Victoria and Tasmania Fishing Monthly January 2019 by Fishing Monthly

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Features

Rigging techniques for Victorian kings • Conquering inshore marlin • Victorian bass guide •

Boating & Kayaking Beating the holiday crowds • Tips for towing the boat •

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JANUARY 2019, Vol. 14 No. 3

Contents WEST COAST West Coast

Warrnambool 18 Cobden 19 Apollo Bay

CENTRAL Geelong 20 Port Phillip West

Port Phillip North East

Port Phillip East

Mornington Peninsula

Port Phillip Bay Offshore

Western Port North

Western Port South

Phillip Island

EAST COAST Lakes Entrance

Marlo 40 Gippsland Lakes

Corner Inlet

Bemm River

NSW SOUTH COAST Bermagui 44 Mallacoota/Eden 44 Narooma 43 Merimbula 42

VICTORIAN FRESHWATER Robinvale 54 Mildura 66 Snowy Mountains

From the Editor’s Desk... It’s rare that the biggest fishing news in town is political, but with the re-election of the Andrews Labor government, it seems as though the news is all good for recreational anglers. Let’s hope that the promises are realised. There’s full coverage of the election promises in Mike Burgess’ piece on page 35, but here’s what we can expect in a nutshell. • 10 million fish stocked per annum as of 2022 (compared with the record 6 million in 2017/18. • New fish hatchery in Shepparton. • Full amount of $27 million collected for boat ramp infrastructure to be spent actually on boat ramp infrastructure. • Consolidation of boat ramp infrastruture management and abolition of many ramp fees. • New fish cleaning stations

across Port Phillip Bay. • An end to netting in Gippsland Lakes with buyback of the remaining 10 licences. • Resolution of legistaltion that impedes stream and river access to anglers. • Opening of more waters to paddle and/or electric craft, imcluding Tullaroop, Lauriston, Hepburn, Barkers’ Creek, Upper Coliban and Malmsbury reserviors. • Implememntation of Fishing for All and continuation of the VicKids programs. • Implementation of a Recreational Fishing Tourism plan. • Money towards habitat improvements in Port Phillip Bay. Excited about the direction of the government? Regardless who you voted for, it’d be hard not to smile about the narrative if you’re a Victorian angler. Rest assured that other states are jealous and it’s great to see the parties understand

that recreational anglers’ votes are just as valuable as those of the unenlightened. EAST GIPPSLAND HOSTS BREAM GRAND FINAL Early December saw the biggest show in bream fishing - nationally - come to town with three iconic venues hosting 45 of Australia’s best breamers for three days of competition to win a $60,000+ boat package. And although the trophy and rig eventually went back into NSW thanks to a stunning win by Jason Mayberry from the state’s South Coast, there were plenty of Victorian anglers who did their state proud: Brad Hodges (2nd), Cam Whittam (3rd), Dan Mackrell (4th), Braddley Young (6th) and Mario Vukic (9th) all showed that local knowledge pays off. There’s coverage of the event in this issue - make sure that you scan the QR codes embedded in the story with

your smartphone to get a more detailed video. We do this in the What’s New section and in the boat tests, too. No longer do you just do print if you’re a magazine! Make sure you Subscribe to the Fishing Monthly Magazines YouTube channel to see all of this video content as it’s created. While we’re at it, do you know that you can read back issues for free on issuu.com? Or get advance copies of the latest magazines on the same platform? It’s an ever changing world in the media nowadays, but you can rest assured that Fishing Monthly is out there bringing you the best fishing news on whatever platform you choose. At the end of the day, the fishing hasn’t changed - just the way we go about researching, reading and sharing it.

Albury/Wodonga 62 Yarrawonga 66 Horsham 58 Wangaratta 61 Ngambie 62 Shepparton 60 Bendigo 64 Ballarat 63

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JANUARY 2019

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Marc Gercovich loves getting stuck into big kingfish at this time of year!

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OUR COVER

Victorian bass set to go off

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Conquering inshore marlin

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Rigging techniques for Victorian kings

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Yellowtail Kingfish

Rigging techniques for Victorian kingfish WESTERN PORT

Jarrod Day jarrodday@iprimus.com.au

For those in the know, kingfish aren’t your typical run of the mill fish. In fact, they can bring even the most experienced anglers

head out to their regular haunts in season and find them holding down deep with your electronic setup or see them busting up a school of slimies on the surface, but when it comes to hooking and landing them, that’s a whole other ball game. Due to their strength

When your rod tip touches the water, you’d want to cross all your fingers and toes that your knots are securely tied. to their knees. From my experience, there isn’t a species as tough in Victoria as kingfish and none that can easily strip 80lb braid from a reel’s spool. Kingfish get the nickname ‘hoodlums’ for being extremely brutal when hooked up. Like a gang of criminals, these fish are tougher than any nightclub bouncer and in the split second you lose focus, it’s all over. Today they are a household name on the Victorian fishing scene. They have become heavily targeted in recent years, and they pose a challenge for anglers of all levels of experience. Targeting them is not as easy as it seems. You might

and power, kingfish will always find any weakness in your tackle, which is why you always want to ensure that all your rigging connections are 110%. Unlike other Victorian fish species, kingfish can be caught using varying techniques, with the most common being jigging, live baiting, trolling and general bait fishing with each requiring attention to detail. JIG RIGGING Kingfish are quite an inquisitive species, however, more often than not they can switch into attack mode at the glimpse of something moving fast in the water. I think before their brain analyses what the foreign object is they are already hunting it down and find themselves hooked. One of the most effective methods used to catch kingfish is jigging. Although the technique is strenuous enough, rigging the jig doesn’t need to be. Jig rigging is simple, as it uses multiple pieces of terminal tackle including swivels, split rings, solid rings, hooks and

Don’t be shy about the size of the live bait being sent to the depths. Kings can devour big baits with ease. of course the jig. Putting it all together is like a jigsaw puzzle, but when you begin, keep in mind that the split ring is the central part. While some jigs come pre-rigged with a hook, these are not always reliable, and you may want to replace that hook with a specifically made Yakamaito, Shout or Owner Assist hook to ensure

or fluorocarbon leader. The best hook setup is a Mustad 4x strong 6/0-8/0 Hoodlum Livebait hook with Mustad 1/0 Jigging Assist hook looped onto the live bait hook. This setup is then tied to the leader using a three turn uni knot.

After you have attached the hook setup, on the other end of the metre length of leader, tie a rolling size 1/0 swivel to prevent any line twist when in the current. The rest of the setup consists of a ball bearing snap swivel

Kingfish can be targeted using specific techniques and rigs. Always remember to use terminal tackle that will stand the test. strength and quality. LIVE BAITING RIGS If there’s one fish that will find any weakness in your rigging, it’s a king. It is imperative that all knots are inspected after tying as well as tested before being deployed. Live bait rigs can be made in a number of ways, with the simplest being a metre or so length of 80-100lb nylon

Top: When rigging a whole bait such as calamari, the snelled hook setup is recommended. Above: Kingfish will find any weakness in your terminals, so kit yourself out with the best. The purpose of the jigging assist hook is to make the rigging of the live bait faster, limiting the amount of time you have it out of the water, and this maximises its life when sent to the bottom.

crimped or tied to the end of your 80-100lb leader that is connected to your braid. Attached to this, is a kingfish 8oz barrel sinker followed by your live bait rig. Keep in mind, depending on the

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When attaching live bait hooks to the end of your leader, a loop knot will allow the live bait to freely move and swim without restriction.

Yellowtail Kingfish strength of the current you might require two kingfish sinkers to get the bait down to the strike zone. Once all that is in order, the live bait can be threaded onto the hook setup by pushing the assist hook through the membrane above the live bait’s nose. This

rigging technique will keep the livie alive long enough for it to be eaten. If you’re using a live calamari, the hook setup is a little different. Instead of using a live bait hook and assist, a snelled octopus hook setup is recommended. While the rest of the setup is the same,

Solid kings are a challenge to catch, but certainly rewarding when you land them.

you will be using an 80lb leader and a set of 6/0 octopus hooks. Fix one to the end of the leader and snell the other around 15cm apart. Of course, calamari come in all different sizes, but this setup is a good general rule. TROLLING RIGS If you haven’t tried trolling for kingfish, then it is probably something that you should have a crack at at some point, especially if they are busting up bait on the surface or at least in the area you’re fishing. Back in the day, trolling rigs were also called lead lines, consisting of a handline containing a 70m or so length of 200lb leader with an 8oz barrel sinker crimped into the leader around every metre or so. At

Kingfish of all sizes are powerful. Ensuring your knot connections and rigging are up to scratch will ensure you land your fish.

