• 2021 TOURNAMENT ANGLER GUIDE INSIDE • Species Spotlight
Southern summer pelagic action with Mark Gercovich QLD NSW VIC
TAS
WA
Features Summer pelagic action • Kayaking: fishing the flats • Rod tip top tips • Cheating the taxman • Boat Test: Stabicraft 1850 Fisher EW • •N F N
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INSIDE
February, 2021 ISSN 2652-5798
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VIC
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CONTENTS
OUR COVER February 2021, Vol. 1 No.10 TAS
QUEENSLAND Gold Coast 14 Southern Bay 16 Brisbane 18 Northern Bay 20 Noosa 22 Hervey Bay 26 Gladstone 31 Bundaberg 28 Mackay 32 Whitsundays 34 Townsville 35 Hinchinbrook 36 Cairns 37 Port Douglas 36 Cooktown 38 Cape York 39 Freshwater 408 NEW SOUTH WALES Pittwater 48 Sydney North 49 Sydney Rock 50 Sydney South 52 Ballina 54 Coffs Harbour 56 Hastings 58 Forster 59 Port Stephens 62 Swansea 62 Central Coast 63 Illawarra 64 Batemans Bay 65 Bermagui 66 Tathra 66 New England Rivers 68 Hunter Valley 68 Lithgow/Oberon 69 Albury/Wodonga 70 Batlow 71 Canberra 74 VICTORIA West Coast 76 Warrnambool 77 Cobden 77 Apollo Bay 76 Geelong 78 Port Phillip East 80 Port Phillip West 82 Western Port 84 Phillip Island 85 Lakes Entrance 87 Gippsland Lakes 86 Bemm River 88 Marlo 88 Mallacoota 88 Robinvale 90 Bendigo 90 Ballarat 91 Wangaratta 92 Yarrawonga 94 Shepparton 94 Crater Lakes 95 Eildon 96 Nagambie 97 West/South Gippsland 95 6
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From the editor’s Desk...
WA
Several times a year we make lots of extra work for ourselves by printing supplements to the magazine. Since the consolidation of the titles into a single, national mag, we have done one for boating and one for tackle. This was in lieu of the boat shows and the annual AFTA trade show being COVID-cancelled. This month’s supplement, though, is a stalwart of the magazine. Every year since 2003, the ABT Tournament Angler Guide has been produced by the Fishing Monthly team. There’s no secret that the companies are closely related – they share some ownership and an office premises.
Sally Taylor with a cracking snapper she caught off Coffs Harbour.
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A Dayne Taylor image. Come and visit Fishing Monthly Group’s official Facebook page for all your monthly fishing information. Download QR Reader to access.
TASMANIA Hobart 75
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WESTERN AUSTRALIA Esperance 98 Augusta 99 Bunbury 100 Busselton 100 Mandurah 101 Metro 102 Lancelin 104 Geraldton 105 Kalbarri 105 Exmouth 106 Broome 106 Karratha 107 Freshwater 108
Published by:
Qld Fishing Monthly Pty Ltd ABN 72-010-542-195
46 DPI NSW
SINCE 1987
Business Office: Unit 1, 11 Knobel Court, Shailer Park, Qld, 4128 Phone: (07) 3387 0800 Fax: (07) 3387 0801
REGULAR FEATURES Southern pelagic action 8 Starlo’s back to basics 12 Kayaking: fishing the flats 42 Tech Tricks 44 What’s New Fishing 72 Sheik of the Creek 97 Recfishwest 98 Track my Fish 110 Tournament Calendar 112 Trades and Services 114 Boat Test: Stabicraft 1850 Fisher 116 Tide page 118 COMPS AND OFFERS Find the logo Fun page
The Tournament Angler Guide has taken many forms over the years, from a solid, 150+ page technical giant on glossy, perfect bound pages a decade ago right through to a digital-only operation in 2014 when we were going through a few issues internally. More of that to come after a court case… It sits now as a free insert to Fishing Monthly, which means that it reaches all of our readers, nationwide. And that’s a great place for it to be. Like every FM magazine, the Tournament Angler Guide (TAG) is filled with advertising outlining the sponsors of the series. These are local companies who recognise that for over 20 years, ABT has been a bit of a breeding ground for new techniques. This, of course, leads to more tackle development and the cycle continues. If you look at your lure box, I’m sure you’ll see some influence in there whether you’re a tournament angler or not. So please enjoy the free addition to this edition, as well as the regular coverage that we love bringing you. And a small heads-up, if you’re keen on a free Fishing Monthly shirt with your 2-year subscription, act reasonably soon. The massive pile of shirt boxes is slowly dwindling and it won’t see the year out. Details inside!
FISHING MONTHLY MAGAZINE
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Managing Editor: Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au Editorial Manager: Jacqui Thomas Editorial: Nicole Penfold Field Editors: Jason Ehrlich Publishers: Steve Morgan, Matthew Drinkall Advertising: Phone: (07) 3387 0800 Fax: (07) 3387 0801 Copy and materials should be sent direct to: ads@fishingmonthly.com.au Advertising Enquiries: Ph: (07) 3387 0800 Peter Jung: pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au Nicole Kelly: nkelly@fishingmonthly.com.au Printing: APN – News Corp Australia
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Production: Matthew Drinkall
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SUBSCRIPTION HOTLINE FREECALL 1800 228 244 $65 for twelve issues (GST inc.) Recfishwest
All material is © copyright, and cannot be reproduced in part or in full, by any means, without written permission of the Managing Editor. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.
