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Clark Legend 520 comparison • Yamashita Eginno Pyonpyon jigs •

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March, 2019

Flathead ‘staccato’ style • Top tackle for kingies • Live baiting tips

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March 2019, Vol. 24 No. 8

Contents 19

From the Editor’s Desk...

Image courtesy of Yokohamajapan.com

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Jason O’Brien caught this 18.7kg cobia on a live bonito aimed at Spanish mackerel on an inshore reef. An Aaron Dyett image.

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you think. Traditionally a tradeonly event, the 2019 AFTA Trade Show is set to be opened to the public for a look-and-see only event on Saturday 17 August this year. It seems like a long way away, but you all probably know by now that life is like a roll of toiler paper – the closer to the end you get the quicker it goes. So it will be here before you know it. The Gold Coast may seem a long way to go to see some fishing tackle (and to not buy any!), but I’m sure that there will be thousands of fishing fans

And then there are the giveaways. There’ll be a hundred people who want a chance to win a lure, and each of them challenges the host to rock-paperscissors – simultaneously! And the cool thing about it is that nobody cheats (I’d often remark that in Australia, there would still be 90 contestants after 10 attempts). Closer to home, developments in the 2019 AFTA Trade Show on the Gold Coast may mean that YOUR opportunity to see the latest gear and to meet your fishing stars may be closer than

who will take the opportunity to travel to this great destination. After all, there’s plenty of accommodation at the right price and there’s not much better weather anywhere than the Gold Coast in winter. The family can go to the theme parks and you can give a rocksolid guarantee that you won’t buy a thing! Actually, that’s not quite correct – there will be limited stickers, caps and catalogues available, but nothing to catch a fish on. I’m old enough to remember the last time the industry opened its doors to the public; it was at a Sydney show and it was well regarded for years afterwards. One thing is for sure, you can bet that any fishing media, pro-staffer, social media legend and content creator will be there – either working the booths or visiting them – so here’s your 6-month heads-up… it’s time to plan a family holiday to the Coast!

It’s become a habit over the last couple of years to head to Japan to see the latest and greatest tackle. Last year it was the Yokohama Fishing Show and this year it was Osaka. These are the two main shows in Japan and they’re held a couple of weeks apart, right in the middle of winter (the Australian summer, and yes, it was a welcome escape from the heat). Japanese companies use the shows to launch new product and to engage with the tens of thousands of fishing fans that come out to see the gear and meet their favourite fishing personalities. And Japan has plenty of both – gear and fishing personas. It’s not uncommon for hundreds of people to attend a stand-side presentation with a TV guy or girl or a winning tournament angler to hear them speak. It comes complete with security guards and ropes to hold the crowd in and to keep the aisles clear.

MARCH 2019

AUST

REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics 45 Cooking 58 Dam Levels 77 Fun Page 79 Tides 84 Trade Directory 82 Tournament News 59 What’s New Fishing 64 What’s New Boating 90 Track My Fish 80 SPECIAL FEATURES Staccato retrieve for flatties 8 Black Magic livebaiting tips 26 Gearing up for kingfish 46

PRO

BYRON COAST The Tweed 28 Ballina 30 Yamba 32 COFFS COAST Coffs Harbour 34 Nambucca 36 South West Rocks 37 MACQUARIE COAST Port Macquarie 38 Harrington-Taree 39 Forster 40 HUNTER COAST Swansea 41 Port Stephens 42 Erina 43 Hunter Coast 44 SYDNEY Sydney North 12 The Hawkesbury 14 Sydney Harbour 16 Sydney South 18 Pittwater 20 Botany Bay 22 Sydney Rock and Beach 24 Western Sydney 25 ILLAWARRA COAST Illawarra 49 Nowra 54 BATEMANS COAST Merimbula 51 Narooma 50 Batemans Bay 55 EDEN COAST Bermagui 52 Tathra 53 Mallacoota 57 FRESHWATER Canberra 68 Robinvale 70 Mildura 70 Albury-Wodonga 71 Yarrawonga 71 Batlow 72 Lithgow-Oberon 73 Snowy Mountains 74 Hunter Valley 76 New England 77 Wagga Wagga 78 BOATING AND KAYAK 85

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Flathead

Spinning for flatties with help from flyfishos CANBERRA

Toby Grundy

I love my flathead fishing. For me, there are very few angling experiences more rewarding than packing

March and April are two of my favourite months in which to target this great species because I can catch a lot of fish using a specific technique, and also because of the mixed bag of other species which show up

time I fished a lot of South Coast systems, from Lake Conjola right down to the Towamba River in Eden. During these trips I caught a lot of flathead using a variety of lures, ranging from plastics through to topwaters.

