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February 2020, Vol. 2 No. 6

Contents 8

From the Editor’s Desk... 8 METRO Metro Offshore

Metro 13 SOUTH COAST Bremer Bay

Esperance 15 WEST COAST Augusta 16 Bunbury 19 Busselton 20 Mandurah 22

The last month of summer is upon us and the fishing around the state is nothing short of spectacular in February. If you like hunting trophy species then this is the month to get amongst it. You can get marlin and bonefish in Exmouth, metre-plus barra and spectacular thready fishing in Broome, Spanish mackerel are pretty much everywhere along the West Coast, mahimahi on all of the new FADs, and Australian salmon will be showing in Esperance as well as some other select South Coast locations. The bread and butter fishing is at its peak, with herring and whiting readily accessible on

beaches and in the estuaries. Crustaceans are also at their peak, with muddies in the north and blue swimmers everywhere. Western rock lobster, while not as easy to catch as whites, are still available to those willing to move around and the sizes seem to be up on previous years. So I guess if you missed out on a fishing trip over the summer break, this month is a good month to make up for it. While autumn and winter is probably some of our most comfortable fishing weather, right now is red-hot fishing weather! So make the most of it and have a read about the fishing around the state in the following pages, book in a trip with family and friends and make the most

of living in WA! This summer seems to have been a really good one for fishing, and while we are always battling the easterlies in the morning and the sea breeze in the afternoon, it seems that for those willing to fish to the conditions it has certainly been paying the rewards. Good planning is usually what sets apart a good fishing trip from a failed one. But hey, as far as I am concerned, any time on and around the water, whether catching fish or not, is certainly far better than not having tried at all. This summer seems to have been a bit better on the boating fatalities, but any fatalities at all is still too many. People are taking risks with their lives

Ian Sewell in unseaworthy boats, or getting their ambitions mixed up with their boat’s capabilities. Stay vigilant and stay safe, wear those lifejackets and ensure your vessel is well serviced and in good condition. If we are all more vigilant we can make a difference to reduce the number of deaths happening in our waters. This issue is a cracker, with heaps of information as usual and a great feature on deep dropping; even if you have no intention of doing any deep dropping in the near future but have a boat, this is still a great read! Until next month, stay safe and get out there on the water and enjoy the last month of summer!

Lancelin 58 Geraldton 60 GASCOYNE COAST Kalbarri 61 Exmouth 62 NORTH COAST

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Recfishwest 57 Tournament News

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Go searching for a deeper understanding BUSSELTON

Stephen Norman

It is said that humans have only explored a mere 5% of our ocean floor. We seem to spend so much of our time on the water, however the ocean still remains one of the biggest mysteries on our planet. Prehistoric creatures, total darkness, and the allure of monster fish makes deep drop fishing an intriguing prospect to some, and a daunting one to others. In this article we will dive into the literal depths of everything related to deep drop fishing. We will cover everything you need to know before venturing towards the horizon in search of a deep sea monster, as well as look at a few tips and tricks, and bust a few myths along the way. So let’s get into it! SOUNDERS To get us started, one of the most daunting tasks anglers face when pursuing deep sea species is finding good ground to fish on. This can sometimes be over and

underestimated. Your sounder is arguably the most important piece of equipment when deep dropping, and as such there are certain requirements you will need to obtain in order to read bottom on your sounder in depths of 200m and

Smaller transducers such as the ones provided in the box when purchasing a sounder (often known as ‘skimmer’ transducers) are not going to cut it out here. Some of these smaller transducer may promise the world on paper

A perfect example of the second set of assist hooks sticking to this hapuka, acting as a safety in case the top hooks fail or come free. beyond. Let’s briefly cover this aspect first. If you want to read bottom and read bottom well in deep water, there is no compromise.

An example of the difference between low and high frequency sonar beams.

but trust us, for deep saltwater applications they won’t deliver. In order to achieve a clear reading in deep water you will need a minimum of a 1kw transducer. What does 1kw mean you ask? Well, in simple terms 1kw refers to the power capacity of your transducer. Smaller ‘kit’ style transducers (like the skimmer style listed above) are often 300w units, or in some rare instances 600w. So a 1kw is often capable of being at least 3x as powerful as most standard transducers. Now, before you go out and buy yourself a 1kw transducer, slap it on the back of your boat and head for the horizon, there’s a catch. In order for a 1kw transducer to read bottom at its full potential, it must be connected to a depth sounder that can power it properly. What I mean by this is a large slice of the depth sounder market is limited to run only

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600w transducers and below. So to get your foot in the door, you will not only need to invest in a 1kw transducer, but a unit capable of powering it so you can enjoy the full potential of your investment. A few of the most popular units capable of this include the Simrad NSS EVO 3, Lowrance HDS Live and the Furuno 588. For more information about sounders, come and see us at 2 Oceans Tackle. We have a full range of units on display and a wealth of experience to help you maximise your depth sounder for all fishing conditions. WHAT TO LOOK FOR So once you have acquired the correct electronics for deep drop fishing, you need to find ground. First and foremost, you’re going to want to switch your transducer frequency to low (generally seen as 50khz), as demonstrated in the diagram. Once this is done and all aspects thus far going

A solid three-piece hapuka combo winched up from the depths by the electric reel. see 20-30m off the bottom. One of the handiest tools for first time deep droppers is a good navigation chart, such as Navionics. This will show you contour lines and most importantly, changes in depths along these contours. These maps are great to study before

Bass groper are giants of the depths. Believe it or not, this very solid fish is not considered a massive specimen by any means. to plan, you should be reading bottom correctly. But now, what should you look for? The most effective setting we have found is to split your sonar screen in two, and make sure one side of your sonar screen is zoomed in to show only the bottom 50m or so of water. This can be located within your menu system as either ‘bottom zoom’ or ‘bottom lock’. This is important because when your sounder is reading in 200m+ of water fish on the bottom are not displayed as big red blobs like dhufish or snapper are in 50m of water, so you need to zoom right in. Showing the entire water column on your sounder screen from surface to 200m+ down will leave little room for detail and you may drive straight past good fish. Fish in these depths can often be stacked up 50m off the bottom, so be mindful not to zoom in too close – you’d be surprised what you might

you venture out, as you can look for areas of significant depth change and target these regions. Once you’re in your target area, take it back to 5-6 knots, maybe crack a cold one, and start driving. Just like finding ground or finding fish anywhere, it can take time. This is where some preparation and map study pays off rather than blind sounding for hours on end. In these deeper waters, baitfish

tend to get caught in strong sub-surface currents that form around larger ledges and pinnacles, and as we know, where there is bait, there will often be predators. So keep an eye out for significant changes in depth, as well as bait holding in these areas. Knowing what species you wish to target will dictate the depth of water you need to fish in. The four main species common to the South West of WA are the hapuka, Bass groper, blue eye trevella and bar cod. Hapuka and bar cod can be found from depths of 200m of water to around 300m and occasionally a little more. Bass groper and blue eye are more common beyond these depths, and start from about 350m and deeper. By-catches will also include nannygai, deep sea gurnard, large flathead and the dreaded green eye sharks. SETTING UP YOUR DRIFT Setting up a drift and dropping on the fish can sometimes be the trickiest part of this whole exercise. While in shallower water you may drive 10-20m ahead of your mark and make a drift over it, out here your bait most likely won’t make it even half way to the bottom before you have gone way past your mark, especially if the current is cranking. So ensure you figure out which way you’re drifting, and make a decent 200m+ run up wind of your mark before dropping. A few dummy drifts with no lines down is a good idea, because missing the mark in 300m of water is a tedious exercise. This may be a matter of trial

A school of hapuka sitting on top of a 15m ledge.

and error depending on how strong the currents are on any given day. ELECTRIC REELS, BAIT AND RIGS So by now you’ve got the sounder side of the equation sorted, you know where to fish and what to look for, but what gear should you be using? Well, if you’re slightly out of shape or don’t enjoy burning

our favoured bait rig setup. Circle hooks are an essential part of the rig, as they present the lowest possibility of falling free from the mouth of a fish once hooked, and seeing as you will be bringing fish up from 200+m of water, it’s a good idea to have as much on your side as possible. Lights are also a critical part of the rig and something

A large school of hapuka streaming over 50m from the bottom. sensations in your arms, the option taken up by the majority of anglers deep dropping is the electric reel, and there is certainly no shame in opting for this route out here. The Shimano Beastmaster is our pick of the bunch, but there are a variety of different models on the market that will do the job. Just ensure your electric reel is matched to a bent butt rod rated to 80lb or above, spooled with a minimum of 700m of 80lb braid and topped off with a 200-400lb leader no shorter than 5m. Leaders of this length may seem excessive, but the reason for this is pinnacles, caves and general uplifts off the bottom in these depths can often be easily upwards of 10m. So should a fish fancy going home once hooked, you won’t stand a chance with a short 1-2m leader. As such, be generous and tie on at least 5-10m of leader to give yourself the best chance of avoiding a bricking. When it comes to bait rigs out here, there are possibly many variations of much the same rig. The diagram shows

that most a lot of anglers will have not used before. The idea is pretty self-explanatory. It’s deep and it’s dark, so you need light to attract the fish to your bait. These strobe lights are also water activated. Sinkers can again vary depending on

To top off the bait rig you will of course need bait. Bait in these parts of the world need to be tough in order to survive not only the journey to the ocean floor, but also the many pesky by-catches you are likely to encounter once it makes it there. In this regard, baits such as whole herring, half mullet or whole squid are often a good option, as they will stay together and last much longer than fillets, however ough skinned bait such as salmon can make epic fillet baits due to their high blood and oil content. JIGGING A concept that has taken off significantly in recent years is deep water jigging. Before you dismiss this as absurd, let me explain. Around 90% of people who try their hand at deep drop fishing turn their nose up at the thought of winding a fish up manually from 200, 300 or perhaps even 400m of water, but is it really that gruelling? Well, we don’t think so, so let’s break down the best gear to use in order to make jigging in deep water as comfortable as possible. There are a few boxes we recommend you tick right off the bat. The first being the use

N O I P R O 485 SC Hooked up in less than ideal conditions, but the help of a light overhead jigging outfit makes the job that much easier. currents, but 80oz is a good starting point. Just make sure this is attached to your rig with a lighter line of around 50lb. This is to enable to sinker to break free should your rig become fouled on the bottom, rather than losing a lot of gear.

