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TIPS FOR THE TROPICS • OCTOBER FISHING FEST

Boating & Kayaking Coomera River kayaking • Stand up paddleboard progression • Live bait tank options for small boats •

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Exploring the northern Whitsundays • Cape York fishing guide • NSW trout tips •

Tried & Tested Daiwa Hyper rod range • Stessco Bowrider 520 • Haines Hunter 585R •

October, 2018 Fishing Monthly G R O U P

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October 2018, Vol. 30 No. 12

Contents NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES Yamba 20 Ballina 22

Business Office: Unit 1, 11 Knobel Court, Shailer Park, Qld, 4128 Phone: (07) 3387 0800 Fax: (07) 3387 0801 Managing Editor: Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au Editorial Manager: Jacqui Thomas Sub-Editors: Bob Thornton Nicole Penfold Annie March Field Editors: Jason Ehrlich Wayne Kampe Publishers: Steve Morgan Matthew Drinkall

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OUR COVER Not all the tasty critters in the ocean have to have scales, there are plenty of other options, such as this beautiful painted cray!

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QUEENSLAND FISHING MONTHLY

OCTOBER 2018

currently pushing for a ‘Net Free North’ after buying one of the last licences on the east coast of Cape York, this potentially will free another area from commercial netting the size of Tasmania. Being good custodians of the resource will allow us continued usage and access to these areas. What’s the best way to celebrate these steps in the right direction? Display a show of strength on our national fishing day. Gone Fishing Day is the 14th October. Check out the website and find an event near you (www. gonefishingday.org). But don’t be put off if there’s nothing near you – go fishing, take a pic, post it with #GFD2018 and tell the world about your day fishing. That’s the best way to celebrate our right to fish.

10 14 58 72

plans developed to take advantage of increasing fish stocks, investing in new boat ramps, precincts and tourism opportunities. • Local anglers have signed on to a Code of Practice that sets higher standards than Fisheries legislation. • Four new fishing guides have set up shop in the area as a result of the improving opportunities. • Sizes of both barra and threadfin are on the increase in the zone, and numbers of threadies are also up. Barra recruitment has been limited through suboptimal breeding seasons. In short, it’s never been easier to catch a legal barra or threadfin in the zone. • More people are visiting the area and this shows in the number of tagged fish recaptures coming from non-locals. With conservation bodies such as WWF

AUST

SPECIAL FEATURES Exploring the northern Whitsundays Cape York hotting up this month NSW trout waters are open again Lucrative luderick

implementation of the three NFZs, the goal was to have better fishing experiences, more business based on recreational fishing, better and more robust fish stocks and the nurturing of the attitudes that the fish in the river are a community resource and the community should take an interest in how they are managed and used. This becomes manifest in council policy and investment in recreational fishing infrastructure over and above what the state government contributes. And I’m happy to say that the recreational fishing community, in partnership with local council in particular, are kicking goals on all fronts. The Fitzroy River is the biggest NFZ and there’s some great stories coming from the area. • Council has detailed

REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics 16 Camping and 4WD 66 Cooking 74 Dam Levels 60 Freshwater 60 Fun Page 94 Sheik of the Creek 77 Suntag 84 Tech Tricks 18 Tournament News 78 Track my fish 86 Trades and Services 92 What’s New Boating 98 What’s New Fishing 88

NET FREE ZONES A SHINING LIGHT During September the third Recreational Fishing Forum (I call it a Net Free Zone workshop) happened in Rockhampton. I’ve been to previous workshops but couldn’t make this year’s. The Workshop is an annual get-together of around 40 government representatives (state and local), anglers, scientists and community monitors to get up to speed on how the recreational fishing community is progressing in being the custodians of the gift of some waterways without nets. Increasingly, the story of the Net Free Zones is a very positive one for recreational fishing and our abilities to do the right thing with the resource. At the time of the

From the Editor’s Desk...

BOATING AND KAYAK

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Whitsundays 50 Ayr 51 Townsville 53 Hinchinbrook 52 Cairns 54 Cairns NFZ 54 Port Douglas 55 Lucinda 55 Cape York 56 Cooktown 56 Weipa 57

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Hervey Bay 42 Rainbow Beach 44 Bundaberg 44 Lake Monduran 44 Gladstone 45 Rockhampton 46 Stanage Bay 46 Yeppoon 48 Mackay 49

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SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND The Tweed 24 Southern Gold Coast 26 Jumpinpin 28 Gold Coast Canals 27 Gold Coast 30 Southern Bay 32 Brisbane 34 Brisbane Offshore 36 Northern Bay 38 Noosa 39

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Tech Tricks

Quickie wind-on leader BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

For anglers into game fishing and sport fishing, wind-on leaders are a very handy piece of terminal tackle. As the name suggests, a windon-leader can be wound through the guides and onto the reel because the join between the double of your main line and the heavy leader material is low profile.

A loop is spliced onto the leader material using Dacron or hollow core braid. This loop is then attached to the main line double with a loop-to-loop connection. If you don’t wish to purchase pre-made wind-on leaders they can be made using one of several methods, the best being the double-wall method. However a quicker, less-complicated method exists that is ideal for lighter leaders up to 200lb. This method is as strong as the more complicated double-wall method, but

the uni knot can get a little bulky when using Dacron larger than 80lb, therefore we mainly use it for lighter leaders. For heavier leaders you are best using the double-wall method, which is lower profiled and will track through the guides or rollers better. Hollowcore braid can also be used instead of Dacron, although this is rather expensive and harder to acquire. For leaders up to 60lb you are best to use 30lb Dacron, for 80-120lb leaders try 50lb Dacron and for 150-200lb wind-ons use 80lb Dacron. However, diameters between different brands of Dacron and monofilament lines can vary so you may need to experiment to get the best splicing combination. Let’s see how the quickie wind-on leader is made.

STEP 1 To make a quickie wind-on leader you will need a few specific items. At least 70cm of Dacron (using 50lb for this one), some 80lb monofilament (I make my leaders around 3m in length), light high-tensile wire, a piece of 40-80 grit sandpaper, a fly tying bobbin, flat-waxed nylon thread, light flexible glue, pliobond, headset, vinyl cement soft dip and a Dacron (pipe) needle. These needles come in an array of sizes and the one I use is an 80-100lb model. The needle is not a necessity to make this leader but will more than half the time it takes to thread the monofilament up the Dacron. Specialist tackle stores should have the needle and all other equipment for this project.

STEP 2 Fold the sandpaper over the end of the leader between thumb and forefinger and pull the leader in short jerky movements to lightly roughen areas of the leader surface of the last 10-15cm. Cut the end on an angle and insert into the end of your needle. If it is slightly loose then pinch the leader lightly between your teeth a few millimetres in from the end until the leader will hold firmly into the needle.

STEP 3 Insert the pointed end of the needle into the end of the Dacron and insert it 12-15cm through the middle. Push the needle point out the side of the Dacron as shown.

STEP 5 Cut off approximately 8cm of thread and set aside for later. Next we need to bind over the end of the Dacron to prevent it from fraying further. Knot the thread around the Dacron and then secure the tag end against it with your finger. Spin the bobbin around the Dacron/mono, wrapping thread over the last centimetre (approximately) of the Dacron. 18

OCTOBER 2018

STEP 4 Drag the needle through the Dacron while gripping lightly up towards the exit point. The Dacron will bunch up slightly (which increases the diameter) and allow the roughened monofilament to pass through. Once the mono is dragged all the way through (as shown), pull the needle off the end of the leader. If you don’t have a needle then you will need to gradually work the monofilament up through the Dacron by hand.

