Victoria and Tasmania Fishing Monthly January 2020 by Fishing Monthly

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January 2020, Vol. 15 No. 3

Contents WEST COAST West Coast

Warrnambool 19 Apollo Bay

Cobden 20

CENTRAL Geelong 24 Port Phillip West

Port Phillip North East

Mornington Peninsula

Port Phillip Surrounds

Western Port North

Western Port South

Phillip Island

EAST COAST Gippsland Lakes

Corner Inlet

Lakes Entrance

Bemm River

Marlo 44

NSW SOUTH COAST Merimbula 46 Narooma 47 Bermagui 48 Mallacoota/Eden 48

VICTORIAN FRESHWATER Wagga Wagga

Mildura 61 Robinvale 61

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

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

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

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

Yarrawonga 62 Snowy Mountains

Wangaratta 64 Eildon 65 Shepparton 66 Nagambie 67 Crater Lakes

Ballarat 68

Dam Levels

Fun Page

Flyfishing 59 Gamefishing 32

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Tasmanian Lake Levels

Tournament News

Track My Fish

Editorial Manager: Jacqui Thomas

Trade and Services Guide

Victorian Tide Times

What’s new fishing

Sub-Editors: Nicole Penfold Bob Thornton Lucette Eggleton

What’s new boating

WIRF 58

SPECIAL FEATURES Holiday Marlo mayhem

Post-capture fish shrinkage research

Victoria’s best estuary lures

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A Peter Jung image.

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This 54cm flathead was caught while fishing the Mots Beach flats.

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Marlo magic makes for family friendly fishing FMG

Peter Jung pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

East Gippsland is full of great holiday destinations that have a fishing twist. One such locale is Marlo and the Cape Conran coastal area, which is a short drive via the Orbost turnoff on the Princess Highway coming from Melbourne or by the

Cabbage Tree-Conran road if you are coming from Canberra or Sydney. There is plenty to explore but most importantly, it is a great place to relax and to make some memories with the family. Although the fishing in the Snowy River, Brodribb River and the waters off the Cape Conran coast is great to explore from on the water, having a boat is not a necessity. There are

numerous areas for landbased anglers and families to fish and explore. It can be as simple as purchasing some bait, pumping or digging your own (the kids love helping out) and using that or packing a few hardbody and soft plastic lures to fish the numerous flats in the area. LOCATIONS Brodribb River boat ramp The Brodribb River boat ramp is at the end of old Marlo Road. The ramp itself

Map of the Marlo area.

Yeerung River was a new place to explore on a recent trip to the area. This image shows a view of the lower system from the lookout.

MARLO

OCEAN VIEWS CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK

21 Marine Parade MARLO VIC HOSTS: Les & Kathy HEYNE

03 5154 8268

• Deluxe cabins • Cabins with ensuite • Budget cabins • Premium ensuite vans • Powered & Unpowered sites • Pet friendly • Boat friendly • Undercover BBQ areas in Marlo Largest park • Large oval • Kitchen • Camp fires • Kiosk the beach Short walk to • Coffee shops

was recently upgraded and is now a great place to launch a boat and explore via the water. The area also has a great expanse of grassy bank with easy access for landbased anglers. This area lends itself to bait fishing. Local sandworms and bass yabbies are my favourite options but the smaller bream and pickers that reside in the area can make short work of them, so it can pay to have a couple of flesh baits handy. They tend to last a little longer and give the bigger fish a chance to grab your bait. Bream and estuary perch are the main target species, however luderick and tailor are also common captures. Lure fishing is not out of the question with the water’s edge accessible downstream from the boat ramp. This is a great place to take the family and the facilities include a filleting station to clean your catch and a toilet block.

The Brodribb River boat ramp has a large grassed area that is a great family friendly space to wet a line.

www.marlocamping.com.au

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The Yeerung River shoreline looks very fishy. It really just depends on how much you want to explore and the effort you want to go to.

Marlo jetty and Beach Road A very popular location for locals and visitors to wet a line, the Marlo jetty and Beach Road offers very accessible fishing options. It is a very busy place with the main boat ramp also located there. Like Brodribb, this place lends itself to bait fishing. The flats along Beach Road are a great place to cast lightly-weighted baits out and retrieve them very slowly across the sand. Whiting, flathead and bream love this presentation and are present in good numbers, especially on a building tide. The best baits to use are local sandworm and bass yabbies. Fishing from the jetty itself can be very productive. Worms and bass yabbies again are great bait options but flesh baits, prawn or pilchard pieces are not out of place, as tailor and bream can be thick at times. The area can also be very

productive for lure anglers. Small hardbodied lures like a Zerek Tango Shad, a Strike Pro Bass X or a Jackall Chubby slowly rolled over the sand flats have every

effective. If the fish arenâ€™t quite committing, then try a Bent Minnow. One or the other will work. Deeper water is best reached from the jetty.

the deeper water is also a good option. It is not unusual to pick up estuary perch or flathead like this too. Snowy River esplanade There is a walking path that leads down to the river opposite the Marlo Ocean Views caravan park. Most of the river is a large sand flat but it does have pockets of slightly deeper water. It is best fished on a rising tide and the fishing methods that are most effective are the same as the flats at Beach Road. I have seen some huge flathead caught from this area, but a great species for

all the family to catch is the humble mullet. Set up a little berley trail of bread, use bread dough as bait and rig it under a float for hours of fun. They are not bad eating when cooked fresh. Mots Beach Of all the shore-based fishing options in Marlo, Mots Beach is the one where the more effort you put in, the bigger the reward may be. To get there, head north along Marlo-Conran Road. There is a sign posted parking area adjacent to a walkway that takes you down to the Snowy River. Make sure to put on insect repellent, as the

A beautifully coloured juvenile Australian salmon caught in the lower Yeerung River. It is better known for its bream and estuary perch fishing.

