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MARCH 2018, Vol. 23 No. 8
Contents BYRON COAST The Tweed 28 Ballina 29 Yamba 30 COFFS COAST Coffs Harbour 32 Coffs Game 33 Nambucca 34 South West Rocks 35 MACQUARIE COAST The Hastings 36 Forster 38 Harrington-Taree 40 HUNTER COAST Port Stephens 42 Hunter Coast 43 Erina 44 Swansea 45 SYDNEY The Hawkesbury 14 Sydney North 16 Pittwater 18 Sydney Harbour 20 Botany Bay 22 Sydney Rock and Beach 24 Sydney South 26 Sydney West 27 ILLAWARRA COAST Illawarra 48 Nowra 49 BATEMANS COAST Batemans Bay 50 Narooma 52 Merimbula 52
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From the Editor’s Desk... JAPAN - DOING TACKLE SHOWS RIGHT I hadn’t been to a Japanese tackle show in years. The last time was in the ‘90s with Quintrex Boats International’s Marketing Manager, Andrew Hill, as he opened a few doors for me to get an insight into a market that Australia was exporting around 2000 boats a year into. At that time, there were tens of thousands of uberkeen anglers, sampling all of the delights of the latest rods, reels, lures and baits. Fans lined up for hours to get autographs from their favourite fishing stars like Jim Murata (Japan’s Mister Shimano) and Norio Tanabe (the first Japanese angler to win a US BASS event, and the creator of the Nories brand). Show-goers paid money for the latest catalogues to get signed, and each stand had hands-on engagement with the fishing public.
And you know what? Nothing has changed. After a few days at the Yokohama Fishing Show in January, the numbers may be down a little from the ‘90s, but the enthusiasm remains the same, both from manufacturers and the attendees. So what’s it look like? The best way is to watch the video on the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel or the www. tacklejunkie.fish Facebook page. In a nutshell, if you take the Brisbane, Rose Hill or Melbourne Boat Show and swap out the boats for tackle stands, that’s what the show is like. It’s a tackle junkie’s dream fix, and it would have been even more exciting if I could understand more than a little Japanese. The most amazing part of it, however, was that it was a no-purchase show. Apart from some merchandise and clothing under a certain price limit, all of the major companies were simply showing their new
products, letting the customers interact with it and making their famous pro-staff available to the fans. And it wasn’t just die-hard anglers that had fun; there were also activities for families. There were thousands of rainbow trout in a pool that were eminently catchable, and available for the kids, and they loved it. Why haven’t we got a tackle show like this in Australia? Plenty of people ask this question every year. Boat Shows ‘don’t have enough tackle’ and fishing shows don’t have the manufacturer support to get off the ground. Plenty
of show organisers have tried and failed. I’m a pretty vocal supporter of the industry getting behind a show that will excite the angling public. Is it happening yet? Not from the top down. At the moment, the vibrant Lure Show in Ipswich, Queensland each winter, is the closest we have – even if it’s a distant second to tens of thousands of tsuri-baka (fishing crazy) Japanese. But we do have ideas and a passion for the sport, and you’ll be the first to know when we make some inroads into making it happen.
EDEN COAST Bermagui 54 Tathra 54 Eden 55 Mallacoota 55
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A Simon Johnson image.
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Simon Johnson took this beautiful mangrove jack in the Coffs Harbour area.
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Fishing Diary Angler: Dax Gallagher Location: Urangan Pier, Hervey Bay Date: September 13th, 2017 Conditions: clear, N 5 kts, outgoing tide, waning moon Black Magic Tackle: 60lb Tough Trace Note: When targeting strong fish with sharp teeth you MUST choose a leader with excellent abrasion resistance.
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Developed, tested and refined over the last 25 years, our copolymer and fluorocarbon leader is recognised for high performance around the world. Whether you are fishing in freshwater or saltwater, when that quality fish strikes, don’t be disappointed…choose quality Black Magic leader.
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Mangrove Jack
Late season jackin’ BRISBANE
Simon Goldsmith
All too often overlooked by those favouring the Gold Coast, the Tweed River is a mangrove jack fishery that offers much and can deliver plenty for anglers looking for a jack hit. This easy-to-access open waterway isn’t cluttered with 4 knot speed zones, and it has maze-like canal systems like the Gold Coast, which are easy to get lost in. The Tweed is a system that you can easily ‘run and gun’ on when it comes to locating active fish. One of the Tweed’s other great assets is its habitat diversity, with rock bars, rock walls, bridges, timbered banks, and to a lesser degree canals, pontoons and oyster racks offering a host of holding locations for mangrove jack.
The Tweed is a river that offers the best of both worlds when it comes to jack fishing, and whether it’s natural or man-made structure that you like to target for your fish, the Tweed has it. THE ARENA A river that begins with its headwaters deep in the Tweed Valley and within sight of Mount Warning, it’s not unil you hit the upper saltwater limit at the weir at Bray Park near Murwillumbah that reliable jack water begins. From here, the river winds its way towards the ocean, passing through and past cane fields, residential areas, townships, rainforest, and mangrove stands. The Tweed River meets the ocean at Point Danger and in its saltwater reaches is armed by a series of tributaries including the Rous River, Dunbibble Creek, Stotts
Channel, Boyds Channel, Bilambil Creek, Cobaki Creek, Terranora Creek, and the Terranora and Cobaki broadwaters. All of these locations have the potential of holding mangrove jack, with diversity in habitat type, water flow, temperature, and salinity delivering a host of variables that influence where and when you’ll find mangrove jack in residence at the location you’re fishing. Research, experience, time on the water, and hopefully some information in this article may help you pinpoint the most productive spots to target. AUTUMN ACTION Once we get to the tail end of summer and the early days of autumn, mangrove jack should be in full attack mode, with water temperatures at their highest, bait in abundance, and the metabolism of the fish
Weedless soft plastics are an awesome choice for fishing deep in heavy cover. at its highest during their peak season of activity. These factors definitely play into the hands of the angler, but this time of the year also potentially offers some challenges, obstacles that you may need to overcome to catch a jack. So let’s take a look at the pros and cons of late jack hunting on the Tweed River. IT’S COMING DOWN The most northern river in the Northern Rivers region, the Tweed River has a rich history of receiving plenty of rain and its fare share of floods, most of which fall during the late summer and early autumn period. For the jack angler this impact can range from a slight hiccup that’s an inconvenience, to writing off the season until next spring rolls around. The Tweed has two main arms, the main arm that starts up in the Tweed Valley, and the shorter Terranora arm that joins the main river at Tweed Heads. The shorter arm, being the Terranora arm, provides a level of protection when the river experiences inflows and a flood, with most of the flow coming down the main river and out to sea, bypassing the Terranora as it goes. The outcome often is higher water temperature and salinity levels in the Terranora than the main arm of the river, two factors that mangrove jacks generally like. Of course, not all rain and inflows are a bad thing, as with a touch of freshwater delivering an increased level of discoloration
to the water, this can incite predatory fish to feed more aggressively and actively. Freshwater inflows can also relocate and increase the movement of bait, and are two changes that can see mangrove jack focus their attention on specific areas and bait types. Prawns are a prime example of a species that can be flushed out and congregate in a specific area. I remember a specific incident when I was fishing a shaded, timber-lined mangrove bank one afternoon and in front of me tight against
The Tumbulgum Bridge holds fish, but the strong current adds a challenge when it comes to lure presentation and pulling fish from cover. the bank was a mangrove jack feeding with its dorsal fin out the water. It was locked in on the prawns that were abundant along the shoreline, and despite casting a host of different lures at it, none of which spooked the fish or incited a strike, the fish just kept feeding and only had eyes for the prawns in front of it. A prawn imitation lure or fly may have been the ticket to
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success on the day if I’d had one with me. Watching, learning, and trial and error during times of fresh are the best ways to identify when and how these bait changes occur and the potential angling opportunities they can present. Remembering that freshwater will sit on top of saltwater is also important, and fishing locations such as holes, rock bars and drop-offs are three locations where you will find that deeper, saltier water. In a river under the influence of freshwater, it’s
OPTIMAL USE: • Sight fishing in full sun • High contrast
Paddle-tailed soft plastics are a gun bait for a late season Tweed jack.