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Southern summer pelagic action WARRNAMBOOL
Mark Gercovich mgercovich@hotmail.com
Cruising around in an open boat on a flat blue sea, casting lures at fast-moving pelagic fish, is something
targeting kingfish down south is from late December through to late March, and if conditions aren’t good, there is a minimal chance of being successful. Ideal conditions are warm to hot days with flat glassy seas and minimal swell and
driving around looking for cruising fish. Unfortunately these cruising fish can be found in anywhere from 2-30m of water, which in itself requires a degree of dedication. Many anglers will look for a while then give up and go bottom bashing for a gummy, set up a trail for a mako or jump in for some crays. However, once you find them, the real fun begins. Kings are usually far more responsive than the summer tuna, but there are times when they can be fussy and cagey. Like
a surface popper out of nowhere, watching one tailing your stickbait for a few metres then obliterating it in a shower of spray, or casting your soft plastic or slug over a school and having multiple kings climb all over it as it skips back to the boat, are some of the most exiting sportfishing experiences you’ll ever have. It is this sort of action that drives anglers to spend many days and hours on the water in pursuit of this adrenalin rush. Unfortunately, after all
Kingfish often succumb to a reaction bite. They might not be in a feeding mood, but the commotion made by a surface lure can entice them into action. experiences are awesomely exciting, then inversely there is nothing more frustrating than seeing a metre-plus king (or 10) swim all the way to the boat with its nose behind
the lure, then turn away. Sometimes this happens after one or two fish have already been caught from the school, which is fair enough; big fish don’t get big by being dumb.
SBT have been a consistent presence in summer over the last few years. we used to associate with sportfishing in more tropical climes. However, when the conditions all come together, this kind of fishing is readily available further south. There has definitely been a boom in recent
wind. Now, as those who are familiar with a Victorian summer know, you can go days, even weeks without these conditions occurring. Coinciding available fishing time with good conditions can be a very difficult proposition for
You don’t have to go far offshore to find some action. that effort of trying to find them, some days they will follow your lure but not take it. If the aforementioned
Use a rod that can cast long distances but is light enough to use all day.
Kingies are usually far more responsive to lures than summer tuna. years of anglers targeting summer pelagic species, namely yellowtail kingfish, southern bluefin tuna and Australian salmon. YELLOWTAIL KINGFISH The peak season for 8
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many anglers. A lot of anglers associate kingfish fishing with targeting certain specific locations, like pinnacles and reefs, but most of the kings we encounter come from
many lure-caught species, kingfish often succumb to a reaction bite. They might not be in a feeding mood, but the commotion made by a surface lure seemingly can entice them into action. Having a big king smash
Australian salmon can provide plenty of fun particularly on light tackle.
However, sometimes this happens as soon as you come across a school. This can be immensely frustrating as you pursue them across the sea, trying to get casts in, only for them to be refused. The quick thinking or prepared angler who can quickly present a live bait into the mix before the fish departs the scene, can often be rewarded in this situation. Alternatively, towing a live bait or squid strip out the back as you are casting works well. Add a glitter float or two to the equation to help attract the fish, and you’re in business. And if you are searching at a quicker speed on the main motor, a spread of lures or teasers can bring unseen fish to the surface within
casting range. Once you have found a school there are a number of different lures that you
particularly in drawing up unseen fish. We don’t do much specific jigging for kings,
Sometimes a surface school will suddenly pop up so be ready for action. can cast. In true kingfish fashion, what works one day can often be refused the next. DUO Hydras, 12” Slug-Gos and the Jack Fin Stylo all replicate the garfish that kings love to feed on. At other times a more subtle subsurface offering with a soft plastic like a 7” BaitJunkie Jerkshad does the job. Stickbaits work well at times too. Any stickbait that can be worked quickly, but then stops when paused and gives a bit of sideto-side flutter on the way down will do the job. A popper that throws a fair bit of spray like the Williamson Jet Popper can be an effective proposition,
but we like to have a jig rigged up anyway. Sometimes a surface school will suddenly pop up below
the boat on the sounder, and if you have a jig ready you can add bonus fish to your bag. BLUEFIN TUNA When the southern bluefin tuna began to make a welcome, consistent return to the Southern Victorian coast in 2006, they usually appeared around autumn and persisted through until the winter weather closed in. However, in the past few summers, tuna have been a consistent factor in the Victorian summer pelagic equation. Where once the capture of a summer tuna rose eyebrows, and the tuna-king double was a sought-after rarity, it lately has become a more reliable proposition.
The quality of the SBT is getting better every year.
Chasing pelagics is exciting stuff, especially when it all comes together.
The quality size of these summer fish is also impressive; although they’re not the barrel-size fish that many anglers target later in the year, they are still good, solid schoolsize fish, usually in the 15-30kg bracket. Another benefit is that the fish are often closer to shore at this time of year, often in around 20-30m of water, and we have found them as close as 7m at times. They also seem to be popping up further and further along
the coast, with fish spread from Portland in the west of the state, right through to offshore Western Port Bay in good numbers last season. Yes, they can be hard to tempt at times, but I’d rather fish in shorts and bare feet and catch only one good fish, rather than have a more productive day out trolling in the middle of winter. Here are a couple of hints to help you if you are trying to chase these summer run bluefin. To page 10
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Tech Tricks
Rod tip: 10 top tips BRISBANE
Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com
Looking after and maintaining your fishing gear is definitely the best approach to ensure it will work for you when required. However, accidents happen with anglers often left with a broken rod guide or tip. Guides require a bit more attention to fix than the average angler is willing to do and you will require
several materials and tools to complete the job to a similar standard to which the rod was made. Most will rely on the services of a skilled rod repairer to complete this task. Rod tips can be a little easier however and it pays to know the basics because you can often repair them in quick time to get a rod back into service quickly. If time allows, I definitely recommend that you take your rod to a proper rod repairer (most good tackle stores have these),
as they will complete the job better than most of us can. This will probably only take a day or so to have the job completed properly with the correct new tip glued on with epoxy, a bind put below the tube and this thread sealed and lacquered to give a professional look. However, if you a re just about to go fishing and notice that the insert is missing from your rod tip then you can probably make a decent emergency repair to get the rod back into immediate service.