Map of the Yeerung River. chance of being eaten. In a similar vain, surface lures like a Strike Pro Hot Dog or Zerek Trail Weaver twitched over the shallows during low light periods can be super

Casting metal slugs as far as you can from the ends of the jetty and retrieving them at a steady pace is a good method to catch a few tailor. Rolling or hopping soft plastics in

The estuary at Mots Beach is quite shallow, however if you wade across it and walk towards the river mouth there are wonderful stretches of water with drop-offs that just beg to be fished.

mosquitoes can be full on. This area really lends itself to lure fishing in the form of wading and casting either small hardbodied or soft plastic lures. The water in general is quite shallow and isnâ€™t suited to fishing baits. It is not that there is no deep water, it is just a bit of a walk north to get to it or you

can wade across the river and head south. However, it is a great area to take the family and pump for bait in the shallows. I go for lures to target bream and flathead. The three lures I always take are a Jackall Chubby, a Bent Minnow and a few colours To page 10

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From page 9

of the ZMan 3” Slim SwimZ (with 1/4oz jigheads to suit). If I have the time, I will wade across the river at the base of the walkway and head towards the river mouth. There is a great mix of shallow and deep water and I work it over thoroughly using those lures. You can walk all the way to the mouth of the Snowy River if you want to. It is not difficult walking but water, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses are a must. Frenches Narrows My first experience of fishing in Marlo was at Frenches Narrows. It is a little further north along Marlo-Conran Road, where an initially steep path takes you down through the coastal reserve to reveal a beautiful piece of water.

salmon was visible in front of the rocks as you first get down to the beach. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to pack a slightly longer rod and some of those Surecatch Knights for a day at Yeerung River. On a side note, the river was closed off from the

The Marlo jetty and area along Beach Road are very popular spots for locals and visitors to wet a line.

The area just off the bottom of the walkway at Yeerung River shows the potential the surf and rock fishing has there. This area can be fished at any time of the tide with bait or lures. The deeper water is generally on the beach side of the waterway with plenty of options to bait fish for all of the species already mentioned. Here it tends to be toadfish that can be a pest pinching your baits rather than tailor, so it pays to have plenty with you or a pump handy. I have had good success targeting flathead here with soft plastics. I use a 1/4oz jighead and a 3” ZMan Slim SwimZ in calico candy with a hopping or hop wind technique. I never grow tired of feeling that tick in the line as a flathead comes and eats your plastic. They put up a great fight, especially when you are trying to manoeuvre them into the shallows to land them. I have seen some big models in the 80-90cm range in this part of the waterway, so it pays to use heavier leaders (10lb-15lb). Flathead are a great feed too; just remember the slot limit in Victoria is 30-55cm with a limit of five (dusky flathead). It is also worth flicking a hardbody lure around, as there tends to be a few decent bream at the Narrows as well. Mots Beach – the surf The track that takes you through the Frenches 10

JANUARY 2020

were spot on and I really enjoyed the chat. He has been in the area a long time and is extremely knowledgeable. STAYING AT MARLO There are plenty of accommodation options in Marlo from lodge style set-ups to a couple of

Narrows coastal reserve also provides the best access to the surf side of Mots Beach. It is a very popular location for anglers to cast lures to the Australian salmon that frequent the area. They can be in huge numbers at times and generally are within easy casting distance.

Metal slugs are all you need to have a lot of fun in the surf. For bait anglers, a pilchard rigged using gang hooks is a dynamite way of targeting salmon and many other surf fishing targets. Yeerung River Until my recent trip to Marlo, I hadn’t been to

Yeerung River. This little body of water is a little over 20km north of Marlo via the Marlo-Conran Road. A left turn at Yeerung River Road takes you into the Cape Conran Coastal Park and to the car park at Yeerung River. Access to fishing from the shore is limited to where the river would flow into the ocean (the mouth was closed at the time of writing) and along the section that backs onto the sand dunes. You could certainly fish more of the shoreline, but the scrub comes all the way down to the waterline and I wasn’t that keen to explore first time around. There is also a kayak

Karl Jung exploring the Yeerung River just north of where the mouth would be if it was flowing into the ocean. ocean when I visited it but does open after rain. All the local anglers that I spoke to said to mention that care should be taken when it is open. The water may not be deep to wade across but the sand is very soft underfoot, making attempts to cross it dangerous.

caravan parks. Marlo Ocean Views is the largest park in Marlo and offers every style of accommodation you could want. They have powered and unpowered sites, a number of cabin options and are pet and boat friendly. Les Heyne, who runs the park with his wife Kathy, is a wealth of

The author’s favourite spot to explore in Marlo is Frenches Narrows. It’s easy walking and offers good fishing for those using either lures or bait.

Karola Jung caught this little bream on local sandworm at the Brodribb River boat ramp.

launching area just before you get to the main car park. A kayak would be a great way to explore this beautiful waterway. It has a good head of bream and estuary perch and as I found out, some juvenile Australian salmon. Any of the aforementioned hardbodied and soft plastic lures would be suitable. The fishing doesn’t stop with the river – the beach looked very fishy. There were plenty of close in gutters when I visited and a decent school of

ASK A LOCAL Like with any fishing location, local knowledge can be invaluable. Other than the banter at the Marlo Hotel, two great options to find out what might be biting and where are the Compleat Angler in Orbost run by VFM writer Jim McClymont or the Snowy River Tackle and Cafe in Marlo. Both have a great range of tackle and fresh bait for sale. I stopped in and saw Jim on my last visit. He gave me a few tips that

knowledge about the area and has no dramas pointing you in the right fishy direction. They have made my visits memorable every time. Marlo and the Cape Conran Coastal Park is a great place for the whole family to visit. It is the perfect destination to relax, unwind and scratch that fishing itch. Best of all, it can be done from the shore at multiple locations. There is every chance you will catch a fish and how much effort you want to put in is up to you. Go and check it out!

JANUARY 2020

Mysterious Mysteriousmulloway mulloway Your fishing licence fees are helping the Nature Glenelg Trust track tagged mulloway. More than 70 volunteers have tagged nearly 500 mulloway over two years. 25 Yarra River

308 Glenelg River

Geelong beaches

Portland beaches

2 Moyne River

34 Patterson River

23 Hopkins River 17 Barwon River Western Port beaches

Top taggers Tim Murrell has led the charge tagging nearly 100 mulloway in the Glenelg over six months. Michael Gordon and Aron Coleman have also been top taggers in the Glenelg with 49 and 32 respectively. In the Hopkins, Shane Murphy has been busy whilst Reece Cliff, having only joined in early 2019, has tagged 13 fish in the Patterson River including a 120cm thumper, the largest in the project.

Recaptures Of 81 recaptures so far, seven have been twice and one, tagged in November 2018 in the Glenelg, has been recaptured three times! Over half the recaptures (55) have been in the same estuary the fish was initially tagged and released in.

George Gabriel isnâ€™t far behind with a 118cm fish from the Yarra.

The greatest distance travelled was in the Glenelg where a mulloway swam 24km, from town bridge to Saplings Creek, in 90 days.

Reece Cliff with the biggest catch in the program.

More than 300 mulloway have been tagged in the Glenelg River.