these deepwater locations that mangrove jack will hold up in and that you should focus your efforts on. Although the fish will be there they may be less active in their feeding compared to how they were pre-fresh, so be patient and persistent when fishing them. BULKING UP Of course it’s not all doom and gloom at this time of the year, and there’s more to be excited about than apprehensive about. As we head towards the cooler months, mangrove jack have a tendency to spike in their activity, an occurrence that many, myself including, put down to them bulking up before the onset of winter or even before the larger specimens make the move from the estuaries to offshore. Regardless of the reason why they do what they do, the outcome is great fishing opportunities for the mangrove jack angler. Not only do the
Mangrove Jack jack become more active, but I also find they’re more inclined to feed on larger-sized prey. Big lures and XOS livebaits come into their own at this time of the year. BE THE BAIT Much of the media given to mangrove jack fishing in South East Queensland and Northern NSW is focused on catching them on lures. The downside to this is that the effectiveness of bait fishing, and in particular, livebait fishing is often overlooked. About 90% of my jack fishing
sized livebaits are best presented with a single hook rig on traditional trace and ball sinker setup. I’ve always been fond of the Gamakatsu Shiner or one of the many circle hook varieties, just make sure you don’t use too heavy of a gauge hook to overpower the action and natural presentation of the bait. When it comes to larger livebaits, I opt for a two hook snell set-up, with the main hook pinned behind the head of the bait and the smaller pinned towards the tail. Once
Fishing mangrove edges is a go-to technique, especially when there is bait on the edges. in the early days was spent livebaiting, and the Tweed River is tailor-made for this style of fishing, especially late in the season when the fish are keen to take a big bait. Herring, silverbiddies, mullet, and whiting (make sure they’re legal size) are all perfect baits to use. Smaller-
again, the Gamakatsu circle hooks are tailor made for this set-up. While livebaiting can be seen as a simplistic set-itand-forget approach, that’s far from the truth. Rock bars and bridges are perhaps the best places for livebaiting and in both these locations, boat
SIMON’S TOP 8 LURES Lucky Craft Bevy Shad Lucky Craft Sammy 85 Jackall Squirrel 79 Manns Stretch 20 RMG Scorpion 125 (STD, DD, and XDD) Ecogear Powershad (3 and 5”) Berkley Powerbait Bass Minnow (4”) Nories Spoontail (4 and 5”) position is the key to success when it comes to positioning the bait in front of the fish. Positioning yourself upcurrent from the structure then sinking the livebait down to exactly where the fish are holding is something that can take time and patience to get just right. Anchoring upriver then letting rope out to allow the boat to drift back and into just the right position is a good approach to take. It also means you’re less inclined to spook the fish with the anchor and chain. Rock bars are a perfect example, with fish often holding on the front side, top or backside of the rock bar. Time and tide both play a part on where you’ll find the fish positioned, so be prepared to alter where you’re positioned and where you’re presenting your baits. One small trick is to listen to the livebait. If you use the correct size sinker in your
setup you’ll be able to feel your livebait doing its thing down in the current. You’ll feel it swimming around and sometimes feel it trying to swim away. This feedback from your bait can also acts as a strike indicator and will let you know that there’s a jack down their checking out your bait. A panicky livebait all too often is a precursor to a bite, so when you feel it through the line and rod, get ready for what might follow next. If the bite does come, my preference is to not strike straight away, particularly when using big livebaits. I like to wait for about five seconds so I’m confident the fish has taken the bait completely and that I’ll get a solid hook-up when I go to set the hook. What happens after the hook-up is all up to you. THE LURE OF THE LURE Lure fishing of course
As always, releasing fish is encouraged. is as reliable towards the end of the season as it is at any other time. Casting and retrieve presentations with jerkbaits, topwaters, and soft plastics will all catch fish, with matching the right lure to the location being fished and the bait in the areas two keys to success. Trolling hardbodies is one technique that doesn’t get written or talked about
The flooded bommies and rocky terrain at Barneys Point make it a perfect place to fish topwaters.
much anymore, but it’s a technique that’s always worked exceptionally well on the Tweed, and there’s no better time to do it then late in the season. The Tweed is home to plenty of rock bars, rock walls and bridges, and in many ways these structure types are best lure fished by trolling. Robust tackle, deep diving crank and jerkbaits, quick reflexes, and plenty of patience are the keys to success, and also be prepared to lose lures because the lure attrition rate can be quite high. THE PLAN OF ATTACK So with your livebaits swimming around in your bait tank and your tackle hatch loaded with soft and hard baits, where do you go if you’re after a late season jack fish? Well, To page 10
MARCH 2018
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WHAT’S NEW FISHING NEW ASTRO VIBE COLOURS
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Strike Pro’s very successful Astro Vibe 45 has been a standout in the Hobie Bream series and Vic Bream Classic series, and has helped anglers win a number of events. Now two new fish-catching colours have been added to the range: 612E and 793E. Like the other colours in the Astro Vibe range, the new colours incorporate a polycarbonate belly with small inbuilt rattles for added sound, which can be handy when the water is slightly discoloured. The Astro Vibe’s construction also allows for a transparent finish to be achieved in a metal blade, and the belly section is enhanced with UV for added attraction and effectiveness. The Astro Vibe 45 is 4.5cm long, weighs 9.6g and comes fitted with quality hooks. It’s deadly on bream, bass, estuary perch, yellowbelly, mulloway, flathead and redfin, just to mention a few. www.jurofishing.com
ZMAN 2.75” FINESSE 2 FROGZ
green and blaze orange colourations. It comes in 6, 8, 10, 14, 17, 20, 25 and 30lb breaking strains in 150m and 300m spools. Price: SRP 150m $34.99, 300m $67.99 berkley-fishing.com.au
BONE DASH 90S
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The Bone Dash 90S is a dual function sinking pencil and vibe, and is the first lure produced by legendary rod maker Bone Lim. This dual-function, sinking pencil bait flutters on the fall and slides on the retrieve, giving anglers options like never before. By attaching the line to the front eyelet, the Dash 90S will work like a sinking pencil bait, fluttering on the fall with a side-to-side glide on a straight retrieve. Attaching your lure on the top eyelet will enable the vibe mode, giving the Dash 90S a tight wobble on a straight retrieve. This tie-off position also creates less resistance through the water while still maintaining the fluttering sink. The Bone Dash 90S measures 90mm long, weighs 33g and comes in 10 colours. Bone recommends anglers fish these lures with the Bone Voyage series rods such as the BVC774H, BVC684XH, BVC704XH or the BVS704XH. www.wilsonfishing.com
ZMan’s bite-size 2.75” Finesse FrogZ features a realistic frog profile and twin paddle feet that create noise, water movement and a bubble trail that predators can’t resist. Rig it for surface fishing on a TT 2/0 ChinlockZ or ChinlockZ Finesse hook, hold the rod tip up and wind the Finesse FrogZ until you hit the magic speed where the feet are bubbling and it’s calling predators to attack. Alternatively you can rig the Finesse FrogZ on a TT 2/0 SnakelockZ or ChinlockZ SWS to fish weedless through cover, or even on a standard HeadlockZ or DemonZ jighead for subsurface fishing. A bottom hook slot and deep top hook pocket protect the hook from fouling or snagging when weedless rigging, and the softness and flexibility of the ZMan 10X Tough ElaZtech ensures the plastic clears on the strike, exposing the hook and pinning the fish. Deadly on bass, saratoga, mangrove jack, barra and more, this little frog is also sure to get eaten by a few surprises in both the fresh and salt water. It’s available in six colours, with four per pack. Price: SRP $10.95 www.zman.com.au
Pumping worms and yabbies is a great way to get the freshest of fresh bait for your day’s fishing. Having the right tool to get the job done is an important step to success and one that needs careful consideration. The Wilson Big Willy Bait Pump gives users an extra long 39” shaft meaning you do not have to bend so far down when pumping. This is a great asset for those who want to collect bait comfortably and easily. Stainless steel and brass construction mean that this pump will go the distance, giving you years of faithful service and opening up your fishing options. Available at all leading tackle stores, the Big Willy will become a vital part of any bait collection trip. For more information on this and other bait collecting products from Wilson’s, visit the Wilson Fishing website. You can also catch up with the latest news, catch photos and videos at www.facebook.com/LWilsonAndCo. www.wilsonfishing.com.au
BERKLEY FIRELINE ULTRA 8
PELICAN IPHONE CASE
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Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 delivers a line that is incredibly strong and abrasion-resistant yet long casting and user friendly, resisting wind knots like never before. Optimised for spin reels, Fireline Ultra 8 is ideal for all light to medium lure fishing applications. The unique fusing process using heat to molecularly bind thousands of Dyneema fibres gives Fireline Ultra 8 more body than regular braids. The body and heft of Fireline Ultra 8 delivers unique handling properties and superb manageability. More tolerant of line twist than traditional soft braids, Fireline Ultra 8 performs exceptionally well on spinning reels meaning less loose loops and less wind knots on the water. The 8 strand fusing process also gives Fireline Ultra 8 several significant advantages. It is four times more abrasion resistant than original Fireline, and is rounder and smoother, casting 10% further than traditional Fireline. Fireline Ultra 8 retains superb knot strength and near zero stretch, delivering a telegraphic feel for structure and strikes. The unique fusing process produces a round profile that resists digging into the spool under heavy loads, and never separates like many standard braids. Fireline Ultra 8 is available in crystal, flame
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PRODUCT GUIDE
BIG WILLY BAIT PUMP
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With an IP68 waterproof rating, the Pelican Marine case shields your smartphone from the harshest elements that mother nature can throw at you. Providing reliable protection from the snow, dirt, sand, dust and water, the Pelican Marine’s slimline five-layer shell design protects your smartphone and its screen from scratches, impacts and drops from all angles. The case has been uniquely constructed of impact absorbing materials, like the ultra-tough elastomer internals and a rigid polycarbonate outer shell, with a soft-touch over-mould incorporated into the design for an easy hold that also reduces the risk of the device sliding off surfaces. Like all Pelican protective equipment, the ruggedised Marine case has been tested to military specifications and is guaranteed to survive multiple drops. The IP68 waterproof protection rating enables your smartphone to stay submerged under water at a depth of up to 1.5m for up to 30 minutes. The Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Case is compatible with iPhone 6, 7, 8, X and plus models. Price: SRP: $99.95 www.pelicanstore.com.au
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visit www.tacklejunkie.fish for the latest tackle news - AS IT HAPPENS!
