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• LOTS OF AUTUMN OPTIONS • WILD RIVER BASS • Species Spotlight

Aaron Roddam brings us ‘Return of the wild river bass’

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Testing Booth: 13 Fishing Fate V3 • Starlo’s dressed to kill • Return of the wild river bass • $1.6M fraud: Journey to justice • Fish’n SIPS tagged fish winner •

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Fishing Monthly Magazines

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CONTENTS

OUR COVER March 2023, Vol. 3 No.11 VIC

TAS

From the Editor’s Desk...

Last month we made a mistake. In the final throes of proofing before we went to print we supplied an incorrect replacement page to the printer. All of you who are looking forward to the content of that page and missed out, we are sorry. We hope it won’t happen again. We can supply the page to those who need it. FRAUD STORY Also in this issue is a story of the

QUEENSLAND Tweed River

Gold Coast

Jumpinpin

Southern Bay

Brisbane

Northern Bay

Noosa

Bundaberg

Mackay

Townsville

King George whiting are in good

Hinchinbrook

numbers this season.

Cairns

A Gerry Morsman image.

Port Douglas

Cooktown

Cape York

Freshwater

Come and visit Fishing Monthly Group’s official Facebook page for all your monthly fishing information. Download QR Reader to access.

NEW SOUTH WALES Pittwater

Wangaratta

Sydney Rock

Shepparton

Sydney North

Bendigo

Sydney South

Ballarat

Ballina

Crater Lakes

Coffs Coast

Eildon

Hastings

Gippsland Freshwater

Forster

Port Stephens

Swansea

TASMANIA Hobart Offshore

98 99

Central Coast

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Illawarra

Esperance

104

Batemans Bay

Bunbury

104

Bermagui

Augusta

105

Tathra

Metro

106

Albany/Wodonga

Mandurah

107

Hunter Valley

Kalbarri

109

Batlow

Lancelin

108

New England Rivers

Exmouth

110

Canberra

Karratha

110

Freshwater

112

Warrnambool

REGULAR FEATURES

Portland

VICTORIA 78

Return of the wild river bass

Cobden

Starlo’s: Dressed to kill

Apollo Bay

$1.6M fraud: Journey to justice

Geelong

Fish’n SIPS tagged fish winner

Port Phillip West

What’s New Fishing

Port Phillip East

Testing Booth: Fate V3

Phillip Island

Sheik of the Creek

Gippsland Lakes

Fun page

Port Albert

Tournament Calendar

102

Marlo

Tournaments

100

Bemm River

Trades and Services/Tide page

114

Mallacoota

Boat test: Yellowfin 7000

116

Robinvale

COMPS AND OFFERS

Yarrawonga

Find the logo

6 MARCH 2023

40 62

trials and tribulations that we have been through in the last decade with some internal fraud in the company. The matter is now resolved and we hope that by reading the story inside you can understand the lengths that we went to to get the magazine out every month on time. We are proud that we survived and hope that Robyn Lawrie starts to feel some remorse for her actions while in jail. A MILLION TAGS I was proud to host a celebration of the success of Bill Sawynok’s tagging program that put in its millionth tag late last year. That is 1 million tags, inserted by volunteer anglers and stocking groups. To put it into context, there have only been 4.5 million fish tagged globally by citizen science programs. Ever. It is safe to say that when anglers claim that they are custodians of the resource, they can put their money where their mouth is. Next time a keyboard warrior is attacking you for being an angler, ask them what they have done to further fishing knowledge and community monitoring in their area. I’m pretty sure they will dodge the question. So, to all who have tagged fish or reported a recapture, well done. You’re helping us all understand the fish and the anglers who chase them. Special shout-out to an ageing Michael Dohnt, who personally tagged well over 25,000 fish in his tagging career. Do the maths on that. That’s a lifetime of dedication right there.

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Return of the wild river bass NSW

Aaron Roddam

We have sweated through one of the wettest summers in years, but the bass stayed on the bite and despite all the rain we still managed to catch a lot of solid fish for the season. Australian bass, also known as a ‘golden slab’, are keenly fished for as they are an outstanding sportfish and are extraordinarily powerful for their size. I have spent the better part of the past decade chasing this aggressive freshwater beast in waterways surrounding the Illawarra and NSW South Coast. In this article I will offer answers to the most asked questions about bass fishing. I will also share some tips and tricks that

A late afternoon fishing session, after a heavy downpour of rain, when the barometric pressure was reading 1020hPa.

The author with a 45cm bass pulled out from a very small stretch of water. These hardy fish can be found in surprisingly small bodies of water. have helped me along the way, which will hopefully help you land yourself some mighty Australian bass. WHERE TO TARGET? Australian bass are primarily found in freshwater, along the eastern coast of Australia, all the way from Queensland to Victoria. It is important when targeting bass (or even bream) to always stay within the strike zone. For example, fallen trees or deep pools adjacent to deeper fringes of river, or close to thick vegetation. Locations like these are awesome hiding spots for fish seeking shelter, or lying in wait to ambush their next meal. A lighter weighted line teamed with a slow sinking lure is the ideal set up for this close structure fishing. That is because the suspended lure will hang in the face of the fish longer, thereby enticing a strike. Be ready for it, and hang on! WHAT TO USE? This predatory fish 8 MARCH 2023

loves to eat terrestrial creatures such as crickets, cicadas and spiders, as well as lizards, frogs and even ducklings. Whilst bass can be taken on bait, a more rewarding and enjoyable experience is targeting them on lures. They will strike at pretty much anything,

taking most hardbodies, soft plastics and surface lures. It’s easy to think of all the rainy weather this summer as a hindrance to fishing, but the rain has actually been very beneficial. The extra water has flushed an abundance of bugs, worms, spiders and all other insects into the water system and this, in turn, has created a natural food source that the fish have come flocking to. At times like this, when the fish are busy feeding and taking every opportunity to grab an easy meal, they won’t miss your lure. A strike is pretty much inevitable. Trolling for bass can be effective using big bib diver lures or diving crankbaits on a slow paddle towed behind a kayak, or a slow retrieve from a boat in deep water. This is a sure way to cover a lot of ground in a short time in the hunt for bass in large impoundment dams such as Windemere or Danjera. The big bibs on the lures allow the lure to dive deep, plunging it to its designated

depth. To ensure it keeps its fish-like swaying action, tie the lure to the end of your leader using a non-slip loop knot (also known as a kreh loop knot) as this will allow the lure to swim and move more freely with a natural look. WHAT IS A GOOD CHOICE OF LURE? Small crankbaits can be pricey when fishing for bass, especially if you keep losing them to snags. Despite that though, they are a great investment and there’s a huge range of colours and styles to choose from. The trick is knowing which colours and styles to choose. A great lure hint to help you land that trophy bass is to pick something that mimics their natural food source (e.g. frogs, small baitfish or a lure with a realistic look and action) as this will fool any bass into a strike. A good lure size to stick to is between 35mm and 70mm, though often the bass aren’t too fussy on size. If the fish aren’t striking, try using a lure that creates a lot of noise or action. And finally, always try to keep to natural colours such

A typical habitat for our iconic Australian bass. It also holds the elusive platypus, and is a perfect place to have a refreshing dip. as mottled browns, greens, silver and bronzes. When fishing at dusk or dawn during the summer months, floating lures are by far the best choice of lures for surface hits. Crackerjack’s Wobbler Frog is one of my favourite lures for surface hits because this lure mimics a realistic frog wobbling across the water. The bass just love it!