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

JANUARY 2020

movements movementsrevealed revealed Growth rates

Hungry at Hopkins

A mulloway tagged at 89.5cm in December 2018 near the Glenelg’s mouth was recaptured in August 2019 at 105cm along Taylors Straight.

In January 2018, a 45cm mulloway was caught and tagged 10km from the river mouth. The fish was caught again in December 2018 at 62cm near the mouth. That’s 17cm growth in 11 months.

The fish had grown 15.5 cm in 217 days, which is the second fastest growth rate (0.07 cm per day) observed in the Glenelg so far!

In February 2019, the fish was captured a third time a few kilometres further upstream. It measured 70cm. That’s 8cm growth in just two months!

Days 300

200

100

Length (cm)

105

Round trip

Luke Gercovich with the mulloway in Jan 2018 at 45cm.

Mulloway #222 was first tagged and released in the Glenelg in December 2017. It measured 60cm. In February 2019, it was recaptured at Browns Bay in South Australia, about 17 km away. It measured 79cm. In May 2019, it was caught again back in the Glenelg near Donovans. It measured 80cm and is the first mulloway in the study to complete a ‘round-trip’.

May 2019 Donovans Feb 2019 Browns Bay

Shane Murphy with the same mulloway in Feb 2019 at 70cm. Dec 2017 Glenelg River Nelson

Metro mulloway A 66cm tagged mulloway was caught at the mouth of the Yarra, near The Warmies. It had been tagged more than a year prior in the Patterson. In its 427 days at liberty, it had grown 14cm to 80cm. This is the second mulloway to move from the Patto to the Yarra’s mouth and represents the only ‘between estuary’ movement documented so far.

vfa.vic.gov.au/mullowayonthemove JANUARY 2020

BLACK MAGIC

MASTER CLASS

W I T H PA U L L E N N O N

Looking inshore to target big black marlin For many anglers, catching a marlin is the pinnacle of fishing and often thought of as an unrealistic target species that’s best left for hardcore anglers with all the gear and big boats. While this could be said when it comes to chasing a blue marlin in 600 fathoms of water 40nm+ off the coast, there are certainly much easier ways to tick a marlin off your bucket list. This is especially true if you live on the East Coast anywhere between central QLD to the South Coast of NSW. Every year around spring, black marlin start making their way down the coast, providing amazing fishing opportunities to inshore anglers often within a few miles of land. In some areas, they can even be caught land-based. If you know what to look for, what to use and when to do it, these fish are not that hard to catch.

There isn’t a better sight than a marlin in full flight. if they’re not there. Early in the season, it’s important to keep an eye on reports up the coast. I live at Port Stephens, so I know that if they haven’t shown up at South West Rocks I’m

Black Magic’s KLT Hooks are the best in the game and their tough fluorocarbon leader is perfect for inshore black marlin. TIMING Knowing when black marlin are going to show up is the first thing you need to understand, as you won’t catch them 22

JANUARY 2020

probably wasting my time. When they do show up, it tends to be in waves over couple of months with water temperatures and bait dictating their

movements. Warm blue water between 21-25°C is ideal for inshore black marlin and sea surface charts will give you a good understanding for where the best water in your area is currently holding. While you will have to pay for access to the most current sea surface temperature sites, it’s worth it to take out much of the guesswork for which direction you should head. Once you’ve found the water you’re looking for, bait schools are the next thing to further hone in on. Slimy mackerel, yellowtail scad and pilchard schools are the primary food source for inshore black marlin and usually hold around structure, current lines and temperature breaks. A good sounder will not only mark the bait but can also mark up actively feeding marlin. GEAR AND TACKLE Having the right tools for the job is very important for any fishing and marlin fishing is no exception. Mono line is definitively the way to go, as the stretch in the line acts as a shock absorber, especially when the fish jumps. Something like Black Magic IGFA rated line in 10-15kg is spot on when it comes to fishing for black marlin and will subdue even fish approaching 100kg, which are not as uncommon as you might think when fishing inshore. When that big stubborn fish does come along, even on light tackle it can put the

hurt on you. This is where the Black Magic Equaliser Gimbal and Harness comes into play, taking much of the pain away from long fights with big fish that don’t want to play the game nicely. The new equaliser also has a twin pin system that will accept bent butt rods without any adapters needed. Leaver drag overheads are traditionally favoured for marlin fishing. The main advantage of these reels is the free-spool function, which allows you to disengage a pre-set drag, allowing the marlin to eat the bait with no resistance on the strike. This is very important when trolling

live or skip baits on circle hooks, which is the most effective way to catch black marlin. Once the fish bites, the line pops out of the outrigger clip in free-spool with the ratchet on and then it’s just a matter of pointing the rod at the fish while it’s taking line and gradually applying drag as you lift up on the rod. When done correctly, this gives the best possible hook-up rate for marlin fishing by far. Larger spinning reels with the baitrunner function will also act the same way and are becoming popular alternative options, particularly when fishing with 10kg line.

The best circle hooks to use for inshore live bait trolling are the Black Magic KLT range, as they are the perfect shape and size as well as being super sharp. For inshore black marlin, the 6/0-7/0 size is right on the money. Bridle rigging the baits will keep them alive longest and also limit the chance of the hook getting caught in the bait when the fish strikes. This is done by attaching a short loop of either Dacron or 50lb mono to the hook and using a bait needle to poke it through the clear cartridge in front of the eyes of your slimy mackerel or yellowtail. Once the loop is through the fish, you put the hook through the loop a number of times and secure it about an inch from the fish’s nose. It’s important to not go too heavy on your leader so 60-80lb Black Magic Fluorocarbon Leader fits the bill. While slow trolling live baits is probably the most effective way to catch inshore marlin, lures also have their place. They are particularly useful when you want to travel to another area but could potentially catch fish between locations. They allow you to cover more ground, as you can troll them much faster than live baits. For inshore fish, skirted lures like the Black Magic Maggot, Flea and Saury ranges are all the perfect size.

It’s thrilling to fight marlin only a few kilometres from the shoreline.

