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Impoundment bass edge bite tactics • Stalking estuary flats • Topwater trout learning curve • DIY Lure making: Glidin’ Doc

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January 2018, Vol. 23 No. 6

Contents BYRON COAST The Tweed 30 Ballina 31 Yamba 32 COFFS COAST Coffs Harbour 34 Coffs Game 35 Nambucca 36 South West Rocks 38 South West Rocks 39 MACQUARIE COAST The Hastings 40 Forster 42 Harrington-Taree 45 HUNTER COAST Hunter Coast 46 Port Stephens 47 Swansea 48 Erina 49 SYDNEY The Hawkesbury 16 Sydney North 18 Pittwater 20 Sydney Harbour 22 Sydney Rock and Beach 23 Botany Bay 24 Sydney South 26 Western Sydney 28 ILLAWARRA COAST Illawarra 51 Nowra 52 BATEMANS COAST Narooma 54 Merimbula 55 Batemans Bay 56

From the Editor’s Desk... We fought and we lost. More than six years ago, we raised the price of Fishing Monthly magazines (all states) to $5.95 from $4.95. I honestly believed that it would be our last price rise. Ever. After all, it’s our readership that makes this magazine what it is. We have lots of readers all loving to hear about their own state. Reports on what’s going on in places they fish is more relevant than exotic species in exotic locations. So, when our newsagent distributor dictated that they needed a bigger chunk of the pie, we were left with no choice but to add a dollar to the cover price. This issue is the first time a Fishing Monthly magazine has cost you $6.95. Well, not if you count the old Annual magazines

($9.95), Catch magazine ($19.95) or Tournament Angler Guides ($9.95), but you get what I mean. It’s not an easy road for publishers at the moment. In recent years we have encouraged anglers to sign up for subscriptions, with the result that over 7000 copies of Fishing Monthly are mailed each month to loyal readers. However, in the last few years, Australia Post has raised postage prices by over 50%. Couple that with increasingly poor service in the same timeframe, and there’s no wonder that I have much less hair that I did in 2013! We have been left with no choice but to pay a premium to Australia Post to send our subscriber magazines via Priority Post. It grinds my gears to pay a company extra because of how poorly they do their job. But we will,

because we owe it to our supporters. A DIGITAL SOLUTION? Concurrently, we’ve quietly launched a digital subscription to Fishing Monthly in the background. Delivered via the issuu. com platform, we now have a way that you can read the magazine only hours after it goes to press. That’s a couple of WEEKS earlier than you’d get it in your mailbox. And, in the light of the Australia Post dilemma, we’ve made the deal irresistible. You just have to read the magazine on your desktop, tablet or handheld device. For the standard subscription price of $65, you now will have access to not just your home state, but ALL THREE Fishing Monthly titles – the day they go to the printer! If you value being the

first to read the monthly issue, then this solution may very well be for you. As an added bonus, all of the video boat tests, tackle reviews and other content we create is embedded and clickable in these editions. I’m not a massive fan of reading magazines online, but even I think that the speed of publication and the experience is pretty cool. Are we giving up on print? No way. I’m the world’s biggest fan of unwrapping a magazine that the postie has delivered, and enjoying the contents without the clutter that you’re bombarded with in social media. So no matter what hurdles that distributors and the postal service put in our way, you have my assurance that if you’re a fan of print, we will satisfy your need for years to come.

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SPECIAL FEATURES Impoundment bass edge bite Stalking the estuary flats DIY lure making: Glidin’ Doc Topwater trout tactics Daffodil Cottage

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ING TRADE

Fishing Diary Angler: Paul Lennon Date: May 31st 2015

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BASS

Impoundment bass edge bite NEWCASTLE

Jacko Davis

As we move through summer it’s not only the weather that will heat up. The end of spring represents the prime time of year to target Australian bass in our NSW impoundments. As the temperature rises the fish become more active and move up into the shallower margins of lakes, particularly where there is weed present. Weed beds hold an abundance of attributes that the bass find appealing; most important is the food.

Weed beds are at the start of the food chain in our impoundments, they absorb light and produce food for

the tiniest aquatic life. From there the food web begins and a range of species will be present. The bass are at

A lovely bass around 40cm.

BASS LODGE

the top of this aquatic food chain and their best chance of sourcing a full belly is in these areas. The weed also offers significant protection and habitat small invertebrates, small fish and crustaceans,

and also the bass. They use this habitat as cover to hunt throughout the day and at night. The cover gives them the confidence to ambush prey without being recognised by larger terrestrial predators such as birds. Add some wind to distort the water’s surface and impoundment bass will venture right up into the shallowest margins of the lake. For long periods throughout the year, impoundment bass school up in temperature thermoclines and can be frustratingly hard to entice. Fishing the edges is a more active approach and a lot more rewarding. You are searching for fish that are aggressively feeding and pound for pound they would go close to being the best fighting fish around. PRIME TIMES Although fishing the edges at the start of

Bass can come in all shapes and sizes like this guy. summer can be productive throughout the entire day, low light periods present

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A big bass taken from the weed bed in the background.

the best time to tangle with some of these steam trains. Like a lot of fishing scenarios, the low light is the prime time to be on the water, because the fish are more eager to move into the shallows and often feeding frenzies can occur. Early summer can throw up some interesting weather including large afternoon storm systems that build up and often don’t last long. Don’t be shy if these conditions are forecasted, as the build-up before a storm can produce some of the most dynamite bass sessions. The fish can really turn it on as the barometric pressure rapidly fluctuates, and often once the storm has passed the fish will shut down. I remember one late November afternoon last year where a large storm system was rolling in right on dusk. The fish lost their marbles and the surface action of the impoundment exploded right across the lake.

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• All-around activities • Natural contrast

A bag of average-size bass caught along the edges. These fish were kept in the livewell and are ready for release.

BASS As this system triggered many bug hatches, the abundance of food brought the fish to the surface. It was a very surreal feeling watching the dark clouds roll in from the northeast as the sun faded in the west, sitting in the middle of the lake as it bubbled from the surface bass explosions. It was one of the most amazing fishing experiences I have had and a fish a cast was achieved for a good 30 minutes.

MATCH THE HATCH The biggest cliché in fishing ‘match the hatch’ is very applicable when bass fishing, no matter the terrain. I’ve found it quite productive when fishing new water to go over a weed patch and scope the bait with a quality pair of sunnies. The most important feature of the bait you want to mimic is the size and profile. Colour isn’t as important, although the

better you imitate the bait, the more success you’ll have. It isn’t uncommon for bass to regurgitate their lunch after being caught, and looking through the ‘puke’ will give you firsthand vital information about what the fish are doing. There is a large variety of soft plastics on the market and you will generally find one that will match the bait in your system. Soft baits in the 3” range are popular

Bass are a great freshwater species to get the whole family out chasing.

Adding a jigspin to your plastic can be very effective when the fish are active.

amongst the bass fraternity and they can be cut down to better mimic the size of the bait present. It’s important that your plastic is matched with a jighead weight relevant to the water you are fishing. You want to be able to slow roll your plastic through or just above the weed without it plummeting to the bottom too quick or rising to the upper water

column on your retrieve. I’ve often found jigheads of 1/8-1/4oz are the most effective for fishing weed edges. The same goes for other lures – if you find a lot of bug activity on the surface then give the surface fishing a go, especially in low light conditions. Small shad profile baits like bony bream can be mimicked best with lipless crankbaits.