The Rip can become a very busy area when the kings are on, so take care.

the end is a length of 80-100lb trace containing a hook. The idea is as you’re trolling you can drag the rig behind the boat and should you need to take the bait deeper, you can let more line out. The more sinkers sent out the back, the deeper the rig will sink. Although this technique is rarely used today, a simpler method is to use a kingfish sinker and attach a length of 80lb trace to one end of it with a suicide style hook on the other end. This rig is similar to that of a live bait rig, except the changing of the hook To page 10

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Victorian fishers MAKE YOUR DREA motorMAKE into golden YOURera DREA

A REALITY A REALITY

Most fishers are probably more concerned with going fishing than politics, but you can’t escape the reality that the two collide. When state and federal elections come around, they are an opportune time for the recreational fishing sector, through peak bodies like VRFish, to ask for reforms and investment that will take the sector forward in leaps and an bounds. The Daniel Andrews led Victorian Labor Party was re-elected for a second term in resounding fashion. So, what does this mean for Victorian fishers? As I discuss below, it’s all good news and we are pleased to report that many of the priorities we have advocated for on behalf of all of Victorian fishers have been agreed to in full. We have entered a golden era for fishing, as this state government seems to ‘get’ recreational fishing. Not only do they want to grow participation and provide better fishing opportunities, but have also committed to tackle big issues we have asked for, like boating infrastructure and access. These issues have given us fishos splitting headaches for many, many years. They’re also serious about getting on with the job with the appointment of Jaala Pulford, who has been overseeing the successful delivery of the Target One Million policy since 2014, as Victoria’s first Minister for Fishing and Boating. Victorians will be seeing fish stocking on a scale that has never been seen before. A commitment of 10 million fish will be stocked per annum as of 2022, eclipsing the record 6 million fish stocked in 2017/18. A new $7 million new purposebuilt native fish hatchery will be built in Shepparton to meet the demand and put an end to our reliance of sourcing fish from commercial fish hatcheries in NSW. Victoria’s only publicly owned fish hatchery is now 71 years old and was established to culture cool water salmonids and is struggling to keep up with demand Our boating infrastructure has fallen into a state of disrepair through poor governance and funding. The situation has come to a head particularly around Port Phillip Bay and Westernport, with our fishers forced to launch their boats from sub-standard facilities and put up with long frustrating queues. A strong grassroots ‘Ramp Rage’ campaign demonstrated that only around $3 million annually was being reinvested into boat ramp infrastructure, yet $27 million was collected from recreational boaters via our licenses and registration. This government

has committed to allocating the full amount collected to improving facilities and safety through a Better Boating Fund. Over 40 different organisations were supposedly tasked with providing recreational fishers with essential pieces of community infrastructure. The government will finally establish a dedicated boating authority and put an end to this chaotic disorganisation. Launching fees will be also abolished. In some areas, fishers are being slugged over $300 for an annual boat-launching pass. There is also a commitment for a ‘blitz’ of new fish cleaning stations across Port Phillip Bay. Our once great Gippsland Lakes Fishery has drastically declined and flat lined since the halcyon days of 1970s and 1980s. Regrettably, the environmental conditions no longer provide the fish for both a quality recreational fishery and a viable commercial fishery. This government has responded to a united call by recreational fishers to end commercial netting in the Gippsland Lakes through a compulsory buy-out of the last remaining 10 licences. This will again make Gippsland Lakes a fishing destination and will boost local tourism and jobs. A larger stewardship role for our fishers is also well accepted, with our fishers keen to discuss the review of recreational catch limits and kick start long-term fish habitat improvement programs. There are still areas we can’t access. The convoluted access arrangements for Crown Land along river frontages with grazing licences will be resolved through new legislation that will guarantee access to fishing and camping. This has the potential to

revolutionise inland fishing and signifies that our rivers and streams are a community asset that all should have access to. We have many reservoirs that are stocked, yet we are not permitted to put a vessel in them. This government has committed to guarantee access for canoes and kayaks and small craft with electric motors to more waters, including Tullaroop, Lauriston, Hepburn, Barkers Creek, Upper Coliban and Malmsbury reservoirs. Other initiatives will see the development of a Fishing for All Program to promote fishing among groups with low participation, a continuation of the VicKids program, specially designed recreational fishing number plates for our cars and trailers and a Recreational Fishing Tourism Plan to optimise the economic and social benefits of improved fishing opportunities. We are extremely pleased to see $2.5 million will be invested into improving fish habitat in Port Phillip Bay including support projects like the expansion of living shellfish reefs, which has been led by members from the Albert Park Yachting and Angling Club. This second term of Andrew’s Labor Government promises to take fishing and boating to new heights. As the peak body for recreational fishing, VRFish is excited this state government has embraced the economic and social values recreational fishing brings all Victorians. We look forward to working with them in the delivery and implementation of these initiatives, as they will make a positive impact to fishing for all Victorians. -Michael Burgess, Executive Officer, Victorian Recreational Fishing Peak Body.

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BASS

Victorian bass are set to go off with a boom VFM

Colby Lesko

With Victoria’s cooler climate the Aussie bass have often taken a back seat to the trout and redfin, however, they are still here to be caught. Victoria has some great bass fishing if you know how and where to look. Fisheries Victoria is now stocking bass into a vast number of rivers and impoundments in the state’s east and they are starting to thrive. Combine this with

some older populations that are found around the state and there are now plenty of bass options for us Victorians. The general seasonal trends for bass have the fish slightly more active and closer to the surface over the warmer months. They then look to spawn over the cooler months of the year. This means in the rivers they will move down to the estuary to spawn. While in lakes they will form big schools out deeper in the main basin of the lake as they think about spawning.

Bass love cover and snags in lakes and rivers. Targeting areas that have submerged timber, big rocks and weed beds are your best chance of finding fish. Bass are a super aggressive fish and will take most live baits and lures. Soft plastics, lipless crankbaits and diving minnows are the best options when the fish are out deep, while surface lures and small spinnerbaits are great options when the fish are active around the surface. Your standard trout/bream combo will suit bass fishing perfectly, so a 2500 size spin

The author with a cracking Victorian bass. Thanks to annual stocking these fish are becoming more prominent. reel on a 2-5kg rod is ideal. Spool the reel with 10lb braid and 10lb leader and this will be perfect for casting small lures or live baits. A selection of lures in the 3-7cm range is great, while a 1/0 hook and light sinker or floater will be the best for bait fishing. Bass will bite right

throughout the day and night, however, the best times to target them are the first couple hours of light and the last couple hours of light. Bass activity picks up around first and last light and they can quite often be seen eating bugs off the surface on warm evenings – these nights make

for the best fishing. If you’re unable to fish these periods of the day target the areas that are in the shade, particularly during the heat of the day. Days of high barometer and the lead up to a storm also produce some great bass fishing, however, I have caught fish on some

The Victorian river bass are in great condition and are growing well.

Bass bite extremely well on first and last light.

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BASS pretty ordinary days too, so you’re always in with a shot. Blue Rock Dam is by far the most talked about Victoria bass fishery and the lake’s bass population is coming along in leaps and bounds. The majority of bass caught at the dam are still smaller fish in the 25-35cm range, yet there are also a number of bass in the lake up over 40cm now. Bass in Blue Rock can be caught a variety of ways, with the warmer summer months being the best. They come to the surface during this period and can be readily caught

casting soft plastics, diving minnows and surface lures. The top end of the lake has plenty of sunken timber and rock walls to fish around and is the area where I have the most success. Blue Rock Dam has some great bank access for landbased fishers, while it also has a boat ramp for boaties and kayakers. The lake’s water is very clear and perfectly suits the lure fishers. Lake Glenmaggie is also one to watch, as this dam has received a number of bass stockings over the years and is

set to produce some good bass fishing. However, the water is slightly dirtier than Blue Rock. Aussie bass are now also being stocked into a large number of Gippsland Rivers, many of which have now reached catchable size. The Tyers, Avon, Macalister, Mitchell and Tambo rivers all receive stockings of bass on a yearly basis and provide some great fishing for those willing to get out in the kayaks or walk the banks. The best results are coming from casting small 3-7cm lures around structure and deeper pools of the rivers.

Blue Rock Dam bass are still growing, but there are plenty of them!

These rivers will start to fish really well over the next couple of years as the bass grow and mature, with some of the rivers already holding 40cm+ fish. These rivers are fairly close to Melbourne and have a number of access points where anglers can get to the water for a fish. In the far east of the state, a little further from Melbourne, you have the Brodribb and Snowy rivers that also hold small populations of Aussie bass. These rivers are a little harder to access as they weave through some fairly thick bush in remote country. These areas better suit the keener, more hardcore anglers who really want to search for their fish, however, the rewards are certainly there. Lake Bullen Merri remains the only notable bass fishery in Victoria’s west, as there is still some cracking bass caught here every winter. Bass are hard to catch in the lake due to the fact that the lake did not receive any bass stockings for a number of years. The fish are now all mature fish around 40-45cm in length that hang around out deep in 10-20m of water and are most commonly caught down rigging or on soft plastics. This year is the first in many that bass have again been stocked into the crater lakes, so hopefully this will fire the bass fishery back up over the coming years.

James Dainton with a Vic river bass caught on a Balista trigger. There’s a lot to love about bass angling; they fight hard, willingly smash lures and can be plentiful when you work them out. I believe bass fishing in Victoria is set to take off as all these new fisheries develop into great

big bass locations and us Victorians start to target them more regularly. We are now coming up to a great time to be out exploring for bass and as the water heats up so should the fishing. I hope to see you out and about on the water.

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They also feature a Wire through body, Heavy duty split rings, Heavy duty VMC hooks, UV Eyes and an amazing paint finish. The design of the Bushranger lures helps the lure from snagging with its large bib and flat body, keeping the hooks away from snags. The Bushranger Digger & Donga are suitable for Murray Cod, Yellowbelly, Barramundi, Mangrove Jacks and Bass. Available in 12 outstanding colours! Visit & Subscribe to JuroOzPro for all our videos

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www.jurofishing.com JANUARY 2019

19/06/2018 4:29:18 PM

WHAT’S NEW FISHING OKUMA PRESSURE POINT RODS

their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ blackmagictackle. www.blackmagictackle.com

Okuma brings affordability to high end heavy plastics, popping and stickbait rods, without sacrificing quality, with the release of the Pressure Point rod range. Features includeToray graphite blanks, Fuji K-Series Tangle Free Guides, Fuji reel seats and most importantly actions and builds designed in conjunction with guides from Australia’s premier sportfishing charters. The range consists of five rods, a one-piece general purpose 701M 7’ PE 2.0-4.0, 20-80g Heavy Plastics rod and four two-piece, butt joint rods, for easier transport and storage. The two Popping rods are a 792MH 7’9” PE 4.0-6.0, 50-150g and a 792H 7’9” PE 6.0-8.0, 80-200g, while the Stickbait models consist of a 762M 7’6” PE 2.0-4.0, 20-80g and a 832M 8’3” PE 4.0-6.0, 40-120g. These five models will have you covered for light jigging and heavy plastics applications, through to the bulk of anglers’ stickbait and popping requirements, without breaking the bank. Team them up with an Okuma Azores Blue spinning reel and you have a genuine big fish stopping combo for around $500, or put the money you have saved on the rod toward arguably the strongest reel in the world, the Okuma Makaira, including the soon to be released 10000 size. Price: SRP $279.90-$299.00 www.okuma.com.au