Bream often hit surface lures meant for lizards.

Michael Wilson with a Tomaga River flathead. the ute, loading the kayak and heading off to the South Coast in search of big lizards.

while casting for crocs. I spent two years writing the kayak ‘hotspot’ column for this magazine, and in that

I also wrote about a number of techniques I used along the way, from the ‘burn and kill’ to the ‘deadstick’.

Bassday Sugapens are very effective.

That said, there was one technique I left out while writing the yak column as I was still trying to work it out. Fly anglers call it a ‘staccato’ retrieve. It’s a musical term that means ‘short and detached’, which describes the retrieve perfectly because you make pronounced short pauses and twitches throughout. I will discuss this method, and where to use it, in further detail below, along with some locations which provide great flathead fishing. THE RETRIEVE A few years ago I started thinking a lot about lures and flies, and the similarities and differences between the two. As a spin fisherman and occasional fly fisho, I found a few key similarities in the way a fly is worked and how to get the best out of lures designed for spin gear. The ‘staccato’ retrieve was the first fly technique I tried (using conventional spin gear) for flathead that achieved success. This retrieve style is easily transferable to spin gear. Cast your lure out into a likely area and let it sit for a few seconds before beginning the retrieve. This

is the first pronounced pause. Once a few seconds have passed, give the lure a twitch to get it swimming and after

you want to jerk the lure as hard as you can without the lure losing its core action. An example would be the

Flathead put up a good fight on light gear, and they taste great. one or two twitches, pause the lure again. The size of the twitch depends on the lure being used, but essentially

Jackall Micro Pompadour, which can cope with a really strong twitch and still swim across the surface. However,

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MARCH 2019

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Dave Pidcock with a bass which hit a plastic intended for a flathead.

Flathead as soon as a lure loses its action, it means the twitch was too heavy. LURE SELECTION This retrieve is particularly effective when throwing surface lures for flathead, and one lure that stands out from all others is the Bassday Sugapen. This lure is perfectly designed for the staccato retrieve as it is

incredibly lightweight so it lands naturally, casts like a bullet and (similar to a fly) relies on the angler to create the action. Because the angler is in complete control of the lure, it is far easier to insert the right pause and the right amount of power to achieve a pronounced twitch. The other reason the Sugapen is so effective is

that even during a lengthy pause the lure is still moving. I work the twitch part of the retrieve by holding the rod high and twitching my wrist up and down while winding at the same time.

Wriggler, Ecogear Grass Minnow, Megabass Siglett, OSP Bent Minnow and Jackall Micro Pompadour. LOCATION, LOCATION This type of retrieve works really well when

The author’s PB estuary perch caught using a ‘staccato’ retrieve.

Jason Naumann knows the thrill of catching big crocs on the flats.

Use a longer rod for casting in wide, open systems.

because after a twitch, the lure will sit stationary with just the head sitting above

the surface. The tail of the lure sits below, wobbling back and forth enticingly so

I put a lot of energy into the retrieve to achieve a lot of movement, and if I’m not seeing water firing off the front of my Sugapen I know I’m not doing it right. I pause the lure for up to five seconds between twitches. Other lures which work well using this method include the Squidgy

drifting and casting along the flats because the lure looks like a distressed baitfish or crustacean moving at high speed in shallow water. To a predator, it looks like an easy target. Also, because of the pronounced pause and twitch, the flathead think the lure is injured, To page 10