Sometimes you will find the fish are feeding so aggressively that no matter what you throw, the fish will eat it. When bites like this occur, fishing fast with lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits can be really fun as the bass hit these like freight trains. OUTFITS If there has been little rain throughout early To page 10

JANUARY 2018

BASS From page 9

spring, you can expect to find relatively clear waters within the impoundments. This clear water requires an adjustment for a successful session. Light lines come into their own in this water and, like most fishing scenarios, the lighter you go the more bites you will get. The terrain you are fishing in is also important. A lot of timber and other obstacles can be present along impoundment edges and if this is the case

then line compensation is needed. I like to fish braid with a long leader of around 12-14ft starting with leaders of around 8-10lb and moving down to 4-6lb if my presentation isn’t getting any attention. Around heavy structure 8lb line is a minimum, but with some calmness and good angling fish can be retrieved and wrestled to the net with lighter lines. As a general guide, when fishing the edges start with 8lb leader and move

down from there if the fishing is quiet. Rods and reels aren’t as important as line class and spin or baitcast tackle is a common debate among bass anglers. For me, slow rolling plastics, vibes and hardbodies are better suited to spin gear, while slow rolling lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits (heavier lures) is more suited to the baitcast tackle. Each to their own, but baitcast tackle is better for handling fish on heavy lines in deeper cover

and playing a fish on the lighter line is much easier with spin tackle. GET OUT THERE November can be one of the most rewarding months of year to be on the water, especially on our freshwater impoundments. The days are warm and the nights are still crisp – perfect conditions to camp or just head out for a morning or afternoon session. To top it off, the bass fishing can be electric. Get out there this summer and enjoy these feisty freshwater natives, and also the beautiful New South Wales impoundments they call home.

Mark Donnelly with a pair of bass any tournament angler would be proud of.

NSW offers some great impoundments to target Australian bass; make the most of them.

Louise with a lovely fish extracted from the laydown in the background.

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DIY Lure Making

DIY lure making: Glidin’ Doc BRISBANE

Greg Vinall support@makewoodenlures.com

Welcome to our fifth lure making project of the series! This month I’ve got a cool little glider for you. Depending on who you talk to, this style of lure might also be called a sinking stickbait, jerkbait, wobbler or twitchbait. No matter what you choose to call it, the Glidin’ Doc will add a whole new dimension to your hardbody lure fishing. Gliders are an oftenoverlooked style of hardbody lure, but they can be very effective if fished properly. Even better, gliders are reasonably straightforward to make. There’s no diving

lip to cut or fit, just get the body shape right and weight it correctly. A coat of paint and some hooks – and voila! FISHING WITH THE GLIDIN’ DOC Gliders have a lot in common with stickbaits, the main difference being that they work below the water surface while stickbaits work on top. Both styles have very little action if you simply crank them back at constant speed. Gliders that are designed to be worked fast tend to be heavily weighted, but the Glidin’ Doc is not one of them! This is a finesse lure, designed to sink very slowly. It’s best fished with twitches and pauses, a walkthe-dog style retrieve or other slow and erratic movements.

Template: 1 Square = 1cm

Allow plenty of slack line between twitches and you should get an erratic side-toside action. It’s perfect for imitating foraging baitfish that are unaware of an imminent ambush, or an injured baitfish that’s easy pickings. Bream, bass, ‘toga, flathead, trout and sooties are all fair game! Work it alongside fallen timber, through standing timber or around weedbeds for the best results. Balsa is a natural material that can vary in density, and no two handmade lures are the same, so you might find that your lures vary in their sink rates. No problem! By switching between lightweight and heavy-duty hooks and rings you can adjust the sink rate, or use

100% Scale

the small stick-on weights you’ll find in good tackle shops to adjust the sink rate to suit your needs. Glidin’ Doc can be fished on whatever bream, bass or trout gear you might own. As for stickbaits, a rod that’s a little soft in the tip will get more action from your lures. It just seems to soften the twitches and smooth the lure movement. I prefer a braided line with a fluorocarbon leader for fishing the Glidin’ Doc. The lure is often worked slowly, so the low visibility of fluorocarbon is an advantage, because fish have plenty of time to inspect it. MAKING THE GLIDIN’ DOC All the lures in this series have been pretty simple, but this one is about as easy as they come. The usual tools

TOOLS AND MATERIALS Tools Utility knife, battery drill and bits, hacksaw, pliers. Materials • 12.5mm x 75mm balsa plank • 1-1.2mm stainless steel wire • 120 and 240 grit sand paper • 240 grit wet sanding paper • Epoxy adhesive (with syringes and mixing sticks) • Ball sinkers (size 000) • Methylated Spirit • Holoscale foil (optional) • 3D eyes (optional) and materials apply: balsa for the lure body, a little stainless steel wire, some size 000 ball sinkers and a good epoxy adhesive like 24hr Araldite are all you’ll need. Add some paint and clear coat to tart the lure up, of course. PAINTING AND CLEAR COATING For something different, I wrapped this lure with a thin holographic material I’ve developed for lure makers, called Holoscale. This self-

adhesive film stretches over the lure and can be painted and clear-coated to give exceptional flash and brilliance that attracts fish from miles away. You can get some Holoscale for your own lures at my website makewoodenlures. com/product/holoscalemirroscale/. Of course, you don’t have to give your lure the holographic treatment. It can be painted in the same ways as our previous projects.

Visit www.MakeWoodenLures.com/Fishing-Monthly/ to download all the templates in this series. You should be used to this step by now! Print the template and transfer the side profile onto a piece of 12mm thick balsa wood. Use a utility knife to cut away most of the waste, but stop just short of the lines you marked. 2

With your lure blank on a flat surface, square up edges using sandpaper glued to a flat wood block. Use a curved sanding block to clean up the concave edge on the underside of the lure. Work gently to shape the profile down to the guideline you drew on the blank. 4

Transfer the top profile to the lure blank using your template then trim away the waste almost down to the line, and square up the blank using your sanding block. 62

Mark a line down the centre of the blank and use your side profile template to mark the locations of the hardware. Carefully drill a 2mm hole into the blank for each of the hook hangers and for the tow point. Use a 5mm drill bit to make a hole for the belly weights. You can use a couple of small sinkers rather than one larger one. It’s important for these lures to stay horizontal while they’re sinking, which is more easily achieved if the weight is spread along the underside a little.

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The Glidin’ Doc has reasonably flat sides, so the shaping process is similar to the Flat Doc from last month. You can skip drawing a centre line on the sides if you like, and simply draw a line a few millimetres in from the edge, all the way around.

Use a sharp knife to slice away the timber between the carving guidelines. Chip away with light cuts until you’ve rounded off the edge to get a pleasing body shape. A few minutes with some sandpaper will refine the shape and remove the lumps and bumps left by the knife.

DIY Lure Making 8

Twist some stainless steel wire to make your hook hangers and tow points, then glue them into the holes you drilled previously. Use plenty of 24-hour (super strength) epoxy for this. While you’re at it, glue the weights into the belly of the lure. You might find that you need to squash them a little with some pliers so that they sit neatly beneath the surface of the wood. Set your lures aside to cure.

Harden the balsa using some thinned epoxy. You can get full instructions for this at makewoodenlures.com/lure-bodies-hardeningsealing/. Then set your lures aside for a further 24 hours minimum before sanding off the gloss with 240 grit wet sanding paper. FINISHED LURE

If you’re going to try the Holoscale lure foil then now is the time to apply it. Make sure the film is nice and warm, stretch it over the lure and coat again with clear epoxy before you move on to painting. If you’re not going to foil your lures then move straight onto painting. You can also use self-adhesive eyes on this lure, rather than painting eyes on. You’ll find these on the shelves in larger tackle shops, or online.

• For extra information and video tutorials please go to Greg’s website MakeWoodenLures.com/Fishing-Monthly/ and complete the free registration. To check out Greg’s other work visit crazylureart. com and his Facebook page Wooden Lure Making.