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WHAT’S NEW FISHING STORM ARASHI GLIDE BAIT

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

BLACK MAGIC UTILITY BOX

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

SAMAKI ZING XTREME V2

Zing Xtreme’s amazing blanks are only one of the features that contributes to the series’ success. The smart Samaki technology of MDC (Multi Direction Carbon layer) improves strength, and the X Power weave construction gives you precision casting, great action in the fight and enough grunt to get you out of sticky situations. Other features include Fuji KW and LKW series guides, Fuji TVS and VSS reel seats on spin models, Fuji PTS and SK reel seats on baitcast models, and custom super-hard EVA camouflaged grips with superior carbon locking rings. Zing Xtreme caters to all fishing enthusiasts, with 7’0” spin models in extra light, light, medium and medium heavy 1-piece and 2-piece that sit alongside the 7’6” extra light solid tip flats rod, and 7’6” extra heavy offshore rod. Cast models range from 5’4” through to 7’0” in medium, medium heavy, and heavy, covering everything from bass to barra. www.samaki.com.au 70

JANUARY 2020

PRODUCT GUIDE

X-RAP MAGNUM PREY

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

WILSON CAMO BACKPACK

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

PALMS TURN POP

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

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WHAT’S NEW FISHING

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DAIWA SHORE SPARTAN

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

TALICA II 20 AND 25 REELS

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

OKUMA KOMODO BAITCAST RODS

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

BALISTA TREMOR

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

JIG STAR KATANA BRAID 8X

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

DAIWA SEAJIGGER

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

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

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

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

OKUMA SABIKI UTG ROD

PRODUCT GUIDE

LIVE FIBRE BLADE N TAILS

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

BANDICOOT HEADLAMP

BETTER TACKLE FLASHER RIGS

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

JANUARY 2020

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

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

NEW VIBELICIOUS ARRIVALS

PRODUCT GUIDE

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

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WHAT’S NEW FISHING

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Obsession Spinnerbaits now obsessed with bass NTENT CO

FOR EXTR

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

CA N T H E Q R

The GOAT colour in action.

RE ONLINE MO

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

TESTED

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

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

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

It pays to bring a DONC.

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

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

JANUARY 2020

Top 5 fishing events for 2019 SUNTAG

Stefan Sawynok

Last year I put out a list of the top events we were involved with, and I thought this was the right time to repeat the exercise. I am a big believer in repeating the things that work and the group of events that I have selected each have unique characteristics that others should have a look at emulating. Last year (as of November) we had put through 194 events, 19,000 fish and 36,000 participants. To be frank, I was knackered and was looking forward to December when we could get prep work done for 2020. If there is a common thread to my top picks it’s that they know their audience and give them lots of what they want – and that is more than fishing. In terms of the state of competitions in general it’s a mixed bag. I think the fragmentation of the competition scene with a proliferation of events puts a lot of pressure on sponsors and dilutes the prize pool overall. Not every competition has prizes at their core but increasingly prizes are what gets bums on seats. The cost to be competitive technologically is only going up – it’s understandable that competitors are looking for some payback for their investment. I do think it’s a shame though that achievement in of itself is not valued in the modern era. More and more cash is king, not least because the best fishers already have all the gear and any gear they win will end up on sale but that is a double-edged sword. More cash does attract the better competitors but has the effect of either reducing the field for the event, as it’s harder for the second tier fishers or they take competitors out of smaller events leaving them struggling to survive. I don’t think the number of events being run now is sustainable and a thinning out is inevitable. I also think that weigh-in events will continue to struggle as there is a chunk of the community that have decided they need to be cancelled. For the record – I don’t have a problem with weigh-in events, much less trophy fish like Marlin, but there is no doubt that events that have large fish have a problem on social media. I am not blaming them personally. I love all types of fishing events but there is a reality and it needs to be tackled. I do think we collectively need a positive strategy that ensures events are well run and responsible and so long as they are defended and the good work they do promoted to the wider community. On the positive side, the level of innovation is on the rise and my picks for the top events are the ones who are trying new things and attracting a growing audience. One of the most positive changes I am seeing is a focus on business models and delivering value to participants and that goes beyond the prizes. In the long run I believe events that offer an experience will be best placed to attract those second tier anglers who provide the financial base that competitions need. Not everyone is after the same thing in a fishing competition and with a limited population of fishers, focusing just on the best anglers is a recipe for trouble.

TOP FIVE

last event. The events are sufficiently challenging to attract the high-end fishers, although they have confessed more than once to me that they are there for the fun and to get away from the antics that happen in the more professionalised circuit. In terms of the complete package – serious fishing, serious fun and knowing your audience – I think any event would do well to learn from Matt and Andrew. Matt and Andrew do everything right, which means they are in demand to run more events – more than they can realistically do. Fishing Freshwater have found that perfect balance between competition and social that allows everyone to have get something from the event even if they aren’t finding the fish. Every event was fully booked last year it will be the same next year. If I have a complaint it’s that I don’t get the break time I used to because the fishing was a lot slower a year ago.

2: LUREMASTERS

I was warned that the luremasters event would be full on and they delivered in spades. Luremasters is run in the Auckland Bay area, but technically it extends to the whole north island, so long as you can get back to the weigh-in. The initial single day event was supplemented with two monthly events and across the three events 1900 fish were recorded with snapper up to 83cm to the fork in all three events. Target species are mostly snapper, king and kahawai though with the most species format we had catches reported from as far away as Fiji. Luremasters has a huge and loyal following of fanatical kiwis and they know how to have a good time. At the same time they are super serious about their fishing. Dan and Wayne are the most approachable guys you will ever meet and they use social media in a really creative way to have direct ‘conversations’ with their competitors. They livestream regularly and every time they want to make an adjustment to their format they put it out to the wider world on the livestream, conduct polls and get comments to get direct input. This ‘direct’ relationship with what is over 500 fishers enables them to road test concepts before they put them into action and deliver exactly what there competitors want. This avoids one of the key pitfalls I have seen with events in Australia where the best fishers get the say on how things should happen. Luremasters has the similar high-energy approach of Dean’s SCF events, a similar amount of citizen science data, a great after party and a fanatical following. I expect them to top the list in 2020.

3: DAIWA NZ KOHGA COMPETITION

1: FISHING FRESHWATER

I am going to regret this, as Matt Mott will never let me forget it, but the best this year I have been involved with is the Fishing Freshwater crew. For an event series that prides itself on its rough nature, the series ticks every box there is in terms of innovation and focus on audience. First, they don’t do sponsors – they pay for all their prizes outright. Second they work direct with councils to put on the events, including fun days, fireworks and more where needed. Every event has a band and like at Rainbow Beach, when the fishing is done, the festivities begin. Matt takes his whole Smak Lures store with him to each event, which means if you don’t have something that’s working you can always duck back to camp and get something that will. The series attracts fishers of all abilities. Success is shared with no secrets on what is working and a focus on helping everyone catch fish. As a result, across the year the group collectively doubled their output, then doubled it again in the 74

JANUARY 2020

This is an event that would go to number one in terms of pure innovation. We have been working with Daiwa NZ for over a year and they are now the largest single group in the Track My Fish family. A little while ago they contacted me to look at a multistore competitive format, it’s not the first time that’s been done but it’s the first time that’s been done on that scale and it demonstrated that even in a format like this tactics are everything. Right out of the gate Top Catch Whangaparaoa jumped to first place and for the whole three months the event was run they were leading right up to the end. While the event was a little slow out of the blocks the weekly biggest snapper kept everyone in the hunt ensuring that while fishers didn’t have a crack every weekend they did take the chance to get in on the action. In the end stores needed a best three of over 2m to make it into the top 10. Daiwa spread the action with the weekly snapper, most species, biggest snapper, kahawai and yellowtail king as well as the best store overall. All up 30 stores took part and I think it’s the template for trade level events into the future.