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There are a lot of different styles, finishes, sizes and strengths of rod tips. Most lighter rods will have a strong, yet light tip whilst rods designed for heavier applications will have a much sturdier tip that will be much more durable. Whilst it is not imperative that you put exactly the same tip on the rod as what came off it, it is desirable to have a quality tip that will perform as required and balance well with the rod. Some rod tips have a higher quality insert ring than others, such as Sic (silicone), Alconite, Cermet and Torzite. Long term you should try and replace these with a similar quality, however for a quick repair any tip that will fit well can be utilised. Fuji is probably one of the most easily sourced brands of high-quality guides and tips and these should be available from any decent tackle store.
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To put a tip on correctly you will need some adhesive to affix it, binding thread, thread sealer and rod varnish or lacquer. If doing rod tips regularly then it might be worth investing in these supplies however for the average angler it is likely more economical to take your rod to a qualified rod repairer.
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Gluing your tip on is best done with some two-part epoxy such as Aradite, Devcon, Z-Poxy or a similar epoxy with a five-minute drying period. Definitely don’t use superglue. If the need arises to replace the tip again in the future, you will often have to cut the rod blank to get the damaged tip off as superglue wont melt. Two-part epoxy such as these will soften when heat is applied and allow the tip to be removed easily when required.
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Hot Melt glue is another way to put a tip on quickly. However, it is not as strong as two-part epoxy. Additionally, it has a low melting point therefore if your rod is in a hot area (such as the car in summer) the glue will soften and the tip will move or even come off. However, glue sticks such as the Fuji Hot Melt Glue are handy to do short term repairs. When going on extended trips I take one of these, a lighter and an assortment of tips so I can replace a tip if I have a mishap. 44
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Heavy duty tips and rollers will definitely require a two-pack epoxy to affix them securely. A bind below most of these is advisable but not essential. If needing to make an emergency repair you could glue the tip on with epoxy and then put the bind on later by doing it yourself or take to a rod repairer. The exception is the tip shown which has the bind on leg. These are often used on jigging, stickbaiting and popping rods as the bind prevents the tip from twisting when under serious pressure. This leg must be bound on otherwise it will interfere with the line. Do not use hot melt glue for affixing heavy tips and rollers as it isn’t strong enough- only use two-part epoxy.
Tech Tricks
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To remove a damaged tip from your rod, gently heat it with a naked flame or a heat gun. A plier can be used to grip the frame and apply pulling pressure. Ensure that the line of pull is directly in line with the rod. Do not overheat the tip of the rod or you may damage the blank. This is extremely likely with fibreglass rods- the tip will go soft and must be cut off before a new tip is applied.
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Once the old tip frame is removed, use the end of a knife blade to scrape away the remaining glue debris. If you are careful with heating the old tip to remove, you should be able to save the old bind below the tip. However, if it is damaged from the heat, use a knife to remove the remaining epoxy and thread whilst taking great care not to nick the rod blank. A semi-sharp knife is better than a razor blade as it is less likely to nick the blank if you slip.
Push the rod tip all the way on. Look down the length of the rod to ascertain that the tip eyelet is in line with the other eyelets. Hot melt glue will only take a few seconds to set whilst most of the two-part epoxies will take 3-5 minutes. Keep checking the tip stays in line until the glue sets. If you stuff it up, remove the tip and start again. Excess glue at the bottom of the tube can be wiped away before it fully sets.
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After sourcing a correctly sized rod tip, either mix up some two-part epoxy or heat the end of your glue stick. Apply a little glue to the end of the rod (about a centimetre) all the way around the blank. Hot melt glue sets quickly so you may need to again heat the portion you applied to the rod before pushing the tip on.
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Whilst simply gluing a tip on will get you back to fishing, adding a bind will make it look a lot better and eliminate any rough edge at the bottom of the tip tube. Being able to do a quick rod tip repair can be very useful and may save your fishing trip. However, if you want a professional look with an epoxied bind below the tip, purchase the appropriate supplies to complete the task or take your rod to a quality repairer.
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Recreational Fishing Update Mix Fishing With Citizen Science This Season
Rescued Natives Restock Macquarie
Photo: Courtesy of Al McGlashan
As we head into the peak summer/autumn fishing season, the Research Angler Program (RAP) wants your fish frames for research! The eight eligible RAP species include mulloway, kingfish, snapper, dusky flathead, tailor, black bream, Spanish mackerel and spotted mackerel. Hopefully, you’ll have a chance to land at least one of these species this season!
Weird Mulloway Ear Bones!
Remember, you don’t need to catch a trophy-size specimen - the frame from any legal-sized fish from the above list will provide our research team with valuable data. As well as playing a key role in a fisheries research program, you’ll receive info on your fish’s age plus an entry into our monthly draw for great prizes. For more details, search “Research Angler Program” on the DPI website.
Do Your Bit To Ensure Fishing Access To Sydney’s Walsh Bay
Thousands of Murray cod fingerlings produced by adult fish rescued during 2019’s savage drought have been released into the Macquarie River in western NSW. The 50,000 cod fingerlings released late last year are the progeny of fish saved from the river during a joint rescue effort by local landholders, volunteers from Inland Waterways Ozfish and DPI Fisheries. The rescue operation resulted in about 700 native fish – including multiple metre-plus Murray cod – being relocated from severely drought affected sections of the river. Some 25 of the rescued fish were sent to DPI’s Narrandera Fisheries Centre where they were used as brood stock. The recent native fish release in the Macquarie was a major milestone in the NSW Government’s $10 million Fish Rescue Strategy. The native fish rescue and restocking effort is a great example of landholders, anglers and DPI working together for the benefit of native fisheries.
Respect The Fish! Instead of a hard, solid and smooth otolith (fish ear bone), have you ever seen one in a mulloway that felt like a lumpy sugar cube? If so, what you’ve got is a “vateritic” otolith. Partial or fully vateritic otoliths occur in about 1 in 100 mulloway donations that are processed by the Research Angler Program (RAP). Recently, keen fisho Mike Hollis (pictured) kindly donated the frame from a 98cm Hawkesbury mulloway to the RAP for ageing. Upon dissection of the fish, we found the vateritic otolith pictured here (along with a “normal” otolith for comparison). The otoliths in all fish species are composed of aragonite, a crystalline form of calcium carbonate. Vateritic otoliths initially form like normal otoliths but at some point the calcium carbonate begins crystallising as vaterite instead of aragonite. This results in otoliths that are larger, lighter and more brittle than standard aragonite otoliths. The underlying causes of vateritic otolith formation remain unknown, but it has been recorded in many fish species from both marine and freshwater environments. If you’re interested in finding out more about fish ageing and related information, subscribe to the free RAP newsletter by searching “Research Angler Program” on the DPI website.