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Rustic and fishing-friendly – Daffodil Cottage FMG

Peter Jung pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

Part of the Currango Homestead, which lies not far from Tantangara

accommodation in unique fishing-friendly locations. I was asked to go and spend some time there and provide feedback on the experience and whether or not accommodation like Daffodil Cottage is viable

1890s. While all of the buildings have been restored, there is no doubt they provide a feel and give a true insight into how people on this pastoral station dealt with the hardships of the location

Although restored, everything is in keeping with the original style from the 1890s.

From the first time you see it you can’t help but be taken in by Daffodil Cottage’s rustic charm. Dam in the Kosciuszko National Park and the NSW Snowy Mountains, Daffodil Cottage has been set-up as part of an initiative to provide anglers with comfortable

when it comes to a fishing destination. HISTORIC Daffodil Cottage was once the overseer’s residence of the homestead and was built in the late

during the times when these buildings were built. You also get an amazing insight into the beauty of the area, with its snow gum-lined views and many forms of wildlife. Kangaroos fed

peacefully in the grounds and we were visited by brumbies, possums and saw numerous lizards and snakes. It must have been an amazing effort to get to the location all those years ago and it still is today, although now there is a wellmaintained track, which makes access achievable in a 2WD vehicle. I would

homestead. There is plenty of information provided on its history and there are also a couple of picnic tables and a long drop toilet (you need to provide your own toilet paper) for you to use. RUSTIC AND ECO-FRIENDLY I would call the accommodation that Daffodil Cottage provides

sleep up to six people and is heated by a beautiful open fireplace. Although the facade is from the 1890s, there are some modern eco-friendly touches, with solar power for lighting and to run the fridge provided, as well as running water (untreated) and a gas cooking facility out the back of the building. The toilet is

It is amazing to see the brumbies and wallabies on the grounds of the homestead. recommend a 4WD vehicle, purely because the weather in the region can change so quickly and it would provide you with some piece of mind. Visitors are welcome to roam the grounds of the

Above: The cottage is a comfortable place to base yourself to explore the area. Below: Although you need to bring all of your own linen and bedding, the beds were comfortable and it sleeps up to six people. 66

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as comfortable and rustic. The building itself is set-up as I am sure it would have been at its inception. It has a wood-fired stove, an outhouse, a bucket shower, a couple of bedrooms that can

a long drop rather than the bucket or pale they may have used in those times. You need to provide all of your own linen/bedding, toilet paper and food. You also need to ensure that you

You can either cook on the wood-fired stove in the cabin or on the gas cooking station off the rear verandah.

clean up before you depart and leave the cottage as you found it. This includes taking any rubbish you have with you. There are plenty of cooking utensils, plates, cups and more, and firewood is provided for the open fireplace and stove. Although it was only mid-March when we visited, the nights were still cold and we lit the open fire. It was great and I can only tip

Mosquito Creek Arm of the dam, which is on the Port Phillip trail. It was just a matter of finding a bank that had a bit of depth to it to base ourselves from and start fishing. Our plan of attack was to walk the shoreline casting lures, broken up with a little bit of bait fishing. We also had kayaks with us if the first two failed. Although we caught a few fish on bait (scrub

the opposite bank in the afternoon. After a comfortable night’s sleep in the cottage, the following morning’s weather was a complete contrast to the previous afternoon. Heavy fog was followed by crystal clear skies and not a breath of wind. We continued our assault, casting from the shoreline and had great success early. As the fog

There are many trails that give you great access to the shoreline of the dam and some great fishing. Just look for a bank with deeper water off it. The cottage itself is wellmaintained and the cooking and toilet facilities are more than adequate. The beds were comfortable and the open

you will experience, if you happen to have a clear night like we did, take the time to go out and look into the night sky. The star show we

continued along the Port Phillip trail and fished the Murrumbidgee River Arm, as well as the many other banks in the area.

The drive in through the snow gums to get to Currango Homestead was part of the appeal of going there. my hat to those pioneers that braved this environment in the early days. FISHING-FRIENDLY Access to the foreshores of Tantangara Dam is only a short drive away. There are numerous tracks that take you to the shoreline from the Port Phillip trail or the Tantangara trail; these are the two main tracks at the top at of the lake. Take care when driving along the shoreline, as the dam’s water levels fluctuate quite a bit. If you are unsure, walk it, because if you get stuck, there isn’t a lot of structure to assist you to get out and help is far away. We decided to fish the

worms), most of our success came from casting minnow-style lures from the shore. The key was to find areas that had a deeper edge (there was plenty of shallow shoreline). These proved to be the highways that the fish travelled along and we got more than a dozen fish on what was a drizzly and sometimes windy afternoon. Most of the fish weren’t huge (the larger fish were just under a couple of pounds), but they were certainly legal. As the afternoon progressed the weather had improved and we were looking forward to heading out the following morning. We wanted to fish

cleared, the fishing tapered off and we had caught just under 20 fish with a few on ice for a feed. The fishing was simple and easy. The only other tip I could provide (other than the water depth) is to take care as you walk around. The shore can be very slippery in places (I found out the hard way) and this can result in a sore backside and hurt pride should you come unstuck. CONCLUSION Daffodil Cottage is a great base to explore this area. It’s not just fishing either, with many walking trails, riding trails and things to explore nearby.

Casting minnow-style lures from the bank proved to be very rewarding. fire was gold. It made the experience that much better. I couldn’t force myself to use the shower, as it was too cold and I was only staying one night – I will leave that for next time. Other than the snow gums and the wildlife

had was simply amazing and something I will certainly remember. I felt the fishing was excellent and we only fished a small portion of the dam. If we had a few more days I am sure we would have

To find out more about Daffodil Cottage, Currango Homestead and the other opportunities available to anglers go to www. nationalparks.nsw.gov.au. I am sure you will enjoy the experience as much as I did.

Left: The gas cooking station off the rear verandah. Centre: The rustic charm continues with the shower and outhouse. Right: The open fire in the cottage will warm you even on the coolest of nights. JANUARY 2018

WHAT’S NEW FISHING C POINT HOOKS VALUE PACK

Black Magic’s C Point hook is recognised as one of the best performing Japanesemade hooks on the market. Manufactured from high carbon steel, they won’t let you down for strength and they are nickel coated to provide excellent rust resistance. Their ‘signature’ three cutting points, coupled with a smaller than average barb, means they penetrate with ease. The popularity of C Point hooks has grown over the last two to three years, and this has encouraged Black Magic to make them available in a new Value Pack – meaning you get more hooks for your dollar. The value packs are available in 4/0 – 10/0 sizes. With the new season almost upon us, make sure you grab some packets of your favourite hook sizes. www.blackmagictackle.com

PELICAN MOBILE PROTECT

Pelican has crafted the ultra-rugged Mobile Protect backpack range for when you’re hauling your valuables such as laptops and tablets. These backpacks provide exceptional device protection as well as great utility – and will last a lifetime. Thanks to a well-thought-out interior and exterior pocket design, the Mobile Protect series can hold it all: water bottles, laptops, tablets and smartphones. The unique loopand-lock zipper pull system is featured on all laptop and media pockets, to ensure your more valuable cargo remains safe and secure. There’s also plenty of payload space for the regular items you want to carry. The foundation of Pelican’s Mobile Protect range is the durable 1000D nylon shell that boasts a water resistant coating designed to handle whatever nature throws at it. It features ballistic nylon-coated impact zones and compression-moulded EVA shoulder straps, back panel and impact zones. The polyurethane-coated YKK zippers deliver strength and durability in the face of constant use. There are three models – 35L, 25L and 20L – and all are backed by Pelican’s lifetime guarantee. Price: SRP$139.95 - $229.95 www.pelicanstore.com.au