STEP 6 Lay the loop of thread you cut off earlier against the thread wraps. Wrap over it 8-10 times and then cut away the thread, only leaving a few centimetres of tag end.

STEP 7 Pass the tag end through the loop and pull the two ends of the loop so that you drag the tag end of the thread under the wraps to secure it. Trim the tag end and then apply a little glue over the thread to prevent it from all unravelling if one strand were to become severed.

Tech Tricks

STEP 9 Push the tip of the wire tool through the sidewall of the Dacron about 1cm above the point where the end of the monofilament is inside the Dacron. Continue pushing it up through the centre of the Dacron to a distance of around 10-12cm.

STEP 8 Cut a 40cm length of your light, high-tensile wire. Fold it over in the middle and pinch with pliers so that it is a tight crease as shown. This will create a wire tool to make the Dacron attachment loop for the wind-on.

11 10

STEP 10 Poke the tip of the wire tool out the side of the Dacron and then pass the tag end of the Dacron through the loop in the wire tool.

STEP 12 Wrap the tag end of the Dacron around the main portion and tag end. Loop the Dacron approximately 5-6 times to make a sliding uni knot onto the main portion of Dacron.

STEP 11 Reverse the wire tool back out, dragging the tag end of the Dacron back through with it. Pull the tool and Dacron back out the entrance hole where we initially inserted the wire tool. Remove the tool. Loop over the Dacron as shown in preparation for making a uni knot.

STEP 13 Pull the tag end very tight to create as small a knot as possible. You can bind over this with some thread to lessen the bump of the knot through the guides and then glue, although this will not add any strength to your wind-on leader.

STEP 14 Add a quality ball-bearing snap swivel to the other end and your wind-on leader is complete. The Dacron loop is then attached to the double of your main line with a simple loop-to-loop connection or catâ€™s paw connection. This quickie wind-on leader is fast to make, strong and functional for all your lighter tackle needs. OCTOBER 2018

Multi-role Volkswagen High Line Multi Van BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

It’s been a while since a car I have reviewed has surprised and impressed me, but the Volkswagen

inside. ARB had also set up a Rhino Rack up top, complete with shovel, Max Trax and an ARB awning. There was a 25-30mm ARB lift kit installed as well. The reviewed Highline was equipped with optional AWD to complement

standard features, such as hill descent control, traction control systems plus a mechanical diff lock. It was obvious that the additional features of this generously proportioned long wheel base van, complete with

The powerful multivan made easy work of towing the author’s boat. Multivan did just that. It impressed me with its practicality and versatility, and surprised with its performance and road manners. NOT A STANDARD MULTIVAN On the exterior, the unit is a plain Volkswagen Multivan, much the same as we see around the suburbs with ladders on racks, conduit pipe or other tradie gear up top. However, there’s a big difference between a standard work van and the 4 Motion AWD Multivan with its luxury trimmings. I tested the Highline (one rung down from the Executive model), which comes equipped with Volkswagen’s Good Night camping package

The Highline’s Multiflex extension assists in converting the Multivan into an overnight sleeper, as well as providing an extra cargo area with two levels.

The Multivan’s air conditioning is controlled from the well-organised dashboard. 68

OCTOBER 2018

Packed and ready to roll. The Highline Multivan’s two levels of storage was very handy.

tow bar, would make it perfect for a run up to one of my favourite fishing destinations, Cania Dam. First, however, I would need to familiarise myself with all its features. FEATURES, FEATURES, FEATURES The long wheelbase Highline had many interesting features, all designed to make driving a pleasure. A wellplaced grab handle helps you climb in, and I was impressed with the sheer comfort of the driver’s seat with its huge degree of lumbar support and electric adjustment for both height and angle of the left side

arm rest. Seat heating was standard, and I warmed to this feature (pun intended) when we went fishing one morning with an air temp of 2°C. In short, everything about that front seating seemed just right, and when I adjusted the height and reach of the steering wheel to suit my own requirements, it got even better. Visibility was perfect; blind spots just don’t exist in the front of the Multivan. As I eased into busy traffic, the smooth shifting 7-speed gearbox mated to a bi-turbo 2L diesel engine impressed me with its willing performance, and surprising me with just how nifty the big van was, given its workhorse heritage. At home, I had the opportunity to delve into

what this 2 + 2 + 3 seater offered. The first surprise was that the pair of seats behind the driver and front passenger (referred to as Captains Chairs) could be swivelled entirely around to face the rear. These seats were complete with seat belts, Isofix and top tether child seat mounting points, as well as handy storage drawers under each seat. T h e r e ’s even a movable, height adjustable, table snugged between these seats that can be slid rearwards to offer further options for those travellers bored with watching the scenery. Next surprise came with the sheer functionality of the table as it combined a size adjustable top with 4 cup holders and 2 bottle holders, as well as a decent-sized drawer –

Everything in the Multivan was well thought out, including two rows of lighting.

such a smart design! This car aims to pamper. The Highline even has sunshade blinds that pull up from a housing in the side windows. Opening a side door on the van was just a matter of gently pulling on a handle and the door powered back on a track. The high lift tailgate was operated similarly with one touch power assistance. DIGITAL DASH The Volkswagen’s dash layout was very modern, with an all digital dash layout. The easy-to-use multi-colour multi-function central display was a joy to drive. All controls were easy to learn and manage. Air

the Multivan Highline 4 Motion’s optional Good Night package. Useful for an overnight stay, this handy bit of kit used a padded multiflex board extension (a moveable table-like extension) at the rear of the third row seat assembly. This extends the area behind the back seats when the tall backrests are lowered forward and down. The third row of seats is set onto a sliding rail on the floor so it could be moved back or forwards as required, providing a lot of flexibility in overall use. Isofix points were also provided. With the backrest upright, three adults can sit in perfect

Plush ultra comfortable front seating was a notable feature.

nominate following distance behind another vehicle, a very important safety feature. Fuel consumption was 11.2L per 100km in towing mode which, given the ease of cruising speed, seemed fairly reasonable. The towbar specifications are 2500kg braked, and 500kg unbraked, with a 80L fuel tank. SUMMING UP The Volkswagen Highline Multivan is a large, practical, people mover for up to seven people to enjoy in luxurious and abundant comfort. The overall comfort and flexibility in seating is a huge step forward in travel design. The Highline’s extensive list of features does raise its

A great Multivan Highline feature is the ability to change the second and third row seats to face each other. It even has a handy table in place. conditioning was provided within the unit for an overall 3 zone coverage. The Composition Media radio system with USB/ AUX/SD input and App-Connect all linked to 6 very clear speakers with Bluetooth phone and audio streaming also came standard. EXTRA GOOD, GOOD NIGHT PACKAGE I was intrigued with

comfort. When the backrest was folded down and the entire seat slid forward, the large platform formed (in conjunction with the padded multiflex extension) a quite large bed. Volkswagen thoughtfully provided a fabric curtain package for windows, a reading lamp, washable bed cover and there were drawers under the main seat squab for storage of smaller items. In

all, a good, practical, Good Night package! THE ROAD TO CANIA DAM All the gear needed for a 4-day stay at the Big 4 Caravan Park was packed into the massive boot area (I folded down the back rest of the third row to provide two handy levels of storage). Even with the boat on the tow ball, the versatility of the 2L four-

The Highline Multivan might look standard but the extras ensure that it delivers high quality comfort and convenience. If this boat ramp was slippery, the AWD and diff lock would easily assist with the retrieve.