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PRODUCT GUIDE
WHAT’S NEW FISHING X-RAP MAGNUM XPLODE
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The over-engineered X-Rap Magnum Xplode combines a heavy through-wire construction with a thick-walled ABS body, giving it Rapala’s Magnum level of strength to absorb the most vicious strikes. Featuring 3D holographic eyes and internal foil, it is explosive and loud. Low positioned tow points pull the popper downwards, keeping the X-Rap Magnum Xplode stable in all weather conditions, while its deep cupped face generates a thunderous service explosion with each sweep of your rod. The long-casting, rear-weighted X-Rap Magnum Xplode rests tail down, perfectly positioning the 5/0 VMC 75 series 6X Tropic Spark Point trebles, which are connected to 250lb split rings. Available in eight fish-catching colours, the lure weighs 140g and is 17cm in length. Suitable for many large saltwater gamefish, such as GTs, tuna and kingfish, the X-Rap Magnum Xplode is a must for all serious sport and game fishers. It’s due to arrive in Australia around March. Price: SRP $49.95 www.rapala.com.au
VANFOOK JWS-50 ASSIST HOOK
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The JWS-50 wire assist hook from Vanfook is a single assist hook designed to battle fish with sharp teeth, such as mackerel. You can use these assist hooks when jigging or on stickbaits and poppers. Fitted with standard wire JH-10 and JH-30 hooks, Vanfook JWS-50 assist hooks have excellent fish-holding strength and superb hooking penetration. The assist line is a strong, flexible and difficult to kink hybrid wire (200lb) which is further protected with a transparent shrink tube. Made in Japan, Vanfook JWS-50 assist hooks are available in sizes 1/0 to 6/0 with three assists per pack. For more information on this and other hooks in the Vanfook range, check out the EJ Todd website. You can also find more info, news and catch photos on the EJ Todd Facebook page. www.ejtodd.com.au
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SHIMANO OCEA JIGGER RODS
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Jig-eating fish are usually at the nasty end of the spectrum, and the Japanese domestic market Ocea Jiggers have the power and design features to keep the biggest of them away from trouble, and heading towards the boat. Built on Shimano’s exclusive Spiral X and High Power blanks, Ocea Jiggers range in length from 1.88m to 1.91m, so they’re all one piece, which makes them a delight to fish with. Depending on the target species and the jigging technique required to entice them, the Ocea Jigger line-up has spin rods for slow jigging for demersals, right through to overheads that are ideal when targeting deepwater species like kingfish, samsonfish and tropical muscle like dogtooth tuna. Custom Shimano Ci4+ reel seats and comfortable EVA grips mean the high intensity fights these rods will be a part of ensures the angler’s comfort for the duration of the fight. The guides are Fuji Titanium frames with SiC inserts. For the full list of specs visit the Shimano Australia website. www.shimanofish.com.au
EUREKA TORPEDO AND TROLL DOLL
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DAIWA LEGALIS LT
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JIGPARA AND ZOC HOOKS
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Eureka Lures Australia has released an impressive range of pre-rigged small game lures that will be effective on small pelagic species. The Eureka Torpedo lures are a classic bullet shaped lure that will work in most sea conditions. They feature double feathers with an outer skirt and all come pre-rigged with quality nylon leaders, crimps and a Stainless Steel single hook and are available in four colours suitable for tuna, mahimahi, mackerel and albacore. The Eureka Troll Dolls are professionally prerigged with a quality double hook, monofilament trace and are available in five proven colours. Troll Dolls are a great high speed lure suited for tuna, albacore, mackerel, kingfish, salmon and tailor. To browse the full range of Eureka game lures, visit the Juro website. You can also see all the latest news and photos from Eureka distributor Juro OzPro at www.facebook.com/ JuroOzProTackle. www.jurofishing.com
The Legalis LT is one of the latest generation of reels based on Daiwa’s LT or Light Tough concept – lighter, stronger and more compact than ever before. It also incorporates Daiwa’s innovative technologies such as Tough Digigear, ATD, Air Rotor and Airbail, making it one of Daiwa’s most technically advanced budget reels that delivers on both price and performance. Key features include: LT Concept (suits the new generation of PE lines for higher line and drag capacity, stronger gearing, improved handling and increased performance); Tough Digigear (50% stronger than previous Digigear II); Airspool ABS (up to 30% lighter than previous generations, and has a redesigned spool lip improving overall castability); ATD drag system (reduced start-up inertia protects delicate and thin lines from aggressive strikes); Air Bail (maximum rigidity and strength with minimum weight, with a protrusion-free design mitigating line tangles during the retrieve); Air Rotor (reduces weight, stress and flexing, while enhancing transmission of vibration and allowing the rotor to spin with perfect balance); Twistbuster (tapered line roller offsets line twist and greatly improves line management). www.daiwafishing.com.au
Majorcraft has introduced a new range of lead and tungsten jigging lures — 185 versions of Japan’s number 1 saltwater lures. First up are the Vertical Short and Vertical Long Jigparas. Designed with a centre balance and asymmetric body, these have a classic broad slide action, perfect for mechanical jigging for high speed species and big predators. The Tungsten lure is denser and smaller than lead to create less water resistance and sink faster, for a quick cast and catch. The Micro is 3-10g and designed for the smaller estuary and freshwater species. The Vertical Slow Pitch and Slow Pitch fluttering jigs are designed for slow pitch angling. Their slow dancing action means they stay in the strike zone for longer, bringing in shut down or slower fish. Majorcraft has also released 45 variations of the custom coated assist hooks that come in a vast range of sizes and drop lengths. They all have a premium epoxy Z-Hard coating, which keeps the fish on the hook. www.majorcraft.com.au
Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au MARCH 2018
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WHAT’S NEW FISHING DUO D-SQUID 95
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One of the most advanced squid jigs in the world is now available here in Australia. The DUO D-Squid eliminates the traditional ‘feather wing’, which causes drag. Removing these wings, along with internalizing the weight in the body, means the D-Squid reaches the bottom at a speedy rate and allows a light yet sharp darting action in the deep zone. In additiona to this, the D-Squid has a body shape which allows the lure to maintain an ideal body position after the darting action. This results in the increase of bites and eliminates the annoying problem of the hook catching the line. There are two body sizes, 95mm (21g) and 105mm (27g). The 95mm and the 105mm will show its true potential at 15m+ and 20m+ respectively. Another great thing about the D-Squid is the colour line-up; you can select from a wide range of proven colours depending on the field conditions and activeness of the squid. With the D-squid, you will easily be able to reach those deep zones and in fast flowing currents never fished before. Price: SRP $19.99 www.duo-australia.com.au
MAZZY SLIDE BOMBER
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The all-new Mazzy Slide Bomber from Big Yella Time is here. It took many hours of design to get this lure doing exactly what was intended, along with extensive field testing of different prototypes, and now anglers can finally get their hands on some. The Slide Bomber measures 100mm and 40g, and this tall-bodied lure is designed to swim in wide S-curves. By changing your retrieve speeds with a start-stop action, the lure’s swimming action can be increased dramatically. The Slide bomber can be retrieved at super slow speeds but also does not mind pace either. It has a very slow sink, and this action is dynamite on large fish. It gives these wary and cunning fish the urge to attack. So whether you want to target Murray cod in the fresh or mulloway, jacks and flathead in the salt, the Mazzy Slide Bomber has you covered. Price: SRP: $27.95 www.bigyellatime.com