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Walsh Bay’s piers are well known as great fishing locations but plenty of other Sydneysiders use these shared facilities as well. Here are a few quick and easy responsible fishing tips when you’re fishing at Walsh Bay – or anywhere else, for that matter! • When setting up your gear, avoid obstructing walkways so there’s room for other users to safely pass by. • Ensure you respect local residents and businesses by keeping the noise down and behaving in a courteous and responsible way. • Clean up any rubbish – even if it’s not yours! Doing your bit by fishing responsibly at busy shared locations such as Sydney’s Walsh Bay will go a long way towards ensuring continued access at these key locations.
Many anglers targeting key sportfish such as Australian bass and estuary perch prefer to practice catch & release these days. If you enjoy a C&R session on these highly popular species, show your respect for these great Aussie natives by always handling them carefully before quickly releasing them. Holding bass and EPs vertically by their lower jaw is strongly discouraged as it may cause mouth injuries and spinal damage, particularly if they are large fish. Please provide additional support to all fish and avoid handling them using their jaw only. Find out more about best practice fish handling and release by searching “catch and release fishing” on the DPI website.
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
Product Profiles
BlackWolf backpacks
Halco Slidog 105
Halco has expanded its stickbait range with the inclusion of the Slidog 105. The Slidog measures 105mm long, weighs 28g and comes rigged with no. 1 Mustad trebles. This slow/medium
sinking stickbait is an extremely versatile lure. During the extensive field testing process, it accounted for a wide range of species, from snapper to Spanish mackerel. The Slidog can be worked fast or slow, on the surface,
through the water column or on the bottom. When this lure sinks and falls through the water column, it shimmies from side to side, and this action has proven to be irresistible to demersal and pelagic species alike. www.halcotackle.com
The new BlackWolf Blackout will be the perfect companion for your day-to-day needs as you tackle the urban or outdoor environment. Weighing in at less than a kilo, the Blackout is perfect to carry around on your next adventure. The ‘Origins’ 3D EVA AirMesh II harness is designed for comfort, while the sternum strap helps distribute the weight of your belongings to minimise fatigue and maximise your energy. Having a padded handle and padded straps will allow you to travel comfortably throughout the day or night. The Blackout is
Smith’s Knife & Hook Sharpener The Smith’s Deluxe Knife & Hook Sharpener is the perfect tool for keen anglers. This new sharpener really comes into its own when you’re trying to sharpen very dull or damaged knives and hooks, but it can also be used to maintain the edge on knives that are already sharp. The Deluxe Knife
& Hook Sharpener is lightweight, compact, and built tough, and comes with a soft grip handle, a non-slip base, and a handy built-in line cutter. It works quickly to provide a durable, longlasting cutting edge, and has preset sharpening angles for perfect results every time. There are multiple hook sharpening grooves, and
it has a soft-grip handle with finger guards and a non-slip base. The Deluxe Sharpener is priced at around $20 and is available at selected marine outlets and kitchen supply stores. Check out the Smith’s Consumer Products Facebook page to see more fishing and hunting knives and sharpeners. – Smith’s
packed with convenience and practicality to keep you going as you travel the extra mile. With all external zip pockets and internal organiser, your essentials will be packed according to your needs, saving you from rummaging through your pockets to give you more time to go about your day. The laptop sleeve, compression straps, and internal zip mesh pocket will ensure that your belongings are kept safe and secure, with two water bottle holders allowing for easy access to all your hydration points. Built with a 150D yarn-dyed woven camo with a compound bottom, the Blackout is heavy-duty and is sure to endure any environment you test it in, delivering the signature BlackWolf quality. The BlackWolf Blackout is available in a 20L and 25L capacity, and both versions have a suggested retail price of $129.99. For more information or to find your nearest stockist, visit escape2.com. au. – Escape2
Where do my fishing licence fees go? Funds raised from the NSW recreational fishing licence are placed into special trusts, and spent on projects to improve recreational fishing. Committees of anglers provide recommendations on expenditure from the trusts: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Fish stocking Artificial reefs Fish aggregating devices (FADs) Recreational fishing havens Fishing facilities e.g. fishing platforms and fish cleaning tables Kids fishing workshops Fishcare Volunteers Gamefish tagging Get Hooked...it’s fun to fish, primary schools education Fish habitat restoration
www.dpi.nsw.gov.au FEBRUARY 2021
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WHAT’S NEW 20 TEAM DAIWA BLACK
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20 Team Daiwa Black epitomises everything that has made the Generation Black and TD Black before it so popular. The 20 Team Daiwa Black is the best yet, with the adaptation of Next Gen X45 technology. Rods featuring HVF Nanoplus and Next Gen X45 are more responsive, cast further and are more sensitive than rods without, and this is evident in the 20 Team Daiwa Black range. A new Air Sensor reel seat is 40% lighter than a traditional reel seat design and helps maintain a balanced overall setup when paired with a correctly matched reel. Fuji Alconite guides adorn the blank and provide trouble-free performance. Newly released LKW frames on baitcast rods are lighter than the LN guides from previous versions. With 37 models in the range consisting of 1, 2 and 3-piece models in both spin and baitcaster, there is a Team Daiwa Black rod to suit every application and target species. www.daiwafishing.com.au