4: RAINBOW BEACH FAMILY FISHING CLASSIC

Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic is probably the last event I would expect to make it on my list because it’s as old school as they come. This is the traditional weigh in personified and seven plus days of it at that. That said, they know how to put on a party for the community and they are pushing the envelope in a different way. Home base is at the local sports club and the weigh in itself is conducted over a couple of hours and projected onto a big screen. With lots of music, food and beverages on offer the whole community turns out giving the event an authentic festive vibe. The idea of a seven day fishing party seems something from a bygone era but given the event is run by a very savvy 21-year-old woman who has fishing in her blood, the future is looking bright. While I think that the traditional weigh in format has had its day, the fish all end up on the dinner table and the event enjoys a lot of community support. During the event there are specific days for ladies and veterans and there are a number of multigenerational families that provide their own personal competitions. This event demonstrates why the values of the local community are king. Others may see it differently but you won’t win people over by bashing them and on what I saw they were responsible and having a good time. Beyond the festivities they have a photo only event, which had hundreds of entries and some serious professional photography that captured the essence of fishing, and the fishing generations of Rainbow Beach. All up, who doesn’t love a party and when you are celebrating fishing what better excuse do you need to grab a beer and kick back.

5: SCF AUSTRALIA/KING OF KINGS

SCF was my pick for last year and given that Dean has gone bigger and better this year, it would be easy to put him first again. Given that he’s done all the work himself it’s a credit to him that he has managed to put together the best citizen science model going and given the Game Fishing Tagging program and Suntag have a long track record that is saying something. I am not demeaning them in any way, nor underselling the good work they are doing, both are the elite when it comes to citizen science. The difference with Dean is while traditional programs attract the best fishers, Dean has been successful in taking citizen science to the masses with the second largest group in the Track My Fish family and only one of two with over a thousand participants. To be fair, Dean is not a rocket scientist when it comes to the citizen science, but when it comes to marketing, Dean knows how to generate the kind of energy that gets people out fishing. SCF was recognised by Advance Queensland as the only fishing-based citizen science organisation to receive funding from the department responsible for science as opposed to fisheries activities and I think that is a real feather in his cap. His 750 fish reported in 2018 has been more than doubled to 1900 and it’s the multispecies format for his events that is the key to his success. By providing 20+ chances to take home $500 he attracts the widest possible audience, the best fishers eye off doubling or tripling their winnings while the bread and butter species allow families to have a crack. In the end fun comes first, and the serious science is tucked away to the back. I think that is the right way to do it, there will always be a lot more people interested in a good time fishing than ever will be interested in citizen science. Allowing participants to do both effortlessly is winning at all levels.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

WRAP UP

YAKHUNTERS

Yakhunters is the only ‘kayak’ only group on our list and I expect will roar into the top 5 next year. They are also the only group we deal with covers all states. They were relatively recent additions to the Track My Fish family, joining us mid-year but they made up for it with their events running across multiple locations simultaneously. As a kayak agnostic group they are the main alternative to the Hobie series where the shared love of kayak fishing is enough to get you going. Even though they were late starters Yakhunters is now the third largest of our repeating groups and I expect them to be double their size this time next year. Yakhunters understand that kayaks and camping go hand in hand thus they offer the opportunity for their growing tribe to get away from it all and bond over beers. There are a lot of under 25s in there but some are older anglers as well and I think that mix of ages is important to the vitality of the group. Some older wiser heads temper the more extreme impulses of the younger members, while the energy the younger members have pushed the older fishers to lift their game. As a result the mix of getting away from the grind, beer and some serious but goodnatured competition is a formula that is offering a real point of difference to the mainstream events. The Yakhunters team have something big in the works for next year, probably the most daring innovation I have seen on my travels and while I can’t say more, watch this space, I think these kayakers will be global in a couple of years time.

COBRAM BAROOGA ANGLERS

Cobram Barooga Anglers contacted me last year and we have followed their development throughout the year, including me getting down there for a comp during the winter. On paper the club seems similar to the traditional clubs but they too have a similar model to Yakhunters with a limited number of events where everyone gets away from it all and camp in communal groups. With a growing membership that numbers over 200 and only in its second year they are doing something right. I actually lived and worked in Cobram in my late teens and in returning the region, like many rural towns it has had some ups but a lot more downs. That natural cycle of adversity breeds self-reliant people and I think there is a ‘community solidarity’ element that is key to their success. That said, they know their community well and a stressed community doesn’t need high-octane experiences so much as a chance to get away from it all and forget the troubles of the world. Like Yakhunters there are a lot of younger members, but in this case more families and out of six events there are a good three to four chances for some quality time on and off the water. As with most events a couple of good fishers dominate, but the attraction isn’t the winning, it’s the time away with family and friends sharing a passion and a beer or two.

Image courtesy of Cobram Barooga Anglers Facebook.

Maybe next year I will find something more technical to grade events on, but I really believe the secret to success for majority of events is fun no matter how serious the fishing is. I have had a lot of conversations this year that go along the lines of “I stopped going to X event because it became too serious”. The Australian market is just not big enough to knock back paying clients. Not everyone can be a winner, but everyone can have a good time and the more you do as a host to bring the fun – and it can be your own special brand of fun, the greater the chance that next year you will be knocking back participants.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

JANUARY 2020

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

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

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

Scan the QR code to see the Day 3 highlights.

Scan the QR code to see the Day 1 highlights.

Scan the QR code to see the Day 2 highlights.