The optional Rhino Rack and ARB awning fitted to the Multivan was a very useful bit of kit, taking around half a minute to set up.

cylinder 150kW, 450Nm twin turbo Euro 6 engine came to the forefront as we travelled north. The bi-turbo diesel engine was surprisingly powerful and, even when towing, it lifted the vehicle off the mark rapidly to build up travel speed quickly. Overtaking on highways was a breeze, and on the back roads the van rode very well, soaking up

bumps with ease. The userfriendly steering inspired confidence, even on some of the more narrow and winding roads. Night driving was easy as the van had great LED headlights that illuminated the many kangaroos on the roadside between Monto and Gayndah. I found the Volkswagen’s Adaptive Cruise Control, which allows a driver to

drive-away price, but their useful practicality certainly seems to justify it. As a basic unit, the standard Multivan with 2.0L engine would be a very comfortable work unit and a great drive whether in the city or travelling. Stepping up to the Highline series with its AWD system and Diff Lock plus ARB and Good Night packages simply added a lot of icing to the cake. OCTOBER 2018

Cooking

Wow your friends with seafood wontons BRISBANE

Lynn Bain

This recipe uses a mixture of seafood, and the ingredients can be substituted with whatever you have on hand. The seafood could be well kept leftovers. I’ve even used squid (calamari) that we’ve caught for bait. Handy Hint One: Tying the seafood wonton with a strand of chives is optional. Handy Hint Two: Kecap manis is an Indonesian sweet soy sauce; therefore soy sauce is an alternative. Handy Hint Three: you can use any seafood ingredients that you desire; crab meat is a fantastic substitution. Handy Hint Four: Use as many green chillies as you like; half a chilli is a good starting point. The amount is up to your heat tolerance.

Add all of the ingredients (except for the wonton wrappers and the kecap manis sauce) to the bowl of your food processor. Pulse until the mixture is the consistency of a small rough chop. You want a dry mixture not a puree or paste.

Ingredients • Green chilli with the stems removed • 200g pieces of white fleshed fish • 100g calamari rings • 1/2 tin water chestnuts • 250g prawns • 100g of salmon • 1cm piece ginger

Spoon a little of the mixture into the middle of a square wonton wrapper. Hold the wonton wrapper in your hand and cup it with your palm, this cupping will keep the ingredients in the centre when you spoon them in.

• 2 cloves garlic • 1 golden shallot • 1 tablespoon kecap manis sauce • Wonton wrappers • Chives for tying • Chilli sauce for dipping

Pinch the sides of the wontons together (into the middle). A little water on your fingertips may help this process.

Spoon the seafood mixture into a glass bowl and then pour the kecap manis sauce into the mixture. Mix the seafood and sauce together well.

Pinch the top together and then give the base a little twist to secure the package a little more.

7 6 74

OCTOBER 2018

As an option, tie the neck of the ‘money-bag’ with a single strand of chive.

Set the wontons into the trays of the bamboo steamer. It is important that you line the steamer tray with some baking paper. The baking paper should be smaller than the size of the steamer tray so the steam can still rise above the baking paper and into each compartment. Place the lid onto the stack of steamer trays. Now place the stack of bamboo steamer trays into a wok that has three cups of water in the base. Heat the water until it boils. Steam the wontons for approximately 5 minutes.

Serve as finger food with a side of chilli sauce to dip the wontons into.

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OCTOBER 2018

Hickson takes Lake Macquarie win

STORM

Kris Hickson re-affirmed his position as Australia’s number-one ranked bream angler. It seemed like deja vu for the second last round of the Costa BREAM Series, the Daiwa Lake Macquarie qualifier. Kris Hickson weighed two magnificent limits to take first prize and a hefty winners’ cheque. Hickson admitted that he ‘junk fished’ all weekend. Junk fishing is about having a dozen rods on your deck with a dozen different baits and picking up the one that you reckon will get the bite on any particular cast. Illustrating this perfectly was in the post-winning interview, where Kris was asked to grab his winning bait – he picked up five… Hickson rotated between a 1/6oz Tackle Tactics blade, an HWS rigged Ecogearaqua (in white), a small, black Smith Camion shallow crankbait, a clear Stick Minnow and the ubiquitous Cranka Crab. With 11 different rods on the deck, Hickson had

Plenty of cash, bonuses and kudos comes the way of an ABT event winner. Here Kris Hickson tastes the spoils for the second event in a row. trouble picking out his favourite, however he settled on a 7’ Daiwa rod

fitted with the Daiwa Sol LT, 8lb Daiwa J-Braid Grand and 4lb Daiwa J-Thread leader. “The Sol LT’s have the best drag I’ve used in a Daiwa reel – I can’t recommend them highly enough for the sort of fishing we do,” Hickson said, “and the J-Braid is super thin and

a great braid, especially for the price, I’ve been using the test product for the last 12 months between 6 and 50lb and it’s just getting better and better.” He only landed five legal fish on the second day, but two of them were real quality and the 4.02kg limit easily propelled him to the win.

Above: Each day Kris Hickson landed a couple of quality kicker fish to distance himself from the rest of the field. Below: To the victor goes the spoils.

Here’s the Daiwa J-Braid Big Bream winner, Michal Colotourous’ 1.52kg kicker.

DAIWA J-BRAID BIG BREAM It’s rare when a Lake Macquarie Big Bream doesn’t top 1.5kg and Michael Colotourous’ 1.52kg monster fit the pattern nicely. It ate an Ecogear blade in open water and earned him an extra $500.

TOP 10 BOATERS

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 78

OCTOBER 2018

Scan the QR codes to hear the winners’ interviews and watch the highlights packages from each day.

Place Angler

Fish (kg) Weight Payout

1 2

10/10 10/10

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Kris Hickson Steve Morgan

7.94kg 7.45kg

$3500 + $250 Mercury $1500 + $150 Mercury + $200 Pro Russell Babekuhl 10/10 7.07kg $1250 + $100 Mercury Cam Whittam 8/10 6.19kg $1000 Jason Mayberry 10/10 5.96kg $900 Brad Hodges 8/10 4.44kg $800 Todd Riches 7/10 4.41kg $700 Scott Towner 7/10 4.13kg $600 Michael Colotourous 5/10 4.09kg $500 + $500 Big Bream Tim Vickers 7/10 4.03kg $500 For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

Morgan sought shallow bream for second Brisbane’s Steve Morgan took the lead in the BASS Cat BREAM Angler of the Year race with a second place finish. Catching most of his fish on Cranka Crabs on shallow boats and adding a few key fish on

Scan the QR codes to hear the winners’ interviews and watch the highlights packages from each day.

shallow, black crankbaits on the flats, Morgan revelled in the gusty conditions and credited the performance to the nasty weather. “At the start of this event, I’d have bet that this tournament was going to be won deep, but as it happened, the wind blew hard and the fish bit shallow. All three of my kilo-plus kicker fish came in less than 5ft of water,” Morgan said. Morgan relied on two baits for his bag, a heavy, olive Cranka Crab and a shallow, black Jackall Chubby. He fished the crankbait on 2lb Yamatoyo Spinning Fluoro and the Crab on 3lb Toray Bawo fluorocarbon spooled on a Daiwa Mebaru ‘crab rod’ and an old Gekkabijin reel. “The more I fish the Daiwa crab rods, the more I like them,” Morgan explained,

“they’re long and soft enough to really cushion the line and those small, #14 hooks that the crabs use, and I’ve found that my accuracy casting isn’t affected at all.” “When it’s your time to do well in events, the big fish stick. I landed the three big ones that I hooked and Kris landed four of them. Lake Macquarie is increasingly a wonderful venue to catch big yellowfin bream and a favourite stop of the Costa BREAM Tour,” he said. There’s only two anglers left that can win the Bass Cat BREAM Angler of the Year race and that’s Morgan and Victorian Cam Whittam, and only four points separates the two. It will come down to how they finish at South West Rocks to decide the final placing.

