69.9kg/day in 2017, which means quotas have been filled quickly. See Figure 4 for the breakdown on trout. Crimson snapper (small mouth nannygai) is another of the offshore targets, with a catch rate of 1.45 fish/fisher/ day (second best in the state) with a 486mm average (third best) and fish up to 770mm. Nannygai of both varieties is also a visitor target with 43-48% share of the catch. Another local offshore favourite is grass sweetlip, with a 0.9 fish/fisher day catch rate and an average size of 372mm. Once again, offshore and crab results are courtesy of Queensland Fisheries Boat Ramp Surveys.

Data: Queensland Fisheries Boat Ramp Surveys Mud Crab

Data: Queensland Fisheries Boat Ramp Surveys Common Coral Trout

WHAT IT TAKES TO CATCH 10,000 BASS Moving away from Cairns, recently we had the chance to honour a Jedi Master fisher: Barry Oxford. Barry is the first person on the planet so far as we can tell to reach 10,000 fish tagged on his own steam. There have been researchers that have tagged more, but that is part of a team. Not satisfied with one-lifetime achievement, Barry is about to complete the 100,000 hectares of mapping under C-Map

genesis (formally Insight Genesis). That combination would make Barry the number one contributor of freshwater data under his own steam anywhere in the world by some measure. Barry by any measure is a once in a generation asset, one that has genuinely paved the way for the next generation of fishers. The striking fact I took away from the night (beyond the eternal patience of his wife) was

that Barry only decided to get serious about bass tagging around the 2,500 mark. To put that into perspective, only a dozen people in 12,000 had made it that far, that is a bit like Bradman saying he became motivated when his average neared 100.

To put some more numbers to Barry’s achievements, he has tagged bass in 411 locations, over 1009 days, which puts his daily catch rate at a touch over ten fish per day. Barry was right in saying he picked up steam over time, and the fact box

hereby will show you. When you include recaptures, Barry passed the 1000 fish reported per year twice. There are no words that can describe that kind of effort. If you happen to run into Barry on the water, shake his hand and

say thanks. He was advised to hold onto his 10,000th tag, as he wanted to make the mark before he died on the theory that keeping that tag would grant him immortality. I am pretty sure he’s not done yet, nonetheless, immortality he has already achieved!

MAY 2018

Crompton goes wire-to-wire

STORM

The Franklins Australia BREAM Australian Open (5-7 March) delivered in spades with a big field, big weather and big limits, combining to make it an action-packed event with Daiwa and Hobie Fishing sponsored tournament pro Mark Crompton claiming victory in the prestigious event. Australia’s only boateronly bream event, 29 teams hit the start line on the opening day of competition at Drummoyne Sailing Club, with Sydney Harbour and the Hawkesbury River set to challenge their bodies, boats and mental toughness over three gruelling days of competition. For event winner Mark Crompton it was a wire-towire victory with the Southern Highlands breamer grabbing the lead on day one courtesy of a 4kg limit then not letting go as he powered to a comprehensive open win. Fishing with a renewed focus

day of competition, Crompton was the only angler to drop a 4kg limit on the scales. His effort provided him with the reward of leading the field out on day two. Hitting the launch site at Bayview Park at Pittwater on day two Crompton was greeted by near gale force winds – weather that made him reconsider his day two Hawkesbury River tactics. “I had planned on running a long way upriver and throwing Cranka Crabs into the nasty rock sections of the Hawkesbury, but when I saw the wind and the conditions when we got Bayview I thought let’s scrap that and go hit the flats instead.” And that’s exactly what Crompton did heading to the famous ‘car park flats’ at Palm Beach. With his Cranka Crabs replaced for Juro Firebaits Crompton would make long wind assisted casts across the flats then work the lure back to the boat with a

A calm and collected Crompton heads off on the final day of competition.

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 88

MAY 2018

and mindset, Crompton went into the event with two goals: chasing numbers of fish rather than more purposely seeking out big fish, and fishing the event expressly to win. “In the past I’ve fished with the goal of catching big fish; this time I tried something different and simply went about catching plenty of fish with the hope that the bigger fish would simply come along as I put fish in the boat,” Crompton said. Fishing Sydney Harbour on day one Crompton adopted a hard bait approach crankbaiting boat hulls, shallow flats and heavy structure. The key to the success was current flow, as Crompton explained. “The fish were very much keyed in on water movement, with the best fish holding where there was tidal flow. If you have flow you often have food and the bream knew that.” Crompton’s cranks of choice were two main choices a Cranka Shad and Zipbaits Khamsin, with a slow rolling retrieve his go-to for enticing the harbour bream to bite. Crompton’s approach was spot on with the Australian Open champion filling out his limit by 8am and catching 20 fish for the session. Weighing in a 4.02kg limit for the opening

slow roll interspersed with sharp twitches. “The fish were really on the chew and they would nail the Juro off the top as it was skipping through the choppy surface. I had only planned to fish here for half an hour, but then I caught a 38 and 36, so that was it. I stayed a fair bit longer and when I felt like I’d caught all I could from here I headed upriver and fished Cranka Crabs,” explained Crompton. The rapid-fire early action saw Crompton catch his limit by 8.30am and land 10 legal fish for the session. Weighing in another 4kg bag for the tournament Crompton not only retained but also extended his lead heading into the third and final day of competition. Crompton’s win was anything

The Franklins Australia BREAM Australian Open winner Mark Crompton with a brace of Open-winning bream. but a fait accompli with the Daiwa tournament pro fully aware of what can transpire in this event, on this waterway and in a field of anglers of this calibre. “The Open is the hardest tournament there is and you need to catch a quality bag each day. You need to be on your A game every day to win. If you’re not, these guys are going to smash you and when you’ve got Ross Canizzarro hot on your tail heading into the final day you know full well that you can’t rest easy and that you’re going to have to catch them, and catch the big ones, to win,” explained Crompton. Back on Sydney Harbour for day three Crompton fished similar locations to day one; the lure the fish wanted however was different. “I thought the fish were primed for a Cranka Crab assault but they didn’t quite want them today. Instead it was the motor

oil colour 2 1/2” ZMan GrubZ that did the damage,” explained Crompton. The standout retrieve to trigger the best response from the bream was a quick roll punctuated with a series of double jerks. The lure and technique saw Crompton catch his limit by 9am and land 30 fish for the session. Crompton was conscious of what his competitors could deliver to the scales to derail his fairy tale win and then he lost a key fish. Crompton explained, “I dropped a really big fish today; it came out, looked at me and started shaking its head, spat the hook at me, then swam off. It was a good 40 fork fish and I thought right there, that’s it – there goes the Aus Open.” Crompton’s suspicions proved unfounded and his 3.58kg final day limit was enough to deliver him a comfortable wire-to-wire Frankins Australian BREAM Australian Open win.