BREAM Series presented by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Whittley SL22 with Hard Top and Yamaha 150hp - SC

TENT -

RE ONLINE MO

Length................. 6.6m Beam................... 2.4m Transom.deadrise .23° Fuel ..................... 210L Water..................... 30L Dry.tow.weight2100kg Max.hp .................. 225 Capacity ..... 7 persons 88

JANUARY 2020

DE FOR EX

SPECIFICATIONS

s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

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

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

Steve Morgan

CON

AN THE

FMG

together by Queensland Whittley dealer Northside Marine, and although the boat with all of the options as tested was $118,000, packages start from $104,000. For more information visit www.whittleyboats.com. au to find your nearest dealer,

PERFORMANCE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Victorian Tide Times

2020 2020 Local Time

POINT LONSDALE – VICTORIA POINT – 144° VICTORIA LAT 38°LONSDALE 18’ S LONG 37’ E

JANUARY Time m JANUARY Time 0506 1048 WE 1653 2249 WE

1 1 2 0538 1126 2

TH 1733 TH 2325

3 0609 1202 3

Time 1.61 0506 0.54 1048 1.36 1653 0.35 2249 1.57 0538 0.52 1126 1.33 1733 0.42 2325 1.52 0609 0.51 1202 1.29 1815

18’ S of High LONG 144° 37’ E TimesLAT and38° Heights and Low Waters Times and Heights of High and Low Waters MARCH FEBRUARY Time m Time Time FEBRUARY m Time MARCH m m

Time m Time m 0536 1.53 0458 1.68 05360.41 1.53 10390458 0.421.68 1137 11371.37 0.41 17001039 1.490.42 SA 1753 17530.50 1.37 2246 0.271.49 2339 TH 1700 SA 2246 0.27 2339 0.50 0537 1.65 0606 1.49 06060.39 1.49 11250537 0.351.65 1210 12101.36 0.39 17511125 1.480.35 SU 1834 FR 1751 SU 1834 1.36 2333 0.351.48 2333 0.35 0616 1.60 0014 0.57 00141.44 0.57 12120616 0.301.60 0638 06380.38 1.44 18481212 1.460.30 MO 1243 12431.34 0.38 SA 1848 1.46 MO 1919 1919 1.34 0020 0.45 0052 0.65 00521.39 0.65 06580020 1.550.45 0714 07140.38 1.39 12590658 0.271.55 TU 1316 13161.32 0.38 SU 1259 TU 1953 1.430.27 2012 1953 1.43 2012 1.32 0108 0.56 0132 0.73 01321.33 0.73 07420108 1.480.56 0753 07530.38 1.33 13480742 0.271.48 WE 1355 13551.31 0.38 MO 1348 WE 2101 1.410.27 2111 2101 1.41 2111 1.31 0159 0.67 0220 0.82 0159 0.67 0220 0.82 0832 1.41 0840 1.28 0832 1.41 0840 1.28 14421442 0.290.29 TH 1442 0.38 1442 0.38 TU TH 22082208 1.411.41 2216 22161.32 1.32 02580258 0.770.77 0319 0.88 0319 0.88 09300930 1.351.35 0937 09371.24 1.24 15441544 0.310.31 FR 1540 15400.37 0.37 WE FR 23132313 1.421.42 2328 23281.35 1.35 04070407 0.820.82 0432 0.90 0432 0.90 10351035 1.301.30 1047 10471.22 1.22 1652 0.32 1652 SA 1652 0.32 0.35 TH SA 16520.35

16 16

1.61 0.54 TH 1.36 0.35

17 17

1.57 0.52 FR 1.33 0.42

Time 0554 0554 1156 1156 SU 1844 SU 1844

16 16

m 1.61 1.61 0.17 0.17 1.56 1.56

0007 0.47 17 0007 1.55 0.47 170634 0634 0.17 1.55 1240 MO 1240 MO1940 1940 0051 0051 0717 0717 TU 1326 1326 TU2039 2039 0138 0138 0805 0805 WE 1414 1414 WE2140 2140 0230 0230 0901 0901 TH 1510 1510 TH2244 2244 0333 0333 1007 1007 1619 FR 1619 FR2348 2348 0453 0453 1118 1118 1732 SA SA 1732

0.17 1.51 1.51 0.57 0.57 1.48 1.48 0.22 0.22 1.45 1.45 0.66 0.66 1.40 1.40 0.28 0.28 1.39 1.39 0.75 0.75 1.32 1.32 0.35 0.35 1.36 1.36 0.81 0.81 1.25 1.25 0.40 0.40 1.36 1.36

18 18

0.50 19 4 0000 0641 0000 1.47 0.50 4 0641 1.47 19

19 19

5 5

20 20

6 6

21 21

7 7

22 22

8 8

23 23

0051 0051 1.39 1.39 23 0614 23 0614 0.78 0.78 SU 1227 1.23

FR 1815 FR

1.52 0.51 SA 1.29

SA 1239 0.49 SU SA 1239 1902 1.27 0.49 1902 1.27 0039 0.59 0715 0039 1.41 0.59 0715 0.48 1.41 MO SU 1316 1316 SU 1.25 0.48 1956 1956 1.25 0120 0.68 0120 0.68 0753 1.36 0753 1.36 1358 0.47 0.47 TU MO MO 1358 2058 2058 1.25 1.25 0208 0208 0.78 0.78 0838 0838 1.31 1.31 0.46 WE TU 1444 1444 TU 1.28 0.46 2203 2203 1.28 0305 0305 0.86 0.86 0930 0930 1.27 1.27 TH WE 1537 1537 WE 0.44 0.44 2310 2310 1.33 1.33

0.83 0.83 1.22 1.22 0.42 0.42

SU 1227 1.23 1839 1839 0.41 0.41

1.451.45 0.90 0.90 00160016 0035 0147 0415 00351.42 1.42 0147 1.43 1.43 9 0415 24 24 05250525 0.830.83 9 9 1029 1.24 1.24 0549 0722 9 24 1029 05490.86 0.8624 0722 0.71 0.71 FR 1142 1.28 TH 1640 0.40 SU 1205 1.25 MO 1328 1.27 TH 1640 0.40

FR 1142 1.28 18001800 0.310.31

SU 1205 1.25 1805 18050.31 0.31

MO 1328 1.27 1934 1934 0.39 0.39

Time 0504 0504 1108 1731 SU 1108 2318 SU 1731 2318 0534 0534 1138 1809 MO 1138 MO 1809 2352 2352 0607 0607 1208 1850 TU 1208 TU 1850

0027 0027 4 4 0641 1240 WE 0641

WE 1240 1936 1936 0103 0103 0717 0717 1315 TH 1315 TH 2030 2030 0145 0145 0802 0802 1400 FR 1400 FR 2133 2133 0238 0238 0901 0901 1457 SA 1457 SA 2245 2245