BREAM SERIES

Steve Morgan live streamed his big fish catches – this one went 1.37kg on day 2 and shot him up into second place and into the AOY lead.

Cam Whittam’s Duffrods Big Bag was the basis for an epic day 2 comeback. He came from nowhere into 4th with a 4.63kg limit.

DUFFRODS BIG BAG Victorian Cam Whittam took the Duffrods Big Bag with a cracking 4.63kg bag of Lake Macquarie yellowfin on the second day of competition. He caught them cranking deep, brown Suji Chubbies on shallow weed and rock using a Duffrod Bream Multi Broken Bones (7’1”) with 16lb Sunline PE8 and a 3lb Bream Special FC Rock leader.

Simon Johnson claims maiden ABT BREAM win Simon Johnson was stoked to take his maiden ABT BREAM win at this event after a string of second and third places recently. It was particularly satisfying after only having fished at the venue once before. “We fished big, open flats both days, so it was a non-boater friendly place,”

Johnson said. “With the different winds blowing over the two days, I used plastics both days, but changed between 1/16oz, 1/12oz, 1/8oz and 1/8oz depending on the conditions.” On them he rigged an unnamed 2.5” motor oil coloured grub. Simon fished the bait on a 7’ Kistler KLX Lite 4-10lb

rod and a Daiwa Luvias 2004 reel spooled with 10lb Daiwa Tournament Evo 8 braid and a 4lb Sunline v-Hard leader and made long casts with the wind to cover ground. When asked what his tips were to budding non-boaters, he offered this sage advice. “Make every cast count. You only have a limited time to fish in these events

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

Fish(kg) Weight Payout

Simon Johnson 7/10 4.07kg Costas + prize pack Lindsay Pryke 7/10 5.96kg Prize Pack Stuart Walker 6/10 3.93kg Prize Pack Jeffrey Esperitu 6/10 3.7kg Prize Pack Richard Potter 7/10 3.51kg Prize Pack Mark Young 5/10 3.37kg Prize Pack Colin Wilson 5/10 3.06kg Prize Pack Grant Oliver 5/10 3.03kg Prize Pack Paul Langley 5/10 2.99kg Prize Pack Thomas McIntosh 5/10 2.76kg Prize Pack For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

Simon Johnson was stoked to get his first ABT BREAM win at Lake Macquarie. and more time you spend sitting down and rigging rods, the less chance you have of catching fish. Time is precious and the more casts you make the better chance you have of catching. And if you be good to your boater, they will be good to you,” he concluded.

Scan the QR codes to hear the winners’ interviews and watch the highlights packages from each day. OCTOBER 2018

WHAT’S NEW FISHING BLACK MAGIC KLT HOOK

ZMAN MIDNIGHT OIL COLOUR

Black Magic’s new KLT hook has further strengthened their premium hook range. Like the DX Point before it, the KLT is made in Japan from high carbon steel, and is coated with a super slip, non-stick PTFE coating, just like the coating used on nonstick frying pans). This hook adds another option to their most popular hook pattern – the KL hook. It features the classic Black Magic KL circle hook pattern but with a non-offset point, meaning it meets IGFA recommendations, particularly for use in tournaments. The PTFE coating means less resistance which assists penetration and prolongs the life of the hook. It also ensures they are highly corrosion resistant. Black Magic KLT hooks are manufactured in Japan from high carbon steel ensuring superb strength. They’re available in sizes 1/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0, 7/0 and 8/0, and in two pack sizes – small and economy. www.blackmagic.com

Following a heap of angler feedback and suggestions, comes one of the most exciting new colours in Z-Man’s range of plastics. There are two colours that consistently win bream tournaments, bloodworm and motor oil, and these colours appeal to different patterns in fish behaviour. These two colours have been combined to give that attractive and subtle translucency that shut down fish just love, and the reflective sheen that causes fish to react. With midnight oil, an angler can give the fish the flash of the bloodworm colour, combined with the high UV of motoroil, and this colour is now available across the entire of the Z-Man soft plastics range! If you want to get that extra edge on the fish on a tough day, make sure you stock up on this exciting new colour, and be amazed at the results. www.tackletactics.com.au

HALCO SLIDOG 150

YAMASHITA EGI OH K

If you’re into launching a lure over the horizon and looking for that bonejarring, nerve-rattling strike as you rip it back, the all-new Halco Slidog is just the ticket. Halco has developed an ultra tough, sinking, sliding stickbait that is sure to give you a workout from all the GTs, XOS mackerel, large tuna and many others that try to take it home to their trophy cabinet. Featuring heavily reinforced side walls, Halco’s legendary ultra tough 7xx fish rings and Mustad 7/0 inline singles for great holding potential, the Slidog 150 comes with a bite that matches its bark. The lure is 150mm long and weighs 85g, allowing long casts on medium/heavy weight casting outfits, avoiding the need to take a boat into areas that might have you risking life and limb. Look for the all-new Slidog 150 at all good tackle outlets. www.halcotackle.com.au

HOBIE MANUAL INFLATABLE VEST

The new 2019 Hobie Manual Inflatable 150 Vest (Yoke) is rated for offshore use while wearing foul weather clothing. The design is very lightweight and extremely cool. The newly designed collar folds down the back of your neck and shoulders, eliminating pressure on the neck and lower head. The yoke is manually inflated by pulling a small cord that activates the replaceable CO2 cylinder in the side of the vest. The Velcrosecured receptacle allows for easy access to the cylinder for replacement and for servicing, or for additional manual inflation of the PFD after the manual cord has been activated. Features include: 150 rated (40kg plus); comfortable slim multi fit (up to 5XL); mesh yoke back strap (helps prevent the collar riding up the back of your neck); easy access storage pocket (great for keys, phone etc.); whistle; water resistant headphone rubber port hole; 25mm D-ring for switch killer tether; accessory attachment straps; interior pocket; UML Pro Sensor (includes armed status indicator); self service; cylinder re-arm kit; and fishing comp key tag/key tag clip. www.hobie.com.au 88

OCTOBER 2018

Yamashita have released a new colour range in their top-of-the-line K series of squid jigs. The K body is tuned to have the best stable sinking posture, and it excels in rough conditions where other jigs struggle to maintain a stable fall. Features of the Egi Oh Q K include the Hydro Fin (attached at the rear of the jig for improved stability when sinking); Hydro Eyes (flat eyes with Keimura pupil and glow edge); Hydro Sinker and TIN sinker (tin sinker with tuning holes for adding or reducing weight); Warm Jacket (thermo storage cloth that transfers light into heat); Hydro Body (pentagon design for increased stability when sinking); tuned double crown hooks (the back crown of stainless steel hooks are opened wider for improved hook-ups); and G-Flash lateral line (strong tape running down each side for increased flash and appeal). Egi Oh Q K jigs are available in 10 colours in sizes 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5, with shallow and super shallow options available in size 3.5. www.ejtodd.com.au

SUFIX X8 BRAID

PRODUCT GUIDE

4 5

The new X8 braid from Sufix is an 8-carrier braid constructed of thin HMPE Japanese fibres. It’s a super strong, thin braided line that has high abrasion resistance and superb knot and shock strength. This soft and silky smooth line has low friction through the rod guides, resulting in silent performance and long, accurate casts. R8 precision braiding technology with a high tension weaving process results in a round, supple and smooth braided line with consistent diameter and quality. Easy handling, X8 is designed for both casting and spinning reels. Currently available in an eye-catching hot yellow, it comes in breaking strains from 6lb to 50lb in 150yd spools and 10lb to 65lb in 300yd lengths. Sufix X8 braid will be on sale in all leading tackle stores from September 2018. www.rapala.com.au

visit www.tacklejunkie.fish for the latest tackle news - AS IT HAPPENS!