Long-sleeved collared shirts make ideal fishing wear, as they shield the neck and forearms from sun exposure. The new Sublimated Fishing Shirts from Shimano go one step further though, as the fabric has a UPF 50+ rating for maximum protection. The 100% poly microfibre material used is also moisture wicking, so it draws moisture away from the body. Consequently, the shirts keep the wearer cool, and dry fast should they get wet. Additionally, they contain an antimicrobial treatment, meaning bacteria can’t get a foothold in the fabric. The fish designs of Bream, Tuna and Kingfish represent a collaboration between Shimano Australia and noted fishing writer/ underwater photographer, Al McGlashan. There is also a Squid design in the range for those anglers who love their egi fishing. The sublimated printing process means they will retain their vibrant colours for many years to come. Shimano Sublimated Fishing Shirts are available in sizes S-XXXL. www.shimanofish.com.au

SAMAKI VIBELICIOUS 2 YAKKA

MAPSO VLASON SPINNER

Samaki Vibelicious brings a new colour to the lure market: yakka. Yakka is all about the detail, with its patterned back featuring yakka stripes, and hits of yellow on the tail and fins adding to the lifelike appearance of the lure. The colour has proven itself time and time again as it is fished in multiple locations around the country, attracting barra, jew, bream and flathead to name a few. The traditional features of the Vibelicious Fork tail and Thumper tail are only enhanced by such an attractant as the yakka colour. The Vibelicious Fork Tail and Thumper tail come in three sizes – 70mm, 100mm and 125mm. The 100mm and 125mm sizes have now been upgraded with the new YS81 Decoy Hooks and the all new Decoy EX Strong Split Rings. Hardware like this encourages longevity in your fishing experiences and better hookups, as the hook penetration is on point. As always, the Vibelicious contains premium Japanese stainless wire and is made of the toughest 10X super stretch material. www.samaki.com.au

BLACK MAGIC MEASURES UP

With the growing emphasis on measuring fish rather than weighing them, particularly in tournaments, Black Magic has introduced a ‘brag’ mat into its range of quality fishing accessories. The Black Magic brag mat is manufactured from a durable UV-resistant PVC material, so it won’t warp and deteriorate in the sun like cheap mats will. It also has a sturdy acrylic header board to butt the fish up against. This brag mat is designed to measure fish up to 1300mm, so it’s better equipped to measure big specimens than some smaller truth mats are. It has well-defined numbers and centimetre markings that show up clearly in photos. This mat is 250mm in width and rolls up tightly for easy stowage, and comes complete with a handy mesh bag. For more information on this and other Black Magic releases, visit the Black Magic Tackle website. You can also see all the latest news and catch photos on

JANUARY 2019

SHIMANO FISHING SHIRTS

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The new Mapso Vlason spinners are sure to be a hit with Australian anglers chasing freshwater species. The Vlason is a bell-shaped spinner that features an internal cog which creates a vibration as it spins through the water. This vibration helps to attract fish from longer distances, as they pick up the lures vibration on their lateral line. As you can imagine, this lure is particularly effective in murky water. The Vlason, like the rest of the Mapso range, is made to the highest quality standards, and has a 100% perfect spinning action every time. The Vlason weighs 4g and is 50mm long. It is available in six proven colours and has two pieces per packet. The Vlason will also be very effective on redfin, bass, sooty grunter and jungle perch. To find out more visit the Juro website. www.jurofishing.com

DAIWA TD BLACK LT

PRODUCT GUIDE

It’s time to get back in black with the release of the new TD Black LT spin reel range. Bearing the famous Black name that has been featuring so strongly in the Daiwa line-up over the last few years, the TD Black LT features the LT’s Light Tough Concept to deliver anglers a reel that impresses in looks and wows in performance. Lighter, stronger, tougher and more advanced in design and performance than its predecessor, Generation Black, the new TD Black features Daiwa’s new Tough Digigear gears for enhanced gear smoothness, strength and power. New gears is just the tip of the iceberg, with an ultra-light Long Cast ABS aluminium spool, Zaion body, ATD drag, Air Bail, MagSeal, Perfect Line Stopper, aluminium Air Handle, and Air Rotor combining to make the TD Black LT one of the standout reels in the Daiwa range. Available in six different sizes, ranging from the 2000D through to the 6000D, the TD Black LT heralds a new age for the famous name, and makes the perfect partner for the equally restyled and relaunched TD Black rod series. www.daiwafishing.com.au

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING B&S Q6500 QUIETPOWER

The new Q6500 QuietPower Series Inverter Generator from Briggs & Stratton is designed to deliver consistent power for essential appliances and sensitive electronics. The all-steel frame, encased in a protective shell, increases the lifespan and reduces repair costs. Inverter technology produces power that is 60% quieter than standard generators. The Q6500 features an efficient integrated engine/alternator to provide up to 14 hours of run time and 6500 starting watts of reliable back-up power. With its telescopic handle, integrated wheels and a design that’s 45% more compact and 30% lighter than standard generators, moving and storing the Q6500 is easy. Another feature is the Bluetooth functionality available through the InfoHub app. The app monitors total power being used, run time (hours until empty), total unit hours and maintenance reminders. With the added option of the new Manual Transfer Switch, the Q6500 can also be easily connected to provide power at home in the event of a power outage. Price: SRP $2999 www.briggsandstratton.com

RHINO-RACK WIND FAIRING

Engineered with an innovative sawtooth pattern to disrupt and redirect airflow of oncoming wind, the Rhino-Rack Pioneer Wind Fairing reduces wind noise and resonance for a quieter drive. Not only will it effectively deflect the air surrounding your load, the Pioneer Wind Fairing doesn’t take up any of the usable space. The Wind Fairing has a stylish black design to give your vehicle and roof racks a sleeker look. Offering both adjustable angular and longitudinal movements, it will conform to most vehicles’ roof lines and allow a more desirable fit for your car. With 4mm thick ABS construction and glass-filled nylon, the new Pioneer Wind Fairing is solidly built. The UV resistance will prevent any colour fading, so that sleek black won’t be turning grey. The addition of soft Santoprene rubber feet and 3M clear plastic patches protect your vehicle’s paintwork to keep your roof scratch free. Compatible with existing Pioneer Systems for easy installation and removal, the Pioneer Wind Fairing is backed by a 5-year warranty. Price: SRP $179 www.rhinorack.com.au

UGLY STIK GOLD SERIES

The Ugly Stik Gold series incorporates new technology that further improves dependability and performance. The new Ugly Stik Howald process features Triple Built construction around an internal fiberglass core. Parallel fibers infused with pigmented polyester resin creates a strong yet sensitive rod with better balance that is virtually indestructible. The latest inter-core laminate is an innovative design process that surrounds the graphite shaft fibers in the outer walls with a rigid-wrap structure. The new process provides greater stiffness and superior strength through the blank shaft. This creates a better taper from the backbone of the blank to the tip providing extra sensitivity and casting performance. Ugly Stik Gold series are equipped with a full Fuji New Concept Guide for tangle free fishing. Fuji reel DPS graphite and Fuji TCS trigger reel seats are incorporated throughout

the Gold range. Finished with comfortable tapered grips with Ugly Stik etched into the EVA and a slick new matt finish. www.uglystik.com.au

NEW DAIWA RELEASES

SAMAKI SUNGLASSES

GILLIES SHRIMP AND VIBE

First you became a fighter, now you must become a leader. Backing up from the success of J-Braid, J-Thread FC is a brand-new 100% fluorocarbon leader material that boasts increased abrasion resistance and super-low memory. Made in Japan from the finest raw materials, J-Thread FC features a low-memory core, improving handling characteristics and improving knot performance. The outer layer is treated to increase hardness and resilience to abrasion. It’s available in 4-80lb breaking strains in 100 or 50m spools. Another new release from Daiwa is the updated Double Clutch colour range. A jerkbait with few peers, the Double Clutch continues to set the standard as the ultimate suspending twitchbait. Available in three sizes (60mm, 75mm, and 95mm), the colour range has been enhanced and standardised across the range, with the 20 available colours now available in every size. The 75mm and 95mm Double Clutches have also been upgraded with Owner ST36BC trebles, which are razor sharp and ultra strong. www.daiwafishing.com.au

Meet Slick, Dodge and Duke – the front rowers of the new Samaki Sunglass range. These three frames have been tried and tested by the team to ensure there’s a model to suit everyone, from the square-shaped Slick to the wrap-around Duke and Dodge. Each one designed to hug the face, give great coverage from the elements and provide you with the polarised lenses you need when you’re out on the water. The Samaki team say these sunnies are so comfortable you won’t want to take them off. All the lenses are a polarised grey tint with the option of a reflective external in either green or blue mirror. With matt black or gloss frames, the superior frame material is comfortable for the extended wear. Additionally, the Dodge is a floating model, so if you drop it into the drink you can just grab the net and get it back. Price: RRP $49.95 www.samaki.com.au

JM Gillies has released two new realistic lures: the Gillies Shrimp and the Gillies Vibe. The new Shrimp have a natural shape with realistic legs, antennae and also feature bright three-dimensional eyes. The body is ultra soft for a natural feel and look. The 68mm and 100mm version come rigged with premium extra sharp hooks. The new Gillies Vibe combines the realistic soft X-Flex body and the vibration of a hard vibe bait into one. It features meticulous attention to detail, and its uniquely designed forked tail allows additional vibrations upon retrieval with a seductive, tight wiggling action that mimics a live fish. Gillies Vibes are the perfect bait for barramundi, snapper and many other species, and are fitted with extra strong VMC Spark Point hooks that allow you to target your favourite species with ease. Gillies Vibes are definitely a great all-round lure for both freshwater and saltwater predators. www.jmgillies.com.au