GARMIN INREACH

Garmin’s inReach SE+ and inReach Explorer+ handheld satellite communicators can send and receive text messages with any mobile phone number, email address or another inReach device, for when you’re outside of mobile/radio range. These devices have an interactive SOS, are impact resistant and have an IPX7 water rating. Their high-sensitivity GPS provides basic navigation, location and tracking data. The inReach Explorer+ also has preloaded DeLorme topographic maps, a digital compass, barometric altimeter and accelerometer. Both units are compatible with the webbased MapShare portal, which lets you send your trip data to friends and family and exchange messages with them. Every inReach device has free access to a cloud-powered portal. They can also sync with the free Earthmate smartphone app, which lets you access unlimited maps, aerial imagery and other data. Optional weather updates are available. The battery lasts from 100 hours to 30 days, depending on the setting. To access the Iridium network and communicate with an inReach SE+ or inReach Explorer+, an active

JANUARY 2018

PRODUCT GUIDE

satellite subscription is required. You can opt for a month-to-month plan, which allows you to pay for service only when you need it. Price: from SRP AU$599, subscription plans from AU$20 per month explore.garmin.com/en-AU/inreach/

TT LURES NEDLOCKZ 4 JIGHEADS

Designed for the US market as a heavy duty jighead for the ‘Ned Rig’, a finesse rig that has blown up in the states, TT Lures NedlockZ jighead was soon being requested by Aussie anglers for applications on home waters. The flattened head of the NedlockZ jighead combines perfectly with the buoyancy of ZMan’s 10X Tough ElaZtech plastics to create a presentation that is either fleeing when retrieved or rapidly standing up vertically in a defensive pose when paused, much like a crab, shrimp or yabby throwing its claws up to defend itself, and in turn triggering a strike from predatory species. The NedlockZ also features the ‘head lock’ grub keeper to better secure your soft plastic in place. Available in two natural colours, black and green pumpkin, the NedlockZ are available in four weights of 1/15oz, 1/10oz 1/6oz and 1/5oz, with five per pack. Price: RRP of $9.95 www.ttlures.com.au

DEPS SLIDE SWIMMER

Japanese tackle giant DEPS are world renowned for quality and attention to detail, and the DEPS Slide Swimmer is no exception to this. It’s very easy to see why these cod magnets are now one of the most sought after glide baits in the country! You simply won’t find anything else like it in the Australian market place. Featuring a superbly crafted ABS plastic body, which is then encased by a soft plastic material, this bait has a more realistic look and feel not matched by any other manufacturer. The bait also grips well in the mouth when hit by species such as Australian bass and Murray cod. You will get much more time to set the hook and to ensure your catch is well and truly hooked up. Available in two different sizes (250mm and 115mm) and some great colour patterns, the DEPS Slide Swimmer is truly unique and should feature in any cod angler’s box! www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au

BASSDAY SUGAPEN 120

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The iconic Bassday Sugapen family has been expanded with a new larger 120mm model. It’s perfect for larger estuary fish as well as the offshore species. The 120 has all the fantastic attributes of the hugely popular 70mm and 95mm models. This new bigger brother has excellent casting distance, thanks largely to its slimline profile which produces minimal wind resistance to get the lure out further. The Sugapen’s most famous feature has always been its slanted cup face, and the 120 still has that spitting action while being walked, which is a big part of why this lure is so unique and effective. Coming in six great colours, including some more specialised offshore or barra colours, the Sugapen 120 is a must-have for any keen surface lure angler. For more information visit www.bassday.com.au, or for the latest news and photos check them out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BassdayAus. Price: SRP $33.95 www.bassday.com.au

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WHAT’S NEW FISHING TICA ZATARA LBXT REELS

The new TiCA Zatara range of reels is outstanding for the budget conscious angler, boating strength, versatility, durability and smoothness. The Zatara reels feature a high tensile strength thin body design with an aluminium alloy spool, solid bail arm wire, an intelligent oscillating system, computer-balanced rotor, instant anti-reverse and feature 5 rust resistant bearings. The Zatara reels offer a smooth drag system with plenty of drag washers and an oversize line roller. The Zatara reels come in 4 models, a 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 so they have most fishing situations covered and look smart in their black and turquoise finish. If you’re in the market for a new spin reel and are after a smooth but hard-wearing spin reel and don’t want to break the bank, make sure you give TiCA’s Zatara range of spin reels a look. www.jurofishing.com

Available in either a twin spin or a single blade construction, Australian made Obsession Spinnerbaits Mini Baits are a must-have if you are a avid bass, golden perch or redfin angler. Mini Baits come in 1/8oz, 1/4oz, 3/8oz and 1/2oz sizes and are built on Eagle Claw hooks. Each Mini Bait ait also includes a size 4 Gamakatsu stinger hook. They come in various jighead colours and are matched with either a hot tip or turbo-flared skirt. There are also seven blade colours in the range to further enhance their appeal. To find out more about Obsession Spinnerbaits you can contact Ray on 0428 462 397, or to find your nearest stockist go to the Obsession Spinnerbaits website. www.obsessionspinnerbaits.com

CHASEBAITS BOBBIN’ FROG

Land-based anglers are loving the new Daiwa Hip Bag, which provides a sturdy, reliable option when it comes to storing essentials around your waist. It is the ideal choice for anyone who’s tired of stuck zippers and ripped seams on their waist bags. There are two models, and both have a heap of compartments to hold all your essential tackle when you’re wading and hiking. The smaller version measures 14 x 30 x 19cm, and the larger model measures 16 x 34 x 23cm. Both are made from heavyduty denier with a padded back for maximum comfort. Other features include YKK zips, lots of pockets, a plier holder, bottle holder, belt loop and more. To see the full list of features visit the Daiwa Australia website. For all the latest news, photos, videos and competitions check out the Daiwa Facebook page at www.facebook. com/daiwaaustralia. If you want to see more great catch photos and videos from Daiwa, follow them on Instagram @daiwaaustralia. www.daiwafishing.com.au

The Chasebaits Bobbin’ Frog is designed to bob up and down and move like a real frog. It has retracting arms and incredibly lifelike legs, presenting an incredibly realistic presentation to the fish. Made of super strong 10X material, the Bobbin’ Frog is robust, flexible and soft enough to ensure an easy weedless hookup when fishing around lilies and weed beds. The hole around the hook ensures air can escape from the lure on the strike, making for solid hook sets. Before you cast out again, simply squeeze the lure to remove any water, and start twitching it along the surface. Alternatively, you can let it sink for a different swimming action. The Bobbin’ Frog measures 40mm, weighs 11g and has twin custom weedless hooks. It comes in a range of colours, including some natural patterns which match common native frog species. It’s set to be a hit with freshwater anglers chasing bass, barra, cod, trout, mangrove jacks, sooty grunter, jungle perch and more. www.river2sea.com.au

KOOLERGEL ICE EXTENDER 11

OBSESSION MINI BAITS

KoolerGel is an ‘ice extender’ – a clever product that makes ice last up to 50% longer. KoolerGel was scientifically formulated and developed to be mixed with water. To use, you just take a container (such as an empty soft drink bottle), add water, and then add the KoolerGel powder. The powder will turn the water into a gel, and when frozen it will be 25-50% colder than ice, and can last for days. One packet of KoolerGel will make 6 x 2L bottles. Your frozen containers of KoolerGel can be used to keep your esky cool either with or without ice. You can also keep them in your freezer to improve its overall performance. KoolerGel is non-toxic, non-hazardous, and environmentally safe. This product is also reusable and refreezable, and can last for years. To see videos of how to use KoolerGel, check out the KoolerGel Australia website. The site also has an online store where you can buy both KoolerGel powder and KoolerKube freezer bricks. Price: SRP $29.95 www.koolergel.com.au