A perfect 40cm specimen caught on a Crackerjack Lures Vertex 45 in a natural colour.

A great lure for surface fishing is a frog imitation. It has a rapid swaying action that wobbles across the surface and fools bass into striking.

Another great lure for surface fishing is the Jackall Pompadour. The action from its wings creates a waddle-like effect, which looks like an animal skipping across the water, enticing a strike. Summertime also brings on the call of the cicadas – an insect irresistible to bass. Tiemco have a range of Soft Shell Cicadas that are quite effective on these bronze battlers. When you hear the cicadas singing it’s a clear indication of which lure to use. DO SOFT PLASTICS WORK? The simple answer is “yes”, they absolutely do work! Bass can be fussy at

times, but when they are biting they will pretty much take anything in front of them. They can be caught on many types of soft plastic lures, such as curl tails, paddle tails, crayfish and even on spinner blades. There is a huge range of different styles and colours on the market and, when fished properly, the majority of these lures can be extremely productive. When it comes to the size of the soft plastic, I personally don’t use anything over 2” when fishing around structure. I recommend avoiding heavier jigheads where possible. It’s better to stick to around 1/16oz. This weight is important, as the slow descent through the water gives you more chances to get a hook up. You want the lure to be suspended in the water column for as long as possible, increasing your chances of catching a fish. However, remember that if you leave it too long you run the risk of getting snagged or busted off around a snag. WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO FISH FOR BASS? As with most other fish species, bass will usually feed at dusk and dawn. As a general rule, these are great times to head out. However, it’s also a good idea to keep track of the weather systems in the area, as these too can affect your chances of landing a bite. When fishing I always keep in mind the good old saying “1020, the fish are plenty”. This is, of course, referring to the barometric pressure and the feeding pattern of fish. Bass can sense the impending rise or fall of a pressure system. On a rising pressure system (1020hPa and above) bass can change their feeding patterns and

often feed heavily and act aggressively, but as the pressure reaches its peak they tend to stop feeding. On a low pressure system (anything below 1020hPa), since there is less pressure in the air, their internal air bladder is allowed to expand, therefore putting pressure on their stomachs, which turns them off the bite. FISHING MY LOCAL The Illawarra region is home to many, many keen freshwater and saltwater anglers. I am one such

angler who loves both styles of fishing. Above the 30-million-year-old mountain range of the Illawarra escarpment, you will find the Southern Highlands. This is where the freshwater heads downstream, and around these areas you can find trout (brown and rainbow), as well as the odd river cod. As the running waters head downstream over the escarpment to the foothills of the Illawarra, there are many running rivers to explore, and these rivers

are the places to start your search for bass. In my experience, the harder it is to reach your fishing spot, the better your chances of reaping rewards. It’s great when a waterway is relatively unknown/ unfished, because any bass you find will not be familiar with lures, and this will increase your chances of a catch. As a bonus, you may end up finding a hidden gem to take a refreshing dip in after tackling boulders, tree roots and the many other obstacles you may

Trekking through the foothills through thick bushland to find a pristine natural waterway. Persistent rainfall caused this waterway to carve its way through the rich soil, and it’s home to many freshwater dwellers.

A skinny water bass taken just below a drop-off.

come across in these areas. As the water continues to flow to Lake Illawarra, the place where the fresh meets salt is called brackish water, and this is where the bass travel to spawn. Often anglers targeting bream or flathead have picked up a bycatch of bass in these waters. Some diligent

research on Google Maps can reveal these places to anyone with a keen eye, but before trekking out into unknown landscape, be aware that many of these spots can be on private property. STAY SAFE As always, safety comes first, so you should

always let someone know where you are going. Packing adequate water and food supplies, along with dressing appropriately (layered clothing and walking boots), is essential on any expedition around these areas. Remember to always be aware of flash flooding in and around your local river systems. It might not be raining where you are, but further up the waterway could be receiving torrential rain which won’t take long to reach your fishing spot. Have a plan in place for such an emergency. HARD WORK PAYS OFF Once you start, Australian bass fishing is a sport you will find difficult to give up. You will likely be pushing your limits trekking up muddy rivers, across paddocks and through thick bushland where no one has been before in search of the ultimate fishing spots. Encountering mosquitoes, spiders and snakes – not to mention the leeches – is not everyone’s cup of tea, but once you start reeling in those cracker Australian bass, all this hard work will definitely be worth its weight in gold. Photo credits: Tim Makepeace, Sam Halliday and Michael Huwyler.

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MARCH 2023 9

OLD

The benefits of staying flexible TOWNSVILLE

Dave Hodge

While it’s been a tempting few months to cast at the forbidden barra, the restraint shown by

so nobody should be upset by accidental captures. With barra season open now, the gloves are off. Wherever you can find barra they’re fair game, and that may be deep in snags, sitting in open water ledges,

like the Tilsan Barra, the Laser Pro 125mm and then Halco Hamma, the plastics also drag their fair share of fish in these environments. Luckily, on the open flats, weedless presentations don’t matter,

The stormy season can be unpredictable sometimes, but if there’s no lightning then it’s just a bit of rain really. If the drains run with fresh then sink a plastic at the mouth of the drains for big jacks. most anglers has been admirable. Of course, there are a few fishos who think the law doesn’t apply to them, and who think there’s no harm done by catching and releasing barra, but most people know better. There is hard proof that barra re-absorb their eggs

as the hook-up ratio is more consistent. The old, ‘big lure, big fish’ thing doesn’t really ring true with me. We catch the majority of our fish on 4” Atomic Prongs and 5” Halco Paddle Prawns. Usually a 1/4oz or 1/6oz Atomic Seeker Jig head with a 4/0 to 5/0 hook seems about right for bucket mouths. 20lb braid and 30 to 40lb leaders are also right in that sweet spot. Baitcaster or spin doesn’t matter really, but I use spin where extra-long casts are needed to reach distant fish. It’s fair to say that not everyone loves barra, and there are plenty of other options around this neck of the woods. Queenfish are an absolutely fantastic sport fish, and plenty of people eat them also, although they’re not to everyone’s taste. The Halco Roosta Popper is a cracking option for the surface, and can be fast received or slow blooped depending on what the fish are responding to on the day. Sometimes you have to try both techniques

Using brighter colours in dirty water is a pretty wellknown tactic. The colour change in the background had several nice fish sitting in tight against the bank, requiring precise casts to get the bite. or another. a cast or two on the way past is one way of telling. They move heaps of water when they strike, so keep an eye out for that as it’s hard to forget (giant trevally are a

common bycatch with this pursuit). A barra casting combo is about right for the queenies, as long as the drag is nice and smooth. Coral trout are always good on the plate, and we

or up on flats. Regardless of their location, you’re going to need a calculated approach if you’re to be successful. A bit of runoff still exists at the time of writing this, and with the forecast of more to come, who knows where we’ll be hunting them. I love the flats at this

The 105mm Halco Hamma in the lime green colour is a great runoff lure, and can be worked slowly against the current, giving the lure longer in the strike zone. and unless you need the to see which works the best. belly weight to make your River mouths, pylons, lure swim straight, I’d channel markers etc all suggest a J styled jighead hold queenies at one stage

It’s hard to stop cod this size around structure. If you can then you’ve done well on barra baitcasting gear.