WINNING TACKLE Rod: Daiwa Zero 701LXS and Daiwa Zero 701ULXS Reel: Daiwa Exceler LT 2500 Line: 6lb Daiwa Evo 8, 3.5lb Sunline FC Game (crankbaiting) Leader: 4lb FC Rock Lure: Cranka Shad in blue gill, olive and cockle Cranka Crabs 65mm (Hawksbury) and 55mm, custom colour (Sydney Harbour), OSP Bent Minnow 76 (pink belly and orange back), Juro Firebait Longtail Minnow (colour 05), ZMan GrubZ (motor oil, bloodworm and gudgen colours), TT 1/16 and 1/20oz jigheads, Berkley Nitro 1/32oz jigheads.

RESULTS Place Angler 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Fish

Weight (kg)

Payout

Mark Crompton 15/15 11.76 $5000 Ross Cannizzaro 15/15 10.71 $3000 Kris Hickson 15/15 10.37 $2500 Peter Cook 15/15 10.15 $2000 Denis Metzdorf 15/15 9.98 $2000 Liam Carruthers 15/15 9.94 Steve Morgan 15/15 9.65 Daniel Bonaccorso 15/15 9.62 Michael Colotouros 15/15 9.55 Christian Wardini 15/15 9.46 For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

Cannizzaro comes close again One of the anglers to watch in any event on Sydney Harbour or the Hawkesbury River, Ross Cannizzaro once again brought the big bags to the scales in the Open to claim another podium finish. Cannizzaro fished west of the Harbour Bridge hitting hardcore unforgiving structure like old wharves and poles in the main channel. “I looked for water 10-15ft deep and when fishing water this deep with

current flow it’s very difficult to let your lure sink to the bottom, so in the morning when the tide was strong I targeted the suspended fish in these locations,” explained Cannizzaro. Later in the day as the sunlight increased and the shade took over the hard to reach crevices and holes, Cannizzaro fished lighter, downsizing to a 1/32oz jighead for his camo Gulp Crabbies and presented them tight to the poles and jetties.

“The fish are used to the waterway traffic and commotion on the harbour, so they’ll sit high and tight to the structure waiting for a feed,” explained Cannizzaro. Cannizzaro would spot hop for the first hour to fill his limit before slowing down and fishing deep and tight to the nastiest country he could find, hoping to find the bigger fish he needed to anchor a quality bag. “I’d fish a lighter outfit to begin with each day – a

Ross heads into battle on the opening day of competition.

Cranka Shad

Cranka Crab

Juro Firebait

6’8” ABU Garcia Stage 1 rod and Revo reel spooled with 4.4lb Fireline – before upgrading to a heavier outfit – a 7’3” ABU Garcia Veritas 3.0 rod and Revo MGX reel spooled with Fireline Ultra 8,” explained Cannizzaro. Cannizzaro’s approach paid dividends allowing him to weigh in a 5/5, 3.63kg limit on the harbour on day one and a 5/5, 3.22kg bag on day three on the harbour. Fishing the Hawkesbury River on day two, Cannizzaro followed a similar approach as he did in the harbour. He fished nasty country for the biggest fish he could find, and this time he opted for a crankbait to catch his fish. “I fished upriver between Spencer and Bar Point and targeted natural rocks walls with Berkley 3B cranks. The tide was important though and you needed flow for this approach to work to its best, so early in the session when the tide was low and the flow wasn’t there I fished docks and boats in Berowra to fill my limit,” explained Cannizzaro. Ross’ plan paid off with him catching his limit by 8.30am. With the tide starting to flow at 10am Cannizzaro hit the rockwalls with his crankbaits, with the

Ross Cannizzaro once again shone in the open, finishing second yet again. bite improving as the tide rose and the fish moved into the flooded rock country. “I didn’t get the big bites that I was hoping for but I caught plenty of 32cm fork fish,” explained Ross. Just as he did on the harbour Cannizzaro used a two outfit approach to catch his fish – a light and heavier outfit. His crankbait outfit comprised of an ABU Garcia Villain rod and ABU Garcia Revo MGX 3000 spooled with 6lb Berkley Ultra 8 mainline and 10lb Toray

fluorocarbon leader. Post-victory Cannizzaro was content with his result, but hopes to go one better in 2019. “To win an event, especially a marathon event like the Open you need everything to go right and very little to go wrong. Hopefully next year is the year for me when that finally happens and I can hold the Franklins BREAM Australian Open trophy aloft,” concluded Cannizzaro. – ABT

The 29 boats waiting patiently on Sydney Harbour for the Franklins Australia BREAM Australian Open to kick off.

Crompton delivered 4kg limits for two of the three days of competition to claim a wire-to-wire victory.

Quality fish were brought to the bump tubs and scales in the Open. MAY 2018

Marchant marches to victory

STORM

Simon Marchant punched his ticket for the 2018 Rapala BASS Pro Grand Final and added his name to the growing list of BASS Pro event winners with the NSW tournament basser claiming victory in the opening qualifier event of the season, the Hobie Polarized BASS Pro (10-11 March). For the first of the two river rounds (out of six qualifying rounds) of the 2018 Rapala BASS Pro Series, Marchant like many anglers in the field chose to target estuary perch for the weekend rather than Australian bass. Fishing upriver from the tournament start line at Wisemans Ferry, Marchant fished the Dargle area focusing on bends in the river and pressure points where the current would create undercut banks or eroded shoreline that fish would hold and feed on. “We could see the fish sitting in deeper water and we were confident that the fish would move up onto the nearby drop-off, flat, weed line or structure to feed,” explained Marchant. Marchant’s number one spot featured weed tight to the

Simon Marchant with the rewards of his Hawkesbury BASS Pro victory. fish were located, and with only one fish in the well and time running out to get back for the weigh-in, we decided to stay and try to nut out what the fish were doing and where they were holding. Jason Martin and I chatted and we formulated an idea and plan on where they were and how to catch them. We tried the flat in 15” of water plan and it