PRODUCT GUIDE
visit the Samaki website. You can also like them on Facebook and Instagram, where you’ll see the latest catch photos and new releases. www.samaki.com.au
SAMAKI RED SNAPPER SHIRT
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Samaki’s new Red Snapper shirt is striking and full of colour. It features hungry snapper in a baitfish-filled rockery, chasing down a Samaki Boombait. This shirt is made from lightweight fabric that features UPF50+ technology, providing the highest level of protection against the harsh sun. The soft touch, 100% polyester material is comfortable on the body and has the added feature of being breathable, keeping you cool and dry. Samaki designs are brought to you by Australian anglers who love to design Australian species. Red Snapper shirts are available in adult, youth and kids sizes, ranging from a size 2 through to a 3XL, allowing the whole family to get in on the action and out onto the water. For more information, including the location of your nearest stockist, visit the Samaki website or like them on Facebook and Instagram. Price: SRP$59.95 (adults), $49.95 (kids) www.samaki.com.au
SWIM BAITS AUSTRALIA
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From the fish mad brains that bought you the Shads Lures range, Swim Baits Australia are brand new swag of lures that started hitting shelves and catching big fish in 2017. These high quality timber swimbaits and glidebaits can be found in sizes from 100mm right through to a mammoth 230mm, and they are bound to get the strike in both rivers and dams. All models are fitted with strong hardware and are available in a great range of colours. Not only will they get the bite, they’re also strong enough to hold on to some of the giants who are eating them. For more information, up-to-date news and recent catch photos, look up Swim Baits Australia on Facebook to see what all the fuss is about. w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / S w i m - B a i t s Australia
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NEW 9CM SAMAKI MAGNETIC 18 SQUIDLY RIGS 15 RELEASE CLIP Black Magic’s range of Squidly rigs have Samaki is expanding further into the practical tooling and accessory market with the launch of the Magnetic Release Clip. The Samaki Magnetic Release clip allows you to access any item you want with ease. The quick release system is made of an aviation-grade aluminium magnet, which is strong and durable. With a maximum weight capacity of 3.5kg, it also features a high strength carabiner. these are so handy you’ll want more than one by your side. Ranging in three awesome colours black, red and cobalt, they are in stores now. The Samaki accessory range also includes fish grips, pliers (long-nose, split ring and multitool) and line spoolers. For more information, including the location of your nearest stockist, 60
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proven to be very effective on deepwater denizens off the shelf, and on big snapper as well. Now a smaller size squid (9cm) has been added to offer anglers a wider range of species to target with this popular rig. Great for both casting and jigging, the 9cm Squidly has three plastic squids rigged in a paternoster style. The components, as always with Black Magic tackle, are high in strength and performance. Squidly rigs use 60lb trace and a long shank hook. Keep an eye out for the new Squidlys at a store near you, and watch out for the new candy colour as well. Before you use these rigs, check the local fishing regulations regarding the number of hooks allowed per rig. If need be, you can just remove one of the hooks and use it separately. www.blackmagictackle.com
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visit www.tacklejunkie.fish for the latest tackle news - AS IT HAPPENS!
SCAN THE QR CODE!
PRODUCT GUIDE
WHAT’S NEW FISHING
Field testing the new Zerek Flat Shad Pro and Live Mullet There’s a huge range of soft plastics on the market, and all of their different designs have not come about by accident; rather they are the result of extensive research and development. The one thing I really like about plastics is that they are continually evolving, and a look at the new range of Zerek soft plastics confirms this fact. Zerek is all about making good lures even better. The original Zerek Flat Shad sported a baitfish-shaped body and active tail that virtually begged a fish to have a bite. I have found them to be extremely effective, especially on ambush predators such as barra, jacks, flathead and cod. Now Zerek has revamped the Flat Shad with a softer and more flexible body material throughout. It’s called the Flat Shad Pro, and it’s part of Zerek’s Professional Craft series of plastics. The newbies are lighter, yet just as dangerous to fish due to the supple body collapsing upon a bite to enable the hook to do its job. These new lures have been designed to be cast on a more lightly-
The Flat Shad has a high degree of snag proofing as the hook will lay right along the lure’s back during the retrieve. lure, with a deliberately slow retrieve, was deadly on these marble-eyed freshwater marauders. Casting just behind a large rock in a high country stream, I eased the snag-
TESTED
the action of a swimming fish. Remember how effective the Zerek Live Shrimp is, due to its very lifelike action and appearance? The same flexibility and realistic appearance is the key with the Zerek Live Mullets, as their segmented construction provides ultra flexibility in the water. Moreover, these segments are held together with Kevlar matting material throughout to ensure that toothy critters don’t give them the chop. They also feature 3D eyes for maximum attraction. Available in a wide range of colours, sizes and weights, the Live Mullet has certainly earned its place in the tackle box. Just like the Pro Series Flat Shad, the Mullet’s action stands out from the crowd. It can be retrieved as fast or as slow as you like without sacrificing that fish-attracting wiggle. I’ve seen these Mullet take quite a few species of fish so far, and without a doubt durability is one of the best things about them. In the freshwater they were good on Murray cod, and my son Scott was generous enough to take me out from Mission Beach and show me how effective the Mullet was on a decentsized queenfish. Despite the attention the queenie gave the lure with its teeth, the Live Mullet came out unmarked. That’s pretty tough! - Wayne Kampe
This Zerek Live Mullet came through totally unscathed from an encounter with a queenfish taken by Scott Kampe. weighted hook, and this reduction in weight gives the tail a slower, more active and enticing action. The Flat Shad Pro can flutter down or be retrieved on the slowest of rolls, with the tail working very enticingly. For those among us that like to pimp their lures, there’s an attachment loop
for an additional stinger hook set into the lead belly weight of Zerek’s weedless worm hook. These lures come in a range of sizes Murray cod find the Zerek Flat Shad Pro hard to resist. This fish nailed the lure the from 3.5-7”, and there are five colours second the author started a slow roll retrieve. to choose from. I opted for a bright orange/yellow 4.5” model to try out on Granite Belt cod, and I found that the proof Zerek over the rock and watched in amazement as three smaller cod fought over the offering. One naturally hooked up, and I released it after a quick photo. In the saltwater I gave a couple of Flat Shad Pros a swim in the Murray River near Tully, and saw everything from barra through to jacks attacking them. Zerek Live Mullet series The concept of a lure closely resembling a fish is an old one. Early offerings made by various companies were moulded to look like fish, but sadly did not swim like one, as they lacked flexibility due to a one-piece rigid construction. They were innovative, but not reliable fish catchers. These days the new Zerek Live Mullet range from their Professional Craft series are as far removed from those early offerings as I am from competing in an The Zerek Flat Shad pro series is virtually Iron Man event. Constructed from a highly The Zerek Flat Shad pro series is virtually snag proof. This barra scoffed the snag proof. This barra scoffed the durable, high-end TPE material, the Live Flat Shad right in the sticks. Flat Shad right in the sticks. Mullet is specifically designed to imitate