A chunky hapuka taken on a jig. Here you can see the jig setup as well as the outfit used in the background.

overhead reels, and small ones at that. The general consensus is that the deeper you fish, the bigger the gear; the bigger the rod, the bigger the reel, the heavier the line. But when it comes to jigging out deep, this rule begins to reverse, and you may be shocked to know that often the same outfits people use to catch dhufish could also be used to jig hapuka in 200m+ of water, with the addition of some extra line on the spool, of course. Overhead reels have a much more direct delivery of power from the main gear to the handle, as the main gear drives only a small pinion gear rather than a larger one, as found in spinning reels. Also, there is no large rotor spinning the line onto your spool and no rotor continuously moving up and down the main shaft. As such the ease of retrieving line for long periods is much greater with an overhead reel. This is a difficult concept to explain on paper, but trust us, we’ve tried both many a time and overhead beats spin every time in efficiency and comfort. I’m not saying you

rmation visit

.au m o c . s t a o b n www.horaillzyoour nearest dealer For more info or c

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To page 8

FEBRUARY 2020

Get moving and stay mobile! NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.fishotopia.com

C’mon, don’t sit and wait for the fish to find you! Get out there, be active and hunt down your prey instead. It’s much more fun — and more effective.

but there are many ways that land-based and bank-bound fishers can improve their mobility to cover a lot more water and often increase their catch rates too. The biggest trick in mastering mobility lies in not burdening yourself with too much tackle and related paraphernalia. There’s a lot to

Fly fishing wading boots are perfect for their intended purpose, but not always ideal for longer hikes. The author’s new Simms Flyweights (right) are the best he’s found so far for extended trekking. also strap a spare multi-piece rod to the side of a backpack if needed. The other important thing I always include in my pack these days is a simple first-aid kit, including a compression bandage to

an important role, too. The obligatory Aussie summer ‘uniform’ of T-shirt, shorts and thongs might feel nice and casual around the house or by the beach at this time of year in many parts of the

Hooked up to a rampaging rainbow trout in the teeth of a Tasmanian gale. Staying mobile can dramatically improve your fishing results.

Believe it or not, this was the author’s total collection of terminal tackle for a three-day coastal hike on the far South Coast of NSW! When you’re covering well in excess of 30km on foot, every gram counts. In my opinion, there’s a lot to be said for mobility when fishing. Those happy holiday danglers with their heavy folding chairs, full drink coolers and a couple of rods propped up on forked sticks at the water’s edge might be doing it in comfort and style, but they’ll almost always end up being comprehensively out-fished by an active, alert angler who’s on the move and willing to take the game to the fish, instead of waiting for the fish to come to them. Boat and kayak anglers are obviously mobile by definition,

be said for a single, versatile rod-and-reel outfit, a small tackle box holding only what you’re likely to need, some leader material, a water bottle, a knife, pair of scissors and a set of long-nosed pliers, perhaps in pouches on your belt. For more extended forays, you can take things a step further with a lightweight backpack or a decent bum bag. This allows you to pack a warm or waterproof jacket, a few energy snacks, sunscreen, more drinking water and maybe a camera and some extra terminal tackle. You can

Fishing vests are great, but rationalise what you pack into those multiple pockets. It’s easy to overdo it and overload yourself.

are all arguments against this omnipresent ocker ensemble. When you blow a thong an hour’s hike from the car across rough country, you’ll quickly come to realise that you’ve made a very poor wardrobe choice. Footwear selection is largely dictated by terrain and fishing style. Lightweight sandshoes or even open sandals will suffice in some scenarios, while others call for decent hiking boots. If you intend to go wading, there are specialist types of footwear. Attitude and philosophy are even more important than exact gear selection when it comes to achieving fishing mobility. Being willing to stay active, keep moving and hunt your prey will make you a much better angler,

deal with snakebite. In really remote areas, consider adding a personal EPIRB or emergency locator beacon. How you dress and what you wear on your feet plays

The author lands a lovely rainbow trout. His sling pack holds all his flies, leader material and other tackle, as well as drinking water, a camera, snacks, extra clothing and a basic first aid kit

There’s a track winding back… to a great fishing spot! 24

FEBRUARY 2020

country, but it’s not the ideal get-up for safely racking up some kilometres along a remote riverbank, lake shore

or rocky shoreline. Sunburn, scratches from vegetation, insect stings and the everpresent threat of snakebite

not to mention keep you fitter and healthier! Make the commitment to be more mobile this year.

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We are ready to roll! From a little company established in 1998, ABT’s done some pretty big things over the years. Established in the era of consolidated media and a real bait fishing and trolling culture, I truly think that we have changed the way we fish. You guys are innovators and early adopters. You’re

always the first to take on new tackle, techniques and gear and happy to share the fruits of your labours. Every year, more and more of you are happy to run cameras and show the fans what you’re doing out on the water. ‘Who Shares Wins’ has never been more relevant or more widely adopted. Thank

This is where we all want to be – holding up the perennial trophy at the end of the season and enjoying the accolades being an ABT winner offers. The new boat is nice, too. 4

TAG 2020 abt

you for that. It helps the industry grow, our sport grow and it helps you raise the bar as anglers. Increasingly, we are able to reach more and more people with what we do. Fifteen years ago, it was magazines and the AFC TV show that promoted growth in our sport. Nowadays we still use the magazine network (after all, you’re reading this in one) of Fishing Monthly Magazines, and a variety of other channels to get out our other content. Last year, ABT produced videos reached 549,000 people through our digital platforms. That number rises every year. All of it has a hub on the ABT website (www.abt. org.au). Each event, the front page story for that event has links to the preview stories, results, image galleries, videos and everything else we publish - wherever we publish it. So you don’t need to trawl through a site, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram to get what you need. Just visit the site and it’ll all be there for you. On that note, it’s worth mentioning that we will be transitioning our platform for our live weigh-ins from the Facebook platform to our YouTube channel in 2020. It may take a while to train our viewers to look for it there, but remember, it’ll also be embedded in ABT’s page for that event. If in doubt, go to www.abt.org.au. If you’re a YouTube

Main: You’ll see this van kicking around the ABT circuit again this year, sometimes with a stage trailer on the back and sometimes with the Fishing Monthly boat. Say g’day if you see us on the road! Above: The ABT website is the hub of all ABT information and media streams. You’ll find the 2020 weigh-ins embedded here from this year forwards. subscriber, the channel to follow is ‘ABT Tournaments’. Make sure you subscribe and hit the little bell – that way you’ll be notified when we go live from each weigh-in – just like Facebook occasionally does for you now. And like we see every year, you can watch it from your phone, from your computer at work or streamed to your 70” telly at home! We have a new boat sponsor this year – Bluefin Boats is back. Bass Cat is still a minor ABT sponsor (through Manning River Marine) but the declining Aussie dollar has put the brakes on a Bass Cat for a major prize for the moment. We’ve given away plenty of Bluefin boats in the past, some at BASS Electric Conventions and some at the ABT Grand Finals. Graham Franklin and Neil Kelly won a pigeon pair at the Lake

Macquarie BREAM Final in 2017 and Jeremy O’Connell won one at a BASS Electric Convention at Hinze that I saw on the water at the Australian Open this year. Brad and his team from Bluefin Boats have been long time supporters of ABT. This year, we have a prize boat for the boater winners of both the BREAM and the BASS Grand Finals AND for the winner of the BASS Electric Grand Finals. That’s three Bluefin boats that’ll go to new owners at the conclusion of the tournament season. A BassPro 498 in the BASS, a Bass Pro 463 in the BREAM and a decked out P-Series in the BASS Electric. And if you think that we’re just giving away tinnies, think again. Bluefin’s new Alloycraft Bass Pro

models have the looks, the storage and the affordability to be a serious contender for boater bucks when it comes to getting on the water. Check out their rigs on www. bluefinboats.com.au. ABT also gets great support from outboard motor suppliers. After all, at our first BASS series in 1999, the average horsepower on a tournament boat was under 30hp. Nowadays, most fields average between 150 and 200hp and we are definitely spending more money on our boats than ever before. Mercury in the BREAM and Evinrude in the BASS offer owner bonus programs to reward ABT anglers who perform well and support their product. We also have some out-of-industry sponsors who help the machine roll. Neil Carstairs from Mortgage

Corp immediately saw the value of live broadcasting and has been helping us do it ever since. Without Neil’s help you’d still be wondering what’s going on at weigh-ins and on the water. Instead, we can stream it to you – LIVE! What you mightn’t know is that Neil can also help you with your fishing. He’s a specialist at re-financing your mortgages in your favour. The way it works is that the less you have to pay the banks, the more you can spend on boats and doing what you love. Seriously, give him a call if you think that you’re a slave to your bank and see what he can do about it for you. It won’t cost you a cent to ask and he has helped more of your fellow anglers than you’d think. And lastly, of course, there’s the broad range of tackle sponsors that keep ABT ticking. We’ve always had a theory that a lot of companies kicking the can a little bit is the healthiest thing for our sport. A GFC, dozens of natural disasters, a massive change in the media landscape and a generational change in the anglers and we are still going strong thanks to their support. They provide the product for the prize packs and some coin to pay our

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After 20 years, there’s plenty of history being created. Aaron Sharp named the Queensland Open trophy ‘Geoff’. After all, he’s been looking after it for a lot of its life. hard working ABT staff. New sponsors on board this year include VMC hooks, Megabass and we see the return of Atomic, BKK Humminbird and ProLure. We have a new ABT Tournament Director starting this year, so we hope that you’ll make him welcome.