Returning to the bend in the river and the location that delivered him three quality fish on day one, Marchant and his day two non-boater Rebbeca Fazio arrived there expecting a quiet reception from the fish. “The current was slow when we arrived and I expected the fish not to be active, but that was far from how it played out. Rebecca caught the first fish, and then three more came in quick succession and we had our limit,” explained Marchant. One more location beckoned for Marchant – the spot that delivered him his biggest fish on day one. On arriving there they found another boat fishing the location. Content with what they had in the well the pair headed back to the weigh-in. Hoping to simply cash a

cheque amongst a talented field, Marchant was ecstatic when his 4/4, 3.35kg limit was enough to elevate him onto the winners podium and secure the victory and 11th place finish for Rebecca. Post-victory Marchant was both humble and elated with his win. “It wasn’t that long ago that I was fishing my first event as a non-boater. To now be fishing as a boater and to win in a talented field like this one is the stuff of dreams,” explained Marchant. For his victory Marchant cashed the $2100 winner’s cheque, grabbed the lead in the BassCat BASS Pro Angler of the Year points race and pencilled his name on the start list for the Rapala BASS Pro Grand Final at Lake Somerset in September.

GARMIN BIG BASS Mark Lennox secured the Garmin Big Bass Prize with the former AOY and Grand Final champion capturing a 1.6kg EP at Singleton’s Hill on a muscadine coloured Slider Grub rigged on a 1/6oz Nitro Dam Deep jighead.

Simon Marchant with one his Hawkesbury-winning EPs.

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bank that then dropped off into 15ft of water onto a small flat, then dropped off again into the main channel of the river. The fish would move up onto and hold on this small flat ambushing food that the eddy and current brought to them. His go-to lure was an ayu coloured 2” Keitech Easy Shiner rigged on a custommade 1/8oz jighead. The presentation of the Keitech involved casting tight to the weed line then letting it sink back down to the flat and the waiting fish with a series a shakes. The EPs would intercept the plastic as it fluttered down; a subtle tick of the line was the tell-tale sign that a fish had taken the lure. While catching fish wasn’t overly difficult, locating and landing legal size fish proved more challenging, particularly during the first session. “In session one we hadn’t pinpointed where the bigger

paid off, so we kept catching fish for the rest of the session,” explained Marchant. Weighing in no fish for session one, Marchant made amends in session two weighing in 4/4, 3.03kg to be sitting in 4th place heading into day two and the 3rd and final session of the tournament.

WINNING TACKLE Rod: 7ft 6-10lb Kistler Magnesium 2 Reel: Daiwa Luvias Line: 8lb Sunline FC Sniper Leader: 8lb Sunline PE8 Lure: 2” Keitech Easy Shiner (ayu) rigged on a 1/8oz Jigpro jighead

TOP 10 BOATERS Place Angler 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Fish

Weight (kg) Payout

Simon Marchant 8/12 6.38 $2100 Ross Cannizzaro 8/12 6.37 $1300 + 1st Evinrude Bonus ($250) Alan McNamara 10/12 6.32 $900 Joey Urquhart 6/12 5.21 $500 + Duffrods Big Bag Steve Morgan 5/12 5.13 Wally Fahey 5/12 5.09 Brian Everingham 6/12 4.10 Tom Slater 5/12 3.49 Christian Wardini 6/12 3.44 Mark King 4/12 3.41 For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

Cannizzarro comes 2nd Last year’s Hawkesbury River BASS Pro winner and 2017 Bass Cat BASS Pro Angler of the Year champion Ross Cannizzaro put together another solid performance on the Hawkesbury River with the Abu Garcia tournament pro finishing 2nd in the Hobie Polarized presented event. Fishing the back eddies with his loved Berkley T-Tails, Cannizzaro targeted both bass and EPs for the tournament running spots on the river where he’d caught fish over many years of fishing the river. “It’s a hard time of the year to fish the Hawkesbury River due to the amount of boat traffic from the ski and wake boats that tend to congregate on the best

fishing stretches of the river. When it gets like this I find you need to be methodical with your fishing and focus on peppering the back eddies. This style of fishing is not my strong point – I prefer to target moving or active fish, however over time I have learnt to compete to the conditions,” explained Cannizzaro. Fishing his Berkley T-Tails rigged on a 1/8oz Nitro Dam Deep jighead Cannizzaro’s presentation involved casting the plastic into the eddy then twitching it like a prawn. “The EP’s suck the plastic in like a barramundi does so you have to be quick to respond when you feel that tick of an EP, and for that a sensitive rod is essential,” explained Cannizzaro.

DUFFRODS BIG BAG Bass gun Joey Urquhart secured the Duffrods Big Bag at the Hawkesbury with the Valley Hill Bass Pro securing the prize on day two for his 4/4, 3.79kg limit. Urquhart secured the quality bag within sight of the event start line in a hot ten-minute bite window when he caught a string of fish in a back eddy feeding on prawns.

The rod that fits the bill for Ross is an ABU Garcia Salty Stage Light rod, yet he still finds it powerful enough to pull larger fish out from structure. When targeting bass Cannizzaro tricked out his T-Tails rigging them on a beetle spin and fishing them on the coffee rock on the edges. The two-lure approach paid off for Cannizzaro with the multi-event winner weighing in fish each session. However, the majority he caught were undersize. “It wasn’t easy fishing and all I could do was keep casting and put more lures in the places where I thought the fish would be holding. It was then just a matter of hoping that the fish that bit would be big enough to make it into the livewell. I got the bites I needed each session to win – enough of them just weren’t big bites unfortunately,” concluded Cannizzaro. Cannizzaro’s second place cemented him a berth in September’s Rapala BASS Pro Grand Final and also started his AOY title defence in grand style.

BASS PR O

Ross Cannizzaro (right) secured another podium finish at the Hawkesbury and claimed 2nd to go with his win from last year.

Martin’s nonboater win Jason Martin added his second non-boater winner’s trophy to his trophy cabinet in as many years with the Taree basser adding the Hawkesbury River round win to his victory from the 2017 Cania BASS Pro last July. An angler with considerable experience

where we where and work out where they were and what they wanted to eat,” explained Martin. Early in the second session the pair cracked the pattern finding fish holding on a submerged flat out from the weed edge. With two fish in the well and the clock

2” Keitech Easy Shiner

Champion non-boater Jason Martin was ecstatic with his win.