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au JANUARY 2019

WHAT’S NEW FISHING MUSTAD FLASHER RIGS

Mustad has released two new Flasher Rigs onto the market – the UltraPoint Octopus Flasher Rig and the UltraPoint Circle Flasher Rig. These 2-hook rigs rigs are user friendly, and can be used to target snapper or any other reef species. Suitable for jigging while drifting and also for bottom fishing, UltraPoint Octopus and UltraPoint Circle Flasher rigs are built using high quality Mustad UltraPoint hooks and 60lb leaders to maximise the flasher’s action while still being suitable for serious fish. These rigs are also suitable for tipping with bait to enhance their appeal to a wider variety of fish, which includes the likes of pearl perch, flathead, kingfish and more. The Octopus Flasher Rig uses the famous Mustad Octopus hook and has blue and red flashing with a generous pearlescent Fish Skin across the back of the hook. The Circle Flasher Rig uses the Mustad 39953 circle hook and is finished with chartreuse/green flashing. Fishing deep or shallow, with or without bait, the new Mustad Flasher Rigs will provide great options for anglers across the country. www.wilsonfishing.com

BLACKWOLF SKYRUNNER PACK

The BlackWolf Skyrunner Transit Rolling Travel Pack is tough, durable and versatile. It has a multitude of compartments to keep you organised, including the easily accessible main zippered compartment. Coupled with lockable No.10 zips to prevent theft and a state-of-the-art side compression system to help keep your gear in place, it anticipates travel needs at every turn. Choosing what to leave behind when travelling is time-consuming. Pack more gear and make use of the Skyrunner’s dynamic expansion gusset, which allows you to increase the capacity of your pack—for more room and fewer hassles. There’s an ergoharness that can be packed away when not in use and a two-stage handle for total command over the unit. Unlike many rolling travel packs, the Skyrunner isn’t just made for airports. With durable, all-terrain 4WD wheels, BlackWolf’s Skyrunner can successfully tackle rocky, rough and uneven surfaces alike. With a limited lifetime warranty, the Skyrunner is a testament to thoughtful travel design. Price: SRP $299.99 (60L), $319.99 (80L) www.blackwolf.com.au

PRODUCT GUIDE

happens, the Swiss Champ Wood is the essential fix-it solution that should always be with you. Price: $239 www.victorinox.com

WILSON PLATINUM 16 BACKPACK Designed specifically for fishing, the Wilson Platinum Series Backpack allows anglers to carry just about everything they need on their backs. At the heart of the new system is the side access to the internal cargo area. The lets you easily keep the backpack over one shoulder while accessing the internal cargo area, so you don’t have to remove the backpack while you’re fishing. Other features include three tackle trays inside the main cargo area that are sealed to provide waterproof boxes that will let you bring a mountain of tackle. An external sunglass holder and a retractable tool lanyard are also included. There are also four external zippered pockets for accessories such as leader, fishing gloves and more, as well as two Velcro secured tool holders and a massive front flap with even more storage for items such as plastics, spare hooks and more. The top pocket also features an elastic webbing for securing jumpers or rain jackets, and the adjustable shoulder straps are padded for comfort and feature a chest strap for a more secure and ergonomic carry of the load. Heavy cord with sturdy plastic sleeves are used on all zippers to ensure that even cold hands can easily open the zippers. www.wilsonfishing.com

RAPALA SPLIT RING PLIERS

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The new Rapala RCD 4” Mag Spring Split Ring Pliers offer easy to use, singlehanded operation. Unlike conventional split ring pliers, the new Rapala RCD series are built with two internally opposing magnets to hold the pliers open. The patent pending Mag Spring mechanism cannot fail, even in the harshest of conditions. The split ring nose opens rings up to size 0, while the built-in cutter cuts all lines or tag ends with ease. Other features include stainless steel jaws with a gun metal finish, and ergonomic co-moulded Soft Grip handles for a comfortable hold. In a nutshell, the RCD Split Ring Pliers are one of the easiest, quickest and toughest built split rings pliers on the market. Keep an eye out for them at your local tackle store. www.rapala.com.au

STORM COASTAL SWISS CHAMP WOOD 18 15 TRICK TAIL KNIFE Anglers will love how the new Storm 360

Victorinox is now giving some of its most iconic knife models a revamp with walnut wood sourced sustainably from European forests. Each knife boasts a unique casing due to the natural wood grain. One of the new models is the Swiss Champ Wood pocket knife, which is a modern day upgrade of the original Swiss Army Knife – the legendary Officer’s Knife. With more than 29 functions and countless possibilities within it, including a ruler, pliers and a screwdriver, it is the perfect tool for almost any situation. There is a bottle opener and a corkscrew to kick off any celebration, a fish scaler and a wood saw for camping, a nail file, sewing awl, as well as some classic features such as a blade, screwdrivers and scissors. So wherever you are and whatever 70

JANUARY 2019

GT Coastal Trick Tail works the water. This soft jerkbait has a fleeing baitfish action, and its ability to change direction is extraordinary. If you stop the retrieve, and rather than slacking off, the Trick Tail will rock back and forth like a stressed baitfish. Its webbed tail continues to pump on the fall, or alternatively you can simply pinch out the webbing to switch to a more traditional wiggle effect. The Storm 360 GT Coastal Trick Tail has a slotted back and belly for easy and balanced rigging. It is 5” long and is currently available in eight fish-catching colours, and we’re sure to see many species fall victim to its enticing action. Keep an eye out for it at your favourite tackle store. www.stormfishing.com.au

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING

Black Magic Snapper Snacks and KLT hooks Recently we received a package from Black Magic, and in it were a handful of the premade Snapper Snacks flasher rigs, and some of their new rust resistant KLT circle hooks. We sent them out to some of our valued contributors, and this is what they came back with.

TESTED

coated KLT circle hook. This KLT circle hook is designed so that fish will hook themselves. They are most effective on fish if the angler resists the temptation to strike at the bite. The PTFE coating also makes the hook super slick, to assist penetration. I gave them a run on the Murray River cod opening weekend. We spent some

Hungry snapper just can’t resist the Black Magic Snapper Snack flasher rigs.

NEIL SLATER Black Magic have released Snapper Snacks, which incorporate a variety of tantalising, UV fish-attracting material and a glow skirt. The glow skirt works best in deeper water, where light does not penetrate as well, or after dark. If you want to use the glow skirt after dark, use a torch, phone light or camera flash and check it after an hour or so and reapply if necessary. These are designed to be used on a paternoster rig so the Snack sits as a visual attractant above the sea floor. They incorporate a rust resistant, PTFE

time in banana lounges and nobody was getting up to attempt to set any hooks. The KLT hooks did an excellent job where the rods were left alone to allow the hook to do its work, as any good circle hook should do. ALLAN BEVAN I had the very good fortune to have Black Magic send me two of the new offerings: the Black Magic Snapper Snack flasher rig and the KLT chemically sharpened hooks. The KLT chemically sharpened hooks are the bomb – they are strong yet fine gauge, and are like a cross between a wide gape and circle hook with the recurve ‘self hooking’ design, pinning fish in the corner of the mouth. With sizes through the range up to a 7/0, these hooks are for all styles of fishing from sweetwater to offshore bait

fishing. My own favourite has been the 1/0 for King George whiting, and it has done wonders for the hook up rate and they are easy to unhook, with all the fish hooked in the corner of the mouth. The Snapper Snack flasher rig is a two hook paternoster rig with the KLT hooks, lumo bead and flasher material that normally catches the fish in the

corner of their mouth. They are great to use in deep water or at night. By adding a small amount of bait you end up with the benefits of both lure and bait. The very first one that I dropped down in 50m was monstered as soon as it hit the bottom, with a double header of breaksea cod and snapper!

Neil Slater found the KLT hooks to be great for bait fishing on the Murray for cod and carp.

JANUARY 2019

Hobie polarized Kinchant thriller The Zerek BARRA Tour seems to be going from strength to strength. With 10 more teams competing on 2018 compared with 2017 and the ability for the tour to be run on the Track My Fish-powered app, the coverage and friendly mood in which the Tour events are contested are second to none. The 2018 Tour featured events in Kinchant, Teemburra and Peter Faust dams and events run consecutively to compress the Tour into a timeframe that’s just over a week in length. It makes the travel and expense of the Tour manageable to most.

event that let fans, friends and family at home follow catches and official scores - live. With event times running from 4pm until midnight, there were plenty of people with one eye on Netflix and the other on the Hobie Polarized scoreboard! And as if designed to add drama, there were plenty of lead changes and it came down to final upgrades to decide the winner - Team Triton/Edge Rods (Rick Napier and Dustin Sippel) by less than 500g over Team Wilsons (Troy Dixon and Shane Compain). At the presentation the team, long supporters of the

STORM

Dustin Sippel shows off their first barra landed in the Kinchant round of the Zerek BARRA Tour. But the real star for the team was a Madness vibration bait in white, fished off a 705 Edge rod. Rick Napier explained the technique. “Anchoring away from the weed bank, we would cast in to the weeds and rip the bait out. Each time, the bait would fall back into the weed or fall to the bottom. We’d pop the bait after that and that’s when the bites would come,” Rick said.

feeling for bites. The gun bait was the 110mm in Fat Betty colour and a more subtle lift and drop along the weed edge would trigger the bites. When asked about how the impoundment Barra compared to the wild fish Shane targets back in the Territory, Shane said, “these fish are mad, they jump high and have these crazy direction changes. They’re awesome.” Full results on www. abt.org.au

Dustin’s partner, Rick Napier was on the board soon afterwards and perfected the Madness vibe technique that they rode to success. With the southern dams coming back on line, expect the BARRA events to expand again in 2019. The first event of the 2018 tour was held on the popular Kinchant Dam, west of Mackay. A small lake with plenty of Barra and, importantly, mobile phone coverage for all of the teams. This allowed ABT to run live scoreboards from the

BARRA Tour, cherished their first event win. And most competitors agreed that it’s the first of many. “The first fish of the event came before dark and it ate a 7” Castaic paddle tailed plastic in baby bass colour,” Said Dustin. He threw that bait on an Edge BCR 666 rod spooled with Toray P4 braided line and a Toray Jigging Leader.

Matthew Mott: “Go barra fishing in the rain they said. It’d be fun, they said.” $700 says that they still had fun.