MARCH 2019

Yellowtail Kingfish

The right gear to tackle kingfish SYDNEY

Gary Brown

I rate the yellow-tailed kingfish as one of the hardest fighting species that I have caught, and this is true whether they are big or small. This article is not just about catching big arm

schooling or solitary fish that travels the oceans and seas. They can be found from the continental shelf, to offshore reefs, islands, upwellings, harbours, bays, rocky headlands and some rivers. SYDNEY I have caught kingfish in the Parramatta River near the Putty Ferry, the Moons

Tagging has also shown that larger fish will travel further, with fish being tagged off NSW being recaptured off Victoria, Lord Howe Island and New Zealand. SUGGESTED OUTFITS Over the years I have caught kingfish on a number of different outfits,

To imitate this feeing action, I hold my rod at around 60° and wind fairly quickly. This will have the baitfish’s head just out of the water while skipping across the surface. When the kingfish hits the bait and hooks up on the ganged hooks, I can then still have enough angle to strike, setting the hooks. You want your rod to have low-down power in the butt and flexibility in the tip to give you the control that you need to land these fish. My outfit is currently an Okuma Flexi Tip matched with an Azores 5500, while fellow NSWFM writer Alex Bellissimo uses an Alvey reel on a 3.6m Wilson Live Fibre rod when it comes to skipping those sea garfish for kingfish from the rocks. When targeting kingfish from a boat in the bays and harbours of offshore, I prefer a shorter rod that still has the low-down power in the butt with a fast-tapered

You don’t always need an early start to get livebait for kingies, but it can help. Dead baits, such as butterflied yellowtail, also work. like this, not only can you troll diving hardbodied lures, you can also jig to your heart’s content and then cast poppers, stickbaits and soft plastics until your arms are about to fall off! KINGFISH TECHNIQUES When targeting kingfish I like to keep my techniques as simple as possible. That

A legal sized kingfish in NSW has to be at least 65cm and can be caught in the estuaries, bays, off the rocks and offshore. This one that Andrew Humphries caught just missed the mark. pulling and back breaking monster kingfish, it’s about sharing a few techniques that I use when I target these fish from a boat or the shore. Kingfish have the power, speed, stamina and strength to bring anyone to

in the Georges River and even as far up as Bar Point in the Hawkesbury River while bait fishing for bream and flathead. In September 2018 the NSW DPI released 7000 juvenile kingfish (around 35-40cm long)

depending on whether I am fishing from a boat, off a break wall or wharf or off the rocks. Generally speaking, kingfish require specialist tackle, the type of tackle that will stand up to those lineburning runs, rod-breaking lunges and never-give-up attitude. I find that you need rods that are lightweight and powerful where the power runs through the blank, while still having that flexibility in the tip section to throw either baits or lures. Since my early days targeting kingfish off the rocks, I have always preferred to use either whole garfish or pilchards on a set of 6/0 Mustad ganged hooks. Maybe you have noticed that when pilchards or garfish are fleeing from a predator they will skip across the surface.

1. A hook through the bridge of the nose. 2. Try butterflying your dead bait. 3. A single hook in a squid head or whole squid can be effective. 4. A cheap plastic skirt put over the head of a bait. 5. This snood rigged strip of fresh squid has been cut to imitate tentacles. 6. Putting a swivel onto the last hook in a gang helps stop the strip bait from spinning. flexible tip. This kind of rod can be used for live baiting, jigging and trolling. I recommend a 7ft, 8-12kg rod matched with a 5500 size threadline spooled with 15kg braid. With an outfit

way there are fewer things that can go wrong. Well, that’s the hope! You can get good results on stickbaits, 3”, 4”, 5”, 6”, 7” and 9” plastics, whole garfish, yellowtail, pike

A selection of the terminal tackle that the author uses for kingfish. their knees, making them one of the toughest fish on the planet. It doesn’t matter whether you call them kingies, hoodlums, yellowtail brawlers or bandits, they will push your tackle to the limit, and test your ability to tame them. This is why so many anglers want to catch one. In Australian waters kingies are distributed from North Reef in Queensland all the way around the southern coast to Trigg Island in Western Australia. They also occur off the east coast of Tasmania and around Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. Kingfish are either a 46

MARCH 2019

into Botany Bay and another 3000 kingfish into Lake Macquarie. Then in December 2018 they released another 2000 into Botany Bay. Some were tagged before they were released. Already some of these NSW DPI tagged kingfish have shown up in the Port Hacking, the Parramatta, Lane Cove and Iron Cover rivers, Sydney and Middle harbours and the Pittwater. Studies have shown that yellowtail kingfish up to 60cm will remain in an area for at least 12 months, with most of them recaptured within 50km of their release point.