SCAN THE QR CODE!

PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING DUO HYDRA 220

Long and lean and designed as the ultimate sinking stickbait for large predators, the new Duo Rough Trail Hydra 220 is the lure to pack for your next offshore adventure. Slim-profiled and with a fixed weight in the tail to maximise casting performance and enhance its action, the Hydra 220 features a dynamic skipping action when worked across the surface, while a twitch and jerk retrieve will see it move from side to side to enhance strikes. A hyper realistic garfish imitation when worked across the surface, the Hydra is ultra long (220mm) in length to reduce fishing swallowing and biting off the lure, while its tailheavy 58.2g body weight allows it for long, tangle free casting on the water. If you’re looking to call up the predators to the surface, the new Duo Rough Trail Hydra 220 is the lure to reach for. www.daiwafishing.com.au

SHIMANO OCEA JIGGER REELS

MCLAUGHLIN’S ADVANCED BERLEYS 10 McLaughlin’s have 77 years of bait experience, and this has been used to produce an impressive range of berleys in the newly developed Advanced Formula range. All Advanced Formula berleys are scented with secret formula flavours before being impregnated with colour formulas, which dye the pellets in selected colours. This combination means that when you put the berley into the water it not only attracts the fish, but the colour creates a trail in the water. This trail allows you to easily see where your berley is and the direction it’s going in, so you can fish directly in the berley trail. This then allows you to make full use of the berley and not have to guess what the tide and wind influences are doing to the berley. The Advanced Formula range comes in a range of flavours and pellet configurations, for maximum effectiveness on different target species and locations. www.jurofishing.com

SUGARDEEP 90 FLOATING BOOST

The new Ocea Jigger from Shimano has made an extreme make-over compared to the beloved ’11 Ocea Jigger. This flagship of jigging reels comes with a host of exciting features such as the Infinity Drive and Micro Module gear, which results in 60% reduction of the reeling resistance compared to the old model, and a very smooth retrieve. The newly designed handle is specially engineered to provide a firm grip, and to provide the ability to give extra power without losing grip. The combination of the Hagane body and S-Compact body results in an immensely strong and lightweight (595g) jigging reel. And due to the eight shielded A-RB ball bearings and X-Protect it is highly salt water resistant and durable. With a drag of 10kg, fighting the biggest fish is not a problem anymore. For more information on this and other new releases from Shimano, visit their website or look them up on Facebook (facebook.com/ Shimano.Fish) or Instagram (@shimano.fish). www.shimanofish.com.au

The Sugarpen Deep 90 has the same profile as the Sugar Deep 90 Barra Tuned, but incorporates an innovative slide system to cast further and more accurately. Unlike the SugarDeep 70 and 90, it is also a floating rather than a suspending lure. The unique weight system uses a sliding tungsten weight on a rod assembly moulded into the body of the lure. When casting, the weight moves to the back of the lure, delivering greater distance. When the lure is retrieved, the weight moves forward along the rod to weight the lure level when paused. Like the SugarDeep 90 Barra Tuned, the SugarDeep 90 Floating Boost Shaft Glide has a tight wobble that will dive to 2.5m, making it ideal for impoundment and estuary fishing for a variety of species. For more information on this and other new releases, visit the Bassday Australia website, or check them out on Facebook at facebook. com/BassdayAus. www.bassday.com.au

DEPS NZ CRAWLER

DAIWA BEEFSTICK

The 134mm DEPS NZ Crawler is one of the largest Japanese surface crawlers on the market. The lure’s jointed movement draws big predators from afar, and the distinctive sound can be adjusted via the two screws within the wings or by adjusting the wings themselves. The NZ Crawler can paddle back on a fast retrieve, which gives an almost vertical action on the wings as it goes through its arch, or the retrieve can be slowed right down for greater time within a strike area without compromising the action. The thick resin walls can take a lot of punishment, and DEPS have upgraded the NZ Crawler – along with all models coming into Australia – with larger, sturdier hooks and rings. This lure has been specially designed to entice predators that eat a diverse range of prey such as bats, rats, frogs, birds and lizards. The flash blade not only provides an attractant but also adds to the length of the lure. www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au

Tradition meets contemporary looks and styling with the release of the new Daiwa Beefstick. With homage to the traditional solid tip fiberglass rods of the past, Daiwa gives the much-loved workhorse a makeover. Featuring a matt black finish, the Beefstick has a graphite/glass butt, a carbon-wrap lower section, and a solid integrated tip, this is a series that will handle the rigors of angling, yet has the sensitive in design to deliver anglers unmatched feel for a rod of its price. Shaped, ultra sensitive custom EVA grips blend perfectly with the Beefstick’s reel seats, while a composite cork butt cap contrasts perfectly in looks with the matt black blank, for a modern touch of class. With 26 models available, there is a model available for nearly every conceivable scenario. If you’re looking for a modern twist on the rod that your grandfather had when you’re a child, the new Daiwa Beefstick is the range for you. www.daiwafishing.com.au

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

WHAT’S NEW FISHING ZEREK STREAM X

BASSDAY 13 SUGAPEN 58F

The Zerek Stream X is a beautifully crafted minnow lure that swims with an exaggerated beat to attract predators. At 6.5cm long, the Stream X is an easy casting 8g and sinks at rest, allowing anglers to work this minnow in tight country where trout, redfin and bass reside. But don’t think this lure is only suitable the freshwater rivers and lakes; the Stream X is built with high impact resistant ABS plastic and componentry that make it more than suitable for saltwater fishing. Species such as flathead, bream, tailor and salmon will find the small baitfish profile an easy to swallow meal. There are 13 proven colours in the range, from bright attractor patterns to the most realistic minnow colours you could ever want, giving this little gem of a lure a place in any smallwater tackle kit. www.wilsonfishing.com

SUFIX X8 BRAID

OCTOBER 2018

The Sugapen is synonymous with topwater fishing, with its iconic forward-facing cup and slender profile that perfectly mimics a fleeing prawn. Bassday has now increased the Sugapen range to include a 58mm length model. This new smaller size brings the range to a total of four lengths, all the way up to 120mm. The 58 casts perfectly due to its slimline profile which produces little wind resistance. The action is the same as the larger sizes but this has a more subtle presence. The lure can be wound flat out or with a pause and wind technique. The new model comes in all the current Sugapen colours and two completely new ones. A red tiger-striped clear and gold tiger-striped clear with a pink head. Check out the Bassday Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BassdayAus) for more information on new releases, catch photos and prize giveaways. www.bassday.com.au

13 14

WILSON GRAPHWRAP RODS 17 The Wilson Graphwrap is a series of rods designed to be durable and go the distance. Designed on a graphite composite core with a solid glass tip, the Graphwrap series leaps beyond normal expectations with its custom designed, power-giving graphite outer spiral wrap. This unique spiral wrap gives these rods incredible strength, which adds to the durability of these tough, ocean thug busting rods. Designed in Australia to meet the demands of our harsh fishing environment, the Wilson Graphwrap series brings toughness, durability and user friendliness together in the one package. For more information on this and other new releases from Wilson Fishing, head to their website or like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LWilsonAndCo. www.wilsonfishing.com