DAIWA HIP BAGS

SQUIDGIES BIO TOUGH RANGE

For the first time, Squidgies has teamed up with Shimano to develop a synthetic bioplastic that is highly durable, stretchy and more environmentally friendly: the Bio Tough range. The series is manufactured in Japan and has taken Squidgies’ most reliable lure shapes and redeveloped the design to improve their already great fish catching ability. With the Bio Tough Wriggler (100mm and 120mm), Fish (80mm and 100mm) and Flick Bait (75mm and 100mm) now all featuring in the range, anglers have a range of baits to suit a variety of estuary and freshwater applications. With six UV enhanced colours in the range, there is a lure to match most conditions and species, whether it be bloodworm for bream or pink glitz for flathead. These new soft baits combine UV enhancement with responsive actions that work effectively when twitched through the water column but also at rest in low current conditions. When a fish is caught, the Dura Stretch properties ensure the lure remains in top condition and ready to catch another. Squidgies Bio Tough lures are verified to be 50% biodegradable within the first three years. So if you happen to snag a lure or get busted off, the environmental impacts are reduced when compared to traditional plastic waste. www.squidgies.com.au

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au JANUARY 2018

WHAT’S NEW FISHING TIDE APPAREL SUMMER RANGE

The creative guys at Tide Apparel have just released the second part of their summer range for 2017. This new range features over 20 new products, with everything from trucker hats to longsleeve fishing jerseys. Earlier this year Tide also teamed up with their good friends from Daiwa Australia and released a collaboration range called The Collab Collection. The whole range has been extremely popular and is selling fast. The Collab Collection includes a longsleeve fishing jersey, head sock, cap, shorts, boardies, spray jacket and T-shirt. All Tide apparel is made from top quality materials to provide the most comfortable fit possible, and the shirts and tees feature a flattering cut that allows you to look your best both on and off the water. The new ranges are available from selected tackle shops and from the Tide Apparel online store. Price: SRP $24.99-$89.99 www.tideapparel.com.au

NEW TEMPT COLOURS

There are two brand new colours in the Tempt Powder Paint range: galaxy and red toad. Galaxy is made up of an abundance of holographic colours from every angle you look. Set on a base coat of black, it is sure to match a wide variety of colours and conditions. Red toad is a super realistic natural colour designed to tempt those really fussy bites. With a gloss olive green base coat and a distinctive red fleck to catch the attention of anything in sight. Tempt Industries offer a comprehensive range of high quality Powder Paints designed to powder coat your jigheads. The colours have been chosen to best suit Australian conditions, giving you the flexibility to custom match your jighead to your favourite soft plastic colours. Also available are a range of UV colours, including a clear coat that can be applied over the top of any colour, giving an intense UV glow. Tempt Powder Paint is easily applied and gives a professional smooth powder coat finish. It’s available in a 60g net jar or bulk orders on request. Price: RRP $16.50 www.temptindustries.com.au

MARIA RAPIDO

JANUARY 2018

One of Costa’s latest models is named after a popular fishing destination: Reefton. With 12 different river systems less than an hour’s drive from town, it’s no wonder New Zealand’s Reefton is worldrenowned for its freshwater fishing. These size large frames are the perfect companion to explore any body of water. They will stay put on larger heads under any condition, thanks to their co-moulded temples, Hydrolite nose and temple pads, and cam action spring hinges. All Costa lenses have 100% UV blockage for maximum protection and 100% polarization to kill reflected glare. Their 580 lens technology effectively blocks the harshest light waves in the visible spectrum, and enhances the portions that help you see more clearly into the water. Costa’s Bio Resin frames now come available in four new colours, including two new brilliant matte teak finishes. To check out the full range of Costa sunglasses, plus their range of apparel and accessories, visit the Costa Australia website or look them up on Facebook. www.costadelmar.com.au

SAMAKI STARGAZER SHIRT

Samaki Stargazer shirt brings you one of Australia’s most iconic fish species for the ladies. The barra’s beauty is so striking you’ll want to take a moment to admire each and every scale as she launches from the depths to attack the Samaki Vibelicious. Running off the success of the ladies Dreamcatcher shirt, the Stargazer sports a warped scale design in the colours of the ocean. The lightweight fabric is perfect for all outdoor elements, protecting you from the harsh sunrays with our UV50+ resistant technology, the soft touch 100% polyester material is comfortable on the body plus has the added feature of being breathable keeping you cool and dry. Samaki designs are brought to you by Australian anglers who love to design Australian species. Stargazer shirts are available in adult, youth and kids sizes from a size 2 through to a 2XL allowing the whole family to get in on the action and out onto the water. With an RRP $59.95 in adults and RRP$49.95 in youth and kids. www.samaki.com.au

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DAIWA TD 18 SOL III 15 Our December issue featured an editorial

The Rapido is the latest stickbait from Maria, and its strong wire through body and ribbed construction give it extreme strength. Maria Rapidos feature a slim profile and a natural swimming action which makes them ideal to use when your target fish are not aggressively chasing poppers or other more aggressive stickbaits like the Maria Loaded. These great new floating stickbaits are available in three sizes: 130mm, 160mm, 230m. The 130 model weighs 30g and is fitted with ST-66 #1 trebles, the 160 version weighs 50g and has ST-66 #1/0 trebles, and the 230 model weighs100g and is fitted with 230lb oval split rings. For more information on the Rapido and other models in the range, check out the EJ Todd website or like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Yamashita.Australia. www.ejtodd.com.au 82

COSTA REEFTON

PRODUCT GUIDE

on the Daiwa TD Sol III with incorrect pricing. The correct pricing is MSRP $479. In case you missed the December issue, here’s the low-down on this innovative new reel. Daiwa’s TD Sol III is the first reel to feature the design concept LT or ‘Light Tough’. The new LT Zaion body is the lightest, most compact and strongest body frame Daiwa has ever produced. It’s composed of carbon resin and long carbon fibres, and far exceeds the strength of magnesium in strength per unit weight. It transmits vibrations efficiently, and is lighter and stronger than conventional reels made with similar resins or graphites. Other features include Air Rotor, ATD, Magseal, Tough Digigear, aluminium Airspool ABS, Perfect Line Stopper and more. You will feel more connected to lures, detect more bites and fight fish with ease. www.daiwafishing.com.au

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WHAT’S NEW FISHING

Testing the slick CFS PE8 Fish Floss – how sweet it is Wading your way through the multitude of braided fishing lines on the market can be quite a task for any angler. There are products that cover all price points, and price doesn’t always relate to quality. When it comes to choosing a braided line, there are a number of questions to ask yourself before you purchase. I will take you through this process while I test Fish Floss PE8 from Custom Fishing Solutions. Line Diameter Line diameter affects a number of things. First, and most importantly, it determines how much line you will be able to get on the spool of your reel. If you need to maximise your line capacity, thinner diameters at higher breaking strains can be your friend. Additionally, if your requirements relate to finesse and minimum visibility, finer diameters allow you to top shot spools rather than fill spools, maximising your dollar spend. Is fine always your friend? I don’t think so. Super fine diameters create their own evils. If you are using fast retrieve ratio spin reels, wind knots are inevitable – and fine lines and wind knots tend to end in disasters. The same can be said with baitcast gear. Backlashes happen, and fine lines reduce the ease in which you can untangle what your lack of thumb control has created. Knot tying is another thing that needs to be considered with fine lines. Many an angler has come unstuck when the knot they have been using for many years just doesn’t work, or gives way at the most inappropriate time.