Want to know who it is? You’ll find out at the BREAM Queensland Open when he starts his role. Nicholle Smith has become the backbone of ABT sponsorship and media and Kym Rowbotham the hub of all entries at the ABT head office in Shailer Park

in Queensland. Plenty of you met them during the year and at the Grand Final dinner on the Gold Coast. Keep playing nice with these ladies and they’ll make your tournament smooth and enjoyable. And finally, there’s you guys. Thank you for your business and your

membership of ABT. Your membership fees help to keep the wheels turning back at the office and it is appreciated. We’ve had excellent uptake of the digital subscription tokens that we send out each month with the ABT member email newsletter. Instead of a single,

posted copy of the magazine for your state, we now offer you all four of the Fishing Monthly magazines in a digital form for you to read at your leisure. Going to a tournament interstate? No worries – read up about the areas before you go. That’s where it’s powerful. Not getting your ABT member newsletter? Call the office and make sure that we have your correct email address. Also, check your Junk Mail folder, sometimes your mail server doesn’t know the difference between quality email content and that letter from the Nigerian millionaire that wants to give you all the cash. Prefer a printed copy? Call the office and Kym will swap you across to a print version for your state. Call (07) 3387 0888. There are several event changes in 2020, you can read about them in the pages of the 2020 Tournament Angler Guide. We’ve added a BARRA event in Tinaroo, added an event to the Costa BREAM Series, changed the Samaki BREAM Queensland Open to a multi-venue, weekend event and we’re leaving the BASS Pro tour exactly as it is! See you on the water in 2020.

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Humminbird BASS Electric Open to boom in 2020 ABT

Joey Urquhart

With the new year upon us and the regular BASS electric season about to get underway, let’s fast forward to the end of the season to the pinnacle of the calendar, the BASS Electric Australian Open. 2019 saw the inaugural Valleyhill BASS Electric Open take place at Wyaralong Dam in Southeast Queensland, and following

its initial success, it’s back in 2020 with a new naming sponsor: Humminbird. It promises to be bigger and

Day 1 Highlights

better while offering 100% pay back in cash plus prizes to all bass anglers wanting to get their hands on the trophy. Most people won’t have heard of Wyaralong Dam as it only finished construction in 2011. Only weeks after construction, however, the large catchment area received massive rainfall which filled the dam in a matter of weeks. Located about 15 minutes’ drive west of Beaudesert and only a 1-hour drive from Brisbane and northern NSW, it’s perfect for day trips.

This puts a new meaning to catching them in the trees. Blades fished right amongst the timber yielded results in 2019.

Two typical size Wyaralong bass. That’s right – this is the average size when you fish reaction baits in the right places. These fish came from heavy timber.

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Wyaralong is an up and coming lake that is jam-packed with plenty of big bass and huge numbers of small bass – but rest assured that the by-catch of carp and tilapia will keep you busy. The dam offers great access for all types of boats, whether it’s a 3m tinny or a 20ft bass boat, with great car park facilities to accommodate all trailers. You can leave your petrol motors attached, you just

can’t use them. BRINGING IN THE BASS Wyaralong is really a bass fisher’s dream, offering everything from rocky banks, sunken timber and lily pads to reed-lined foreshore. There’s something for every angler to target, no matter what your favourite technique is. 2019 saw the bar being raised yet again in the BASS Electric Australian Open held there. Wyaralong turned

it on with nine 6kg+, 5-bass limits, with the largest for the tournament coming in at just over 8kg. The Big Bass prize was fiercely contested, and the eventual winner tipped the scales at 2.03kg. It is really one of those lakes where you can catch them on anything, although there were some stand-out lures from the 2019 Open. Day one leader Charles West chose to target sunken timber using his lipless

cranks to great effect, and I also opted for the same technique, which helped to put me in the top three going into the last day. Talking to anglers after the tournament showed that more then half the field opted for this same technique, while eventual

Day 2 Highlights

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Tournament Angler Guide

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There are plenty of these in Wyaralong – big timber standing in open water. The bass love these areas.

Adrian Wilson weighed a cracking bag on Day 2 of the 2019 BASS Electric Australian Open with quality fish like this.

Want to be treated like a BASS Pro angler? The BASS Electric Australian Open has the same payout percentage and coverage as the BASS Australian Open on Glenbawn. Boom.

winner Jake Schwerin fished the same structure throwing a spinnerbait, keeping it in contact with the timber at all times. The trusty old blade played a big part in filling people’s limits, although the average fish size on blades was a lot smaller than those caught on reaction baits. You can see lots of the angler highlights in the videos captured at the event – just scan the QR codes hereby or search on ABT’s YouTube channel (ABT Tournaments). WHAT’S IN STORE IN 2020 Jumping forward to this year’s event, I think we will see a lot more of this lake

unlocked as anglers search and find that something a little different. In saying that, I think if you were going to fish this event you would be silly not to have a lipless crank tied, and searching different ground from the community spots could prove crucial. Rain could also play a big part in this event. Having large amounts of rain that cool the water down could see the edges fire with jerkbaits, but that’s totally weather dependent. Another way to bring in a large limit I feel could be the very popular skirted jig. It’s a technique that hasn’t been fished there a lot and To page 16

Dean Thompson’s old man was the inaugural BASS Pro Angler of the Year in 1999. The young bloke can catch them pretty well, too.

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Tournament Angler Guide

From page 18

fish and still land nearly all of them. When the water is dirtier or the structure I’m fishing is more rugged, I’ll up the line class to 3lb or 4lb when I think I’ll still hook plenty of bream. If I’m fishing a bridge pylon in dirty water or the same water over rocky reef, 5lb or 6lb fluorocarbon is the natural choice – I don’t have to make long casts in those conditions, the fish aren’t put off by the diameter, and the pulling power is sometimes a blessing. There’s a fine balance, though, between having the pulling power and actually using it. Sure, fluorocarbon stretches, but it’s still possible to tear the hooks out of a bream’s mouth with stretchy line. When I used to fish crankbaits on braid,

Straight-through fluorocarbon should be right in the zone for crankbait anglers, especially for yellowfin bream where a straight retrieve often works well.

I’d lose heaps of bream with pulled hooks. It didn’t matter how soft my rods were, there was still a percentage of fish that wouldn’t stay connected, no matter how skilful I thought I was. The answer is to fish all line classes as if the bream is only just hooked. Treat your extra diameter (and breaking strength) in your fluoro as simply more abrasion resistance. Just because you’re fishing 6lb doesn’t mean that you have to have a heavy drag. The bonus with doing this is that if the fish does make it home into some structure, it will be much harder for the fish to break a line under less pressure. Any line, at breaking point, will part instantly when it touches a sharp, underwater object. The same line at only To page 22

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Fishing unweighted plastics, you need to set those hooks hard, which means the braid and leader combo is the natural choice.

SPOOLING FLUOROCARBON

SPOOLING BRAID

I’ve read plenty over the years on the best ways to spool line. Spooling light fluorocarbon onto a small spinning reel is the easiest process ever. 1. Thread the line down the guides and tie it onto your reel. 2. Stick a pen through the middle of your spool. 3. Wind the line onto the reel with a small amount of pressure. There’s none of this having the line come off this side or that side of the spool to counteract the twists. That’s all rubbish. The line is untwisted when it’s sitting on the spool you buy it on. It twists slightly as the line is spooled onto the reel. As you cast, these twists are removed. Don’t make it any more complicated than that. The main danger in spooling up fluorocarbon is to not overheat the line. Heat kills fluoro very quickly, and you can create too much heat if you’re trying to wind the line on under too much pressure. Add the pressure with your bare fingers, and if it gets too hot for your fingers, it’s too hot for the line.

You spool braided line in exactly the same way that you spool fluorocarbon, apart from the pressure. A little bit of heat doesn’t damage the braid the way it can destroy fluoro, and braid spooled under too little tension can cut into itself and create problems. Use a piece of rag to add enough pressure to keep the braid tight as you’re winding it on. If you’re using a shallow spool that doesn’t need backing, use some sticky tape to help anchor the braid to the spool. If you don’t do this, the whole spool of line can slip on the spool. A deeper spool that needs backing can be backed with cheap nylon monofilament line. The braid will never slip on mono backing. Just make sure that the knot between the backing and the main line is good. You never know when you’ll need the connection to remain fast.

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WHAT’S NEW FISHING SFT TAKUMI

SFT is a new tackle brand to hit Australian shores, and the range includes some serious lures for serious offshore anglers. Anyone who keeps an ear to the ground would have already heard of the SFT Takumi lure last tuna season in South Australia. The Takumi has been the must-have lure to use, with countless fish caught on it. The Takumi comes in three sizes, 75mm, 95mm and 125mm. It can be trolled or cast, and being a weighted lure it tracks straight and quite fast, allowing it to be trolled at speeds up to 15 knots. Boasting fully wired though construction and Owner trebles straight out the pack, the Takumi also runs well with inline singles for catch and release anglers. The SFT range also includes lures to suit salmon, kingfish, GTs, mulloway, barramundi, snapper and more. You can check out the range and stockist locations at the SWL Distributions website. You can also follow SFT Australia on Facebook and Instagram. www.swldistributions.com.au

DAIWA LEGALIS RODS

The new Daiwa Legalis series is light in the hand yet heavy in quality. Featuring advanced design and excellent value for money, this rod series performs well above its price point. The Legalis’ Braiding X graphite blank, with its robust and rugged construction, boasts superior lightness, sensitivity and responsiveness. The Legalis’ impressive blank is matched by its equally impressive hardware, with stainless steel O ring guides, Daiwa Surround Hold reel seats and a combination of cork and EVA grips providing comfort, control and stylish design and looks. With a range that includes 16 models (10 spin and six baitcaster), the Legalis series has tapers and designs to suit a variety of angling types, from ultra-light estuary to heavy-duty freshwater and inshore. If you’re in the market for a good quality budget baitcaster, check out the range at your favourite tackle store. www.daiwafishing.com.au