Sorting through the colours that may or may not work brought Tannhym to the conclusion that the grey blue Atomic Prong skipped in amongst the spindly timber worked the best. after the physical stress of a fight. Of course, the bycatch factor is just part of fishing, 38 MARCH 2023

time of year, and casting at bow waves is a spectacular way to bend a rod. Apart from the old faithfuls

The Atomic Semi Hardz in the biggest size is a great lure for sinking down the pylons for a range of species, including fingermark and queenfish.

have been targeting them during the barra closed season – just for something different. We have been heading into the bay or up off some shoals to see what we can find, and most times, we accumulate a reasonable feed in a short session. Again, Atomic Prongs and Halco Paddle Prawns are our go-to. My favourite colours are electric chicken, radioactive rooster and rainbow bass. I recommend dipping your jigheads in powder coat paint, such as Protec Powder Coat, to add appeal. 20 to 30lb braid and 30 to 40lb leaders are usually enough to stop most fish, but you can still expect the odd bust-off. Jacks have been down deeper of late under the

OLD

Barra among the storms HINCHINBROOK

Ian Moody info@ianmoodyfishing.com

It’s that time of year again where the rain is very unpredictable and patchy. Some calm weather periods have been enticing anglers to go a little further out, but the incredibly high humidity helps create those isolated squalls that can develop right on top of you. It’s just

another reason to find new spots closer inshore, so if you do have to make a dash for home or to safety, it’s not such a long trip back. A few anglers who have been managing to get out to the reef have been doing rather well on coral trout, emperor and large-mouth nannygai with an average size of around 80cm, with a few nudging just under the metre mark at around 13kg. Now that we are getting some rain, the areas of runoff

are going to be the better spots for barramundi. Depending on how much rainfall we get, it can flow fresh on the surface at the mouths of creeks and rivers, causeways etc., and we will still see good fishing in the backwaters created by the flow of tide and runoff. Now that we are right in the midst of the wet season, it’s very likely that we will see a lot more rain and freshwater runoff. This can restrict options in the short term, but

It’s a good time of year to chase barra. fresh runoff. They like to sit under it in the salt where they’re often more comfortable. A quick ambush into the surface layer to snack on the opportunities that arise is a tactic often used by jacks during this runoff period. I find that many of our fish come from the deeper presentations also, and if I can sink my lure to them, instead of expecting them to rise, I catch more fish. Surface colours are often a different choice to those we use for the

deeper stuff. Greens and naturals usually get used in the surface stuff, while fluoro orange and pinks are more contrasting colours which get used for the deeper fish. I have a Raymarine Element that’s a perfect sounder for me to find deeper fish, but you have to glance at the slider every now and then while casting snags to make the best of the opportunities that arise. Sitting just downstream of located fish and hopping vibes, plastics or cranking deep

divers down to them is a reliable way to capitalise on otherwise unseen opportunities. Being as unpredictable as it is at this time of year, I hope there’s an option that ticks your boxes in this article. Being flexible will be a sure bet to keep you on the water instead of waiting for the perfect alignment of tides, water clarity, moon etc, so stay flexible and enjoy the north. Good luck and hope you all bend a rod this month.

Neil Simpson with a 98cm barramundi. if conditions ease and return to some normality we will see the fish returning to their old haunts and feeding patterns. In times of heavy runoff, fishing out on the headlands around into Missionary Bay is probably a better option until the rains ease off. The mouth to the Cardwell Marina has been fishing well for barra as well as along the Cardwell foreshore beaches, particularly in the building tide phases. Live baiting with mullet or casting swim prawns or hardbody lures usually yields the best results. Fishing any flats with deeper drop-off edges nearby is generally what I look for.

That is because the amount of rainfall we get at any given time will fluctuate the water temperatures, which in turn will dictate where barra will go and feed. If it gets too hot in the shallows, the barra will move out into deeper areas nearby and feed there in slightly cooler water. Anglers should also be careful this time of year during the large high tides, and be aware that any flooding that occurs can result in logs and other debris floating on the surface. These hazards can be a nasty experience to encounter if you’re fishing at night. Also in March if our wet season kicks up a notch, anglers

chasing live baits (particularly mullet) would be better off looking behind the tree lines on the island side of the channel. Finding a clear opening to throw a cast net on the sandy beaches behind the mangroves is usually where I find them, on the top of the larger tides of 3m or more. • If you’re looking to do a barramundi charter with us for this year’s barra season, bookings are filling up quickly, so now is a good time to get in and get your name down on some good dates. You can make a booking by emailing us at info@ianmoodysportfishing. com, or phone me directly on 0402 339 459.

Toby from the USA was happy with this nice 79cm barra.

MARCH 2023 39

Fish’n SIPS Tagged Fish Comp is a winner In mid-December 2022, Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries launched the Fish’n SIPS tagged fish competition. The competition has a $50,000 prize pool and is open to all SIPS permit holders. Five impoundments in the Wide Bay Burnett, Central and North Queensland regions (see fact box on this page) have

had 20 legal fish tagged and released in each, so anglers have the opportunity to win part of the prize pool if they are one of the first 15 to recapture one of the tagged fish. The competition will run until 31 October 2023, or until all 15 prizes have been claimed. For more details and the terms and conditions you can go to the DAF website at www. daf.qld.gov.au.

Billy receiving his $20,000 cheque from Fisheries Minister Mark Furner (left) and Rod Thompson from FFSAQ (right).

This fishing road trip was all about catching a few iconic northern bucket list species for Billy, including fish like this jungle perch.