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TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2018 MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
3 Mar
His and Hers Partners Classic Lake Mulwala
Tony Bennett (03) 5744 1667
6-8 Mar
ABT BREAM Series Australian Open Sydney Harbour/Hawkesbury River
abt.org.au
10-11 Mar
SCFCA Deep Sea Competition Kiama Bowls Club
southcoastfca@yahoo.com.au
10-11 Mar
Tuross Head Flathead and Bream Tournaments Tuross Head
www.facebook.com/flatheadandbream
10-11 Mar
Round 2 Hobie Kayak Bream Series Foster / Wallis Lake
www.hobiefishing.com.au
10-11 Mar
ABT BASS Pro Round 1 Hawkesbury River
abt.org.au
15-18 Mar
Cod Nationals Lake Mulwala
Tony Bennett (03) 5744 1667
20-21 Mar
ABT BREAM Series Round 3 St Helens, Tasmania
abt.org.au
24-25 Mar
ABT BREAM Series Round 4 Derwent River, Tasmania
abt.org.au
7-8 Apr
Round 3 Hobie Kayak Bream Series Sydney
www.hobiefishing.com.au
14-22 Apr
MOTackle & Outdoors Cod Cash Tournament Copeton Dam, Inverell
(02) 6728 8161
21-22 Apr
ABT BREAM Series Round 5 Gold Coast
abt.org.au
22 Apr
ABT BASS Electric Series Round 2 Clarrie Hall Dam
abt.org.au
5-6 May
ABT BREAM Series Round 6 Swan River, WA
abt.org.au
19-20 May
ABT BASS Pro Round 2 Glenbawn Dam
abt.org.au
22-23 May
ABT BASS Pro Round 3 Lake St Clair
abt.org.au
26-27 May
SCFCA Rock Competition Berry Bowling Club
southcoastfca@yahoo.com.au
2-3 Jun
Round 5 Hobie Kayak Bream Series Gold Coast
www.hobiefishing.com.au
2-3 Jun
ABT BREAM Series Round 7 Hawkesbury River
abt.org.au
9-10 Jun
Greenback Fishing Competition Tweed Coast
Stephen 0421 052 135
10 Jun
ABT BASS Electric Series Round 3 Wyralong Dam
abt.org.au
9-10 June
Tweed Coast Marine Greenback Fishing Comp. Tweed Coast
Stephen Duffield 0421 052 135
7-8 Jul
ABT BASS Pro Round 4 Lake Boondooma
abt.org.au
11-12 Jul
ABT BASS Pro Round 5 Cania Dam
abt.org.au
29 Jul
ABT BASS Electric Series Round 4 Lake Macdonald
abt.org.au
Add your tournament or competition to this list by emailing jthomas@fishingmonthly.com.au or calling 07 3387 0800 in office hours. Just supply a date, venue, tournament name and a telephone number and contact name. 80
MARCH 2018
The Greenback Fishing Competition is back on The Lions Greenback Fishing Competition is back and being held on June 9-10 this year. Since 1981 the Greenback Tailor Fishing Competition has been a community focus event
helping to raise funds for local beneficiaries. There has been some difficulty in the past with holding the event in 2015 and 2017. With the backing from the Cabarita Beach Pottsville Beach Lions Club, two Lions members (Stephen Duffield and Stan Dawson) formed the Lions Greenback Management Team. With the support of major sponsor Tweed Coast Marine, the Greenback
Fishing Competition is alive and well and back on track for 9 and 10 June 2018. The fishing event has been held on the NSW Queen’s Birthday weekend for many years, and this year the organisers are planning
running for a tailor prize. The men’s division will also have a 4th place prize. The boundaries are changing and now cover the area from the QLD/NSW border to South Ballina. The event now includes the Tweed region, so if you fish in the Tweed River and the local beaches, you can catch the fish species without leaving the area. The Sunday activities will be completed by 1:30pm, so the Queensland entrants have some time to travel home. With the boundary changes, we hope to see more local river anglers sign up for the competition. The prize goods will be from fishing, camping and sporting product lines. There has also been some
tightening up in the honesty and fraud control areas in the background running of the event. The family-orientated markets will also be back with the help of Curl Creative. All entrants will have a complimentary ticket in
for 800+ anglers from NSW and QLD to attend. The event in its 31st year is expected to give the region a welcome economic boost. Following consultation with past participants, some changes have been made to the competition. Prize money, in general, has increased across all categories. For the greenback tailor, a 3rd place prize has been allocated providing an opportunity to all anglers to be in the
the Lions Charity Raffle, a breakfast voucher and the chance to win lucky prize draws on Sunday morning. We are also introducing a New South Wales vs Queensland entrants shield to go the state with the most competition points (a pro-rata point system will be in place). In March there will be blues and maroons Greenback merchandise available for purchasing online. With the first State of Origin game on the Wednesday before the Greenback Competition, this will add to the entertainment during the weigh-in on Sunday morning. An early bird rate (until 9 April) is offered to encourage participants to register and pay a reduced
entry fee that will help with planning the event. The early bird entry rates have been set at $35 and $30 for seniors (55+) – savings that take us back to 2013 and 2014 entry fees. Entrants will be able to pay online using PayPal, VISA, MasterCard or AMEX. In addition to the early bird savings, entrants who register as an early bird may pick up a Greenback cap (first 40), Greenback stubby cooler (first 80) and go into two prize draws for three Fishing Monthly Magazine twelve-month subscriptions. For more information visit lionsgreenback.com, email greenback2018@ optusnet.com.au or phone Stephen on 0421 052 135.
release competition, it is a requirement that participants have the ability to photograph a potential prize-winning fish as photographs will be used in the verification process. To find out more simply
head to www.facebook. com/CopetonCodCash. Enquiries can be made by e-mailing tourism@ inverell.nsw.gov.au or by calling (02) 6728 8161. – Inverell Shire Council
Big Cash on Offer for Copeton Cod The chance to share in over $25,000 cash is up for grabs as a new Murray cod fishing tournament is due to start on 14 April near Inverell in northern NSW. Copeton Dam has established itself as the premier Murray cod fishing capital of Australia. Anglers often dream of adding the mighty metre cod to their bragging vocabulary, however now something more than this lifelong thrill is on offer. The MO Tackle & Outdoors Cod Cash is offering a huge $25,000 in cash prizes for avid anglers who can successfully land a
tagged Murray cod. But that’s not even the best part – the event is absolutely free to enter! The nine-day event is a new initiative of Inverell Shire Council and has already captured interest from interstate visitors, with MO Tackle and Outdoors the event’s major sponsor. The MO Tackle & Outdoors Cod Cash will see the release of at least six Murray cod into the Copeton Dam impoundment and offer cash prizes to participants who are able to successfully re-capture any one or all of the fish. One Murray cod will carry a tag worth a whopping
$20,000, while other minor prizes will include at least five Murray cod valued at $1000 each. The 9-day event, to run from 14 April 2018 – 22 April 2018, is the icing on the cake for many anglers thinking of visiting Copeton Dam to chase the almighty metrey. April has proven to be a red-hot time for catching cod in Copeton, with monster fish angled on a regular basis. The opportunity to catch the fish of a lifetime paired with a chance to secure $25,000 worth of cash with no registration fee is an offer far too good to refuse. To coincide with the event, a photo competition will be run where participants are challenged to take a unique snap of anything Copeton and/ or Cod Cash related, and upload it to social media using a series of hashtags (#). In the generous spirit of the event, the photo judged to be the best/ most unique will earn its photographer a cool $500 cash. Participants are encouraged to photograph all Murray cod and golden perch landed and submit them to a designated e-mail address for their chance to win some fantastic mystery length fish prizes!