TOP 10 NON BOATERS Place Angler 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Fish

Weight (kg) Payout

Jason Martin 8/12 6.44 Prize Pack Paul Piper 6/12 5.84 Prize Pack Nicholas Fouche 5/12 4.94 Prize Pack Brett Hyde 6/12 4.66 Prize Pack Lochie Rutherford 5/12 4.55 Prize Pack Orton Marchant 4/12 4.40 Prize Pack Tony Khouri 7/12 4.25 Prize Pack Kevin Yang 6/12 4.04 Prize Pack Thomas Konen 4/12 3.84 Prize Pack Simon Johnson 5/12 3.77 Prize Pack For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

chasing riverine bass, Martin targeted estuary perch on day one fishing with Simon Marchant. “We started out fishing upriver of the Colo River fishing a rock bar that was in about 10-15ft of water. I caught the EPs hopping 2” Keitech Easy Shiners down the rock bar, and while I caught plenty of undersize fish after about an hour we called it quits and changed location,” explained Martin. A move to Skeleton Rock followed and with nothing to show for an hour there they moved again, this time heading upriver of the Colo Ferry. With only undersize fish and hard work to show for his efforts Martin’s fortune didn’t change until the second session. “We didn’t weigh-in in the first session, with little fish to deliver to the scales we decided to stay

showing 12.30pm, Martin and Marchant moved again, this time heading upriver of Dargle and fishing a similar staging flat to the spot they’d just left. “We used the same technique and at 1.15pm I

picked up a solid 40cm fish. We then fished it until 2pm then headed back downstream to fish the spot where we picked up our first legal,” explained Martin. It was here that the pair picked up the final fish for the bag – a bag that would go 3.03kg on the scales and had Martin sitting in 4th place at the end of day one. Fishing with Mark King on day two the pair headed upriver looking for active fish feeding on weed edges. The approach paid off with the pair catching multiple fish and filling out their limit by 10.30am. Content with the limit they had the pair fished hard until the end of the session then headed back to the weigh-in. Presenting a 4/4, 3.41kg limit to the weighmaster Martin secured a comfortable winning in the end, claiming victory with a 600g margin over 2nd place non-boater Paul Piper. The tackle Martin used to claim victory included a Daiwa TD Sol 702LXS rod, 2500 Daiwa Exceler LT reel, 8lb Daiwa J-Braid mainline, 10lb Sunline FC Sniper leader and an electric shad coloured 2” Keitech Easy Shiner rigged on 1/8oz Nitro Dam Deep jigheads.

Mark Lennox claimed the Garmin Big Bass Prize for his 1.6kg kicker fish. MAY 2018

Crick cracks the Derwent code

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Adam Crick has proven that there are consistent tournament-winning fish in the big fish haunt of Ralphs Bay at the Costa Derwent River BREAM Qualifier with a 10/10 limit for 11.03kg taking his maiden ABT event with over 1kg on his nearest competitor. Coming off a strong showing at St Helens, Adam Crick was full of confidence heading into the Derwent River event and with the confidence in his key location he knew he was in with a shot. “I have spent a lot of time working out the low tide pattern on Ralphs Bay. It is high risk and high reward, but I felt I would fish to my strengths,” said Crick. On day one Crick headed down to hit his milk run of shallow broken reef flats dotted throughout Ralphs Bay. In each area Crick would cast an Ecogear MW 62 in 309 colour across the broken rubble before imparting a short erratic twitch mixed with pauses ranging between 2-10 seconds.

To target these shallow fish Crick would cast the same Ecogear MW 62 tight to the edge and twitch the lure with his rod held up high to work the lure out over the structure. With two key upgrades late in the session Crick ended the day with 5.9kg and headed out on day two with the lead. With a cold front pushing through overnight Crick was concerned Ralphs Bay would fail to fire and decided to stop at a rock point at Howrah to fill an early limit. “It can be hard to fill a limit at Ralphs Bay, so I used a productive smaller fish point at Howrah to fill a limit and calm the nerves,” explained Crick. With a calm mind he then headed to his day one honey hole. There wasn’t the same number of fish but Crick was able to find a couple of key upgrades to keep his bag weight climbing before returning to his milk run of spots in the Lindisfarne area. “It was a slow process of upgrading my bag throughout the session; it wasn’t until my

Adam Crick brought the big fish to the scales to claim victory on the Derwent. an angler to watch when ABT next returns to Tasmania. When asked about his win Crick replied, “It was a great feeling to win the event in the style of fishing

that I enjoy the most and I really have to thank Tony at JML for all his support. His lures have been the key to my success in the past two events.”

WINNING TACKLE Rod: JML Alliance Perfect Series Reel: Daiwa Luvias 2500 Line: 6lb Sunline Siglon PE8 Leader: 6lb Yamatoyo Chinu Harris FC Lure: Ecogear MW 62 (colour 309 and 328)

One of the fish that delivered Adam a 1kg average for his win.

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“The key was to get the lure to move erratically without it moving too far forward; to do this I would hold my rod tip up with slack in the line and only just come into contact with the lure,” said Crick. His tackle of choice for this technique was a ‘crank and twitch’ JML Alliance Perfection Series rod matched with a Daiwa Luvias 2504 spooled with 6lb Suline Siglon PE8 braid and 6lb Yamatoyo Chinu Harris FC. Crick fished the Ralphs Bay area until 11am and then changed tact as the tide began to run in. Returning upriver to the Lindisfarne area he targeted fish moving into the shallow edges. “On the run-in tide the larger fish tend to push right up on to the edge to feed,” Crick explained.

final upgrade five minutes before the end of the session that I felt like I had won the event,” said Crick. Crick took out the event with an over-1kg winning margin and that combined with his second place at St Helens will show him to be

Bernard Kong secured the Daiwa J-Braid Big Bream prize at the Derwent.

TOP 10 BOATERS Place Angler

Fish

Weight (kg) Payout

Adam Crick

10/10 11.03

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Josh Williams 10/10 9.88 Warren Carter 10/10 9.83 Charlie Saykao 10/10 9.77 Alan Lister 10/10 9.62 Andrew Krushka 10/10 9.54 Mark Crompton 10/10 9.38 Mario Vukic 10/10 9.37 Steve Steer 10/10 9.27 Cameron Whittam 10/10 9.20 For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

$2,250, 1st Mercury Bonus ($250), Duffrods Big Bag $1600, 2nd Mercury Bonus ($150) $1100, 2nd Mercury Bonus ($150) $800, 3rd Mercury Bonus ($100) $500

Josh fires for second In only his second event as a boater Josh Williams showed his skill when it comes to black bream fishing with an impressive 10/10 fish for 9.88kg. Williams started fishing near the start/finish areas of Bellerive in an attempt to fill his limit early as the tide dropped. The key area for Williams during this section of the tide was the deeper edges of the quickly draining flats. He would cast

a Daiwa Presso Minnow in sushi prawn up onto the shallow flat holding his rod tip up flicking and twitching the lure out over the drop-off before moving his rod tip down and ripping the lure down into the depths. With his limit filled early Williams then moved up to the middle reaches of the river working similar rocky drop-offs waiting for the tide to start moving in. Once the tide had

Josh added $1600 to his bank balance with his 2nd place win.