FIRST PRIZE, $20,000 HAS BEEN WON No sooner had the Fish’n SIPS competition begun than Maleny angler Billy Perske caught a fish of a lifetime and a $20,000 windfall to go with it. Fishing Tinaroo Dam in North Queensland with good mate Tom Hallam, as part of a trip that had been planned for several years, not only did Billy catch a metre long barramundi, he had also recaptured one of the 20 green tagged fish released in Tinaroo as part of the competition. THE STORY BEHIND THE CAPTURE There is no doubt that

When this photo was taken, Billy had no idea that this fish was worth $20,000 to him in the Fish’n SIPS competition. 44 MARCH 2023

Billy Perske and Tom Hallam will have a fishing story to tell for the rest of their lives. They had COMPETITION LOCATIONS Tinaroo Dam Lake Proserpine (Peter Faust Dam) Kinchant Dam Callide Dam Cania Dam been planning that fishing road trip for many years, with three goals in mind. First, they wanted to catch a metre barramundi, second, a mangrove jack, and lastly, a jungle perch. The final destination was to be Tinaroo Dam (to catch the barra), with the other two species hopefully ticked off along the way as they drove north from Maleny on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. By the time they arrived at Tinaroo, a tick had been placed in the boxes next to the mangrove jack and jungle perch on their list, and they hoped that Tinaroo would also be kind to them. On the first couple of days they had no success, but that just made the boys keener to get their metre barramundi. They decided to fish with live baits at night as a last-ditch effort to put the final tick onto their checklist. This proved to be the winning approach, with Billy bagging a 1.07m barra (the winning tagged fish) at 2am, and Tom getting a 1.14m fish a little later that morning. Neither angler was aware of the Fish’n SIPS

Tom Hallam, who Billy split the winnings with, caught his own metre plus barramundi later that morning. Unfortunately, no tag in this one. competition, but luckily, they did notice a yellow SUNTAG tag on Billy’s fish. Then, just as they were about to release the fish, they spotted the green competition tag as well. The next day the pair made some investigations, and they discovered that Billy may well have caught a fish worth $20,000 in the competition. After several phone calls, they found that

this was indeed the case. Billy was $20,000 richer (he decided to split the money with Tom, $10,000 each). THERE IS STILL TIME Although the second prize has also been claimed (another Tinaroo fish), there is still money up for grabs in the Fish’n SIPS competition, so check the details out on the DAF website and go and give it a try yourself.

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The only thing tougher in salt than the TX2 is the TX3. This monster has 40lb of drag and an oversized aluminium Power Handle – the ultimate torque tool for dragging noncooperative fish to the boat. The TX3’s corrosion-proof CZB Comp and Black Seal corrosion resistant bearings ensure reliability when it matters. The Alert Clicker tunes you into how the opponent is faring on the other end. Features include: hi-tech Cast Iron carbon fibre frame and side plate, CZB Zero Bearing technology and Black Seal anti-corrosion ball bearings, extra-large spool for larger line capacity, low-friction 6-way brake system (allows optimum distance when casting or added control when dropping jigs into the depths). It comes with a double paddle power handle and single jigging handle. Price: SRP $549 www.rapala.com.au

DAIWA D-BOX

Daiwa’s new range of tackle trays, D-Box, has been developed to perfectly suit the modern angler. Available in a range of sizes and depths, the D-Box range is made from recycled polypropylene. All Daiwa D-Box models feature a 4-sided clasp system to ensure secure latching and to fully compress the water-resistant gasket seal, which is installed 360° around the lid of all D-Box models. Ten models feature in the range in three sizes (small, medium and large), and three depths (shallow, regular and deep). Each box carefully designed to maximise storage and versatility, with features such as spinnerbait storage incorporated into the D-Box MD (Medium Deep) and SD (Small Deep) models. The D-Box LSU (Large Shallow Universal) is a unique box with moulded silicon holders which grab hooks and don’t let go. It’s a perfect jighead, soft vibe or hardbody lure storage box. For more information on the different models in the range, visit the Daiwa Australia website. www.daiwafishing.com.au

DUO REALIS SHINMUSHI

The ultimate cicada lure packing the highest level of customisation, the Realis Shinmushi delivers results like no other cicada imitation. This bug lure will induce bites with its silhouette and pulsation effect. It has incorporated the action of a hard body and soft rubber legs, creating a 3-dimensional pulsation that drives bass crazy. In addition, the rubber legs and feather on the tail hook will also induce bites from the bass. The most important factor for the lure is the sound it makes when falling on the surface of the water, as it plops just like a real bug. The hard body of the Shinmushi will enable any angler to create this effect. The wings work as a forward motion stopper, limiting the lure’s forward travel, while the wings create a freestyle swimming action when retrieving. Shinmushi literally translates as ‘ultimate bug’, and this lure will deliver aggressive bites whether you’re stopping it or moving it. Price: SRP $23.99 www.wilsonfishing.com

ZMAN 2.5” ST GRUBZ

The ZMan 2.5” ST GrubZ has enhanced features that create the ultimate curl tail presentation. The short and stocky body is heavily ribbed to create natural micro vibrations and a softer, more natural feel, while also retaining scent more effectively so fish can locate the lure more easily, eat it more aggressively and hang on for longer, allowing for more positive hook sets. The long, curly tail features a split tail design that creates an irresistible, soft fluttering action, that works effectively on the drop, at very slow speeds and even when rigged on ultralight jigheads. These features combine to create a curl tail that excels in all scenarios, from an aggressive bite to shut down situations. The 2.3” ST GrubZ is available now in 12 popular ZMan single and laminate colours, with 8 per pack. Price: SRP $12.95 www.z-man.com.au

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MARCH 2023 45

TESTING BOOTH

PRODUCT GUIDE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Continuing the journey with the Fate V3 13 Fishing rods As anglers it is an amazing time to be purchasing anything fishing related, especially fishing rods. There are so many options and that has translated into what I have been testing for the magazine. In the November 2022 issue, I tested the 13 Fishing DEFY Black range, which is the entry level model of the five new models Rapala Australia released (13 Fishing’s Australian distributer) in August last year. They are a great option for those of you looking to transition from a composite to a graphite rod. In this testing booth I jump up a couple of rungs from the DEFY Black range and test the 13 Fishing FATE V3 range of rods. WHAT’S DIFFERENT? The first thing that truly stands out is the cosmetics of the rods. It is all white including the foregrip, which certainly makes it stand out. This may not be to everybody’s liking, however it is something that I have taken to, I really like the visual it offers me. The other notable changes from the DEFY range is the upgrade from a 24-ton blank to a 36-ton blank and the upgrading of the Fuji guides to their Tangle Free option. Both these upgrades provide increased feel through the rod while fishing, one of the biggest reasons to jump from a composite rod to a graphite rod, as mentioned in DEFY rod testing booth. I WAS GIVEN TWO TO TRY There are only 6 models (all spin) in the FATE V3 range. Although only a small range they do cover light to heavy

The 13 Fishing FATE V3 rods are very distinctive in their appearance. They are built on a white 36 ton blank and use quality FUJI and Evolve components.

Logan River. I managed to get a number of quality flathead casting plastic rigged 1/81/4oz jigheads up onto the shallow flats of the river. These fish go hard in shallow water, so this is when you appreciate the stopping power/hook setting ability and shock absorption the FATE V3 rods offer. As mentioned I had distinct plans for the shorter, lighter FATE V3 rod. I spend plenty of time paddling my Aquayak Scout kayak around my local impoundments casting lures for bass (Lake Kurwongbah, Lake Manchester, Enoggera Reservoir and Ewen Maddock dam). When I say local, they are urban waterways with varying levels of access, that provide great fishing options for all levels of angler. Up until this season I have done the majority of this fishing using a baitcast outfit, using larger lures. However likely due to the constant in and outflows (flooding) we have had in recent years, my local bass have changed their habits and smaller profile lures have really come to the fore, in particular for me the 5cm Rapala V-Blade. Although a heavier lure (10g), I prefer to cast it on spin tackle, and being 6’6” the light FATE V3

fishing options and are all two piece. You can go to www.rapala.com.au for more information. I opted to try the FV366L2 and FV370M2 models, with some kayak bass fishing in mind for the 6’6” light model and to focus on some estuary bread and butter lure fishing with the 7’ medium version.