Registration for the MO Tackle & Outdoors Cod Cash will be made available in the township of Inverell from 24 March 2018 until the end of the competition on 22 April 2018. It is imperative that keen participants sign up to receive their unique participation card that must feature in the photos used to verify a tagged fish. Registration will be available at the following seven businesses in Inverell: • Australian Hotel Inverell • Compleat Angler and Camping World Inverell • Inverell Fishing and Hunting • Inverell H Hardware • Northern Tablelands Local Land Services • Regional Australia Bank Inverell • Simply Print Anything Inverell Registration will not be made available at Copeton Dam or online. Anglers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate for as little or as long as you like, with no requirement to fish the entire event. Participants under the age of 16 years old must be accompanied by a registered parent or guardian to whom prize money will be paid. As a strictly catch-and-
MARCH 2018
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Trades, Services, Charter Discover the land of many waters on the unspoilt South Coast of NSW
HOLIDAY RENTAL
CHARTER BOATS
MACLEAY VALLEY COAST
CLARENCE COAST
CRESCENT HEAD HOLIDAY RENTALS
Evans Head Deep Sea Fishing Charters, 0428 828 835 Reel Time Fishing Charters Yamba 0428 231 962 Wooli Deep Sea Tours (02) 6649 7100
COFFS COAST
For all your accommodation needs, house, units & townhouses for every budget. Contact the friendly team at Crescent Head Real Estate for your free holiday brochure.
www.crescentheadholidayrentals.com.au
Email: holiday@crescentheadrealestate.com.au
Freshest Fishing Tours 0421 405 221 Coffs Coast Sport Fishing 0434 517 683 The Rocks Fishing Charters 0412 074 147 Trial Bay Fishing Charters, 0427 256 556 South West Rocks Fishing Adventures 0411 096 717
6 MAIN ST, CRESCENT HEAD NSW 2440
Phone: 02 6566 0500
Crescent Head Holiday Rentals (02) 6566 0500 Macleay Valley Coastal Holiday Parks 1300 262 782
www.southwestrocksfishingadventures.com.au
HUNTER COAST
PORT & REEF SFISHING GAME ERS
Wangi Point Lakeside Holiday Park (02) 4975 1889 Blacksmiths Holiday Park (02) 4971 2858
CHART
CENTRAL COAST Central Coast Holiday Parks 1800 241 342
u Mid week packages from $420 p/p* u Weekend packages from $320 p/p*
*Minimum 6 people
On board our fully equiped 38ft Randell TRIFECTA
ILLAWARRA COAST
Contact: David Hayman (Stumpee) Mobile: 0411 096 717 info@swrcharters.com.au
Riviera Caravan Park, St George’s Basin (02) 4441 2112
MACQUARIE COAST
FRESHWATER Burrinjuck Waters State Park (02) 6227 8114 Winter Keep (Snowy Mountains) www.winterkeep.com.au Grabine Lakeside State Park (02) 4835 2345 Alpine Tourist Park (02) 6454 2438 www.alpinetouristpark.com.au Milani Trout Cottages (02) 6775 5735 www.milanitroutcottages.com Wyangala Waters State Park (02) 6345 0877 Chifley Dam Cabins 1800 68 1000 Copeton Waters (02) 6723 6269
Castaway Estuary Charters 0427 239 650 Ocean Star Fishing Charters 0416 240 877
SYDNEY Harbour and Estuary Fishing Charters (02) 9999 2574 or 0410 633 351 Sydney Sportfishing Adventures 0405 196 253 Ocean Hunter Sports Fishing 0414 906 569
EDEN COAST Esprit Fishing Charters 0418 634 524
ILLAWARRA COAST
FISH TAXIDERMY
Sea Lady Charters 0411 024 402
Fish Taxidermist 0428 544 841
Shell Harbour Fishing Charters 0425 216 370
QUEENSLAND
CHARTER BOATS
Mikat Cruises Fishing Charters Swains & Coral Sea 0427 125 727
Dave Gaden’s Yamba • Deep Sea
REEL TIME FISHING CHARTERS
FISHING EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME! • 6am to 2pm $150pp • 3 boats – holds up to 30+ people • All fishing gear and bait is supplied • No fishing licence req. • Pickup from Yamba Marina or Iluka ferry wharf
Phone Dave today: www.fishingyamba.com.au 0428 231 962 EASY PARKING
• Reef, Deep Sea and Sport Fishing • Swains, Samurez, Cap Bunker Group • Dories available • LUXURY 20m Cat. New V8 Scanias. Large comfortable and stable. • Air conditioned and fast (cruise up to 16 knots) • Professional crew (over 22 years experience) • Cater for groups up to 12 people from 3 to 10 days • BYO or fully licenced bar • Desalinate unit • Trips designed to suit your requirements
SATELLITE TV INSTALLED
OPEN 7 DAYS
Phone: 0427 125 727 I Fax: (07) 4972 1759 michael@mikat.com.au
www.mikat.com.au MARINA BOAT & TACKLE, YAMBA MARINA
YAMBA’S LARGEST TACKLE STORE • Chandlery • Boat Sales • Ice & Gas • Bait & Tackle • Trailers Sales & Parts • Charter Bookings Ph: 6646 1994 or 0428 231 962 Email: dave@gaden.com.au Now Agents For
FISHING GUIDES PORT STEPHENS Fish Port Stephens Estuary Charters 0434 370 687
ILLAWARRA COAST Bay & Basin Sportsfishing 0413 610 832
EDEN COAST Captain Kev’s Wilderness Fishing Tours (02) 4474 3345 or 0424 625 160
This section in NSW Fishing Monthly consolidates the trades and services in your area that are relevant to your fishing and boating. Whether you’re a local looking for more options or a travelling angler fishing around the state, this guide will direct you to reputable businesses in the area you’re searching. 88
MARCH 2018
Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory KAYAK DEALERS
ba Prawn Blade s” “Yam
The Life Aquatic - Mona Vale – (02) 9979 1590 Australian Bass Angler - Penrith – (02) 4721 0455
BAIT & TACKLE
CLARENCE
Maclean Outdoors - MacLean – (02) 6645 1120
YAMBA BAIT & TACKLE “Yamba’s Leading Tackle Shop”
Wetspot Watersports -Fyshwick – (02) 6239 1323
“IN THE MAIN STREET” Shop 3, 8 Yamba St, Yamba
Hunts Marine - Yallah – (02) 4284 0444 Bunyips Great Outdoors - Lismore – (02) 6622 1137
Graham Barclay Marine – Forster – (02) 6554 5866 Hunter Water Sports - Belmont – (02) 4947 7899
N O W AVA IL A B L E ALL YOUR FISHING MONTHLY GEAR From
T-Shirts
$
02 6646 1514 • OPEN 7 DAYS
22 85
Totally Immersed Watersports - Nowra (02) 4421 5936 Hunts Marine - Batemans Bay – (02) 4472 2612 Compleat Angler – Merimbula – (02) 6495 3985
MARINE MECHANICS
“The Home of Leavey Lures” • Stocking all Major Brands • Experienced Local Knowledge • Tournament Bream Gear in Stock • Snorkelling gear in stock
SYDNEY Penrith Marine (02) 4731 6250 Moby Marine (02) 9153 6506 or www.mobymarine.com.au Cohoe Marine Products (Sydney) (02) 9519 3575 Blakes Marine (02) 4577 6699 Watersports Marine (02) 9676 1400 Marina Bayside (02) 9524 0044 Shannons Outboards (02) 9482 2638 Hi Tech Marine (02) 4256 6135 TR Marine World (02) 4577 3522
CANBERRA/ACT H2O Marine (02) 6280 0555 Aussie Boat Sales ACT & NSW 0433 531 226
TWEED/BYRON COAST Tweed Coast Marine (07) 5524 8877 Ballina Marineland (02) 6686 2669
COFFS COAST North Coast Boating Centre (02) 6655 7700 Jetty Boating (02) 6651 4002 www.jettyboating.com.au
MACQUARIE COAST Graham Barclay Marine (02) 6554 5866 Manning River Marine Taree (02) 6552 2333
MODIFICATIONS & REPAIRS // BOAT & TRAILER Bonanza Trailers 0408 299 129 www.bonanzatrailers.com.au Salt Away 1800 091 172 www.salt-away.com.au
SYDNEY The Boat Pimpers (Sydney) (02) 9792 7799
Drop in to see Mick & Kelly Phone Cases
Marina Boat and Tackle (02) 6646 1994 Yamba Bait & Tackle (02) 6646 1514 Wooli Bait & Tackle (02) 6649 7100
From
$
COFFS COAST
29 45
Mugs
Compleat Angler Kempsey (02) 6562 5307 MOTackle (02) 6652 4611 or www.motackle.com.au Rocks Marine Bait & Tackle South West Rocks (02) 6566 6726 Outdoor Adventure South West Rocks (02) 6566 5555
From
$
1 7 27
MACQUARIE COAST Ned Kelly Bait n Tackle Port Macquarie (02) 6583 8318 Graham Barclay Marine (02) 6554 5866 Manning River Marine Taree (02) 6552 2333
HUNTER COAST Port Stephens Tackle World (02) 4984 2144
SYDNEY Gabes Boating & Fishing Centre Narellan (02) 4647 8755 Australian Bass Angler www.abafishing.com.au
FRESHWATER Aberdeen Fishing & Outdoors (02) 6543 7111 Dubbo Marine and Watersports (02) 6882 2853 Loomzys Fish and Fix (Forbes) (02) 6851 1425
Carry Bags $
www.fishin.com.au ONLINE TOURNAMENT TACKLE STORE
20 3 3 Throw Pillows
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25 4 2
and lots more...