NEW ZMAN COLOURS

There have been some exciting new ZMan colour additions, including purple death, the Wright stuff and hot craw. Purple death is making a name for itself in both the fresh and salt, thanks to its UVreactive green belly, translucent purple back and micro glitter that adds a natural scale flash. It is available in both the 3” MinnowZ and 4” DieZel MinnowZ. The Wright stuff colour is named after US angler Jesse ‘Redfish’ Wright, who helped design it. This natural translucent brown colour contains a mix of black, gold and copper fleck, making it dynamite in dirty and tannin-stained water, along with targeting species that reside around muddy and weedy environments. Available in the 3” MinnowZ and 4” DieZel MinnowZ, these two new colours will be on the menu for flathead, barra, jacks, mulloway, bass and more. The hot craw colour has a dark back over a bright red, with a black and gold glitter. Hot Craw is an excellent reaction colour, and it stands out from the natural colour range offered in these models. It’s available in both the 2.5” TRD CrawZ and 2.75” TRD BugZ. The 2.5” TRD CrawZ, 2.75” TRD BugZ and 3” MinnowZ have six per pack, while the

FEBRUARY 2020

PRODUCT GUIDE 4” DieZel MinnowZ has five per pack. Price: SRP $11.95 www.z-man.com.au

TICA BRUTE WOLF REEL

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TiCA has released a new large sized spinning reel for the budget conscious angler, and it’s jam-packed with quality features at an affordable price. The TiCA Brute Wolf features a high tensile strength slim body frame that helps to keep weight down. Other features include a forged aluminium spool, computer-balanced rotor, multi anti-reverse, TiCA’s IOS Intelligent Oscillating System, and four TiCA rust-resistant bearings. The Brute Wolf also offers a robust 10kg of drag pressure, and comes with an extra large, round EVA power handle for extreme cranking power. The Brute Wolf will retrieve 90cm of line per handle turn on its 4.4:1 ratio, and will hold 320m of 20lb line. All in all, it’s the perfect entry level reel for the angler wanting a large line capacity while fishing the rocks or surf. Price: SRP $70 www.jurofishing.com

TASSIE DEVIL BLADES 5 AND SPOONS The new Tasmanian Devil Blade features a uniquely designed spinner blade which has been created to match the famous Tasmanian Devil lure. The blade provides a distinct, enticing action as it spins through the water. The Devil Blade range features custom Tasmanian Devil paint designs that have been created specifically for freshwater species. Devil Blades are available in two sizes, 3.8g and 5.4g, and each lure is equipped with quality terminal tackle and VMC treble hooks. Another new release is the Devil Spoon, which has the dual attraction of vibration and flash. As the spoon travels through the water it flutters from side to side and emits a vibration that attracts fish, even in cloudy water. The polished underside of the Devil Spoon produces a flash attraction which is particularly effective in clear, running water, and it’s a proven trigger for predatory species. It’s available now in 7.5g and 12.5g sizes. www.jmgillies.com.au

BIWAA BALTIK 7” PADDLE TAIL

The Baltik Swimbait 7” is one of the newest members of BIWAA’s soft swimbait line-up, and has been designed by one of BIWAA’s most innovative pro staffers, Kevin Hernandez. The Baltik Swimbait 7” looks as good as it performs, and is great for a wide variety of presentations. It can be fished with great effect at any speed. This big 7” paddle tail is what you need if you are targeting barramundi, mulloway or cod. You can rig it with weighted or unweighted weedless hooks, or use a jighead with a 7/0 hook. Other features include: durable and long lasting plastic formulation; 3D eyes; photorealistic paint designs; and 3D scales to create an ultra lifelike appearance. The BIWAA Baltik Swimbait 7” is available in six colours (08 – herring, 19 – aurora gold, 22 – hitch, 008 – pearl white, 303 – pro blue, 305 – lavender) and comes in packs of two. You can view the full colour range on the EJ Todd website. www.ejtodd.com.au

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SAMAKI MANGROVE JACK

The Manic Jack shirt takes red dogs to a new level! Aggressive by nature, this powerhouse of a species pounces at speed, attacking the Samaki Redic lure – and lurking in the background is the school of pups waiting for an opportunity to join in on the feast. The lightweight fabric is perfect for all outdoor elements, shielding you from the harsh sun with UPF50+ protection. The soft touch 100% polyester material is comfortable on the body, and has the added feature of being breathable, keeping you cool and dry. Samaki designs are brought to you by Australian anglers who love to design Australian species. These shirts are available in adult, youth and kids sizes, ranging from size 2 through to a 5XL, allowing the whole family to get in on the action and out onto the water. You can find more information and stockists on the Samaki website. You can also see the latest releases, catch photos and special promotions on Facebook and Instagram. Price: SRP $59.95 (adults), SRP $49.95 (kids) www.samaki.com.au

RAPALA X-RAP MAG CAST

Built heavy and aerodynamic for extreme casting distances, the new Rapala X-Rap Magnum Cast delivers even in the most demanding saltwater fishing conditions. Heavy-duty construction ensures that the X-Rap Magnum Cast stands up to the strongest of saltwater beasts. Featuring a perfectly balanced swimming action for fast retrieves, it will run straight even with the fastest cast-and-burn presentations. Its fluttering action on the drop also adds lifelike flash. Other features include: full wire through construction, extreme casting performance, perfect balance, new generation high definition colours, 3D holographic eyes, and durable in-line VMC single hooks. For more information head to the Rapala website, or look them up on Facebook (www.facebook. com/rapala.australia) or Instagram (@ rapalaaustralia). www.rapala.com.au

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SAMAKI TEFLON KNIVES

Following an extensive design process, Samaki have produced a knife to suit all anglers. This knife fits comfortably in your hand, is built strong with a German stainless steel blade, and is rust resistant with a Teflon coating. The ultra-sharp German stainless steel blade is of the finest quality, with excellent durability and longevity, and a Teflon coating for rust resistance. The handle has been carefully shaped and moulded to suit a variety of anglers’ hands, fitting comfortably and allowing you to apply pressure when necessary. The two-toned Samaki design allows for a good grip and protection of your hand. Our sheaths are custom designed from the ground up, and have a sharpener at the tip for that quick touch up, a scoop for innards removal, rear belt clip for fast access and screw holes for attachment to your bait board or chopping board. This sheath has it all! With two lengths of 6.5” and 7.5”, Samaki offers a fine boning blade, two all-rounder fillet knives, and a super flex fillet. For more information and stockists, check

out the Samaki website. You can also join them on Instagram and Facebook for updates and catch photos. www.samaki.com.au

ZEREK ICE GIGOLO

The Ice Gigolo is a classic ice jig that is 40mm long and available in six colours. Weighing an easy-to-use 10g, the Ice Gigolo is ideal for targeting suspended Australian bass, redfin and trout in our many lakes and reservoirs. Work it with a subtle hop or with light taps on the rod butt to shake the Gigolo in the fish’s face to ensure solid strikes. With a specifically placed tow point that allows the Ice Gigolo to dart from side to side easily, this lure is fantastic for shut down and hard-totempt fish. Equipped with two strong single hooks on the ends and a belly treble underneath, hookup rates compare very well with all other ice jigs on the market. Clever anglers adjust this lure’s capabilities by removing the belly treble and placing a sinker on the hanger to give the lure greater depth capabilities without the loss of action. www.wilsonfishing.com.au

LIVETARGET SLOW ROLL SHINER

The award-winning LiveTarget Slow Roll Shiner features Injected Core Technology (ICT) which produces a lifelike ultra-realistic metallic core with lifelike eyes and scale patterns produces large amounts of flash and providing perfect balance, while the outer Exo-Skin generates a hard-thumping paddle tail action. The result is a perfect looking, shimmering baitfish profile inside a larger, clear paddle-tail soft plastic. Unlike other soft plastics, the Slow Roll Shiner’s thumping tail creates a whole body rolling action. This subtle and enticing roll is irresistible to a range of species, including bream, bass, flathead and barra. It can be rigged weedless for fishing in snaggy country, and it’s also very effective when rigged on a traditional jighead and retrieved along the bottom. LiveTarget Slow Roll Shiners are currently available in six colours and three sizes. The 3” and 4” models come in a pack of four, and the 5” version comes in a pack of three. LiveTarget lures are distributed by EJ Todd, and you can check out the full range on their website. www.ejtodd.com.au

DAIWA X TIDE COLLAB

It’s time to dress to impress with the Daiwa X Tide Collab range. Featuring a more generous sizing than previous collabs, the range ticks the boxes in both looks and comfort and welcomes some new stylings to the popular Daiwa X Tide Collab line-up. Featuring six pieces in the range, including two short sleeve T-shirt designs (Barramundi and Locked Up designs), Lake design long sleeve tee, and two-toned (black and camo) Nature Boardshorts, the new collab series is Daiwa streetwear with that classic Tide flavour. On the water the new Nature Jersey and Facemask will have you protected from the elements with their SPF 50+ rating, and the contemporary style will stand out in a crowd on the beach, boat or headland. Look good and stay protected this summer with the Daiwa X Tide Collab summer series. www.daiwafishing.com.au

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

WHAT’S NEW FISHING

PRODUCT GUIDE

JIG STAR SHIMANO BLUE STARWALKER LURES 13 ROMANCE 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, Southeast Asia, South Africa and New Zealand. Hundreds of hours were spent testing products. One of his latest releases is the Starwalker, an inexpensive but productive topwater stickbait that has proven highly effective on yellowtail kingfish, tuna and giant trevally. Starwalker lures cast like bullets, are perfectly weight balanced, and don’t tumble during casting. These lures feature a hi-tech laser etched holographic finish, and come in eight vibrant natural baitfish finishes. Starwalker lures are 18cm long and are available in both floating (100g) and sinking (130g) models. Each lure features a wire through body construction for added strength, and stainless steel tow points. These lures come un-rigged to allow the angler to determine their chosen configuration. Jig Star recommends using 8/0-9/0 inline hooks, such as Jig Star In-Line Hooks, to ensure a perfect swimming action. To find out more about the Jig Star range visit the Juro Oz Pro Tackle website. www.jurofishing.com

SHIMANO BRENIOUS 14 JIGS The Brenious NT (bottom style) jigs are an exciting new way to fish soft plastics, introduced to Australia direct from the Japanese domestic market. This innovative snag resistant jig is designed for bottom style fishing and can be hopped, slow rolled, jigged and dead sticked and consistently accounts for fish in a diverse range of environments. This finesse jig can be used with a variety of plastic styles in the Squidgy Bio family and has proven deadly on a range of Australian species ranging from bream, flathead, snapper, trevally, bass, and yellowbelly. The Brenious NT jigs are available in three weights (5g, 7g and 10g) and four colours (flash purple, flash green, flash pink and suika red). Price: SRP $8.95 www.shimanofish.com.au