Winners are grinners. Here’s Team Triton/Edge Rods’ first win. And popular winners they were. The guys would also bend their vibes slightly (tail downwards) to accentuate their action. For the win, the team took home $1,400 and a lead in the Team of the Year points table. Second placed Team Wilson features Brisbane gun Troy Dixon and Territory import Shane Compain. Anchoring on a weed edge, the pair worked out that by popping their Zerek Fish Traps off the bottom and

Scan the QR code to see Kinchant winners.

RESULTS

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 72

JANUARY 2019

Place Team

Anglers

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Napier/Sippel 5/5 Dixon/Compain 5/5 Mott/Mott 5/5 Griffiths/DeRidder 5/5 Edmonds/Maddick 4/5 Newby/Lyons 5/5 Price/Thomas 3/5 Sims/Curry 5/5 Lennox/Wratten 5/5 Maclean/Brett 4/5 Big Barra: Tree Huggers, 101cm

Triton Boats/Edge Rods Wilson Garmin Edge Rods/EJ Todd Fish With Me Likely Lads Lowrance Jackall Barambah Lures/Duffrods Dobyns Rods/Lethal Lures

Fish Weight Payout 53.50kg 53.02kg 39.00kg 37.76kg 37.45kg 36.16kg 36.02kg 35.95kg 34.53kg 33.12kg

$1,400 $800 $700 $600 $500 Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack

Wilsons Teemburra Round 2 very tough While missing a cheque by a single place in the first event, Team Likely Lads were about to start a run of wins that will be hard to match in the future. AT this point, we’ll pass over to Geoff Newby, who’s diligently recorded their trials and tribulation for here on in. Take it away, Geoff! “Phil and I went into the Barra tour not very confident, we had a tough ABT tour in 2017 and the pre-fish experience in 2018 had been terrible. We had spent over 90 hours of fishing for 3 fish, over 40 hours on Peter Faust for one barra, around 30 hours on Teemburra for 2 Barra and 20 hours on Kinchant for a donut a couple of weeks before the ABT tour started. During that period,

we consoled ourselves with the fact we were fishing at night on the wrong moon and it was very cold. “We were more confident at Teemburra than Kinchant as it is what we call our home ground and the Tuesday before we had boated five barra and lost a couple. On the October full moon Phill and I, along with another mate had boated 35 barra off our first-choice spot. “We decided not to fish the dam any more before the comp but we were hearing that it was very tough from the visitors during pre-fish. The water level was dropping fast around 3cm/day. The water temp was around 28 degrees but on arrival the colour had changed to a green algae colour and this was

BARRA T our 201 8

suspected to be putting the fish off eating. “There was a good easterly wind blowing that was perfect for our spot choice. We had decided on 3 spots in priority, #1 being Pinnacle Point and #2 being the spot below it on the little bushes. We had again studied our spots in pre-fish utilising the Teemburra Dam social map from the Lowrance C-Map Genesis web site. “We had drawn a decent start position off at #7 so as we went through the start gate, three boats in front of us headed in the direction of Pinnacle Point but then went to the left down Middle Creek, so in we went straight on to our #1 choice mark and dropped the 15kg lead plonker. “It was a slow start but These unlikely lads, the Likely Lads (Phill Lyons and Geoff Newby) were amazed when they won the Wilsons Teemburra event with just two fish. we did expect that as we consider it a better night spot than in daylight. Phill got a follow at the boat after

7.50pm I was onto a small 60cm barra that consumed a Berkley 160mm Fire Tiger Giant Ripple Shad that got

but the 83cm barra was the biggest landed.” Newby used an ACM custom built Revelation

Go on Mick Weick, make fun of this little guy - he helped you to an $800 payout. about an hour but it did not eat the lure, but it made us feel better that there was barra around. “We were seeing the odd fish but no numbers, then at

This barra from Team Venom may not have been huge, but it took them into 3rd place and a $700 payday.

RESULTS Place Team

Anglers

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Newby/Lyons 2/5 Weick/Barnett 2/5 Detenon/Eves 1/5 Griffiths/DeRidder 2/5 Slade/McIntyre 1/5 Napier/Sippel 2/5 Maclean/Brett 1/5 Sims/Curry 2/10 Mott/Mott 1/5 Edmonds/Maddick 1/5 Big Barra: 83cm, Likely Lads.

Likely Lads Tree Huggers Venom Edge Rods/EJ Todd Slimy Decks Triton Boats/Edge Rods Dobyns Rods/Lethal Lures Jackall Garmin Fish With Me

Fish Weight Payout 9.03kg 6.37kg 6.14kg 5.57kg 5.47kg 5.10kg 5.07kg 3.85kg 3.60kg 1.89kg

$1,400 $800 $700 $600 $500 Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack

us off the donut - our first objective complete. “Another one followed at 8.20pm and Phill was on with an 83cm barra that had consumed the 13cm Molix swimbait. It had it in its mouth like a dog with a bone and all three hooks were set. “Phil had one more hit that hit the Molix as it hit the water. The barra jumped out of the water but did not hook up and that was the end of the comp as far as bites were concerned. I had said to Phill with around an hour to go if we could get one more fish, I think it will get us a top ten place. “We never expected to find the result. We heard back at the boat ramp that we had not only won it

swim bait rod 15 to 30lb with a Daiwa Certate HD 4000, 30lb Sufix 832, and 70lb Schneider leader. Phill used a Millerods Toad rod with a Shimano Stella FE 4000 reel and Suffix 832 30lb braid and 28kg wire leader.

Scan the QR code to see Teemburra winners. JANUARY 2019

Westin Faust All Nighter

STORM

With the Likely Lads on a roll - winning the Westin Night Championships at Peter Faust, we thought we should let them loose with the report again. “Here we are at the premier barra dam on the east coast of Australia to fish the all-night Barra Championship - 4pm to 8am - best 5 barra. “We had had a tough pre-fish - over 40 hours between us at Peter Faust for 1 solitary fish. We pre-fished 4 or 5 days after the full moon and when the sun went it was very cold and windy so we knew it would be hard fishing, but we moved around looking for the barra and we found them on numerous spots but could not get them to bite. “Our last stop was a point in the basin as we had caught fish many times there in the past and there was enough to see on the side scan to get us interested. We boated our only barra and jumped one off. There was also plenty of fish in the basin after we saw

Their win in the Westin Peter Faust Night Championships with 5/5 for 80.83kg made it two-in-a-row for the Likely Lads. “It’s a very shallow point with a weed edge coming out from the bank about 2 to 3 metres then another 2 metre of weed towers under the surface then 4 feet deep out to 11 foot where we were anchored. We have fished the all-night comps before and for and it is very tiring so we made a plan that if or when we had caught five, one metre barra we would pack up for the night and go to bed.

The Night Championships is the only BARRA Tour opportunity to enjoy a morning bite window. a guy on the boat ramp land two fish over a metre as we were pulling the boat in. “So, we had our three spots with the spot in the Basin being our #1 and two other spots towards the river. We had a good draw off at #3 and with not far to go we thought we would get on our #1 choice and we did.

“The Lowrance C-Map Genesis social map again proved an invaluable tool during pre-fish enabling us to find the best spots in the prevailing conditions and the best anchor points. The Peter Faust Social map is over 90% complete and can be set up with customised colours for

more accurate viewing. The social map of all the dams is available to anyone with a Lowrance sounder. “We started as usual both with different lures swapping every 15 mins or so casting to the solid weed edge and burning it off before slowing the retrieve in the clear water. After 90mins at 5.30pm Phill was on to a good fish on a Squidgy Mongrel that measured 109cm and was a great start. “After that we got quite busy, boating four barra, roughly every 20mins or so, biggest being 88cm. That gave us a small 5-fish bag, but a bag all the same, with the lure doing the damage being the Berkley Giant Ripple Shad in Fire Tiger colour. “Then at 8pm we boated our biggest barra of the night - a cracking 112cm. So we were then starting to get the upgrades we needed. We had also had a lure swap and started to get the better fish on the 13cm Molix in Black and Gold colour. “The next 30mins saw two more fish - a 69cm and an 81cm that gave us a small upgrade. It went quiet for the next hour until we boated a 110cm fish at 9.30pm and then a 102cm at 10.45pm. The small barra seemed to disappear but we never had them going off any way just picking them up steadily as the bigger barra moved in. Another upgrade of 90cm followed at 11.10pm then the one we were looking for the 5th metre fish was in the boat at 11.30 at 103cm.

“It seemed a bit early to leave before midnight so we stayed boating an 98cm and a 72cm before 1am. It went very quiet from 1am with no barra showing on the sounder so at 2am we decided to call it a night. A couple of beers when we got back to Camp Kanga in bed at 3am and up at 7.30am as the other anglers started to arrive back at camp Kanga. We obviously did not know how the night had gone for the other teams but the feed back from the teams coming in was very positive we had 5.36m that converted to a weight of 80.83kg and was enough for the No1 spot 5kg in front of 2nd place. “The wind had been very strong in our face so there were issues with backlash on baitcaster reels so the main gear was spin rods. Geoff again used the ACM custom built Revelation swim bait rod 15 to 30lb with a Daiwa Certate HD 4000 30lb Suffix 832, and 70lb Schneider leader with the Mustad quick change clip. A custom built Geoff Busbridge spin rod on a Rain Shadow blank 12 to 20lb with 20lb suffix 832 braid and 55lb Schneider leader with the Mustad quick change clip with Transam vibes that picked some of the early barra. Phill used an Millerods Toad rod with a Shimano Stella FE 4000 reel with suffix 832 30lb Braid and 28kg wire leader. The guys added another $1,500 to their winnings from the event and took a narrow lead into the Team of the Year standings with an event to go.

Scan the QR code to see Faust all nighter interviews.

