BNB Fishing mag | May 2017

Latest tips for your fishing fix

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May 2017 Print Post Approved PP100001534 Volume 28, Number 5

Southern Moreton Bay options

Pearl perch pointers Fly fishing from a kayak

Mix of pelagics the pick for Hervey Bay School jew off Iluka breakwall Golden times at Glenlyon

Reaping rewards after recent flush Late-season spanish mackerel Proudly produced and printed in Australia

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Gearing up to chase monster Murray cod Searching NQ creeks for sooty grunter

05

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Page 2 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

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Inside this month Pearl perch

P10

Sunshine Coast

P30 Murray cod

Barra

P54

water will have cleaned up a bit and we will be back into the fishing, so I will go over what was happening before Debbie and what we might expect after the water cleans up.

Before the rain, we weren’t breaking any records but were catching

OUR COVER

G IN

FISH ING ’S

A

LI

☛ continued P4

Phone (07) 3286 1833 Fax (07) 3821 2637 Email: ben@bnbfishing.com.au Internet: www.bnbfishing.com.au PO Box 387, Cleveland, Qld 4163 Unit 2, 39 Enterprise Street, Cleveland, Qld 4163 AFTA PRINTER: Rural Press, Ormiston DISTRIBUTION BY: Fairfax Max. recommended retail price $4.50 (includes GST).

CORRESPONDENTS: Editorial contributions are welcome, as is news from clubs, associations, or individuals; and new product news from manufacturers. Entire contents copyright. Nothing may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. It is the responsibility of advertisers to ensure the correctness of their claims and statements. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.

RA

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EDITOR: Ben Collins ADVERTISING: Ben Collins, Kacie Hubbert PRODUCTION: Jo Hendley, Daniel Tomlinson

AUST

JUNE edition will be on sale in newsagents from May 26. See subscriber offer on Page 72 to go in the draw to win an awesome 2-4kg 7’ Florless spin/ plastics rod valued at $425.

Bush ‘n Beach Fishing magazine is published monthly by Collins Media Pty Ltd ABN 43 159 051 500 ACN 159 051 500 trading as Collins Media.

E TUR FU

ANGUS VAN LATHUM captured this whopper 44.4cm whiting to win the whiting category in the Junior division of the 2017 Pirtek Fishing Challenge. Check out WAYNE YOUNG’S article on Page 16 for more information on finding whiting during May.

squire/snapper in southern Moreton Bay as well as a few flathead, bream and trevally.

The best technique for flathead and bream was trolling small hard-body lures over the same area time and time again to annoy the fish into an aggressive strike.

For snapper, continually casting with soft plastics or drifting with lightly weighted fresh baits was the most effective way to get a bite.

When targeting bream and flathead, the best times to be chasing them are on either the low tide, working around the drains and drop-offs, or on the high tide, fishing the mangrove lines.

Trolling speed should be as slow as you can go.

When chasing snapper, I found working rubble grounds and structure on the mid to high tides returned the best results.

Last month I gave you a little run-down on flathead techniques, so this month I’ll talk about snapper tactics.

Let’s start with the rod and reel setup.

I like a 3-6kg rod and 3000-size spin reel spooled with 10-15lb braid and 12-15lb leader.

When it comes to jig head weight, I will use anything from 1/8oz to 3/8oz depending on the amount of current and a 3/0 or 4/0 hook.

Mustad Darter jig heads are perfect for this.

I’ve also been using an array of soft plastics from Zerek Live Flash Minnow Wrigglies and Zerek Live Shrimp Hot Legs

ATI ON

by SEAN CONLON

CI

The ongoing effect is the Logan River is pumping out millions and millions of litres of brown filthy water into southern Moreton Bay. With a bit of luck, by the time you read this the

Southern Moreton Bay

O

U

N F O R T U NATELY, prior to writing this article, ex-cyclone Debbie came down and pretty much flooded most of southeast Queensland.

Southern Moreton Bay ..............by Sean Conlon ...................................P3 Tackling dirty water ...................by Keith Stratford................................P7 Pearl perch tips ............................... by Jordan ‘Grinner’ Koschel...............P10 Targeting squid and muddies ..by Sean ‘Skip’ Thompson ...............P12 Tournament Report .....................by Dean Galpin..................................P13 Mullet fun in Logan River .........by Leeann Payne...............................P14 Benefits of the big flush ............by Wayne ‘Youngy’ Young ..............P16 Gold Coast.....................................by Heath Zygnerski ..........................P18 Dealing with Debbie ..................by Brad Smith ....................................P19 Adapting to conditions ..............by Darren Rama ................................P20 Tweed Coast.................................by Gavin Dobson ...............................P22 Flathead in the shallows ......... by Brett Hyde.....................................P24 Evans recovering ........................by Gary ‘Squidgie’ Palmer .............P26 Jew off Iluka breakwall ...........by Tye Porter ......................................P28 Sunshine Coast............................by Wade Qualischefski...................P30 Action offshore from Noosa.....by Craig Tomkinson .........................P31 Mix of pelagics on offer............by Tri Ton .............................................P32 Chasing spanish mackerel.......by Joel Johnson................................P34 Overnight trip to the reef...........by Bill Corten .....................................P36 Family fishing fun........................by Lyndon Anlezark..........................P38 Flood brings on crabs ................by Brad Young ...................................P41 Fly fishing from a yak.................by Tom Laszlo ....................................P42 New Quintrex releases ........................................................................P44,45 Charter Directory ................................................................................. P46,47 Readers Forum.............................................................................................P48 Product News .............................................................................................P49 Bring on the giants .....................by Mati Bats.......................................P50 Gladstone Region....................... by Gary Churchward .......................P51 Tips for spearfishing ..................by Daniel Vallis .................................P52 Stanage Bay .................................by Von Ireland....................................P53 Hinchinbrook News ...................by Todd Eveleigh ..............................P54 Bazz’s favourite five fish ...........by ‘Billabong’ Bazz Lyon .................P55 Practical travelling tips ............by Helen Abdy ...................................P57 Camping and fishing ..................by Mick Clutterbuck ........................P58 Recipe ........................................... by Melissa Frohloff..........................P59 Fishing for run-off bass .............by Lachie Baker ................................P60 Using single hooks on lures ....by Troy Lowe......................................P61 Somerset Dam .............................by Andrew Mitchell.........................P62 Flooding for bloodies .................by Noal Kuhl ......................................P63 Home-made lures .......................by Paul ‘Chief’ Graveson ................P64 Monduran barra ......................... by Donna Gane .................................P65 Freshwater Impoundments ..... by Matthew Langford......................P66 Freshwater Fishing.................... by Steve Wilkes ...............................P67 Murray cod action ......................by Matt & Nick Wells......................P68 Golden times at Glenlyon .........by Brian Dare.....................................P69 Fishing Tassie streams .............by Neil Schultz ..................................P70 Trading Post.................................................................................................P71 Subscription form ......................................................................................P72

N

FIS

AS

S

What fish to target when the bay clears up

P68

PRO TE CT

Trevally similar to this can be captured around the southern bay. This one took a Gobblers Paddle Tail.

I

N the past few weeks we have seen a couple of sad occurrences pertaining to the fishing and marine industries.

HIN G T R A D E

John Crawford, founder of John Crawford Marine, sadly passed away in early April and Les Wilson, founder of L. Wilson & Co. (now Wilson Fishing) passed away on Good Friday.

Both men were very passionate about the fishing and boating industries and both have legacies that remain intact today.

We have detailed more of their achievements and accolades in this edition and you can find tributes on bnbfishing.com.au and our Facebook page.

Both John and Les will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.

In other tragic news, a spillage of 22,000 litres of firefighting foam from Brisbane Airport has killed fish in the Brisbane River, and fishos and the general public may have been inadvertently exposed to the foam’s potentially harmful chemical effects.

The impacted area is reported to be around the mouth of the Brisbane River, including Nudgee Beach and Boggy and Bulimba creeks.

Tests will continue to be carried out to find the extent of damage from the toxic spill.

However, it has been confirmed that at least 300kg of prawns were caught within the contaminated zones and sold to local residents over Easter.

Unfortunately, fishers were not warned about the spill or the damage it may have caused until over a week after it happened.

Concerns have been raised as to what effects the consumption of the potentially tainted seafood will have on humans.

Questions are also being asked about why it took officials so long to notify the public and commercial fishers who frequent the area.

Once again, state and federal governments are passing the buck to each other, with neither side standing up and taking responsibility for the actions, or more correctly lack thereof.

I don’t know about you, but I seem to be continually losing faith in our political system altogether, regardless of which party it is, because they all seem to be as inept as each other.

More accountability needs to be enforced within governments, along with severe consequences for failing to act appropriately or without the required duty of care.

While it may seem like a distant memory for some, the effects of cyclone Debbie and the ensuing floods along the east coast of Australia have heavily impacted parts of our community.

In particular, north Queensland where there was lots of destruction and northern NSW, which experienced severe flooding.

Hopefully insurance companies do their part and aid people in getting back to some sort of normality.

It’s also worth thinking about heading to these parts this winter to give the local fishing industries and communities in general an economic boost.

I’m sure they would appreciate the support.

Ben Collins

March prizewinners Congratulations to Glen LePla, Burpengary; and Emily Koster, Ngunnawal ACT who have each won a cool pair of Mako polarised sunglasses valued at $299.95 each.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 3

Lee with a 60cm lizard taken while trolling a Zerek Bulldog Crank along the mangrove line at high tide.

Paul with his first-ever flathead: a 59cm model that hit a Zerek Bulldog Crank.

What fish to target when the bay clears up A bay island squire/snapper caught on a Zerek Live Shrimp Hot Legs.

The new computer program for the fisherman. Keep your catch, mark and GPS records in a database for quick and easy entry and analysis.

The package also features: Graphical tides (moon and sun times) Mark and GPS waypoint databases with map display Coastline maps covering all areas of Australia Fishing knots and ‘Fish Facts’

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to Gobblers Paddle Tails and Curl Grubs and all have been working well when paired with Darter jig heads.

No matter what soft plastics and gear you are using or whether you’re casting forward, to the side or behind the vessel, when chasing snapper you need to make sure your soft plastic gets to the bottom.

When you make your lifts, ensure you pause and wait for your plastic to get back to the bottom.

In shallower water, these fish will be hugging the bottom, especially in a lot of current because they will push to the bottom to avoid using too

Bonito

much energy in trying to fight the current.

Make sure you use enough weight to get your plastic down to where the fish are sitting, otherwise known as the strike zone.

When looking for rubble ground and structure, find where the current runs pretty hard.

A lot of the time, the current will have swept the mud and silt away, exposing the rock underneath.

Over time and with the right water conditions, soft corals, mussels and other organisms start to grow, making a really good food source for our Moreton Bay snapper.

If you would like to

learn more about this, we conduct night courses where we go over moon phases, how to find the ground and much more information about bay snapper, flathead and many other species.

All you have to do is give me a ring and I will give you all the information you need to help you catch more fish as well as that trophy fish you’ve been looking for.

So what can we expect after these floods?

Well I feel it could be late April or the start of May before it really cleans up, so with a bit of luck the water will be

clear for the start of our flathead, bream and winter snapper seasons.

We might even see the start of the winter whiting season.

The bay will be full of nutrients pushed out of the rivers, so that may help fire up the fish.

I hope that by the time my next article is due I will have been out there and be able to give you a run-down of what we found after the floods.

Anyway, stay safe on the water, and if you can’t go fishing because the water quality is too bad, why not think about one of our off-water courses

to sharpen up on a few of those techniques you may have forgotten and absorb valuable new information.

There is always something you didn’t know and even I am always learning when out on the water.

Until next month, stay safe.

If you’d like to join me on a charter, phone 0433 732 310, check out more tonbaycha r ters.com.au or visit the Moreton Bay Charters Facebook page.

If you would like to know more about our night tuition classes, feel free to give me a call on the above number.

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IRECT FA C T O RY D

The ultimate in ÄZOPUN HUK KLZPNU

When drifting with bait over rubble ground, not all the fish will be keepers, but this is an easy way for the kids to catch a few fish.

Max caught this 49cm southern bay snapper on a lightly weighted fresh herring while drifting the rubble grounds.

;PSSLY ZLYPLZ T HUK T *LU[YL HUK ZPKL JVUZVSL ZLYPLZ T HUK T

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W W W. B O N I T O B O AT S . C O M . A U Page 4 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

Allan held a squire hooked on a Zerek Live Flash Minnow Wriggly around the southern bay islands.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Firefighting foam spillage kills Brisbane River fish

T

HE Queensland Government has confirmed a firefighting foam spillage at Brisbane Airport is believed responsible for a small fish kill.

Qantas has advised the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection that the spillage occurred on Monday, April 10 around 9pm.

Although much of the spill was contained on the airport site, there has been a release of foam concentrate to Boggy Creek and

the Brisbane River.

EHP officers have collected water samples to determine what level of contaminants have entered the environment and are engaging with the responsible Commonwealth regulatory authorities to determine management and rehabilitation of the site.

The impacted area was near Brisbane Airport, from the lower reaches of the Brisbane River from Bulimba Creek to Fisherman Island and extending north to Shorncliffe.

The department believes this is outside commercial fishing areas but is popular with recreational fishers, however, according to Brisbane’s commercial fishers, prawns eaten over the Easter long weekend were most likely contaminated by the toxic spill.

They believe at least 300kg of prawns were caught from the contaminated zone of the Brisbane River and sold on to local residents over Easter because local fishers were not warned against it in time.

After Easter, and on the advice of Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, the Queensland Government advised commercial and recreational fishers to avoid consumption of seafood caught in the investigation area, which includes the vicinity of Boggy Creek and the Brisbane River from Bulimba Creek to the river mouth and north along the shoreline to Nudgee Beach, until the results of EHP’s investigations are known.

Independent laboratory results of water samples taken are currently under way.

While there is currently no consistent evidence that perfluorooctanoic acid (a component of the firefighting foam) exposure causes adverse health harm in humans, the amount that spilled is considered significant.

Avoiding seafood consumption from the impacted area in the short term is a sensible, cautious approach.

Wilson Fishing founder fondly remembered

W

ILSON Fishing founder Les Wilson passed away on Good Friday, aged 93.

L. Wilson & Co. (as it was known back then) was established in 1946

by Les, starting as a small manufacturing business that made swivels on the kitchen table of the family home.

Recognising a need for rod building components, and being a fitter and turner by trade, Les began producing ferrules, reel seats and guides for Butterworth rods.

Between the late 1950s and late 1960s, L. Wil-

son & Co. was the largest manufacturer of rodbuilding components in Australia and was one of Australia’s largest buyers of brass tubing.

It was also during this period that Les developed the much-copied rolled ferrule – a ferrule design that had a rolled lip to allow easier insertion of the male portion.

These days, Wilson Fishing employs over 50 staff at its Brisbane warehouse along with nine sales representatives around the country.

Proud of and endlessly interested in his company, Les still visited

the headquarters weekly, though Wilson Fishing is now directed by his sons Graeme Wilson and Jim Gibbs and managed by Kord Luckus, who has worked at Wilson for over 18 years.

Many family members work within the company and many employees have been at Wilson long enough to be considered family.

After more than 70 years of operation, Wilson Fishing remains 100 percent Australian owned and operated and all employees are extremely proud of this fact. w w w.w i lson f ish i ng. com.au

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Biosecurity Queensland white spot disease update

B

IOSECU R ITY Queensland will continue to carry out surveillance and monitor white spot disease after the rain event caused by ex-tropical cyclone Debbie.

The flooding in the Logan River had minimal impact on the infected prawn farms and no untreated water left any of the properties.

The effects of the flooding on white spot in the wild are still unknown, however consideration of additional surveillance within the movement control area is currently under way.

Recent testing on a number of crabs that were collected during surveillance in the Deception Bay area have returned positive results for the virus that causes white spot.

The positive detections were found in mangrove swimming crabs collected on March 16.

Mangrove swimming crabs are not a species caught for consumption.

Commercial operator information pack An information pack has been compiled and will be sent out to commercial operators in the coming weeks.

The pack includes: a white spot factsheet; white spot frequently asked questions; guide for decontaminating fishing apparatus and vessels; where to find more information on white spot disease; white spot movement control area map; and a white spot movement control area poster. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Buy local seafood campaign Biosecurity Queensland and Fisheries Queensland have launched a video campaign encouraging Queenslanders to buy local seafood.

The centrepiece video, featuring Sam Thaiday, was launched by Member for Lytton Joan Pease, Member for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath and deputy director general for Fisheries Scott Spencer on Thursday, April 6.

The advert shows the Broncos and Maroons legend tucking into locally caught prawns and telling viewers to support their local seafood industry.

An extensive social media campaign that will span the whole of Queensland is expected to attract about a million views of the website and direct tens of thousands of Queenslanders to the Love Australian Prawns local ‘seafood finder’.

The video was also played on the big screen at Suncorp Stadium as the Brisbane Broncos played the Sydney Roosters on Thursday, April 6.

If you haven’t seen it, watch it now on the Fisheries Queensland Facebook page.

Movement controls The white spot movement control area extends from Caloundra to the NSW border, following a line 100m off the eastern coasts of Bribie, Moreton and Stradbroke islands.

The use of equipment such as cast nets, crab pots and yabby pumps is allowed in the movement control area, however, un-

der the movement control order, prawns, crabs, yabbies and marine worms must not be removed from the movement control area unless cooked.

Cooking crustaceans destroys the virus that causes white spot, so there is no risk of it spreading.

It is important that anyone wishing to cook their catch before leaving the movement control area does so safely.

The NSW and Western Australian governments have tightened restrictions around the importation of live or dead crustaceans and worms taken from the movement control order zone.

Community and stakeholder engagement A White Spot Industry Response Group has been convened by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries that includes key industry members and de-

partmental staff to facilitate discussions around the future direction of the white spot response.

Additionally, a communication sub-group has formed to enhance communication strategies and ensure the necessary information is reaching the right people.

For more information, visit the frequently asked questions section at daf. qld.gov.au

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The Brisbane River recovered well after the flood. The author jigged this jewie up on a Z-Man 3” ShrimpZ.

Techniques to tackle dirty water in rivers M

AY is a transition month in southeast Queensland.

The air and water temperatures will drop and the days will become shorter.

As the water cools, larger numbers of winter species will turn up more regularly.

Summer species will be slowing or will have moved on by the end of the month.

Mangrove jack will still bite aggressively at times, but the bite periods will be much shorter.

Targeting dirty water Southeast Queensland received a huge amount of rain at the end of March, courtesy of ex-tropical cyclone Debbie.

All the rivers and creeks from the NSW border to Airlie Beach were running fresh, which was what a lot of these areas needed.

Most of the systems in southeast Queensland only started to clear up in the middle of April.

The rivers and creeks around Brisbane needed a good flush after being clean for so long.

Debbie certainly helped us out there, with numerous areas copping a lot more than they needed, including the Tweed region.

The good news is all these areas will recover with hot action to follow as we lead into winter.

As a system begins to clean up after a flood is a great time to target a range of species.

As soon as the baitfish start to move back upstream, the predatory fish will follow.

The rivers and creeks running off Moreton Bay don’t get a distinct ‘dirty water line’ like the rivers that are fed from the

Local Luring

by KEITH STRATFORD

ocean up and down the coast.

The water tends to stay brown but is still salty.

I like to taste the water as I move upstream while looking for bait schools and fish on the sounder.

A hint of salt on the surface means plenty of salt water down deep.

Bait schools will push up to the saltwater limits and will

continue to move upstream as the water cleans.

Mullet are the most common baitfish found in dirty water and they can easily be spotted rippling and boiling on the surface.

Bull sharks like to harass these mullet schools and will push well up into fresh water to find a feed. ☛ continued P8

Flathead will become more active this month. Ashlee Levy hooked one in the South Pine River.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 7

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Bream have been chewing since the rain. Amelia Stratford landed this one.

Techniques to tackle dirty water in rivers ☛ from P7

On a recent trip to the Pine River, I stopped to cast net some mullet and managed to get a small shark in the net.

It had a set of gang hooks in its mouth from a previous encounter, which is how it managed to get tangled in the net.

Sharks have been very active since the rivers and creeks flooded.

They use the dirty water to their advantage to feed, which has been easy due to the amount of bait that has pushed back in as the water clears.

Sharks will slow as the water cools and their feeding habits will begin to change as the water temperatures get down to 20C. I don’t spend a lot of time chasing sharks during the cooler months because the hook-up ratio can be terrible.

I’ve had sharks attempt to eat live baits multiple times before getting a solid hook-up.

They tend to like playing with the bait and will often completely miss it when attacking at speed.

If you want to have some

Insights into boat insurance

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USH ‘n Beach has brought Nautilus Marine Insurance on board to expand the fine print and provide readers with clear, easy-tounderstand and helpful tips on protecting their boating assets.

The scenario You want to go offshore fishing.

You’ve bought a different style of boat, insured it and you’re ready to head out well east of South Passage Bar. But does your insurance cover you for this bar crossing?

The answer The short answer is: If your boat and your skills are ‘fit for purpose’, then a boat insurance specialist such as Nautilus Marine will cover you.

Let’s examine this a little more closely.

South Passage Bar is very changeable, from tide to tide, day to day, month to month and year to year.

That perfect run out through the northern or mid channels in the morning might be an impossible crossing for all but the most highly credentialled skippers when it’s time to come

home in the late afternoon.

Your planning must take into account your skill levels, the capabilities of your boat and the possibility that weather and sea conditions might change markedly throughout the day with wind shifts and tidal changes.

If all things considered, that is, you have the skills, your boat has the capability and the weather possibly encountered is considered to be very favourable, then yes, away you go and good luck on bending the rods.

However, at the other extreme, if you are in a small open boat, perhaps with tiller steering, poor balance and a very inexperienced skipper at the helm, choosing to chance a run-out tide into a hazardous easterly swell may well affect any potential claims when things go pearshaped.

It always was highly likely you were going to come unstuck.

From a maritime responsibility perspective, it goes further.

As a skipper, you carry the responsibility for

the safe passage of your boat, your passengers and yourself.

People such as Bill Corten train people – both citizens and emergency services personnel alike – in the art of crossing bars and rough water boat handling.

While it may not be compulsory as part of your insurance policy to undertake such training, common sense suggests you would be wise to seek highly experienced tuition from a suitably qualified person before taking on challenging conditions.

You’ll be safer and so will your passengers, your boat and the people who otherwise might have to put themselves at risk to assist you if the unexpected happens.

Always check your policy and its product

fun with sharks during winter, I would suggest using small live baits such as whiting and mullet.

Small mullet can be very difficult to find during winter but whiting will be readily available on the flats and can be caught with a cast net.

Just make sure the whiting are of legal size or are winter whiting, which have no minimum size limit.

I like to float live baits under balloons for sharks.

A lot of undesirables including catfish, pike eels and stingrays inhabit the rivers around Brisbane, and all like to feed very close to the bottom.

A small live whiting won’t last long on the bottom but will last a lot longer suspended about a

metre under the surface.

Sharks spend much of their time hunting baitfish in the top third of the water column, so it makes a lot of sense to keep the bait in this strike zone and away from the vermin.

Circle hooks work well when targeting sharks.

About 90 percent of the time they will hook the sharks in the corner of the mouth, which reduces the chance of a bite-off.

Brisbane River The Brisbane River is always one of the first local rivers to clear.

It receives a lot of clean water flowing in from Moreton Bay and is by far the deepest river in the area.

It is generally the first place I go to have a look

after a big downpour.

The river was fishing really well before Debbie put a stop to it, with quite a few threadfin salmon hanging around, along with plenty of jewies and snapper.

The good news is the river is now looking good and the fish have moved back in, so it’s shaping up to be a good winter.

Jewfish and snapper numbers will increase during winter, which provides plenty of action for anglers casting and jigging lures throughout the lower reaches of the river.

May is a really good month for variety in southeast Queensland, so get out there and bend a few rods.

I hope to see you on the water.

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Any advice contained in this article is of a general nature only and may not apply or be right for you as it does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any advice provided in this article, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

Page 8 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

Mud crabs were very active after the rivers got a good flushing.

This small shark was captured in a cast net while chasing mullet.

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Garmin Panoptix Forward expands capability again

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ARMIN’S new Panoptix Forward PS51-TH through-hull transducer brings the company’s revolutionary Panoptix technology to an even greater range of boats.

Designed to give boaters more confidence and peace of mind when navigating unfamiliar water, the new phased-array multi-beam transducer incorporates Panoptix FrontVü forward-looking sonar, which displays the bottom up to 90m ahead of the boat at eight to 10 times the current water depth.

Coupled with its fast update rate, the PS51-TH delivers almost instant feedback of what’s in front of the boat to provide the information skippers need to make critical navigation decisions – and the time to react to obstacles by changing course, if needed.

Thanks to its narrow beam, forward-looking sonar (20 degrees), the PS51-TH allows skippers to focus on the bottom in front of the boat and shows fewer false positives of obstructions off to each side.

It also includes an AHRS sensor for motion stabilisation in rough conditions.

Compatible with a wide range of Garmin chartplotters, FrontVü sonar

data can be easily shared with other chartplotters across the Garmin Marine Network.

With an easy-to-understand interface, FrontVü clearly displays the bottom and provides a digital depth and temperature, so there’s no need to buy a separate traditional transducer for basic depth information.

No black box is needed – simply plug the transducer in once it’s installed and start exploring with more confidence than before.

The PS51-TH pulls double duty providing boaters both FrontVü and LiveVü Forward technologies.

LiveVü Forward shows an image of targets moving towards or away from the boat, even while stationary, in real time.

The feature can be used in a split screen with other

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Skeletal remains found in car at Borumba Dam

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CRIME scene has been established following the discovery of human remains inside a vehicle submerged at Borumba Dam near Imbil.

Police were notified by fisher Terry Allwood who was using a depth sounder and picked up a large object near the dam’s boat ramp.

The Police Dive Squad attended the site recently and located the vehicle submerged in the water.

Once the red VL Holden Commodore was removed from the water, police located skeletal remains inside.

At the time of going to print, police could not confirm whether or not

the remains were those of missing person Stuart Gatehouse.

Mr Gatehouse was 45 years old when he went missing when on a trip to Gympie in 2004.

The Tasmanian man had been living in Kenilworth before his disappearance.

Family members previously said Mr Gatehouse had been on his way to Maryborough to visit a relative but never arrived.

Police said he had been driving a red VL Holden Commodore at the time.

An extensive land and air search was conducted after his disappearance but Mr Gatehouse was never found.

The State Homicide Squad is assisting Sun-

shine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch detectives with the investigation.

Anyone with information they believe could be relevant to the investigation is urged to contact police.

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Pearl perch tips and tactics A

S a lot of readers would know, pearlies are up there with the best eating fish in the sea, and in my eyes they take the number-one spot above even coral trout and red emperor.

The float line master with a pearlie that fell to a whole pillie.

In southeast Queensland, we are lucky enough to have one of the best pearl perch fisheries at our doorstep.

In this article I will go over the tactics I use when targeting a feed of pearl perch, from back to basics methods to using lures.

So let’s start with the basics.

A 370g jig intended for amberjack undid this pearlie.

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Page 10 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

Offshore Action

by JORDAN ‘GRINNER’ KOSCHEL

The easiest way to catch pearlies is to bottom bash with fresh baits on a twohook paternoster rig.

This rig is as simple as it gets but don’t the let simplicity fool you because it’s easily the most effective.

To begin, simply sound around and find the area where you want to fish, looking for structure such as rocky bottom and broken ground with wire weed.

As I’ve said multiple times, a good-quality sounder is the key to knowing what sort of ground you’re fishing and finding fish.

Once you have completed these steps, it’s time to bait up your two-hook rig with fresh baits.

For the top hook on your paternoster, I would run half a pilchard and for the bottom hook (a 7/0 Gamakatsu) I would thread on a strip of fresh mullet.

I find these two baits the best for pan-size pearlies.

When I want to step it up a gear and catch the beastly pearlies over 60cm, I like to drop back to one circle hook and run a live bait, slimy or yakka.

Once you’ve reached the bottom, it shouldn’t take too long before you start to get the pearlie tap (if you’ve used your electronics correctly, that is!).

Once the taps start occurring, leave the pearlie alone for a second and then strike.

The strike doesn’t have to be over the top – just a sharp lift and you should be on.

If using a circle hook, remember to lift slowly and allow the hook to do its job and roll around in the fish’s mouth to pin it perfectly in the corner of the jaw.

Pearlies will fight a little close to the bottom but not too much unless they are big fish.

The trick is not to go too hard on them because they have incredibly soft mouths and you can easily tear their skin, making your hooks fall out.

I’ve seen it thousands of times!

Float lining is another really effective way to get bigger pearl perch.

Again it’s a very simple method and not all that hard to do.

A nice flesh bait or whole pilchard rigged on triple-ganged hooks will do the damage.

The same principles apply to finding the fish and setting up your drift.

Then you simply need to get the floater down to the bottom and keep in contact with it at all times.

Now for my favourite way to catch the humble pearlie: the artificial way, on metal jigs and soft plastics.

As I jig, I always wonder why these fish would want to hit a piece of metal flapping around in the water.

Is it out of aggression because the jig is in the pearlies’ home and they want it gone?

Or is it because they are just that hungry and keen for a feed?

Either way, jigging for pearlies works!

A lot of people don’t bother jigging because pearlies are fairly easy to catch on baits, but they are a heap of fun to hook on the micro jigging and lighter soft plastic gear I love to use.

In my mind, one on the fake is better than 10 on the baits.

A slow-pitch jigging technique is best for pearlies.

Long drops back are when they normally smash the lure.

To achieve this technique, lift the rod fairly high quite quickly and then allow the micro jig to flutter back to the bottom.

You don’t need to wind the reel in this technique; it’s just a high lift off the bottom.

As the jig flutters back down as it’s designed to, pearlies will smack it and on lighter jigging gear they will usually put up

quite a scrappy fight.

Keep pressure on the fish because if you give them any slack line, they will just fall off.

I use a very similar technique with plastics but I like to make the soft plastic fall as slowly as possible by keeping in contact with it and lowering it using the rod tip.

I’m not sure why but it has worked plenty of times for me, especially with nice high lifts similar to those when using jigs.

Lure choice isn’t too big a deal when fishing for pearlies because they normally smack most things

presented in front of them.

Any sort of micro jig up to about 150g works well, though I have had pearlies eat jigs up to 500g when jigging in deep water for amberjack and kingfish.

With soft plastics, anything over 5” long that glows in the dark will do the job.

I also like to run a glow in the dark jig head for that little bit extra in the darkness of deep water.

If you are interested in fishing for pearlies with me, you are very welcome to jump aboard Moreton Island Fishing Charters.

Give us a bell on 0413 128 056.

Mat Hubbard brought a solid pearlie aboard.

Smurf held a pearlie he scored on board with the author.

Fellow scribe Lachie Baker captured a nice one.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 11

Time to target squid and muddies U NTIL cyclone Debbie brought her trail of destruction, March had turned out as I forecast in the March edition of Bush ‘n Beach.

The author with a haul of tiger prawns.

Prawning on foot delivers bonuses such as big muddies after a decent rainfall.

The tiger prawns, as is usually the case, increased in numbers and size late in the season.

If you haven’t read about my technique before, grab a copy of the March edition where I talk in depth about my techniques for catching prawns on foot.

My methods are very different to the techniques employed in the estuaries of NSW with underwater lights.

I ended up with lovely hauls around the low tide periods from 7-10pm.

Regardless of the moon phase, the key is having access to the shallow water around the edge of the ribbon weed and sand at low tide.

The beady glowing eyes of a prawn (in the foreground) are what you are looking for.

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Fishing Tips

by SEAN THOMPSON

The prawns were in particularly shallow water this season, which made it easier to spot them with my 12V-charged LED headlamp.

You are simply looking for two red glowing eyes, and preferably a few of them in one area.

I walk along the shallow waters at low tide in a zig-zag pattern to spot the red eyes.