PRO LURE FISHTAIL

FEBRUARY 2020

Designed by Shimano Japan, the new Blue Romance series incorporates the most popular actions from the Australian TK3G series and unique Shimano rod components. Featuring Shimano’s High Power X graphite blanks, which features 0 and 90° wrapped graphite sheets and spiralled Infinity Tape prevents the rod twisting during the cast and the fight. A CI4+ reel seat provides weight reduction advantages, EVA grips for functionality and comfort, and Fuji’s classic K aeries Alconite guides throughout. There’s a choice of spin rods in one and two-piece in a range of line weights, from ultra-light up to heavy-duty. Baitcaster users are well covered also, with a single piece 5’8” and a 6’0” option featuring the same componentry, but with trigger grip reel seats. www.shimanofish.com.au

PLATYPUS STEALTH 17 FC LEADER Manufactured in Japan to exacting specifications, Platypus Stealth FC is an advanced fluorocarbon leader that offers cutting-edge technology and excellent value for money. With over 120 years of line development and manufacturing in Australia, Platypus has comprehensively tested its fluorocarbon leaders to deliver a world-class product. This leader has extreme abrasion and impact resistance, excellent knot strength and a refractive index close to that of water, making it virtually invisible underwater. Stealth FC also has a quicker sink rate than mono, making it ideal for maintaining contact with baits and lures when sinking, while not absorbing water and in turn maintaining its strength throughout extended fishing sessions. An elastic line tamer comes with each spool, protecting and controlling the leader on the spool, while allowing easy dispensing via the eyelet on the line tamer. This avoids the spaghetti mess of leaders without keepers, and the difficulty of locating the end of the leader in hank style, clamshell spools. Platypus Stealth FC is available in breaking strains from 2lb-50lb, and spool lengths from 50-100m. Price: SRP $18.95 - $22.95 www.fishplatypus.com.au

RAPALA 15 RIP STOP

Over the past 12 months Pro Lure have been working on some modifications to the popular Fishtail soft bait. In order to increase the versatility and make the lure easier to rig, several changes have been made. A shallow split belly has been added to aid weedless rigging with worm hooks, and the dorsal fin has been removed, replaced with a shallow groove along the back, making it easier to rig straight and align jigheads, as well as having a protecting channel for weedless worm hook points to sit snugly. The final change is a slight narrowing up front so that standard jigheads will sit cleaner. The addition of a white albino colour to the range and more rigging options will provide more possibilities for the Fishtail. The Pro Lure Fishtail is available in three sizes, 80mm, 105mm, and 130mm. Trade enquiries can be directed to sales@ prolureaustralia.com.au. www.prolureaustralia.com.au

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The new Rapala Rip Stop is described as ‘fast ripping – hard stopping’. Its unique boot tail design acts as a break when paused, and when the lure stops it perfectly suspends, triggering the bite. The one-of-a-kind tail design generates a fast-ripping and flashing swimbait action. The unique body style lessens forward travel after each twitch, delivering an action that is unlike anything the fish have ever seen. Built with a secondary lip towards the rear of the bait, the Rapala RipStop Jerkbait stops on a dime, and produces a subtle shimmy before coming to a rest, then ever-so-slightly lifts its heard with a super-slow rise. You can fish it for a range of species using a variety of techniques, and cast it far with little effort. This suspending lure is available in two sizes, 9cm (7g, 0.9-1.2m running depth) and 12cm (14g, 1.3-1.6m). There is also a Deep version, which is 12cm long and dives to 1.22.4m. www.rapala.com.au

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Mangrove Outdoors M-Series Coolers – built tough, excellent cooling The 2020 cooler market isn’t quite as crowded as the sublimated fishing shirts scene, but the number of offerings – both good and bad – has certainly grown significantly in the last few years. When Mangrove Outdoors launched mid-way through last year, this Aussie small business set out to break the mould and offer features you won’t find in most other coolers at a price that’s not going to cost you a second mortgage. While there are big plans in place to expand the Mangrove Outdoors range, their first offering is fairly simple: three different sized coolers (20L, 45L and 70L) in three colours (Uluru Red, Daintree Camo and Thredbo White). Accompanying the coolers is a small range of accessories and apparel. Each is well made and features only subtle labelling.

The rubber latches keep a great seal but are easy enough to open that my 9yo daughter, Asha can easily open them.

20L CONSTRUCTION Rotomolded in the same fashion as your kayak might be, the walls of the coolers are made from BPA-free, UV-stabilised material and are smooth and easy clean after a trip. In between those walls is plenty of high-density poly foam insulation to keep your essentials cooler for longer. From the first time you pick them up you can feel they are built to last, and every cooler has its own unique pattern. FEATURES It’s clear that plenty of thought and research has been put into configuring each of the current sizes. All come with strong XL-sized hinges which don’t protrude from the main body, have comfortable non-slip handles, and oversized rubber latches that keep a tight seal but are easy enough to use that my 9yo daughter can open them. Perhaps my favourite feature though is the marine-grade, slip-resistant pad with a pair of cut-outs that fit your stubby perfectly. It also provides extra insulation and makes it comfy to sit on. The 45L and 70L models come standard with a dry goods basket, drink holder and an acrylic cutting board which also doubles as a divider. This is very handy for keeping your catch separate from your other food and drinks if you decide to keep a couple for the table. All models feature lockable lids and tiedown loops so you can leave them in the boat or ute tray without having to worry some scumbag will help themselves to your precious cargo. On the Mangrove Outdoors website there’s a handy guide of just what you’ll fit inside your new icebox, measured by beers + bags of ice. From my own ‘research’ they are accurate, and are as follows:

• 20L: 12 beers + one bag of ice • 45L: 30 beers + three bags of ice • 70L: 60 beers + four bags of ice When you add the storage basket to the larger two models you can also keep those other fishing trip essentials fresh and cool, – i.e. a couple of servo pies, a box of Pizza Shapes and two king-sized Chunky Kit-Kats. PERFORMANCE So far so good, but what happens when the sun starts to sizzle and you need to keep the T-bones and marlin cans cold? This is was the most impressive part for me. The M-Series coolers exceeded all my expectations when it came to

Plain old servo party ice was lasting up to three full days in the smaller two coolers, and when I went on a camping trip and took the big rig, I used the supplied info sheet and combined block ice I froze myself with 4L ice-cream containers. I was able to get five days of stable, dependable cooling before heading home for a much-needed shower! This is with all with very little maintenance from myself as far as opening the bung to drain the excess water. If I was more attentive it would have extended the life of the ice even further, but for the purpose of this review I wanted to just let it do its thing and report back on what you guys can expect as a basemark for performance.

OVERALL To say I’m impressed by the Mangrove Outdoors M-Series would be the understatement of the year. My family spends a lot of time in the outdoors, and being able to keep food fresh and drinks icy-cold away from home makes our lives so much better. For my kids to be able to easily grab themselves a drink or snack without me having to get up again might just be my favourite feature. With prices ranging from $229-$449 with free shipping available to most areas, Mangrove Outdoors are making it easy for Aussie fishos and families to have a premium quality cooler without the price tag you might see from overseas owned companies. If you’re tired of poor performance and durability from your current ice-box, jump onto www.mangroveoutdoors.com.au and order one for yourself. - RUPE

45L internal temperatures and how long the ice lasted in the red-hot Queensland summer. I’ve had all three out and about with me camping, at Christmas BBQs and running around the Gold Coast broadwater islands on a sweltering New Years Day. Each time they stood up to the heat and to my kids constantly opening them, despite growing levels of threats from myself!

70L

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

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(08) 9433 4768 www.anglersfishingworld.com.au Getaway Outdoors Balcatta (08) 9344 7343 Getaway Outdoors Cockburn (08) 9417 4644 Getaway Outdoors Joondalup (08) 9300 1330 Getaway Outdoors Kelmscott (08) 9495 4444 Getaway Outdoors Mandurah (08) 9581 8877 Jet Cycles & Compleat Angler Gosnells (08) 9398 2359 Tackle World & Outdoors Mandurah (08) 9581 6953

Cheynes Beach Caravan Park Cheynes (08) 9846 1247

Achievement Charters Fremantle 0418 655 188 Apache Charters South Fremantle (08) 9339 2432 Black Jack Charters Bandy Creek 0429 106 960 Blue Horizon Fishing Charters Exmouth 08) 9949 1620 Blue Juice Charters (08) 9401 4666 Diversity Bluewater Adventures Exmouth Exmouth 0488 009 989 Duke Charters Condingup (08) 9076 6223 Esperance Diving And Fishing Esperance (08) 9071 5111 Evolution Fishing Charters 0477 901 445 Fly Fishing Frontiers Exmouth 0427 366 142 Great Southern Discovery Albany 0455 105 127 Jazz Charters Fremantle 0433 521 297 Kalbarri land Based fishing Carters 0418930695 Mills Charters Hillarys (08) 9246 5334 Perth Fishing Safaris 0422 686 363 Port Bouvard Charters Wannanup 0477 347 465 Set The Hook Exmouth 0433 049 988 SHIKARI Charters Fremantle 0412 131 958 Spinners Charters Emu Point (08) 9844 1906 Specialist Fishing Charters 0407 259 399

SPECIALIST FISHING CHARTERS FAD’s Squiding and Whiting Crayfish (craypots) and Whiting Deepwater Wrecks / Samson Fish

Tailored Treks - Lancelin 0427 941 126 Top Gun Charters EXMOUTH 0418 925 131 West End Charters Winthrop WA 6150 (08) 9332 4303

ONLINE TACKLE PRODUCTS

Albany Rods & Tackle (08) 9841 1231 Trailblazers Albany (08) 9841 7859

ESPERANCE Esperance Camping & Workwear Esperance (08) 9071 2142 Southern Sports & Tackle (08) 9071 3022 Tatey’s Bait ‘n’ Tackle Castletown (08) 9071 5003