This young angler caught his first ever kingfish while fishing on Southern Sydney Fishing Charters. The angler in the background is also hooked up to a kingfish.

and pilchards, strips of salted tuna and tailor, squid strips and heads. You can either rig them on a set of ganged hooks or on single or multiple snooded hooks. To imitate skipping baitfish on the surface, you should start your retrieve as soon as your bait or lure hits the water. The ideal retrieve speed varies; it’s just something you will have to work out on the day. If skipping across the surface doesn’t work, you could always just cast out, let it sink and then start retrieving it back to the boat in a jerking stop-start motion. Many of my hits from kingfish have happened on the drop. When using a set of ganged hooks, I always make sure the eye of the top hook in the set of gangs is a straight eye (for example a Mustad 4200). I attach a swivel to it, as this eliminates the need to have a swivel further up the line, and it will also stop your line twisting. Can’t afford a downrigger? Don’t worry, you can always use what I call a ‘poor man’s downrigger’. All you need to do is slide on a large barrel sinker above the swivel, and attach a 60-70lb leader of about 1-1.5m. Put on your bait or lure and lower it to the bottom. Then put the motor just into gear, and as it rises to about 45° put the motor out of gear allowing it to slowly sink down towards the bottom. The trick to this type of slow trolling is not to get the rig snagged on the bottom. Four rigs at once Whether you are fishing at anchor over a reef or upcurrent from a maker buoy, you can fish four different rigs at the same time. First, rig up a paternoster rig with only one leader of 1.5m in length. Lower it to the bottom, wind back up a couple of turns of the reel and then place the rod into the rod holder. This will allow either the bait or the soft plastic to swim in the current while still directly under the boat. Secondly, lightly rig either a dead or live bait and

Yellowtail Kingfish slowly feed it out the back of the boat in the berley trail. Thirdly, suspend a live bait like a yellowtail or squid underneath a bobby cork and cast it out the back and then sit the rod into the other rod holder. Last but not least, rig up a plastic, stickbait or whole baitfish and cast and retrieve it through the berley trail. Another option is vertical jigging, either at anchor or drifting. Drop the jig down and once it has reached the bottom, start to quickly

retrieve the jig back towards the surface in a fast jigging motion. This size of the jig will vary depending on the depth of the water, how fast the current is going and whether you are anchored or drifting. Just remember that vertical jigging is not for everyone. It can be quite taxing on the arms, shoulders and back at times. LURES FOR KINGFISH Kingfish can be suckers for lures. The only problem that anglers have is which one will do the trick.

Kingfish can be caught on bibbed and bibless minnows, stickbaits, skirted lures, pushers, metal jigs, surface walkers and poppers, feathers, flies, blades and soft plastics. SO WHERE DO YOU START? You will need to make a decision on whether you are going to troll, cast or jig. Even though some of the lures out there you can do all three, it will depend on what outfit you are going to use as well. An angler out off Long Reef in Sydney in his Hobie chasing kings with live yellowtail.

Downrigging close to the washes off the coast is a very productive way of getting kingfish. This one was caught while trolling a butterflied yellowtail on Fishabout Tours.