In some places they may be holding in knee/thighdeep water, while in others they might be as shallow as a few inches.

Now the water has cooled, the prawn numbers will thin right out until about November.

Hopefully white spot will no longer be an issue in Moreton Bay then too, though I never saw any affected prawns from Wynnum North to Lota.

Mud crabs As a bonus, after a night or two of heavy rain the mud crabs were on the move over the mud flats from their rocky homes along the Moreton Bay foreshores.

I scooped two muddies one night while prawning, including an absolute monster.

As we move into late autumn/early winter, a lot of Moreton Bay locals put away the pots in the belief that you can’t catch crabs in months without an ‘r’.

This is an absolute myth!

In fact, some of the biggest, fullest crabs are available over winter.

In bigger bays including Moreton Bay, the edges of channels close to mangrove-lined islands are very productive through autumn and into winter.

You will get monster crabs full of meat in these spots during the cooler months because the crabs move to deeper water in cool weather.

Likewise, after a decent fall of rain, place your pots in your local creek.

If there has been a dry spell before a day or so of rain, place your pots well upstream.

However, after a few days of rain, the crabs will move downstream towards the entrance and

you should move your pots accordingly.

Squid As the water cools and clears, those after a feed of fresh seafood on foot can turn their attention to squid.

I have seen squid numbers increasing in my past couple of prawning sessions and May will be a great time to target them.

Like prawns, squid are accessible by wading the Moreton Bay shallows at night.

Both tiger and loligo squid (commonly known as arrow or pencil squid) are available.

Tigers are the bigger of the two, generally weighing 400-500g but known to grow to 1.5kg, while arrows reach 100-200g but are in greater numbers and make for awesome fresh mulloway and snapper bait, or a nice feed.

Squid tend to gather around bottom structure during the day and spread out at night, coming to the surface to feed.

Squid prefer clear water, but unlike prawns, shore-based squidding is an option in the cooler months from late April to October.

In the warmer months, squid move out to the eastern bay as the northerly wind regularly stirs up the water.

Techniques Just like prawns, squid can be caught by wading with a headlamp and prawning gear.

I employ pretty much the same technique as

for the prawns.

That is: • Choose nights where low tide falls after dark and head out on the sand flats; • Choose calm nights with minimal ripples on the water; • Clear water is a must; • Use an LED spotlight attached to your cap and run a cord to a 12V battery in a backpack; and • Use two nets to trap the squid, or scoop quickly with one.

The other technique used by avid squidders is quite different but also very successful.

It involves walking esplanades such as Wynnum-Manly, Cleveland and the Redcliffe Peninsula, targeting the squid with squid jigs as high tide turns and starts to run out.

Once again, make sure the water is nice and clean and not choppy.

This technique involves using a 6’-7’ graphite rod,

braid and fluorocarbon leaders attached to squid jigs.

In terms of squid jigs, quality models such as Yo-Zuri jigs and Daiwa Nude Jigs in 3.5” lengths work well.

The squid usually sit in 30-80cm of water and can be sight cast using headlamps.

In addition, you can blind cast.

Simply cast out the jig, let it sink and then make two or three aggressive flicks.

Let it sink once more, wait 20-30 seconds and repeat.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t catch a seafood feast in Moreton Bay! For more tips, techniques and reports on all things fishing, jump on and follow my Ontour Fishing Australia Facebook page.

Until next time – bag your mates, not your limit!

Red Thai chilli mud crab is an option over winter because the crabs are still available during this time.

A big tiger squid caught by one of the lads from Moreton Bay Squid Club.

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Justin Powell and a deeply coloured jack.

David Hopper put in the hard yards at night.

Top honour for Arnie at MJA Tournament

B

IG Arnie Schwarzenegger once said: “I’ll be back,” and now Arnie Joseph has backed up his most centimetres win in November 2016 with an allconquering win in both major categories of the March 2017 Mangrove Jack Anglers Tournament.

Arnie took out the biggest jack division with a monster 56.5cm jack and scored the most centimetres trophy with a massive 346.5cm of mangrove jack captured in just one weekend.

For landing the biggest mangrove jack, Arnie went home with a $500 BCF voucher from BCF Oxenford, a Weapons custom rod and of course the hand-carved wooden jack trophy supplied by Mick Molnar Marine Art.

Tournament Report

by DEAN GALPIN

For catching the most centimetres, he won a JML Donkey Hunter rod and JML plastics pack worth $300.

Because Arnie is one of the nicest guys around, MC John Costello did not have to work too hard to get a few hints and tips out of Arnie regarding his tactics for the weekend and how he went about catching more jacks in one weekend than most of us manage in a season.

Second place went to the ever-consistent Shaun Hagan, who took home a JML Trophy Hunter Rod for his 56cm jack.

Soren Pfeffer’s 225.5cm of mangrove jack saw him

walk away with Mako sunglasses and a BKK trebles prize pack.

The sign-in was once again a buzz of excitement, with fishos who had signed in prior to the event having the advantage of being able to get away in under five minutes.

The anglers from the other end of the Gold Coast were appreciative of being able to get away quickly to fish their spot before dark.

We really encourage you to pre-register at BCF Oxenford for the next comp to avoid any delays on the Friday.

This fact will be communicated on the MJA

Facebook page before the November event.

The bonus species was a 60cm-plus trevally of any species.

Unfortunately no one landed a big trevally, so the prize went into the lucky draw pool and was picked up by a fortunate competitor who attended the presentation.

The jack mystery length was set at 48cm and a 48cm fish was captured

by Justin Powell, who also

Arnie Joseph with two out of his seven for the weekend.

came third in the combined centimetres division with 141.5cm of jacks caught over the weekend.

I was lucky enough to have Justin in my boat for the weekend and it was great to see some of his tactics first-hand.

I’ve tucked a few into my kit bag for the next comp.

The presentation was once again a real hoot, with MC John doing an ☛ continued P14

Soren Pfeffer held one of his five jacks captured over the weekend.

Arnie’s comp-winning red dog.

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3397 4141 Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 13

Top honour for Arnie at MJA Tournament ☛ from P13

Arnie Joseph on stage with MC John Costello as he received his hand-carved trophy.

awesome job and bleeding info from everyone who came on stage.

For this event we moved venue to the Coomera Waters Tavern and we hope to stay there for a long time to come.

Shannon and his staff bent over backwards to make sure we had enough food and drinks and nothing was too much trouble for them to help us out.

With an award-winning roast and live music afterwards, the venue is a great choice for a Sunday session or as somewhere to relax with the family.

It was great to see so many young people enter the competition and the presentation was well supported by families and parents of young fishos who had given their all to take on Gold Coast jack fishing royalty.

Shaun and Jayden were two young fellas I saw on the water over the week-

end and they were going through the same rollercoaster of emotions we all do when chasing these elusive red locals.

We saw them frothing with excitement, arguing with each other, laughing and of course discussing tactics of what to do next.

Seeing two young men willing to go through this for an entire weekend of catch and release fishing assured me this comp is in good hands in years to come.

I also noticed the boys were rewarded with a fish each.

Once again, Dream Kayaks came on board with a $900 Beast kayak to give away as the major prize in the now-famous lucky door prize giveaway.

This awesome prize went to kayak fisho Nathan Brennan who had just upgraded his own yak, so thought he might donate the Beast to his brother to help him with his jack fishing.

Other sponsors that came on board this year included Burleigh Brewing Co, BKK, Caino Lures, Bush ‘n Beach Fishing magazine, D&H Reel Repairs, Revolve Storage Systems, Tackle N Fish and of course trophy supplier Mick Molnar Marine Art. The committee would like to thank everyone who attended and appreciates their positive feedback.

We know we are surrounded by good competitors and great sponsors but we will continue to

work to make this competition even better with more categories and bigger prizes.

The next event will be held in November this year, so keep an eye out for dates in these pages and on the MJA Fishing Tournament Facebook page.

We are finding the best way to fish this comp is to get a few mates together, even invite a mate who has never caught a jack, and spend quality time on the water with good people.

See you in November!

Young Shaun and Jayden with their well-earned jack.

Mullet jumping in the Logan River ■ Beach fishing to improve The author finally got on the board with this 53cm beauty.

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Page 14 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

I

MUST admit I had a little chuckle at the first line of my article in last month’s mag where I stated we’d had minimal rain.

Long dry spells are usually broken with a vengeance and this certainly happened at the end of March.

Our local rivers and creeks in the Logan area received one hell of a flush and we are certainly thankful the flood didn’t come near the 1974 levels, with the Logan River still under that record by a good 3m where we are.

My heart goes out to those throughout Queensland and northern NSW who copped tropical cyclone Debbie and the low that followed and it’s really heartening to see so much community spirit in getting people up on their feet again.

Some still have a way to go, with a number of locals in our area needing funding to have the electricity checked in their flood-affected homes before power can be switched back on.

Talking about the Logan River certainly brings back a lot of memories.

Robert’s family lived on the banks of the Logan River for close to 100 years in the Buccan area when whiting, flathead, bream and mud crabs were abundant at their doorstep.

A favourite pastime of a lot of the older families on the river was to go ‘jumping mullet’.

This was very much kept a secret so as not to stuff up the fishery because so many people relied on the seafood from the river.

It is also the reason

Fishing Australia

by LEEANN PAYNE

why you have never read any articles of mine with references to jumping mullet.

We just wanted the fun to continue for as long as possible because we knew how one magazine

article could wreck it for a lot of people.

When I first met Robert many years ago, one of my first experiences of fishing the Logan was to go mullet jumping, and it was super fun and

a real eye-opener.

It was back before GoPros and the internet, so no one filmed our sessions on the water, but they were sensational.

Many of you will have seen footage of mullet and fish jumping into boats from different parts of the world, not realising that we once were able to ☛ continued P15

Floodwaters were rising at the Henderson St boat ramp on the Logan River.

There was still 24 hours to the peak.

Johnny inspected the mud at the ramp after the waters had receded.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Mullet jumping in the Logan River ☛ from P14

do the very same thing in the middle reaches of the Logan River.

Long punts were used, usually with a small outboard on the back, and in the old days a net was placed along one

side of the boat.

Another punt would be tied behind the first one and at night, a lantern would be used to attract the fish.

The driver would motor along the edges of the river while a couple of

people would sit in the punts with landing nets ready to scoop the fish.

Making a racket was necessary to get the fish to jump into the boat, as was calling out “Jump you buggers!” or words to that effect.

I fondly remember my

Flathead can be in good numbers along the beaches, though average size can be smaller.

first trip down the river, leaving from a relative’s property at Logan Village.

Making our way downriver I was poised with net in hand ready to scoop my first mullet.

Lo and behold, when the mullet started jumping I got the fright of my life and quickly realised the cricket ‘DP’ the driver was wearing was a mandatory piece of equipment for the blokes.

I received an absolute flogging, with fish jumping into the boat and bruising most body parts, but for some strange reason, we were all laughing hysterically.

Robert has told tales from the past where punts were filled to the gunwales with fish and the scales under the cleaning boards at the old farm were piled high.

With the large families of those days, all fish were eaten and none wasted.

These days, the water quality isn’t so flash in the Logan and sadly, with more boats using the river, it’s been years since we saw the mullet jump like they used to.

The river has been steadily silting up and now you’re more likely to catch a bull shark in the Buccan stretches.

And watch out for the venomous bullrout as well, a fish which is just as ugly as the stonefish and can leave a person in excruciating pain.

Well with cyclone Debbie stuffing up my Easter holiday plans of a road trip from Brissie to Hervey Bay, Proserpine and Cairns, and a bit of dirty water and wind mucking up the fishing around the home stretches, the Payne family has unfortunately had a dismal couple of weeks where the boat hasn’t seen the water.

On a positive note, fishing along the beaches will improve in May, with flathead and whiting two species well worth targeting.

Tailor will also be found in the estuaries, though a lot of these tend to be ‘choppers’ around the legal size of 35cm.

Of course, fishing in Moreton Bay for diver whiting will be a great option.

Whiting are a great proposition along the beaches during autumn.

Lures of varying types can be used to catch tailor in the estuaries.

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Page 16 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

Young Angus with his Pirtek Fishing Competitionwinning whiting in the junior section.

The author with one of the many quality mud crabs caught after the heavy rain.

Reaping the benefits of a big flush W ELL it had to happen – we finally got some rain.

After not much rain for six months, we then had six months’ worth of rain in a week.

Unfortunately, areas around the Gold Coast suffered major damage, but for us close to the coast it wasn’t too bad.

For our fishing, it was the best thing that could happen.

A good flush like we had pushes all the bait and other food back downstream into the cleaner water.

The fishing and crabbing were OK almost straight after the rain stopped.

While the water will clean up quickly, the benefits will last much longer.

Here’s what we have to look forward to.

The five species to chase after the heavy rain are mud crabs, jewfish, bream, whiting and snapper, in that order.

Let’s go through the how and why.

The day after the rain stopped, mud crabs were caught in our local creeks and rivers, and they were very good quality crabs as well after feeding all summer.

This month will see catches of mud crabs from the south arm of the Coomera River all the way north to Jumpinpin.

I would suggest putting the pots in the deeper water from 2-3m deep.

Flushed out into new areas, they will be looking for food and any of the popular baits such as whole mullet, whiting frames, chicken carcasses and even good-old catfish will work.

Next on the list is jewfish and the Seaway is the place to find them.

They will be feeding heavily on mullet and other baitfish being flushed out of the rivers.

Any livie you can get will work, whether it be mullet, pike, big herring or just-legal whiting.

A two-hook snooded rig of 4/0-6/0 hooks with a smallish sinker (depending on tidal flow) is ideal.

If you can’t get livies, a slab of mullet or tailor flesh will work too.

Areas to concentrate on would be any of the

Broadwater Region

by WAYNE ‘YOUNGY’ YOUNG

tidal eddies that form in the Seaway on the run-in tide and any current lines where clean water meets the dirtier run-off water.

As usual, the pipe will also hold fish but the other locations mentioned are much easier to fish, and tide changes often provide the better bite times.

After a flush like we’ve had, snapper are often caught in the Seaway as well.

The dirty water coming out of the Seaway acts like a big berley trail and the snapper can’t resist following it in.

Mangrove jack and large trevally will be present too and will respond to the baits mentioned.

If you prefer using lures, 1/2oz or larger soft vibes are the best option.

Bream should be next on your hit list.

Though they’re not my favourite estuary species, the flooding has sent them downstream towards the mouths of our estuaries slightly earlier than normal.

Bream are in good numbers in the lower sections of both the Coomera and Nerang rivers and around Sovereign Island.

While yabbies will catch the most fish, mullet, tailor and bonito flesh will extract the quality.

For land-based fishos, the mouth of Biggera Creek and the rock walls at the mouths of canals in the Runaway Bay area would be worth trying.

If you’re a whiting fisher like me, you will be very happy to know that all the rain has ensured a good winter of whiting fishing.

I am always amazed at just how tolerant whiting are to fresh water.

A mate and I went for a quick daytime fish in the Nerang River just four days after it stopped raining.

The river was only tidal up to Isle of Capri but we still caught good whiting upstream past Bundall Rd Bridge at Sorrento where floodwater was running out despite it being the run-in tide.

Bream were even more plentiful and in fact becom-

ing a pain at times, stealing our good bloodworms.

They were quality bream as well, getting ready to spawn.

This month will see whiting moving back upstream after a long spawning season, meaning excellent daytime fishing from Isle of Capri right up to Carrara.

The same gear, technique and baits as used all summer will work well, you just need to fish much further upstream.

If you’ve never been up the Nerang River before, a good place to start fishing is within 100m of the

channel markers.

Unfortunately, the wind and swell haven’t given anglers the offshore opportunities we had hoped for, though this month should see conditions settle and cracker trag and snapper being caught.

A few spanish mackerel will be around for those wanting to put in the time trolling live baits on a downrigger.

Anywhere deeper than 30m will be worth trying for all three species.

Before the wet weather, we had a couple of decent sessions chasing tailor in the northern part of the Broadwater between the Seaway and Sovereign Island.

This month should see an increase in numbers of

tailor and casting or trolling lures is the easiest way of locating them.

Once found, casting surface walkers such as the Austackle Skippy will catch you plenty.

It’s a bit early for big numbers of tailor on our beaches but a mixed bag of bream, dart and tailor should be quite possible from Main Beach right up to the South Stradbroke Island beaches.

The best baits for bream and dart will be yabbies and beach worms while pillies will entice the tailor.

Half a pillie on two 3/0 ganged hooks is a good option for all three species.

‘Til next month, fish for the future.

Dale and Pete with part of a good catch of whiting from the Nerang River after the rains.

Rebecca held a trag landed on a pillie in 40m of water out the front of the Seaway.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 17

Jye popped his cherry with a great spanish mackerel.

Mitch with a cracking haul of sandies and a muddy.

Good run of spanish before the rain

H Willo landed an awesome 18kg spaniard. Shame it made him crook.

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Page 18 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

land, the rain was exactly what we needed to kick the fishing on, with all the creeks and rivers getting a well-overdue flush.

Estuaries all over the Gold Coast broke their banks due to the enormous volumes of water flowing in, with some rising to the highest I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been on the Goldy for over 20 years.

Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks as well as the Coomera and Nerang rivers took two or three days to return to normal levels.

However, the Tweed River caused massive damage as it flooded many towns just south of the border.

I saw people returning to their favourite fishing spots within 24 hours of the water receding, but with the water essentially fresh and the colour of bad coffee, not much was caught.

Fast forward a week and good catches of crabs

Gold Coast

by HEATH ZYGNERSKI

Spanish mackerel were starting to come on in the lead-up to the low, with several runs per session resulting in one or two quality fish landed. in the Seaway and local creeks were being reported, with a great run of blue swimmers continuing at the time of writing.

Be mindful when in the creeks and rivers of the amount of debris that will have been washed down.

Rubbish, trees and who knows what else could

online Order m.au ers.co l b b o g

be a navigational hazard, so take care but also take notice so you know where all those new snags are.

All those trees washed down will be holding great fish by next summer.

Before the big low, the offshore scene was hit and miss.

Spotted mackerel have been almost non-existent, with only sporadic captures along the coast.

We are all banking on a good run during their return migration north in early May. Spanish mackerel were starting to come on in the lead-up to the low, with several runs per session resulting in one or two quality fish landed.

With no current, the mackerel were able to mouth the baits before getting hooked up, meaning plenty of lost fish and possibly some big models amongst them, which increases the risk of ciguatera poisoning.

This is a reality, with a couple of mates getting ciguatera poisoning from big mackerel off Tweed Heads over the past 10 years of so.

And this month, another mate Willo got the dreaded ciguatera from an 18kg fish he caught.

It really knocks you around and by all accounts you surely know when you get it.

Stomach cramps, diarrhoea, tingling lips, and hot and cold sensations, not to mention the longlasting effects such as no grog for at least six months, which is enough of a deterrent for most people.

The worst thing is, you cannot tell or test for ciguatera.

It’s pot luck with big fish such as spanish mackerel.

So much so that professional fishers are not allowed to weigh in fish over 10kg.

You really have to decide if it’s worth the risk keeping those big fish.

It might pay to give the neighbours a feed before you chow down on one… just kidding!

As the water continues to clean up, I expect the fishing to heat right up.

Jewfish are a real chance along the beaches and out the front of creeks and rivers.

Expect bream and tailor too as they clean up on all the baitfish flushed out.

Mullet have begun schooling, so it looks like they’ll have an early run and maybe catch the netters unaware.

Offshore, the fish should start to come in close, particularly where there is a temperature change.

The water temperature got as low as 22C during the run-off, but it is slowly climbing back up as clarity improves.

When navigating the local rivers and bars, extreme caution should be used.

With the water still very brown, you can’t see if any obstacles such as logs or trees are stuck on the bars, so take care.

Hopefully the flood tides will have cut good channels in Currumbin and Tallebudgera creeks.

Dredging of the Tweed by the Port Frederick commenced just before the flood, so hopefully the sandbank out the back can be reduced, making for a much safer bar.

‘Til next month, bent rods to you all. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Cyclone Debbie hit the Tweed Heads area very hard, with the Tweed River bursting its banks and flooding many homes.

Joey decided to keep this 58cm jack because it swallowed the hook and could not be revived.

Good numbers of flathead will be available in all our local rivers during winter.

Dealing with Debbie G

’DAY, I hope you and your family are safe and well, as many towns from northern NSW through to Rockhampton and the people who live in them have suffered severely due to the devastating effects of ex-cyclone Debbie.

My most common area of operation is the Tweed River, and the Tweed was one of the more heavily hit regions along the east coast, with flood levels exceeding those experienced in 1954 and the result being most of the

Gold Coast Guide

by BRAD SMITH

small towns and villages along the river going under.

Homes and personal items were completely destroyed and unfortunately the lives of a young mum and two of her children were lost as well.

The light at the end of the tunnel is that us humans will battle through this disaster, life will move forward and the

massively swollen rivers will return to normal, with the result being one of the best winter fishing seasons in many years.

It is a given that all rivers thrive on having good flush-outs because these induce the spawning and migration habits of bait and fish.

The strategy I use when bouncing back into my guided fishing work after

a flood is to first start looking for the visual signs in the lower reaches of rivers where clean oceanic water meets the dirty water, which occurs on the run-in tides.

The area where the clean and dirty water meets is an absolute mecca for predatory fish because they prey on the bait concentrated in this area.

Species encountered here can include pelagics such as tailor, trevally and queenfish patrolling the surface layers and flathead, bream, whiting and ☛ continued P20

The floods along the east coast should induce one of the best bream seasons in years.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 19

A trevally taken while fishing surface.

This small bass was greedy enough to take a larger jig-spin combination.

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0427 729 688 Page 20 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

With the recent events of ex-cyclone Debbie still fresh in our minds, my thoughts go out to those who’ve suffered the devastating effects along most of the Queensland and northern NSW coastlines.

After immense rainfall, flash flooding and some people stranded and without power, hopefully this month we see uplifting weather and fishing.

The fishing will take a little while to improve because many fish will have to adapt to their new environment while still wanting to feed as they normally would.

In the salt, bream and flathead will be caught on deeper presentations including vibes and paddle tail soft plastics.

The fish that have particularly been fired up by the fresh are trevally in canals.

They are taking a number of presentations from surface lures to smaller hard-bodies such as the Pontoon21 CrackJack 48mm as it mostly resembles the average size of herring and prawns getting around.

Targeting trevally on lighter lines can be very interesting.

I use a 13 Fishing Omen Black rod, Daiwa Luvias 2506 and 6lb line when chasing trevs.

The by-catch when targeting trevally is endless.

In recent trips I have encountered tarpon, mangrove jack and larger bream in addition to the trevally.

In the fresh water, the huge inflows have created a lot of movement in the Gold Coast creeks and rivers, causing the bass and other freshwater species to move around a fair bit.

Fishing the creeks can be quite challenging when there is more water flowing through.

You may have to change tactics by fishing a little heavier and even speed-

Nerang Rooster Report

by DARREN RAMA

ing up your retrieves.

The fish are currently holding behind structure in calmer water out of the main flow.

Just to attract their attention, I have had to set up combinations including a 4” Fish Arrow Flash-J Grub with a jig spin on a 1/4oz TT HeadlockZ jig head, which gives off heaps of vibration.

You want the lure to sit deep enough to be in the strike zone for the fish.

In May, the freshwater fishing will continue to be productive while we will begin to see a change in the salt as the water continues to cool.

This means we will see bigger numbers of fish including flathead, bream, tailor and jew.

Offshore, mackerel will die off and snapper will become a more regular catch.

Tilapia continue to be a big problem, with more

and more reports of tilapia popping up in new locations.

If you have a chance and feel the need to do something productive, don’t hesitate to help our waterways by clearing these fish out wherever you can.

Every tilapia removed from the water takes us one step closer to getting our native fish populations back to normal health.

Good luck this month!

I might see you on the water.

An unexpected tarpon struck while fishing the edge of natural structure.

Brandon with a surprise Gold Coast golden trevally.

Smaller trevally will inhale lures such as the Pontoon21 CrackJack.

Dealing with cyclone Debbie ☛ from P19

jewfish feasting along the bottom.

I use the word feasting because this area is like a berley soup due to the amount of bait that will have been purged out of the upper river system.

As time goes on, this dirty water line slowly works its way further up the river until eventually the clarity and salinity levels return to normal.

At this time, this com-

ing winter will fish the best it has in many years for a couple of reasons.

There will be a mass migration of pilchards moving north along the coastline, closely followed by mullet, tailor, bream, luderick and jewfish, and as these fish travel, many will stop and spawn inside the rivers in the weeks leading up to the new and full moons.

So the idea for coming months is to plan your

trips around the tide changes and moons in the mid to lower reaches to enjoy fantastic fishing.

I am tipping that this winter will see the best bream and jewie fishing for many years, with anglers who like to target flathead doing very nicely as well.

The floods have also created new structural formations in our local rivers, with new channels, snags and rock bars

exposed, which is fantastic for fishing, but be careful when travelling by boat because some parts of the rivers you might have known well have been transformed.

To conclude, enjoy the excellent fishing to come over the next few months.

I really hope the people who have suffered from cyclone Debbie are getting their lives and properties back on track. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Paul Burt returns as Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show ambassador

F

teams of two and must have their own registered boat to compete, and both bait and lures can be used when fishing.

Competitors head out at 6am, fishing anywhere from Jumpinpin to the Nerang River except exclusion zones, and teams can bring back a maximum of 10 fish each.

Paul said he was thrilled to continue his involvement with SCIBS as ambassador and host of the SCIBS Live Bream Shoot Out. “Anybody who has a love for boating, fishing or the marine lifestyle knows SCIBS is the show to visit when it comes to seeing the most innovative products and enjoying a great day’s entertainment,” he said.

The Live Bream Shoot Out adds an exciting element to a massive program of events and activities at this year’s Show, which runs from May 25 to 28.

SCIBS general manager Johan Hasser said following popular demand, this year’s Show will again feature the Boatyard, with a greater array of trailer boats, sports and fishing boats.

“People of all ages will find something to enjoy at SCIBS – whether you’re in the market for a yacht, a tinnie, navigation equip-

OR the second year running, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show Shimano Live Bream Shoot Out is returning to the 2017 Show line-up, with fishing and boating guru Paul Burt leading the fleet.

Tohatsu rethinks the outboard with propane technology

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ELL known in the industry for its product development, technological advances and reliability, Tohatsu has stepped well out of the norm by introducing the ‘Propane’ LPG outboard to its range.

After due consideration of the market, Tohatsu felt a 5hp fourstroke would be a good entry model, with tender operators and travellers the primary target.

These operators generally have an existing fuel source on board, alleviating the need to carry petrol.

The Propane outboard is not the first of its

kind to hit the market, however what Tohatsu has done is develop the system to make it a very user friendly and viable product.

Based on the current four-stroke petrol engine, Tohatsu developed this outboard with the necessary features such as shut-off valves, fuel regulators and suitable LPG fittings to not only meet safety requirements but make it an easy starting and smooth running engine.

Feature benefits of the Propane MFS5C include very low emissions, great fuel economy, reduced maintenance time and easy portability.

The standard features of the petrol variant have been retained such as through-propeller exhaust, stainless steel water pump housing, high-grade aluminium multi-coat paint corrosion system, steering throttle friction control and convenient carry handles, to name a few.

At this stage, the Propane models are in tiller control only, available with transom lengths of 15”, 20” and 25”.

More information on the Propane outboard, availability and prices will be available soon from Tohatsu dealers and online at tohatsu. com.au

Registrations are now open for this year’s Live Bream Shoot Out – a family friendly, winner-takesall contest held on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28 during SCIBS. Popular television presenter and Channel 7’s resident weather, beach, boating and fishing expert, Paul Burt will be returning as SCIBS 2017 ambassador and host of the Live Bream Shoot Out. “The legendary Sanctuary Cove fishing tournament returned to the program last year and it attracted a great turnout,” Paul said.

“It brings a competitive aspect to the Show that is both entertaining and educational.

“We’re encouraging families, friends and amateur anglers to register and take part, while visitors can get up close to the catch and enjoy the weigh-in and release.”

With an entry fee of $50 per person, participants are required to enter as

live entertainment, the kids’ zone, demonstrations and hands-on experiences.

Keen anglers can find out more information and register online by visiting sanctuarycoveboatshow. com.au

ment, fishing rod or any of the latest and greatest watersports gear,” he said.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 21

Offshore should be back to normal in no time M

ACK ER EL numbers were slowly improving as the season went on here at Brunswick Heads; and then came Debbie!

A nice little longtail tuna rounded out a good trip.

Lyndon caught this spanish mackerel pre-flood. A few should be around this month.

But more on her later.

Most of the mackerel have been south of us this year but they were steadily moving their way north.

I had a visit from a relative (Lyndon) for a couple of days and we ducked out one afternoon after I had done a river cruise in the morning.

He was staying up the coast and I nearly called to tell him not to come because the bar had picked up and solid six-footers were standing up on the run-out tide.

It had been all right earlier in the morning and as we idled down to the bar it was evident it had dropped off again.

Obviously, a pulse of swell had pushed through and fortunately it had only lasted a couple of hours, meaning we got out just fine.

Anchoring up on the spot, we were being bugged by little sharks.

We caught a couple of small spanish mackerel but were having trouble getting a bait to drift away from the boat without a shark mauling it.

A lot of these little sharks have been around lately.

I used the NSW Department of Primary Industries Fisheries shark identification guide to try to ID the feisty little buggers but couldn’t get a match.

I could come up with some likely looking candidates but there were differences on each occasion.

Tweed to Byron Bay

by GAVIN DOBSON

Just as we were thinking of pulling the pin and going home, the rod went off and Lyndon started the fight. Simultaneously, my anchor rope broke, so I drove towards the fish and shortened the fight time on a fat little longtail tuna of 8kg.

Scrolling through Fisheries Queensland’s shark guide, they immediately jumped out at me as hardnose sharks.

By all accounts, they aren’t supposed to be this far south.

The other problem we had was mack tuna.

I know they are a great sportfish but in my boat they are less desirable than spanish mackerel.

Some people curse them but I don’t, even if they are wasting time and pinching hard-earned baits.

Apparently 2017 is the Chinese year of the rooster but around here it is definitely the year of the mack tuna.

They weren’t too bad on this particular arvo though and we only end-

Hydraulic boat steering for a hard day’s fishing Go G o wh he e ere rre ev ve er an and w wh he en nev eve err th he e fis fi sh ar are eb biiti ting g witth c co on onfi nfi fide denc nce e!!

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For product information and to find your nearest authorised dealer contact Graham HyDrive Engineering Pty Ltd – Queensland Unit 12, 73-75 Shore Street, Cleveland 4163 T: 07 3821 6580 E: qld@hydrive.com.au W: hydrive.com.au Page 22 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

ed up with five of them.

Fortunately, the sharks started to leave us alone and the mackerel bit pretty freely for the afternoon.

Just as we were thinking of pulling the pin and going home, the rod went off and Lyndon started the fight.

Simultaneously, my anchor rope broke, so I drove towards the fish and shortened the fight time on a fat little longtail tuna of 8kg.

Except for losing the anchor, it was a great way to finish the trip and let’s face it, it’s much better to lose the anchor at the end than the start.

Before retiring to get ready for the next day’s fishing, we went out to the shed and knocked up a rough-and-ready anchor.

Well the next day we couldn’t take a trick on the mackerel.

They weren’t around like the day before but we had a couple of missed chances.

We still came home with a few sharks and 12kg of squire, parrot, moses perch and maori cod, not to mention another bunch of mack tuna, so the day wasn’t a complete writeoff.

Mackerel continued to be caught right up until the swell from Debbie got here.

From what I can tell, the two towns worst hit south of the border were Murwillumbah and Lismore.

I’ve got a lot of family in Murwillumbah and some of them have lost everything.

When the rescue boat comes to get you off the roof of your house and ties up to your TV antenna, you know you’ve got problems.