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This is where your copy will appear. You will have approximately 40 words within a 10x2 ad size. BENT MINNOWS
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MANY DESIGNS TO CHOOSE FROM ON A WIDE VARIETY OF PRODUCTS ALL MADE TO ORDER
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0425 230 964 – info@fishin.com.au SHOP 18, 29 KIORA RD MIRANDA NSW 2228
ads@fishingmonthly.com.au
www.fishin.com.au 0425 230 964 Blue Bottle Fishing 0409 333 380 or www.bluebottlefishing.com MOTackle (02) 6652 4611 or www.motackle.com.au Adrenalin Flies www.adrenalinflies.com.au Anglers Warehouse www.anglerswarehouse.com.au
fishingmonthly.redbubble.com
Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0800 or email ads@fishingmonthly.com.au MARCH 2018
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Aquayak AQUA II – twice the fun, half the hassle - SC
TENT -
RE ONLINE MO
T
Wayne and the author had no trouble getting right up the back of some of the arms in search of saratoga. we could really test out its fishing ability! FIRST IMPRESSIONS Unloading the yak from the 4WD and walking 100 or so metres to the water, I was surprised at just how light this two-person craft was. At 32kg, it’s not too heavy to 96
MARCH 2018
As for storage, there are two small hatches, one for each seat. There’s space enough for keys, a phone, spare trace, clippers and other small bits of kit that you’d want to keep dry. Admittedly, there wasn’t a lot of storage space available, however
at all as we did some passes for the camera. When the paddles came out of the water, the AQUA II was able to glide gracefully forward without veering to one side, eliminating the need for any complicated rudder systems. The deep moulded seats made
for a very stable ride, and the standard comfort seats that the AQUA II comes with didn’t bring about any dramas for my weathered back, and I didn’t hear any complaint from up front either! Slinking through Hinze’s drowned timber with the 3.8m AQUA II was all too easy, and the advantage of a two-person kayak is that one person can hold the kayak in position while the other really works an area over. This is exactly what we ended up doing, as there was a stiff breeze blowing across the dam, which would have made fishing out of a single-person craft difficult. Our short day on the water at Hinze proved fruitless on the fishing front, however our photographer for the day Peter Jung, who was also in an Aquayak kayak, managed to sneak off and nail a decent saratoga! One slight flaw I did find was that if you’re fishing out of the rear seat, it’s difficult to put your rod in your lap while you paddle along to the next likely spot, which anglers tend to do in a single-person kayak. When sitting up front, this isn’t an issue, however the front seat prevents the rear angler from being able to put his or her rod down, as sticking it out to the side would inhibit your own paddling. I eventually worked out that the easiest thing to do was point the rod backwards and put the rod butt in my lap under the paddle – a small price to pay
DE FOR EX
both of us had no trouble with a tackle box each and a few hand tools, and that’s about all I would tend to take kayaking anyway. You can opt to have large front and rear storage hatches fitted on the AQUA II. ON THE WATER Getting in ended up being very easy – it certainly is nice to have someone there to hold the kayak steady when you get in, as Kampey found out! What struck me immediately was how easily this kayak manoeuvred, and tight corners were no trouble
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It’s been a while since I’ve fished out of a kayak, despite owning one! So I guess there was a reason myself and Wayne ‘Kampey’ Kampe, who has never fished out of a kayak, were chosen to test out the AQUA II from Aquayak. We decided to drop the AQUA II into the heavilytimbered Hinze Dam in South East Queensland, opting for an early start so
lift on and off by yourself, however being a tandem craft, its assumed you’ll have someone else there with you to help. When loading my gear into the AQUA, I noticed that the vertical rod holders at the rear actually angled inward, as opposed to sticking outwards like with other kayaks. I actually came to really appreciate this small but clever little design, as it serves to protect any rod tips at the rear, and this is a big plus in a timbered graveyard like Hinze!
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SPECIFICATIONS Length................................................................3.8m Width..................................................................0.9m Weight................................................................32kg Capacity..............................................................240 Persons...................................................................2 for extremely comfortable kayak fishing. OUTRIGGER KIT Aquayak’s range features a device that is fantastic for anyone who wants to make this incredibly stable craft virtually untippable. This would be very handy if lugging lots of equipment while camping and fishing, kayaking in rough water and also if you’re not the most experienced kayaker. Once the Outrigger Kit was fitted to the AQUA II, I decided to try standing and fishing, and this was all too easy, even with my fairly ordinary equilibrium. I found that standing and fishing while a seated user paddles you around is as good as fishing from any boat with an electric motor! You just need to find someone who will do that for you… Attaching the kit takes about five minutes, and I’m told you can fit it to any kayak, not just those in the Aquayak range! Despite the fact that they protrude outward, they didn’t seem to affect the kayak’s performance. I did bump them a few times with my paddle on the stroke while sitting in the back, but this is probably more a reflection of my paddling ability, and a bit
of practise would probably fix this problem. FANTASTIC PACKAGE All up, I see this as a fantastic package for a few reasons. Firstly, it’s cheaper than buying two good quality fishing kayaks, and is perfect for regular fishing partners. It would also be easy enough to fish out of alone should your partner be unavailable that day. Secondly, with the Outrigger Kit, it becomes user-friendly to even the most novice kayakers, and provides comfort to more skilled users if traveling in rough water or with a heavy load. Thirdly, it can be kitted how you please, with Aquayak’s huge range of optional accessories, which include seats, rod holders, extra hatches and more. All up, the standard AQUA II package, which includes two seats, two paddles, two 12L dry bags, and a handful of extras, is $1050. The Outrigger Kit, which is sold separately, is a modest $245, and believe me, these things will last a very long time. For more information on this kayak, and the other kayaks and accessories in the range, visit www. aquayak.com.
Jumping aboard to AQUA II, the author was impressed by the inward facing rod holders at the rear.
The AQUA II with the Outrigger Kit fitted and someone to paddle you around is as good as fishing out of any electric bass boat.
The Railblaza rodholders that come with the package can be mounted and unmounted in a matter of seconds.
The comfort seats that come standard with the package didn’t cause any dramas for the rickety backs of Kampey or the author on the day.
With everything fitted, including the Outrigger Kit, the AQUA II looked like a serious fishing machine.
The deep moulded seats made the kayak extremely stable for two users.
The small storage hatches that come with the package provide enough room for phones, keys, small tools and the like.