DONGARA & GERALDTON Dongara Sport & Tackle Dongara (08) 9927 1196 Geraldton Sports Centre (08) 9921 3664 Getaway Outdoors Geraldton (08) 9965 3766

CARNARVON Carnarvon Tackle & Marine (08) 9941 4161

KALBARRI Kalbarri Sports & Dive (08) 9937 1126

Lilacs Waterfront villas & cottages Robinson (08) 9841 2390 Two Peoples Caravan Park Kalgan (08) 9846 4024

DENMARK Denmark Rivermouth Caravan Park Denmark (08) 9848 1262 Denmark Waterfront Denmark (08) 9848 1147 Karri Aura Caravan Park & Motel Suites Shadforth (08) 9848 2200

WALPOLE – MANJIMUP – PEMBERTON Big Brook Arboretum Pemberton (08) 9776 1207 Coalmine Beach Holiday Park Walpole (08) 9840 1026 Manjimup Central Caravan Park & Deli Manjimup (08) 9777 2355 Nornalup Riverside Chalets Nornalup (08) 9840 1107 One Tree Bridge Chalets Manjimup (08) 9777 1196 Peaceful Bay Chalets Peaceful Bay (08) 9840 8169 Rest Point Holiday Village Walpole (08) 9840 1032 Riverside Retreat Walpole, (08) 9840 1255 Warren Way Caravan Park Balbarrup (08) 9771 1060

AUGUSTA Flinders Bay Caravan Park Augusta (08) 9780 5636 Hamelin Bay Holiday Park Hamelin Bay (08) 9758 5540 Molloy Caravan Park Kudardup (08) 9758 4515 Sheoak Chalets Augusta Augusta (08) 9758 1958

Gracetown Caravan Park Gracetown (08) 9755 5301 Margaret River Tourist Park (08) 9757 2180 Prevelly Caravan Park Prevelly Park (08) 9757 2374 Riverview Tourist Park Margaret River (08) 9757 2270

Dunsborough Beach Cottages (08) 9756 8885 Yallingup Beach Holiday Park 1800 220 002

Ideal for braids and leaders large and small.

MODIFIED DESIGN

allows braid tension adjustment

CHECK IT OUT ONLINE ORDERS

King River Palms Caravan Park Willyung (08) 98443232

Caves Caravan Park Yallingup (08) 9755 2196

GET THE ULTIMATE FG KNOT TOOL

ALBANY

Havana Villas Albany (08) 9844 1085

YALLINGUP – DUNSBOROUGH

FG Wizz www.fgwizz.com.au

ROCKINGHAM

Emu Beach Chalets Emu Point (08) 9844 8889

MARGARET RIVER

Bookings/Enquiries 0407 259 399

Compleat Angler & Camping World -Rockingham (08) 9528 5255 Port Kennedy Cycles and Fishing (08) 9524 6774 Whitey’s Tackle & Camping Australind (08) 9797 0762

ALBANY

Albany Holiday Units Middleton Beach (08) 9841 7817

Departs Fremantle

Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour Mews Road, Fremantle WA 6160

Wavecrest Village & Tourist Park Hopetoun (08) 9838 3888

Albany Holiday Park Albany (08) 9841 7800

BlueSun2 Boat Charters Ardross 0405 353 353 Boating West O’Connor 0429 887 798 Boat Hire Perth Mindarie 0403 095 868

Demersal / Reef Fish Exclusive Fishing Charter Deep Drop

Hopetoun Caravan Park Hopetoun (08) 9838 3096

Albany Happy Days Caravan Park King River (08) 9844 3267

FISHING GUIDES/CHARTERS

Baitmate-Bricap Wangara (08) 9309 5474 Bluewater Tackle Mindarie (08) 9407 9766 Bluewater Tackle World Joondalup (08) 6244 0344 Bluewater Tackle World Morley (08) 9375 9800 Bluewater Tackle World Myaree (08) 9330 7766 Compleat Angler Nedlands (08) 9389 1337 Dawe’s Bait & Tackle Mandurah (08) 9534 6661 Fishing WA Pro Tackle Wangara (08) 9409 2253 Hillarys Boat & Tackle Hillarys (08) 9401 4331 Sportsmarine Bunbury (08) 9721 4961 Tackle World Miami (08) 9534 5533 Tim’s Tackle Plus Bassendean (08) 6161 0044 Anglers Fishing World South Fremantle (08) 9433 4768

Bremer Bay Beaches Resort & Tourist Park Bremer Bay (08) 9837 4290

www.fgwizz.com.au

BUSSELTON Amblin Holiday Park Busselton (08) 9755 4079 Busselton Beachfron Busselton (08) 9755 2607 Busselton Holiday Village Busselton (08) 9752 4499 Busselton Villas & Caravan Park Busselton (08) 9752 1175 Fourseasons Holiday Park Busselton (08) 9755 4082 Geographe Bay Holiday Park Busselton (08) 9752 4396 Lazy Days Holiday Park Busselton (08) 9752 1780 Sandy Bay Holiday Park Busselton (08) 9752 2003

BUNBURY

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION ESPERANCE Bathers Paradise Caravan Park Esperance (08) 9071 1014 Esperance Chalet Village Bandy Creek (08) 9071 1861 Munglinup Beach Holiday Park Munglinup (08) 9075 1155 Ocean Beach Holiday Units Esperance (08) 9071 5942 Pine Grove Holiday Park Esperance (08) 9071 4100 Pink Lake Tourist Park Nulsen (08) 9071 2424

Binningup Beach Caravan Park Bunbury (08) 9720 1057 Brunswick Junction Caravan Park Bunbury (08) 9726 1544 Bunbury Glade Caravan Park Bunbury 1800 113 800 Discovery Parks - Bunbury (08) 9795 7100 Riverside Cabin Park Bunbury (08) 9725 1234 Taralea Farm Bunbury (08) 9728 1252 Waterloo Village Caravan Park Bunbury (08) 9725 4434

This section in WA Fishing Monthly consolidates the trades and services in your area that are relevant to your fishing and boating. Whether you’re a local looking for more options or a travelling angler fishing around the state, this guide will direct you to reputable businesses in the area you’re searching. 74

FEBRUARY 2020

Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory MANDURAH Belvedere Caravan Park Mandurah (08) 9535 1213 Estuary Hideaway Holiday Park 0407 838 061 Footprints Preston Beach (08) 9739 1111 Lake Clifton Caravan Park (08) 9739 1255 Lake Navarino Holiday Park (08) 9733 3000 Mandurah Ocean Marina Chalets (08) 9535 8173 Miami Holiday Park (08) 9534 2127 Peel Caravan Park (08) 9535 4343 Pinjarra Caravan Park Mandurah (08) 9531 1374 Pinjarrah Holiday Park (08) 9531 1604 The Dwellingup Chalet and Caravan Park (08) 9538 1157 Timber Top Caravan Park (08) 9535 1292 Waroona Caravan Village (08) 9733 1518 Waters Edge Caravan Park 0427 281 622

MOORE RIVER – LANCELIN – CERVANTES Branchys Holiday Homes Guilderton (08) 9577 1321 Experience Lancelin Holiday Park (08) 9655 1056 Guilderton Caravan Park (08) 9577 1021

JURIEN BAY – GREEN HEAD – LEEMAN Green Head Caravan Park Green Head (08) 9953 1131 Jurien Bay Tourist Park Jurien Bay (08) 9652 1595 Leeman Caravan Park Leeman (08) 9953 1080

DONGARA – GERALDTON Batavia Coast Caravan Park (08) 9938 1222 Double Beach Caravan Park (08) 9921 5845 Horrocks Beach Caravan Park (08) 9934 3039 Leander Reef Holiday Park Port Denison (08) 9927 1840 Port Denison Holiday Units (08) 9927 1104 Seaspray Beach Holiday Park Dongara (08) 9927 1165

KALBARRI Kalbarri Anchorage Caravan Park Kalbarri (08) 9937 1181 Kalbarri Beach Bungalows A & B Kalbarri (08) 9937 0400 Kalbarri Blue Ocean Villas Kalbarri (08) 9937 2442 Murchison caravan park Kalbarri (08) 9937 0400 Murchison House Station Kalbarri (08) 9937 1998 Murchison River Caravan Park Kalbarri (08) 9937 1005

SHARK BAY Bay Lodge Denham Shark Bay WA (08) 9948 1278 Denham Seaside Caravan Park, (08) 9948 1242 Oceanside Village Denham Shark Bay (08) 9948 3003 RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort (08) 9948 1320 Shark Bay Caravan Park (08) 9948 1387

CARNARVON Capricorn Holiday Park (08) 9941 8153 Carnarvon Caravan Park (08) 9941 8101 Coral Coast Tourist Park (08) 9941 1438 Norwesta Lifestyle Park (08) 9941 1277 Outback Oasis Caravan Park (08) 9941 1439 Wintersun Caravan and Tourist Park (08) 9941 8150

CORAL BAY Bayview Coral Bay (08) 9385 6655 Ningaloo Club (08) 9948 5100 Ningaloo Reef Resort (08) 9942 5934 Peoples Park (08) 9942 5933

EXMOUTH Exmouth Escape Resort (08) 9949 4800 Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort, Exmouth (08) 9949 0000 Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort (08) 9949 2377 Ningaloo Lighthouse Holiday Park (08) 9949 1478 Yardie Homestead Caravan Park (08) 9949 1389

ONSLOW Discovery Parks - Onslow (08) 9184 6007 Ocean View Caravan Park (08) 9184 6053

DAMPIER Aspen Karratha Village Baynton (08) 9185 2726 Dampier Transit Caravan Park (08) 9183 1109 Discovery Parks - Balmoral, Karratha (08) 9185 3628 Discovery Parks - Pilbara, Karratha (08) 9185 1855 Karratha Apartments Karratha (08) 9143 9222 Karratha Caravan Park (08) 9185 1012 Karratha Village Karratha 1300 321 669 Searipple Village Karratha Bulgarra (08) 9158 7400

PORT HEDLAND Blackrock Tourist Park South Hedland (08) 9172 3444 Discovery Parks Port Hedland (08) 9173 1271 Landing Resort Port Hedland (08) 9172 4111 Port Tourist Park Port Hedland (08) 9172 4111