WORK SHARP KNIFE 15 SHIMANO SHARPENERS How do you get the sharpest tool in the SLX

shed, to stay sharp when out fishing on your boat? Easy, just team up the Electric Knife and Tool Sharpener from Work Sharp with their Guided Field Sharpener and you have the perfect solution anywhere you go. The Electric Sharpener is a 240V powered sharpener that uses flexible abrasive belts just like the professionals. The easily replaceable grit belts give a perfect convex edge to any knife blade. Designed to cope with a heavyduty workload while delivering precision sharpening that won’t burn or damage blade steel. But how do you transfer that precision sharpening when out on the water or on a camping trip? The Guided Field Sharpener has two diamond plates, two ceramic rods, a leather strap, and the all-important sharpening guides for fast, easy and consistent sharpening. The fixed guides create a constant repetitive angle to ensure the smoothest, sharpest blade possible. Price: SRP $199 (electric), $67 (field sharpener) www.worksharptools.com.au

PRODUCT GUIDE

New for 2018, the SLX series is the latest addition to the ever-growing Shimano baitcaster range. This is a compact and highly versatile reel, suited to catching anything from bass through to barra. It features an aluminium Hagane Body, the same body size as the Curado 70, but offering the line capacity of a conventional 150 sized reel. Inside the SLX’s Hagane Body, durable brass gearing delivers reliable cranking power and three SUS bearings and one roller bearing means everything turns smoothly. Casting is made effortless with the adjustable 6-pin VBS brake system, making it ideal for a range of different fishing styles and casting preferences. A longer 45mm Throw Handle working in conjunction with two model options featuring gear ratios of 6.3:1 and 7.2:1 means that the slow and methodical lure worker and the angler who likes a bit of speed are well covered by the new SLX series. On top of this, max drag settings of between 5-5.5kg provides plenty of stopping power should it be needed. www.shimanofish.com.au

18 visit www.tacklejunkie.fish for the latest tackle news - AS IT HAPPENS!

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING

All hyped up by the Team Daiwa Hyper rod range Although I simply love fishing, I have to admit that I have become a little obsessed by the humble flathead. I blame the team here at Fishing Monthly when I arrived. They caught a lot of them and it was pretty tough not to get involved when most trips involved being connected to lots of fish in the 50cm+ category. My arsenal of rods to target them has gone from a single outfit to at least six, with a few failed outfits in between. I have been striving to find what I consider to be the perfect flathead outfit. The key features being: it must be a minimum of 7” long, have a rating in the 2-4kg or 2-5kg range and be a fast or medium fast taper (at worst it must be powerful enough to get that hook through the top jaw of a flathead). Cost in many ways is also a factor. There are plenty of top end rods that would be amazing to use, but flathead are a bread and butter species, and I don’t believe a $1000 outfit is required. Additionally, money saved on a rod means more can be put into a reel, which makes more sense to me. I have come close on several occasions, rods have been 85% there, but in the end the taper or power to bend ratio for me has not been right. Too stiff and the hook set is great, but the finesse at the end of the fight is lacking and fish are lost. Too slow a taper and

TESTED Final thoughts Have I found the perfect flathead rod? I am not prepared to say that as yet, but I am happy to say that I am closer than ever. It will definitely get plenty of use over the next few months, as it is prime flathead time here in South East Queensland. Aside from what I have already said, the one thing that the TD Hyper rod has changed my thinking on is Nano Technology based rods. You cannot question the additional strength, power and resilience Nano resins add to any blank, however in most cases this is at the expense of the taper of a rod. Certainly not the case with the TD Hyper rods and definitely something I prefer and look for in rods. Too see the full range of TD Hyper rods go to www.daiwafishing.com.au and check them out in your local Daiwa retailer. – Peter Jung

The author chose the TD Hyper 701LXS rod when looking for a rod to target flathead. He matched it with a Daiwa TD Sol III LT reel and is very happy with it so far. This also translates into the casting ability of the rod. Size 3.0 squid jigs and 3/8oz jigheads have been cast easily. One tip however is to ensure the hook keeper is kept facing downwards when you are casting. I have had the line loop and catch onto it when I haven’t, which can result in lost tackle. I love the fact that the keeper is there, but just have it facing down when you’re not using it. Value for money If how light the TD Hyper rods are is impressive then their value for money is exceptional. In my travels and during the obligatory visit to the local tackle store, I have consistently seen the TD Hyper rods selling for $129.99. This is not the price point I would expect to see the quality of this rod in. There is also a reasonable range of options within the TD Hyper range. There are 11 spin and 3 baitcast options covering the majority of your fishing needs.

The combination of HVF Nanoplus graphite and X45 blank technology create a dynamic blank with a taper that the author prefers.

Although purchased to target flathead, the TD Hyper’s first outing was out chasing squid. the hook set power diminishes and fish are lost (on larger fish) with the hooks not finding enough purchase. This is where the Team Daiwa Hyper rods come in. I am always on the look out for a distinctive looking rod with the above attributes and the TD Hyper series of rods caught my eye. A quick call to Grayson Fong (a Daiwa pro angler who is using them) to get the good oil on them convinced me that they were worth looking at. I decided on the 701LXS model and matched it with one of the new Daiwa Sol III LT reels. The first time I used the outfit wasn’t chasing flathead. I teamed up with Grayson and headed to the islands in southern Moreton Bay chasing tiger squid. Far from what I had purchased the outfit for, but the beauty of a 2-4kg outfit is that it translates to throwing lures for bass or jigs for squid. The rod

was christened on a stonker squid and has since done battle on a number of flathead. First impressions The TD Hyper rods seriously feel as light as a feather. I don’t have another rod in my gaggle of rods that gets close to the weight of the TD Hyper. Matched with the Sol III LT reel (also a lightweight design) and you have something that is pleasure to use all day every day. Power so far has not been an issue, with several solid flathead putting it through its paces. I am not quite so sure how to express this into words, but the power seems almost effortless. Much of the marketing around this rod range has been about the HVF Nanoplus graphite and X45 blank technology. The combination of the two technologies creating a lighter and more dynamic blank for the rods to be built from.

The castability of the 701LXS is exceptional. It comfortably casts a 3.0 squid jig or a 3/8oz jighead.

OCTOBER 2018

Trades, Services, Charter BOAT MODIFICATIONS & REPAIRS

BAIT & TACKLE

Lazer Lures Catch Fish

New Lazer 60g with premium VMC hooks, a must-have lure in every serious tailor fisherman’s tackle box.

CUSTOM ALLOY FABRICATION OVER 20 YEARS FABRICATING AND WELDING ALUMINIUM

PROFISH BOATS – Phone Peter 0417 782 114 Email: peter@profishboats.com www.profishboats.com

Salt-Away www.salt-away.com.au

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

Reef Marine Mackay (07) 4957 3521

• Boat repairs & fitouts • Bait tanks • Transom rebuilds • Fuel tanks • Consoles

CUSTOM TRANSOMS 20-75hp $750 75-150hp $890 150-225hp $980 Freight can be arranged Australia wide www.lazerlures.com

NORTH QUEENSLAND

BCF www.bcf.com.au Davo’s Tackleworld Noosaville (07) 5449 8099 Davo’s Tackleworld Marcoola (07) 5448 8244

MINN REPAIRS & SERVICING • All electric motor brands • Australia wide freight • Quick turn around • Authorised Minn Kota/Watersnake repairer Minn Repairs & Servicing Call Troy 0412 605 080 – W: minnrepairs.com minnrepairsservicing E: minnrepairs@gmail.com