RESULTS

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

JANUARY 2019

Place Team

Anglers

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Newby/Lyons 5/5 Mott/Mott 5/5 Griffiths/DeRidder 5/5 Weick/Barnett 5/5 Lennox/Wratten 5/5 Brier-Mills/Tunstead 5/5 Detenon/Eves 5/5 Laine/Hassett 5/5 Dixon/Compain 5/5 Morgan/Smith 4/5 Big Barra: Garmin, 118cm

Likely Lads Garmin Edge Rods/EJ Todd Tree Huggers Barambah Lures/Duffrods EJ Todd/Tinaroo Venom LuckyCraft/Sunline Wilson Fishing Monthly

Fish Weight Payout 80.83kg 75.36kg 69.79kg 64.95kg 64.82kg 63.67kg 55.01kg 55.29kg 55.21kg 51.93kg

$1,500 $800 $700 $600 $500 Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack

BARRA T our 201 8

Lucky Craft Faust 2-Day Why not stop when you’re on a roll. The Likely Lads emphatically won the Team of the Year title after a third win in a row at the Lucky Craft Faust 2-Day Championship. Here’s the story … continued. “The start of two massive sessions for Phil and I, the 4th and final round had the nerves jangling the stomach turning summer salts. What a position to be in leading the Team of the Year table by 3 points from what has been the best barra team anglers in the last 4 years, Craig Griffiths and Karim De Ridder.

Championship. “With 1st fish donut gone and on the board. The next 2 hours were a nightmare jump offs and pulled hooks - fish after fish. Finally, we got one to the boat then disaster strikes - it winds the braid around the anchor rope but all was not lost we untangled it and boated a small 76cm barra - what a relief. “After we had processed it, we sat and talked for a few minutes and that we needed to settle down and get back in to the groove and that we did. The bite changed from the night comp. We had been concentrating

Ash Sims didn’t take long to boat this 106cm fish at the start of the 2-day event. “The talk between Phil and I was if we can get the spot we fished on the Night Championship as our start is down the field at No16. If we do, will the fish still be there can we get our bag? the spot in the past as been tough on the 2nd session but we had the benefit of a rest day Thursday night that we thought may rest and refresh the spot. We got reassured by a few of our mates before the start - just do your thing and don’t panic. “Away we went and no one took the spot we had fished on the Night Championship, so we settled in dropped the anchor and started to thrash the water to foam. “We had a great start as Phill smacked a 100cm fish at 4.30pm on the Squidgy Mongrel, just like the Night

hitting the weed edge, a short burn, drop and then a steady retrieve, this wasn’t working. We changed to a 45 degree angle cast towards the bank but falling short of the weed fringe concentrating on a longer cast keeping the lure in the deeper water. “Our favourite lure, the Squidgy Slick Rig had not worked all tournament and at this stage nothing was working. We lined up 5 different colour slick rigs and on the 3rd change to the 130mm Lorikeet colour, two quick Barra followed. A 97cm came at 8.30pm and they came at a steady pace every 20 to 30mins until our last two Barra - a 106cm at 10.50pm and a 104cm at 11.10pm fell to a Slick rig in the Green Grunter colour after a tip off from our neighbour Steve Morgan.

“This gave us 10 barra for the session, our best five being 106, 104, 100, 98, and 97cm for a total length of 5.05m and a weight of 63.7kg. We decided to head to the boat ramp at 11.30pm to try and avoid the rush from the 12pm finish. SESSION 2 “The first session was a good result, we were in third place just behind the Tree Huggers - Michael and Brendan and in second place Team Lowrance (Peter Price and Greg Thomas). Our biggest threat for the Team of the Year Team - Edge Rods/ EJ Todd, Craig and Karim had had a tough session and were down the field in 12th place, 27kg behind us. If there was a team who could pull a rabbit out of the hat and make up the deficit it was Craig and Karim. “The thought of winning Round 4 had gone. All we could think about was catching a bag that would keep us in front for the Team of The Year, we could only lose it. “We thought this session would be a bit harder for all the teams due to the pressure from the night before our goals stayed the same - get off the donut ASAP and catch a 5 fish bag regardless of size then look for upgrades. “We had a good start position off at No 3 and back to the same spot this time all set up correctly, no panic we are going to bore them to death into the boat. We concentrated on the angle cast with the main lure being the Green Grunter slick rig and at 5.30 our first barra hit the deck - a modest 70cm fish but the donut gone. We picked up another couple of small barra before our first metre fish 102cm was on the deck. “We went another 90mins before the next fish at 9pm was on board at only 67cm but it made up our 5 fish bag and time for a little celebration. Three more barra came to the net but they were of a smaller stamp than the previous two sessions. We had anticipated a very late bite of bigger fish due to what happened the night

Team Likely Lads milked a string of Barra off a small point in the main basin, with Barra like this coming over the side regularly. before and at 11.30 we were into a good fish. Before we boated this fish we thought we would be safe with the team of the Year title but it would be tight for a 4th round victory. “So here’s what happened at 11.30pm as Phill started to pack up - a massive 113cm. You beauty! “After we stopped shaking and processing the fish a high five and Phill finishes off packing up. I had a few more casts and Phill says, “Its 12 minutes to midnight you need to pack up.” “It’s OK - I will pack up while you are getting the car,” and called last cast. Two turns of the reel and bang, I’m on again and out of the water comes another big metre barra, but unfortunately the hooks pulled and it was time to go. “We boated 9 barra and put two back that we did not process as they were 2 small and we did not want to waste time during a hot bite. The best 5 were 113, 102, 98, 94 and 80 cm for 4.87m and 59.69kg. I talked to Craig at the boat ramp and yes, they had given it a good go with 72 kg of Barra but thankfully not enough to deny us the accolade of “ABT Barra Team of The Year 2018”. “We did not know what had transpired with the rest of the teams until we got back to camp Kanga and were not sure until the official result was released by Stefan Sawynok as the results had been configured all the way through on the Track My Fish app which

RESULTS Place Team

Anglers

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Newby/Lyons 10/10 Price/Thomas 10/10 Griffiths/DeRidder 10/10 Detenon/Eves 10/10 Slade/McIntyre 10/10 Weick/Barnett 8/10 Brier-Mills/Tunstead 10/10 Sims/Curry 8/10 Maclean/Brett 8/10 Laine/Hassett 6/10 Big Barra: JWC, 114cm

Likely Lads Lowrance Edge Rods/EJ Todd Venom Slimy Decks Tree Huggers EJ Todd/Tinaroo Jackall Dobyns Rods/Lethal Lures LuckyCraft/Sunline

Fish Weight Payout 123.38kg 114.98kg 106.39kg 103.84kg 101.53kg 98.58kg 94.45kg 78.01kg 63.08kg 55.28kg

$1,500 $800 $700 $600 $500 Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack

is a great innovation and it will change the face of tournament angling. “We had almost completed a clean sweep - 3 wins in the rounds and team of the year. $4,400 better off with two beautiful Ian Miller rods and a pile of trophies. “We never really got to thank anyone as

for some great rods - we can’t do it without you. “To Camp Kanga the days there make it extra special and to all the anglers thinking about joining the Tour get in there, it’s a great experience. “Personally a big thank you to my team mate Phill Lyons we have had our

Faust Point is definitely louder once Matthew Mott and Team Garmin turns up. The father/son team alternate between harmony and anarchy, depending on how many fish have been boated. non-sponsored anglers but they say behind a good man is a very good woman and we both have great wives and thank you to them for putting up with everything that goes with Tournament angling. “To ABT, Steve Morgan, James Reid, Nicholle and Stefan Sawynok and Tracy from Infofish for a well organised tour as usual and it has been improving each year. Who Shares Wins. “Most of all to all the other teams without them there is no tour and the numbers are growing each year it’s a a great week catching up with some great characters and meeting new people. To the sponsors: Zerek, Hobie Polarized, Wilson Fishing, Westin, Lucky Craft and Millerods

moments but we keep turning up for each other. Here’s to next year see you all then. And that’s it. The BARRA Tour will roll into 2019 with some new champs and plenty wanting to take the title in the future. Keep an eye out on www. abt.org.au for future dates.

Scan the QR code to see Faust 2-Day interviews. JANUARY 2019

Mayberry Wins BREAM Grand Final

STORM

Long time ABT angler, Jason Mayberry from the South Coast of NSW, thought he was only making up numbers when it came to the biggest event of the year in the Australian bream fishing calendar. His predictions could not have been further from reality, as he dropped a 5.33kg bag on the scales from Gippsland Lakes on day one and never looked back. For his efforts, he took home a Bass Cat Margay boat powered by a 150HP Mercury 4-stroke engine and fitted with Garmin sounders and a MotorGuide electric motor – the package valued at over $60,000. Amazingly, Mayberry had only fished one of the three venues used for the event, which visited Gippsland Lakes (out of Metung), Bemm River and Marlo over the three tournament days. He scored bags of 5.33kg, 4.44kg and 3.92kg on days 1, 2 and 3 repectively.

of fish. The only 5kg+ bag presented for the day. Day two moved to the Bemm River, with the compact location yielding plenty of great bags for anglers, despite increasingly windy conditions in the afternoon. Mayberry got to work early, securing his limit in the first hour of fishing. His 5/5, 4.44kg may not have been the biggest limit of the day (the honour went to Declan Betts’ 4.87kg bag), but it was enough to give him a kilo-plus margin over the ACT’s Alan Lister going into the final day of competition. As can happen in Victoria, the weather turned on the final day, with Marlo smashed by rain and strong winds an hour after the start. With the winds making the popular Lake Corringle turbid and difficult and Marlo’s potential of spitting out 6kg+ bags, there was every chance that Mayberry’s lead could evaporate.