HOBIE COMPASS DUO
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The Mirage Compass Duo is powered by dual MirageDrives with Kick-Up Fins that retract on impact. New for 2021, the Duo is now upgraded to both forward and reverse capabilities with the upgraded MirageDrive 180. Equipped with the MirageDrive 180 and a MirageDrive with Glide Technology, the Duo delivers a smooth and efficient ride for two. The Duo’s sleek hull design maximizes speed and stability, while greatly reducing drag. The cockpit features comfortable, ergonomic seating, 4 x integrated H-Tracks for accessory mounting, and abundant above and below deck storage compartments to house gear for two. The sleek waterline and Kick-Up Rudder system make for an impressively nimble tandem kayak that’s highly responsive, easy to steer and extremely durable. The roomy Compass Duo is simple to use and adventure-ready, making it the ideal choice for water outings with adults, children, and furry companions. www.hobie.com.au
LOWRANCE ELITE FISHING SYSTEM
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Lowrance’s new, Elite Fishing System (FS) combines a full line-up of fishfinding tools with a display that is easy to use and easy to install. With New ActiveTarget Live Sonar you can watch high-resolution images of fish movements. This innovative solution, which is an additional transducer and module, allows users to see how fish are positioned in structure and how they respond to a lure presentation. Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar featuring CHIRP, SideScan and DownScan Imaging with FishReveal, which helps you easily recognise fish from structure and cover on high-detailed DownScan images. Integrated wireless, NMEA 2000 and Ethernet connectivity allows you to create the complete system. You can add a Halo Dome Radar, Outboard Pilot or share sonar, charting, waypoints, and other user data between multiple displays via Ethernet. Available in 7” and 9” displays, the new Elite FS series includes a variety of model options with and without Active Imaging, as well as ActiveTarget Live Sonar transducer solutions (ActiveTarget kit sold separately). Price: SRP $1699-$2299 www.lowrance.com
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PRODUCT GUIDE
PERSONALISE YOUR OUTBOARD
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There’s a new way to personalise your Mercury outboard – with factorypainted accent panels. The panels are made of thin, durable polycarbonate, and you can use them to colour harmonise your engine with your boat, or to simply make a statement. The panels come in five shades – red, blue, silver, grey and black – and there’s also a Ready-For-Paint option which is primed and ready for coating with your own shade of urethane paint. Each Colour Trim Kit comes with four painted panels, specialised adhesive, replacement Mercury and horsepower decals, as well as easy-to-follow installation instructions. These colour accent panels are available for 3.4L V6 and 4.6L V8 engines. For a limited time, you will also receive a sample of Mercury Marine’s All-in-One Spotless Shine, which is formulated to clean and protect your paint and decals with a high lustre finish to make your engine really stand out (not included in Pro Black and Ready-For-Paint kits). To find out more, visit your nearest Mercury Dealer or visit the Mercury Marine website. www.mercurymarine.com
SAMAKI BARRA SHIRT
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The big, boofing barramundi, our iconic Australian native, is the centrepiece of a new Performance fishing shirt from Samaki. The hungry barra has its bucket mouth open and ready to pounce on its prey. The charcoal colour of this shirt suits offshore fishing or creek walking, allowing you to camouflage into the environment if required. There is also a subtle camouflage pattern under the arms, adding a hint of detail. This super soft touch breathable fabric is perfect on or off the water, with its cool, moisture wick-away material that’s rated to UPF 50+. Samaki designs are brought to you by Australian anglers who love to design Australian species. Performance Barramundi shirts are available in adult and youth sizes from a size 8 through to a 2XL, allowing the whole family to get in on the action and out onto the water. For more information and stockists, check out the Samaki website. You can also follow them on Instagram (@samakifishing) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/ samakifishing). www.samaki.com.au
MUSTAD MINI INK VADER
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The Mini Ink Vaders were developed in response to requests for a smaller and more finesse Ink Vader to target shallow and still water fisheries. The Tenya variant features both a fixed Tenya hook and an assist hook on a 55lb assist hook braided line. The two eyes on the Tenya hook offer the option to fish vertically or horizontally, improving the chance of landing the big one. This jig is so realistic that the current can give enough action to the tentacles to get a bite. Lures with the 20g zinc weight have a red eye, while those with the 30g lead weight have a gold eye. The Double Assist rigged Mini Ink Vader offers anglers more options for technique and presentation with the same proven lifelike TPE body for which the Ink Vader is known. Similar to the original, this jig’s assist hooks hang side by side amongst the tentacles, hiding in the action. Short, slow jigging presents the Ink Vader with the most realistic action. Lures with the 20g zinc weight have a red eye, while those with the 30g lead weight have a gold eye. www.wilsonfishing.com