DUFFRODS BIG BAG Adam Crick took the Duffrods big bag with his day one limit of 5.91kg, which was the perfect start to his Derwent River event. The key to his day one bag was his Ecogear MW62 in 309 colour.

shifted Williams moved up into the shallows behind the entertainment centre in search of fish moving up into the shallows. He then cast a Daiwa Presso Minnow in creeping iwashi tight to the edge before ripping it down into the structure and allowing it to slowly float up out of the structure. “The fish would hit the lure as it came clear,” said Williams. His tackle of choice was a Nordic Stage Sharpshooter 1-3kg rod matched with a Shimano Twinpower 1000 reel spooled with 6lb Platypus P8 brain and 4lb Platypus Stealth FC. Day two proved to be a slower start for Williams who started the day at the golf course stretch of the Derwent, which proved to be successful for his non-boating partner, but it wasn’t until the tide started pushing in that Williams started to fire. With a stronger wind pushing on day two and a distinct dirty water line forming in the back of the entertainment centre bay, his day one location fired. The added wind allowed Williams to make longer wind-assisted casts and cover more water with each cast, “I slowed my presentation down on day two and used a 7m leader to get more bites,” said Williams. This change proved fruitful with his day two bag hitting the scales at 4.78kg.

BREAM SERIES

Josh Williams brought his good form from St Helens to the Derwent to claim second in the boater division. “I really enjoyed stepping up as a boater for both rounds and encourage any other

Tassie anglers to get out and give it a go,” said Williams, “I also need to thank Platypus

Lines for all their support and products that helped me over the weekend.”

Egan mixes it up for win Shaun Egan has taken another ABT Non-Boating victory with 10/10 fish for 8.44kg, showing he has consistency across any bream waters around Australia. Fishing with Tony Robinson on day one Egan fished the middle reaches of the Derwent along a range of rock walls and drop-offs. While his boaters targeted the hard edge Egan opted to target fish sitting wider with a slow rolled OSP Dunk in ghost colour. “I thought there would

Dunk and managed to fill his limit quickly, taking the pressure off and allowing him to mix up his presentation to find bigger fish. While the pair moved around before the tide change Egan was able to pick up key upgrades on the rock walls and gravel patches near Mona before the tide began to turn. Once the tide started pushing in the Egan changed

2000 Daiwa Sol reel spooled with 6lb Daiwa J-Braid and 5lb FC Rock. When asked about his win Egan was quick to point out the key to his result was to think outside the box and not just replicate what his boater was having success doing. “I always try to look past what my boater is doing and try to target fish they are missing,” said Egan. He was

Ecogear MW62F (328 and 309) Twitch and pause retrieve

Shaun Egan was a happy man with his non-boater title win.

Weedy bottom

Rocky bottom

TOP 10 NON BOATERS Place Angler

Fish

10/10 8.44

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Shaun Egan

Weight (kg) Payout

Costa Prize Pack, 1st Hobie Bonus ($200) Jesse Rotin 10/10 8.14 Prize Pack Roan Van-Berberg 10/10 8.04 Prize Pack, 2nd Hobie Bonus ($100) Jordan Armstrong 10/10 7.75 Prize Pack, 3rd Hobie Bonus ($75) Suzanne Siranovic 10/10 7.52 Prize Pack Paul Siemasko 10/10 7.26 Prize Pack Stuart Walker 10/10 7.07 Prize Pack Wally Fahey 10/10 6.95 Prize Pack Neil Chegwidden 10/10 6.82 Prize Pack Brendan Ayers 10/10 6.77 Prize Pack For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

be fish sitting wider that my boater wouldn’t be targeting, so I decided to cast the lure wide of the drop-off and slow roll the lure back, mixing it up with a slight pause,” said Egan. His go-to tackle for this presentation was a Shimano T-Curve Flight 7’2” 4-6lb rod matched with a 2000 Daiwa Sol reel spooled with 3lb FC Rock. Day two saw Egan paired with Josh Williams. He again started the day fishing wide of his boater with an OSP

his lure to an Ecogear MW62 in 309 colour and cast his lure tight to the edges of the entertainment centre bay. Much like his boater, Egan worked his lure across the shallow flat with his rod tip up in the air imparting short, sharp twitches mixed in with pauses ranging from 2-10 seconds allowing the fish to hunt the lure down. To extract the fish from the shallows Egan used a Shimano T-Curve 7’2” 4-6lb rod matched with a

also quick to thank his travel partners Danielle and Mark Crompton, “It makes it a lot easier traveling when you have a good group to travel with and I can’t thank them enough for their support,” said Egan. With the Tasmanian Leg of the Costa Bream Series run and won, attention now turns to the next event on the Gold Coast, to get involved with this or any other ABT event head to abt.org.au.

DAIWA J-BRAID BIG BREAM Bernard Kong cashed in on the Derwent with the ABT tournament veteran claiming the Daiwa J-Braid Big Bream Prize for his 1.53kg fish caught on day two on a Daiwa Double Clutch. MAY 2018

Shane Ling shines at St Helens Shane Ling has tapped into his years of experience on the always-challenging waterways of St Helens to take out his maiden ABT victory with 10/10 fish for 10.6kg. With challenging wind conditions greeting the anglers over the course of the tournament Ling knew it would take a well-planned approach for the tournament to take the win. “The fish at St Helens can be hard to tempt and very susceptible to pressure, but when you find them the fishing can be some of the best,” explained Ling. Starting at the back of the field on day one Ling knew that many of his first choice locations would already have anglers on them and he would need to rely on his knowledge bank to find some clean water.

Shane Ling dominated at St Helens to claim victory in the Mercury-presented event. session and found a good number of fish holding in Moulting Bay. Ling finished day one with 5.35kg, a small

“I was sight casting to the fish but I still needed to impart an erratic short twitch followed by a 5-10 second

STORM

Shane Ling was all cashed up with his St Helens victory.