BROOME Broome Caravan Park (08) 9192 1776 Broome Vacation Village Caravan Park Broome (08) 9192 1057 Cable Beach Caravan Park Broome (08) 9192 2066 Discovery Parks - Broome (08) 9192 1366 Tarangau Caravan Park Broome (08) 9193 5084

WELDING & MANUFACTURING CSD Designs Bayswater 0407 772 010

BOATS Aquasports Marine Midvale (08) 9250 3339 Midway Marine (08) 9527 6963Bluewater Marine (08) 9791 1499

650HTF

DERBY

GET ONBOARD

Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park (08) 9193 1055 West Kimberley Lodge & Caravan Park (08) 9191 1031

KUNUNURRA Discovery Parks - Lake Kununurra (08) 9168 1031 El Questro Wilderness Park 1800 837 168 Hidden Valley Caravan Park (08) 9168 1790 Ivanhoe Village Caravan Resort (08) 9169 1995 Kona Lakeside Caravan Park (08) 9161 1139 Kununurra Lakeside Resort (08) 9169 1092 Lake Argyle Caravan Park (08) 9168 7777 Lake Argyle Resort (08) 9168 7777 Town Caravan Park (08) 9168 1763 Wyndham Caravan Park (08) 9161 1064

MARINE MECHANICS Bay Marine Maintenance Crawley (08) 9386 7059 Boat Fix Balcatta (08) 9240 8778 Boat Lifters Blue HQ Perth (08) 9239 9333 Bravo Marine Services Bayswater (08) 9272 9300 Bravo Marine Services Bayswater (08) 9272 9300 Chandlers Marine Service Wangara (08) 9303 9366 Falcon Services Australia Midvale 0458 852 591 GP Marine Cockburn Central 0408 913 104 GP Marine Cockburn Central 0408 913 104 Hitech Marine Wangara (08) 9309 2888 Mandurah Outboards, Mandurah (08) 9581 7224 Matich Marine East Fremantle (08) 9339 7722 Mobile Marine WA Osborne Park 0428 225 877 Parker Marine Fremantle (08) 9336 6979 Parker Marine Fremantle (08) 9336 6979 Perth Boat Mechanics Huntingdale 0405 593 786 Platinum Boating Maintenance Wangara 0402 477 656 Pleisure Marine Maintenance O’Connor (08) 9337 9569 Seapower Australia Pty Ltd (08) 9335 9777 Seasport Marine Kelmscott (08) 9498 1799 The Boat Business Henderson (08) 9437 5144 Total Marine Repairs Mandurah (08) 9582 7211 West Coast Boat Works Perth Landsdale 0439 969 459 Westmarine Boating Services Fremantle WA 0425 177 700

MARINE ACCESSORIES All Boats and Caravans Kingsley (08) 9309 4200 Challenge Batteries Osborne Park (08) 9446 6122 Crackpots Marine Supplies O’Connor (08) 9337 2211 JPW Marine Wholesale Distributors Perth (08) 6253 3000 Offshore Marine Guildford (08) 6278 1299 Searano Marine Malaga (08) 9248 2242 Whitworths Marine & Leisure - Leerderville (08) 9381 1442 Whitworths Marine & Leisure - Mosman Park (08) 9385 5877

18 HAWKINS ST, EAST BUNBURY, WA 6230

(08)

9791 1499

Northbank Fibreglass Boats @northbankboats

N O W AVA IL A B L E ALL YOUR FISHING MONTHLY GEAR From

T-Shirts

Phone Cases From

29 45

22 85

Mugs From

1 7 27

and lots more...

MANY DESIGNS TO CHOOSE FROM ON A WIDE VARIETY OF PRODUCTS

MARINE TRIMMERS

ALL MADE TO ORDER

Cutting Edge Marine Trimming O’Connor 0432 062 834 Exclusive Marine Trimming & Upholstery O’Connor (08) 9314 6882 G.K. Trimmers Canning Vale (08) 9455 7144 John’s mobile trimmers Jandakot (08) 9417 4414 John’s Motor Trimmers Auto & Marine Upholstery Welshpool (08) 9470 5531 Mandurah Motor Trimmers Greenfields (08) 9581 8180 Mason Marine Trimmers O’Connor 0418 923 787 McCarroll Motor & Marine Trimmers Osborne Park (08) 9244 1449 Prestige Marine Trimmers Perth (08) 9303 9536 The Trim Shop (08) 9430 5332 Universal Marine & Automotive Upholstery O’Connor 08) 9314 1770 Waters Edge Marine Trimmers Leeming 0412 204 085

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Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call 0417 901 301 or email nick@fishingmonthly.com.au FEBRUARY 2020

WHAT’S NEW BOATING POWERWINCH 912 TRAILER WINCH

The affordable Powerwinch 912 electric trailer winch is designed for power-in and free-wheeling out. Features include an efficient gear train system for smoother pulling action and less amperage draw, a level wind system that prevents snarls and cable wear, aircraft-quality cable fitted with safety hooks, and a super-tough, ABS weatherresistant housing. This winch suits boats from 7-9m L.O.A. The maximum single line pulling capacity is 1587kg, the maximum double line pulling capacity is 2721kg, and the maximum approx. boat weight is 4535kg. The Powerwinch 912 is supplied with a simple-to-install wiring harness that can be hooked up to any 12V auto or truck battery in minutes. www.powerwinch.com

RAILBLAZA RODSTOW

The RodStow rod holder system is a vertical fishing rod storage rack and caddy for boats. RodStow rod racks will hold your rods above deck, safely and securely, until you’re ready to fish. These rod holders have a removable gimbal pin that you can leave in to support the rod and stop rotation, or remove to let the rod pass through. RodStow is a modular system, so if you buy more you can add them together to make longer rod racks. If you buy a Double or Triple kit you can easily join the components together with the provided stainless steel fasteners, and install it in minutes. The attached storage caddy holds lures, leader and other tackle, and it’s even big enough to hold a small tackle box. The Double kit has one caddy, and the Triple kit has two. Offset mounting is possible, preventing large reels from hitting each other. The vertical RodStow rod rack is suitable for most rods and reels, including spinning, baitcast and game reels, and any length of rod. It’s made from UV Stabilised, fibreglass reinforced engineering polymers, and comes in black or white. Price: SRP $49.99 (Double model with caddy) www.railblaza.com

FUSION MS-RA210 STEREO

Fusion has launched the successor to the highly popular MS-RA205: the MSRA210. Packed with Fusion Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology, it delivers an exceptional audio experience in a compact form. The MS-RA210 features a 2.7” optically bonded colour LCD display, built-in Class-D amplifier, Multi-Zone technology in two zones, and Fusion-Link integration. The brilliant, fullcolour LCD display offers colourful album art with information such as the artist, album and track title. Meeting both IPX6 and IPX7 international standards for water resistance from the front panel, the MS-RA210 is built to last in the harsh marine environment. Fusion’s DSP technology delivers premium audio to all speakers, subwoofers and amplifiers. Every step of the audio chain is optimised to deliver a technically superior listening experience, without the need for boat owners to have a technical understanding. Setting up DSP profiles is simple with the free Fusion-Link app. With just a few clicks, you can set up the preconfigured DSP profile to play high-quality audio, customised for your ears and the environment. Precisely calculated loudness curves are optimized to ensure quality audio delivered at every volume level. www.fusionentertainment.com

VESPER CORTEX

PRODUCT GUIDE

The Cortex from Vesper Marine is the world’s first radio with wireless touchscreen handsets, built-in Class B SOTDMA smartAIS transponder and remote vessel monitoring. Cortex alerts boaters of collision risks, providing information about the potential threat and making it easy to communicate with them. The touchscreen handset makes typically complicated functions easy to use. For example, touching a vessel onscreen and pressing ‘call’ makes a direct DSC call. Cortex continuously shows crossing situations, navigation light sectors and even allows trial manoeuvres while a boater talks on the VHF radio. A 10W speaker output enables louder audio and alerting even while handsets are turned off. Cortex includes dual-watch, favourite channels and onehanded operation. Pressing the man overboard button activates a track back mode on all handsets and marks the waypoint on NMEA 2000 connected MFDs. Cortex combines data such as wind speed, GPS and AIS to prioritise alerts, such as potential collision or anchor drag or MOB. For the full list of features visit the Vesper website. www.vespermarine.com

STAR BRITE HULL CLEANER

Star brite Hull Cleaner gel formula sticks where it’s applied, to maximise cling time and cleaning power. This product completely covers stains to penetrate and dissolve them. It’s specifically formulated to remove the toughest stains, including rust, dried fish blood and leaf stains. It works on all fiberglass and painted surfaces and is ideal for vertical surfaces. This product does not contain harmful acids, and it’s safe and easy to use. You just spray it onto the surface being cleaned (rubber gloves are recommended), let it remain on the surface until the stain disappears, then rinse thoroughly with fresh water. Stubborn stains or spots may require a repeated application with longer soak time and gentle scrubbing. Price: SRP $35 www.starbrite.com

YELLOWFIN PLATE CC

All models in Yellowfin’s updated Centre Console series come standard with Yellowfin Plate’s Spartan Console. This rugged, wide console has plenty of room for electronics and grab rails. For additional cover, a Dolphin Pro T-Top can be installed. The biggest of Yellowfin Centre Consoles (7000 and 7600) can be optioned up to the Mega Console. This aluminium folding console is 220cm high with six rod holders, space for a 16” sounder and room for a radio or other accessories in the top. Standard fishing include 6-side deck rod holders, a live bait tank and self-draining deck. The Platinum Pack includes a bow mount plate, removable bait board, deck wash and more. To get up to the 520mm high raised casting platform, there are steps on either side of the boat with a space in the middle so you can fish at sea level or raised up. Inside the casting platform is a large hatch that can fit a big icebox. he strike chair in the Centre Console is wide enough for two passengers and can quickly be reversed with two release pins. Yellowfin Plate owners can be driving one minute and fishing the next, and the Offshore HD Hull will keep drivers stable and dry. www.yellowfinplateboats.com.au

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

SCAN THE QR CODE!