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Email: sales@endeavourmarine.com.au Website: www.endeavourmarine.com.au FEBRUARY 2021
73
Tournament Calendar 2021 DATE
Tournament
FEBRUARY 6-7 Feb 13-14 Feb 20-21 Feb
Location
State
Contact
East Coast Sport Fishing Flathead Pro R1 Clarence River 2021 13Fishing BASS Pro R1 Blue Rock Lake 2021 Daiwa BREAM R1 Gippsland Lakes
NSW VIC VIC
Kris Banks 0407 996 135 abt.org.au abt.org.au
MARCH 6-7 Mar 9-11 Mar 13-14 Mar 20 Mar 20-21 Mar 21 Mar 27-28 Mar 27-28 Mar
2021 Daiwa BREAM R2 Daiwa BREAM Australian Open 2021 13Fishing BASS Pro R2 Humminbird Owners’ Tour East Coast Sport Fishing Flathead Pro R2 East Coast Bream Series R1 2021 BKK Hooks BASS Electric R1 Glenelg Hopkins CMA BCF Bream Classic
Lake Macquarie Sydney Glenbawn Dam Hervey Bay Forster St Georges Basin Toonumbar Dam Warrnambool
NSW NSW NSW QLD NSW NSW NSW VIC
abt.org.au abt.org.au abt.org.au www.humminbird.com.au Kris Banks 0407 996 135 www.wsbb.com.au abt.org.au www.vicbreamclassics.com.au
APRIL 17-18 April 18 April 18 April 24-25 April
East Coast Sport Fishing Flathead Pro R3 2021 BKK Hooks BASS Electric R2 East Coast Bream Series R2 2021 13Fishing BASS Pro R3
Bellinger River Lostock Dam Lake Macquarie Clarence River
NSW NSW NSW NSW
Kris Banks 0407 996 135 abt.org.au www.wsbb.com.au abt.org.au
MAY 1-2 May 1-2 May 16 May 16 May 22-23 May 29-30 May
2021 Daiwa BREAM R3 Glenelg Hopkins CMA Bream Classic 2021 BKK Hooks BASS Electric R3 East Coast Bream Series R3 East Coast Sport Fishing Flathead Pro R4 2021 Daiwa BREAM R4
Forster,NSW Nelson Clarrie Hall Dam Hawkesbury River Port Macquarie Ballina
NSW VIC NSW NSW NSW NSW
abt.org.au www.vicbreamclassics.com.au abt.org.au www.wsbb.com.au Kris Banks 0407 996 135 abt.org.au
JUNE 5-6 June 13 June 19-20 June 19-20 June
2021 13Fishing BASS Pro R4 2021 BKK Hooks BASS Electric R4 East Coast Sport Fishing Flathead Pro R5 Daiwa East Gippsland Bream Classic
Cania Dam Maroon Dam Nambucca River Mallacoota
QLD QLD NSW VIC
abt.org.au abt.org.au Kris Banks 0407 996 135 www.vicbreamclassics.com.au
JULY 11 July 24-25 July
2021 BKK Hooks BASS Electric R5 Hinze Dam East Coast Sport Fishing Flathead Pro R6 Macleay River
QLD NSW
abt.org.au Kris Banks 0407 996 135
AUGUST 7-8 Aug 11-12 Aug 14-15 Aug 14-15 Aug 15 Aug 21-22 Aug 21-22 Aug
2021 13Fishing BASS Pro R5 BREAM Queensland Open 2021 Daiwa BREAM R5 East Coast Sport Fishing Flathead Pro GF East Coast Bream Series R4 2021 BKK Hooks BASS Electric R6 Atomic East Gippsland Bream Classic
Somerset Dam Moreton Bay Gold Coast Nambucca River Botany Bay Borumba Dam Marlo
QLD QLD QLD NSW NSW QLD VIC
abt.org.au abt.org.au abt.org.au Kris Banks 0407 996 135 www.wsbb.com.au abt.org.au www.vicbreamclassics.com.au
SEPTEMBER 11-12 Sept 12 Sept 13-17 Sept 18-19 Sept
2021 Daiwa BREAM R6 East Coast Bream Series R5 Venom BARRA Australian Open 2021 BKK Hooks BASS Electric GF
Gladstone Sydney Harbour Awoonga/Monduran Lake Lenthalls
QLD NSW QLD QLD
abt.org.au www.wsbb.com.au abt.org.au abt.org.au
OCTOBER 2-3 Oct 9-10 Oct 15-16 Oct 17 Oct 17 Oct 26-27 Oct 30-31 Oct
Humminbird BASS Electric Aus Open Club Marine East Gippsland Bream Classic 2021 Zerek BARRA R1 2021 Zerek BARRA R2 East Coast Bream Series GF Rapala BASS Australian Open 2021 13Fishing BASS Pro GF
Wyaralong Dam Metung Lake Tinaroo Lake Tinaroo Hawkesbury River Clarence River Richmond River
QLD VIC QLD QLD NSW NSW NSW
abt.org.au www.vicbreamclassics.com.au abt.org.au abt.org.au www.wsbb.com.au abt.org.au abt.org.au
NOVEMBER 15 Nov 16 Nov 18 Nov 20-21 Nov 27-28 Nov
2021 Zerek BARRA R3 2021 Zerek BARRA R4 2021 Zerek BARRA R5 2021 Zerek BARRA R6 NS Rods Sunline Bream Classic GF
Teemburra Dam Kinchant Dam Peter Faust Dam Peter Faust Dam Marlo
QLD QLD QLD QLD VIC
abt.org.au abt.org.au abt.org.au abt.org.au www.vicbreamclassics.com.au
DECEMBER 3-5 Dec
2021 Daiwa BREAM GF
Port Stephens
NSW
abt.org.au
Add your tournament or competition to this list by emailing jthomas@fishingmonthly.com.au Just supply a date, venue, tournament name, telephone number and contact name. 112
FEBRUARY 2021
Thank You! To all our loyal readers, supporters and contributors. We proudly have maintained our position in the
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113
Stabicraft 1850 Fisher with Yamaha 115hp
- SC
TENT -
RE ONLINE MO
Q
R
RA
CON
AN THE
CO
DE FOR EX
T FMG
Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au
It’s been a little while since we did this test. In the meantime, the YouTube review video’s racked up nearly 50,000 views. The Stabicraft 1850 is right in the hitting zone for a lot of Aussie boaties – it’s small enough to tow on a singleaxled trailer but it’s big enough to get well offshore and tackle some of your bucket-list species. As such, it’s also at the more affordable end of the Stabicraft scale. These quality-built New Zealand boats have gained quite a cult following, with some of their larger rigs turning heads wherever they go. As tested, this rig came in it at $69,996, however packages can start at around $60,000. We caught up with Northside Marine’s Mark Golden and Yamaha’s Will Lee on the test morning. It was a mirror-calm Moreton Bay – conditions which we dread because of the bashing we get from keyboard warriors. It lets us make a great video, but not distil an opinion about rough water performance. “Stabicraft boats are
Main: You can see the Stabicraft hull working as designed here. The reverse chines on the pontoons direct the spray back downwards. We loved the functionality and the ease of stowing the shade top. Above: At 18 and a half feet, this rig is small enough to tow easily on a single-axle trailer but large enough to target big fish in open water. inherently the most stable and safest rigs we sell,” said Mark when asked about Stabi’s unique pontoon and floatation system. If you’re unfamiliar with it, check out the images of the hull: sealed, welded sections surround the gunwales and offer 1570L of buoyancy in this model. “And because of this, we