For the record, Murwillumbah registered 780mm of rain in a 24-hour period.

The rivers are already starting to recover from the rain, with mud crabs, bream and trevally in the lower reaches here in the Brunswick River.

A few whiting are starting to kick around as well but it is early days yet.

Offshore, boats have just got out in the couple of days leading up to writing this article.

On the first day, no mackerel were caught in the brown filthy water but a couple were captured over the next day or two, which fills me with hope that they will come back quickly.

A bit wider, the current is running hard and the water is deep blue around the FAD off Cape Byron.

A reasonable number of mahi mahi are hanging around, which is good news because they have been very patchy this season.

Wahoo are sporadic at present but May is the best month of the year if you want to connect with one of these speedsters.

Just before Debbie arrived, I found a few rat yellowfin tuna on Windarra Banks mixed in with about a million mack tuna, so I hope they are still there.

The good news since the flood is solid snapper catches have been taken inshore.

Fish from just legal to about 5kg have been fairly abundant on the close reefs, so let’s hope they hang around for the duration of winter.

May is one of my favourite months just for the diversity of offshore fish on offer.

Boating mackerel and snapper on the one trip is always fun and don’t forget a few jew should be around on the close reefs too.

Finally, a word of warning for camera buyers.

The cruise boat bought a new Sony Cyber-shot and I raved about it so much that Tina bought me one.

Great camera, and I loved it, but was a little concerned when the cruise boat’s camera came up with a digital error and was unusable one month out of warranty.

Unfortunately, Sony was hopeless to deal with.

Sure enough, six weeks out of warranty, mine did the same thing and Sony is completely unhelpful except to inform me that this has been a very common fault with the Cybershot.

As a result, I have phone pics with my article this month, which aren’t ideal, so apologies, and beware the Cyber-shot if you are in the market.

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Kirk hooked up to what turned out to be a shark on the Ballina breakwall.

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Bryce with a solid spanish mackerel taken just before the floods.

Flathead hitting plastics in the shallows

H

ELLO and welcome to this month’s edition of BNB.

The past month has certainly been eventful to say the least.

First, I would like to say our thoughts and prayers go out to all the people impacted by the recent weather events.

From the people in north Queensland to the local folks around the Northern Rivers, I wish you all the best and hope you are back on your feet as soon as possible.

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Many families have lost everything, but the wonderful community spirit has been fantastic to see.

I have seen generous donations of food, furniture, clothes and even pre-cooked meals to help those in need, not to mention the awesome SES teams and even the large number of volunteers who were not directly affected by the floods but have come out to help with the enormous cleanup across the region.

It’s been nothing short of amazing.

That community spirit will continue to be important going forward, and I know those badly affected towns will need support from all of us, so where you can, go for a drive, book a holiday or come for a weekend and spend a few dollars in the communities that have been affected to help them rebuild and get back on their feet.

As for the fishing, as you can imagine we have had very limited oppor-

tunities to get outside and wet a line.

Hopefully the worst of the weather is past and we can roll on into winter.

The Richmond River is a lovely shade of brown but the sediment has started to settle and the water is beginning to look a lot like milky tea.

Some large high tides and small low tides should help with the clean-up of the river, so I am expecting things to improve fairly quickly as clean water starts to push back upriver.

We are seeing a few flathead around the shallow sand flats in the lower reaches, and they seem to be showing plenty of interest in bright soft plastics and pilchards.

While both have attracted the fish, the key technique seems to be slow rolling (slowly winding in) so the bait or lure is bumping along the bottom and stirring up sand.

This technique has helped the flathead find

our offerings in the discoloured water.

Bream and luderick have been hugging the rock walls.

The bream bashed some diving hard-bodies and crab imitations as well as oily and smelly baits such as pilchards, mullet fillets and mullet gut.

As is usually the case, the diet of the luderick has changed from weed baits to peeled prawns and live yabbies.

Yabbies have been a little harder to get than usual due to the fresh water, so most anglers have taken the easier option and gone with prawns.

The breakwalls have produced bream and the odd tailor recently, so stick with pilchards or mullet fillets, though metal spinners may also be worth a cast around dawn and dusk.

The combination of dirty water and large swells has attracted the normal predators including mulloway and sharks.

A number of good-quality mulloway up to 20kg have been taken from the walls, but both lures and fish have been lost to the grey-suited taxmen.

Hard-body lures and

soft plastics have worked at different times, so it will pay to have both with you.

The rough weather, strong wind and large swells have meant we’ve had virtually no offshore fishing over the past month.

The dirty water is cleaning up slowly but the immense volume of water that has been pushed offshore will mean the water clarity remains poor and the surface temperature cool for a month or so.

I get the feeling we might see some spotted mackerel in the next few weeks in and around the close reefs such as Riordans and Black Head, but the wind and swell direction may dictate what will happen.

If it does start to cool, you will likely have to head out to the 32s, 42s or 48s to chase bottom species such as snapper, trag, pearl perch and kingfish.

The current has been hovering around one to one and a half knots, so those wider grounds will be quite fishable over the next month.

That’s all from me.

‘Til next time, tight lines!

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HIS is one article I find really hard to write.

With all the flooding and destruction that has hit my area as well as most of the east coast of NSW and Queensland, our river systems are a bloody mess, our townships such as Lismore and surrounds are in disrepair and our governments seem not to care.

Our Prime Minister visited the Lismore area but at the time of writing had only offered low-interest loans to business owners.

I find this insulting to the hard-working people of Lismore.

My daughter lost most of what she owned as hers

Evans Head

by GARY ‘SQUIDGIE’ PALMER

In coming weeks, you could fish the sea side of the wall for bream and flathead and use yabbies or white pillies as bait. was one of many households destroyed by the flood.

Driving around Lismore, gee it just leaves a big lump in my throat, and quite frankly tears come to my eyes.

All these families that have lost everything… my heart goes out to them.

Evans Head and Woodburn didn’t miss out either, with water in areas I have never seen before.

Just before this monster flood, the Evans River was not the best because we’d had a small flood that made the river smell and go tea tree coloured.

Fish were still there but after this last event I think it will take a while to return to normal.

In saying that, the Evans River is small and recovers much faster than most in our area.

In coming weeks, you could fish the sea side of the wall for bream and flathead and use yabbies or white pillies as bait.

Just before the rain, very nice tuna were being caught from the headlands on lures.

While we have dirty water coming out of the rivers, the headlands would be worth fishing for mackerel and tuna.

Forty Foot and Piano headlands are great spots, and even the Jew Hole should produce fish.

Red Hill would also be worth a cast or two, with very big bream and whiting taken there around this time of year.

With all the dirty water running north, Chinamans and New Zealand beaches and Snapper Rock might produce but make sure there is no swell if going to Snapper because it is dangerous in big seas.

I have no reports from the deep blue as the seas are full of floating logs and all manner of things

that have been washed out.

If venturing offshore, be wary because very big logs are out there just waiting to take you out.

I hope the mackerel are still around but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

I really can’t say much more about the fishing because it’s just been a bugger of a month and I’m not sure what this month will produce.

It’s a waiting game for us.

One thing is for sure: the Richmond River is a bloody mess.

We had a small fish kill from the flood two weeks before the big one, and I’m desperately hoping we don’t see another kill because this flood has obviously been a bad one and all the areas where acid water comes from have been really badly flooded.

And that acid water has to run back down the Richmond.

I hope we don’t have another blackwater event, because if so, the Richmond may be closed again.

But that’s the worst-case scenario.

It is about time we fixed this river.

I don’t know how many meetings we’ve had and how much I have written about the Richmond but still nothing is done.

There has been some action but it is just a bucket in an ocean and really fixes nothing.

The shires all around the Richmond catchment should do more but no we just have meetings and take no bloody action.

We’re not far off the Evans Head Fishing Classic (July 7-14) and it is now run by Australian Fishing Tournaments, the organiser behind the North Coast Fishing Bonanza at Ballina, so it will be very interesting to see what changes, if any, are made to the Classic.

I’m looking forward to seeing what happens because I love fishing the Bonanza at Ballina, so here’s hoping it’s onwards and upwards for the Evans Head Fishing Classic.

I will have more information on the Classic soon and will keep you updated.

Remember: limit your kill, don’t kill your limit.

Tight lines and smelly fingers.

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A big mud crab tried to get out of the acid water coming down the Richmond River.

Aaron and Anthony with a couple of bass caught in one of the cane drains just before the recent flood.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 27

Solid school jew off breakwalls T Sydney’s jew guru Hank Karpman Merhi had a ball landing school jew from the Iluka breakwall during a recent trip.

HE first week of April was pretty poor for fishing in the Iluka/Yamba region due to the galeforce wind, huge swells and a minor flood in the Clarence River, however things really took off in the second week as the swell subsided and the clean water began pushing back upstream.

Good

numbers

of

While no big jew were taken during the April fresh on the Clarence River, Mischa Porter of Iluka was pleased with this 10.6kg fish landed on a lure along the Iluka breakwall.

Just Jew

by TYE PORTER

school jew of about 10kg are being taken from the breakwalls on both hardbodied lures and whole squid, with the odd bigger fish being landed but not recorded at the local weigh-in stations.

Both the Iluka and Yamba breakwalls are seeing schools of longtail tuna busting into the large shoals of garfish on the ocean side and a handful of spanish mackerel have been seen freejumping as well.

May should see good catches of both tuna and mackerel hooked from the walls as long as we do not get any more floodwater.

Big tailor up to 4kg have been landed from the point of the Iluka wall by anglers targeting mackerel with hardbodied lures.

Now that the clean water is pushing well upstream, spots such as Pinch Gut, Collis Wall and the T-Piece over on the Yamba wall will fire big time for large jew, with lures and live mullet the only baits to use.

The bulk of fishing for most species in the river during May will be concentrated from Harwood Bridge down to the mouth, due mainly to the residual dirty water from the fresh.

Anglers currently boating bream upstream at Browns Rocks are reporting big numbers of bream with red spot disease, which is a normal occurrence after a flood of any sort.

Elbow-slapping whiting have been captured in the shallow gutter along the ocean side of the Iluka wall and also at the northern end of Main Beach beside the rocks of the Bluff.

A handful of sizeable tailor are being caught along Main Beach, Back Beach and on the southern side of the Clarence at Station Creek.

The headlands have been fairly quiet, with only the odd turrum, small school jew and bream reported, but hopefully this will change as we head into winter and shoals of white pillies begin mov-

ing close to shore.

The beach along Shark Bay has been unusually quiet and just the occasional bream and swallowtail dart has eaten baits, but given that due to the bad weather hardly any good formation is to be found, I suppose that was to be expected.

Offshore fishing is once again in full swing, with most boats targeting spanish and spotted mackerel before these species return north.

Reasonable catches of both species are being taken north and south of the Clarence, with quite a few big snapper coming in during recent weeks as well.

All in all, as long as the big rains hold off, good catches of mackerel, tuna and snapper should continue offshore while landbased anglers should enjoy excellent jew fishing inside the river and along the headlands.

Bream will begin to move into the rivers in good numbers towards the end of the month and with any luck big horse greenback tailor will be taken along the open beaches.

‘Til next month, safe fishin’.

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Though more renowned as a gun jew fisherman and land-based specialist in the Sydney area, ‘HT’ felt at home catching quality tailor on the Iluka breakwall.

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John Crawford Marine at Glenora St, Wynnum, circa the late-1960s.

Vale John Crawford – a marine legend

T

HE marine industry has been paying tribute to John Crawford, the founder of John Crawford Marine and a pioneer of the Queensland recreational boating market, who died in early April aged 92.

Matthew Hodson, current owner of John Crawford Marine and only the third in its 53 years of operation, expressed the company’s condolences to the Crawford family.

“John was a true pioneer of our industry in Queensland,” he said.

“Over the years, he introduced thousands of families to the pleasure of boating.”

John Russell, who worked with John Crawford and became the dealership’s second owner in 1987, described him as “an amazing man”.

“John was not afraid to take on pretty well any agency he saw potential in so long as he could have it exclusively,” he said.

“He was a very brave businessman and a pioneer in the early days.

“Many of the original ideas and concepts he introduced to the market are still around today.”

John Crawford came to the marine industry in his late thirties after a career as a commercial traveller.

A passionate boater himself, he established his dealership on Wynnum Esplanade in Brisbane and laid the foundations for what was to become one of the most respected names in Queensland boating.

In the early days, John

Crawford Marine not only sold boats but built them as well.

Crawford recognised the potential of fibreglass as a construction material and launched his own brand called Compass Craft, which featured a range of runabouts.

During this period, he also displayed his willingness to take on new agencies and, with his innate understanding of what the boating market wanted, helped establish a number of iconic boating brands.

One of these was the Quintrex brand which, at the time, was still being made in Sydney.

Crawford shipped ‘raw’ boats to Brisbane, painted them and fitted them out, helping build the Quintrex name as a popular brand throughout Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Another time, while visiting the Sydney Boat Show, he was impressed by the recently released Hobie Cat sailing catamaran and immediately saw its potential as a fun, fast small sailing dinghy.

He negotiated the Queensland distribution rights and eventually became the largest Hobie Cat distributor in the southern hemisphere, doing much to help establish the popular Hobie Cat racing circuit and social clubs.

Other agencies followed including Haines Hunter, Pongrass runabouts, Cheoy Lee yachts and powerboats from Asia, and a range of trailer sailers that Crawford did much to popularise including Hood, Bruce Farr,

Sunmaid, Sunbird and the popular Tropic 520 among others.

In time, he opened another dealership on the Gold Coast and another yard in East Brisbane dedicated solely to sailing yachts.

John Russell said when

he took over the business, it was an obvious decision to keep the John Crawford name, such was the respect for it in the industry.

“He was a big influence on many people’s lives, including mine,” he said.

Originally published on marinebusiness.com.au

John Russell, John Crawford and Matthew Hodson.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 29

Change in water temperature will bring on snapper bites ■ Beach and river fishing updates

W

ITH May on our doorstep and almost half a year gone, we are beginning to see water temperatures dropping a few degrees.

Jayson Skinner was stoked to capture this flathead. Photos: fishingnoosa.com.au

Nigel Smith boated this quality coral trout on a Cougar One charter.

This beautiful dolphinfish was hooked by Rob Mitchell.

A ALLIIA TTR RA S S U U A A S S M SSY YSSTTEEM R E R E D D A E A LLE ce

rman High-perfo ders. casting lea ind-on Knotless w m 12lb to o r f s r e d a le ned to 200lb desig the reel. be cast off

nd tion a forma eck out in e r o ch For m tructio ions, australiia ns iin ems t s y s r ade ook/le

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ne e onli ll rang australlia u f e See th ersystems lead a b e y/

Page 30 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

Most fishing on the Sunshine Coast will benefit from the cooler water, with the last of the pelagics starting to disappear.

Offshore has been the first to see positive results, with pan size snapper appearing in good numbers and most fishos bagging out.

The popular areas have been the bottom end of the Barwon Banks, Murphys Reef, Mooloolaba 9 Mile and Sunshine Reef.

The best method is slowly floating baits to the bottom using three 5/0 TruTurn gangs with either a pilchard or whole squid for bait.

If you find the current a little strong, place a small ball sinker above the gang hooks to ensure the bait reaches the bottom.

Berley is a must when snapper fishing.

Try using cubed leftover baits such as pillies, or you can buy bags of pellet berley such as the Big John’s 2kg mix.

Lately I’ve had luck by dropping 30-60g micro jigs down the berley trail, with my favourite being the Palms Slow Blatt Oval jig.

This jig has a wide flutter action that reef fish find irresistable, and when selecting the perfect weight, I find a gram per metre to be the general rule of thumb.

Both Davo’s shops stock a great range of micro jigs, so call in and see the teams for all your micro jigging needs.

The last of the mackerel have been taken off

Sunshine Coast

by WADE QUALISCHEFSKI

Double Island Point, with the spanish loving slowtrolled lures.

One of the best lures this season has been the Spaniard Special, which continues to produce when trolled slowly.

If it’s big jew you love to catch, Chardons Reef off Noosa is the spot, with average fish of about 15kg being caught on live yakkas.

Another great thing about May is it’s my favourite mud crabbing month, and this year is shaping up better than last in both the Noosa and Maroochy rivers.

We saw good run-off in March, so make sure your pots are heavily baited for good catches.

Another tip is to soak your mullet in tuna oil overnight before going crabbing, which will improve the scent trail, therefore greatly improving your catch.

Tailor have started to fire in the lower stretches of the Noosa River, with most fish taking surface lures such as Fish Candy Skinny Dogs and Bassday Sugapens.

The larger tailor are loving live baits fished after dark on a run-in tide.

Trevally are in good numbers, with golden, giant and tea-leaf varieties all biting in the lowerlight periods.

The hot spots have been Woods Bay, Munna Point and the back of Noosa Sound.

Lucky Craft G-Splash surface lures will do the job because they are premium hard plastic surface

lures designed to take this punishment.

The stretch between Lake Cootharaba and Tewantin is producing school jew, and fishing the deeper sections with live bait will land you a jew or two.

If you love a good feed of prawns, dig out the net because solid numbers of banana prawns can still be found throughout the system.

The mighty Maroochy River has seen the quality of bream on the increase, with the bigger fish taken after dark.

The secret to landing good bream in this river is to use berley.

Both Davo’s shops carry a great range of berley and one will suit your fishing.

Best baits have been mullet fillets, live yabbies, small pillies and gut.

Just remember that when using berley, only use enough to keep the fish interested and not feed them.

Upriver from the motorway bridge to Bli Bli we’ve seen school jew and trevally hooked on soft plastics.

Popular models include the Z-Man 4” SwimmerZ and Keitech 4” Easy Shiner.

Most jew are coming from the deeper holes and drop-offs so take the time to have a good sound around when chasing these beauties.

On the beaches, the stretch from Pincushion to Marcoola is producing a few chopper tailor.

The higher-water gutters first thing in the morning

are generating the better fish.

The best baits have been smaller pillies rigged on three 4/0 hooks with a fluorocarbon leader.

If the sweep is a little strong, try using a surfstyle sinker that slows the drift of the bait and reduces line twist.

Grass sweetlip and squire have been taken on the rocks at Yaroomba.

A mullet strip bait rig is preferred when chasing these fish.

This rig is made from two Tru-Turn hooks in sizes 5/0 and 3/0 and joined by a swivel.

Teewah Beach is dart central, with good catches on the run-out tide.

The trick is to fish those lower-water gutters while using pipis for bait on a long bait-holder hook.

This will secure the bait while giving it longevity.

The northern beach entrance has its usual start of season high-water gutter that always produces tailor in May, with first light and after dark the better times.

The influx of fresh water has had bass schooling in the main basin of Lake Macdonald where most fish are falling for Kokoda G-Vibes slowly lifted off the bottom.

Borumba Dam bass have been striking 3” Keitech soft plastics rigged on TT DemonZ jig heads when fished close to timber structure.

For all the latest information, jump onto fish ingnoosa.com.au For up-to-date bar and fishing reports, don’t forget to drop into Davo’s Tackle World Noosa or Davo’s Northshore Bait & Tackle at Marcoola.

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Trekka 2 clients with three trout pulled off the same spot.

Action offshore from Noosa ■ Quality trout and eating size sharks

H

I, Craig Tomkinson here.

In May the weather will start to get colder and it will be harder to get out of bed in the early mornings, but hopefully a few more mackerel show up off Noosa as they move back north to the Bunker Group.

Mackerel have been very quiet this year, so let’s hope we get a decent showing on their run north.

With floodwater from

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Noosa to Fraser Coast

by CRAIG TOMKINSON

ex-cyclone Debbie pouring into the bay, Sunshine Reef will have good numbers of grass sweetlip, coral trout and tuskfish on the chew.

Hopefully a few snapper turn up as well because to date none have been found in close.

I have done a heap of

trips offshore in Trekka 2 over the past month, mainly comprising five and seven-hour charters around the Noosa local reefs.

We’ve mostly been catching sharks, with quite a few bag-out sessions on the tasty buggers.

On one trip we headed

north of Double Island Point on a seven-hour trip and the bottom fishing was very slow, with only the odd moses perch and brown hussar caught.

As usual I was berleying the whole time with my Sea Queen tuna oil and chook pellet mix.

Then out of nowhere the clients started catching double hook-ups of eating size sharks.

We ended up with 12 ☛ continued P32

Nathan Cusack from Chinchilla with a great trout from Sunshine Reef.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 31

Mix of tuna, queenies and goldens on offer W

ITH Destruction Debbie gone, many people are left with quite a clean-up.

Danni enjoyed her first date with Larry the longtail. Check out the conditions!

Luckily the Fraser Coast was spared this time.

With not much run-off, heaps of water has become muddied up along the mainland foreshores, though Hervey Bay itself

Fraser Guided Fishing

by TRI TON

is still pretty nice.

The wind however, is ridiculous and in stark contrast to late March.

Early April has been all wind!

Thankfully, both mack and longtail tuna are still around and should continue to form the backbone of most tours as they smash soft plastics and hard-bodies.

I hope the tuna fishery remains strong through June as well.

Other common species such as queenfish and golden trevally are still making a show.

Sometimes they are mixed in with the tuna and sometimes they’re on their own.

People are often surprised when they see other fish around tuna but keep in mind fish are al-

ways after an easy feed.

The goldens are coming on both jigs and softies while the queenies are mainly eating softies, with the occasional surface lure cruncher.

We’ve encountered plenty of sharks too; yuck!

Running side imaging on your sounder makes it very easy to see sharks.

Soon you will know when to stay or go.

However, sometimes you get no warning and the attack is so immediate that you are left with nothing but line flapping in the wind.

And when I say immediate, it is basically a strike from a fish on the lure, a short run or a few head shakes and then wham, it’s all over.

Other times the fish will make blistering runs or

perform erratic dodging all over the place, which often ends in line and lure loss.

Watching the side scan while you look for or stalk surface fish will help you gauge your chances of success.

I often pull up to an area, and if I see one shark, I might try my luck because one shark can be beaten.

When I see multiple sharks, I know my chances are very low.

You can free spool a fish to let it outrun a single shark, because without us meddling in the natural scheme of things, a shark is only quick enough to catch a frail or sick fish.

If multiple sharks find the fish and gang up, the ending is usually bloody.

Some sharks will chase the fish, while others will wait under the boat for the tired fish to come to them.

People often ask me how ☛ continued P34

Action offshore from Noosa A great effort by Tom to land this monster queenfish

Avan and a better than average longy.

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☛ from P31

in the box as you are only allowed one shark under 1.5m per person.

It’s chaos on board when three or four sharks come up at once.

Will and I have to work hard to get them under control by smacking them on the head with a mackerel donger and then cutting their throats to bleed them.

If the clients have not seen this process before, it’s an eye-opener, that’s for sure.

As you can imagine there’s blood and guts everywhere, but there’s no other way to bring these biting machines under control.

On the next trip we headed up there again to a different mark in the same area.

We got a heap more sharks and all were 1-1.2m long and great eating.

We even had a couple of bag-out trips on reef sharks while fishing Sunshine and Massouds reefs and these trips aren’t too bad because the clients love eating shark and I do too.

On another trip, Will and I headed to Chardons Reef, which is about 16km east-southeast of the Noosa River Bar. I had not fished there in years but on the top end of the reef we found great bommies and a good show, so anchored up.

With the first drop to the bottom, a big bloke from Sydney who was fishing in the back-left

corner was onto a solid fish.

Both Will and I told him to back the drag off a bit and go steady.

But what did he do?

He just went harder on the fish without backing the drag off and bang, he busted the line at the paternoster rig.

A big mack tuna was all we got off that hang for a while.

I started berleying because I did not want to shift too soon with the huge patch of bait under us.

I wanted to see if I could berley up the mackerel or dollies that I felt would be hanging around the big bait show.

Well within 10 minutes someone was asking about the pretty blue fish under the boat.

Will was right onto the dolphinfish, hooking and landing two, while the client from Sydney changed his rig to a small single hook with a bit of pillie threaded on.

He cast out as far as he could and was on, catching three good size dollies in the end.

We moved a couple more times for not much luck and then headed home.

My Trekka 2 clients have been catching quality trout on recent trips.

On the way home from Victor Baileys Reef I ran over a pair of lovely 6m-high bommies in 32m of water.

I marked them and returned on a five-hour charter.

On the first hang one

customer picked up a just-legal trout and on another trip Nathan Cusack from Chinchilla dropped down and landed a 5kg trout.

He was happy and so were Will and I. On my most recent trip to this area, I anchored about 500m away on a spot where dozens of undersize red emperor are often hooked.

I anchored up and the clients started catching good size but not legal reds, which gets them used to the bites and hooking fish on mono setups.

I learnt that trick off Theo, the skipper of Cougar One, as Will is normally his deckie.

Once the clients had a bit of an idea of what was going on, and I knew which way the old girl was going to sit at anchor, I went and anchored on the trout bommies.

Once the boat was where I wanted it and not moving, I said righto, have a drop.

Within 10 minutes the clients had three lovely trout on board.

Will and I were highfiving because that was the most trout we had seen on a charter off Noosa, and I think the clients may have dropped a couple more too.

The fish shut down as quickly as they fired up, so we moved around to catch a couple of good size tuskfish and then our time was up, so we headed in.

‘Til next month, be safe on the water. www.bnbfishing.com. au

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A great-sized spanish mackerel made for an awesome start to the day.

Chasing spanish mackerel offshore

I

N my mind, nothing beats an early start when it comes to heading out on the water for an exciting day of fishing.

Not only does it give you as many daylight hours as possible to catch that photo-worthy fish, but quite often can im-

Bundaberg Offshore

by JOEL JOHNSON

prove your odds of catching fish.

Watching the sun rise over a calm ocean never gets old and triggers a feeling of excitement in-

side me for what the day might bring.

The weary hours spent preparing the boat and gear in darkness the previous night followed by a

WADDY POINT - FRASER ISLAND

Matthew Horvath with a solid lure-caught spanish mackerel.

very early start might not seem so enjoyable at the time, but when you’re out there amongst the action, it’s all worth it.

As a recent working week ended, a good-looking forecast had preparations in full swing soon after arriving home.

Having become almost a ritual over the years, the fishing gear and boat were ready in short time and we were set for the morning to come.

My girlfriend Leeah, good mate Matt and I set off bright and early, arriving at the boat ramp well before sun up.

As it was, we weren’t the only ones who liked the look of the forecast, and with the boat ramp queued up, we got in line and eagerly awaited our turn to launch and get out there.

Soon enough we were in the water and making tracks out the river mouth towards the horizon.

Headed for a reef situated some distance from shore, we motored out,

leaving the mainland behind us.

The sun finally appeared over the horizon as we neared our destination, and already we could see signs of life.

Schools of longtail tuna were scattered left and right, free jumping almost everywhere we looked, but after motoring in and around the schools and casting at random, we found it difficult not to spook them, so left the tuna for the first mark and began a drift.

Fishing a mixture of poppers, soft plastics and baits, we sent out our offerings, hoping for something decent to start the day.

Picking up nothing on the first couple of drifts, I changed to a large surface slider lure, hoping it might grab the interest of a pelagic cruising by.

It did exactly this, but it was a fish none of us were expecting. ☛ continued P35

Mix of tuna, queenies and goldens on offer ☛ from P32

we beat sharks and I tell them it’s best not to be in their reach.

This means I travel to other places and I may end up somewhere with fewer fish, but when we connect we have a higher landing percentage.

The other important factor is to use the right tackle.

You need lifting power in the rod and stopping power in the reel’s drag.

This gets back to other topics I have broached before such as knowing what your gear is capable of and testing it before you hit the water so you know how hard you can push when you are pressured.

Have confidence your braid won’t break and your FG knot to the leader won’t part.

Speaking of leaders, this is another aspect ofPage 34 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

ten overlooked.

I see inferior line being used so often.

In my opinion, leaders need to be thick, durable lines.

This is particularly true for heavier tackle.

I usually use the best leader I can get my hands on.

And I chuckle when people are amazed at how thick my leaders are.

Anything under 20lb leader in my kit is usually a cheaper grade, but above that I only use the best.

My standard leader for this time of year is Sunline FC100 40lb.

I’ve seen other 40lb leaders that are thinner and when push comes to shove, the knots at the terminal tackle fail when I grab a fist full or two of leader to quickly end a fight.

Their thinness often

makes handling a slippery task too.

I want to be quick and confident on the leader, because in shark season many of the fish are green due to being skull dragged to the boat.

Thinner lines can cause cuts and burns due to slipping in my hands.

And finally, ensure you handle fish minimally when its sharky.

If you have photos of a species already, release

other examples of the same species quickly.

Don’t let fish burn on hot decks.

Get them out of the water, pose for the shot, and then boom, get them back in.

Chris scored a great queenfish.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Chasing spanish mackerel offshore ☛ from P34

A huge longtom trailed my lure right to the boat, showing off its spectacular fluorescent colours as it swam by.

A second cast brought not one, not two, but at least four of the spectacular-looking fish to the boat, all well over a metre in length.

Now with Matt joining in on the action, a few casts attracted the whole school, with 20 or 30 fish chasing our lures but failing to hook up.

These fish would jump erratically around the lures but somehow missed the hooks every time.

Having caught small longtom off the rocks before, we knew all too well they were armed with a lethal set of teeth but this didn’t deter us.

Their strange anatomy was intriguing, so we were keen to get up close and personal with one, with caution of course.

After many more casts and countless hits from these inquisitive fish, we still failed to hook

one, but while casting amongst them my lure was smashed by something far larger that cleared the water and left a significant splash.

Frustratingly, this fish missed the hooks as well, but we had a clear view of what it was due to its telltale silver bars: a spanish mackerel.

Because spanish mackerel are a far more desirable species than longtom, I was quick to send out an unweighted garfish on a set of ganged hooks as a second option if our lures didn’t get any more interest.

This is my go-to mackerel rig and is easily adapted to suit the depth with the aid of a balloon.

Sure enough, within a short time the garfish was smashed and the reel began to scream.

With the characteristic blistering runs of a mackerel, I took my time, letting the fish tire as much as possible before bringing it aboard.

It soon came alongside the boat, and at about 8kg it was a good fish to start

the day, not to mention a great addition to the Esky.

Having drifted some distance from the mark, we motored back up-current of the reef and sent out another garfish.

We drifted across the same patch of reef and at a glance I noticed the sounder had a massive showing of bait with clear indications of predatory fish surrounding it.

Like clockwork, the rod buckled and we were hooked up once again.

This time Leeah jumped in to grab the rod and having never caught a spanish mackerel before, she was shaking at the knees as the fish took line from the reel at speed.

Taking her from one side of the boat to the other, she had her work cut out but was up to the challenge.

The fish came to the surface and in one swift motion came aboard.

She was thrilled to have landed her first spaniard and so were we.

We drifted the same course numerous times but failed to induce any

A cool-looking reef shark caught while targeting mackerel.

action close to what we’d witnessed prior.

We fished on, trying new areas throughout the reef, when suddenly I hooked up.

Fighting high in the water column, similarly to a mackerel, and taking me from one side of the boat to the other, we were convinced I had hooked yet another mackerel, but as the fish neared the boat it turned out to be a feisty little reef shark.

Bad news for the Esky but it was a cool capture that made for a quick snap and release.

Midday came and went with nothing more to show for our efforts, when finally it was Matt’s turn as his surface lure was smacked by some kind of pelagic.

Our initial guesses were tuna-related as it fought down deep, but we were wrong, as when it shot to the surface with a sizeable shark hot on its tail we could see it was in fact another spanish mackerel, but by no means was the fish ours yet.

No longer was it just a fight between the fish and the angler – the shark was making things very interesting.

Luckily however, the shark moved on, leaving Matt to fight the fish to the boat a little less stressfully.

Soon enough the fish was in the boat unscathed, adding to our catch for the day.

We fished on for a while longer with nothing more for the haul, so headed home happy to have caught some quality fish and experienced several pretty awesome things throughout the day.

The ocean never fails to impress me, and now all that’s left to do is to look forward to my next day out on the blue.