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“During the Tas Classic series I found a few good low-tide spots where I thought there wouldn’t be any anglers targeting, so I headed there to start the tournament,” said Ling. His key starting location was an area known as ‘Horseshoe Flats.’ Within the expansive area Ling targeted the larger fish holding on the drop-off from the main flat. “The key was to find the deeper holes on the edge of the flat and work the lure slowly across the area, giving the fish plenty of time to look at the lure. I would twitch the lure moving it the least distance possible and follow with a five-second pause. My aim was to keep the lure in the strike zone and move it sideways,” said Ling. With his limit filled on the flats, Ling switched into pre-fish mode for day two, spot hopping around the area looking for a productive areas that wouldn’t be affected by the wind change that was due to come in overnight. During his searching Ling continued to upgrade throughout the

lead and confidence heading into day two. Haunted by the memory of failing in previous ABT events on day two Ling stayed with his plan and targeted the flats in Moulting Bay. With the fish holding shallower Ling adjusted his plan slightly and downsized to the shallower running Zip Bait Riggie 56, again in his favoured 650 colour (chrome with orange bottom).

pause to tempt the fish to bite,” Ling said. It didn’t take Ling long and he had filled his limit and the nerves began to settle. “Once I filled my limit the schools of fish became skittish and I decided to move around a few spots and see if I could get a couple of upgrades,” Ling said, “I moved through a range of flats and oyster racks, but really just spot hopped for the rest of the day.” With 5.25kg hitting the scale Shane Ling showed supreme consistency over the two days and won the event by over 1kg. “It feels great to get the first win and even better to see Tassie anglers take out the top three spots in the event. I also need to thank Mad Keen, Mark Wilson at Zip Baits and Benny from BK Custom Rods for all their support.”

DUFFRODS BIG BAG Shane Ling took the Duffrods big bag thanks to his day one bag of 5.35kg, which he caught on the dropoffs in Horseshoe Bay with a Zipbait Rigge 70F.

WINNING TACKLE Rod: BK Custom S Ling custom Reel: Shimano Nasci 1000 Line: 10lb Sunline Siglon PE8 Leader: 6lb Sunline Shooter FC Lure: Zip Baits Rigge 56f and 70f

TOP 10 BOATERS Place Angler

Fish

Weight (kg) Payout

Shane Ling

10/10 10.60

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Adam Crick 10/10 9.18 Josh Williams 10/10 8.63 Steve Morgan 10/10 8.59 Mario Vukic 10/10 8.57 Warren Carter 10/10 7.96 Charlie Saykao 10/10 7.83 Leigh McKenzie 10/10 7.83 Michael Alexander 10/10 7.81 Liam Carruthers 10/10 7.63 For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

$2,600, 1st Mercury Bonus ($250), Duffrods Big Bag $1900, 2nd Mercury Bonus ($150) $1250 $950, 3rd Mercury Bonus ($100) $630, Daiwa J-Braid Big Bream ($500)

Crick twitches into second place Launceston-based angler Adam Crick started his ABT Tasmanian Tour with an impressive 2nd place with 10/10 fish for 9.18kg. Playing to his strengths Crick headed to the flat near the mouth of the system in search of clear water and active fish. Starting in the area known as ‘Stockyard Flats,’ Crick targeted fish holding in the deeper holes off the main flat while waiting for the flat to become covered by the tide.

“I knew the start would be tough down near the mouth and I was just waiting for the water to push up on the flat,” Crick said. Once the flat filled Crick was able to cast his Ecogear MW62 in 309 colour across the flats and work it over the edges between the grass and sand with short erratic twitches mixed in with pauses of 2-5 seconds. “I really tried to give the lure the most action while moving it the least distance and also

targeted the edges of the weed and sand,” Crick said. For this presentation Crick opted for a ‘crank and twitch’ JML Alliance Perfection Series rod matched with a Daiwa Luvias 2504 reel spooled with 6lb Suline Siglon PE8 braid and 6lb Yamatoyo Chinu Harris FC. Once Crick had exhausted his first flat he then spot hopped towards the entrance targeting flats that held a combination of broken weed beds, rubble and sand before finishing the day in the oyster racks for one final upgrade. “I only got six fish on day one but they were all the right size fish,” explained Crick. With the wind changing direction Crick decided to change his starting location and targeted the town flat at the start of day two. “The flats

near the entrance tend to shut down under pressure so my plan was to fill my limit on the town flat which is home to better numbers of fish.” While he started with one fish early the flat failed to produce the result Crick wanted and he returned to his day one honey hole. The return to the front proved to be fruitful with Crick repeating his shallow twitch and pause presentation for another quality limit. With a great result at the tour opener Crick was heading into his preferred Derwent River event full of confidence. “It was a great way to kick off the two events. I really have to thank Tony from JML for all his support and the products that helped me get the result over the weekend,” said Crick.

BREAM SERIES

Adam Crick fished shallow jerkbaits to finish second behind Shane Ling.

Hodge holds on for St Helens win Adam Crick with his second place winnings.

DAIWA J-BRAID BIG BREAM Mario Vukic claimed the Daiwa J-Braid Big Bream at St Helens with the 2018 Mallacoota BREAM Qualifier winner securing the $500 prize for his 1.41kg kicker fish caught on a ZMan GrubZ rigged on a 1/12oz jighead.

Victorian black bream specialist Mike Hodge has converted his first 5kg single day bag into another tournament win with 9/10 for 8.39kg. Fishing with Mark Alexander on day one, Hodge started the morning fishing the town flats putting one fish in the well early while his boater went to work filling his limit. “Mark had a well thought-out plan for the day, so I started the day full

Zipbaits Rigge 70F (650)

Twitch and roll retrieve

Weedy bottom

Rocky bottom

of confidence and knew we would be on for a good day’s fishing,” said Hodge. The pair then moved to Alexander’s second location, which held a good amount of broken weed beds with a distinct line of thick weed 2m from the edge, which proved to be the key hunting ground for Hodge. Once in location Hodge would cast a Cranka shallow minnow in jolly tail over the thick weed line and work the lure with a

Zipbaits Rigge 56F (824)

slow draw and pause routine. “I would draw the lure down slowly and pause it for up to five seconds. For most of the fish you would feel them rattle the lure and it was just a process of leaning back on the fish and letting it load up,” explained Hodge. His go-to outfit for this presentation was a Penn pinpoint 6’10” 2-4kg rod matched with a Fin-Nor Affinity reel spooled with 6lb Berkley Nanofil and 4lb Sunline FC Rock leader. While Hodge had filled his limit there was still one small fish sitting in his limit, which he was keen to upgrade. “I had a productive time on the second area we hit but it wasn’t until we hit the town reaches of the system late in the day that I was able to upgrade my 26cm for a 34cm fish,” said Hodge. That final fish proved to be all the difference at the end of the day with Hodge cracking his first 5kg+ bag with 5.2kg. Day two saw Hodge paired with Daniel Homes. The pair headed down to the flats near the mouth of the system to target the dropoffs from the main weed flats. It was a fast start for