A quality Lake Kurwongbah bass caught using the 13 Fishing FATE V3 6’6” light model. ON THE WATER I will be the first to admit that I wish that I had some more time on my local estuaries while testing the FATE V3 rods. I had few opportunities and when I did, I didn’t always find the fish. I few things I took away from a few fishless trips while using the 7’ medium option was that it offers options in what casting weights you are throwing. The fast taper of the rod allows you to cast weights as small as 1/16oz comfortably, but will also deal with lures up to 1/2oz. Some of this flexibility comes down to reel and line choice (I found a 2000 size reel with 6lb Suffix 832 braid offered the balance I needed). Going too big or heavy (reel and line) will minimise your ability to cast smaller offerings. I also found it was a great rod to throw small hardbody lures with. No power required from the angler, the rod did all the work for you. Not all the fishing sessions were a bust, there was one memorable morning at the A morning on the Logan River casting light plastics onto shallow sand flats produced some quality flathead using the FV370M2 FATE V3 model rod. 46 MARCH 2023

model is a great option to do this from the kayak. I matched the rod with a 1000 sized reel, the same 6lb Suffix 832 braid as the heavier outfit and generally run a 10-15lb leader depending on the waterway and the size of fish in it. This combination in conjunction with using the 5cm V-Blade has been deadly across all waterways. If you haven’t checked out the Rapala 5cm V-blade range out, I think you are missing out. If you do, I suggest replacing the front twin hook with either an inline single or a treble hook, attached via a split ring. It will improve your catch rate out of sight. You will see via the images within this review, just how successful this outfit has proven to be. CONCLUSION First and foremost, the FATE V3 13 Fishing rods are a distinct step up from the

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PRODUCT GUIDE BROUGHT TO YOU BY DEFY Black range I previously tested for the magazine. You definitely feel more of what is happening at the business end of your line, which is one of the main reasons you purchase a graphite fishing rod. The

TESTING BOOTH

forget the 5cm V-Blade). I am sure if you enjoy this style of fishing, whether it is throwing plastics, spoons, hardbody lures or blades, this rod is well worth considering.

At 6’6” the light model in the FATE V3 range is a great option for anglers who like casting lures from their kayak. white cosmetic may turn a few people away, but don’t let that stop you picking them up at your local 13 Fishing tackle stockists. They are well worth the wobble test. I have really enjoyed using the FV366L2 model chasing bass from my kayak (don’t

You can check out the 13 Fishing FATE V3 rod range (as well as the other 13 Fishing rods available) at www.rapala. com.au and while you are there why not check out the 5cm Rapala V-Blades as well.

KEY FEATURES

• Japanese 36 Ton PVG36T Blank Construction • Evolve Snaggle Tooth Hook Keeper • Evolve Soft Touch Custom Reel Seat • Soft Touch Air Foil Carbon Grip • Fuji Tangle Free Concept Slim-line O Guides

Scan the QR code for more information on the Fate V3 fishing rod range.

Above 3 Images: The author has found that his local bass have changed their habits and smaller profile lures like the Rapala 5cm V-Blade have become his go to lures. He prefers to cast them on spin tackle and the 6’6” FATE V3 model was perfect to do this with.

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au MARCH 2023 47

NSW

Local ladies leading the way THE HASTINGS

Kate Sheldon

What a cracker year the ladies have had so far on light tackle fishing for the inshore black marlin season. One thing that has really stood out to me this year is the fantastic community support for the upcoming junior and seasoned ladies in the game fishing scene. During this year’s Port Macquarie Game Fishing Club Golden Lure tournament,

Coast in Spring. The first fishing location to fire for the inshore black marlin on our coastline is South West Rocks Gaol. From there south the hot spots are off Hat Head, Crescent Head, Delicate Nobby, Plomer Bay, ‘Yabbies’ between Port Macquarie and Lake Cathie, and ‘Old Faithful’ off Bonny Hills. I will generally fish where I can find the bait, between 15-50m of water, and I like to find a minimum of 22°C in water temperature. Inshore black marlin fishing is my absolute

Upcoming future fishing champion Indy Garvey (left) from boat After Hours with her 9th black marlin for the season caught in Plomer Bay. Image courtesy of @afterhoursfishing. ladies champion Cassie Herbert from boat Weekend Detention was tagging plenty of black marlin, and when reported over the radio, the encouragement coming from the other competitive fishing ladies was heart-warming. The inshore black marlin season generally starts around a few weeks before Christmas each year, and ends around April. The local fishos usually listen out for how the season is progressing down the coast from around Fraser Island and the Gold

favourite type of fishing. Catching my first black marlin back in 2015 is still one of my greatest memories. I’ve now lost count of how many I’ve caught over the years, and I feel that I’ve perfected the art of catching inshore black marlin, and you can too. Targeting the fishery doesn’t require heavy game fishing gear – most of these fish are only 10-60kg and you can get away with a basic fishing tackle setup. My reliable tackle setup is a Wilson Venom Overhead 7ft rod (PE 2-5), matched to a Shimano Tiagra 12 (or Tiagra 16), spooled with 10kg main line, 60lb leader and a circle hook. I’ve found the best bait is a live slimy mackerel bridled to the hook, and you want to slow troll at least two separate baits one long and one short closer to the boat. Black marlin can either be very inquisitive or quite shy, using teasers and or dredges can also help. The best bite time usually a few hours before and after the top of the high tide. If you want to know more about targeting black marlin, head into your local tackle store and chat to the knowledgeable staff. As we head into spring and the warm east Australian current continues to push

down our coastline, we should start to see some good catches of spotted and Spanish mackerel in close and wahoo out wider. Make sure you’re using wire rigs and get ready for Bruce to chase down your catch once hooked. RIVERS The fishing is still very productive, and there are bait fish everywhere, including garfish, yakkas and poddy mullet. The Macleay River has been providing anglers with fun flathead sessions on lighter tackle, with some small cobia as by-catch. Lake Cathie and the Camden Haven River have been yielding some quality whiting on surface lures and bait. Anglers have also been picking up a few nice bream on the break walls, with bonito strips being the stand-out bait.

All round fishing guru Harriet Crowley from boat Backed Up II with a black marlin she caught off Delicate Nobby. Image courtesy of @hazza_crow. catches reported from the northern end of Lighthouse in Port Macquarie and near the entrance of Lake Cathie. The best bait has been live

Shark fishing world record holder Amanda Lamond from boat Rare Breed with a striped marlin she caught off Crescent Head. Image courtesy of @lamond.fishing.