COMPETITION DATES COMPETITION

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2017 B.A.S.S. Australia Nation May 6-7 Teams Event Round 3 ABBT* Bass May 13-14 Qualifying Round 3 B.A.S.S. Australia Nation May 26-28 Atomic Pro Series Round 5 B.A.S.S. Australia Nation Jun 10-11 Teams Event Round 4 ABBT* X-Factor Teams Jun 17-18 Series Round 2 VMR Bundaberg Family Jun 23-25 Fishing Classic B.A.S.S. Australia Nation Jun 23-25 Atomic Pro Series Round 6 Evans Head Fishing Jul 7-14 Classic B.A.S.S. Australia Nation Jul 20-23 Atomic Pro Series Round 7 ABBT* X-Factor Teams Jul 28-29 Series Round 3 Storm Intense Pro-Angler Jul 29-30 Bass Tournament Round 2 ABBT* Bass Aug 5-6 Qualifying Round 4 B.A.S.S. Australia Nation Aug 24-27 Atomic Pro Series Final Catch a Catty Family Aug 26-27 Fishing Competition B.A.S.S. Australia Nation Teams Event Final Bowen Family Fishing Classic

Sep 8-10 Sep 16-17

Boondooma Dam – bassaustralia.com.auB.A.S.S. Bjelke-Petersen Dam – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183 Cania or Somerset dams – bassaustralia.com.au Glenbawn NSW– bassaustralia.com.au Bjelke-Petersen Dam – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183 Burnett Heads – vmrbundabergfishingclassic.com.au St Clair NSW – bassaustralia.com.au Evans Head NSW evansheadfishingclassic.com.au Wivenhoe – bassaustralia.com.au Cania Dam – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183 Boondooma Dam – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183 Somersest Dam – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183 TBA – bassaustralia.com.au Mingo Crossing – Beppie Stanley 07 4156 3185 or Ruth Rokesky 07 4127 7252 E: jnrrok@gmail.com TBA– bassaustralia.com.au Bowen – Russ McCabbin 0428 776 653 or 07 4786 3899 E:bowenfamilyfishingclassic@yahoo.com.au

ABBT* Bass Sep 23-24 Qualifying Round 5 Gold Coast Flathead Sep 26-29 Classic WTF Women That Fish Sep 28-30 Barra Classic ABBT* Bass Oct 6-7 Qualifying Round 6 Callide Dam Fishing Oct 28-29 Classic Storm Intense Pro-Angler Oct 28-29 Bass Tournament Round 3 ABBT* X-Factor Teams Nov 4-5 Series Round 4 ABBT* Bass Nov 25-26 Grand Final ABBT* X-Factor Teams Dec 2-3 Series Championship

Borumba Dam – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183 Ross Meadows 0438 603 209 flatheadclassic.com.au Rockhampton – Shara VanHaeren 0429 923 243 Boondooma Dam – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183 Callide Dam – Nigel Krueger 0402 923 443 TBA – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183 TBA Dam – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183 TBA – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183 Borumba Dam – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183

*Australian Basstasstic Bass Tournament To have your competition listed in the calendar please phone (07) 3286 1833, email design@bnbfishing.com.au or fax (07) 3821 2637

Leeah was thrilled with her first spanish mackerel.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 35

Overnight trip out to the reef B

EFORE the formation of cyclone Debbie, we decided to take advantage of a brief break in the persistent trade winds and head north to Turkey Beach for a very quick overnight trip out to the reef.

George Baumber enjoyed the glassy conditions while catching the biggest redthroat emperor of the trip.

George was really keen (like, never says no to a fishing trip) and we had our friend Chris Barnard on standby as well.

So after a few phone calls we had the keys to the house, some tucker and gear for overnighting on the boat and were heading up the highway developing the fishing plan like a group of excited schoolboys.

George and I really enjoy the quality of the

Offshore

by BILL CORTEN

fishing off Turkey Beach, and the challenge of being able to explore new ground and make our own luck as we go is what we thrive on.

We like to travel a long way, and fuel range has been a restriction to exploring in the past, so this time we had a different prop on the big V6 Yammie thanks to the advice of Justin Nichols from Wynnum Marine.

Testing of the Yamaha Saltwater Series II highperformance ‘T’ range prop on a few bar crossing and fishing runs out from

home had been very successful in achieving better fuel numbers and we were looking forward to hitting some new (to us) ground.

This time we headed north of Sykes Reef, making our first stop where we finished the last trip, on a little bommie we accidentally ran over in the middle of nowhere, where we had nailed good size redthroat emperor, coral trout and a solid red emperor.

Yep, it had nice fish shows and while drifting across, George nailed a very good coral trout on

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the first drop of the day.

After a few more mixed fish, suddenly Chris was excited as line was peeling off his reel at a fast rate.

Nice shark mate, we teased, as energy was being drained from repeated runs, and sure enough he brought a large whaler alongside.

Bugger, but welcome to the first of many for the trip.

We headed out deeper and found a ridge of reef that had a great show of fish and soon Chris got his revenge with a cracking maori cod, backing it up with an excellent coral trout.

Plenty of fish were coming on board but we wanted something better, so kept moving around and on another ridge of hard bottom that had only a smattering of individual dots on the bottom, I got lucky and landed a 64cm pearl perch.

We were hoping for a red but gladly added this bonus fish to the box.

By now Chris was getting a handle on the 1kW CHIRP sounder technology, which is quite different to reading his own Furuno 587, and we focused our efforts more on the areas of good individual fish rather than the ‘clusters’ because these were mostly big schools of annoying hussar sitting around in dense clumps.

Plenty of fish were in the box, so as we got into the afternoon we decided to head to a spot further north but of similar depth to where we had caught snapper prior to Christmas.

George and I had been theorising about the snapper since that last trip and were curious to see what the snapper numbers would be like this early in the season.

It didn’t take long to find out as we slow-planed along for a few kilometres and watched the sounder screen as the seabed dropped steeply over a sharp rock face.

At the base of that dropoff was the unmistakable pattern of large individ-

ual dots scattered along the seabed that we knew from past experience were snapper.

On a slow, lazy drift, I decided to use the ‘loose deuce’ method, which was to let the crew drop first and bombard the school with baits, then get my rig down and hold on for a double hook-up as by now the fish would be keen to hit any additional bait entering their space.

It worked a treat as George and Chris pulled a very nice snapper each and I got lucky with a solid snapper and another big pearl perch.

Another drop resulted in a further double hook-up of snapper, and with what George and Chris were also catching, we were close to a bag limit and seriously counting in no time.

And then the sharks decided they liked snapper more than we did, and no matter how hard we tried or what method we used, we couldn’t get another snapper past the sharks, so drove away tired and frustrated.

“We’ll top up that bag limit early in the morning,” I said quietly to myself as a matter of principle, and as it was close to sundown I suggested we go for a drive and look for a rock to anchor on for the night.

It had been a big day and with a nod to George we settled on a nearby rock in 60m with a good fish show to set the anchor for the night before doing the usual end of day activities of writing up the fish count, repacking fish on ice, cooking dinner and sorting the sleeping arrangements.

George had a crack at the handline after dark on that hang and nailed redthroat and oddly for us, the only legal red emperor for the trip.

Typical George, he quietly did his thing with the handline and, without any fuss, dropped the red on the floor of the boat and casually announced it was just a bit of a dead weight.

This blew Chris away ☛ continued P37

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Page 36 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

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Chris Barnard landed the best trout of the trip.

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Chris Barnard was pretty happy with the quality of the snapper.

The author with a double-header of quality snapper using the ‘loose deuce’ method.

Chris Barnard with his first of several large maori cod for the trip.

Overnight trip out to the reef ☛ from P36

and combined with anchoring in the open for the night on a glassy sea and the overall high standard of the day’s fishing, he had a lot to take in and absorb while lying on the bunk re-energising for the next day.

After brekkie and a hot cuppa, we went back to the snapper spot to complete the unfinished business of the bag limit and work around looking for new spots to fish.

It was always going to be

a short day because there wasn’t much capacity left in the overall bag limit and we were pretty fussy to set a high minimum size on each species.

We came across large redthroat and floated down big hussar fillets to convert them into bigger fish in the food chain.

We were on our way home with our limit achieved well before the top of the tide when the next wind change was due in.

For a bit of fun, I dropped a micro jig for

three redthroat from three drops, so wouldn’t mind dropping the jig a bit deeper for a snapper or pearlie next trip.

The wind eventually caught up to us on the way home but it was another ripper trip with absolutely no complaints and further cemented friendships.

The new prop worked a treat and with good numbers on the Yamaha fuel management system we paced ourselves, doing everything off the main tank without eating into

the load of spare fuel we brought, and that was with more running around exploring than we had previously done.

Another good investment in safety.

A few quick observations if travelling long distances solo as I am sure many readers will this winter: • Definitely log on via VHF to the nearest VMR station but remember communication may be scratchy if you are at the extreme of your range on

the repeater. A satellite phone back-up is worth considering; • Take plenty of spare fuel in case sea conditions adversely change; • Some form of watchkeeping overnight in the open ocean is advisable; • Have plenty of spare ice to put on the fish; • The security of a boat filled with upright foam flotation gives peace of mind; and • Auto-pilot over long distances really helps with fatigue management.

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F

AMILY fishing is part of the Australian outdoor lifestyle.

Time in the outdoors does untold good for children and adults, allowing us to connect with the natural world and escape the fastpaced computer screen lives so many of us lead.

It also allows time for families and friends to connect without the distractions of work, a busy life and technology.

For some reason, time spent fishing and camping always results in better conversation with the people you care most about or even complete strangers.

Taking the next generation outdoors is crucial to retaining our culture, which from what I have seen over the past 15 years we seem to be losing at an alarming rate. l now witness young people in the middle of the Outback proud to be acting like a three-minute music video character from overseas rather than being proud to just simply be who they are – Australian.

Getting ready for the fishing trip Planning trips is all part of the fun.

The build-up to a fishing or camping outing is what transfers thoughts away from stress, work or problems in life.

A goal to travel outdoors provides direction in life, clarity, something to aim for and an exciting period for family and friends.

Having this goal starts the maintenance and checking process on boats, camping gear, cars and fishing gear, which is a hobby and provides a work and life balance without many people realising it.

It also provides life ex-

Fishing Travel Tips

by LYNDON ANLEZARK

perience, which gives perspective and keeps a valuable part of our culture going well into the future.

Trips also keep smaller businesses and communities alive as travellers fill up with fuel, food and associated trip expenditure.

Exploring Australia In Australia we are spoilt for choice regarding locations to go camping and fishing because we enjoy some of the most pristine and beautiful coastal and country landscapes on earth.

Some families go to the same location at the same date each year, usually during school holidays, making the trip a permanent fixture on the calendar that is greeted with excitement as the date nears.

Others pick a different spot each month or two and some take children out on weekly fishing trips.

Whatever the routine, the main point is that people are travelling, exploring our amazing country and taking children and family outdoors, away from plasma screen TVs. When is the best time to go fishing?

If you live a busy family life, it is hard to plan time off for everyone to line up with perfect conditions.

The priority should be to travel outdoors, adding work and life balance and leaving an outdoors legacy to the next generation while reducing stress and having fun.

Rain usually turns up when least expected or wanted, however it pro-

vides excitement and a story to tell down the track.

From wet tents to boggy roads and children playing in the rain all day without a care in the world, the unscripted parts of nature are often the best.

For positive mental and physical health, a monthly routine is crucial.

Why not place your future fishing and camping trips on your calendar for the entire 12 months?

That way other distractions will not get in the way of your family and friend connection time.

Why is travelling outdoors so good for us?

Relationships are crucial to overall health and so are having something to look forward to and a hobby.

The outdoors can provide all the above.

What most people do not realise is that time in the outdoors actually provides meditation.

Many people report returning from exploring outdoors feeling calm and totally different to when they left the stresses of work and life before the trip.

Exploring is what Australians do.

It is an integral part of our culture and we need to keep it going so future generations do not become sheltered and ignorant of the beauty that lies within their country.

Families that create an appreciation of the outdoors, including long drives where a mind has to use its imagination to unwind and relax, allows

people to be themselves without digital distractions.

This is crucial not only to positive human development, it is crucial for culture retention.

For me, taking people outdoors is one of the most important things we can do, and fighting to keep a routine on a calendar should be a priority for everyone.

The opposite is to stay indoors, in a city and connected to technology but disconnected from family, friends and the natural world.

Are you happy with that being your legacy?

If not, start making marks on your 12-month calendar and plan to explore Australia.

Summary Have a look at your current lifestyle, your friends’ lifestyle, and if you have children, their lifestyle.

How much of it is digital?

Where will this take them?

How much of their life is lived outdoors?

Would life be better if you spent more time outdoors with family and friends?

Exploring the outdoors need not be expensive.

Pick a nearby location if money is tight and pack as

much food from home as possible so you don’t have to buy any on the way.

Enjoy the time outdoors.

Keep things simple: sit around the fireplace and cook marshmallows, spot birds and animals, watch the weather patterns, take photos, fish, bushwalk, cook on an open fire, teach fire safety, boil a billy tea old-school style, cook damper or a roast in a camp oven and aim to enjoy life while spending time with people you care about.

You could start a project with your family or friends to start researching your next outdoors exploration location.

When will you complete the trip?

Where?

For how long?

What is needed for the trip?

You could even start a countdown on your calendar.

Most of all: have fun.

If you are interested in some outdoors fishing history and evolution, feel free to listen to a free podcast Rod ‘Harro’ Harrison and I recorded at achievementzone365. com.au/outdoors-history/ fishing-history-and-evolu tion-with-rod-harro-harri son-and-a-zone365 I wish you all the best on your next outdoors trip.

Hook safety explained with a bass.

Fishers warned not to use noxious fish as bait

R

E C R E AT IONAL fishers are being warned by Biosecurity Queensland not to use tilapia as bait, particularly in central Queensland.

Biosecurity Queensland officer Anita Ramage said there had been reports of people using the noxious fish as bait to catch barramundi in the Fitzroy River.

“People need to understand it is illegal to use tilapia as bait or for any purposes,” Ms Ramage said.

“This species of fish is

classed as restricted matter under the Biosecurity Act 2014.

“It is illegal to have them in your possession and if caught, they need to be destroyed and disposed of straight away by burying or putting them in the bin.

“By using tilapia as bait, people are increasing the risk of spreading these harmful fish.

“They are an aggressive, invasive fish that will outcompete and displace native species.

“New incursions often result from human-as-

sisted movement and using the fish as bait is one mechanism that causes the spread of the noxious fish.”

There are currently no known methods to eradicate tilapia once they are established in a river catchment.

Ms Ramage said recreational fishers who care about waterways should not use or move tilapia to help support the life of the waterway.

“A person who has a tilapia in their possession and has failed to kill or dispose of it properly

could face a maximum penalty of more than $60,000,” she said.

Tilapia were first discovered in 1978 in Townsville and have been found in 19 catchments in Queensland.

However, nationally significant areas of Queensland including the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Lake Eyre Basin and the Murray Darling Basin remain free of tilapia.

“There are lots of rivers that are not infested and need protecting,” Ms Ramage said.

The public can help to

limit the spread of pest fish in Queensland by: knowing what the species look like; reporting new sightings by taking a photo and submitting it online at daf.qld.gov. au/fisheries/pest-fish/re port-a-pest-fish-sighting; and not moving them or using them for bait or food.

For more information on pest fish, visit bios ecurity.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

You can follow Biosecurity Queensland on Facebook and Twitter (@ BiosecurityQld). www.bnbfishing.com. au

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 39

VMR Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic

V

MR Bundaberg is holding its 12th Family Fishing Classic on June 23, 24 and 25, 2017.

Three boat packages are up for grabs in the lucky draw prize section.

Two of the boats are Quintrex 390 Explorers with 30hp Suzuki outboards, with the mangrove jack wraps specially designed for the Classic.

The big prize is a sideconsole Quintrex 440 Renegade with a 50hp Suzuki four-stroke outboard and colour fishfinder.

All boats are on trailers and the packages include registrations, biminis and safety packages.

The three-boat package has increased in value from $38,000 in 2016 to $50,700 in 2017 thanks to the generous support of Boats Galore Bundaberg.

The total prize pool exceeds $70,000.

See your authorised Mercury MerCruiser Dealer today

Bundaberg’s famous Family Fishing Classic runs from Burnett Heads over the three days, with an open offshore category as well as senior and junior estuary categories.

The estuary fishing allows for both catch and release and dead weigh-ins.

A strong list of category prizes will again be on offer.

Burnett Heads is a great central venue for experiencing excellent beach and estuary fishing, with Baffle Creek and the Kolan, Burnett and Elliott rivers all fishing well.

The three-lane ramp at the Burnett Heads boat harbour is a good facility for those who want to chase pelagics and reef fish on the many reefs and gutters in northern Hervey Bay. Organiser Graeme Morley noted that a friendly but serious competition

has formed in recent years between some of the offshore specialists.

Weigh-in caters for junior and senior entries in live/release and dead fish categories, with the live fish category making up about 30 percent of the total weigh-in during recent years.

“We have an excellent live fish viewing tank that is very popular with the kids, and fish are tagged before being returned to the harbour,” Graeme said.

The very popular lucky draw sessions will be held from 6pm on Saturday, with a 390 Explorer as the major prize.

Lucky draws will restart at 1pm on Sunday, when the second 390 Explorer and the 440 Renegade will be given away.

The junior lucky draw major prize is a kayak.

This is an exciting fam-

☛ continued P41

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Page 40 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

ily event with many prizes for both junior and senior participants.

You only have to register to participate in the lucky draws – the fishing simply provides extra fun.

This great event is only possible due to the fantastic support from VMR’s major sponsors.

Boats Galore and Suzuki Marine have combined to support the boating packages, while long-term sponsor Tackle World Bundaberg has continued supplying quality fishing tackle prizes for both seniors and juniors.

The Bolt Place is again providing a welder and camping gear, while Rum City Locks & Security helps with financial support for prize purchases.

Burnett Heads Marina and Koastal Kayaks are providing an impressive fleet of kayak prizes.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Flood brings on crabs – fish to follow A

FTER a relatively poor and slow season for mud crabs, the rains associated with ex-tropical cyclone Debbie have seen muddies on the move in many of our estuaries including Baffle Creek and Skyringville, with both these areas recently experiencing an excellent run of muddies.

While not all systems have produced great numbers of crabs, they should be available for several weeks.

With the Easter full moon now past, the crab action will probably ease a little until the next new and full moon tides.

For those anglers new to crabbing, make sure you check the requirements for your pots (including maximum number of pots per person, requirements for minimum float size, name tags for pots and names on floats) as well as the minimum size limits for crabs.

It is also necessary for you to be able to distinguish a male crab from a female crab because in Queensland it is illegal to keep any female crabs.

Targeting whiting The good fresh that flushed all our local systems will also have a very positive effect upon fish numbers.

Usually, after a flood the fishing will first improve around the river/ creek mouths where all the fish have been flushed into open water.

As the next run of bigger tides pushes clean salt water back up into the rivers and creeks, the fish too should slowly make their way back into the ‘refreshed’ system.

This time of year is ideal for targeting larger whiting, and they should be prevalent around the neap tides (smaller tides between full and new moons).

This species will be

Bundaberg Region

by BRAD YOUNG

found in all our rivers and creeks and will often bite better at night when boat traffic is reduced and darkness protects them in shallower water.

Remember, whiting can often be caught in water around knee deep.

If you want to chase whiting, the best approach is to fish really lightly because they can be very timid biters and the lighter gear will help increase your catch rates.

Usually they will be found in areas with a relatively clean sandy bottom, so snags are not a threat to your light line.

When buying your gear, look for a light, softaction (whippy) rod that will allow you the opportunity to sense the bites without telegraphing this fact back to the fish.

An Alvey sidecast reel or spinning reel is ideal when spooled with 2-3kg monofilament line.

If bream or flathead are in the area you are fishing, you can increase the leader to 4.5kg to reduce the chances of a bite-off.

The best time to fish for this species is with the incoming tide, often near the areas where your bait (such as yabbies) is collected.

Whiting will often move up onto shallow banks as the tide covers them, feeding in the shallows.

The best locally caught and accessible bait for whiting is yabbies.

These can be pumped from the many mud banks in our estuaries with yabby holes showing, simply by using a relatively inexpensive yabby pump.

Kids usually really enjoy this bait-collecting activity, excited to see what each pump load of mud brings in terms of yabbies.

A brief lesson on how

to quickly pick them up and drop them into a bucket of fresh salt water will reduce the chances of a finger being nipped.

The best time to start looking for yabbies is the very last of the run-out tide and then the first of the run-in tide.

A plastic yabby sieve will help if the tide has started to rise and you are forced to pump yabbies in shallow water rather than on an exposed bank.

Remember to take along a container such as a jer-

ry can to bring home a supply of fresh salt water.

This saltwater supply can then be used to keep your yabbies alive for several days.

Keep them in a cool, shaded area away from the reach of ants and cats/ dogs that may take an interest in them.

Remove any dead yabbies as soon as they are noticed and drain and replace the salt water at least every six hours.

I have found the best type of container is a shallow tray (such as a kitty litter tray) with water only about 2cm deep.

The large surface area provides the best opportunity for oxygen to be absorbed while giving the

yabbies room to spread out.

A basic rig consisting of a long-shank hook, a leader of 40-60cm and a swivel connecting it to the main line is all that is required to fish effectively with yabbies.

You want to use the smallest possible sinker.

It is important that the sinker is just big enough to hold the bait on the bottom.

Ideally you want the rising tide to slowly push your bait along the bottom so it appears natural to hungry fish foraging for a feed.

Barra about Barra have been active in our systems, with many flushed out of their

usual habitats, including some from freshwater areas.

It is usually relatively easy to pick a freshwater barra from one that has been in the salt for a period because the freshwater fish generally have a bronze appearance while the salties will be a clean silver colour.

These fish will be active hunters in our estuaries while the water temperatures remain warm but will slow when the first cold snap occurs.

The best baits will be live poddy mullet and live sprat.

On warmer days, they will respond to lures such as large hard-bodies.

Don’t forget we have a

great stocked barra fishery very close by in Lake Monduran, with several guides able to give anglers an increased chance of catching a fish.

Hopefully these tips will see you enjoying success over the next month.

I am still waiting for a good window of light wind coinciding with a weekend to give me a chance to fish offshore again.

Enjoy the fishing during May. As always, I can be contacted via the BNB website bnbfishing.com.au, by email at fishnboat@ bigpond.com or mail at PO Box 5812, Bundaberg Queensland 4670.

Until next month...

VOLUNTEER MARINE RESCUE BUNDABERG

FAMILY FISHING CLASSIC

23rd, 24th & 25th JUNE 2017 At VMR Base Burnett Heads Over $70,000 in prizes and lucky draws 3 boats to be won ●Entry forms at VMR base | VMR web site | Tackle World Bundaberg Boats Galore Bundaberg | Bundaberg Computers | The Bolt Place ●Weigh-ins and presentations near VMR base Burnett Heads ●Junior | Senior | live | dead sections | mystery weights ● Food and drink stalls | displays | music ● info@vmrbundabergfishingclassic.com.au ● www.vmrbundabergfishingclassic.com.au ● Phone Graeme on 0418 734 825

Major Jnr lucky draw:

● 51 Harbour Esplanade Burnett Heads Qld

Kayak valued at $750 Sponsored by Burnett Heads Marina

Major Senior lucky draws:

VMR Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic ☛ from P40

Queensland Computers has stepped up once again with laptop computers.

Many other local sponsors allow VMR to keep the prizes rolling.

The excellent media coverage provided by Bush ‘n Beach Fishing magazine, WIN Television and Bundaberg Broadcasters ensures extensive promotion of the event.

Three trophies are up for grabs: • Outstanding effort by a junior (sponsored by the crew of Jupiter); • Best red emperor www.bnbfishing.com. au

(sponsored by Wicked Fishing); and • Best cobia (sponsored by the Wakefield family).

Plenty of great food stalls and a licensed bar will be manned by supporting service clubs.

A registration form is available at vmrbunda b e rg f i sh i ngcla s sic. com.au along with results of the 2016 Classic.

Registrations cost $35 for adults, $10 for children and $80 for a family of two adults and three children.

Mark the date, get the bait – or just register for the lucky draws!

1 x Quintrex 440 renegade side console, Suzuki 50hp 4 stroke trailer bimini sounder Registrations safety pack –Boat valued at $28,400 2 x Quintrex 390 Explorer open Boats Suzuki 30hp 2 stroke, trailer bimini registration safety pack –valued at $11,200 each Boats sponsored by Boats Galore Bundaberg and VMR Bundaberg

Fishing category prizes: Sponsored by Tackle World Bundaberg, Burnett Heads Marina, Rum City Locks & security and Queensland Computers

THANKS TO OUR MAJOR SPONSORS

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 41

K AYAKING & canoeing

A sun skirt laid across the legs can help keep your fly line in order when casting.

A lightly weighted clouser fly slowly twitched from a snag proved irresistible.

Fly fishing from a yak I

CAN struggle with fly fishing because my accuracy and casting distance are not great.

A 9’ rod can be a bit tricky when dragged through timber.

The Pontoon21 CrackJack 48 suspends when paused deep in a snag.

This bass was lured from under a grassy bank.

Page 42 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

However, with practice I am improving and my catches on fly are now bigger and occurring more often, so I thought it might be time to share some of my experiences with waving the wand from a kayak.

If you are starting out in this dark art of frustration, learn it standing up because sitting down adds a level of difficulty you don’t need early in your journey to becoming a fly fisher.

Since I learnt how to cast flies, the internet has become a thing and literally thousands of how-to videos are available to help you avoid the common errors in technique.

Therefore, I will leave the basics out and concentrate on things that happen in the kayak.

Transferring from standing up to sitting in the kayak, I quickly found a few things that

Kayaking

by TOM LASZLO

As tempting as it is to cast forwards, I avoid doing so because when hooked up to a fish, the kayak offers little resistance to the fish shooting into structure and busting me off. hinder the experience.

The first is choice of clothing.

When sitting, I had no end of grief from shirt buttons catching on the fly line as I shot the cast.

The next problem item of clothing was shoes, as most have something that will catch a loop of line and ruin a cast.

Using a sun skirt laid over your lap can assist as a stripping basket of sorts and definitely made it easier for me when I was starting out.

I found using a broadbrim hat in rivers to be an issue, mainly because it hindered vision of all the overhanging trees I needed to cast around.

Once I get better at casting in tight places that probably won’t be such an issue.

The kayak itself doesn’t have any fancy modifications, and in fact, I don’t have a preference for any of my craft over another for fly fishing.

I leave off rod holders and keep the deck of my kayak bare for the fly line.

If I take other rods, I

don’t sit them upright in rod holders, I lay them down either in a hatch or secured along the side of the hull.

My fly rods are over 8’ long, so I use a landing net with a much longer handle than I would normally use.

Even then, when I am trying to land a feisty fish my rod can get a scary big bend in it, especially when the fish decides to try to escape under the kayak.

I have only seriously fished with fly in the fresh, mostly for bass and tilapia in impoundments and rivers.

As tempting as it is to cast forwards, I avoid doing so because when hooked up to a fish, the kayak offers little resistance to the fish shooting into structure and busting me off.

I position the kayak side-on to where I am casting.

My skills at shooting the line out on the backcast are poor, so I really only cast over the port side and that means I sometimes paddle back-

wards from snag to snag.

I know it might look silly, but it works for me!

I used to avoid taking other rods with me when fly fishing, mainly to resist the temptation to revert to lures.

Now I do take a rod with a couple of lures only because there are always spots that I can’t get a fly into and skipcasting a soft plastic or hard-body lure deep into an undercut bank or overhanging tree ensures I get a chance to tempt a fish that might otherwise be inaccessible.

As the air and water cool during May, I find the bass become fussier about what they will attack, and a fly gently presented gets their attention more often than a fat bass lure plonked on top of them.

I use either a floating or intermediate line with a lightly weighted clouser that will slowly sink while erratically stripping it back from the river fringes.

For my back-up spin rod, suspending bream lures such as Pontoon21 CrackJacks cast under grassy banks and retrieved with long pauses and tiny twitches get the best results.

The waterways got a much-needed flush from the remnants of cyclone Debbie, and since Easter the Brisbane River and its tributaries have been fishing well.

Much of the weed choking some creeks and backwaters is gone, making them fishable again.

Don’t forget to send your kayak catches in to have them featured in the Readers Forum.

Just email your photos to ben@bnbfishing.com. au with your name and a few details. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Discover more with a Sea-Rod by Formosa

T

HERE’S nothing better than having a large choice of boat models and options with the ability to custom design when buying your new boat.

Two great Aussie businesses that offer more choice when it comes to boats are Formosa Marine and Formosa’s southeast Queensland Sea-Rod dealer Marine Tune, based in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast.

Marine Tune offers great customer service and a wide range of quality boats, trailers and products.

Marine Tune is a Yamaha outboard dealer and an authorised Yamaha service centre.

Check out the large showroom at 64 Kortum Drive, Burleigh Heads or speak with one of the professional sales staff today on 07 5576 7388.

Formosa Marine has been dedicated to building and developing quality aluminium boats on Brisbane’s bayside since 1998.

Formosa is an Australian-owned and operated manufacturer of plate aluminium trailer boats still run by the original founders.

Marine Tune took on Formosa Marine’s waterballast Sea-Rod hulls at the beginning of 2016.

The new owners, Scott and David, couldn’t be prouder to support a brand that offers its customers so much in service, design and extras in boat manufacturing.

It has always been Formosa Marine’s mission to advance its boats to handle the Australian environment yet keep them affordable without skimp-

ing on quality, strength, safety and performance.

The 520 and over SeaRod by Formosa Marine models are uniquely designed with a four-chamber, counter-balance water ballast system for extra stability at rest.

You can see this unique feature on a Formosa boat displayed in Marine Tune’s showroom today.

The boats are available in an ‘Offshore’ design built with an aluminium self-draining deck for offshore adventures.

And, unique to aluminium plate boats, the SeaRod water ballast design is also available in a marine-grade plywood floor ‘Classic’ design.

Since Sea-Rod’s inception in 2011 and in response to customer needs, an innovative step transom was developed.

Known as the ‘Active Transom’, the latest SeaRod pod makes full use of the transom area, allowing better access either side of the motor and creating a larger fishing platform.

Design your own Active Transom using self-supporting folding transom doors for the ultimate onwater access.

Choose between four access options: full, dual, single and closed access depending on whether you want to go fishing, casting, diving or simply to take full advantage of our Australian waters.

For more information, visit formosamarineboats. com.au Marine Tune’s customers have a huge range of optional extras to choose from when ordering a Sea-Rod, most of which are fully designed and built in aluminium by

Formosa Marine.

Included are four hardtop designs for the Centre Cabins and Half Cabins.

Formosa Marine welcomes custom designs on the extras.

With all these great versatile designs, options and more online, there is no excuse not to expand your adventures from inland to offshore.

For the full range of boats and design features, visit formosamarineboats. com.au You can contact Marine Tune today for a quote on 07 5576 7388 or visit marinetune.com Discover more with a Formosa.

Sea-Rod Classic 520 Centre Console with dual-access Active Transom and folding T-top.

Suzuki Marine warns consumers about fraudulent websites

S

UZUKI Marine and The Haines Group are reminding consumers to deal directly with their local Suzuki Marine dealer when buying an outboard motor from the Suzuki range after a number of scam websites were reported selling unauthorised motors.

As the only authorised distributor of Suzuki outboard motors and parts in Australia and New Zealand, The Haines Group is aware of consumers who have been misled or deceived after buying a motor from questionable websites and not receiving any goods in return.

National marketing manager Australia/NZ Mr Sean Allen said most of these sites are offering deals too good to be true.

“These websites, while they look legitimate, are not affiliated with Suzuki Marine in any way and are unlikely to have genuwww.bnbfishing.com. au

ine Suzuki outboards on sale, if any stock at all,” Mr Allen said.