Hodge who managed to put four fish in the well early in the session. He again used his favoured Cranka Shallow Minnow in jolly tail, casting it on top of the weed bed before drawing it off and allowing the fish to cruise up and take the lure. “I had four fish in the well early but the bite really shut down and it was a long end to the session, but I really have to commend Daniel who tried his best to get me my five fish. He really went above and beyond trying to guide me onto that last fish,” said Hodge. When asked about the event Hodge went on to say, “I really enjoyed coming over to Tasmania. The fishing and the people really make the trip worth all the effort. To have both my boaters go above and beyond to help me catch fish shows how great the people are down here.” With the first of two Tasmania events run and won, attention now turns to Hobart’s Derwent River system. For the results and story of that tournament and any other event near you head to abt.org.au.

TOP 10 NON BOATERS Place Angler

Fish

10/10 8.39

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Mike Hodges

Weight (kg) Payout

Costa Prize Pack, 1st Hobie Bonus ($200) Roan Van-Berberg 10/10 8.29 Prize Pack, 2nd Hobie Bonus ($100) Brendan McNamara 9/10 7.03 Prize Pack, 3rd Hobie Bonus ($75) Stuart Walker 8/10 6.30 Prize Pack, Jesse Rotin 8/10 5.90 Prize Pack Jordan Armstrong 9/10 5.56 Prize Pack Shaun Egan 6/10 5.28 Prize Pack Bernard Kong 6/10 5.22 Prize Pack Peter Mazey 9/10 4.41 Prize Pack Neil Chegwidden 5/10 3.95 Prize Pack For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

Mike Hodges claimed top honours in the non-boater division. MAY 2018

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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. 98

MAY 2018

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Sportsman 19 Island Reef with 115hp Yamaha - SC

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for fishing offshore in less than perfect weather. The console is easy to walk around and has all-round grab-rails for your mates. The helm is offset to the port side and there’s a flush mounted 7” Simrad as standard. All other switches are available and

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

Admit it – you’ve all dreamed about it – heading off into the sunrise in a slick, fibreglass American fishing boat. The boat’s landing softly into the small swell, your rod racks are loaded with premium gear and there’s a dozen live baits happily swimming around in the livewell, blissfully unaware of their impending fate. Then you wake up and the alarm is telling you it’s time to go to work instead of the ramp. Brisbane’s Northside Marine is doing its very best to help you achieve this dream. Stalwart salesman Bill Hull recently talked to FM about how the Sportsman dealership came to be. “Like everyone, I had the dream of selling this kind of boat, but it wasn’t

PERFORMANCE

Main: There’s no denying that the Sportsman hulls look good on the water – clean lines and an upswept bow make the 19 Island Reef a rig that’ll turn heads on the water and at the ramp. Above: With the hammers down on the 115hp Yamaha, it’s definitely hold onto your hats time. boats on order – plenty of which were pre-sold to keen anglers in the Brisbane area. The Island Reef 19 is a great all-round boat to cross over between inshore and offshore waters. Taking it out

SPECIFICATIONS Length........................................................5.8m Beam..........................................................2.3m Capacity ......................................... Six persons Fuel ............................................................ 113L Max hp ......................................................... 115 until recently that things fell into place,” Bill said. Sportsman is a brand that is only six years old in the USA, but is growing in leaps and bounds. It was a perfect match for Northside, who are meticulous in their preparation of boats to deliver to their customers. At the time of the test, there were 16 Sportsman 108

MAY 2018

complete with straps to lock it in. A couple of non-skid SeaDek pads are at the helm as well – good looking and practical. There’s a livewell in the starboard transom corner and the entire deck is self-draining. I imagine this would be an easy boat

on a nasty test day in Moreton Bay, it demonstrated an ability to drive soft and dry at the right combination of speed and trim. It’s simple and effective as a fishing platform and is guaranteed to turn heads both at the ramp and on the water. Let’s look at a few of the features. Packages from Northside for this model

start at $60k, which include a Yamaha 115, Twin Axle trailer and a 7” Simrad. We didn’t have the metering available to do the economy figures, but there is data available for a Yamaha 90hp, which will display very similar economy figures. Delivering 2.6km/L at 4000rpm, the 90 would give a theoretical range of over 250km – ample for nearly every weekend trip you’ll ever do. With the rough conditions, we didn’t get a top speed reading on the 115, however it was spinning an identical alloy 19” propeller, so you can add a couple of km/h for the extra few revs. From the upswept bow back, there’s a raised casting deck with dry, under-deck storage for anchors and other bulky items. It’s a one-person deal, so it’d be

a great spot to throw casts at pelagic or reef edges while the other angler is at the helm. The rest of the floor is low and eminently suitable

RPM Speed (km/h) Economy (km/L) 1000 ............................. 6 ..............................4 2000........................... 10 ...........................2.5 3000........................... 17 ...........................1.6 4000........................... 39 ...........................2.5 5000........................... 52 ...........................2.3 6000........................... 67 ...........................1.8 *Supplied figures are for 90hp Yamaha with 19” alloy prop. easy to reach. There’s also dry storage underneath the console for your valuables. The helm seating is flexible, with a removable backrest and space for a cooler underneath –

The variable deadrise and upswept bow mean that you have the best chance of a dry ride with the correct trim and attitude.

to keep clean, with not too many corners to get the blood and guts stuck in. The battery sits in an under-deck compartment. Of course, you can go crazy on the options list on this boat and add anything from factory T-Tops to cushion packages for the bow, but just as it is, there’s so much scope for fun fishing all over Australia that your head will be swimming with options. For more information, contact the guys at Northside Marine at www. northsidemarine.com. au or you can check out the Australian Sportsman website at www. sportsmanboats.com.au. Make sure you also watch the video test of this boat to see it in action – there’s a QR code to scan hereby or you can search for it on the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel.

Under the front casting deck there are a couple of dry hatches – one for the anchor and the other for your bulky gear.

The Yamaha F115 fitted on Northside Marine’s Sportsmans are factory fitted but are still backed by Yamaha Australia for a full local warranty.