Adding to the joy of the win was a $60,000+ Bass Cat Boat, powered by a 150hp Mercury outboard and fitted with Garmin and MotorGuide electronics. As always, the BREAM Grand Final was a sharedweight event, with boaters and non-boaters fishing together for a combined best-five bag of bream. In this event, it pays to work together as a team. Mayberry couldn’t have hoped for a better draw landing non-boater Angler of the Year, Canberra’s Stuart Walker, on day one. With Stuart’s prowess with a ZMan GrubZ and Jason armed with the latest Squidgy Bio Tough baits, the pair fished the Tambo River to accumulate and upgrade to a 5.33kg limit

Jason, however, had other ideas. Paired again with Stuart Walker (final day pairings are allocated on place), the couple went to work and ground out 5/5 for 3.92kg, giving Jason a 1.83kg margin of victory over a fastfinishing Brad Hodges. A popular and humble winner, Jason explained his winning tackle and technique. “Fishing 2lb straight through fluorocarbon is just what I do,” explained Jason, “it gives me better feel and is

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 76

JANUARY 2019

JASON’S TOP LURE

Squidgy Bio Tough Fish on a TT 1/20oz jighead. more forgiving when I hook a big bream.” Jason used an unspecified 2lb fluorocarbon line on a Millerods Crank Freak rod paired with a Shimano TwinPower reel. His baits of choice included the Squidgy Bio Tough Fish in pumpkinseed and bloodworm colours in addition to the ubiquitous ZMan GrubZ in motor-oil colour. He fished both on 1/20oz TT jighead. Amazingly, Mayberry had only ever fished Gippsland Lakes before – he was new to both the Bemm River and Marlo. “It was after I boxed a decent limit in the first 30 minutes on day 2 that I thought that I had a chance to win the Grand Final,” Mayberry explained, “and after that it was just a matter of hanging on at Marlo in those trying conditions.” Jason had the foundations of a good day 3 limit before the change came through at Marlo – he was only one fish short of a limit – and managed to drop nearly 4kg on the scales at the conclusion of the day to emphatically take the title. There’s obviously something in the water on

the South Coast of NSW, with three of the past four Grand Final champions coming from the area. The NSW South Coast will have a chance to make it 4/5 when the BREAM Grand Final visits the Gold Coast in Queensland in late 2019.

Scan the QR code to see the day 1 highlights.

Scan the QR code to see the day 2 highlights.

TOP 10 BOATERS Place Angler

Scan the QR code to see Jason Mayberry’s interview.

Jason Mayberry and Stuart Walker were paired together on the first day of the Grand Final. The pair put together a 5/5, 5.33 bag to take a lead that neither of them lost throughout the event.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Fish

Weight(kg) Payout

Jason Mayberry 15 13.69kg Bass Cat Boat package Brad Hodges 15 11.86kg Miller Rods pack Cameron Whittam 15 11.68kg Rod + Costa sunnies Daniel Mackrell 15 11.28kg Costa sunnies Kristoffer Hickson 15 11.09kg Costa sunnies Braddley Young 14 10.73kg Scott Wilson 14 10.71kg Wally Fahey 15 10.61kg Mario Vukic 13 10.13kg Andrew Moore 14 9.66kg For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

Hodges lifts game too late

Coming in to the event, Victorian Brad Hodges would have been at the top of the ‘hot tips’ list of anyone in the know, however a slow start at Gippsland Lakes left the Melbourne breamer with too much to do on the last day. “I checked my spots in the North Arm and the tides were wrong and the fish absent,” Hodges said, “so I fell back to my backup

spots and only managed a below average bag.” At Bemm, he fared a little better, boxing 3.47kg of bream to hold down a mid-field position. It wasn’t until his final day of fishing that he upped his game, dropping a day-best 5.24kg onto the scales and remaining in the hot seat until Mayberry kicked him out with the last bag of the day. “I’ve come second

BREAM SERIES

twice now and it’s a disappointing feeling,” Hodges said, “but it was great to be paired with my dad on the final day of competition and to catch such a good limit from that skinny water.” All of his fish came on a Berkley hardbodied jerkbait and he did take home a pair of Millerods production bream rods and some Costa sunglasses to ease the pain.

Although he weighed the biggest bag of the final day, Victorian Brad Hodges had to settle for second place, a long way behind the winner. Some Millerods and Costas helped ease the pain.

There’s no bigger prize in Australian breaming than the BREAM Grand Final.

Walker wins it all Just three days after collecting his 2018 Non-Boater BREAM Angler of the Year title, Canberra’s Stuart Walker added the 2018 BREAM Grand Final Non-Boater Champion trophy to his mantelpiece, completing a clean sweep of titles this tournament year. The unassuming backof-the-boat gun revelled in the early-summer conditions and fished his trademark ZMan GrubZ to great effect, helping his and his boaters’ chances immensely. He fished with Jason Mayberry on day one, Steve Duff on day 2 and Mayberry again on the final day. When interviewed after the win, Stuart was typically quietly spoken, but ran through some of the keys to his success.

Powering over 70% of the Grand Final field, Mercury is the outboard of choice for bream tournament anglers.

In addition to the Grand Final trophy, Stuart Walker won an ‘Ultimate Costa Pack’ with five pairs of glasses and a pile of accessories. “I like to keep it simple. I don’t know why the bream eat it – it doesn’t look like a fish – but they do. I also like to experiment with colours. I sometimes mix colours in the packets and they bleed into each other,” Stuart said.

Walker fishes his grubs on top end Daiwa gear – a Silverwolf rod and reel spooled with 8-carrier braid and 4lb leader. “Better quality braid definitely lets me untangle wind knots better,” says

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

Fish

Weight(kg) Payout

Stuart Walker 15 13.29kg Costa Mega Pack Wayne Hamilton 15 11.79kg Costa Mega Pack Mick Hodges 14 11.69kg Rod/Reel combo + Prize Pack Ben Shuey 15 11.36kg Rod/Reel combo + Prize Pack Neil Kelly 15 11.01kg Rod + Prize Pack Brendan Pieschel 15 10.95kg Rod + Prize Pack Michael Thompson 15 10.75kg Prize Pack Colin Wilson 15 10.61kg Prize Pack Dallas Blatchford 14 10.06kg Prize Pack Daniel McNeice 14 9.4kg Prize Pack For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

Stewie, “and I’ve found that better quality gear lasts better and helps me catch more fish.” But it’s more than gear that Walker uses to achieve his success. It’s the experience of travelling all around the country to fish. “I’ve fished with great anglers all over the place and you never stop learning. My advice to anyone wanting to try this sport is to stop thinking about it and start doing it. You’ll have a great time and will never look back. I haven’t,” he concluded. Rewards for his efforts included an Ultimate Costa Pack with five pairs of the quality eyewear and a mountain of accessories.

Scan the QR code to see Stuart Walker’s interview.

Mercury Cup Taree’s Kris Hickson’s top-10 performance vaulted him ahead of Queenslander, Steve Morgan to clinch the 2018 Mercury Cup, with the perennial Cup and $1000 cash going to his base at

Manning River Marine for the next year. The Mercury Cup is awarded to Mercury owners with the highest rankings points total for the year. This includes the Grand Final.

Taree’s Kris Hickson took home the Mercury Cup and the $1000 payday that comes with it. It’s awarded to the highest ranked Mercury Owner at the end of the tournament year. JANUARY 2019

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AUSTRALIA

0400 440 705

Timeout Fishing Charters 0400 440 705 South-West Fishing Charters, Portland 0418 306 714 Gone Fishing Charters 0409 007 068

Boat Wrap Specialist www.xfactorsigns.com

SUPERIOR COMFORT & FIT!

Wilderness Fishing Tours, Mallacoota 0424 625 160

CENTRAL

www.timeoutfishingcharters.com.au

•22mm Rail Mount $22.99 •32mm Rail Mount $22.99

Fishermans Fold Down Seat

Merimbula Marina, Merimbula (02) 6495 1686 or 0427 951 080

CHARTER BOATS

1899

Headland Fishing Adventures, Merimbula (02) 6495 1134 K9 Fishing Charters, Merimbula (02) 6495 1681

Lazy Acre Log Cabins, Lakes Entrance (03) 5155 1323

Freedom Charters, Eden (02) 6496 1209 or 0415 602 446 Island Charters, Narooma (02) 4476 1047 or 0408 428 857

(03) 5155 1323 ♦ 0418 516 555 ♦ 35 Roadknight Street, LAKES ENTRANCE

649

Striker Plus 7sv SideVüTM Fishfinder With GPS & GT52HW-TM Transducer

Flinders Island Adventures, Flinders Island (03) 6359 4507

Bemm River Holiday Accommodation & Boat Hire, Bemm River

Lazy Acre Log Cabins

Far Out Charters, Lakes Entrance 0428 401 819

www.bargainboatbits.com.au

Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0800 or email pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au JANUARY 2019

Hobie Mirage Outback 2019 designed for fishers

MELBOURNE

Corey Gallagher

Hobie have a long tradition of quality and innovation. Their products have dominated kayak angling markets worldwide since the introduction of the first purpose designed, pedal propelled fishing kayak, the Mirage Outback in 2001. In the 18 years since its introduction, the Outback has undergone several key upgrades, transforming it into one of the best kayak angling platforms available. The 2019 model sees the biggest upgrade in the model’s history with a complete redesign of the hull, ensuring the Outback continues to sit atop of an ever-growing list of purpose built fishing kayaks. Like its bigger brother, the Mirage Pro Angler, the Mirage Outback was designed purely as a fishing kayak. Its new hull design and deck layout have been carefully considered and the result is an exceptional kayak that appeals to both tournament and social anglers alike. As a regular participant in the Hobie Kayak Bream Series, I have witnessed the growing popularity of the Mirage Outback amongst kayak tournament anglers in recent years. The Outback offers many advantages over rival kayaks and its lightweight hull design is a major contributor to its success. The Mirage Outback can be easily

Main: The 2019 Hobie Mirage Outback kayak is a favourite in the kayak angling community. Above: The 2019 Hobie Outback has undergone the biggest redesign in the model’s 18 year history. transported to and from your favourite fishing spot on roof racks – its manageable size and weight makes launching that much easier when fishing solo and very little room is required when storing the kayak at home. A major upgrade to the 2019 Mirage Outback is its redesigned hull, featuring a sharper bow that cuts effortlessly through the water,

SPECIFICATIONS Length Overall..........................................3.86m Beam.........................................................0.86m Crew..............................................1 (single seat) Capacity.............................................. 192.78kg Fitted Hull Weight................................. 38.56kg Fully Rigged Weight.............................. 46.72kg Hull Construction.....Rotomolded Polyethylene RRP..................................................From $4190 94