Lazer Lures – www.lazerlures.com.au Tackle Warehouse Brisbane (07) 3398 6500

MARINE MECHANICS // MOBILE

BOAT HIRE // HOUSE

Boat Wrap Specialist

GOLD COAST

Great family and fishing boats! + 50km of sheltered waterways on the Gold Coast’s Broadwater + No Licence required CALL FOR A + Boats from $995 DEAL + 2-12 berth

www.xfactorsigns.com SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

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

NEW

TINNIE HIRE AVAILABLE

ASM Mobile Welding Brisbane 0409 624 402 Bluewater Windscreens Brisbane (07) 3382 7883 Boat Collar (07) 5441 3636 CMC Marine Sales 0409 910 808 Iconic Boats Brisbane 0475 311 447 Marine Windows and Doors Brisbane (07) 3284 5088 Small Craft Electrics (mobile) 0408 063 064

MARINE MECHANICS

FRASER COAST

$449 USD

Brisbane Boat Painting 0433 356 620

FIBREGLASS Repairs

(includes shipping)

www.hydrowaveaustralia.com

BRISBANE

Brisbane South and Gold Coas t

• Modifications • Detailing • Repairs JOE BONNICI

0410 480 203

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

MARINE ELECTRONICS

• Sounders • GPS • Electric Motors • Marine Radios and accessories • Stereos • Televisions • Radar Units • Autopilots

BOAT HIRE // TRAILER

BOAT PAINTING

MARINE TRAILERS

ONSITE AND MOBILE INSTALLATIONS

Rainbow Beach Houseboats (07) 5486 3146

Boab Boat Hire - 1300 002 622

Wondall Rd Marine (07) 3396 5633

SALES • REPAIRS • INSTALLATIONS

Lake Monduran House Boat www.lakemonduranhouseboathire.com.au

GOLD COAST

WYNUMM MANLY-BAYSIDE

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

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

Unit 4/1440 New Cleveland Road Capalaba www.trymax.com.au PHONE: 07 3245 3633

MARINE OUTBOARD WRECKERS TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND North Queensland Outboard Wreckers Townsville 1800 812 748

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

FISHING GUIDES CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Lake Monduran Barra Charters 0407 434 446

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. 92

OCTOBER 2018

Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Hooked On Hinchinbrook www.hookedonhinchinbrook.com

MARINE TRIMMERS SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Affordable Boat Covers Gold Coast 0419 424 587 Brisbane Yamaha (07) 3888 1727 Rays Canvas & Marine Caboolture (07) 5499 4911 Rowland Street Boat Trimmers Springwood (07) 3208 9511

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

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION FRASER ISLAND Apurla Island Retreat 0437 739 121 Cathedrals on Fraser (07) 4127 9177 Eurong Beach Resort 1800 111 808 Fraser Island Beach Houses 1800 626 230 Waddy Lodge on Fraser 0414 516 364 Yidney Rocks (07) 4127 9167

Keely Rose Deep Sea Fishing Charters 0407 146 151

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND

Noosa Fishing Charters (07) 5665 8170

Action Charters Mackay 0417 452 346

Odyssey Charters Deep Sea Fishing (07) 5478 1109

Cairns Charter Boat 0427 533 081

Offshore Reef and Game Fishing 0413 485 402

Cairns Fishing Charters 0427 400 027

Rainbow Beach Fishing Charters 0439 775 070

Cairns Reef Charter Services 1800 119 044

Smithy’s Fishing Charters Sunshine Coast 0407 574 868

Eclipse FNQ Weipa Charters 0488 058 668

Sunshine Coast Fishing Charters (07) 5500 0671

Fairdinkum Fishing Charters Townsville (07) 4751 5324

Top Catch Charters Sunshine Coast 0429 013 012

Fish’s Fly & Sportsfishing Weipa (07) 4069 9957

NORTHERN NSW

Fishing Charters Townsville 0403 386 722 JC’s Fishing Charters 0438 753 382

Evans Head Deep Sea Fishing Charters 0428 828 835 Reel Time Fishing Charters Yamba 0428 231 962

ONLINE TACKLE PRODUCTS

Wooli Fishing Charter (02) 6649 7100

FG Wizz www.fgwizz.com.au

Dave Gaden’s Yamba • Deep Sea

REEL TIME FISHING CHARTERS

NOW YOU CAN TIE THE PERFECT FG KNOT EVERY TIME

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Baffle Creek Holiday House 0419 624 833

COOKTOWN River of Gold Motel 4069 5222

MACKAY BEL AIR MOTEL, MACKAY - PLENTY OF ROOM FOR BOATS AND TRAILERS.............PH: 07 4957 3658 FRESHWATER Lake Boondooma Caravan Park (07) 4168 9694 Lake Cressbrook Regional Council 131 872 Yallakool Caravan Park on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746 Yallakool Park and Kiosk on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746

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

NO MORE bulky braid/leader joins

SEE IT! .. BUY IT! ..

Phone Dave today: www.fishingyamba.com.au 0428 231 962 OPEN 7 DAYS

EASY PARKING

N O W AVA IL A B L E

CHARTER BOATS

MARINA BOAT & TACKLE, YAMBA MARINA

GOLD COAST BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters 0414 293 034 Coastal Sports Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0412 691 929 Discovery Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0427 026 519 Fish The Deep Charters 0416 224 412 Gold Coast Fishing Charters 0411 605 090 Gone Fishing Charters Gold Coast (07) 5529 7833 Hooker 1 Charters Gold Coast (07) 5528 6469 My Charter Boat Tweed Heads 0407 347 446 Paradise Fishing Charters 0403 531 428 RU4 Reel Tweed Heads 0449 903 366 Sea Probe Fishing Charters 0400 312 330 True Blue Fishing Gold Coast (07) 5510 9622

SAMPLE AD - BUSINESS NAME

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

SUNSHINE COAST Fish n Crab Charters Mooloolaba 0412 155 814 Fishing Offshore Noosa 0418 889 956 Hervey Bay Fishing Charters (07) 4125 3958 Incredible Charters 1300 655 818

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Stessco Bowrider 520 with Yamaha F90HP - SC

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Length..........................................................5.1m Beam..........................................................2.29m Bottom.sheet ..............................................3mm Side.sheet....................................................3mm Hull.weight ................................................500kg Max.HP .......................................................... 115 Fuel .............................................................. 110L Capacity .............................................. 6 persons Main: Chasing a locally made aluminium plate boat that will keep the whole family happy and not break the bank? You need to check out the Stessco Bowrider 520. Above: The bowrider was right at home in the Noosa River on the test day. means that it’s affordable for plenty of families. It also means that you probably won’t have to upgrade the family car to tow it. S e c o n d l y, the configuration is pretty easily interchangeable between ‘fishing mode’ and ‘fun mode’. Drop in a few cushions up the front and add the removable ski pole and

RPM................... km/h.................... km/L 1000 ...................... 6.5 ....................... 3.4 2000.................... 10.7 ....................... 2.3 3000.....................27.9 ....................... 3.4 3500 .................... 35.6 ....................... 3.4 4000.................... 42.2 ....................... 3.3 5000.................... 54.8 ....................... 2.7 6000.....................67.2 ....................... 1.7 * fitted with SDS alloy 13 1/4 x 16” propeller OCTOBER 2018

easily interchangeable,” Biel continued. And that’s exactly what they’ve done. Tweaked a great seller to make it just that little bit better. For more information on the 520 Bowrider, or any of the 2018 Stessco range, visit their website on www. stessco.com.au, make sure

SPECIFICATIONS

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s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