That 16° of transom deadrise takes the sting out of landing on windy days.

The stainless steel bar that wraps around the console is handy for the driver and passengers alike. There’s extra storage under the front seat.

The seat back is removable and you can fit a cooler under the seat framing. Vertical rod storage is provided on each side of the console.

A 7” Simrad comes standard with the boat and is covered by a full, local warranty.

Top Left: You can sit a couple more people comfortably on each side of the outboard and the space underneath is also available. The battery is under the floor hatch. Top Right: The rear starboard seat hides a built-in livewell with horizontal divider. Above: Supplied on a hydraulic braked, twin axle I-beam trailer, the Sportsman rig is safe and 100% Australian compliant. MAY 2018

109

Sea Jay 460 Velocity Sports with Mercury 75hp

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SPECIFICATIONS Overall.Length......................................... 4.74m Bottom ............................................4mm (5083) Sides ..........................................................3mm Beam..........................................................2.3m Depth .......................................................1.24m Floor.Ribs ...................................................... 11 Capacity ....................................... Five persons Hull.weight .............................................. 495kg Max.HP ..........................................................75 Rec.HP ...........................................................60 Max.motor ............................................... 175kg

Cruising at 4500rpm, the 75 Mercury delivered 2.4km/L at 46km/h. 110

MAY 2018

DE FOR EX

What do you get when you cross one of the proven Sea Jay Samurai hulls with a console of a 5.9m boat? You get this – the new Sea Jay 460 Velocity Sports. In Say Jay speak ‘sports’ means ‘side-console,’ so this is basically a Vision hull with a side-console. Based on the popular Samurai hull, the shell features a 4mm 5083-grade bottom sheet and 3mm side sheets. Samurais also have reverse chines, a heavy duty capped keel and a visually pleasing upswept bow that turns heads at the ramp and on the water. The 4.6m hull is also very beamy. In fact, the beam of 2.3m is exactly half the length of the hull, making it very stable in the water. Combine this with high gunwales and raised casting decks and there is a ridiculous amount of under-

As such, the boat more bounced than chopped the waves and we know that it’ll ride a lot more smoothly with some real-world weight holding it down. Powered by the maximum 75hp Mercury 2.1L 4-stroke, the Velocity jumped onto the plane and displayed best economy figures at 4500rpm, where it delivered 2.4km/L of fuel burned. That’s right in the zone of what you can expect from a rig this size. Drop the hammers and the speed went up a little and the economy drops markedly. We achieved 48km/h and

s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

deck storage up the front. You can see in the images here (and in the Video Boat Test on the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel), that the biggest compartment easily swallows Rob Gaden Jr. There’s room up there as well for a couple of trolling motor batteries and of course there’s a fabricated mount for your choice of long shaft electric motor. With that 100kg or so of weight up there, the boat will feel a lot less flighty than it did on the test day. We rode this rig basically empty with a couple of 80kg humans on board as ballast.

Steve Morgan

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Main: Sea Jay’s 460 Velocity Sports brings the features of the larger Velocity models into a smaller package. This one was powered by Mercury’s rock solid 2.1L 75hp 4-stroke. Above: With a beam of 2.3m and a length of 4.6m, this hull is half as wide as it is long. The end result is that it’s pretty stable. 48km/h at WOT. It was a bit rough to open the throttle fully on the test day. At full speed expect around 2km/L. The Sea Jay arrived at the ramp on a single-axle Sea Jay trailer, manufactured by local giant, Dunbier, to Sea Jay’s specifications. Like all Sea Jay trailers, they add a year to the boat’s warranty if they’re ordered on one. And, like all Sea Jay trailers, there’s a dearth of places for salt water to pool while at rest. They like C-Section or alloy I-beams which are easily washed down after use. Basics aside, the 460 Velocity Sports is a blank canvas that you can personalise to your own needs. Factory options like upgraded steering or a factory-installed wrap will help this boat reflect your fishing personality. Then, of course, you’ll

want to add electronics. The big-boy console can hold bracket mounted units up to 16” as well as all of the switches you’ll need to control the on-board accessories. The console also comes with a rail the full way over the windscreen, giving passengers and the captain something to hold onto in less than ideal conditions. Easily towable by the family car, the little sibling in the Velocity Sports family has

all of the big boat features at a small boat price – the test rig weighed in the low to mid $30,000 and you could drop the price even more with a 60hp motor. If you want more information, make sure you check out your local Sea Jay dealer or visit them on www. seajayboats.com.au. Like them on Facebook at Sea Jay Boats and you’ll be kept up-todate on all of the latest Sea Jay releases.

PERFORMANCE RPM........................Speed........................km/L 700 ................................. 3 .......................... 2.3 1000 ............................... 5 .......................... 2.1 2000 ............................... 9 .......................... 1.7 3000 ............................. 13 .......................... 1.2 4000 ............................. 38 .......................... 2.2 4500 ............................. 46 .......................... 2.4 5000 ............................. 48 .......................... 2.1

The rear of the cockpit is clean and clear with high gunwales and offers plenty of room to fish all around the back of the boat.

The console in the 460 Vision is the same as in the 590, so it looks big. The advantage is that you can fit the same electronics in the smallest Velocity Sports as you can in the largest one.

Above: We loved the all-round grab rail on the console and the multiple seat base points. Inset: The front deck is beamy and high enough to offer great vision (pun intended about the sister Sea Jay hull).

Did someone say that there’s plenty of capacity under the decks? This space holds at least one Rupe. And maybe also a swimsuit model, although we didn’t get to test the theory.

Supplied on a Dunbier-built Sea Jay trailer, this rig – and all rigs bought with a Sea Jay trailer – gets an extra year of warranty.

The 2.1L 75hp is the smallest horsepower in that configuration, so you know it’ll be underworked and over-performing.

The test boat was basically empty, so the boat more bounced over the waves than worked to chop them like the Samurai hull does. This will be fixed by addition of all of your fishing and day-trip essentials.

Yep – that’s a wide ass. It makes this rig really stable.

That’s the beast-mode console. Plenty of dry storage underneath and room for a 16” sounder on a bracket up top. MAY 2018

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A New Era in FourStroke The all new 175hp â€“ 225hp Mercury FourStroke V6 Outboard Range Taking performance, efficiency and reliability to a level you have only dreamed about. See your nearest Mercury Dealer or go online to experience everything Mercuryâ€™s revolutionary fourstroke technology has to offer.

mercurymarine.com.au