CFS Fish Floss Although Fish Floss is marketed as one of the world’s finest and thinnest lines, I would not consider it to be in the super thin category. It is certainly fine for an 8 carrier braid though, and this PE8 construction provides extra strength for its diameter. It also provides the line with a bit of weight, and because of this it lays on your spool better and reduces the wind knot and backlash issues. Even when they occur, they tend to be less terminal than the ones you get with really fine, lightweight lines. Fish Floss is also rounded in construction rather than flat, which reduces the line digging into itself on the spool and helps with castability. It does impact a little on line capacity, but this is far outweighed by the positives that a rounded construction provides, especially if you have not used braid before. Colour and production quality Colour is and will remain a big debate amongst anglers. I believe colour relates to the fishing application you are going to use it for. Fishing with lures, particularly soft plastics, is about knowing what your lure is doing, and the braid becomes a strike indicator or a visual guide for this. Bait fishing is less about line colour and more about the low stretch and sensitivity that braided lines offer. I am a firm believer that not all braids are created equal. Production quality can vary from spool to spool, and I have had a couple of cases where a section of a spool of line was brittle to the point where you could break 20lb line between your hands,

but couldn’t 10m further into the spool. What made it worse was that I discovered it when a metre-plus barramundi was on the end of the line! CFS Fish Floss is available in hi-vis yellow and green, so you can pick the colour that suits your needs or your preference. The PE fibres are impregnated with a Teflon coating and this has a number of effects, one of which is that it reduces water intrusion into the fibres, which can compromise the colour and the strength of a line. The Teflon also allows the line to run through the rod guides with less friction, to improve castability. I received a spool of each colour to test and there is no question which reel has the hi-vis yellow line on, even after six months of use. It is difficult to test production quality, however it being a 8 carrier braid gave me the peace of mind that I wasn’t going to

ATC Combat baitcaster – a reel for many occasions a couple of days fishing could mark the end of a inferior reel. However, eight months down the track I have no hesitation in picking up the rod with the Combat on it first up, every time. The other extreme is the ability to cast light lures and jigs with accuracy and good casting distance. Maroon has large pockets of lily pads and weeded areas, and bass in these areas are best targeted with jigs or surface lures. Accurate casting is a must (hence a baitcast outfit), but too much weight

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Steve Morgan slung XOS plastics on the ATC Combat for a couple of weeks on the ZEREK BARRA Tour and found it his ‘go-to’ combo for the big baits. ATC is a brand best recognised for its spin reels in recent years, which are made with quality components, look great and don’t break the bank. The Valiant and Valour reels have proven that this brand is a viable alternative to the major brands. Enter the ATC Combat baitcast reel. It has a larger hand feel than a standard low profile reel, which translates to better line capacity, an 8kg drag system and heavyduty gears. For me this is a crossover reel. It has all the casting attributes any baitcast reel has, as well as the capacity to deal with offshore jigging applications (ATC provide a second handle which is ideal for jigging).

A reel well travelled My ATC Combat has seen a lot of places and many different fishing scenarios. It has ranged from casting seriously big surface lures for Murray cod at Glenlyon Dam to 1/8oz jigs for bass at Maroon Dam. The extremes didn’t stop there either, as I also explored places like Lake Eildon (casting 2oz and 3oz spinnerbaits as well an assortment of hardbody lures), Somerset Dam (casting metal slugs and drone fishing) and back to Maroon casting buzzbaits for bass. Each time the reel performed the task required of it. Casting heavy spinnerbaits and big surface lures put a huge amount of strain on a reel’s components, to the point where

The ability to cast lures that weigh a little or a lot is a great feature of the ATC Combat reel. will have you fighting the structure instead of the fish. Fortunately, casting light lures is not a problem with the Combat, and the magnetic cast control system has a lot to do with this. With minimal tweaking it assists your casting by reducing the error rate of an uneducated angler’s thumb control. I tested this to the point where I was casting 1/4oz buzzbaits with little or no thumbing of the

TESTED

have any problems with the Fish Floss. Final thoughts Custom Fishing Solutions Fish Floss braid comes in 150m and 300m spools in the two colours I have mentioned. Line classes range from 10lb to 50lb in the 150m spools, and 20lb to 50lb in the 300m spools. For the fishing I do and the reels I do it with, Fish Floss ticked the right boxes. The line diameter was fine but not to the point that I had to change the knots I use. Its castability has been what I would expect from a PE8 braid, and in six months of use I have not had any line failures. My preference is the hi-vis yellow colour, as most of my fishing is with lures, and surprisingly the line colour has held up well. Check it out at your local tackle store or go to www.jurofishing.com for more details. Peter Jung

TESTED reel. It’s great to spend more time fishing and less time unpicking bird nests. It survived Steve Morgan One of the best tests we can put a reel through at Fishing Monthly is to give it to Steve Morgan and see if he can break it, and the Zerek BARRA Tour provided a great opportunity to put it through its paces. Steve said that when he tests a reel, there are two main factors that matter the most. “The first one is, does it survive the experience?” he said. “There’s probably no greater test for a small baitcaster then the rigors of a casting-only BARRA event. There’s no let up. Every minute the reel is firing out another cast and the baits can be big – up to 25cm long. “But the other, more subtle test is this: do you find yourself picking up the outfit as a matter of preference? We all have the outfit that becomes the ‘favourite’ for the trip. If you lose a lure, you end up re-rigging it rather than picking up a new outfit and starting there. “I fished the ATC Combat on a Venom Swimbait rod and for big baits, it was by far the most comfortable rig to deliver the 130250mm soft plastics we were throwing. “Landing metre-plus barra on the outfit was the final test. Loaded with 48lb Mustad braided line, I wasn’t shy screwing up the drag and trying to bully the fish a little. The drag was smooth, even if my fish fighting technique with the swimbait rod wasn’t!” Check them out The ATC Combat is available in left and right hand wind, and for under $250 you get a lot for your money. To find out more go to www.wilsonfishing.com.- Peter Jung

JANUARY 2018

Formosa 550 Tomahawk Offshore with 140hp Suzuki

BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

It’s been a few years since I had the pleasure of reviewing one of Formosa’s Tomahawk craft, but as is always the case with renewing acquaintances with old friends, it was again an enjoyable experience. The Formosa’s eye catching good looks, courtesy of a decent lift in the forward sheer line plus a rakish swept back stern area leading to the engine pod with it’s boarding ladder and side rails, were still as attractive as ever. Proud as punch on a

tandem Redco Sportsman trailer, the 550 Tomahawk Offshore was certainly a larger rig than I’d previously enjoyed. For a 550 it was a very big boat in every sense of the word! Which, of course, is great for offshore fishing, or any sort of fishing, for that matter. With boats, more for the money is the way to go. To me, it’s pretty obvious that the new Formosa Tomahawk V2 hull has moved the Formosa line right up to the minute. A sharper 18° deadrise hull has been combined to outer reversed chines for enhanced overall ride and stability. Increased floor rigidity sees an underfloor construction

that locks stringers and multi cells directly to bottom sheets. The 550 featured Marine 5083 high tensile 4mm alloy sides and bottom, although Formosa craft over 6.2m in length have 5mm bottom sheets as a bonus. The O ff s h o r e Tomahawk’s self-draining decks range from 4.8-7.4m in size, so there’s certainly a wide range to chose from. The diversity also extends to design, with side and centre consoles sharing kudos along with centre and half cab rigs, plus a runabout and bow rider to round off the Aussie made line up. GENUINE OFFSHORE RIG The six-person 550

Main: Sitting easily at rest the Formosa 550 Tomahawk Offshore is a mighty handsome craft. Note the many features easily visible in this image, like the the sensibly-sized console, boarding gate in the transom and big bait station astern. Above: With a bit of pace on it’s easy to see how freely the Tomahawk runs. Note the big bait station at the transom, a handy bit of kit. 102