With two people paddling the relatively light 32kg hydrodynamic frame, it’s possible to get this kayak up to a fair clip. MARCH 2018
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Sea Jay Ranger 4.6m with Yamaha 70hp 4 stroke
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3.25m beam the similarly bulletproof Yamaha F70 (tiller) strapped to the back. Incidentally, Mackerel Pete’s boat was powered by the same engine and recently closed over 2500 hours! When we released the video for this test, it really hit the mark with anglers
SPECIFICATIONS Length........................................................4.6m Beam........................................................2.35m Depth .......................................................1.26m Hull .............................................................4mm Sides ..........................................................3mm Floor ribs ....................................................... 10 Capacity .................................................. 5 max Hull weight .............................................. 505kg Max motor weight................................... 155kg Fuel ..............................................................90L Total length.............................................. 6.15m
Main: The Sea Jay 460 Ranger is about as bulletproof as you’ll find in a commercially available boat in today’s marketplace. A full self-draining floor and massive beam will make this rig an instant favourite of the tough-as-nails fishing crew. Above: Apparently when you Google ‘What boat does Chuck Norris have?’ the Ranger 460 comes up. 100
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The last time I launched at the Elliott River in Bundaberg, I was headed offshore for the day with Spanish mackerel pro-line fisher, Peter Stevens. And on that day we made Fishing Monthly’s most popular YouTube video yet (about how to troll dead baits for Spaniards). Pete’s boat is a no-nonsense plate aluminium workhorse that delivers day-in and day-out. Sea Jay’s new 4.6m Ranger is built with the same user in mind – maybe not commercial anglers, but anglers that use their boat hard every
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weekend and never expect any reliability issues, ever. The new Ranger replaces the 4.4 and 4.7m models in the range and is built on Sea Jay’s Samurai hull. Featuring 4mm bottom sheets and 3mm sides, the test model had a fully self-draining checker plate deck, a massive
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There are plenty of boating anglers out there who want to do all of their maintenance with a garden hose (or a Gerni if they are upmarket). The Ranger allows this. Australia-wide and the softlaunch of the model created a demand for the hull that Sea Jay worked hard to fill. What I learned from the experience is that sometimes it isn’t the creature comforts of a hull that gets anglers excited; it’s about having a boat that does its job well. And that’s exactly what the Ranger does. If you use your boat hard in estuary and inshore environments, you want the clean-up from a crabbing or prawning trip to be easy and to be achievable with a garden hose. The Ranger ticks all of the boxes here, with no carpet to clean or paint to damage. Similarly, the built-in livewell drains straight to the outside through holes in the transom, reducing the need
for electronic intervention to keep your baits alive. The high front casting deck conceals massive underfloor storage. The Ranger holds a fibreglass EvaKool under the deck. Up for’ard, the ability to mount a trolling motor next to the anchor well is great for those who like bait fishing as well as lure casting. The small side console is one of the pro concessions to luxury in this rig and will probably be frowned upon by the tough TNQ anglers as being a bit ‘soft’, but it’s a great place to mount a sounder and keep your valuables out of the way of spray. The other concession is some comfortable seats which slide into a baseless floor mount.
Twist the throttle on the Yamaha and the Ranger jumps onto the plane and it sounds just like an F-series Yamaha at full throttle. Without fuel flow metering available, the Ranger delivered 51km/h against the tide and 56km/h with it. With standard F70 fuel consumption, that gives a range of well over 200km with the on-board 90L fuel tank. Overall, this rig is as Queensland as XXXX Gold and winning State of Origin footy games. Check out www. seajayboats.com.au for more details and make sure you like Sea Jay on Facebook. As tested, the Ranger came in at $31,530. Make sure you scan the QR code hereby to see the Ranger in action!
Ain’t got time for dance seat bases? Sea Jay has you covered.
Sea Jay’s livewells are simple and self-drain through an array of holes on the transom.
Above: The front casting deck is actually pretty high, which makes the storage underneath cavernous. A little paint on the inside could take the edge off the sun, in case you live in North Queensland. Inset: There aren’t too many boats where you can fit an EvaKool this size under the floor!
2.35m of beam makes the Sea Jay Ranger a real workhorse. We challenge you to fill it with camping gear for a long weekend away, because it’ll hold it all – easily.
The Ranger holds its beam a long way forward and the Sea Jay steps bow is distinctive from the outside, but barely noticeable inside.
This is clever – capability for a proper anchor well and an electric motor. It’s good to see a boat manufacturer that understands how most of us like both lure and bait fishing. Small side pockets hold a bit of gear, but don’t run full length to the front casting deck.
The small side console is super practical without chewing up cockpit space. You can see some of FM’s tools of the trade in this shot – the Nikon KeyMission 170 is on all of our boat tests.
There’s plenty of room under the transom for water to escape through the scuppers.
Yamaha’s F70 is a perfect complement to this hull. The tiller is eminently userfriendly and economy is off the charts. MARCH 2018
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Horizon SunRunner 485 with Yamaha F90hp - SC
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Length.....................................................4.985m Beam.........................................................2.02m Hull weight............................................... 450kg Max hp............................................................90 Fuel...............................................................80L Test weight............................................... 889kg Main: The SunRunner is eminently capable in both inshore and offshore situations, and the 90hp Yamaha gives the rig a range of over 200km with an 80L fuel tank underfloor. Above: There wasn’t enough swell or wind chop to give the Hydro Lift hull a proper workout. Unique to the boat is the internal layout. A full, flat, internal floor runs from bow to transom. Instead of a front cabin, there’s a simple rail system that helps your gear stay in place up the front while opening up the maximum amount of fishing space down the back. Indeed, there’s a lot of cockpit room for a sub-5m boat, and that’s
RPM......................Speed....................... km/L 1000........................... 6.5........................... 3.3 2000..........................10.9........................... 2.7 3000............................ 24........................... 2.7 4000............................ 40........................... 2.9 5000............................ 53........................... 2.3 6000............................ 63........................... 1.6 * With a 16” alloy Yamaha SDS propeller. MARCH 2018
with ease. Often, buyers will overlook the practicalities of trailering. Supplied on a single-axle trailer, this rig is just as manoeuvrable off the water as it is on the water and you can jackknife it into a tight parking or storage space if needed. This may include a garage.
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I found it hard to believe that while testing Horizon’s 2018 SunRunner, it was the first time I’d ever been over the Tweed River bar. Of course, I’d been through the Southport Seaway (to the north) and the dicey Brunswick River bar (to the south) countless times. Apart from the great scenery to take some images for this test, it was obvious the fishing opportunities the entrance offered. These were noted for a future fishing trip. Travelling on the SunRunner 485 with Scott James from Horizon Boats, it was good to be in the boat with a local. The factory for both Horizon and Stessl Boats is just up the road and the boat has been designed with offshore anglers on the southern Gold Coast particularly in mind. Horizon’s Hyrdo Lift hull has the runs on the board, so it’s the internal fit-out improvements that herald the 2018 version of this craft.
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range of around 24km. Plenty enough to run around on a glassed-out weekend offshore. The other thing that turns heads about Horizon boats is the price. With packages starting from under $40,000 (the rig as tested was under $45,000), it’s a great stepping stone
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exactly what the Horizon team wanted to deliver. What the hull has also delivered is a rig that’s east to anchor, with a split-access to the anchor well. With the added Bimini top and bait board, it was obvious that this boat had been set up with the keen snapper angler in mind. Loading and unloading is easy with the transom door to the starboard side of the outboard. Powered by the new Yamaha F90 4-stroke outboard, the rig was economical, delivering 3km/L burned at a comfortable cruising speed of 3500rpm and 34km/h. With an 80L fuel tank, this gives a theoretical
for anglers upgrading from their first tinnie. You get shade, offshore capability and the ability to spend a family day on the water
For more information, you can visit www. horizonboats.com.au and make sure you like Horizon Boats on Facebook.
With the transom bait station, the SunRunner is set up for bait or lure fishing. That’s the Gold Coast in the background.
The 90hp Yamaha delivered excellent economy, with 3km/L at 3500rpm.
The dash of the 2018 model is improved. There are plenty of places to hang on and access to the anchor well is easy. You can also flush mount large electronics.
Designed with the serious angler in mind, there’s plenty of rod storage in the rocket launcher and shade for when you’re traveling.
The SunRunner will turn heads at the boat ramp and on the water.
The fully flat floor and rail system makes storage simple.
Check out the large kill-box under the cockpit floor. It keeps things neat when the mackerel are running.
Cradled on a single-axle trailer, the rig is manoeuvrable off the water as well as on. It helps with tight storage spots.
Boarding is easy with the fold down ladder and the slip-in transom door.
The rear lounge can fold away after you’ve finished travelling to your fishing spot.
The anchor well is simple and easily accessible through the split section for’ard.
The rear bait station is practical and has enough room to work around.
The transom deadrise isn’t massive, which provides a balance between rough water ride and shallow water loading ability. MARCH 2018
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