PERFORMANCE RPM.......................km/h........................km/L 1000 ............................ 7 .......................... 3.5 2000.......................... 12 .......................... 2.2 3000.......................... 25 .......................... 2.4 3500 .......................... 33 .......................... 2.5 4000.......................... 39 .......................... 2.3 5000.......................... 52 .......................... 1.8 5700 .......................... 64 .......................... 1.5 116
FEBRUARY 2021
find that it’s a very easy boat for beginner boaters to handle in quite rough conditions,” he continued. Essentially, you’ll hit your limits before this boat does. The 1850 we tested was fitted with a Yamaha F115 4-stroke outboard and keeps it simple. Minimal paint and a clean layout mean that it’ll be easy to maintain with the garden hose. At optimum cruising speed, this rig delivered 2.5km/L economy at 33km/h and 3,500rpm, giving a range of nearly 300km on a tank of fuel. Wide open, she hit 64km/h at 5,700rpm and the economy dropped to 1.5km/L. Personally, I’d probably
like a lick of paint on the checkerplate floor, especially in more northern climates
where the reflection from the sun can be problematic. There are not many creature comforts in this boat, and that’s because it’s designed as a serious fishing boat for those wanting to increase their range further than their local inshore waters. Above the head though, the canopy is excellent. It offers shade in all the right places, especially while driving the boat and then it’s a matter of pulling out two pins to fold the whole thing over and into the hull of the boat. Very handy if you want to fit it into a carport. Driving a Stabicraft is reasonably unique, they don’t bank into corners like differently designed hulls but they do jump up and out of the hole pretty easily. I have the feeling that you could add plenty of people and camping gear and you’d have no problems. The test rig was supplied on a single axle trailer, but I’d prefer a twin for a boat
of this size. Fewer things to go wrong on the road when you’re not pushing the limits of the gear. Unique Stabicraft design includes a rear console/work station that features a cutting board on top of a live bait tank and then a battery tray underneath. I’ve seen this SPECIFICATIONS Length:.............. 5.69m Beam:................ 2.30m Fuel: .................... 150L Rec.HP: ................... 90 Max.HP: ................ 140 Capacity: .... 6 persons in a few Stabicraft over the years and the concept works well and owners love it. For more information, contact Northside Marine www.northsidemarine.com. au and make sure you Like ‘Northside Marine - your boating partners for life’ on Facebook for updates.
Stabicraft offer excellent stability at rest, thanks to their pontoon system that makes the craft very safe as well.
We loved the functionality of the shade top as well. It was in exactly the right place to get the job done.
Stabicraft definitely don’t bank into turns like other hulls can. The waterline beam counters a lot of the roll.
A couple of comfortable helm seats and an open cabin is all that an angler needs to get into the fish.
Personally, I’d order a twin axle trailer for this rig, but the single keeps the price down and lets you manoeuvre it into tight garaging spots.
Clever underseat storage options can be customised by the buyer. The test model had an esky and some tackle storage options chosen.
The Stabicraft like their multi-function rear stations. Bait on top of a livewell and batteries underneath. Their inherent stability allows them to design like this.
The helm is simple and effective. And we love a helm that can flush mount your electronics. Let’s face it, anyone that buys this boat will fit a decent sized sounder/GPS.
There’s plenty of room for a windlass in the anchor well, but don’t expect to use this as an accessible fishing platform.
Checkerplate floors are super easy to keep clean and dry in minutes. Many keen anglers prefer this to carpet.
The rear fold-down seating is fairly Spartan but also easy to clean.
There is access to the anchor well from the cabin. FEBRUARY 2021
117
MERCURY
NO SACRIFICES NO COMPROMISES NO APOLOGIES
BETTER ECONOMY
MORE TORQUE
V6 3.4L 200HP FOURSTROKE
12-16% BETTER
FUEL ECONOMY
12-15%
MORE
LEADING COMPETITOR
20%
VERADO
TORQUE
V8 4.6L
250HP PROXS
16% BETTER
FUEL ECONOMY
LEADING COMPETITOR
TORQUE AT 3500-4500 RPM
FOURSTROKE
LEADING COMPETITOR
TORQUE
200HP
4.6L
300HP
LEADING COMPETITOR
MORE
V6 3.4L
V8
*Based on testing done by Mercury Marine’s Product Research & Development team. Torque data collected on a Dynamometer at cruise speed, an average of 3500-4500 rpm. Fuel economy testing done using a 23 foot Centre Console boat for both 200hp engines, while a 21 foot Bass boat was used for the 250hp testing.
Go online or contact your nearest Mercury Dealer to find out more about the Mercury V6 / V8 range, taking performance, efficiency and reliability to the next level.
mercurymarine.com.au
Tournament
abt
FREE GUIDEBOOK
Guide
21
21
abt
Australian Bass Tournaments
ABT Tournaments
www abt.org.au
abt
Tournament Angler Guide
abt.org.au
Tackle box must haves for 2021
We have a saying at ABT. It’s two words ... “sponsor karma”. It describes the disproportionately large number of times an event sponsor’s angler or product leads or wins an ABT event. It happend all the time. If you want to partake in some Sponsor Karma yourself, simply buy ABT sponsor products! They represent the top shelf of BREAM, BASS and BARRA gear. Here’s a selection.