“Unfortunately we (The Haines Group), on behalf of Suzuki Marine, are unable to offer warranty, free technical support or repair to customers who have not bought a motor through one of our authorised Suzuki dealers.”

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission SCAMwatch website provides information on online shopping scams and warning signs to look out for when buying goods online.

Customers who come across questionable websites should report them directly through the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network website acorn.gov.au To ensure you are buying your Suzuki outboard from an authorised dealer, visit suzukimarine.com. au to find your nearest dealer today.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 43

Quintrex releases Apex Hull AFTER years of research, Quintrex has released the Apex Hull design, which is set to revolutionise the boating industry.

From humble beginnings in 1945, Quintrex has remained the leader in aluminium boat research and development for over 70 years.

From the introduction of the Flared Bow in 1968, the Millenium Hull in 1999 and the Blade Hull in 2011, Quintrex has now released a hull like never before – the Apex Hull.

True to its name, the Apex Hull offers the pinnacle of boating, with years of research and development leading to superior performance on the water.

Ride The flare on the new Apex Hull is carried further aft to maintain continual contact with the water when on the plane, which creates a smoother ride.

A wider, sweeping chine design on the Apex Hull opens the front of the hull to allow the flaring to carry further forward up the stem line, conse-

quently improving rough water performance.

By widening the chine on the Apex Hull, Quintrex has achieved increased stability and grip when cornering.

Increased surface area at the bow of the Apex Hull provides much greater lift, ensuring a level attitude.

Construction-wise, all Apex models 550 and up feature ribs welded to the bottom sheets.

Space The new Raised Side Deck featured on selected Apex models is fully welded and increases the overall internal volume of the boat by 20 percent.

The new RSD feature on the Apex Hull increases freeboard by 80mm, offering extra comfort, safety and fishability.

A compact side deck design maximises internal width in the Apex Hull.

The overall footprint of the Apex Hull has increased by 5 percent; the forked bow creates room for a large bow seating area on Freestyler models and a large casting platform

on the Frontier models.

Aesthetics The lines of the Apex Hull combined with the forked bow, RSD and sleek windscreen profile (on Freestyler models) provide a much more modern look.

The new upholstery design featured on the Apex Hull requires less fittings, resulting in a simple and clean-looking internal finish.

Quintrex account managers Drew Jackson and Nathan Shaw said they expect the Apex Hull to exceed expectations.

“We released the Apex Hull to our dealer network at a recent conference on the Gold Coast and were overwhelmed with their response,” Nathan said.

“Our dealers love the new design and we have already received great orders and customer inquiries.

“I encourage anyone to test drive one of the Apex Hulls because the results speak for themselves – it is a truly great design.”

Best-selling Renegade range grows New models added to the family friendly Fishabout range QUINTREX has expanded its popular Runabout range to now include 570 and 610 Fishabout models.

The Fishabout range offers great no-fuss boats for all ages, appropriate for young families to first boat owners looking to get out on the water over the weekend.

With rod holders, drink holders and a transom step and rail, the Fishabout range has all the essentials for fishing trips or a cruise around the harbor with the family.

The Fishabouts can be op-

tioned up to suit your needs from a large range of factory extras such as stereo and speakers, bimini, extra rod holders, ski hooks and much more.

This range is perfect for first-time boat owners because the renowned Quintrex Blade Hull makes this model easy to handle and maintain.

The two new models offer serious grunt, with the 570 rated to 150hp and the 610 rated to a whopping 200hp.

Quintrex account manager Nathan Shaw said he ex-

Page 44 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

pects exceptional sales on the new models.

“After listening to feedback from our southern dealers, we realised there is customer demand for larger models in the Fishabout range,” he said.

“The two new sizes will allow larger families to comfortably enjoy a day out on the water and give those keen fishers even more room for tackle and rods.

“We have already seen great orders on the new models and expect to see lots of these fantastic models out on the water.”

DUE to customer demand, Quintrex has expanded its popular Renegade range to now include 530 and 570 models.

The beauty of the Renegade range is the boats are equipped with everything you could possibly need for a fishing trip without breaking the bank.

The new models are the largest in the range, offering plenty of room to bring along your family or mates, and are available as side or centre console.

These no-fuss fishing boats are packed with a large number of features as standard, including a large carpeted floor complete with casting platform and live bait tank, four rod holders, an anchor well, transom step and rail for easy access and large side pockets for extra storage for your fishing gear.

The Renegade range is built with tough plate-look 3mm

topsides and 3mm bottom sheets and incorporates high sides for safety.

Quintrex account manager Drew Jackson said the Renegades are your quintessential fishing boats, designed for fishos looking for a practical boating option.

“The Renegades look very impressive with their large

beam and plate-look sides, but still come at a very reasonable price point,” he said.

“If customers are after something a little more specialised, they can option up the Renegades with a large range of extras to choose from, such as a bimini and envelope, painted hull, bow-mount thruster plate and vinyl wrap.”

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Explore new possibilities in a Freestyler QUINTREX’S newly released Freestyler range allows you to reach full boating potential, offering unsurpassed versatility and performance.

Available as 510, 530, 550, 590 and 630 models, there is a Freestyler to suit a range of budgets and needs.

The Freestyler range is built on the ground-breaking Apex Hull using a wider, sweeping chine design to improve rough water performance.

To increase hull strength, the Freestylers feature standard 4mm bottom sheets and 3mm side sheets across the range (630 has 5mm bottom).

The new Raised Side Deck has increased freeboard by 80mm to increase internal volume and improve safety for the family.

The lines of the Apex Hull combined with the forked bow, RSD and sleek windscreen profile provide a much more modern look.

Quintrex’s largest boat in the range, the 630, comes standard with a hidden anchor well and transom door as added luxuries when heading offshore.

The new console storage hatch position allows for easy access and a place to keep valuables close by.

The optional features available on the Freestyler range are endless and ensure you’ll turn heads.

If watersports are your thing, the Freestyler offers an optional wakeboard tower (550 and up), barn door and bow ladder.

If that’s not enough, Quintrex now offers a combined ski

pole/bait board for the multitaskers.

The new Apex Hull offers superior performance for watersports because the wider chines increase stability and grip when cornering.

Other optional extras include luxuries such as a picnic table and fish pack rear lounge.

Quintrex account manager Nathan Shaw said the Freestyler is one of the most modernlooking, best-handling boats on the market.

“The Freestyler features a unique, modern look with sleek sporty lines,” he said.

“The performance of this boat is unbelievable – the way it handles corners and rough water makes it suitable for a variety of uses.”

New Stealth Hornet takes fishing to the extreme QUINTREX has released an angler’s dream in the Stealth Hornet, which is packed full of features designed to land that perfect catch.

The Stealth Hornet comes in 470, 510 and 530 models and is ideal for zipping through creeks and estuaries.

Compared to the existing Hornet models, the Stealth Hornet boasts a 30 percent increase in storage and front casting platform length.

If that’s not enough space, the rear casting platform folds over the fixed seats, doubling the size of the rear casting platform.

With a 4mm bottom and 3mm sides across the range,

the Stealth Hornet offers serious strength and durability.

Now featuring three foldup cleats, you won’t have to worry about getting lines tangled or toes stubbed, as the new range offers complete obstruction-free fishing.

The new Stealth Console features extra storage space and increased dash space to fit larger electronics (fits a HDS-12) as well as an optional grab rail.

If you want your Stealth Hornet tricked up even more, Quintrex is offering a Dual Console option on the 530 model for increased storage and passenger comfort.

The optional Stealth Hornet Deluxe Rod Locker is guaranteed to impress your mates and safely store that prized rod collection.

You can option up to add lean seats to help reel in that monster catch.

Quintrex account manager Nathan Shaw said a lot of work went into designing the new Stealth Hornet to maximise performance and fishability.

“We have already had such great inquiries on these new models,” he said.

“They look great and ride smoothly.

“The fishing features are endless; the fish really don’t stand a chance.”

Introducing the ground-breaking Frontier range BUILDING on the success of the Top Ender range, Quintrex has exemplified its commitment to research and development by releasing the Frontier range with superior performance.

The Frontier range comprises 510, 530, 550, 590 and 630 models and they are available as side consoles or centre consoles.

Built on Quintrex’s new Apex Hull, the Frontier features an increased flared bottom sheet for greater water contact and a smoother ride.

With 4mm bottom sheets and 3mm side sheets across the Frontier range, these boats are built to last.

The new Raised Side Deck features increased freeboard by 80mm and also allows for concealed controls. www.bnbfishing.com. au

With four stainless steel rod holders and an aluminium live bait tank with viewing window, these are serious fishing machines.

If that’s not enough, the new Frontier Console allows plenty of storage room and increased dash space (accommodates a Lowrance HDS-12).

Need somewhere to store your fresh catch or plenty of beverages?

Well the casting platform fits 47 and 50-litre Evakool iceboxes and can be optioned up to carry a whopping 85-litre box.

The horsepower rating on the 510 model has been increased from 90hp to 115hp, making even the smallest model in the range an absolute weapon.

If you fancy doing some

watersports as well as fishing, the Frontier offers an optional ski pole/bait board combination to keep everyone happy.

You can even option up to include a bow mount thruster plate to fit an electric motor for easy trolling.

Quintrex account manager Drew Jackson said the design and features of the Frontier will change the boating industry.

“The Top Ender range is one of the best-selling ranges for Quintrex, and having the Top Enders alongside the Frontier range, we are able to offer the best in the market,” he said.

“Once you try this boat, I guarantee you’ll be amazed by the stability, performance and features.”

New Yellowfin Southerner released QUINTREX has expanded its popular Yellowfin line-up by adding two new models: the 7000 Southerner and 7600 Southerner.

In early 2016, Quintrex revamped the entire Yellowfin range, releasing an improvedriding hull and unique modern look.

Now Quintrex has released two new models designed to tackle the rough and tough conditions experienced offshore.

The cabin length has been extended by 300mm, allowing for extra protection for drivers and passengers.

Carpeted hood lining now comes standard on all hard-top models for improved aesthetics and added comfort.

The 7600 models are now rated to 300hp for extra grunt;

and there is also a twin 150hp hand wash is easily activated option available for those long- using a button on the floor er trips offshore. while a bilge pumps water out Rain deflectors now come a nozzle on the side of the standard on all hard-top mod- boats for added convenience els, once again allowing extra and safety. protection and keeping your Quintrex account manager passengers dry.

Drew Jackson said the YellowAs well as the standard bait fin Southerner is a rugged boat board, there is now a bait sta- yet offers the comforts needed tion upgrade available on all for a great fishing trip.

Yellowfin boats, which has an “The new features available inbuilt removable tackle sta- really take these boats to the tion to keep all your gear. next level,” he said.

If you’re looking to impress “We have listened to feedyour mates, the Yellowfin back and designed these boats Southerners can now be op- for some of the toughest conditioned up to include an LED kit tions. to improve your night fishing “The extended cabin and rain experience. deflectors are going to keep The port side wiper option is you nice and dry and all the a great feature for rough condi- new fishing features are gotions increasing visibility and ing to make all the difference safety. when it comes to landing that The new optional external dream catch.”

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 45

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One of many amberjack boated on a fine day’s charter with Moreton Island Fishing Charters.

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Locate the words in the grid. Words can run left, right, up, down and diagonal.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 47

Hi Ben, I hope you can find room in your mag for this pic of my young bloke Jack with a cobia he captured off Tweed on his new Shimano Revolution Offshore and Saragosa outfit.

Mark Wright

This cod was caught on a lure in the Condamine River.

Chris Achilles

This big female flathead was caught and released on a mullet strip at Hope Island on the Gold Coast.

David Hopper

Hi guys, here’s some photos of a couple of fish we got off 1770.

Billy Jo and Michelle (hubby and wife team)

G’day guys, I recently hooked this 44cm spangled emperor on a prawn.

It was released after the photo.

Bloody stoked!

Justin Eveleigh

To Robert Payne, Having read your writings on the new Wilson 10’-13’ Live Fibre X Long Range surf rods, I have since found these rods are not on the market after talking to BCF. Being a keen tailor and jew fisher, I have the following questions.

1. What would be the approximate price of a 12’ Live Fibre X model?

2. What size reel do you use?

3. What line weight?

4. Do the Live Fibre X rods have ‘K’ runners?

5. Are they much lighter than the Wilson 4120 rods?

6. Are they two piece?

7. Are they capable of handling a 15kg jewfish?

8. What is the diameter of the blank above the top hand grip?

Fatigue is a priority, seeing as I am 80 years old.

If these rods are not on the market yet, if you could let me know when they will be and any other factors that would be appreciated.

I enjoy yours and your good wife’s writings and it seems I must include your young professionals as well.

All the best, Kev Hill Dear Kev, Thank you for your kind words and inquiry.

The rods I have been using and wrote about were prototypes and when the shipment arrived unfortunately the build quality was not up to the standard required, meaning the rods had to be returned.

Sadly this means they won’t be released onto the market until about August this year.

As for your other questions: 1. Wilson is unsure of the price point at the moment.

2. I use a 5000-size spinning reel (egg beater).

3. I’m currently using 20lb braided line and the rods and reel would easily handle 30-40lb.

4. Yes the Live Fibre X Long Range rods have K runners. I don’t use Wilson 4120 rods but I do use 4126 rods and yes the new rods are slightly lighter and have more power than the old 13’ surf rods.

6. Yes, they are two piece.

7. Yes, they are more than capable of handling 15kg jew.

8. The 11’ rod is 19mm in diameter above the hand grip.

Kev, this style of rod opens up a whole new world and is absolutely incredible to use.

I’ve been surf fishing since I was six years old and have spent countless hours holding a surf rod and I can tell you this is by far the greatest advance in beach fishing in my lifetime of fishing the surf, and I’ve been lucky enough to follow the trends through the years.

I hope this information helps you.

Kind regards, Rob Payne

WIN A $ 300 Nautilus Marine e game/reef fishing rod

Custom built

by Gary Howard

As part of Nautilus Marine’s insurance awareness campaign, the company is giving away a custom-built 15kg overhead 5’6” light game and reef fishing rod crafted by Gary Howard.

To enter, simply send us a quality photo of you and your catch. You can email the pic to ben@bnbfishing.com.au Sonny Irvine (10) caught this 68cm flathead west of the caravan park at 1770 on a prawn.

Geoff Irvine

A selection of entries and the winner will be published in the June edition.

■ Readers Forum ■ Readers Forum ■ Readers Forum Page 48 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Send details to Bush ’n Beach Fishing magazine E: ben@bnbfishing.com.au PO Box 387 Cleveland 4163

Wilson Venom Barra Spin rod

snags, drains and prop roots, as well as casting and trolling the flats for the ever-popular flathead and fishing the creeks, rivers and estuaries for a wide range of species, from salmon and tailor to trevally and a mixed bag of other baitfish-eating predators.

Built from durable, quality components and fitted with chemically sharpened, black nickel hooks, the Bagley Minnow B 05 is ready to swim straight out of the packet.

Weighing 3/8oz and diving to 0.9m, the B 05 is available in six colours with a SRP of $16.95.

Visit tackletactics.com.au for more information.

Ecooda X Compact baitcast reel

THE Wilson Venom Barra Spin is a brilliant 6kg spin stick designed for those fishing tight structure with spin gear.

With a light tip to allow for easy casting, the Barra Spin is a 5’9” spin stick with plenty of backbone to deal back the punishment fish including barra, threadfin, mangrove jack and fingermark like to dish out.

Rated for 6kg line, the Venom Barra Spin features a full Fuji fit-out from winch to guides and is built with Agrade cork grips for extra sensitivity.

Ideal for throwing lures into tight corners where big fish are found, the Venom Barra Spin perfectly complements the range of existing Venom baitcast rods. www.wilsonfishing.com.au

Bagley Baits Minnow B 05

THE Bagley Minnow B 05 is a shallow-diving fish slayer, with an irresistible action and internal rattle chambers.

The Bagley Minnow B 05 is a 5” floating jerk minnow with Bagley’s legendary action and internal rattle chambers that call fish to the lure.

Twitch it and pause it to attract brutal surface strikes, or punch, roll and pause it sub-surface to draw fish out of the snags or across the flats.

Easy to cast and versatile in its range of applications, the Minnow B 05 is at home in the northern rivers and estuaries chasing barra and jacks around www.bnbfishing.com. au

THE Ecooda X Compact’s low-profile style and sleek gunmetal grey cosmetics ooze quality and sophistication.

Built on a strong, one-piece aluminium frame with precisely machined brass gears and a CNC-machined aluminium spool, these reels are built to handle anything from cagey bass to impoundment barra.

With 6+1 stainless steel ball bearings, carbon fibre drag washers and a magnetic cast control system, the reel is smooth in the hand and light on the rod.

Other highlight features include Ecooda’s fine clicker drag adjustment, a double-anodised spool and ergonomic soft-touch rubber knobs.

The X Compact offers 4kg of drag pressure with a 6.4:1 gear ratio, not to mention it weighs a mere 240g.

For more information, follow Ecooda on Instagram and Facebook.

New Alvey Ripfighter surf reel

THE perfect choice for any experienced Alvey user who enjoys targeting bread and butter species using light-action surf rods, the Ripfighter62 features a narrow, shallow spool on a lightweight graphite back and balances beautifully on any lowmount 10’6” to 12’ light surf rod.

Featuring a slightly thinner spindle than the 600B and a long-life stainless steel bush, this new 625BRRT is ultrasmooth and a joy to use when finesse fishing the surf gutters.

The outer direct-wind handle provides plenty of power, while the inner Rapid Retrieve handle allows for a retrieve that’s up to 30 percent faster, which is ideal when winding in baits quickly or keeping up with speedsters in the waves.

The metal star nut allows you to add tension to the spool when required or for locking the reel in place when transporting.

The 625BRRT also features the smooth graphite Turbo-Cast sidecast system that is extremely comfortable to use.

Features • Strong 6.25” injection-moulded fibreglass spool.

• Lightweight graphite back.

• Comfortable Turbo-Cast sidecast system.

• Stainless steel bush provides longevity.

• 8mm fine-diameter spindle gives an ultra-smooth action.

• Rapid Retrieve handle for up to 30 percent faster retrieve.

• 10-year salt and sand warranty.

The Alvey 625BRRT Ripfighter weighs 642g, holds 300m of 5kg line and suits rods from 3.2-3.6m.

Suggested retail price is $160.

For more information, visit alvey. com.au

Fish Inc. Winglet hardbody

Mustad heavy-duty Kaiju Pliers

THE Mustad Kaiju Pliers are 7.5” heavy-duty pliers built to work in the harshest and toughest environments found in fishing.

Featuring a heavy-duty split ring opener that is designed for use on large saltwater lures used for GTs, mackerel and wahoo, these pliers will also enable freshwater anglers to handle the larger split rings found on the recently released mega surface lures and swimbaits for barra and cod.

The pliers also feature interchangeable tungsten carbide cutters to ensure they can always be relied upon.

This is a great feature because it allows you to keep your pliers when the cutters become blunt, unlike other pliers that need to be replaced entirely.

Striking in appearance, form fitting to your hand and coming with a corduroy sheath, lanyard and carabiner, the Mustad Kaiju Pliers are ultra-light and ultra-tough!

For more information, visit wilson fishing.com.au

Shimano Tranx baitcast reel THE Winglet is the ‘little bullet’, with the weight for long casts and a small profile to match the hatch.

It has been designed following the popularity of Fish Inc. Lures’ Wing sinking stickbait, with a smaller profile made possible via the solid zinc body that also provides the weight for casting.

At 87mm long, it is a bite size baitfish snack for everything from tailor and salmon to mackerel and tuna.

Its weight of 42g allows long casts for shore-based anglers or when chasing finicky feeders such as tuna.

The weight and profile of the Winglet add to its versatility for jigging as well as casting, with the glow colours already gaining popularity within the micro jigging fraternity.

Whether used for high-speed spinning, casting and retrieving with a sweeping or twitching retrieve or jigged deep, the Winglet will appeal to a wide range of species with its realistic baitfish profile and quality finishes.

Fitted with genuine Owner hooks, the Fish Inc. Lures Winglet is ready to go straight out of the packet.

Available in six colours with a SRP of $16.95. www.tackletactics.com.au

ing leverages an enlarged drive and pinion gear that is further supported

by X-Ship for the ultimate in smooth operation.

Providing unrivalled saltwater protection is CoreProtect.

This unique Shimano technology involves the application of a hydrophobic spray to key areas of the reel, ensuring bulletproof performance in all conditions.

Available in both a 300 (5.8:1 and 7.6:1) and 400 (7.6:1) size, the Tranx features 5+1 bearings and outputs 10kg and 8kg of drag, respectively.

Despite being larger in size, the Tranx maintains a low-profile design and remains extremely ergonomic.

Appealing to a range of fishing styles, the AHG models come fitted with a Power Knob and the A model comes fitted with a double paddle handle.

Maintaining all the tough-as-nails attributes that have earned its larger predecessors a reputation for reliability in the saltwater market, the new Shimano Tranx sets the bar in terms of raw power and performance. www.shimanofish.com.au

Fulcrum’s next -generation Formula struts

FULCRUM is proud to release the next generation of Formula struts and shock absorbers for lifted 4WD dualcab and single-cab utilities.

Built tough to suit harsh Australian conditions, each application has been meticulously designed, tested and approved to be part of the range.

By utilising the highest-quality components such as NOK seals and SuperPro bushings, the build quality of the Formula 4x4 range of struts and shock absorbers is market leading.

As the suspension expert, Fulcrum has utilised all its technical experience in the 4WD sphere that brings to market the best quality and value for money 4WD strut and shock absorber combinations available.

THE Shimano Tranx is designed to go Features toe to toe with the toughest saltwater • Low-pressure nitrogen for fadeand freshwater predators. free performance.

This series of baitcasting reels has • SuperPro and Polyelast bushings been resized and specced up to meet on all front struts. the demands of anglers looking for a • Specifically designed for each apbig bait specialist. plication.

For Aussie anglers, the Tranx is • Valve coding to suit differing perfectly suited to trolling for barra, spring rates. micro jigging for your favourite reef • Big-bore design for improved heat species and swimbaiting for Murray dissipation. cod.

• Tapered pegs on front struts for The incorporation of Hagane Body increased strength. provides the Tranx with a rigid yet • Three-year/60,000km warranty. highly durable outer shell free from With Formula suspension designs to body flexing, which transforms the suit many modern 4WD utes, to learn angler’s actions directly into cranking more about vehicle compatibility and power when under load. to find your nearest store, visit ful Additionally, High Efficiency Gear- crumsuspensions.com.au Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 49

This stonker nannygai couldn’t resist a Moreton Bay squid.

Pete nailed this monster red on a whole Moreton Bay squid.

Bring on the giants ■ Fishing ‘wonky holes’

F

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Many people ask me questions like: “What rig do you use for red emperor?”; “What bait are you using?” and so on.

The answer is, no particular bait or rig.

The key to successful fishing is adapting to the environment you are in.

There are places where a simple paternoster with a slab of bait will do the trick, while in others you will have to be a little more creative with your techniques.

Our closest ‘all-rounder’ rig would have to be a three-gang set up with a sea fly tied to the top hook and a running ball sinker.

Fishing the outer reefs, not many fish wouldn’t hit such a rig.

When it comes to fishing off 1770 for large reds, our go-to bait is fresh whole squid caught from Moreton Bay. Landing big fish comes down to being in the right place at the right time, using the right bait, the right gear, and having the know-how.

In our travels, we stumbled across a spot southeast of Sykes Reef that was home to large schools of snapper feeding off big bait balls.

We now know this spot almost guarantees a bag limit of snapper over a couple of drifts.

However, we did not expect to come across monster fish in this location.

With no large structure such as rocks or pinnacles on the bottom, why does it hold so much bait?

After speaking to good mate Brock, he gave me pretty interesting information on what he believed was a ‘wonky hole’ discovery.

With deep thoughts about this spot, I began to research wonky holes and where they are found.

According to fishing legend Ryan Moody: “A wonky hole is an underwater spring below the seafloor that finds a way out and thus releases fresh water through the ocean’s floor.

Wonky holes deposit a lot of

Fishing Trip

by MATI BATS

rubble around the exit hole, which then attract soft corals and sea ferns to grow on the surrounding seabed, thus attracting baitfish and of course predators.

Some years they can stop running and virtually fill in, but can start running again following a good wet season.

A number are small and can be easily overfished, but you will generally find that after you catch a few fish off them, the rest will spook.

Wonky holes can be found anywhere from Bundaberg north to Cape York.

You can look them up and learn a fair bit about them, but finding them, especially on a regular basis, can be very, very tricky and time consuming.”

With further research, I also read that wonky holes are predominantly found no deeper than 38m.

I found this interesting because our spot is situated in the mid-40m range.

I also read that large predatory fish swim over wonkies to clean all the parasites off their bodies because the parasites cannot handle the fresh water.

With all the research set in place and the only thing not lining up being the depth, we planned another 1770 trip with two of our boats.

Both boats fished the southern end of Sykes Reef.

In the morning, our GradyWhite fished the ‘hole’ and caught a total of 16 snapper, one 16kg red emperor, one 10kg nannygai and a heap of monster goldspotted rockcod.

Peter called my vessel on the radio and let me know the mayhem after 45 minutes of fishing.

We met up later that day ☛ continued P51

This poor snapper put up the fight of its life but unfortunately the taxman won this time.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Blue salmon and barra about

P

RIOR to writing this article, the Fitzroy River and parts of Rockhampton were in flood from the rains brought by cyclone Debbie.

I hope everyone affected by the floods in Rockhampton has a safe and speedy recovery.

This flood will help increase the number of barra in the river.

It’s a bit too late for the breeding cycle but the flood will allow larger fish to move out into the salt and smaller fish back into the lagoons to grow.

Hopefully this will have a flow-on effect, with more larger fish in the system when the next breeding cycle occurs in summer.

It will take a while before the river recovers and starts to clean, so I would be looking at trying the Fitzroy again in mid to late May if we don’t receive any more rain.

Awoonga Dam spilled with the rains, which has seen barra heading over the spillway and into the Boyne River.

You will notice a general increase in barra numbers as they travel down the Boyne and spread out.

Schools will hold in better numbers and they will bite more readily as they compete for food, which will see them continue to bite even as the temperature drops.

As the weather cools, expect to see blue salmon numbers on the rise.

Cracking blue salmon were caught during April.

Gladstone Region

by GARY CHURCHWARD

Blue salmon are willing lure takers when you find the schools but they are more consistently targeted with live baits or pillies.

Most fish were hooked on baits in Gladstone Harbour.

Blue salmon are willing lure takers when you find the schools but they are more consistently targeted with live baits or pillies.

You can sometimes see them feeding along the edges of sand and mud banks in the rivers, herding bait into shallow water.

Grunter have shown a strong presence and will be a consistent catch over winter.

The best numbers have been found in Toolooa Bends and Gladstone Harbour.

They tend to hold around gravel or broken rocky bottom, and a live prawn or herring will soon get a bite, as will a 3” prawn or grub soft plastic.

Fingermark tend to bite well as winter sets in.

Try the deeper rocky sections of the harbour or around the reefs at the front of Curtis Island.

You will still catch a few in the estuaries, they just

tend to be smaller than the fish in deeper water.

A live mullet or prawn will soon get their attention, or if you can find a few fresh squid, this will really fire them up.

Soft plastics are an effective way to target fingermark too, with a 3”-5” minnow or jerk bait plastic working well.

Flathead bite year-round and if you catch one now you may get a few in the same area because they tend to school as they move towards their spawning cycle.

They are suckers for soft plastics hopped over the bottom and will take just about any style and colour.

Drifting with a live bait or pillie over the shallows is another effective way to catch a few flathead for dinner.

Places I target flatties include the mouth of the Lillies on a falling tide, the sandbanks in the harbour as they start to show on a dropping tide and the sandbanks in

Graham Creek.

I like to target bream in May with light lines and small soft plastics and hard-bodies.

Try around any timber that has fallen into the water, rock bars and manmade rock walls because all will produce fish during different times and tides.

Whiting numbers will improve and they will follow the tide up onto sand flats as it rises.

Live yabbies and fresh prawns will get you a good feed.

The sand flats in the harbour between Curtis and Facing islands and Wild Cattle Creek will be the most productive areas.

Tarpon will be around, especially as the water cleans up in the Boyne River.

I enjoy chasing these fish with the kids.

If you can find good schools, tarpon are generally easy to get a bite from and they put up a great fight on bream gear, taking strong runs and jumping out of the water.

Mangrove jack will begin to slow and May is the last month to find big numbers.

Crabs and prawns should be plentiful after receiving a good flush-out from the rains.

Try the drains for prawns and slightly deeper water for your crab pots.

Hopefully May brings light wind and everyone can get out and find a few fish.

Cheers and happy fishing from Gladdy.

This healthy Calliope River barra took a small white Maria hard-body lure fished around the colour change from a small feeder creek after rain.

Phil nailed this barra in the Fitzroy on a soft vibe. Towards the end of May, the river should have cleaned up enough to start effectively fishing it again.

amm sea class CENTRE CONSOLE: STRIPPED BACK OR FULLY KITTED

Shane and Mitso held a couple of quality snapper taken on sunrise.

Bring on the giants ☛ from P50

for a barbecue behind Sykes Reef and continued questioning if this could be the one-off wonky slightly deeper than the rest.

With all the discussion about how good this spot was, I had to take my Cruise Craft over there for a sunset session.

I’m not a fan of overwww.bnbfishing.com. au

fishing one spot but I had to check this out.

On our first drift, we caught five snapper and one 13kg nannygai.

With the second drift we picked up another three snapper and two more nannygai around the 8kg mark.

This left me speechless, and the boys and I agreed to release the fish so we wouldn’t de-

stroy the spot.

On the third drift, the taxman moved in and was cleaning up solid fish, so we went back to Sykes to tell the boys what had happened.

To this day, that spot remains a mystery.

Could this be the first recorded wonky in 45m of water?

Or is it just a freakily good spot?

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australianmastermarine.com.au Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 51

Tips to get into spearfishing S

PEA R F ISHI NG seems to have a misleading reputation of ‘rape and pillage’ among the greater fishing fraternity.

A spanish mackerel spotted in 15m of water.

This 68cm trout was shot while looking for crays in 3m of water around Sykes Reef.

However, it really boils down to the individual and what level of respect they hold for the ocean, and the same rule applies to line fishing.

Education is key, and the more we teach new fishers and spearos about conservative choices, the healthier our fishery will become.

Any seasoned diver will only take what is needed and leave their spearing spots still abundant with fish for the next visit.

This is one of the major benefits of spearfishing because you can choose exactly what fish is going to be the target and end up on your dinner plate with

The beauty of diving northern waters! Crayfish anyone?

This barra was taken in just 1m of water.

Page 52 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

Spearfishing

by DANIEL VALLIS

zero by-catch.

Building your spearing kit can seem a little daunting at first but all you really need to start with is a well-fitted mask, weight belt, wetsuit, dive knife, fins, gloves, float line, dive flag and of course, a speargun.

Not sure you’ll like spearing and don’t want to be out of pocket?

Easy, go diving with a friend who already spears and borrow some gear first.

I bet you’ll love it!

Humans are built for freediving.

We have a mammalian dive reflex (which is also found in dolphins) that engages when your face is submerged under water.

Your heart rate begins to decrease and arteries in your brain and lungs expand to allow more oxygen flow.

Skin tissue in the arms and legs shrinks to reduce blood flow and unnecessary oxygen usage, effectively helping you hold your breath longer.

Starting off, you’ll most likely find yourself in the shallows before achieving better breath hold and reaching greater depths.

Easy species to target in the shallows are crayfish, flathead, mangrove jack, tuskfish, coral trout and for the lucky north Queenslanders, barra in knee-deep water – just watch out for the snapping water lizard.

As a rule, I like to avoid coastal dives near river openings after big rains because crocs get flushed out.