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wind, wake and chop while also greatly reducing any hull slap. The kayak is very fast off the line and gets up to speed within just a few kicks of the mirage drive 180, thanks largely to this redesigned bow. The 2019 Outback also features a completely redesigned rear deck and stern. The old twist and stow style rudder has been replaced with Hobie’s kick up rudder, the rudder is spring loaded and will bump up out of the way when it hits rocks or snags underwater. The new Outback features dual steering controls, meaning that left and right handed anglers will find manoeuvring the kayak a breeze, capable of turning in a tight circle with full rudder lock. The rear end

also features a large H-Rail carry handle that not only assists while transporting, but also allows kayak anglers a convenient place to mount Hobie H-Rail accessories, such as a Go-Pro mount. Another new addition to the stern of the 2019 Outback is it comes power pole ready with pre-drilled inserts. The large rear deck is massive in comparison to the old model and allows plenty of room for a livewell, icebox, rod holders or storage crates. The rear deck also features two recessed areas. It has a H-Track deluxe with bungee tackle retainer that allow anglers to store two 3700 size tackle trays and secure it in place using built in bungee straps. The cockpit area also features two similar recessed areas, only these come equipped with a H-Rail, giving the angler even more storage and accessory mounting options. The four H-Track Deluxe recessed storage areas not only greatly increases the tackle storage capacity of the 2019 Outback, but also includes handy storage for your fishing pliers, braid scissors, lip grips and other fishing related tools, with bungee tie downs to keep everything secure and safe from an accidental swim overboard. Together, these features combine to make the 2019 Outback an incredibly organised kayak, everything has its place and for a tournament angler who needs quick access to their equipment, the Outback ticks all the boxes. Hobie have introduced a rectangular centre hatch into the new model as standard, an upgrade many owners of the old Outbacks retro fitted. The larger centre hatch comes standard with a tackle bucket, the perfect place to store smaller tackle trays,

leader and other frequently used items. The hatch also has a built in bottle opener for those who are keen to partake in a cold beverage while on the water. The mesh pocket on the inside of the hatch is a great place to store keys or a mobile phone. Another key upgrade to the 2019 model is the seat has been widened by 1.5”. The Vantage CTW Seat features 4-way, adjustment making it comfortable for any angler no matter your size or shape. Hobie have also introduced the Guardian retractable transducer shield to the 2019 Outback. The system protects the transducer on impact and retracts into the hull for transport. The 2019 Outback is powered by the V2 Mirage Drive 180, Hobie’s reverse capable pedal drive system featuring ARC shafts, which allow kayakers to adjust the cranks at the push of a button. The 2019 Outback is available in a large range of colours: slate blue, papaya orange, red hibiscus, ivory dune, seagrass green and camo package, which also features camo deck pads and pedal pads. I recently competed in a Hobie Kayak Series

Event out of a 2019 Outback in Mallacoota, where we experienced strong breezes for the duration of the tournament. To say I was impressed with the performance of the new hull under these testing conditions would be a huge understatement. True to Hobie’s claims, the hull slices effortlessly through the water, wind and chop and does it without losing forward momentum. Hull slap has been greatly reduced, even in the choppy conditions. Please note that the kayak featured in this article featured several aftermarket accessories including the Hobie V2 Livewell, Hobie Vantage Seat Bag and Lowrance Elite 9 Ti Sounder. The Hobie Mirage Outback is an extremely versatile kayak that appeals to a broad range of anglers. It is feature packed in a lightweight package, adding further to its appeal. The Outback has long been a favourite among the kayak angling community and the 2019 model, with its upgraded storage options and improved hull design, will ensure that this kayak continues as one of the best options for kayak anglers looking to purchase a new yak.

The lightweight hull makes the 2019 Outback perfect for those looking for a feature packed kayak that is still easily transported on a roof rack.

Pre-drilled inserts allow a Power Pole Micro to be mounted directly onto the hull. The rear cargo area has been significantly increased and features two H-Track Deluxe with bungee tackle retainer systems. New for 2019, the Vantage Seat CTW features an extra 1.5” width.

Hobie’s innovative H-Track Deluxe with H-Rail integrated track is a multipurpose addition to the 2019 Outback, excellent for mounting all manner of accessories and storing tackle trays up to 3700 size.

The new Outback is powered by the reverse capable V2 Hobie Mirage Drive 180. A vertically mounted rectangular hatch now comes as standard.

A ‘reclined’ seating position in the new Outback.

The Hobie Guardian retractable transducer shield has been introduced into the new model.

The twist and stow rudder has been replaced by a kick up rudder mounted under the stern of the kayak.

The cockpit of the 2019 Outback has been carefully designed and now features plenty of storage and accessory mounting options.

The new design features a sharper bow that effortlessly cuts through water, wind, wake and chop and allows the kayak to get up to speed quickly. JANUARY 2019

Sportsman 232 CC with Yamaha F250 Four Stroke

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enough comforts to keep the family happy for a day-trip. The ability to turn the bow of the boat into a comfortable seating area – the fact that it is complete with seat backs and as an added bonus, there is a toilet concealed inside the console, ticks a lot of boxes. The lack of shade

SPECIFICATIONS Length......................................................6.93m Beam........................................................2.59m Transom deadrise ........................... 18 degrees Hull weight ............................................ 1250kg Weight on trailer (dry)...........................2500kg Maximum HP...........................................250hp Fuel ............................................................390L Water............................................................56L Capacity .......................................... 10 persons the 232 being eminently fishable. Rod holders in all the right places, ample fuel, provision for outrigger bases and a console that can handle flush mounting of big, multifunction screens. Thirdly, the 232 has

up front is partially offset by the fact that the T-Top is fitted with freshwater ‘misting’ nozzles. Admittedly, this is the first boat I’ve tested with these built in. It does seem rather luxurious.

Although the test rig went 84km/h with the throttles down, the most economical cruising was at 3,500 rpm with an economy of 1.5km/L. 96

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DE FOR EX

Sportsman boats have been a wonderful match to Brisbane’s Northside Marine. Northside have a reputation for selling quality rigs and looking after their customers like they are family, and they choose brands that allow them to maximise that boating experience. Northside’s Bill Hull is a veteran salesman with over 30 years experience. You know when he is excited by a boat that it’s worth looking at in further detail. At the time of testing, they had 16 Sportsman boats on order and anglers were loving them. WHY THE SUCCESS? Firstly, it is a good looking boat. With an upswept Carolina bow and purpose-built fittings combined with a pleasant matching of gelcoat and

s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

seat colours, this is a boat that demands investigation, whether in the yard or on the water. Secondly, they are purpose built. Although a young company (6 years at the time of the test), they have obviously been designed by anglers, with the layout of

Steve Morgan

CON

AN THE

FMG

Main: Is there a saltwater angler you know that doesn’t want a boat like this? The Sportsman 232 falls squarely into the category of ‘dream boat’ for most readers. I’m one of them. Above: The smooth lines of the Sportsman and the upswept Carolina bow will turn heads at any ramp in the country and offers a fantastic fishing platform for serious anglers. Powered by Yamaha’s F250 4-stroke outboard, the boat delivers surprising economy – yielding 1.5km/L at 3,500 rpm. Drop the hammers and the boat goes 84km/h at 6,000rpm, but with the economy dropping sharply. Supplied on a twin-axled aluminium framed trailer, the rig weighs in at around 2,500, loaded with half a tank of fuel and fishing gear. This is well within the range of most dual-cab 4WDs. The elephant in the room, however, is the 2.65m beam and the fact that the rig is wider than the 2.5m maximum towing width. Northside deal with this head-on. They supply all of the paperwork, flags and signage you need to trail an ‘overwidth’ trailer. Since the overwidth regulations were

recently modified to reflect common sense, it’s much less of an issue to own an overwidth boat nowadays in Australia. Of course, keep it on your back pontoon or in dry storage and this isn’t a problem. At the helm, of course, I felt like I should have my own fishing show, be called ‘Captain Morgan’ and that I should start calling Spaniards ‘King Mackerel’. But then I remembered that I was in Australia and should set my sights to big snapper, small black marlin and some longtail tuna on the way home. This rig would do all of this with ease, and style. At the end of the day, it’s

the small things that make the Sportsman experience what it is, like the anchoring system. Concealed anchor winch and cleats and rope/ chain storage makes this the neatest I’ve seen. If you enjoyed the test video on our Fishing Monthly YouTube channel, give Cameron Bow a call on 0413 119 051 (I think you wouldn’t need to twist his arm to take you on a test ride) or visit www.sportsmanboats.com. au for more information and package pricing. As tested, with all of the options, this rig came out at just under $150,000. Smaller Sportsman boats come in at around half that.

PERFORMANCE • Top Speed: 84km/h @ 6,000 rpm • Most Economical: 3,500rpm @ 1.5km/L

Now that’s a serious console packing some serious glass. Matching Simrads offer superlative navigation and sounding options.

Above the console is a technical T-Top. It includes rod holders, speakers for the sound system, outrigger base attachments, storage, lighting and even water misters for those mid-summer days.

Although firmly in the ‘fishing’ rather than ‘family’ category, there are some luxuries that’ll keep passengers happy. Comfortable cushions and removable seat backs are quality made and colour matched.

There’s room for a couple of people at the helm and the port side transom door allows for easy boarding while the rig is on the trailer.

Even if you cast a large shadow, there’s plenty of room to walk around the console. Note rod storage along the gunwales in lieu of side pockets.

Americans are great at neat anchoring solutions. Check out the concealed windlass and cleats.

Left: It’s not the prettiest toilet location we’ve ever seen, but if having one is a game-changer, then this toilet fitted inside the console will do the trick. Right: Fitted with the maximum 250HP, the 232 had an impressive top speed (84km/h) and surprising economy. Its theoretical range is well over 500km with full tanks.

Collapsible seating means you get to choose between extra space or additional seating.

The Sportsman has an abundance of rod holders. This boat was definitely designed to be a fishing vessel with a holder equipped for you and each of your mates fishing onboard. Plus, a ladder for easy access to and from the boat. JANUARY 2019