Lowrance Ghost Trolling Motor from MSRP $5219
Samaki C-12 v3 from MSRP $399.99 Bassman Spinnerbaits Allrounder Jig MSRP $10.95
Rapala DT20 Helsinki Shad (HSD) MSRP $25.95
Sufix 131 10lb Neon Chartreuse MSRP $49.95
Keitech Easy Shiner 3” MSRP $14.99
Steez Cover Chatter MSRP $15.99
bass
Palms Slow Blatt Cast 20-40g from MSRP $12.95
ZMan 2.5” Slim SwimZ (8Pk-MSRP $12.95) w/ TT Lures DemonZ Jighead (3Pk - MSRP $11.95)
bream TAG 2021 abt
Pro Lure 80mm Live Cray Soft Bait MSRP $9.95 (due out in Feb) VMC 7548 BD Bladed Treble #2 MSRP $14.95
BKK Striker + Assist from MSRP $9.99
Garmin GPSMAP 8412xsv MSRP $4999
Pro Lure S36 Crank MSRP $16.96
18
Ecogear ZX40/43 416 - Dark Knight MSRP $20.99
Lew’s KVD LFS Series MSRP $280
Sunline PE ADV MSRP $49.95
Liquid Mayhem Shrimp Scent MSRP $19.95
Hydrowave H2 Australia MSRP $799
Ecogear Bream Prawn AU-03 - Salty n Pepper MSRP $14.99
Garmin Force Trolling Motor MSRP 50” $4999 / 57” $5099
59mm Suspending CRANKA Minnow MSRP $20.95
Lowrance Elite Fishing System from MSRP $1699
Samaki Redic MS60 - Pink Lady MSRP $22.95
Keitech Mad Wag Mini 3.5” MSRP $12.99
abt
Tournament Angler Guide
barra
abt.org.au
VMC Swimbait Bladed 7346BS 9/0 Weedless Hook MSRP $21.95 Rapala X-Rap Peto XRPT14 Live Roach (ROL) MSRP $32.95
Zerek Live Swim Bait MSRP $28.95
Keitech Swing Imact Fat MSRP $17.99
Daiwa Double Clutch 115 MSRP $29.99
Zerek Fish Trap from MSRP $17.95
ZMan 7” DieZel MinnowZ (3Pk MSRP $19.95) w/ TT Lures SwimlockZ Jighead (2/3Pk MSRP $15.95)
Sufix 832 150yd 30lb Coastal Camo MSRP $39.95
Zerek Live Mullet MSRP $22.95 Garmin Panoptix Livescome System from MSRP $1999
Molix Shad 140 MSRP $15.95
Zerek Flat Shad MSRP $17.95
Samaki Redic DS100 - Whitebait MSRP $26.95
Westin Ricky the Roach 14cm RNR pre-rigged - Spangled Perch MSRP $17.99
Lowrance Active Target Live Sonar System from MSRP $2299
BKK Viper-41 Trebles from MSRP $14.99
Pro Lure XL Shad from MSRP $11.95
Sufix Nano Braid 150yd 2lb Aqua Camo MSRP $39.95
Buck’n Bass Rain Suit MSRP $1454 BKK Spear-21 SS Trebles MSRP $10.99 50mm Single Hook Cranka Crab - 11 Colours MSRP $22.50
DM-52 Worm Hook MSRP $7.95
BaitJunkie 2.5” Grub MSRP $11.95
Pro-Cure Super Gel Scent (MSRP $24.95) & Pure UV Liquid (MSRP $32.95)
Rapala Fat Jack Glassy Gill UV (GGIU) MSRP $23.95 abt
TAG 2021
19
abt
Tournament Angler Guide
abt.org.au
Fish Trappin’ 101 with BARRA TOY Anita Barra ANITA BARRA
Liam Robinson & James Wilson
The Zerek Fish Trap was the lure we used to catch around 85% (50 odd) of our barramundi across the 2020 ABT rounds. The Fish Trap has been a key ingredient in our improvement as anglers over the last twelve months and it played a big part in helping us win the 2020 Australian Venom BARRA Australian Open at Awoonga Dam before going on to a successful Zerek BARRA Series to come away with the ABT Barra Team of the Year. In this article we will take you through the Fish Traps we found successful, the tackle we use, the areas of the dam suited to Fish Traps and the different retrieval techniques we employed to get the impoundment barramundi biting. FISH TRAP RANGE Fish Traps come in 65mm, 95mm, 110mm and 165mm models in a wide array of colours. For barramundi we use the 110mm size most and will change to the 95mm size if there are smaller fish around the boat. In the dams we favour lighter, more natural colours 24
TAG 2021 abt
during daylight and darker colours at night. Dark Ale, Ghost Catfish and Olive Guppy have all produced results during the day, while at night we like to cycle through Red Devil, Sunset and Black Jack until we find the lure the Barra are biting on.
We will each run different colours at the start of a a session to try and get the bite. For some periods only one colour can entice the barramundi to bite. If this is the case, we will both focus on using that colour. It is important that if the bite goes cold to again cycle through
different Fish Trap colours and sizes as the barramundi can be very picky and can change their preferences several times during a night’s fishing. FISH TRAP TACKLE The type of rod you use when fishing with vibes will make a big difference to the
action you are able to impart to the lure. A fast action spin rod which is still sensitive enough to feel any bites is our preference. This type of rod helps us to manipulate the vibe with different actions whilst staying in touch with the vibe on the drop. We match these rods to
Main: The story of the 2020 BARRA Tour Team of the Year (TOY) was the Zerek Fish Trap. Liam and James mastered the bait and where to use it to get the job done ... event after event. Above: It’s hard to have a better BARRA year than the ABT Team of the Year AND BARRA Australian Open trophies.
a 4000 size spin reel. Braid is essential to feel anything that touches your lure and with time you will become better at recognising whether your lure has just touched a log or you’ve had a bite (don’t worry we still set the hooks into many logs!). Sometimes the bites on vibes are incredibly subtle for such large fish so good quality braid is a must. We used 30lb Fins Evolve this entire year and we cannot fault it. The lighter the leader the better when using vibes. We use Sunline FC100 50lb almost exclusively until we lose a couple of fish to structure. When this happens, we will upgrade to 60lb. Anything heavier than this may affect the action of the Fish Trap and result in less bites. Mustad Fastach Clips in the size 3, 75lb. Need we say anymore! You are completely mad if you are not using these. These lure clips are extremely easy to use, super strong and reliable. They are essential for cycling lures without having to retie leader. A lure retriever such as a Tackle Back is important to ensure you don’t lose too To page 26
Tournament Angler Guide
abt.org.au
Fish Trap 65 95 110
Live Mullet 4.5” 5.5”
Live Swimbait 8”
Flat Shad 5” 7” 9” For more information please visit
WWW.WILSONFISHING.COM
abt