A NEW ERA A New Era in A NEW 175, 200, 225hp V6

in FourStroke 175, 200, 225hp V6

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or visit us for more information. UNBURYContact BLUEWATER MARINE WEBBERTON MIDWEST MARINE Email: info@aquasportsmarine.com.au Email: exautomotive@bigpond.com For new boat packages or repower see your nearest Mercury dealer today.

Website: 8 Hawkins Street aquasportsmarine.com.au BUNBURY hone: (08) 9791 1499 ax: (08) 9791 1497 BUNBURY BLUEWATER MARINE MIDVALE AQUASPORTS MARINE mail: bluwater@bigpond.net.au 18 Street Hwy BUNBURY 331Hawkins Great Eastern MIDVALE Website: bluewatermarine.com.au

Phone: (08) 9791 9250 1499 3339 Fax: (08) 9791 9250 1497 8339 mation.Email: info@aquasportsmarine.com.au bluwater@bigpond.net.au OMO DINGHY WORLD bluewatermarine.com.au Website: aquasportsmarine.com.au

Website:Street exmouthautoandboating.com.au 61 Anderson WEBBERTON Phone: (08) 9964 9874 Email: admin@midwestmarine.com.au WEBBERTON MIDWEST MARINE & BOATING EXMOUTH EXMOUTH AUTOMOTIVE Website: midwestmarine.com.au 61 Anderson WEBBERTON 5 Griffiths WayStreet EXMOUTH Phone: (08) 9964 9949 9874 2795 Email:(08) admin@midwestmarine.com.au Fax: 9949 4795 Website: midwestmarine.com.au Email: exautomotive@bigpond.com

V-6 & V-8 175-300hp FourStroke Mercury Range

V-6 & V-8 Mercury’s revolutionary engineering 175-300hp and design delivers best in class performance, with superior torque in a FourStroke smooth, compact and quiet package. Range Mercury Paired with unprecedented fuel economy through Advanced Range V-6 & V-8 Optimisation (ARO), the new Mercury V-6 & V-8 175-300hp FourStrokes are 175-300hp the only choice when considering a large displacement outboard. FourStroke All round excellence. ARange performer in every situation. Mercury’s revolutionary engineering and design delivers best in class performance, with superior torque in a smooth, compact and quiet package. Paired with unprecedented fuel economy through Advanced Range Optimisation (ARO), the new Mercury V-6 & V-8 175-300hp FourStrokes are the only choice when considering a Mercury’s revolutionary engineering large displacement outboard. and design delivers best in class

performance, with superior torque in a All round excellence. smooth, compact and quiet package. A performer in every situation. Paired with unprecedented fuel economy through Advanced Range Optimisation (ARO), the new Mercury V-6 & V-8 175-300hp FourStrokes are the only choice when considering a large displacement outboard. All round excellence. A performer in every situation.

MANDURAH MANDURAH OUTBOARDS 53 Gordon Road MANDURAH Phone: (08) 9581 7224 Fax: (08) 9581 6305 Email: james@mandurahoutboards.com.au MANDURAH MANDURAH OUTBOARDS Website: mandurahoutboards.com.au 53 Gordon Road MANDURAH Phone: (08) 9581 7224 Fax: (08) 9581 6305 HENDERSON THE BOAT BUSINESS Email: james@mandurahoutboards.com.au Website: 1/5 Contestmandurahoutboards.com.au Link HENDERSON

Phone: (08) 9437 5144 Fax: (08) 9437 6144 HENDERSON THE BOAT BUSINESS MANDURAH MANDURAH OUTBOARDS Email: mark@theboatbusiness.com.au 1/5 Contest Link HENDERSON 53 Gordon Road MANDURAH Website: theboatbusiness.com.au

Website: exmouthautoandboating.com.au

Phone: (08) 9437 9581 5144 7224 Fax: (08) 9437 9581 6144 6305 mark@theboatbusiness.com.au Email: james@mandurahoutboards.com.au theboatbusiness.com.au Website: mandurahoutboards.com.au

MANDURAH MANDURAH OUTBOARDS WEBBERTON MIDWEST MARINE

HENDERSON THE BOAT BUSINESS

exmouthautoandboating.com.au Website: bluewatermarine.com.au

53 Anderson Gordon Road MANDURAH 61 Street WEBBERTON 9581 9874 7224 Phone: (08) 9964 Fax: (08) 9581 6305 Email: admin@midwestmarine.com.au Email: james@mandurahoutboards.com.au Website: midwestmarine.com.au Website: mandurahoutboards.com.au

1/5 Contest Link HENDERSON Phone: (08) 9437 5144 Fax: (08) 9437 6144 Email: mark@theboatbusiness.com.au Website: theboatbusiness.com.au

WEBBERTON COMO DINGHYMIDWEST WORLD MARINE

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52 Canning Hwy COMO hone: (08) 9367 6555 mail: info@dinghyworld.com.au COMO DINGHY WORLD EXMOUTH EXMOUTH AUTOMOTIVE BUNBURY BLUEWATER MARINE & BOATING Website: dinghyworld.com.au 252 Canning Hwy COMO 5 Griffiths Way EXMOUTH 18 Hawkins Street BUNBURY Phone: (08) 9367 9949 6555 2795 9791 1499 Email:(08) info@dinghyworld.com.au 9949 1497 4795 Fax: 9791 Website: dinghyworld.com.au exautomotive@bigpond.com Email: bluwater@bigpond.net.au

Anglapro Core CSR444 with Suzuki 50hp 4-stroke - SC

TENT -

RE ONLINE MO

CON

AN THE

DE FOR EX

T FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

Sometimes it seems overwhelming to make the step from your first boat to a bigger, more comfortable boat that expands your range, safety and fishing options. There are literally dozens of options in this class of aluminium boat in Australia. Considering that a really basic tinny will cost you around $10,000, the guys at North Coast Boating Centre in Coffs Harbour have set up this Anglapro Core444CSR for on-water testing. And it’s come in, as tested and drive away, from under $20,000. So what do you get for double your money? Basically, you get a painted, carpeted, more stable and capable boat with boarding steps, storage and the potential to trick it up into a real fishing machine. Let’s look at the details. The 4.5m hull has a 2.11m beam, which makes this rig very wide for its length. It means that you’ll find stability to be no problems compared with a 3.7m v-nosed tinny. PERFORMANCE RPM.... SPEED.km/h 1000 ....................... 3 2000 ....................... 5 3000 ....................... 8 4000 ..................... 24 5000 ..................... 36 6000 ..................... 52 78

FEBRUARY 2020

Main: Open tinnies with smooth sides are increasingly popular on the water. The Anglapro Core CSR444 paired with the Suzuki 50hp tiller is a great rig for under $20,000. It’s at home on open water on calm days, and it can sneak up a shallow estuary with ease. Above: Headed out from Coffs Harbour, the Anglapro was noticeably light in the bow. This can easily happen on a boat test where there’s no electric motor, batteries or fishing tackle onboard. The Core444CSR has 3mm bottom sheet and 3mm side sheets with plenty of internal ribs to support the smooth plate gunwales. Traditionally, strength used to be added with clinkered sides, but more and more aluminium boats feature the smooth sided finish nowadays. Before painting, this rig has the floor frames welded in, an optional bow-mounted electric motor bracket and the rear boarding step and rails attached, as well as a couple of internal side pockets. After being sprayed (this one was

white), the carpeted floors are fitted. Finally, the team from NCBC drop it on a single axle, Australian-made trailer (which you can pull around with virtually any car on the road today) and bolt on the 50hp tiller steer Suzuki outboard, which is fuelled by the remote fuel tank that’s kept out of sight under the rear hatch. Registered and out the door, that’s $20,000. You’ll need to add your own fish finders and electric motor. From a fishing point of view, this is an inshore boat that you can take outside on

calm days. We took it for a spin off Coffs Harbour on a calm day with a few lumps left over from some wind elsewhere. You can watch it in action in the video version of this boat test on the Fishing Monthly Magazines YouTube channel (or by scanning the QR code on this page on your smartphone). Although there was no fuel metering equipment fitted on the boat, we did get a feel for it in a cruise up along the coast. At wide open throttle (WOT) we hit a top speed of just over 50km/h at 6,000rpm. The optimum cruising speed was between 4,000 and 5,000rpm, and we infer well over 50km of range from the remote tank. These boats need a little weight up front to balance the ride and help the rig out of the hole. With all of the weight (battery, fuel, motor and two people) down the

SPECIFICATIONS Length................. 4.5m Beam................. 2.11m Depth .................. 1.1m Bottom ................ 3mm Sides ................... 3mm Capacity ..... 4 persons Hull.weight (basic) ................ 250kg back, it took a little effort to get this boat up on the plane, but once you add an electric motor and some of your gear, it will level out nicely. I would also add a couple of seat bases a little further forward. These can help you balance the load, and they also hold the seats when you’re anchored up and drowning some baits. For more information about the Core CSR444 and to check out the rest of the Anglapro range of boats, go to www.anglapro.com.au.

At rest, the Core is stable and roomy. There’s plenty of room for you and a couple of mates to wet a line.

Using a Suzuki with a 20” shaft, there’s a fair difference between the top of the transom and the outboard mounts. Inflow is caught and channeled away by a channeled engine well.

The step and grab rail is standard on this Core model.

The electric motor mount is optional but a necessity on a boat of this size.

The cranking battery sits inside this rear, starboard side hatch.

There are a couple of rear seat mounts, however a port mount a little further forward would allow for a variety of configurations.

Check out this for a mountain of deck space. The semi-raised front deck is a great compromise for a boat that may spend equal times in calm and open waters.

Like all boats with casting decks, the Anglapro gains plenty of underfloor storage space.

The Core comes with a built in anchor well, allowing anchoring as well as electric motor options.

You’ll see plenty of ribs in the smooth sided design.

There are two long side pockets that will hold all of your gear that needs to be readily accessed.

The Core runs a remote, 25L fuel tank. It’s tucked neatly away under the starboard rear hatch.

The step up onto the front deck isn’t too high and gives you the height you need to see into the water. FEBRUARY 2020