Kristy Bateman with the first ever black marlin she caught in Plomer Bay. Image courtesy of @kris_cleb.

BEACHES Bream and whiting are still being caught consistently, with good

beach worms. There are also plenty of tailor and bonito being encountered around

Diamond Head and in Crowdy Bay. ROCKS Land-based game fishers have been reporting the odd longtail tuna, along with Spanish mackerel and cobia. No doubt there will be plenty of interest from the rock fishos over the coming weeks, and your best bet is to fish off the northern headlands, particularly around South West Rocks and Hat Head. Shelly Beach in Port Macquarie has been producing a few good-size tailor at sun-up, along with some bream. Good luck to anyone heading out for a fish over the next month, and keep on encouraging our lady fishos. • Kate Sheldon has extensive experience working on charter boats, and is the proud owner of Bay Explorer Marine Services. She specialises in making deep drop fishing rigs for blue-eye trevalla, bar cod, kingfish and bass groper. For more info look up ‘Bay Explorer Marine Services’ on Facebook and Instagram, or find her store on eBay.

Fluctuating temp and clarity THE HASTINGS

Patrick Linehan

The warmer water ripping past the coast over the last couple of months has slowed down a touch. More frequent north-easterly winds have begun to roll the water in close, with the water temperature and clarity fluctuating from day to day. The marlin bite has shifted along this part of the coast, with the bulk of the small blacks now south of Forster. There has been some crazy billfish action down at Port Stephens recently! Locally, there 64 MARCH 2023

Bonito are along the rocks, walls and even up the river.

have been a few pelagics showing up inshore, but as to be expected, the fish thin out when the water temperature drops. There’s been a decent run of cobia to the north, so there should be a few getting around. At the time of writing this article, there haven’t been any significant numbers of Spanish mackerel or longtail tuna just yet. That said, there are plenty of smaller pelagics like bonito, frigate and mac tuna around if you’re chasing bait or a bit of fun on the light tackle. I’ve still got my fingers crossed that the rain holds off! In the estuary, flathead, bream, tailor

Jariah Knuckey with her first lurecaught mulloway on Castaway.

NSW

Big blue bearing big fruit FORSTER

Luke Austin

This month is one of my absolute favourite months of the year for fishing! There are so many options out there right now, with a huge array of species on offer. The estuary fishing continues to tick along very nicely. Fishing during the run-out tide with soft plastics or vibes will give you the best shot at finding the flathead and bream, and both of these species have been the standout targets by a mile. The better fish are still schooled up in and around any structure sitting to the east of Wallis Island. Bream have been particularly hungry, and just about any lightly-weighted bait offering or small soft plastic has been absolutely smashed when cast into areas such as The Paddock (or just about any other oyster lease) or down along the rock walls. The Tuncurry rock wall has been producing some particularly solid fish, with one angler managing to land a beastly 53cm fish

Chasing snapper in March can be super fun! that fell for a good old strip of mullet! Huge schools of whiting have been spotted sitting on the sand flats downstream from the bridge, and the area in and around the rock pool has been absolutely stacked with really big whiting, which is really cool to see, but remember that this area

Casey with a typical autumn cobia. and trevally are still being caught in good numbers, particularly around the whitebait schools, which seem to be concentrated in the lower half most days. At times there has also been a fair bit of bait upriver. There are even a few bonito in the mix, too. The days with a bit of wind are proving to be the pick for surface action on the flats, with

cicada lures working well for bream under the trees further up the river. There are a few small mulloway in the river at the moment, but the better fish are hard to find. On the beaches, whiting and bream numbers are pretty good along Lighthouse Beach and around Lake Cathie. On the decent days, North Beach has been fishing well for tailor and bream.

is a no fishing zone! In areas where fishing is allowed, fish are nice and active and have been happy to gobble up baits of beachworms, yabbies and even artificial worm baits like the ones from Gulp. The mouth of the estuary has been a popular place for both land-based and boating anglers of late, as they take advantage of healthy numbers of hungry mulloway. There is a real mix of sizes schooled up along the walls at the moment, with most fish ranging from about 40cm through to 120cm or so. When these fish school up in these sorts of numbers, they are often relatively easy to catch and can be caught on live or dead baits, as well as a huge variety of hard and soft lures. If you are going to target these amazing fish, please take the time to learn the regulations around minimum size and bag limits! These fish are very special and if we are to keep enjoying them for generations to come, we need to look after them, and to see anglers keeping undersized fish or more than their one fish limit is absolutely infuriating! Fishing from the rocks can be amazing in autumn, and this year has already proven to be productive for most anglers. Plenty of pelagic action is occurring up and down the coast, but unfortunately the sharks have The crab season remains pretty quiet, and I’ve noticed there haven’t been as many traps being set this month, which is a sign there’s been little reward. • Castaway Estuary Fishing Charters specialises in calm water, guided estuary lure fishing experiences based in Port Macquarie, NSW. For more information visit: www. castawayfishing.com.au.

been very active as well, and will make short work of a fighting longtail tuna! The bit of little swell that we had recently made for perfect conditions to chase some big bream, and there has been the odd early season drummer sneaking about as well. The rocks down south have been worth exploring early and late in the day, and a few dedicated anglers have been landing some very nice land-based snapper up to about 4kg. Our local beaches have been fishing well, which is to be expected during late summer and into autumn, with most stretches of sand holding some nice deep gutters to explore and anglers have been landing some very healthy mixed bags of bream, whiting, flathead and tailor. Those anglers who have put in the time have found the odd mulloway up to about 12kg, however the tailor have been painful for anyone using live or cut fish

Jack with a nice spotted mackerel. All sorts of pelagic species can turn up during March. baits, so it may be worth soaking some beachworms as an alternative. Offshore fishing is well and truly on! The snapper fishing has been amazing, with lots of solid fish getting about. It hasn’t mattered if you are fishing up north, down south or out the front, it seems that just about every reef has been holding fish. The deeper reefs are also producing the odd trag and pearl perch, and if you happen to drift off onto the soft stuff there have been plenty of tasty flathead waiting for you. The pelagic scene is still cruising along beautifully, and Spanish and spotted mackerel are about in good

numbers. Mackerel can be found on just about any inshore reef complex, and with by-catch species including cobia, longtail tuna, snapper, spangled emperor and mulloway, it’s an insanely exciting time to be hitting the shallow reefs! • Luke is the owner of Great Lakes Tackle – your ‘local’ bait and tackle store. We only sell the best brands and offer sound, friendly advice on where you can go to land your next trophy fish while visiting the wonderful Great Lakes region! Open 7 days in the main street of Tuncurry. Ph: (02) 6554 9541 or find us on Facebook to see what we have been up to!