Crayfish can be found anywhere along the coastline around rocky headlands and isolated bommies scattered between reef systems in 1-10m of water.

You can find them under rock ledges, in caves or bommie holes; just keep an eye out for a pair of long, dark green, brown or black feelers.

Shallow diving in 1-3m requires the most patience.

My favourite method is to choose an area with good structure in which you can hide.

I let the smaller fish get comfortable with my presence and then I start to tap rocks together while puffing up sand.

I find this attracts larger fish because they come in for a look and aren’t put off because the smaller fish haven’t been spooked.

The larger fish will literally swim in front of your speargun!

This works exceptionally well for mangrove jack, fingermark and tuskies.

Depths of 3-5m produce similar fish and are more fun.

Bommies become bigger and offer more shelter for larger fish.

Approach is everything in this depth, because you don’t want to be so close that you spook the fish before you even see them.

I like to swim down towards the bommie on roughly a 30-degree angle because it gives a perfect line of sight to see fish before they see you, you can see under ledges, and the angle gives you time to have your gun pointing in the right direction.

Plus, your body will remain straight enough that you don’t make unnecessary movements and use up too much oxygen in your muscles, giving you more dive time and a better chance to stalk your prey.

Diving in 5-10m of water is easier than you might think.

With a good duck dive you’ll descend 3m-plus, then with a few seconds of kicking, before you know it you’re at 10m.

Your tactics won’t change too much for these depths because fish are more comfortable with you swimming overhead.

Stalking a fish from above can be done easily so long as you stay behind its field of view as you descend.

Do your best not to spook other fish around because their fast take-off will set off a chain reaction and your prey will most likely swim off too.

In depths of 10-20mplus, red emperor, reef jacks, snapper, jobfish and spanish mackerel can be targeted because these

areas often feature good pressure points and generally hold schools of bait.

Flashers and chum can also help to bring up the bottom dwellers.

Look out for deeper, isolated reef, coral structures, small rises and rubble bottoms.

Sharks cause a lot of anxiety for many new and experienced divers but keeping a calm and positive attitude is really important here.

Most sharks I’ve experienced come closer to find out if you’re a threat or food.

Making yourself look larger by stretching out your fins, arms and gun will help deter a shark.

If a shark does come within reachable distance, feel free to let it swim into the tip of your gun but try to avoid jabbing at the shark because this will only promote aggression.

The shark bumping against your speargun won’t pierce its skin but will suggest you’re not the best thing to eat.

Reef sharks will usually hang around if you’re carrying fish, so the best thing to do is get your fish back to the boat to avoid unnecessary drama.

Another option is to clip the fish to your float line, keeping a safe distance between you and the catch.

I also like to brain spike fish so they stop giving off distress signals, which can attract sharks.

It is good practice to always have a reliable dive partner in all depths.

A dive buddy is beneficial for many reasons.

They can help fend off an overly curious shark while you’re handling a fish or making a kill shot, or a better holding shot

if your spear placement wasn’t 100 percent, but most importantly a second diver minimises the risk of shallow-water blackouts.

To do this well, the second diver should watch you closely as you dive down and return to the surface.

They will be able to see if you had difficulties during the dive and get you back to the surface or notice and help if you’re experiencing a shallowwater blackout.

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, undertaking a freedive course is money well spent.

You will come out a much better diver and the knowledge you’ll gain could save your life and the lives of others.

Make sure you keep up to date with fisheries and marine parks rules and exclusion zones because you can’t spear everywhere you can line fish.

Size and take limits remain the same as those for line fishing.

It is expected that you should roughly know the size of a fish before you take a shot and a good way to judge size is by the thickness of the fish.

As a guide, undersized fish tend to be thinner, and fish seem bigger in bad visibility and smaller in good visibility.

As a spearo, you have a good opportunity to be selective, so be smart and target the fish that are in good numbers and size at the spot you’re spearing.

This will help your local spots remain healthy by not depleting stocks and keeping the fishery stronger for future generations.

Sharks can be peaceful animals but always keep in mind you’re diving in their home.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Lightly weighted baits fished during the low-light periods are a proven recipe for success.

Catching great fish close to shore is always a thrill.

Stanage Bay gets a soaking S

TANAGE Bay was lucky with cyclone Debbie.

We had about three days of savage weather and once again nature was pruned but the township and people were mostly OK. Most holiday rentals had cancellations due to the extreme weather.

Good luck to all who endured the strong wind, and thanks to the helping hands who left their own homes and families to restore power and renew the towns and islands affected by cyclone Debbie.

Stanage received loads of rain, which was too late for some fish species and muddies to spawn, how-

Stanage Bay

by VON IRELAND

ever it should make the coming years stupendous.

Time will tell.

The Stanage road was open, closed, open, closed until the earth was pumped full of rainwater, and only then did the creeks overflow onto the road and hang around for a while, trapping out whoever went to Rockhampton for supplies and trapping in those at Stanage.

When the road finally became passable and the corrugations were gone, a few drains were washed

Moses perch make for good fun and great eating once they attain legal size.

A flesh bait was the undoing of this fish.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

across and a number of new pot holes appeared.

Always travel to suit the condition of the road on the day.

SES volunteers are good at putting out road closure signs but seem to forget to take them away when the road is open.

So here’s letting you know: Stanage is open for business!

Always give someone at Stanage a call for a genuine update on the road, because somebody here will be able to tell you the truth.

This past month has seen the monster muddies ducking for cover and proving a challenge to catch for some.

People still inquire about whether the area can be over-crabbed.

In the past, the local pro crabbers simply pulled their pots out for a few months, and we still do!

I believe experience speaks for itself.

I have a query regarding the shallows we call mud/ sand flats, which are our nurseries for crustaceans and small fish.

Are too many of them being made into pastures via the graziers’ levy banks?

It is all too easy to blame the professional fishers for the slowing of any fishery.

Put the query out there and see if you find the answer.

Do big tides and adverse weather systems cause the mud crab larvae to drift and grow in other areas?

A friend recently called me to brag about getting our monster muddies in his pots in the Burdekin River as apparently they don’t usually get really big muddies there.

I also have questions about the tree farms on Herbert Creek/our big nursery.

Have pesticides and herbicides ever been used on these tree farms?

And if so, will they affect our waterways, seafood and the Great Barrier Reef?

Will the run-off rains

carry residuals from these chemicals?

Can you or your fishing mates find the answer?

Surely we don’t have to keep learning the hard way; for example, via white spot disease in prawns.

Simply use Australiancaught prawns, not cheap imports!

Back to the fishing, the westerly wind came in early, and so too have some salmon.

Baby bream and cod are being caught, along with big catfish and barra in the estuary.

Only a few big boats have been in town on the good weather days, however when they did go out I know quality fish were caught around the Duke Islands.

The fish included stripies, parrotfish and grass sweetlip in good legal sizes.

The reds have been saved for another day.

Our grapevine is once again alive and thriving with information on the Australian Defence Force.

To date, I can only say do not cancel your accommodation for July or August 2017.

The only bit of info I have is from July 5-15 exercise Talisman Sabre could be going ahead, however it should be no different to any other year

when this biennial training exercise between the US and Australian troops takes place.

I can speak from past experience of big exercises involving the Yanks, Aussies and others that it’s a pretty exciting time for peace time.

Seeing choppers and planes land and take off and huge ships cruise by while Tony and I were fishing was fairly cool, and next thing we spotted whales and dolphins playing near the boat.

I would never have believed what was happening had I not seen it for myself.

I will have more answers to your questions as soon as I am told more by the ADF. Until the next report, you will have to email me at stanagebaymarine@ bigpond.com or check out defence.gov.au However, good luck learning more than I’ve managed to pick up.

If you need comfy fishing accommodation at some point this year, give me a call on 07 4937 3145, visit stanagebay marine.com and find us on Facebook.

Until next time, cheers with or without the beers.

Best of luck catching and smelling those fish and muddies.

This trevally certainly put up a good account of itself and was a nice surprise.

An excellent daytime spangled emperor.

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Steve was chuffed with this mangrove jack.

Steve landed a barra on a Tiemco Sumari.

Hitting the creeks around Hinchinbrook ■ Exploring the upper Herbert River

I Rob’s sooty grunter hit a 90mm Lively Lures Ziggy.

This barra smashed a Bassman Spinnerbait in a remote part of a river.

HOPE you had a wonderful Easter and enjoyed the waterways safely.

I’d just like to let you know that north Queensland is open for business.

All our little communities really rely on tourism around here.

Cyclone Debbie made a mess of Bowen, Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays but all are well and truly back on track and looking forward to the tourist season.

All these areas need a good season to lessen the impact of the cyclone, so please don’t abandon your ideas of travelling north and experiencing these beautiful places because they will need tourist numbers to get back on their feet.

Up here in Hinchinbrook we were lucky and

Hinchinbrook Fishing Full and half-day charters

Hinchinbrook News

by TODD EVELEIGH

didn’t feel any of the effects of Cyclone Debbie.

We missed the wind and rain entirely, remaining totally unscathed.

Lately on my days off I have been exploring freshwater creeks and branches of the Tully and Herbert rivers, tracking up these beautiful rainforest-lined crystal-clear creeks and catching sooty grunter, mangrove jack, jungle perch and tarpon.

I must say, it is a beautiful way to fish and relax.

I’m sure the word is out by now about a new lure that Alan Dolan from Lively Lures is producing.

The new Ziggy range of topwater walk the dog lures has been smashing the fish both here at Hinchinbrook and all over the country.

I must say Al has really outdone himself on this one because the Ziggy

lures have a fantastic action and everything eats them.

I’ve been using these lures a lot and testing them in the creeks, sweet water reaches of the rivers and out on the flats of the Hinchinbrook Channel.

Wherever I’ve gone, they have out-fished everything.

So if you haven’t got one, check out the lively lures.com.au online store and do yourself a favour by buying a couple.

It’s really fantastic to have an Australian-made walk the dog topwater lure.

Well done Al! While we were fortunate to miss the bulk of the rain, we had enough to make the river run for a few weeks and the number of barra definitely improved as a result, with

clients enjoying catching them on topwater lures and in the snags on deep divers.

The mangrove jack are still kicking on and we’re catching quite a few amongst the barra action.

There is no better way to catch both these iconic fish than watching them smash topwater lures.

It really is a great way to fish!

I’ve also been exploring the upper Herbert River as a location from which to run a future charter where we will spend two days casting lures for sooty grunter, barramundi, mangrove jack and jungle perch.

The plan is to put the boats in upriver, drift fish down to a little cabin on the banks of the river and pull up, have a shower, steak on the barbecue and a few coldies around the fire before crashing in the cabin for the night.

Then we will get up very early the next morning, ☛ continued P55

3 to 7-day packages including accommodation Two boats available catering for groups of 2-8

Experienced local guide Come on a Hinchinbrook wilderness fishing holiday and tick some of those trophy fish off your bucket list – barra, mangrove jack, coral trout, GTs, sooty grunter, spanish mackerel, black marlin queenies, nannygai and more!

Todd & Raylene Eveleigh T: 07 4777 2968 M: 0417 192 318 E: barra@crackfish.com www.crackfish.com Page 54 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

Dave’s first-ever barra ate a 90mm Ziggy.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Bazz’s favourite five – part two F

IRST, our best wishes to all those affected by tropical cyclone Debbie.

I can’t remember a cyclone that has caused as much widespread damage or moved so slowly when still so powerful.

For her remnants to have reached New Zealand and created havoc is extraordinary.

It takes a special type of resilience to handle such events, so our hats go off to you all and we hope things get back to some sort of normality as soon as possible.

This month I continue espousing (that word’s bigger than Vegemite!) my favourite five tropical fish species from a mix of river and bluewater habitats.

The top three so far have been fingermark, coral trout and giant trevally, with mangrove jack, spanish mackerel, red emperor and large-mouth nannygai all missing out by a very small margin.

Of course, many of these fish extend well into subtropical areas, as does my next pick, the king or giant threadfin salmon.

What a fish!

An inhabitant of estuaries and inshore coastal waters, this fish fights like fury, grows to a cracking size and tastes seriously good!

The fact that populations exist in places including the Brisbane River is great news for anglers.

Threadies are a slowgrowing species, so it’s best to limit your take to look after the fishery.

They are distinguished from blue salmon by possessing five, not four, filaments growing from the pectoral fin area and generally have yellowish fins.

The filaments are an amazing adaption, helping the fish detect vibrations from prey fish and crustaceans, and it’s reported the salmon also use the filaments to herd prey into bait balls to make them easier to snaffle.

King threadies may reach 170cm, whereas blues grow to about 120cm.

Cape York by ‘BILLABONG’ BAZZ LYON

The other things barra have in their favour are generally large size and great looks.

Fish over a metre are commonplace in productive, well-managed fisheries, however the species will reach 2m and about 60kg!

King threadies are avid lure and bait takers and they smash and run like there’s no tomorrow.

However, they have tough mouths, so you have to set the hook hard.

Barramundi fishing outfits are ideal and any sort of bait or lure used to target barra will attract kingies.

Live mullet and herring are deadly.

I’ve enjoyed the most success in estuaries, particularly in or just at the mouths of creeks or drains.

Often you can see the fish active near the surface, and if you do, cast, then hold onto your your hat!

One truly memorable session was in a side creek in the Hey River, Weipa, just on low tide.

Fellow angler Robbie Giblin and I hooked a number of kingies over a metre (and solid barra), with the biggest estimated at 140cm.

It was a horse, but unfortunately threw the lure at the side of the boat.

We would have released the fish anyway, but to get a measurement is always good.

The final fish of the favourite five may not be a surprise, but how could I not include the mighty barramundi?

Some people maintain

other fish taste better and that’s fair enough, however barra are right up there and taste preferences are a personal thing.

Yes other fish might fight better too.

Nevertheless, some of the barra that live along mangrove-fringed coastlines such as southern Princess Charlotte Bay will clean you up just as easily as any similarly sized mangrove jack.

They are dynamite and in my experience have great endurance.

Perhaps such superb fitness comes from swimming in and out with the tides from deeper water offshore every day – like the piscatorial version of Olympic training.

The other things barra have in their favour are generally large size and great looks.

Fish over a metre are commonplace in productive, well-managed fisheries, however the species will reach 2m and about 60kg!

Regardless, anything over 70cm is a great fish.

The fact that barra can be found from freshwater river reaches and billabongs, right through estuaries and along coastal areas makes them truly accessible premier sportfish.

We are hearing more and more reports of barra-

mundi being caught in southern Queensland, and this is likely to continue with the southward spread of warmer water.

The lateral line along the side of barramundi is interesting and helps them detect vibration and movements.

Large female barra may lay up to 40-million eggs but marine biologists estimate that about 90 percent of these die.

The eggs wash into the mangroves and after a few days the eyes and mouth of the developing larvae open and they begin feeding on plankton.

Barramundi are fairly fast growers.

By the end of the wet they will be feeding on small fish and crustaceans and will be large enough to migrate upstream to live out the first few years of their lives.

Good wet seasons are so important for the barra fishery because they help the youngsters disperse to places with plenty of food.

Those that can’t access upstream areas hang around in the lower estuaries, though here they are more prone to being eaten by a variety of predators and face a fair bit of competition from other fish.

Barramundi will even eat their own kind!

It’s fairly well known that barra are all male until three to five years old, at which point they turn into females, though this can only happen in salt water.

A good wet season is also vital in allowing land-locked fish to migrate to breeding areas in lower estuaries and adjacent coastal areas from October through the wet season, though we suspect they may start in September in some areas, particularly the northeastern Gulf of Carpentaria.

Well that’s it!

There are many other tropical candidates of course, some less well known, such as the great fighting and eating maori seaperch, and others better known and just as worthy including jewfish, jobfish,

mahi mahi, tuskfish, saratoga and sooty grunter – where do you stop!?

The monsoonal activity was drifting west away from Cape York towards the Northern Territory at the time of writing, and road crews have started repairing the Peninsula Development Rd. So unless there’s some late rain, the dry season will be starting this month, meaning it’s time to get out and about!

Just be mindful conditions will still be wet in many places, however the fishing should be great.

Richard Pillans with a snodger king threadfin salmon from the Gulf country.

A gorgeous tuskfish. These fish are superb eating and great fighters.

Hitting the creeks around Hinchinbrook ☛ from P54

have breakfast and get back on the water to fish another full day down the river before pulling the boats out.

Testing has showed fantastic fishing, with good numbers of barramundi and sooty grunter taking topwater lures and Bassman Spinnerbaits throughout the whole day.

This country is just amazing, with high banks in some sections and big gravelly shallow runs with deep rocky www.bnbfishing.com. au

holes in others.

It really is an amazing place to go fishing.

On the bluewater scene, we’ve enjoyed unbelievable micro jigging sessions, catching everything from nannygai and all different species of trevally to spanish mackerel and even cobia.

We’ve also had great sessions popper fishing for GTs. July, August and September have traditionally been amazing months for popper fishing around

Hinchinbrook, and we have been working really hard and getting very consistent results in hooking cracker GTs. If you are looking for a fishing holiday destination, Hinchinbrook ticks all the boxes.

No matter what the weather does, there is always a place to go and catch fish.

We have such a diverse fishery and you really can mix your fishing up.

Until next month, come and check out the Hinchinbrook way!

Barramundi are one of the world’s premier sport and eating fish – there’s nothing else to say.

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Todd landed a tarpon using a Ziggy in a rainforest creek.

Ph: (07) 4069 7311 Fax: (07) 4069 7435 info@weiparentacar.com.au Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 55

4WDING & off - road

Altitude lift for peak Toyota off-roader

T

O Y O T A ’ S ‘king off the road’, the LandCruiser 200 Series, now offers buyers an additional value-laden option with the introduction of an Altitude special edition.

The Altitude moniker signifies that Toyota has substantially raised equipment levels compared with the GXL turbo-diesel models on which the special edition is based.

Enhancements – limited to just 600 vehicles – focus on luxury, comfort, convenience and safety features that are usually found on premium-grade LandCruiser 200 Series variants.

Interior upgrades start with leather-accented upholstery, power adjustments for the front seats and a handy refrigerated cool box as well as numerous quality touches with chrome-tipped front air vents and brushed alloy-

look ornamentation.

Drivers benefit from the addition of high-quality LED Optitron meters and a 4.2” multi-information display accessible through a new steering-wheel switch.

Externally, the Altitude special edition is distinguished by LED foglamps, rain-sensing wipers and Altitude badging.

All these in-demand features result in a value price of $93,460, representing a premium of just $4630 for the Altitude package over the GXL turbo-diesel.

Five exterior colours are available: black (no extra cost) and premium white, silver, graphite and blue shades ($550).

Toyota Australia’s executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the LandCruiser 200 Series Altitude was ideally placed in the middle of the turbo-diesel variants of the company’s peak

off-road vehicle.

“Comprehensive upgrades make the Altitude the ideal choice for those who aspire to a vehicle that delivers an even more luxurious and desirable package,” Mr Cramb said.

The eight-seat LandCruiser 200 SE is powered by the GXL’s 200kW, 650Nm 4.5-litre twin-turbo diesel engine, driven through an electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission.

Combined-cycle fuel consumption is remarkably low at just 9.5 litres/100km while CO2 emissions are just 250g/km.

Every LandCruiser 200 wagon is equipped with seven airbags, reversing camera, vehicle stability and active traction control, multi-terrain anti-

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skid brakes, hill-start assist control, trailer sway control, an emergency brake signal and tilt/telescopic adjustments for the steering column.

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The LandCruiser 200 Series Altitude specialedition model is covered

by Toyota Service Advantage, capped at $280 for each of up to six standard scheduled services.

For more information, visit toyota.com.au

Each shock absorber is individually valved to suit its listed application using a 10-stage velocity-sensitive valving.

Using a double-wall construction for superior off-road protec-

tion along with hardened, double-chromed rods and double-welded mounts, Rancho RS5000 series shock absorbers are built to last.

As well as being available individually, Fulcrum has added new Rancho 4WD Lift Kits as well as ReadyStruts to the range and they are available now!

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Learn More at FormulaSuspension.com Page 56 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

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C AMPING & outdoors Practical travelling tips H

AVE you ever thought you’d like to do some travelling around the country?

Hitting the road and seeing a bit more of Australia?

And on the way, you could check out some of those fishing spots you’ve been reading about.

Each winter seems to get colder and more uncomfortable for me, however, winters in the north of Australia are just beautiful.

Hitting the road full time might be out of the question but a couple of months or even six months might be just what the doctor ordered.

Well here are some ideas and tips that can make it more possible and maybe easier than you think.

Yes there is quite a bit to organise but it’s not really that hard.

Housekeeping Probably the biggest worry about leaving home for a while, is your home.

If you’re concerned about leaving your house unattended for a few months, you have the option of teeing up registered house sitters.

These registered, reliable people will come and either stay in your house or bring their own caravan or motorhome and park it in your yard, plug into power and water and look after everything until you get back.

Aussiehousesitters.com. au is just one of many sites on the internet where

Touring

by HELEN ABDY

you can find reliable people to do just that.

These people are generally great and until recently I had a lovely couple and their two boys looking after my place.

They only intended to stay for a couple of months but it worked out so well that they’ve only just left three years later.

Win for me, win for them.

On these websites you basically have two options.

You either check out people who may be in your area at the time you will be away or you advertise a time frame and any conditions you might have and prospective house sitters will contact you.

You also get to talk with these prospective house sitters and it’s your decision who you let into your home.

No money changes hands – it’s a good-old barter system.

They have somewhere to live and you have the security that someone reliable is taking care of your home while you’re away.

The sitters are usually on holidays too and by staying at your place they can check out the country near the home.

What outfit do you need to get away?

Nowadays we have so

many ways of travelling around that choosing a setup really depends on what you want to do and where you want to go.

I know many people who are very happy to travel in their two-wheeldrive wagons or vans and stay at motels or cabins in caravan parks.

They obviously have no intention of going off-road and that’s fine because there’s plenty to see and do even if sticking to bitumen roads.

I know a few people who are very content to live in their wagon and book into campsites at caravan parks to use the showers and camp kitchen.

Build yourself a bed in the back, run a two-way fridge and that’s about all you need.

Travelling like this is very easy and saves you heaps on fuel because you’re not towing anything.

You may prefer to take a tent, and so many now on the market are light, easy and quick to set up.

I absolutely love camping.

Pack the fishing gear, a good set of hiking boots and a lightweight tent and walk into those hideaway creeks.

If you have a smaller 4x4 or even a larger one, you can fit a set of roof racks

and carry a kayak.

It doesn’t have to be an expensive kayak either.

If towing a boat, camper trailer or caravan, the size of what you’re towing might determine whether you need to upgrade that 2WD to a 4WD. Make sure you check what weights the vehicle can legally tow, which differ vastly depending on whether the trailer has brakes.

Towing something heavier than your car can be dangerous.

Too often I see outfits that jack knife or roll over because the vehicle is either not properly set up for towing or the trailer is heavier than the vehicle.

The two must match and they should also be level when sitting on level ground.

I believe air bag suspension fitted to the towing vehicle is a must, as are good shock absorbers and springs.

Air bags fitted to the rear of your vehicle will help you carry heavier loads and make the vehicle much more stable.

Another item often overlooked is the tow bar itself.

A factory fitted standard tow bar usually does not have the capacity to tow a caravan.

If you are serious about towing a caravan, talk to businesses including ARB and TJM because the staff members will know how to set up tow vehicles and depending on what else you want in your vehicle, they will likely have it in stock.

Another must is to make sure you can properly use your rear-view mirrors when you’re in the driver’s seat and towing.

I’ve followed dawdling caravanners for miles before they finally realise there is someone behind them, and on narrower outback roads this is very frustrating.

Some drivers will take wild risks to get around a slow vehicle in front and doing so often ends in disaster.

An assortment of extendable mirrors are available for you to attach

Taking a kayak can broaden your options for exploration.

Going bush walking is a truly relaxing experience.

You will come across plenty of beautiful spots in your travels. Take your time and enjoy the scenery.

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☛ continued P58

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Ph: +617 3408 6226 | Fax: +617 3102 9381 | E: info@glind.com.au Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 57

C AMPING & outdoors

Practical travelling tips ☛ from P57

to your existing mirrors or mount on your doors (which I have), or you can buy proper towing mirrors that totally replace your existing mirrors.

Having said that, one thing a lot of travellers do not do after they have detached their van or camper is take off the extended mirrors or even pull them in.

Driving around with these mirrors sticking out way further than factory mirrors is a good way of having them ripped off and/or damaging another vehicle, especially in carparks.

If you are serious about hooking up a caravan and have not done much or any towing before, go and take some lessons.

Doing so could save you an expensive bill.

One setup I’ve had before and loved was a ute with heavy-duty suspension and

a slide-on camper (similar to fellow scribe Todd Eveleigh’s HiLux rig).

I feel this is the perfect setup.

You’ve got your home and you can take the boat with you too.

Most of these slide-on campers are removable, so if you’re staying in one place for a while you can free stand the camper on its own legs, leaving the ute free to run around in.

When you look at a ute tray you might think ‘that’s not enough space to live in’, but how big is a tent?

You manage to live in that.

Next you could go and check out some camper trailers.

It’s amazing how they fit everything in and a lot even have a shower and toilet too.

I like the pop-top type campers mainly because of their lower wind resistance when travelling, and

it’s only a 30-second job to put the roof up.

You can make travelling and camping as expensive or cheap as you want but overall it really isn’t hard to do.

Make sure your vehicle and whatever you’re towing are mechanically sound – don’t skimp on safety – and then head off.

Be well aware of other road users because while driving is where most things go wrong.

For example, don’t think ‘I’ll beat that big truck to that narrow bridge’ because it doesn’t always work.

Trucks cannot stop quickly.

Also, be aware and take note of the scenery when you are travelling.

I’m sure a lot of travellers miss heaps because they are in a hurry to get where they’re going.

Have fun and drive safely.

‘Chester’ the Chesney caravan and a couple of ‘dabbers’.

Camping and fishing along Noosa North Shore E VERY year, Helaine Wilesmith and family head to Noosa North Shore for the Easter break, and this year was no different.

Page 58 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

They did the smart thing and set off a day early, hoping to avoid the mad holiday rush.

This turned out to be the right call because they made good time on the highway and then got over on the ferry with no lineup.

There was some concern about the effects the aftermath of cyclone Debbie may have had on the campgrounds, but those fears proved unfounded as they arrived to find the grounds in excellent shape and relatively quiet and unpopulated for the time being.

Normally campers, Helaine and family had decided to step up and this was the first run for ‘Chester’, their newly acquired 1975 Chesney caravan that sat in pride of place at the front of the park.

Apparently, set-up was a cinch and unlike erecting a campsite full of tents, set-up rage was minimal and all the hard work was done in 10 minutes flat.

The next day they headed off along Teewah Beach to scope out nice gutters for a fish.

Cyclone Debbie’s wrath was evident, with heaps of debris washed up on the beach, including loads of rubbish and a lot of massive trees, which wouldn’t

Power Boat Anglers

by MICK CLUTTERBUCK

be very nice to find if driving along in a boat.

The most unusual bit of debris was the Mooloolaba Game Fishing Club’s FAD, which had washed ashore with the storm.

Unfortunately, thieves took to it before it was

retrieved by the club.

From what I hear, the offending vehicle’s details were taken and hopefully passed on to the authorities.

On the fishing front, Helaine and family found a nice gutter and set about

doing the pipi dance to get fresh bait.

With the bait sorted, the kids were set and it was time to wait for a bite.

It wasn’t long before Helaine’s six-year-old son Tanna screamed that he was onto a ‘shark’.

Helaine promptly got there to assist but was told in no uncertain terms not to touch his rod because ☛ continued P59

Tanna with his big 38cm whiting.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

C AMPING & outdoors Camping and fishing along Noosa North Shore ☛ from P58

he wanted to bring it in on his own.

After a bit of coaching from the sidelines, Tanna slid a thumper whiting up on the sand.

It went 38cm and he was stoked because not only was it his PB but it was the first fish he had caught all by himself.

Not to be outdone, his sister Jayah then moved into his spot and cast in, much to her brother’s disgust, and pulled out another whiting, this one going 28cm.

There was no way she was letting anyone throw it back after her brother caught a keeper.

This went on for most of the afternoon until the tide got too low and the

fish cleared out.

What a great first day of holidays.

Back to camp and with the fish in the fridge, plans were made for another raid the next day.

The kids were hooked and Helaine couldn’t be happier.

On the way up the next day, the chatter was all about who was going to catch the biggest and who wanted what rod.

The wind had picked up a tad and they stopped at a different gutter, much to the kids’ disappointment.

Once assured they would get to yesterday’s productive gutter later and fish were probably in this gutter anyway, all was fine.

As it turned out, fish were biting but all were little tiddlers and nothing

was worth keeping.

That was until the last cast of the day, when Tanna did it again, landing a solid sea bream without assistance.

Jayah was not amused and stewed over her younger brother beating her again.

By the third day, the competition and chatter was really on and in typical sibling rivalry, anything to do with fishing was a point for an argument.

Helaine decided that with the big 25-knot southeasterly blow they would head to Double Island Point for some protection to swim and fish in relative comfort.

Swimming was fine but fishing only produced tiddlers, so the call was made to brave the wind and stop at their favourite

gutter from the first day on the way back to camp.

It was windy and cool, with the sun behind the hills, but from the first cast it was pandemonium.

The fish were hungry and Tanna hooked a massive sea bream that took line and nearly had him in the surf.

Luckily Helaine was on hand to hold him and the rod and walk him backwards before he went for a swim.

The whiting were back too, along with decent dart, and they managed a good feed in under 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, the bite was over as quickly as it started, so with everyone wet and cold, they headed for camp in fading light.

Back at camp, they

feasted on great fresh fish wrapped in foil and butter and cooked on the barbecue.

The kids were loving the fact that they were eating fish they had caught themselves.

This is what childhood and great family memories are made of and it just doesn’t get any better than that.

Next meetings The next club meetings will be held on Monday, May 8, followed by Monday, June 5.

Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at the Bulimba Bowls Club located in Quinn St, Balmoral.

Please feel free to come along and meet us.

Until next month, safe boating.

Jayah and her 28cm whiting.

Recipe Be free and stay hydrated W

HEN you’re t rek k i ng through the outdoors, having clean drinking water is almost as important as having air

to breathe.

On hot days, even with intermediate physical exertion, three to five hours is all it will take before the debilitating effects of dehydration start to kick in.

Leading outdoor water filtration brand Katadyn has developed the BeFree – a collapsible water filtering flask to keep you hydrated, even if you run out of water!

The Katadyn BeFree EZ-Clean Membrane works by removing 99.999 percent of the bacteria and protozoan cysts commonly found in lakes, rivers and streams, making the water collected safe for consumption.

With regular cleaning, the filter cartridge is able to process 1000 litres of water before requiring replacement. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Cleaning the EZ-Clean Membrane couldn’t be any easier thanks to the Free Flow Channels.

Simply add clean water and shake or swish water over the filter to keep it maintained and ready for use.

Weighing in at 59g, the BPA-free soft flask packs down to almost nothing, meaning it can be stored away almost unnoticeably until required.

The 600ml capacity will keep you hydrated for hours and the wide 42mm mouth makes refilling a breeze, ensuring total ease of use.

To reiterate just how good this soft flask is, the BeFree Water Filtration System by Katadyn has already received gold in the ISPO AWARD 2017 Outdoor segment.

The ISPO AWARD has established itself as a seal of quality for the global sporting and outdoor goods industry.

Ideal for camping, hiking and travelling in re-

mote areas where clean water is scarce, the Katadyn BeFree could be the difference between a grand adventure and a nightmare situation.

Katadyn BeFree is available nationally through all good outdoor retailers with a RRP of $69.95.