55 66

Local Time APRIL APRIL Time Time m

m Time m m Time m 0529 1.59 0538 1.44 1.51 0529 05381136 1.44 0.32 1.51 11321.59 0.12 0.34 1132 11361826 0.32 1.55 0.34 18290.12 1.65 1.48 MO WE 1.48 23491.65 0.52 WE 1826 1.55 TH 0.52 MO 1829 2349 0.52 0.52 0610 1.53 0004 0.67 1.49 0610 00040613 0.67 1.40 1.49 12161.53 0.17 0.32 1216 0613 1.40 0.33 0.32 19200.17 1.57 1.47 TU TH 1207 0.33 1.50 1.47 FR TH 12071909 0.58 TU 1920 1.57 1909 1.50 0.58 0031 0.59 0040 0.72 1.45 0031 00400651 0.72 1.35 1.45 06530.59 1.46 0.32 0653 0651 1.35 0.35 0.32 13001.46 0.25 1.45 WE FR 1244 0.35 1.44 1.45 WE 1300 SA 20130.25 1.48 FR 12442000 2013 1.48 2000 1.44 0115 0.67 0119 0.76 0.64 0115 01190739 0.76 1.31 0.64 07410.67 1.37 1.40 0741 0739 1.31 0.39 1.40 13451.37 0.34 0.32 TH SA 1329 0.39 1.39 0.32 SU 21100.34 1.40 SA 13292059 1.41 TH 1345 2110 1.40 2059 1.39 1.41 0204 0.74 0210 0.79 0.71 0204 02100742 0.79 1.27 0.71 08380.74 1.29 1.34 0838 07421326 1.27 0.45 1.34 14361.29 0.44 0.33 FR SU 0.45 1.37 0.33 MO 22100.44 1.34 SU 13262107 1.37 FR 1436 2210 1.34 2107 1.37 1.37 0304 0.79 0216 0.78 0.78 0304 0.79 0216 0.78 0.78 0945 1.22 0903 1.27 1.29 0945 1.22 0903 1.27 1.29 1541 0.52 1440 0.51 0.35 MO 1541 0.52 1440 0.51 TU 0.35 SASA MO 2314 1.32 2217 1.34 2314 1.32 2217 1.38 1.38 1.34 04250.81 0.81 0.83 0425 03360336 0.72 0.72 0.83 11011.19 1.19 1.25 1101 10331033 1.34 1.34 1.25 17000.56 0.56 1604 0.38 SU TU 1700 1604 0.55 0.55 0.38 WE TU 1.34 SU 23222322 1.43 1.43 1.34

16 16

Time

0530 16 16 1133 TH 1845 2355

m 0530 1.44 1133 0.34 1845 1.53 2355 0.69 0618 1.36 1215 0.45 1937 1.44

17 17

0618 17 17 1215

18 18

0043 0043 0716 18 18 0716 0.74 1.28

19 19

20 20

21 21

22 22

FR 1937

m 1.44 0.34 1.53 0.69 1.36 0.45 1.44

0.74 1.28 SA 1303 0.55 1303 2032 0.55 1.37 2032 1.37 0140 0.78 0140 0829 0.78 1.22 0829 1.22 0.64 SU 1400 1400 2130 0.64 1.33 2130 1.33 0257 0.78 0257 0945 0.78 1.21 0945 1514 1.21 0.71 MO 1514 2227 0.71 1.32 2227 1.32 0418 0.74 0418 0.74 1058 1.26 1058 1.26 0.74 TU 1636 1636 0.74 2319 2319 1.33 1.33 0521 0521 0.66 0.66 1200 1200 1.34 1.34 WE 1744 1744 0.73 0.73

00151.32 1.32 0346 0.85 0.85 04550455 0.59 0.59 0004 0004 1.36 230015 8 0346 8 1150 23 05500.77 0.77 8 1150 1017 1.23 1.2323 8 23 0550 1017 1.46 1.46 0608 0608 0.57 SU 1610 0.40 MO 1214 1.22 WE 1729 0.55 TH 1249

SU 1610 0.40 MO 1214 1.22 WE 1729 0.55 18140.57 0.57 2358 1.37 1.37 1814 2358

1.36 0.57 1.44 1249 1.44 TH 1834 1834 0.72 0.72

0507 0.81 0.81 01101.36 1.36 1.40 00180018 1.50 1.50 0043 0043 9 0507 9 0601 24 240110 1145 1.27 1.2724 06580.68 0.68 9 0601 9 24 1145 0646 0646 0.49 0658 0.44 0.44 MO 1731 0.40 TU 1316 1.28 FR 1330 TH 1256 1.61

1.40 0.49 TU 1316 1.28 TH 1256 1.61 FR 1330 1.54 1.54 19150.55 0.55 0.70 0.70 1915 18361836 0.53 0.53 1915 1915

MO 1731 0.40

1.41 1.41 01160116 0134 0232 01541.40 1.40 1.501.50 0100 1.44 1.44 0013 01341.50 1.50 0232 1.47 1.47 01090109 1.56 1.56 0117 0117 1.44 10 0013 25 25 25 10 0100 250154 0531 0.90 0.90 0659 0814 07460.59 0.591010 06370637 0.790.7910 0625 0.69 0.6925 10 25 10 25 0531 06590.76 0.7625 0814 0.62 0.62 10 0746 06570657 0.30 0.30 0722 0722 0.42 0625 1132 1.25 1316 1.32 1420 1.33 1409 1.37 1353 1.73 1406 1245 1.29 1301 1.37 FR

SA SA 1245 1.29 MOMO 1316 1.32 TU FR 1132 1.25 TU 1420 1.33 1745 1745 0.34 0.34 18581858 1912 2021 0.290.29 19120.26 0.26 2021 0.38 0.38

1.44 0.42 1409 1.37 1.73 SA 1406 WE FR SA 1.62 1.62 TU 1301 1.37 WE FR 1353 TU 20020.53 0.53 1850 0.37 0.37 2002 19301930 0.52 0.52 1950 1950 0.69 0.69 1850

1.541.54 0155 1.52 1.52 02301.44 1.44 1.49 1.49 02110211 1.47 02261.57 1.57 0308 1.50 1.50 01550155 1.60 1.60 0152 0152 260230 11 0110 26 26 11 0155 26 26 110226 260308 11 0110 07380738 0.720.7211 0756 0856 0730 0.54 0.5426 08260.50 0.501111 0638 0.85 0.85 0756 0756 0.38 07560.64 0.6426 0856 0.54 0.54 11 0730 0826 07470747 0.19 0.19 0638 1445 1.81 1440 1341 1.32 1417 1.41 1506 1.38 1406 1.49 1452 1.45 1238 1.28 SA