Stessco’s Adrian Biel reckons that when your hull is a good thing, you don’t change it. And that’s exactly what Stessco has done with their 520 Bowrider hull. They’ve kept the popular shape and improved the layout. But let’s backtrack a few steps before we dig into the details. Where does the Bowrider sit in the Stessco range and why would you buy one? Well, it’s definitely a more comfortable boat for the less hardcore anglers in the family. Especially compared to something like the Gulf Runner. And sometimes, the fishing alone isn’t the reason you buy a boat. Yes, I know. It’s a strange concept, but shade, comfort and the ability to use a boat for a variety of activities ticks a lot of boxes with modern outdoor families and this Stessco fits right into the hitting zone. Firstly, it weighs in around the high $30K mark (and at around 1,000kg on the weighbridge), which

formula from the Brisbane based company. There aren’t many drawbacks of this rig, however the fact that most of your underfloor storage will still let water dribble through in the rain is a problem for local manufacturers. “Look, from the gunwales down, there’s

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you’re ready to go tubing. If you’re really clever, you’ll even have an electric motor on a bracket that takes a few seconds to pop off and on, which will really turn this into a fishing machine. Thirdly, this boat is cheap to run. A boat over 5m in length with this level of fitout and that delivers well over 3km/L at cruising speeds really is giving you great value for money. The 110L tank fitted in this boat will get you over 300km of range at cruising speeds. The best we saw was at 3,5004,000 RPM where it nearly reached 3.5km/L. And finally, it’ll definitely turn heads at the ramp. The smooth plate aluminium sides look great with Stessco’s standard

colours, or alternatively take a vinyl wrap if you really want to make a statement. Other improvements like the new, smoother windscreen just add to an already winning

nothing much we wanted to change in this boat,” said Adrian on the 2018 Media Day at Noosa, “so it’s just the small things that we’ve made better.” “Things like the removable ski-pole and bait board, these needed to be

you Like their Facebook page (Stessco Boats) for social media updates and definitely scan the QR Code hereby to watch the video review of this rig on your smartphone. It’s also available direct on the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel.

Everything is economical in the rig – from the mid-to-high $30K purchase price (depending on options) to the best fuel economy of 3.3km/L at 4,000rpm.

Driven at the best economy, the 110L fuel tank will give over 300km of theoretical range.

Back in the cockpit you can sit in the shade and swivel the seats around to watch a skiier or talk with your passengers on the bench seat. The ski-pole is removable.

Obviously, there’s a mountain of storage space under the front seats, although it’s not totally waterproof.

Drop some batteries in here if you choose to add an electric motor to the front of the rig.

Stessco’s Bowriders are a fun and good-looking rigs that really hit the spot with family boaters.

Here’s what the front deck looks like with the foam cushions on top of the infill.

You can remove the centre cushion and the deck section to allow for comfortable seating forward.

You can shut the split windscreen and the bulkhead door to keep the breeze and spray out.

The rear bench sits starboard while the transom door allows easy loading and is on the port transom side.

The helm is simple and can hold smaller electronics flush-mounted.

Here’s how you transform the bow into its various forms. First remove the cushions and stow under the decks. Next remove the floor infill. It provides everything from lounging to fishing in a bit of a swell. OCTOBER 2018

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Haines Hunter 585R with Yamaha F200 4-stroke

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Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

We hope for windy days while boat testing, but not at the speed that Port Phillip Bay dished out while testing this Haines Hunter 585R (runabout),

fitted with a Yamaha F200 by Chelsea Yamaha. As one of the rigs that Rob Neely and his team set up for their stand at the Boat Show, I was keen on testing its Port Phillip Bay abilities in some breeze. The 30+ knots and washing-machine-like conditions put a pretty rapid

halt to that. Nonetheless, we were able to get the rig out on the water and eventually find a location where we could do some economy figures. To put the hull into perspective, I asked Rob why Haines Hunters were such a popular boat. “Lots of people buy a Haines Hunter and then never buy anything else,” Rob said. “It’s a combination of comfort, stability, economy and resale value.” Indeed, Rob had plenty of Haines Hunters in the showroom when we turned up at the dealership to pick up the test boats. SPECIFICATIONS Length Overall..... 6.0m Beam.................. 2.40m Hull Weight........ 950kg Transom..................25” Fuel...................... 230L Max hp................... 200

From above you can get a good idea of the amount of room in the sub 6m craft. There’s plenty of space there to get some serious fishing done. 106

OCTOBER 2018

By nature, the runabout design is pretty simple. Runabouts are made with less cabin space and more cockpit to offer serious anglers plenty of fishing room down the back. The 585 definitely has plenty of space, with a 2.4m beam adding to the work area. The test boat was set up for fishing, with rocketlauncher style rod holders in the targa top, a large bait station and plenty of room in the side pockets. It was also fitted with the removable side door to

Top: As tested, this is the boat that you get for $113,900 – nearly 6m of Australianbuilt Haines Hunter 585R. With custom canopy and clears from Chelsea Yamaha, it’s well decked out for snapper fishing in the bay and beyond. Above: Both the hull and trailer are Melbourne-built. The tandem, galvanised Easytow features plenty of rollers to make drive on and off launching easy – even on windy days like the test day. help in loading the boat on the trailer and getting swimmers and divers out of the water when afloat. Often the importance of a good trailer under a hull is overlooked. The Aussie-made Easytow trailers work well under these hulls and the combination of wobble and keel rollers make it a pleasure to drive on and off, even in windy conditions like on the test day. Dual axles are a must for any rig around 2000kg and this rig will tow easily behind nearly all twin-cab 4WDs.

As expected, Yamaha’s F200 delivered exceptional economy, squeezing just under 2km/L burned at 4000rpm and 39km/h. Combine this with the 230L underfloor fuel tank and there’s a theoretical range of nearly 450km on a single fill. If that’s not enough for you, you’re going to need a bigger boat. At the helm, Yamaha’s new fly-by-wire digital throttle and shift impressed. It takes a little to get used to the sensitivity and smoothness of this new system, but once you do, you’ll never want to go

back to mechanical throttle cables again. Overall, you should look at the 585R if you’re more of a fisher than a family weekend kind of person. It’s designed with plenty of room and storage for all things piscatorial. But the significant other and kids will be comfortable nonetheless if they want to tag along. Haines Hunters aren’t cheap – the test rig weighed in at $113,900, however basic packages for this hull start at around $90,000. For more information visit www.haineshunter.com.au.

The 2.4m of beam combined with a deep vee make this a stable hull that rides well in the rough.

The R in the model name means ‘runabout,’ which translates to plenty of deck space and a smaller cabin. You can see the lid to the massive underfloor kill box between the helm and passenger seats.

The helm includes the Yamaha digital throttle and shift, which is very smooth and impressive. We’d like to be able to mount larger sounders flush into the dash, though.

Lenco trim tabs help you adjust the attitude when running heavy or uneven loads. With the lightly loaded boat we didn’t need them on the test day.

There’s enough cabin room to get out of the weather and it’s no problem to fit an optional portable toilet in there to keep the family happy.

The fold-out rear lounge isn’t full width, but can hold a couple of passengers. The rear bait station slides in and out.

There’s an optional, removable gunwale door and tons of room in the side pockets. The door slides out rather than being hinged. A clear anchor well door lets in a lot of natural light to the cabin.

Rob Neely reckons that the Yamaha F200s are ‘bulletproof’. We didn’t shoot it to find out, but they are definitely economical, giving a theoretical range of around 450km.

Talk to Chelsea Yamaha about custom stainless targa and canopy/clears combinations. They have a full trim shop in-house.

Call it a kill box or a wet storage area for your snorkeling gear. Whatever your bent, it’s a handy addition to the 585. OCTOBER 2018

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