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MARCH 2023 65

VIC

Small waters, big results BALLARAT

Shane Stevens

The warmer weather has definitely arrived, so anglers need to change their mindsets and tactics to ensure we give ourselves the best opportunity to snag a fish or two. I mentioned last month that we should be looking at heading out early morning and evenings, in general the coolest parts of the day, this

there are many small dams and reservoir located in our forests, within 20-30 minutes of Ballarat, that have good numbers of mainly redfin and some of them grow to trophy sizes as well. My thoughts are grab some maps or look on Google Maps and head out and do some exploring, the results will speak for themselves. I must also mention, hard yards will still need to be done to catch the good ones, but it’s

like others. Donnie has been catching plenty of smaller models and some excellent sized redfin, some in the high 40s. Many any of us anglers drive past, a lot of these small waters to go fishing elsewhere. Donnie mentioned that time of the day has been influenced his results, as mentioned early morning and evenings have been best, covering as much fishable water as you can, not just having half a dozen casts, and if you

lures or soft plastics, if one doesn’t work try another and so on, vary the speed of your retrieve, try something different mix it up until you find the winning formula. Hayden Wilson has been having a purple patch recently whilst chasing redfin around the Ballarat area, targeting quite a few of the smaller waters also reaping the rewards, catching some rippers nudging the 50cm mark. Hayden has also spent a fair bit of time out at Moorabool Reservoir, hitting it up at the prime times, with results speaking for themselves, nailing some big redfin on ZMan Baby Goat soft plastics with Gold Jig Spinner attached, which has been catching the eye of the local redfin. Hayden said it’s getting harder to fish out at Moorabool with all the weed, “I’ve been casting the plastics over the weed into the clear pockets and working those areas, using a high stick retrieve, which is basically holding your rod upright when winding your lures/plastics in. This keeps them high in

Cohen Bandy, Luke Taylor and Paul Dawson got in amongst the redfin at Tullaroop Reservoir on Vibe lures. Photo courtesy of Cohen Bandy

Angus James nailed a magnificent Lake Wendouree redfin using a ZMan Baby Goat on a jig spinner soft plastic. Photo courtesy of Angus James. could also be expanded to have a look at many of the small waters that are dotted around the Ballarat and Central Highlands Region of Victoria. We are lucky that

worth it in the end. Donnie Rogers is one such angler who does plenty of exploring around the Ballarat and surrounding areas, in search of waters that don’t get heavily fished

don’t get a hit, leave and go somewhere else. Time and effort is the key, look for structure fallen trees or weed beds, the redfin use these for cover to ambush their food, try different

Donnie Rogers has landed some ripper redfin from some of our smaller waters around Ballarat including this beauty from O’Keefe’s Dam near Creswick. Photo courtesy of Donnie Rogers.

Hayden Wilson has been having a purple patch recently catching plenty of big redfin around the district, including this one caught from Moorabool Reservoir. Photo courtesy of Hayden Wilson. 94 MARCH 2023

the water column and less likely chance of them being fouled up with weed.” Redfin are definitely in those clear pockets of water, it can be frustrating hooking up on weed at times and then when you get them on bringing them back through the weed is another challenge, but it’s worth it. There are still some areas that are not choked up with weed, yet it’s a matter of putting in the yards and

walk a fair way to fish the steeper/deeper banks where it hasn’t grown yet, once again it’s worth the effort Hayden said. Darcy Stokell a newcomer to Ballarat, but not a new comer to fishing spending plenty of time fishing the Wimmera area, I’m sure many of us will run into, as Darcy is working at Rehfish & Co one of our local tackle shops. Darcy has been hearing all the

reports, which have been filtering through about Moorabool Reservoir and how good the fishery is and how big some of the trout and redfin are that are out there. Darcy decided that we would head out and find out what all the fuss was about. His plan was to fly fish the evening rise if there was one and hopefully fish after dark for a while, hoping the mud eye feeding

VIC

Quality over quantity The fishing at Lake Purrumbete remains steady, especially if you want to nail a trophy brown trout or Chinook salmon. Now they are not being caught in large numbers and nor should they be. This is partially down to the sunny weather making many fish shy in taking a bait or lure but also because these trout do not get to this size without being a tad crafty. First and last light is the prime time to be on the water and the shallow weedy bay between the boat ramp channel exit and Horan’s point remains the top spot to wet a line but don’t discount the water from Horan’s Point around

to the quarry. Fishing several metres out from the shore hugging weed growth is a great area to concentrate one’s efforts. There are still plenty of small redfin out there ready and willing to steal a bait or three set out for trout. Don’t throw these nuisance fish back alive. Dispatch quickly before disposing in the lake where they will very quickly form part of the food chain. Throwing dead fish into a rubbish bin only creates bad odours plus a definite health hazard. Of course, if they are big enough to fillet, please do so. Schools are also hanging just off the bottom in depths around 15m and can easily be picked on a depth sounder. Jigging lures, plastics and presenting live bait such as minnow hooked through the jaw is working. Don’t

forget to add some berley to the mix to keep the fish fired up. Lake Bullen Merri remains the go to lake despite some blue-green algae present as big tiger trout along with plenty of Chinook salmon are active and ready to take a lure or bait. Trolling Loftys style Cobra lures as well as a variety of medium diving minnow or stick baits has seen plenty of hook ups. 8-10m depth is the go, and so too is bottom bouncing a pilchard along with berley in similar depths. The Mount Emu Creek still has flow and a couple of locally intrepid anglers have scored the odd brown trout to 800g taken on surface lures cast from the bank and worked across the larger pools where the flow is markedly decreased.

trout or redfin would come in close enough to have a crack at. Darcy not being familiar with the water was provided with information on where to go with what wind etc, a little bit of local knowledge that can be easily obtained given where he is employed. Darcy found a small area that was fishable water and started fishing, there was plenty of surface activity he said, with

any trout, and then all of a sudden trout appeared in front of him off the surface, Darcy said it was feeding on whatever it could find it wasn’t fussy, I popped a Shaving Brush fly pattern as I’ve heard of many guys catching trout out there on them, I popped it out where he was feeding, when I saw this snout come out of the water and engulf my fly. I set the fly then all of a sudden all hell broke loose; this fish went ballistic as

The stories and reports that I had listened to were and are true, our tussle continued for what seemed like an eternity, when I eventually got him to the net, my new PB trout and trout on fly a 73cm brown trout estimated around the 9-10lb, some photos were taken and this magnificent brown trout was released to fight another day. All the stories, I’ve heard about Moorabool are true, hopefully this is not my