Be free and stay hydrated!

by MELISSA FROHLOFF

Mince and mozzarella cheese jaffles Ingredients • 1kg beef mince • 2 large brown onions, diced • 1 small head of broccoli, chopped • 2 large carrots, grated • 4 cloves Australian garlic, crushed • 1 tsp salt and pepper • 1 large sprig fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped • 1/2 cup fresh oregano leaves, finely chopped • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce • 1/4 cup barbecue sauce • 1 tbsp rice bran oil • Bread • Mozzarella cheese, shredded Method 1. Heat oil and lightly sauté onion and garlic in camp oven.

Add carrot and broccoli and simmer.

2. Transfer into a bowl and set aside.

3. Place mince in camp oven and lightly brown.

4. Transfer onion, garlic and vegetables into camp oven with mince.

5. Add sauces and fresh herbs and simmer for half an hour.

6. Heat jaffle iron over hot coals.

7. Prepare sandwich with mince and top with mozzarella cheese.

8. Place in heated jaffle iron and close lid.

9. Put jaffle iron on coals and cook one side at a time. Open jaffle iron after cooking for 10 minutes. If bread is brown, turn over and cook the other side.

Cook’s tip Your jaffle mince needs to be of a dry consistency. Start a fire early so you have enough coals to cook both the mince and your jaffles.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 59

Run-off fishing for bass I

HOPE everyone stayed safe during cyclone Debbie and her aftermath.

A run-off bass tagged and ready for release.

The author with a solid bass taken on a Zerek 65mm Fish Trap.

I am quite sad to have been unable to fish as much as I would’ve liked lately due to the howling southerly wind and filthy water resulting from the flooding around Brisbane.

However, the flooding isn’t all bad and has made for fun run-off fishing.

In my local area, the species on offer has been bass.

I have made a couple of trips to a few different spots, which aren’t so secret if you know where to look.

In this article I will talk about what I have been using and give you a little run-down on my recent trips.

One Sunday morning, my mate Justin Welsh turned up at my door and said: “Grab your gear, we’re going for a drive.”

Once we arrived at Justin’s chosen location, we donned the hiking boots and set off.

After flicking for about an hour and encountering no fish, we decided it was time for a move.

Our next spot had too much water, so after a minute or two we called it and went and had a feed at KFC while forming a new plan.

We dropped in and saw Reece at Tackle World

Fishing the Fresh

by LACHIE BAKER

Lawnton who pointed us in the right direction.

We hung around for a while, checking out the huge range on offer, then bolted to our next spot.

It was about 3.45pm when we restarted fishing and my second cast resulted in a solid 40cm fork length bass slamming my Zerek 65mm Fish Trap.

I was rapt!

A few more of Justin’s mates were fishing around us and they were catching fish too.

We went through numerous lure changes because it was a matter of ‘let’s see if they will eat this’.

I changed from the Fish Trap to a Zerek 50mm Tango Shad, and the smaller bass just loved it.

The smaller bass eventually became boring, so I switched again to a 3” paddle tail plastic, which was nailed first cast but unfortunately the big bass ran me into a snag, where I then lost tension and the hooks pulled.

It was annoying to say the least.

I then started throwing a small blade, which landed me another 40cm fish as well as a few in the mid to high 30cm range.

This little blade took a

serious beating from these fish, so much so that they tore one of the tiny assist hooks off the split ring.

So running on one little assist hook, I made a cast and was slammed by a bass that would’ve easily been over 40cm.

With my small spin reel singing away, I was thinking ‘oh man this is a good fish’ but evidently the little assist hook wasn’t enough to keep it pinned and I lost the fish close to the bank.

After a few more fish, it was time to call it a day and we headed home.

The next weekend, my dad, cousin Liam and I headed out to a spot in a similar area and my first cast resulted in a bass of ☛ continued P61

Most of the bass caught were reasonable fish.

C O N TA C T Y O U R N E A R E S T D E A L E R

Boondall Northside Marine 2294 Sandgate Rd, Boondall Q 4034 Phone: 07 3265 8000 info@nsmarine.com.au northsidemarine.com.au

Noosa Laguna Boating Centre 16 Project Ave, Noosaville Q 4566 Phone: 07 5442 4872 info@lagunaboating.com.au lagunaboating.com.au

Bundaberg Adrians Marine Centre 28 Ritchie St, Bundaberg Q 4670 Phone: 07 4153 1819 adriansmarinecentre@bigpond.com adriansmarinecentre.com.au

Sunshine Coast North Coast Boating 264 Nicklin Way, Warana Q 4575 Phone : 07 5493 9376 sales@northcoastboating.com.au northcoastboating.com.au

Gladstone Curtis Coast Marine 40 Chapple St, Gladstone Q 4680 Phone: 07 4972 0135 sales@curtiscoastmarinecom.au curtiscoastmarine.com.au

Whitsundays Whitsunday Outboard Centre 17 William Murray Dr, Cannonvale Q 4802 Phone: 07 4946 7286 woc@whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au

Gold Coast White Water Marine 10 Hinde St, Ashmore Q 4214 Phone: 07 5532 4402 sales@whitewatermarine.com.au whitewatermarine.com.au

Wynnum Wynnum Marine 31 Fox St, Wynnum Q 4178 Phone: 07 3396 9777 info@wynnummarine.com.au wynnummarine.com.au

679 Sea Ranger

Page 60 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

619 Sea Ranger

www.bnbfishing.com. au

A vibe with its trebles removed and replaced with single lure hooks. Ensure the hooks face the right way.

The author was lucky not to lose this bass when the split ring failed.

A happy author with a small bass.

Using single hooks on lures I

RECENTLY started fishing Hinze Dam and found it can be quite challenging and frustrating.

In future I will make an effort to write an article highlighting these challenges and how to best mitigate them but in this article I will discuss adding single hooks to lures.

This is something I had to do when addressing my Hinze Dam issues.

So why remove your perfectly good trebles and replace them with single hooks at an added expense?

Well we all hate losing lures, especially when some cost $30-$40.

Snags are the primary cause of lure loss while fishing structure and therefore are the main reason you would replace your easily snagged trebles with single hooks.

The needle-sharp trebles attached to vibrating lures are very sticky and have

Fresh Water Luring

by TROY LOWE

After adding single hooks, you will be amazed at how easily the lure will bump into and over structure without snagging. a tendency to hook anything they touch.

Since many species love to hang around structure, you often need to place the lure right into the structure in order to entice a strike, which can easily result in a snag.

And then once you’ve hooked a fish, many spe-

cies have a knack of burying you in the structure.

If the lure hasn’t been engulfed, one of your trebles will be dangling free, just waiting to find its mark on a snag, resulting in the loss of the fish or both the fish and your lure.

After adding single

Run-off fishing for bass ☛ from P60

almost 40cm.

Liam quickly followed suit with a similar bass.

This time we were both using 2.5” Z-Man Slim SwimZ, which had been working well for a few anglers fishing the area.

After getting snagged a number of times, I soon realised I had forgotten my spool of leader.

It was lucky that another guy fishing nearby was kind enough to lend us some of his and we continued to catch fish.

We tried a couple of different lures and sizes of plastics, finding that fishing fast-flowing water is much more effective with soft plastics.

Switching between 1/4oz and 3/8oz jig heads and 2.5” and 3” paddle tail plastics, we continued to land fish, all of decent size.

After mucking around for a bit longer, we www.bnbfishing.com. au

called it an afternoon and headed home somewhat satisfied.

I am no bass fisher by any measure but I am generally OK at learning new techniques and figuring out what to do to get the fish to bite.

The fishing in these locations is not necessarily difficult, but choosing the right gear is essential for successful fishing.

For example, in the flowing rapids we quickly learnt that diving lures and cranks weren’t right for the application, whereas plastics were.

I chose to use both baitcast and spin combos on these trips, with rods including a Venom 6-15lb, 7’ spin rod; 3-8lb, 7’ Magnum spin rod; and 4kg Territory Barra baitcast rod, all from the Wilson stable.

The heavier rods worked well for casting heavier plastics and vibes and the lighter Magnum was great for flicking smaller plastics

and hard-body lures.

On the first trip, I found the blades and vibes quite successful, both hopping them along the bottom and simply winding them through the water column.

The fish were always willing to nail a hardbody regardless of how it was retrieved, and the plastics worked well with either a lift and drop technique or slow retrieve.

I was using 14lb fluorocarbon leader because I had to lift the fish up an embankment.

I would recommend using heavier braid than normal because I lost countless jig heads and plastics due to busting the braid at my leader knot.

In this instance I was running 10lb braid, but about 15lb would’ve been better suited.

I hope you had a great Easter and managed to get into a few fish.

Tight lines and sore arms.

hooks, you will be amazed at how easily the lure will bump into and over structure without snagging.

On the occasion that you do snag up, it’s generally just a matter of flicking your lure a couple of times to free it before continuing your retrieve.

Where you require a desnagging tool to release your lure, I find it much easier to free the lure when fitted with singles.

Other benefits of single hooks include less weed on your lure, less hook rash on your lure and a lower likelihood of fish shaking the lure loose once hooked.

The only downside to using single hooks is a slightly lower hook-up rate.

You can minimise this negative by ensuring your hooks are sticky sharp at all times.

To fit your lure with single hooks you will obviously need a lure (in this case about 50mm), two single lure hooks (in this case a size 1 hook and a size 2 hook) and a pair of split-ring pliers.

Simply remove the rear treble and replace it with the size 2 single hook and then remove the front treble and replace with the size 1 single.

When opening the split ring and beginning to remove the treble, fit your single hook right away.

So as you slide the treble off, slide the single on.

When fitting single hooks, it’s important to have the hooks facing the right way in order to gain the snag-resistance benefits.

Check out the photos and ensure yours are facing the right way too.

One question I’m often asked is: “How does the front hook work when facing that way?”

Well you need to understand that most lures don’t tow dead straight, they tow nose down, thereby exposing the front hook.

I also fit the larger hook to the front to give it a better hook-up rate.

This works for me but is certainly not a rule.

It pays to be mindful of the quality and condition of your split rings when making the change.

I recently had a split ring failure just as I landed a quality Hinze bass.

I’m unsure if it was caused by a poor-quality split ring or if the ring was damaged during the change, but do yourself a favour and have a good look at your work before adding it to your tackle box.

If you’re not in a position to buy the rather expensive single lure hooks, you can fit normal hooks but you will need to add an extra split ring to each hook to turn the hook around so it faces the correct way.

The drawbacks of this method are the two extra rings mean two more possible failure points and the hooks and rings can twist during the cast, affecting both the retrieve and hook-up ability.

It’s also worth playing around with other lures.

On my last trip I fitted single lure hooks to a Lively Lures Micro Mullet and although I didn’t catch a fish, I was very impressed with how it swam and bumped over the timber.

I will certainly be trying this lure on flathead in summer when the weed is giving me grief.

Well I hope you get a chance to add single lure hooks to your lures and work up the courage to go and hit some heavily structured water.

I know it will pay off.

Good luck and tight lines.

When using normal hooks you will need to add additional rings to keep the hooks facing the right way.

A Micro Mullet fitted with single lure hooks.

Most lures tow nose down, thus exposing the front hook.

All the items required to replace your trebles with singles.

Check your work to avoid failure.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 61

New managers for Wivenhoe and Somerset campgrounds

S

EQWATER has appointed a new manager for two of its most popular campgrounds at lakes Somerset and Wivenhoe.

P.R.O Management Pty Ltd is the new manager for both Logans Complex at Wivenhoe Dam as well as the Somerset Park Campground in the Somerset village.

The eight-week tender process concluded in February, and the new management agreement started from March 29, 2017.

P.R.O Management, which manages 16 other properties in Queensland, NSW and Victoria, is an established holiday park management company with more than 10 years of operational experience.

Management director Darren Beck said he was excited to have the Wivenhoe and Somerset properties under management.

“The two Seqwater properties are a great addition to our portfolio,” Mr Beck said.

“As with our other partnerships, our goal is to attain a long-standing relationship with Seqwater and the regular and new guests who stay at these great parks.

“Our target is to provide a first-class tourist facility for campers and caravanners to enjoy when they are holidaying at these nature-rich camps.

“We will deliver to park guests the great customer service P.R.O is renowned for.”

P.R.O Management will

also aim to provide a streamlined booking process both online and in person.

“Look out for our new website and social media channels to connect with us as we settle in to our new roles,” Mr Beck said.

“These channels will help visitors stay informed of any ongoing updates and information regarding the parks.”

Seqwater acting chief executive officer Jim Pruss said Seqwater received a strong response from both local and interstate candidates.

“It was great to see such competitive interest from tenderers for both campgrounds,” Mr Pruss said.

“Almost 2.7 million people visit our recreation sites across southeast Queensland each year,

with Lake Wivenhoe and Lake Somerset being two of our most popular tourism and recreation destinations.”

“Having an experienced long-term operator in place will help us deliver on our commitment to provide some of the best natural recreation experiences in the country and contribute to the economic prosperity of the local region.

“On behalf of Seqwater and campground patrons, I’d like to take the opportunity to extend our sincere thanks to the interim managers who did a fantastic job keeping both campgrounds going while we undertook the tender process.”

Over the past seven months, Seqwater has worked to improve the facilities at Logans Com-

Seqwater senior property officer Amanda Kiorgaard with P. R.O. Managememt Pty Ltd director Darren Beck.

plex and Somerset Park Campground.

This included the relocation of some campsites at Lumley Hill to manage erosion.

The new sites opened on March 29.

All advanced bookings for the old sites will be

fulfilled; however sites 89-96 will close on April 30, 2017.

Logans Complex, located off the Brisbane Valley Highway upstream of Wivenhoe Dam, consists of two campgrounds: Captain Logan and Lumley Hill.

Somerset Park Campground is located on EskKilcoy Rd, downstream from Lake Somerset.

For more information on Seqwater recreation facilities, please visit se qwater.com.au or download the new Seqwater app.

Slow rolling big blades and Mask Vibes at Somerset

I

DON’T think anybody has missed all the updates on the amount of water that has been about in the past month.

The author with a typical Somerset bass.

Page 62 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

While Somerset Dam did receive some rain, it was nowhere near the amounts seen elsewhere.

The dam’s gates were opened to accommodate for possible inflows from ex-cyclone Debbie as the low made its way down the coast.

The inflows were not as great as expected and coupled with the water releases, the dam is currently sitting at about the same level it was before.

I think this has worked in favour of the fishing.

The in and outflow of water dragged a lot of the dirty water right through the dam, however it has cleaned up pretty quickly.

As soon as the dam was reopened to fishing, good reports were coming in.

Most people have been catching fish of late, however their average size has not been what Somerset has become known for, with most coming in around the 40cm mark.

The majority of these have come from Pelican Point and the surrounding areas such as Red Rock, Brads Bank and Wyangy Creek.

Somerset Dam

by ANDREW MITCHELL

The odd 50cm-plus fish has been hooked, with a few lucky anglers getting fish in the 50s.

Most reports indicate an average catch of 10-15 fish per trip.

The most popular and productive techniques have been bigger blades and Mask Vibes, with slow rolling enticing the most fish.

A small lift and drop while staying in touch with the lure has enticed the bigger fish.

The best thing is most techniques seem to be working, with blades, vibes, spinnerbaits, plastics, lipless cranks, hardbodies, tailspinners and spoons catching fish, and I’ve even heard a few reports of fish on fly.

Lighter-colour lures seem to be the most productive, however the fish have not been as picky as usual, so colour hasn’t been super important.

The best time of the day to be fishing has alternated between morning and afternoon for no real reason as far as I can see.

The morning bite has been an early one though.

Quite a few people have

said they’ve caught 30 fish before 8am and not one fish between 8am and 4pm.

Red claw had started to pick up after the inflows.

It was great to see so many families out with their kids chasing and catching red claw during the holidays.

I expect red claw to be in good numbers for the next month or so but then start to dwindle after that.

Lake Somerset Holiday Park was busy over the Easter period.

Early May should bring great fishing and red claw captures because numbers in the park won’t be as high as during the holiday period.

Getting out to Somerset will be an excellent option in the weeks following the holidays.

Don’t forget, for the most up-to-date Somerset fishing information, stop in and see us at Somerset Fishing Tackle when you arrive at the dam.

Happy fishing!

Sean Kerr and a Somerset bass that nudged the 50cm mark.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Decent floodwater that covers debris over low riparian zones is where to source hordes of bloodworms.

When floodwaters have subsided, especially over dry ground, it would be wise to wait at least a month before burying the fork because it would take that long for the worms to go foraging near the surface.

Over ground that was previously flooded, waiting until it dries out enough to walk over would be enough.

Flooding for bloodies B

L O O DWO R M S are often sourced by serious bait anglers due to their reputation of producing fish over a standard garden or shop-bought worm.

They are storage resilient, robust and difficult for freshwater natives to strip off hooks, so the fish usually need a few goes, giving you more chances to strike.

Readily finding bloodworms, or ‘bloodies’ as Darling Downs locals call them, can be tough at times because the weather is the determining factor.

Moisture-holding soil is required and the Downs had an extremely dry summer this time around.

On dry ground, once soaked it takes four to six

Fresh Water

by NOAL KUHL

weeks for worms to reach garden fork depth.

It wasn’t until late March when 100mm of rain was followed up by 75mm and then a further 110mm (thanks to ex-cyclone Debbie) in the headwaters around Toowoomba that digging for these fishenticing morsels became easy.

Live bait is preferred over lures for targeting freshwater fish in winter, and the ground should hold the right moisture content for worming in May thanks to the lateMarch soaking.

Bloodworms occur nat-

Bloodworms are common across the Darling Downs black soil regions and are a standout variety worth the preparation due to the high yield of return from native fish that can’t get enough of them.

urally along the river and creek flood zones on the Darling Downs.

Numerous other black soil areas, many miles away from creeks and rivers, can contain bloodworms.

Spots such as low-lying paddocks that channel water into a contour or gully, are covered in permanent foliage providing shade and stay waterlogged for long periods can also house them.

Often freshwater fish will swallow the worm whole, so a long-shank hook in 1/0 or 2/0 is perfect for easy extraction.

On little hooks like these, one bloodworm could be chopped into four or more pieces, but doing this would be wrong.

I usually fish with two, if not three worms, on a hook by pinning them once and letting the ends wiggle as much as possible to attract attention.

Having the hook tip covered is essential, so allow for one end of the last worm to be partially threaded on.

If you don’t have the correct soil at home but

like to use bloodworms, it’s easy to store them in a 60-litre barrel or something bigger as long as a lid is in place with small holes drilled into it for fresh air.

Under the cover of darkness, bloodworms tend to crawl out and about.

Anyone who has left an uncovered worm pot in a boat, car or campsite overnight will have noticed the David Copperfield disappearing act their worms will have pulled upon checking the pot the next morning.

Overcrowding worms isn’t good for their longevity, so if storing them in a barrel long-term, consider that about 40 litres of soft moist black soil (from where you extracted the worms) will safely hold no more than 200250 worms.

Add some mulch on top with a sprinkling of fine powdery manure every couple of weeks and keep the barrel in a cool spot.

Wetting down occasionally helps but don’t soak thoroughly, and changing the soil every couple of months is mandatory.

If you get the formula right, you can enjoy countless future fishing trips with little effort and expense required.

Once you find a productive patch, keeping it watered and adding manure occasionally will ensure you have a steady supply of unbeatable bait for catching freshwater fish.

Storing bloodworms in large containers or barrels is an excellent way to keep them for long-term use or to easily cart them with you on extended trips. When finished, the leftover unused worms can be returned to your moistened soil until required again.

Moura Muddy Water Classic T

HE annual Moura Muddy Water Classic Family Fishing Competition was hosted by the Moura Fish

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Stocking Group on April 1 and 2.

Despite the threat of cyclone Debbie, planning went ahead for the 14th

running of the fishing comp and much to the delight of the organisers, supporters and community, great weather pre-

vailed for the event.

Because some roads were closed due to flooding, several guests including Dave Hodge (best known as Hodgie) were unable to make it to the event.

Although nominations were slightly down on previous years, a total of 353 competitors showed up, comprising 225 seniors and 128 juniors.

Michelle Hutchinson won the $100 early bird draw.

For the first time ever, the Muddy Water Classic was totally live weigh in, with no dead category, and this proved successful and was well accepted by anglers.

Most of the eligible fish species were weighed in throughout the comp and the biggest fish was a 6.78kg catfish caught by a junior.

Ken Hayes won first prize in the senior men’s section ☛ continued P64

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 63

Out and about – Rattler Cafe W

E have so many interesting characters in our country re-

Outdoors

by PAUL ‘CHIEF’ GRAVESON

gions.

Garry Carlson with a bass hooked on one of his hand-crafted lures.

Stockpeople, property owners, older folks and eccentrics are just a few who help make up the diverse tapestry of Australian rural life.

Everyone has a story to tell.

After one of my Mary Valley bass expeditions, I called into Imbil’s Rattler Cafe for a welldeserved hot coffee.

Lures became the topic of conversation with another customer and after a yarn I discovered the passion this gentleman named Garry Carlson had for making his own wooden lures.

I was surprised to find out I passed his property on a daily basis and a short 20 minutes later I was in his shed discover-

A Monduran Barra fell to a Garry creation.

Iconic Australian-made lures at great prices!

Beware the

Mad Mullet,

a barra’s s worst nightmare!!

Available from livelyluresonline.com.au u Huge range for all species

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

DAM LEVELS CURRENT AS OF 11/04/2017

DAMS

PERCENTAGE

NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR 5 Atkinson 5 5 5 5 9 87 Awoonga 85 84 82 80 104 36 Bjelke-Petersen * 32 28 23 20 25 43 Boondooma * 41 38 36 37 54 82 Borumba * 77 72 72 67 82 88 Burdekin Falls * 83 95 101 104 105 80 Callide * 72 69 66 62 93 82 Cania * 79 77 74 70 81 97 Coolmunda * 92 81 75 84 100 7 Dyer/Bill Gunn * 7 7 7 7 20 98 Eungella * 97 100 101 100 101 47 Fairbairn * 43 46 45 43 46 70 Glenlyon * 70 70 68 63 76 97 Hinze * 96 95 93 95 105 85 Julius 100 104 99 100 97 87 Kinchant * 77 93 95 93 88 31 Leslie * 29 18 17 16 19 77 Macdonald * 71 62 56 58 101 99 Maroon * 99 99 98 97 100 92 Monduran/Fred Haigh * 90 89 85 82 104 93 Moogerah * 91 90 87 86 102 60 North Pine/Samsonvale * 58 56 54 52 73 60 Peter Faust/Proserpine * 57 60 60 58 70 78 Somerset * 77 76 75 74 76 91 Teemburra * 92 99 101 100 101 39 Tinaroo * 34 39 45 48 54 93 Toonumbar 93 88 81 79 100 76 Wivenhoe * 74 72 71 69 75 87 Wuruma * 85 81 81 77 100 99 Wyaralong * 99 99 97 98 100 For updates on dams, visit sunwater.com.au or seqwater.com.au *This symbol indicates that a Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish these dams.

www.livelyluresonline.com.au Page 64 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

ing his thoughts and ideas for making lures.

I was handed a lure that may have been decades old and it displayed the heavy teeth marks of many past successes.

Its crafter proudly acknowledged a bit of fine-tuning and a new clear coat would see it come to life again.

Here I realised the pride and passion that went into every wooden creation and how special it was to hand shape a product that enticed a fish to strike.

Most of us simply break the plastic packaging to reveal a machine-made lure bought with the expectation of instant action in the way the packet claims, but here I could see the fishing memories flow through from the wood and bring a smile and chuckle to the creator as he picked out another example from his stable of hundreds.

We all know that feeling of landing a new PB but just imagine the satisfaction Garry has when he or one of his fishing companions brings a lurecaught fish to the net.

Garry runs cattle on his Mary Valley property, which incidentally has Yabba Creek as a boundary, so he doesn’t have far to travel to find his own secluded fishing spot.

However, areas including Monduran Dam, the Boyne Island region and the Noosa River system are where Garry really likes to entice the local fish populations with his handmade lures.

Garry, who turns a young 75 in June, began fishing the Noosa River as a child and is still as keen and enthusiastic today.

Never interested in selling his lures, you can only imagine the money he’s saved by stocking his own tackle box.

Matching the hatch is a common term when it comes to thinking of what our target fish is feeding on.

Many lure shapes imitate prey such as small whiting and mullet but I was intrigued with a particular shape Garry had produced that imitated a good live bait-sized herring.

Herring provide a natural bait source to many of our estuary predatory fish and my mind instantly thought of Brisbane River jewfish, threadfin salmon and snapper.

It only stands to reason why this prototype would produce strikes and shows how exciting it is to be able to explore your own observations and create a product for a specific purpose.

The overall profile of a lure can have massive differences when it comes to fish reaction.

I’ve reflected many times on why similar lures have failed when the fish will climb all over a Jackall Squirrel.

Swimming depth is another important factor and influenced by size of bibs, angle of bibs and towing points.

Garry can fine-tune all of these aspects to come up with that prized go-to lure when times are lean.

Lure colour is a constant discussion point between anglers and over the years I’ve experienced a number of fishing scenarios where colour has been an important factor.

I remember writing some years ago of a session where my son Garrett and I were using River2Sea D40F lures.

Garrett was casting a transparent green hue and pulling in bream after bream.

My lure was the same profile in a solid dark blue/orange combination and it attracted estuary cod after estuary cod and not one bream.

The two species’ different reactions to colour seemed obvious.

I suppose when painting your own lures, gauging fish reaction is intangible and Garry has a few colour combinations that he repeats because of previous successes.

I thought sharing a local grass-roots fisher’s experience of years of crafting all his own lures may inspire a few of you to investigate a whole new dimension to fishing.

On another note, it is worth mentioning the call of bellowing bucks as the roar (or rut) begins in the Mary Valley.

Those hunters lucky enough to have access to properties throughout the Brisbane and Mary valleys should find trophy red deer available.

The recent rains have produced lush green conditions and I’ve heard a few good reports of pigs active through our southeast Queensland region.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure you get outdoors and enjoy what our region has to offer.

Stay safe and tight lines.

Cheers, Chief.

A few of the hand-crafted stable.

Moura Muddy Water Classic ☛ from P63

with a 4.486kg catfish.

Tiffany Foden won the senior women’s section with a 2.75kg catfish.

Barry Phipps was another winner with a 1.294kg jewfish.

On Saturday night, the nominated juniors waited excitedly for their lucky draw sponsored by Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union and local rep Peter Hammond willingly assisted.

Apex Club of Moura proudly sponsored the major lucky draws.

This year the club donated four $500 BCF vouchers, two for the senior section and two for the juniors.

Apex member Stewart Dale was on hand to present the happy winners with their vouchers.

Junior winners were Allie

Hutchinson and Mitch Morris.

‘Dawson River’ was the theme for the photo comp and this was won by Betty Seeney.

Thanks to all who took the time to enter.

As always, plenty of good food was available, along with cold drinks at the bar and a multi-draw raffle sup-

ported by the many in attendance.

All profits from this fishing competition go towards buying fingerlings for the Dawson River to ensure the pleasure of fishing for future generations.

Moura Fish Stocking Group thanks all sponsors, supporters and volunteers that help to make this event happen.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Jason with his 61cm barra.

Lee and his first-ever barra.

Barra still about but a lot of water for them to hide in L

AKE Monduran features some of the best barra fishing in Australia.

Barramundi can be caught here 365 days a year.

Located about 20km north of Gin Gin, Lake Monduran is a remarkable impoundment which presents many different challenges to the angler looking to catch the next world-record barra.

With the recent deluge from cyclone Debbie, Lake Monduran is full, holding a total of 586,000ML, or 17 percent more than Sydney Harbour.

The Monduran waterway travels over 30km upstream from the dam wall and as you make your way upstream, an open basin with weed fringes greets you and the landscape changes to a maze of flooded forests and submerged timber.

Barramundi by nature are structure-orientated fish, and it’s these flooded forests that many huge barramundi call home.

Monduran Dam

by DONNA GANE

Lake Monduran can be a daunting waterway because much of its habitat looks the same and when full it makes for hard decisions about where to start.

About 100,000 barra fingerlings are stocked into Lake Monduran per year, which makes for an impressive number of fish stocked since the late ‘90s.

Roughly 30 percent of these fingerlings will go on to survive, meaning an incredible number of monster barra roam in the depths and among the wooded snags.

In 1997, the Monduran Anglers and Stocking Association was formed and through the dedication and hard work of both past and present members, Lake Monduran is now at the top of the impoundment barra scene.

The annual fundraiser,

the Win Television Family Fishing Classic, is being held on October 14 and 15, 2017, and we would love to see you there.

Its relative closeness to Brisbane means you can drive from Brisbane to Monduran, go fishing, and be home in the same day.

The mighty barramundi is without doubt one of Australia’s premier sportfish.

It is known to have a lifespan of 25-plus years in its natural environment and can reach 1.8m in length and more than 60kg.

An abundance of food combined with optimum conditions sees Monduran fingerlings grow at a staggering rate.

Tagging data suggests that once they reach 12 months of age, the fish then go on to put on an average of 3.5kg per year.

Barramundi as young as

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four years old (the average is five) can reach the magic metre mark.

Once this milestone is reached, the barra tend to take on a classic ‘impoundment’ look, with broad shoulders, a scooped head and chunky flanks.

Much like their saltwater cousins, impoundment barra fight hard and fast, with lightning turns of speed and impressive aerial displays.

They are fantastic fighting fish and incorporate fast-running spurts of power, head shaking and often clear the water a number of times before coming to the net.

And that is only if you are lucky.

A big percentage of barra hooked never make it to the boat, instead escaping into the submerged timber.

I have heard stories of when the water was very low and just so many lures were snagged on trees.

There are plenty of misconceptions amongst the fishing fraternity regarding these fish but make no mistake, impoundment barra present an incredible challenge, fight like mad and test your skills.

One of the great benefits of impoundment barra fishing is these fish can be caught every day of the year, not just in the warmer months.

Yes, this includes winter, and often winter impoundment barra fishing can be the best fishing you will ever experience.

The weather through the next few months is generally the best as far as stability is concerned.

Ambient air temperatures in the mid-20C range are the norm, with light wind providing spectacular, clear blue sky days and the water temps, if like last year, remaining above 20C. In short, it’s awesome weather and the fishing can be sensational.

As the weather becomes cooler, the barra will come from the deeper water to cruise in the backs of bays and around the points from the first cut-

through to the south and north arms of B and right up the back of the dam.

A few barra will be boated in the main basin but I find these fish can be hard to tempt as they see a lot of boats and are much more switched on to anglers and lures.

A good tactic if targeting the basin is to fish late at night while drifting around, using outboards and electric motors as little as possible and looking for large bait schools to cast around.

You should be able to tempt the big barra that roam the basin with large soft plastics such as Zerek Flat Shads by dropping them down deep around the schooled bait.

Another place where you could have success is the lower end of the dam in the bay behind White Rock, just working the points that have wind blowing onto them.

If you fail to find any barra in these areas, a trip to the back of the dam to the area known as ‘I’ is a worthwhile option at this time of year.

The shallow bays and weedy timbered points around ‘I’ are prime country and can be worth the hike.

I have also heard that Insane Bay is yielding small barra.

Lake Monduran has been fishing exceptionally well this year and even the cyclonic weather did not deter the barra from biting.

Barra both small and big were boated on the days leading up to the rain and after.

Jamie Bein of Lake Monduran Barra Charters has once again given me great barra photos for my article and the pictured fish were caught just after the rain.

Jamie has been guiding since 2004 and his professionalism and knowledge of Lake Monduran are second to none.

If you’re feeling up to a challenge, come and fish Lake Monduran and you might be the next worldrecord barra holder.

Happy fishing.

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Fishing set to improve as dams settle down B

OONDOOMA and Bjelke-Petersen dams have seen an influx of water from ex-cyclone Debbie.

The yellowbelly in Boondooma are fat and ready for winter.

With the rain came the runoff, and we’ve seen welcome water flowing into our two dams.

Currently Boondooma is sitting at 53 percent and BP 24 percent.

Anglers haven’t been disappointed as both dams have been fishing OK despite the recent rain.