JANUARY 2018

Tomahawk came equipped with numerous features to qualify it as a genuine offshore craft. Metre high sides linked to a beam of 2.45m ensured huge amounts of work room for five or six to fish in comfort. A 500mm high raised deck up front complimented the big cockpit aft, with both areas being carpeted for comfort and stability. Under floor storage bins up front were designed to cater for tackle, clothing, PFDs and safety gear, while a large plumbed fish box aft was for the day’s catch. Seating was for five in the test rig, with three floor spigots aft, two more ahead of the console with its Suzuki digital multi-function gauge and switch panel handy to the skipper. A Garmin echo map 955V sounder plotter was console flush mounted above the rig’s five-spoke sports wheel, and while a slightly larger sounder unit might also fit there, a big 16” job would require a RAM bracket to set it up. I found the standard console, as fitted, was obviously designed to maximise the fishing area, yet was large enough to fulfil its role as a central helming station. Note that an upgrade to a larger console is on Formosa’ option lists. Aft within the cockpit area side pockets offered storage of items around a metre in length, the pockets being broken into paired segments. This did surprise me, as most craft of this size offer full length side storage compartments in work areas. I did note that Formosa advertise customisation of their craft and extra long

fishing rod lockers are on the list of options, so no doubt a potential owner wanting larger side pockets could discuss the matter prior to construction. That small matter aside, there was no complaint about the usefulness of the transom area, with its large bait station, cutting boards, rod holders and a live bait

from wave action around the Jumpinpin Bar area were hardly felt and the hull exhibited a refreshing lack of noise upon wave impact. Formosa have certainly ticked some boxes, with the design and set up of their new V2 hull, which certainly provides a lot of sea keeping and ride confidence for an owner wanting to use the craft

SPECIFICATIONS Length.........................................................5.7m Beam.........................................................2.45m Hull weight............................................... 760kg Deadrise.....................................................18.5° Engines.......................................... 115 to 150hp Engine fitted..................................... 140 Suzuki Fuel capacity.............................................. 150L Persons............................................................6 Towing.......................4x4 or large family wagon well. At a sensible height for easy use, the bait station was equipped with a hinged lid, a neat and quite user-friendly arrangement. 140 SUZUKI DID THE JOB Engines for the solidlybuilt Tomahawk were rated from 115-150hp, and with a 140 Suzuki on the pod, the rig ran very sweetly indeed. Is more power necessary? Only if four or more would be aboard most times. The craft, two up, planed at 3000rpm at 18.4km/h, 4000rpm saw 36.2km/h on the Garmin 95sv, 5000rpm a speed of 49.6km/h and a quick burst to 6000rpm saw 67.3km/h. Doubtlessly with the Suzuki 140 fully run in, 70km/h and beyond would be the hammer down pace. Just like the last Tomahawk, I drove the ride was quite good. Bumps and thumps

for serious fishing pursuits. OVERVIEW As an offshore fishing rig, the big Formosa 550 Tomahawk makes a lot of sense. About the only change I’d envisage would be to request one section side pockets. I liked the flexible seating layout, the huge amounts of internal freeboard, the vast work areas all around the craft, and last but not least, the great ride and easy handling of the rig mated to inherent stability. As tested, the craft would come home for $61,950. A 115 Suzuki on the transom would see a base rig come home for around $51,920. The reviewed Formosa was provided by Australian Marine Centre at Springwood. You can get in contact with them at (07) 3808 7333 or by emailing sales@amcboats.com.au. You can also visit www. formosamarineboats.com.au.

Even at launch the Formosa 550 Tomahawk Offshore is an impressive sight. Note the easy release Tow Catch on the winch post, this handy bit of kit provides instant (one person ) release of the boat with the skipper aboard.

A very useful bait station, complete with a livewell, was one of the user-friendly features of the Tomahawk.

The 550 Tomahawkâ€™s flexible seating set up means that more work room for anglers is as easy as moving a seat to a chosen area, or leaving it back at base for the day.

Centre consoles vary in size as much as the craft they are fitted to; the Tomahawkâ€™s was obviously designed to optimize fishing room but still do the job.

Variable seating is just one of the really handy features about this craft.

Cockpit side pockets were wide, although of two-part construction. An option allows for full length unobstructed pockets if required. JANUARY 2018

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A value package – the Sea Craft Xtreme 5.2 CC

BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

• Last month we ran the following boat test, however we got the name of the boat wrong. We’ve amended this error this month. Fishing Monthly wishes to apologise to any readers inconvinienced by this error. Boat reviews are always dominated by weather. Overly calm conditions can make a craft’s ride quality more difficult to assess. On the other hand, it certainly makes taking photos real easy and provides some interesting top performance figures from hull and motor. In the Sea Craft Xtreme’s case we launched at Manly on Moreton Bay on a day of beguiling calmness, and that’s how things stayed. Ray Dial of R & M Marine (Hemmant) assisted with the launch and review and I doubt I’ve seen many craft leave their trailers – and be driven back on later – as easily as the 5.2 Sea Craft. The trailer was a custom-made Sea Trail trailer featuring alloy C channel construction SPECIFICATIONS Length: 5.25m Beam: 2.25m Hull construction: 4mm plate alloy all round Weight hull: 655kg Engines: 90-150hp Engine fitted: 90hp Evinrude E-TEC Fuel: 95L Persons: six Towing: Family wagon or a 4x4 ute 104

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Main: On the move and doing it well; the Sea Craft’s hull design sees the craft planing very freely and kicking displaced water well away from the hull. Above: With the its interesting design, the craft rides very freely up on top of the water, not through it, which is a bonus for performance and fuel consumption. which combined strength, a functional design and light weight quite superbly. A no-nonsense sort of alloy rig, the Sea Craft had a rigid feel about it thanks to 4mm plate all around. I noted that although welds were not smoothed, they were continuous and of a fairly high standard. The wide non-skid decks looked good to sit on in quiet conditions and with check plate on the self draining floor and raised forward deck, the fishing team would enjoy sure footing on the water with the owner having an easy wash-out back home. I love hose-out style boats. PLENTY OF FISHING FEATURES Full cockpit-length side pockets looked great for stowing long items and with a 60L in-floor kill tank/ storage compartment and a

shelf within the centre console a fair amount of equipment would find a home for a day on the water. The rail and windscreenequipped centre console offered some breeze protection with a Raymarine Dragonfly 7 GPS/sounder and a compass. Marine radio, gauges for the 90 E-Tec astern and switches were all handy, and the wheel was linked to hydraulic steering, which was easily reached from the fore/aft bolster seat set onto a big storage box. Bolster seats are great when travelling then easily reversed when watching a couple of baited rods and enjoying a snack. I noted a 30L livewell aft and a transom-mounted bait station equipped with a cutting board, tackle drawer, four rod holders and side tool compartments as well. A folding rear seat is standard

but was removed for our water test with only the backrest in place. The full transom-height lockable boarding gate to port would be appreciated by an angler hauling in a big one or a swimmer returning to base. There is a grab rail and ladder tucked into the transom for that latter purpose. 90 E-TEC AMPLE POWER Powered modestly by a 90hp Evinrude E-TEC – top power is rated as 150hp – the Sea Craft Xtreme 5.2 performed quite well. A 15” Viper prop kicked the solid 655kg hull onto the plane at a modest 3000rpm and 13.7km/h. It turned more revs into forward motion at the following rate: 4000rpm for 32.3km/h, 4500 for 38.2, 5000 for 45.2 and 5800 for 58.3. Although it’s a small engine compared to the maximum 150hp, the 90 E-TEC still had plenty of power given the ease with which it kicked the rig (with two on board) quickly onto the plane and had ample power reserves throughout the rev range. Evinrude’s fuel