CRATER LAKES

Rod Shepherd

More reasonable redfin have been taken at depths at Lake Purrumbete using minnow style soft plastics. our very wet 2022 year. Goulburn Murray Water was concerned for the safety of boaters/water users, not only on Tullaraoop but some other waters for the same reason. Anglers have been chaffing at the bit, to get back on the water, especially those who like to chase redfin. We were given the green light for boaters to put boats back on Tullaroop and did the locals hit the water in numbers. There has been plenty of reports filtering through, from word of mouth and social media, with some big bags of redfin being caught. Some work colleagues Luke Taylor, Cohen Bandy and Paul Dawson headed out to see if they could get amongst them and that they did, catching a truckload redfin of all sizes from little guys to excellent table sized fish up

to 40cm, only keeping what they needed. The boys said they took a bit of finding initially, trolling lures in varying depths, then they got onto them in about 3m of water and it was game on fish after fish on vibes. Just jigging up and down underneath the boat, fish after fish, with lots of little guys with some bigger ones in amongst them. The boys reported other anglers catching plenty using jigs, vibes, plastics and baits. I’m sure Tullaroop will see plenty of anglers over the next few months, given the words is out the reservoir is open to boating and the redfin are on the chew. There is plenty of water to fish with a couple of designated boat launching areas, being at the dam wall and Gulloways Bay. Lake Wendouree has certainly quietened down for the guys chasing trout,

this is due to the warmer water temperatures, on the flip side to that, the redfin are on the chew. Angus James has been out getting amongst them, fishing clear pockets of water in amongst the weeds. Angus moves around trying all his favourite haunts until he gets onto them. There’s no rhyme nor reason as to when and where they are going to be, just persistence Angus reckons. When Angus has been able to find them, the redfin have found his ZMan Baby Goat on a jig spinner soft plastic too irresistible not to eat. Angus has put a few Youtube clips up on how he targets redfin around the Ballarat area, well worth checking out. Big Redfin on Soft Plastics - Fishing Tips with Angus James

Darcy Stokell landed his new PB on fly, a 73cm brown trout, which engulfed his Shaving Brush fly pattern whilst fishing Moorabool Reservoir for the first time. Photo courtesy of Darcy Stokell plenty of Caddis, Damsel Flies and Dragonflies buzzing around, plenty of food to entice a fish to move in and feed on them. Darcy tried a few different fly patterns catching a few small redfin, with no sign of

I’m sure I would when all of a sudden I’m on the end of a fishing line, jumping out of the water trying to throw the hook, I got nervous myself with my heart racing at a million beats per second when I saw how big this trout was.

first and last big trout from the Reservoir. Tullaroop Reservoir is once again open to boating; it had been closed for quite a few months due to the high-water levels, as the Reservoir continually spilling over as a result of

Neal Morgan caught his PB dogtooth tuna while trolling off Tydeman Reef, FNQ. This magnificent fish was approximately 35kg and fought hard going down deep. MARCH 2023 95

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Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

It’s been a while since we’ve jumped in a Yellowfin Plate boat, which are manufactured by Telwater on Queensland’s Gold Coast. The last ones we tested were powered by Evinrude outboards. Interestingly, the now discontinued Evinrude’s owner, BRP, is still owner of Telwater boats. And Telwater boats are now packaged with Mercury outboards. Got it? Simple! The 7m Centre Cab hull we were presented from Yellowfin Plate arrived on a Telwater Move trailer, and was rigged with a Mercury 200hp V6 outboard. It’s a rig that’s put together for Telwater

Main: Here’s the rig you get to sign out for the weekend if you’re a Telwater employee – a Yellowfin Plate 7000 hull on a Move Trailer powered by a V-6 200hp Mercury outboard. Sweet. Above: It’s important that the people who make the boats get to experience what it’s like to use the boats they build. “This boat has only been put together since November 2022, so there have only been a few trips for this rig – Hervey Bay, Tweed Heads and some night fishes,” Telwater’s Adam Crossley said. “You can handle all water conditions in this.” Other inclusions for this boat included a big Simrad multifunction display in the helm, an anchor winch and a toilet in the centre cab. Like all Yellowfin Plate boats, this is a sturdy,

easily maintained rig that is suitable for most things you can throw it at around the country. It has an above waterline, self-draining hull. Made of aluminium checkerplate, it is designed for getting dirty

and then easily getting clean again. There is a transom door that folds inwards on the starboard side. Across the transom there is a battery hatch which holds the cranking and house batteries and isolation switches. Above this there is a bait station which holds rods, drinks, plenty of tackle boxes and the messy side of your bait rigging. In the port corner of the transom is a plumbed live bait tank with clear window so that you can see it from the cockpit. The cockpit itself is quite large. There are some fulllength side pockets to keep your easily accessible gear at hand, and a deck wash to help you stay civilized during a session. Moving forward to the centre cabin, and the helm is comfortable. On the port side there is a large, sturdy cabin door which encloses the semi-bunk and toilet area. On the right-hand side are your flush-mounted sounders and gauges. There are very sturdy handrails on both sides.

It was noticeable that this boat was not fitted with Mercury’s digital throttle and shift. After driving DTS controls, cable controls seem to feel a little bit stiff and less adjustable than their modern counterparts. I would definitely be opting for DTS controls as well as the maximum 225hp rated outboard for this boat. Cockpit visibility is good, and while driving you rest on a massive centre seat box which acts as the bulk of your dry storage. Economy in this rig is pretty good. At 3,500rpm and 39km/h, you get 1.7km per litre of fuel burned. Combine this with a 380L fuel tank and you get well over 500km of theoretical range. Drive wide open at 66km an hour (5,200rpm) and your economy drops to a litre per kilometre. This rig, as tested, costs $138,500, although package prices start for less. You can check in with one of the 15 Yellowfin Plate Boats dealers around the country to start pricing up your dream 7m Yellowfin Plate.

SPECIFICATIONS Although the 200hp is adequate for the 7000 hull, we’d recommend the 225hp maximum rated horsepower engine. It’s the same V6 platform as the 200 and the same weight. staff to use on their weekends and time off. It makes sense that the staff that make the boats get to experience what they are like on the water. The rig is supplied 116 MARCH 2023

on one of Telwater Move trailers – rated to 3200kg. It means that anyone with a 3.5 tonne rated twin-cab ute can sign the boat out and take it for a run.

Length ................... 7.01m Beam .......................2.4m Max HP......................225 Capacity......... 7 persons Standard fuel..........280L Hull weight..........1075kg Top sides ................ 4mm Bottom sides ......... 6mm Depth .................... 1.25m

There’s definitely enough space for a couple of people to travel comfortably behind the console.

Top: The T-Top is built solidly and holds rods up and out of the way. Above: C’mon Telwater … get your staff an electric motor!

There’s enough room to walk around the front of the console, but cockpit space is prioritised over casting space up front.

Top: The anchor well is spacious and has room for a winch, but it does chew into the usable space. Above: There’s plenty of space to mount a large MFD in the helm, as well as Mercury Vessel-View. The port side of the console is dedicated to a sturdy door that gives access to the cabin.

At the business end there’s a mountain of cockpit space – all self-draining and easily maintained.

The transom is tidy. The door folds downward instead of swinging open, and all tackle and batteries are concealed behind doors.

Left: Behind the strutted door is a small-ish cabin with a head. Top Right: You can definitely curl up for a sleep in here, but we wouldn’t describe it as a twinberth cabin. Bottom Right: The Mercury definitely matches the boat’s style.

Top Left: Long side pockets hold all of the gear you need out on the water, as well as a washdown hose. Top Right: This is the YFP bait station. It’s big enough to get the work done. Bottom Left: Yellowfin’s deep V takes the sting out of rougher waters. Bottom Right: You can fit plenty of stackable tackle boxes in here. MARCH 2023 117