It’s great to see so many people coming to our dams as the water levels rise, and the next few weeks should see the fishing improve considerably.

Boondooma Boondooma’s main basin has been fishing reasonably well.

Anglers young and old are still enjoying the fishing at BP Dam. This bass ate a cast and retrieved 1/2oz Bassman Spinnerbait.

Page 66 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

Freshwater Impoundments

by MATTHEW LANGFORD

You have a few very good options when fishing at this time of year, though it does pay to be patient.

The deeper water around the dam is holding big bass and yellowbelly suspended in the thermocline (comfortable water) and these fish are very willing to eat most offerings presented to them, given time.

The trick is to locate these suspended fish before casting.

It really pays to have good electronics on your boat because sounders present the best way to find concentrations of fish.

The fish in the basin have been the bigger ones, with bass over 50cm caught, so it pays to spend the time sounding to find the fish.

Sound around areas including the rock walls near the dam wall and major rocky points around the front of the dam.

Here, the water is at its clearest.

When you locate a school, start by casting 5/8oz spinnerbaits, 20g spoons and 1/2ozrigged soft plastics, counting down from five to seven seconds depending on how deep the fish are sitting.

Consistent fast retrieves have worked best and it pays to put in multiple casts.

The 1/2oz-rigged plastics have been a popular choice because the lure has a smaller profile and can be burnt fast to initiate a strike from a hungry fish.

The timber is another great option, especially if you’re a bait fisher, because the fish are still holding around the trees in both arms.

If you don’t have a sounder to target the fish in the basin, this would be the smartest option, though the water is quite dirty due to both arms receiving decent run-off.

Therefore, lures aren’t a great option in the arms at the moment.

The water is still quite warm, so the fish should stick around in the trees until it starts to cool.

Trollers are catching quality bass and goldens in the main basin using 5/8oz spinnerbaits and deep-diving hard-bodies.

Red claw have been coming in pretty thick of late and some big lobster size models as well.

Set your pots close to any rock structure or thick timber and you’re in with a good chance of a feed.

Soft fruit and vegetables as well as dog biscuits have been the best baits.

Bjelke-Petersen BP has been a little tough for lure casters due to the weather but fish are still being caught if you’re willing to put in the time.

Bass and goldens have been thick in some areas and sessions in the double digits still aren’t uncommon, so keep working on them if you’ve

found a good show of fish.

The best locations of late have been around the Lightning Ridge area and the Quarry, fishing the drop-offs.

The deeper water from Bass Point right down the middle to the public boat ramp is also worth a drift or two.

Best baits have been 1/2ozrigged plastics, 1/4oz blades, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits.

Because BP is a shallow dam, most fish generally congregate around the drop-offs.

The best way to find these drop-offs is to use your sounder or look for points and banks that drop away quickly.

Cast your lure up in the shallows and slowly wind it down the slope, trying to keep it close to the bottom.

I always try to imagine where my lure is sitting in relation to the bottom in order to keep in contact with the fish or strike zone.

I consistently let the lure touch the bottom so I know I’m close as I wind my lure back to the boat.

This method usually puts you onto fish eventually.

Be wary from Bass Point onwards to the timber because the water is still quite shallow.

Trollers are getting quality bass and goldens by making passes over the drop-offs out from Bass Point and down the middle of the dam between Bass Point and the caravan park boat ramp.

Also try trolling over the prominent points of the dam using spinnerbaits and blades.

Bait fishers are getting heaps of table fish, fishing just about anywhere on the dam that is over 3m deep and near structure.

The best baits have been shrimp and worms.

Some red claw are about, so make sure you pack the pots.

Park news On a final note, if you need to know any information about fishing spots on the dam or want tackle for your weekend’s fishing, both kiosks have a great amount of information and all the latest tackle that will help you on your way to rewarding fishing.

I hope to see you on the water soon.

Tight lines and bent rods.

Soft plastics have been the standout bait at BP recently.

Bait fishing in the timber is a great option at Boondooma after the recent influx of dirty water. Live shrimp and worms are the best options.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

The bass were on the bite for the Camp Hill group, with the average size of bass measuring around the 40cm mark. Finn and Greg found a good school of bass in the inlet adjacent to Ians Island.

Working the timber on the edges of the inlets in the main basin produced quality bass for Cian and Kirby.

Plenty of new country to explore in Hinze Dam T

HE fishing at Hinze Dam prior to ex-tropical cyclone Debbie dumping a heap of rain on the coast was excellent.

However, things can change quickly.

Springbrook copped an absolute pounding, with over 800mm of rainfall in two days.

The end result was Hinze reached its highest level ever recorded and

Freshwater Fishing

by STEVE WILKES

for a number of reasons this caused a temporary closure of the dam.

Seqwater provides regular updates through its website on all the dams it controls.

It’s worthwhile checking the status of any dam before heading to the region

Michael and Nelson landed the first fish of the Clayfield weekend, opposite the old Scouts site in the far upper reaches.

with intentions of fishing.

Hinze Dam underwent a significant upgrade in 2011, with the dam wall being raised by 15m.

This upgrade doubled the dam’s capacity and in the process provided water and flood mitigation security for residents of the Gold Coast.

Even prior to the upgrade, the average depth of Hinze was 17m, making it the deepest dam in Queensland.

In addition to the Gold Coast residents having more water security, the fish had a little extra too.

There is no doubt the extra water has provided more shelter around trees for fish to call home, because during the raising of the wall, authorities could only clear so many trees from the edges.

This means if you hook up close to the edges, you need to ensure your drag is tight and you get the fish into clear water as soon as you can.

Because plenty of bass are well over 50cm and also considering the

Steve and Ethan from Clayfield College managed to catch a few good-sized bass including this one in the far upper reaches of the dam.

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mighty saratoga reside in the dam, sometimes this is near impossible.

But that just adds a bit of excitement to the fishing, and quite often when a large fish gets the better of you, it’s what makes you want to return that bit quicker.

A couple of groups were involved in Sports Tuition fishing programs at Hinze prior to the deluge.

The first group was families from Camp Hill Outside School Hours Care.

Quite a few of the families fished the same program at Moogerah Dam last year, so it’s good to get a review from parents about the different dams.

Everyone was in agreeance that Hinze is absolutely spectacular.

The sheer size of the dam is impressive and this just adds that little bit of adventure because there is so much to explore.

I must admit, after fishing Maroon and Moogerah for quite a while, it’s refreshing to get back to Hinze and its clear, pristine water.

The Camp Hill families fished the main basin of the dam and the group decided to keep enough fish for dinner, a feat which was achieved within the first two hours of being on the water.

Impressive catches were also taken around the timber in the inlets across from the western boat ramp.

The group employed catch and release tactics thereafter.

Hinze Dam now falls under the State Government’s Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme, so make sure you have your fishing permit before heading out for a fish (www.qld.gov.au/rec reation/activities/boatingfishing/rec-fishing/dams).

About 75 percent of the ☛ continued P68

Ivy and Jun enjoyed quality time with a quality catch at Hinze Dam during the Camp Hill family fishing weekend.

Seth, fishing with his dad Leon, had plenty of fun exploring the upper reaches of Hinze Dam.

Bush or the beach – get your school involved.

Every camp is tailored to your needs.

Freshwater or saltwater fishing.

Other activities include:

Stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, high ropes, abseiling, archery, boogie boarding, body surfing with hand planes, raft building and open fire cooking.

For further details visit www.sportstuition.com.au or phone 0403 154 510.

Anywhere. Anytime

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 67

Nick lifted a solid Copeton cod captured using a Flat Shad. Check out the unusual pigmentation of its skin.

Nick with a healthy Copeton cod taken on a Zerek Flat Shad.

Cod action set to heat up as weather cools I

T’S that time of the year when Murray cod fishing in the rivers and impoundments comes into its own as the weather and waters cool.

Josh Usher held a metre-plus cod landed on the new Mudeye Rattle Snake surface lure.

Plenty of new country to explore in Hinze Dam ☛ from P67

funds from these permits go back into putting more fingerlings in the dam, so it’s a userpays system, and one that works really well.

And remember, Hinze is an electric motor-only dam.

The use of an outboard motor is prohibited.

The other group to fish before cyclone Debbie and the heavy rain was a Clayfield College father and son group.

However, the Gold Coast received heavy rainfall the week prior to this group commencing and the result was the water level in

the upper reaches rose about 4m.

It certainly surprised me, as I didn’t expect this to occur in the upper reaches, but as everyone has seen once again, the power of water is quite incredible.

The Clayfield College group fished these upper reaches because quite often after rain, bass congregate in the upper reaches, waiting to ambush any new food source that flows into the dam.

Over the years, I’ve noticed the fishing is always good during and straight after rain and then it takes about a week for the dam to settle and for the fish to come on the bite again.

Page 68 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

The fathers and sons from Clayfield also managed to catch enough fish for their dinner, but comparatively the fishing in the upper reaches was slow considering the fishing in the main basin enjoyed by the other group.

Regardless, it was enjoyable exploring new territory.

And at the end of the day, that’s fishing!

These weekend programs are available to community and school groups.

If you’d like to coordinate a weekend for a group of families or a school, please email in fo@sportstuition.com. au for more details.

Many anglers are already off to a flying start with numerous great captures.

Copeton Dam near Inverell still holds onto its reputation as Murray cod mecca and it is well and truly Australia’s premier Murray cod impoundment.

Whether it be surface fishing, trolling, chucking spinnerbaits and lures or setting a few grubs overnight, it is cod capital and the number of huge Murray cod that occupy this fishery is staggering.

Copeton has always been known as a go-to cod fishery, but up until a few years ago it wasn’t the place it is today.

Thanks to social media and advertising as well as some high-end lure makers, not to mention the pro anglers using their gear, Copeton has become a household name.

Much like the rush to the northern barra impoundments to chance a hand at that holy grail metre-plus barra, Copeton is following suit, with its metreplus Murray cod bringing anglers in from all corners of the globe.

To add to the craze of this fishery, the surface action is almost unbelievable.

There are very few dams, if any, that can produce statistics comparable to Copeton, and a number of its biggest trophy fish come off the top.

When the green fish are in full swing at Copeton, it’s near impossible to pick up a magazine or scroll through Facebook or Instagram without reading about someone catching the fish of a lifetime or getting their butt handed to them at Copeton.

It truly is an amazing fishery.

With Copeton open to anglers 12 months of the

Northern NSW Fresh Water

by MATT & NICK WELLS

year with no Murray cod closed season, the economy it generates through the fishing industry is massive.

Lure makers are working overtime to keep up to Copeton’s demanding anglers and the monster fish that will happily straighten your trebles or cause some form of damage to your lure.

Copeton has found itself in the middle of a swimbait craze in the past 1218 months and the number of specialty lures and rods now available to anglers is staggering.

Just about every lure manufacturer is having a crack at the phenomenon to cash in while the craze lasts and it certainly doesn’t look like dampening any time soon.

The Zerek revolution continues As you would have seen over the past couple of years, we’ve brought great stories and information to you regarding the Zerek range of lures distributed

by Wilson Fishing.

The standout lure of Zerek’s excellent range is the Flat Shad, which has taken the barra industry

by storm and is now high up the ranks as a go-to soft lure for Murray cod.

We’ve seen great fish pulled in on these lures in the rivers and impoundments in the past 12 months and with several new and exciting colours about to be added to the range, the fishing is only going to get better.

Hot new gear from Century Yuasa Batteries Century Yuasa Batteries makes hands-down one of the best batteries you can buy, and now the company has gone one step further and released an awesome new smart charger to keep your batteries in top shape.

The all-new Century CC1206 is a 12V, 6A, nine-stage intelligent charger that will charge batteries up to 120Ah and maintain batteries rated up to 180Ah. It boasts three charge settings: 1A, 3A and 6A. The CC1206 is a great choice for all your battery charging needs, whether it be trying to bring a heavily discharged battery back to life or just keeping those batteries in your boat topped up after every

trip and giving them a hit before you head out.

If you like to leave your chargers plugged in all the time while in the garage for that peace of mind onwater performance, this great unit has an eco-power mode that uses minimal power to keep your batteries maintained.

Even for those times when you may accidentally hook the terminals up the wrong way (we’ve all done it), don’t be worried, as the charger won’t let you do any damage, rather the unit will simply activate its fault light.

For about $150, this charger presents a costeffective way of maintaining all your batteries, which are a vital investment with today’s demanding electronics.

To view great tutorials and find more information, visit centurybatter ies.com.au For any further information regarding this month’s article or any previous, please don’t hesitate to give us a like and contact us via our Wells Brothers Fishing - Official Facebook page.

If you’re on Instagram, be sure to add us @wells_ brothers.

For any more information on Zerek gear, jump on wilsonfishing.com.au

Josh and a Copeton cod hooked on a soon-to-be-released colour in the Zerek Flat Shad range.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Golden times at Glenlyon Dam ■ Slight rise in water level

W

E may not have received the same big rainfall totals as a lot of regional Queensland but what we did get was good enough to bring Glenlyon Dam up to 79 percent capacity.

Anglers have been having a ball catching golden perch by the dozen, letting them go and casting out for the next hit.

As the photos show, kids have been having fun in the early mornings and late afternoons.

Little hard-body bargainbin type lures have been working well, as have the Lawson Small River King, Tenterfield Shrimp, Lollback Small Bass River and Bryan Power Shallow River Fat Arrow.

Glenlyon Dam

by BRIAN DARE

To enjoy success, it is a matter of going through the special bins at tackle shops and keeping the little bargains for just these fishing conditions.

The bonus is the kids are not raiding your tackle box of good lures while the ones you bought cheap will give hours of fun.

The trick of the trade in storages that experience a rise is to head into the gullies and get out of the boat.

Walk up to the section where the water is clean below the inflow and cast into the middle of the flow.

Nine times out of 10 you will get a hit right at your feet and suddenly think ‘Hell, I hope I don’t bust the rod tip on this fish.’

Seeing a 40cm-plus golden slam your lure not 3m from where you’re standing is a great thrill and each time it happens you start to enjoy casting even more, knowing the fish are lined up just waiting for their turn to belt a lure.

This type of fishing can last up to two weeks as the dam settles, then it’s back to trolling new grounds freshly covered by water.

I know a lot of anglers

Lillee Molkentien from Lowood held an undersized cod prior to release.

Deadline extended for Water for life community grant funding

S

EQWATER has extended the deadline for its 2017 Water for life community grants program to make sure those impacted by ex-tropical cyclone Debbie have the opportunity to apply for funding.

Seqwater acting chief executive officer Jim Pruss said the closing date for submission of detailed applications had been pushed from May 1 to May 15, 2017.

The annual program offers community organisations the chance to receive up to $10,000 in grant money for projects that increase public water education and involve people in caring for

www.bnbfishing.com. au

their waterways.

“A lot of southeast Queenslanders have been impacted by extropical cyclone Debbie, especially those living in areas such as Logan, Beaudesert and the northern Gold Coast,” Mr Pruss said.

“We don’t want those living in floodaffected communities to miss out on this opportunity as they focus on recovering from the flood.”

The funding enables local organisations to work in partnership with Seqwater to deliver significant projects that promote water education and awareness.

A total of 51 applications were received last year, which resulted

in Seqwater awarding grant money to 12 community groups to fund their new or existing projects.

“For us, ‘water for life’ is more than just delivering a safe, secure and reliable water supply – it’s also about creating partnerships to build a sustainable water future,” Mr Pruss said.

Eligible projects for the Water for life grants must be delivered between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018.

Criteria and a grant application form are available through yourseqwater.com.au/ community-grants, by emailing communica tions@seqwater.com. au or calling 1800 771 497.

prefer to cast lures and spinnerbaits instead of trolling.

Keep in mind that Murray cod will be on the prowl looking for new feeding areas as well as staking out the next 100m of territory to claim once the storage settles.

I usually wait a month or two before casting for cod.

The other thing to keep in mind is all the freshly covered vegetation will be starting to die off under water, and fish tend to prefer good water conditions offered elsewhere.

So at the moment you should instead look for rock ledges and the like.

Meanwhile, the local rivers and streams have had good flows through them, giving all the systems a clean-out.

Tenterfield Creek and the Mole, Severn, Dumaresq and Beardy rivers all had water over their bridge areas.

This is good news for the start of the August cod breeding period in rivers and dams as the cod get the nesting sites ready for mumma cod to look at or reject.

So with that in mind and looking ahead, you’re going to have to ring Debbie of a morning in August or September to get her to open up the kiosk because she will be around at the dam wall taking photos of our big Murray cod doing the real estate shuffle.

Get your SLR camera out of the cupboard as well as your video camera, and put on a lens filter to cut out the glare.

On your small camera, place the lens from your sunglasses over the camera lens.

With the storage at a high level for a change, this is your chance to see this yearly event because

it will occur only 15m below where you will be standing.

You will also see this same event around the whole storage if you hop out of your boat and walk above the rock ledges.

Your best bet is to spot them during calm, clear mornings in bright sunlight between 8am and 10am.

The Australian Lure Fly & Outdoors Expo in Ipswich is not too far off now, and ‘handbrake’ Debbie is finding more and more Aussie lure makers turning up in this cottage craft industry.

Her files on these people get larger all the time, to the point where we now have four filing cabinets full of information.

The who’s who of this trade just make it harder for blokes like me to select the best fish takers.

I have a special type of lure I look for when fishing our local river systems in the headwaters of the Murray-Darling system.

Lures that swim at just 26cm under the surface are perfect for pulling small stream cod from those special spots that always look fishy.

How many times have you thought, “I wonder”, when you’ve just gone over a bridge with shallow clear water of about 2m deep.

While it doesn’t have fast flow, it could have had a flood flow previously.

Have a look in the shade where the big concrete pylons hold the bridge in place and see if there are deep holes at the bottom of each one with a couple of big logs jammed up on the base.

If so, give it a cast and hang onto your hat because you won’t believe what takes place.

Simply drift in, throw a small anchor out and send in a photo of the result.

Michael Rossow from Stanthorpe with a 4lb yellowbelly hooked on a lure. Now is a great time for fishing from the bank.

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GLENLYON DAM TOURIST PARK A great place to fish! s 0OWERED AND 5NPOWERED 3ITES s .O $OMESSTIC 0ETS OR 'ENNERAATOORS s +IOSK s )CE s 'AS s 0ETROL s !MENITIES "LOCKS AND ,AUNDRY s ""1S s (IRRE "OATS s %&40/3 s &ISHING 0ERMITS

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Ph: 02 6737 5266 E: glenlyondamtouristp@bigpond.com Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017 – Page 69

Redfin are numerous and undesirable in several of Tasmania’s trout streams and lakes and must not be returned to the water alive.

Saint Patricks River is a typical trout stream, though the attire wasn’t. Queensland waders (shorts and thongs) offer no insulation against icy water.

A Queenslander in Tassie A well-coloured wild brown from the Ringarooma River (far northeastern Tasmania) taken on a bladed spinner cast upstream.

A plump Styx River brown that fell to a hare and copper nymph fished under a Muddler Hopper dry fly.

When driving north from Port Arthur to Devonport the author spied a turn-off to the town of Ross. He and his wife stopped to take a few snaps of this cool-looking bridge that has spanned the Macquarie River since 1836. If only they’d known they were on fabled trout water at the time.

Some of the accommodation in Tassie is quite unique.

This slate-roofed stone cottage has been constantly inhabited since 1835.

J

UST the other day I was sitting in the dining room watching 30cm-deep brown water flowing through the yard and across our entire block, deepening as the ground sloped away from the house.

Cyclone Debbie pummelled the north and the remaining extreme lowpressure system dumped a month’s worth of rain per day on areas it passed on its southerly route.

This tropical deluge and extreme humidity seemed worlds away from where we’d spent the previous couple of weeks, exploring the cold myrtle forests of Tasmania.

Our trip to Tassie had been on the bucket list for years but came as an unexpected opportunity that was taken at short notice.

Hence planning was non-existent and packing gear was a hurried affair, with the absolute minimum fitting into the luggage for the flight down.

This month I’ll focus on the rivers because they were where I found myself for the greater part of my time spent fishing during our trip.

Tasmania has iconic rivers, renowned for providing what is arguably the best brown trout fishing in the country.

These rivers include the North Esk (chosen as a venue for previous Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships), South Esk, Mersey, Brumbys Creek (a superb tailrace fishery), Derwent, Meander and Huon (with its

Little known to anglers from the mainland, the tiny Duck River is home to a selfmaintaining population of brown trout (and platypus).

Page 70 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

Fishing the Streams

by NEIL SCHULTZ

excellent sea-run brown trout in season along with reasonable numbers of Atlantic salmon).

Adhering to my normal modus operandi, I elected to bypass the most commonly fished waters in search of out of the way venues.

Because I was fishing towards the very end of the open season for trout in Tassie, I figured the most popular waters would be home to quite well-educated and shy fish.

The first stream I fished was selected by chance because it flowed through the town in which we decided to spend a night after visiting Stanley, Tasmania’s northernmost town.

Near the township of Smithton on the far-western section of the north coast of the island flowed the uninspiringly named Duck River.

By design rather than coincidence, the great B&B in which we stayed was waterfront, backing onto this little waterway.

Unsure if the river was worth fishing, I was very impressed by the sight of a couple of fish rising while I indulged in an afternoon coffee on the back porch.

My little four-piece spin stick was quickly assembled and I strolled the 20m to the water’s edge and waited for a fish to give away its position.

On my second cast, the little shallow runner I had selected (a Predatek MicroMin) was run down and grabbed by a brown in the 40cm class.

This fish only stayed connected to the lure for a few seconds, despite its very enthusiastic strike.

Sneaking further along the creek, fishing what could only be described as ‘pocket water’, I had follows by a couple more fish in the 30-35cm range but neither fish could be tempted to grab the lure.

A thundery afternoon drenching chased me back to the comfort of the house (and the coffee machine).

After undertaking quite a bit of sightseeing, I was once again tempted onto (actually into) the water of a river that we crossed by chance while travelling between Launceston and Scottsdale.

The view from the bridge over Saint Patricks River was impressive enough to force a brief stop during our morning drive.

I’d not heard of this river before reading the name on the sign at the bridge, but research afterwards revealed it is apparently one of the Apple Isle’s more productive brown trout streams.

Once again armed with the spin stick, I waded up the centre of the stream firing casts towards likely looking pockets as I went.

Blind casting produced a few follows by smaller fish, but pinpointing rising fish yielded strikes.

Only one (the largest fish I saw for the brief morning session) actually hooked up, running line from the spool against a moderate drag before throwing the lure.

Because Rosemary was waiting in the car, I kept my look at Saint Pats (as the locals call it) very brief, fishing just the one pool before heading off, making a mental note that this stream was worthy of more attention.

One day later and only a hundred or so kilometres away, I once again set about exploring one of the rivers close to camp, this time the Macquarie River not far from Longford.

Once again, I was fishing a river by chance, having no idea of its reputation as a top-class trout fishery (one of the drawbacks of not being a regular trout angler, hence not reading too much about the fishery).

Being fed by water from lakes in the hydro scheme can see water levels fluctuate without any rain falling in the headwaters.

On the morning I visited, the water was high, barring access to most of

the shoreline except by wading.

Being sparsely equipped due to aircraft luggage restrictions, I obviously wasn’t wearing waders and was limited to spots where I could push through the vegetation.

The first location produced a follow from a reasonable fish but no further interest, although I could see fish rising regularly further up the river.

Hiking wide of the thick (and prickly) riparian vegetation made up largely of hawthorn, briar and blackberries, I found a clear path down to the water’s edge right where the trout I’d observed were positioned.

Here again, blind casting was fruitless but targeting a rising fish produced an almost-instant take from an obviously hungry trout.

In a repeat of my efforts on previous days, this fish leapt and dislodged the lure; this was becoming a disturbing pattern.

Subsequent strikes from sight-fished trout didn’t eventuate in a hook-up, while blind casting yielded a succession of redfin perch (all promptly dispatched due to their pest status).

Several of Tasmania’s champagne trout fisheries are sadly showing the negative effects of increasing redfin populations.

Another move and another river, this time the Ringarooma, still in the north, but on the extreme eastern tip of the island.

This river looked similar to Saint Pats except with more rock substrate than freestone riffles and pools (at least in the section I fished).

The very first movement I saw was a platypus that could be clearly observed feeding through the ginclear water.

I saw no fish rising but several follows were had while blind casting a bladed spinner into likely looking locations.

After wading upstream for an hour or so, I had lost enough body heat to become uncomfortable, so made my way back towards the car.

Some of the deeper eddies that had produced follows on my way upriver looked good enough

to warrant a cast or two on the return leg.

One of those deep corners shielded from the flow by a fallen trunk finally produced a hook-up and a stunningly coloured little wild brown trout was in hand for a few moments before being unhooked and released.

Our travels then took us south into the foothills of the mountains of the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park.

Here grows the largest flowering plant on earth, and before the largest specimens were logged, the tallest trees on earth (yes, even taller than the giant redwood).

This is awe-inspiring country and the rivers flowing southwards out of the mountains to join the Derwent are breathtaking.

Here I fished the Tyenna, finally making use of the travel fly rod I’d bought specifically for this trip.

The section of river I fished was not typical of trout streams, with thickly forested banks and drowned timber littering the riverbed.

This was more like dapping (letting the fly but not the line bob lightly on the water), with very short casts delivered to sighted fish, usually holding station amongst the snags in almost impossibly clear water.

Success was regular, with fish from 30-40cm coming to hand during every session, leading me to draw the conclusion that (at least on river fish) the single hook of a fly was far more effective than a treble on a lure.

Buoyed by my successes on this river, I did a little exploring and found myself wading once again, this time up the stony bed of the Styx River.

I wanted to fish the Styx, purely because of its cool name, but upon seeing the water in its upper reaches I was gobsmacked – what a truly stunning stream and valley!

Yes, I did manage to land more wild browns in the Styx in a fitting conclusion to a week spent tramping around some of Tasmania’s less wellknown waterways. www.bnbfishing.com. au

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Page 72 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2017

Following a record-setting year in 2016 with the Elite-7 Ti – the top-selling fishfinder/chartplotter display globally – early sales reports for 2017 indicate the Elite-9 Ti is showing signs of being the new frontrunner – another indicator that fishing consumers are continuing to make room for bigger, brighter and easier-toview displays.

Designed for anglers looking for one unit to do almost everything, the Elite Ti is poised to meet the current and future demands of the market.

With the number of proven fishfinder and chartplotter features being packed into a single, affordable display, users are requiring the largest screen available to allow them to easily and effectively view all the most important data at once.

And with the easier-touse touchscreen, anglers are getting more out of their fishfinders because the units are easier to learn and use.

Whereas 5” displays used to be the strongest sellers in terms of volume, recent trends show 7” and 9” displays are the current favourites and this will likely grow to 12”

displays in the next two years.

Including cutting-edge features such as an easyto-use touchscreen interface, Bluetooth and wireless connectivity, proven Lowrance navigation technology and high-performance sonar – including CHIRP, Broadband Sounder and StructureScan HD with SideScan and DownScan Imaging – the Elite Ti Series displays offer incredible value at an affordable price.

CHIRP sonar offers improved fish-target separation and screen clarity, while the StructureScan HD sonar imaging system with exclusive Lowrance DownScan Imaging delivers photo-like images of fish-holding structure on both sides and directly beneath the boat.

For the ultimate in onwater navigation, Elite Ti displays feature a highly accurate, built-in GPS antenna that displays position on a detailed C-MAP or Navionics+ map.

Bluetooth and wireless connectivity also provide control of single or dual Power-Pole shallow water anchor installations, as well as access to the GoFree Link App, which allows anglers to view and control the display from an iPad or Android tablet.

With enhanced sonar performance, trolling motor control, built-in high-definition charts, waypoint sharing and advanced charting options,

the Elite Ti series offers features and a price point that competitors can’t match.

The easy-to-use touchscreen is a Lowrance exclusive, as is the TotalScan transducer capable of Broadband, CHIRP sonar, StructureScan HD and DownScan Imaging, all in one unit.

The enhanced sonar performance of the Elite Ti offers better clarity of targets and greater sonar range where it counts.

Simply put, the Elite Ti finds fish faster than all the rest.

Navico CEO Leif Ottosson said, “We are very excited about the reception of the Elite Ti series, both by recreational and professional anglers alike.”

“This product line hits the sweet spot of hardhitting features and tremendous value.

“Our competitors are obviously taking notice, but they just can’t match our advanced technology and value.

“When you look at a side-by-side comparison, there really is no other option but Lowrance.”

For more information on the Lowrance Elite Ti product family or the entire Lowrance line of marine electronics, visit lowrance.com/en-au To learn more about the Elite-12 Ti and Elite-9 Ti, please watch this video: youtu.be/NrAYd6uLzB4

Applying new biosecurity technology to support Australian fisheries

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MOBILE application that will strengthen Australia’s capability to manage and respond to significant aquatic animal disease incidents has been released by the Australian Government.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Anne Ruston said the application allowed industry to be better informed on aquatic diseases of significance for Australia and provided a faster system to report incidents to the relevant authorities.

“Australia’s relative freedom from a range of pests and diseases constitutes one of our most valuable assets in the fishing and aquaculture industries,” Minister Ruston said.

“We’re always working to strengthen the way we manage biosecurity risks.

“Our fisheries and aquaculture sectors are important for Australia – valued at $2.8 billion and

supporting jobs, regional communities and food security.

“Exotic pests and diseases can seriously impact on the productivity of our industries.

“They have the potential to damage market access for our fisheries and aquaculture industry and significantly increase production costs for farmers.

“People are now familiar with using mobile applications and our simple app provides accessible and fast biosecurity information, as well as an easy, effective way to report incidents.”

Minister Ruston said it will support those with the most to gain from a strong biosecurity system to help play a role.

The ‘Aquatic animal diseases significant to Australia: Identification field guide’ mobile application was an agreed priority of industries and governments under AQUAPLAN 20142019 and funded by the

Australian Government.

It is available on Android, Windows and iOS platforms and provides comprehensive information on diseases included on Australia’s National List of Reportable Diseases of Aquatic Animals.

“I encourage all our commercial fishers, aquaculture workers, recreational fishers, biosecurity staff and scientists to download and get across this valuable application,” Minister Ruston said.

“It is a great tool that will help further ensure serious diseases do not impact on the future prosperity of Australian fisheries and aquaculture.”

For more information or to download the application, visit agriculture.gov. au/aquatic-disease-fieldguide Aquatic animal diseases should be reported to the national Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888. www.bnbfishing.com. au

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UNBEATABLE UNBEATABLE

Mercury 90hp 4-stroke

• Deck wash • Live bait tank • Kill tank • Seadeck flooring • Bait board • Dunbier trailer and more

115HP CRUISE SPEED 115HP FUEL CRUISE EFFICIENCY SPEED FUEL EFFICIENCY MERCURY’S NEW 115HP VS. CURRENT FOURSTROKE AND OPTIMAX VS. CURRENT FOURSTROKE AND OPTIM FOURSTROKE g/kWh

MERCURY MERCURY 75-115HP 75-115HP FOURSTROKE FOURSTROKE RANGE RANGE

$50,000

Mercury 150hp 4-stroke

340

340

330

330

320

320

310

310

300

g/kWh

$22,900

DELIVERS UP TO 14% BETTER CRUISE SPEED ECONOMY

300

290

290

280

280

270

270

260

260

PREVIOUS MERCURY FOURSTROKE 1.7L

BSFC dyno testing; data is an average of 60%-80% rated MERCURY PREVIOUS NEW MERCURY engine speed based NEW OPTIMAX MERCURY MERCURY OPTIMAX on standardMERCU ICOMIA emissions test.

FOURSTROKE 115hp 1.7L 2.1L 115hp 115hp 2.1L 11 Photos for illustration purposes only.

SU SC N ATA

IPSWICH ROAD

DS T

WIC

H

D ROA

SERVICE RD

Randolph St

IPS

WY

HM

WIC

IPS

Blackd own St

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