injected 2-strokes are like that, of course, and with that sort of get up and go even having four anglers aboard should present no problems. In the prevailing conditions, fast runs and sharp turns were a breeze. The hull with it’s massive double reversed outer chines tracked like it was on rails and was then rock steady at rest, so it’s good for virtually all fishing pursuits. Ride assessment was facilitated by some big Moreton Island-bound ferries leaving Manly and I guess the excited youngsters aboard might have wondered why an alloy boat with two grinning persons aboard came zooming in on their wash and jumped straight through it a couple of times. The Sea Craft handled that bit of sport quite well; there were no hard bangs or jarring, just a smooth impact with spray thrown well away. SUMMING UP Stability’s assured, an excellent and well-controlled ride’s a bonus, and with 1.45m high sides the Sea Craft 5.2 Xtreme certainly had plenty of

freeboard. The Chinese-made Sea Craft boats are somewhat new to our market and offer a range of craft extending from 5m right up to 7m in length. With everything from cuddy cabs to both centre and side consoles on the books there’s a pretty good choice on hand. Keen anglers and family boaters could enjoy them equally. For a test run, contact Ausmarine, 128 Carrington St, Revesby, NSW 2212, phone (02) 9772 4857. They are happy to assist potential owners to open the throttle and experience the ride and handling of these Vee hulls. The price as reviewed was $42, 990 (with high-end C channel trailer) – good value for money. • Quoted performance figures have been supplied by the writer in good faith. Performance of individual boat/motor/ trailer packages may differ due to variations in engine installations, propellers, hull configurations, options, hull loading and trailer specifications.

The Sea Craft Xtreme 5.2 CC is a handsome craft with great potential.

Top: That’s a 26° Vee there; those wide reversed outer chines gave the hull terrific stability. Above: Among the angler-friendly features was a well-equipped aft bait station.

A sensibly-sized centre console makes a decent hub for controls and gauges and still allows plenty of workroom around it. Note those great non-skid decks as well.

The Sea Craft has room for up to four to fish in comfort. The checker plate floor is nice and grippy underfoot and easy to wash out back at base.

Some of the features that make the 5.2 Sea Craft Xtreme 5.2 an excellent fishing or family craft are easily seen here. Note the great freeboard, wide decks, well set-up bait station, console seating for two and neat boarding platform. While it was a long way from maximum allowable power, the 90 Evinrude E-TEC did a very good job of powering the solid Sea Craft hull.

Top: Useful fishing features here are the long side pockets, great toe rail under the pockets and paired rod holders within decks. Left and Right: Bolster seats are great in small craft. With their two-way backrest it’s just as easy to watch a baited rod astern as it is to study the sounder at the hotspot. Allocating storage duties to the shelf in the centre console makes sense.

Top: Easy launch and retrieve capability is a great feature of the custom C channel trailer that the Sea Craft Xtreme 5.2 is carried on. Above: A deep Vee with a difference – those two larger outer reversed chines certainly provide ample stability to the Sea Craft’s hull both underway and at rest. JANUARY 2018

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Stacer Crossfire 509 with Mercury 115hp PRO XS - SC

TENT -

RE ONLINE MO

It doesn’t matter what angle you look at it from, this boat turns heads. On the water, at the ramp, at the servo when you’re getting a pie before the boat test. Everywhere. With its front casting deck transformed and elongated with the drop-in platform centrepiece, the casting angler has access to the 24V MotorGuide and the Garmin 7407 with Front Vu – ample information for any lure angler. Drop the anchor with the concealed Lone Star winch – which is cleverly concealed under the front

SPECIFICATIONS Length (with bowsprit) �� 5.11m Length (overall) ��5.26m Beam ��2.22m Length (on trailer) ��6.7m Capacity �� 5 persons Fuel ��77L Max hp �� 115 Hull weight �� 460kg Bottom ��4mm Sides ��3mm 106

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deck – and you can spin around the pedestal seats to lay out some baits for snapper. The helm-mounted Garmin 7410SV has a full Panoptix transducer to give the angler a full, live view of what’s swimming around under the transom. And Hodor is just as impressive after dark as it is in the daytime. While at the helm, you have full control of the lighting options, which include under-gunwale light strips and double transom LEDs to attract squid and baitfish while fishing at night. In the transom itself, there’s a pair of locally fabricated, windowed live bait tanks which are a hallmark of a MMC customisation.

make this boat a pleasure to use. Personally, I loved the modular LED headlights that were mounted to the front of the console. It’s one of the simplest solutions to

DE FOR EX

Melbourne Marine Centre loves pimping up Stacer hulls. We tested one a while back when Andrew Stephen and the guys optioned up a Nomad to within an inch of its life. It was a build that focused on practicality, with plenty of exposed checkerplate amongst the creature comforts. This build, however (a Stacer Crossfire 509), adds a little more luxury to the options. Its owner – affectionately nicknamed Hodor thanks to his likeness to the Game of Thrones’ burly doorman – decided that it was the time in his life to treat himself to the best Stacer that money could buy. And he pretty much got it spot on. Guided by MMC’s Andrew Stephen, Hodor’s boat (which is also called Hodor) crams a mountain of options and technology into the Stacer Crossfire 5.09m bowrider configuration shell.

SPECIFICATIONS Speed RPM (km/h) IDLE...............................4.3 1000..............................6.5 2000..............................11 3000..............................22 4000..............................41 5000..............................55 6000..............................67 6400..............................72

s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

Supplied on a drive-on/ drive-off Stacer I-beam trailer, the winch post is fitted with Telwater’s Catch and Release system to allow true, single person operation. We’d expect nothing less from a rig with all of the options boxes ticked. From a performance angle, Mercury’s Superlative 2.1L 4-stroke ProXS shoots Hodor up onto the plane in less than four seconds. It’s propped to rev hard to 6400rpm while delivering a top speed on 72km/h. The best economy was at 4000rpm, where it delivered a surprisingly generous

Steve Morgan

CON

AN THE

FMG

Economy (km/L) 1.5 2.5 1.9 2.1 2.6 2.0 1.6 1.6

All up, it’s rare that we get to test a customer’s boat that’s as well appointed as this Stacer/Mercury combo. Thanks, Hodor, for letting us take a ride!

Slide off/drive on. It’s how trailers should be. Hodor is supplied with a Stacer I-beam model with all of the bells and whistles. 2.6km per litre of fuel burned, although it was hard to hold to that speed. This rig just likes to run fast! It’s the little things that

an age-old problem. I’d be interested to see if there were any problems with reflection from this mounting position when used after dark.

For more information contact Disco Marine on (02) 6643 1199 or visit 160 North St, Grafton or go to www. discomarine.com.au.

Dual live bait tanks are an aftermarket accessory fitted by MMC. The bait board is colour matched and practical.

Left: Even the bung and spray nozzle are colour matched! Right: Although a little limited in use with a carpeted floor, there’s a deck wash that lets you keep the bait board in mint condition.

Main: Gale force winds on Port Phillip Bay confined the testing to the National Watersports Centre on the upper Patterson River. Left: The Crossfire features a drop-in deck segment for the bow rider configuration. You can see the padding around the inside of the front gunwale that protects the back while bowriding. Right: The passenger seat can fit in several base mounts – next to the driver, for’ard in the cockpit or on the casting deck.

The name was inspired by the burly door-man in Game of Thrones.

Above: With the main bulk of batteries for the 24V MotorGuide amidships, Hodor is quick onto the plane, yet still keeps its bow up. Below: There’s some waterproof storage in the front side of the console.

There was no other choice – of course Hodor had to be powered by the superlative Mercury 2.1L 115hp ProXS. It delivers a top-end speed of 72km/h.

Top: Telwater’s Catch and Release bracket makes launch and retrieve easy with one person. Above: For the amount of accessories, the console is quite clean. Flush-mounted screens always look great, whether they’re on a tinny or a 200 footer.

How’s the sneaky anchor winch under the casting deck? With automatic anchoring and electric motor options, Hodor is ready to catch anything on offer in Victoria’s freshwater or inshore waters. JANUARY 2018

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