SU SU 1341 1.32 TU TU 1417 1.41 WE WE 1506 1.38 SA 1238 1.28 0.280.28 2009 2102 1843 1843 0.28 0.28 19491949 20090.23 0.23 2102 0.39 0.39

1.47 0.38 1452 1.45 1.81 SU 1440 SA SU 1.67 1.67 WE 1406 1.49 THTH WE SA 1445 1955 0.35 0.35 20420.53 0.53 0.68 0.68 1955 2042 20182018 0.53 0.53 2025 2025

03131.63 1.63 0339 1.52 1.52 0300 02390239 1.62 1.62 0227 0227 1.49 0244 1.581.58 0244 1.58 1.58 03001.47 1.47 1.58 1.58 02570257 120313 270339 27 27 12 0201 27 12 0201 27 12 27 08470.51 0.5127 0932 0.47 0.47 12 0900 08360836 0.14 0.14 0829 0829 0.35 0825 0732 08300830 0.650.6512 0847 0932 0825 0.39 0.3927 09000.43 0.431212 0732 0.78 0.78 1513 1.50 1545 1.43 1529 1.52 1535 1.83 1515 1.70 1431 1.34 1504 1.61 1338 1.33

1.34 1513 1.50 TH TH1545 1.43 MO SU 1.33 MO 1431 WEWE SU 1338 21010.23 0.23 2138 0.41 0.41 0.280.28 2101 2138 1935 1935 0.22 0.22 20362036

1.49 0.35 MO MO 1515 1.70 TH TH 1504 1.61 FRFR 1529 1.52 SU SU 1535 1.83 2116 21032103 0.54 0.54 2059 2059 0.68 0.68 2048 2048 0.35 0.35 21160.53 0.53

03210321 1.61 1.61 0302 0302 1.49 03561.66 1.66 0407 1.53 1.53 0328 0330 03301.49 1.49 1.64 1.64 03360336 1.591.59 0328 1.63 1.63 28 28 28 130356 280407 13 0249 28 13 28 13 0249 09220922 0.13 0.13 0901 0901 0.34 0821 09370.38 0.3828 1005 0.41 0.41 13 0915 0932 0937 1005 09320.37 0.371313 0821 0.69 0.69 09140914 0.580.5813 0915 0.26 0.2628 1623 1.79 1550 1.70 1431 1.39 1516 1.37 1605 1.57 1621 1.46 1558 1.69 1602 1.57

1605 1.57 FR 1.37 MO 1.39 TU FR1621 1.46 TH TH MO 1431 TU 1516 21500.26 0.26 2212 0.44 0.44 2150 2212 2024 2024 0.19 0.19 21172117 0.300.30

1.49 0.34 TU TU 1550 1.70 FR FR 1558 1.69 SASA 1602 1.57 MO MO 1623 1.79 21472147 0.56 0.56 2133 2133 0.68 0.68 2137 2150 21500.54 0.54 2137 0.37 0.37

04020402 1.57 1.57 0338 0338 1.47 04361.67 1.67 0435 1.53 1.53 0409 0400 04001.50 1.50 1.68 1.68 04100410 1.591.59 0409 1.64 1.64 140436 290435 29 29 14 0334 29 10071007 0.17 0.17 0933 0933 0.34 10240.27 0.2729 1037 0.37 0.37 14 1002 1004 0907 29 14 29 14 0334 1024 1037 10040.34 0.341414 0907 0.60 0.60 09540954 0.520.5214 1002 0.16 0.1629 TU 1709 1.72 WE 1627 1.68 FR 1657 1.60 SA 1656 1.48 SA 1649 1.72 SU 1636 1.60 TU 1522 1.44 WE 1558 1.38

FR 1657 1.60 SA 1656 1.48 TU 1522 1.44 WE 1558 1.38 22370.31 0.31 2245 0.47 0.47 2237 2245 2112 2112 0.18 0.18 21562156 0.330.33

05151.65 1.65 1.571.57 1.70 1.70 04400440 15 0417 30 150515 11110.20 0.20 0953 30 15 0417 1111 10301030 0.480.4815 0953 0.51 0.51 SA 1749 1.59 WE 1611 1.48 TH 1637 1.39

SA 1749 1.59 TH 1637 1.39 WE 1611 1.48 23230.39 0.39 2323 0.380.38 2159 2159 0.21 0.21 22302230 05080508 1.551.55 11051105 0.440.44 1715 FR 1.381.38 FR 17152304 2304 0.430.43

31 31

SA 1649 1.72 2223 2223 0.41 0.41

SU 1636 1.60 2223 22230.56 0.56

1.47 0.34 TU 1709 1.72 WE 1627 1.68 22302230 0.60 0.60 2208 2208 0.70 0.70

1.44 0449 0432 04450445 1.51 1.51 0414 0414 04321.50 1.50 0449 1.63 1.63 30 30 15 1006 1006 0.35 1048 1035 10501050 0.25 0.25 15 30 10350.32 0.321515 1048 0.12 0.1230 SU 1739 1.71 MO 1710 1.61 WE 1756 1.63 TH 1706 1.64

SU 1739 1.71 2307 2307 0.46 0.46

MO 1710 1.61 2257 22570.59 0.59 0505 1.47 0505 1.47 1105 11050.31 0.31 1746 TUTU 17461.59 1.59 2330 23300.63 0.63

1.44 0.35 TH 1706 1.64 WE 1756 1.63 0.72 0.72 23122312 0.64 0.64 2243 2243

31 31

 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia2019, 2019,Bureau Bureau of of Meteorology Meteorology  Copyright Commonwealth of Australia Datum of Predictions is Lowest AstronomicalTide Tide Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) daylight savings savings time when in effect Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) orordaylight time(UTC (UTC+11:00) +11:00) when in effect New Moon First Quarter LastLast Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon New Moon First Quarter Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon Tide predictions for Port Phillip Heads have been formatted by the National Tidal Centre, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Copyright reserved. All material is supplied in good faith and is believed to be correct. It is supplied on the condition that no warranty is given in relation thereto, that no responsibility or liability for errors or omissions is, or will be, accepted and that the recipient will hold MHL and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Australia free from all such responsibility or liability and from all loss or damage incurred as a consequence of any error or omission. Predictions should not be used for navigational purposes. Use of these tide predictions will be deemed to include acceptance of the above conditions. 90

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