To give you an insight as to what I use I have listed below two of my outfits for targeting kingfish, along with some of the types of lures that I use. Outfit 1 • Okuma Azores 7ft, 8-12kg rod matched with an Okuma Azores 5500 threadline spooled with 15kg braid • ZMan 7” Scented Jerk ShadZ • Fish Inc Lures Hooker 110mm sinking stickbait • Rapala X-Rap Long Cast Shallow • Rapala X-Rap Long Cast 1.5m • Rapala CD 9 and 11 • Halco Roosta Popper 80 and 105 • Halco Sliced Sparkler 50g • 7” and 9” Lunker City

Slug-Gos and Berkley 4” Power Minnows Outfit 2 • Okuma Competition CM-S-702M, 3-7kg rod matched with an Okuma Epixor 40 threadline spooled with 6kg Tuf-Line braid • ZMan 4” Scented Jerk ShadZ • ZMan 3.75” and 5” StreakZ • Fish Inc Lures Hooker 110mm sinking stickbait • Rapala CD 7 • Halco Roosta Pooper 60 • Halco Sliced in 10g, 15g, 20g, 30g and 40g • Lucky Craft Sammy 65 • 5” and 7” Lunker City Slug-Gos and Berkley 4” Power Minnows Techniques Trolling in close to the shoreline, I will have the lure

that is closest to the shore running shallow at about 1-2m deep and about 9-10m back. The one on the other side of the boat I run at about 3-4m and about 12m back. If I’m running a third lure (either a soft plastic, skirted or metal lure) I run it directly down the middle at about 15m. Having the lures spread like this allows me to slowly turn around and go back over the same stretch of water without having to pull the lures in and reset them again. The trolling speed is between 4-6 knots. If you are after plenty of visual excitement when chasing kingfish, using a surface lure is the way to go. This can be done by To page 48

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18/06/2018 12:04:01 PM

Pirtek Fishing Challenge

Ready to enter the world’s biggest fishing comp? Australians across all states and territories are being encouraged to prepare their fishing gear for the 2019 Pirtek Fishing Challenge.

Neurosciences Research Unit. The challenge is an online national fishing competition open to all ages and experience levels. All competitors receive

The list of 25 target species will be released to competitors on Sunday, 24 February to allow all anglers time to plan their fishing trips.

pack. Spotters sunglasses are also supplying their awesome polarized eyewear. One of the big attractions of the challenge is the $90,000 in cash supplied by Pirtek Fluid Systems and divided across the 25-target fish nationally. This is awarded via a ‘mystery length’ a secret measurement determined by the event organizers. Michael Guest, Event Director, says the challenge is designed to allow people

of all ages and experiences to get involved and enjoy a day outdoors. “It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced angler or picking up a rod for the first time, the Pirtek Fishing Challenge is all about getting together with your friends and family, having fun and supporting our charity partners,” he said. “Prostate cancer continues to affect thousands of families each year, and sadly almost

every Australian knows someone who is affected by the disease.” “The Pirtek team and I will continue to do all we can to give PCFA and The Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit the support they need.” For more information and to register visit www. pirtekfishingchallenge.com. au. Registrations cost $25.00, plus postage and handling. – Pirtek Fishing Team

a limited-edition cap, brag mat and sticker, along with a redemption voucher for a bottle of Pirtek Protect, which is lanolin grease that has been designed specifically for the marine and fishing industry.

This year, the Challenge is offering a record $213,000 in cash and prizes. Just by entering, all registered participants will be in the running to win a boat, outboard and trailer package valued at over $29,000 courtesy of Stacer/Evinrude. Along with two $2600 Snap On Tool chests, $2000 worth of Berkley/ABU Garcia fishing tackle, a $2000 Lowrance Hook2 12 Sonar/GPS, $1700 BCF spending spree; eight Snap-On Tools 100-piece tool kit valued at $600 and a Valvoline $500 oils and lube

LEATHERJACKET

(ALL SPECIES EXCLUDING CHINAMEN AND UNICORN) Size Range: Up to 3kg, common under 1kg Tactics: Often considered to be an unwanted by-catch when bait fishing in estuaries and offshore, leatherjackets respond well to a variety of baits and lures. Keeping your hooks and lures fairly small would be advantageous if targeting jackets, however they can damage hooks with their teeth. Rigs: A small running sinker or paternoster rig will suffice. Bait: Small flesh baits will be sufficient offshore, while standard run-of-the-mill baits of yabbies and worms will work in the estuaries. Lures: If using lures, small plastics with enough weight to get to the bottom should be all you need.

COASTAL

The Challenge is a major fundraising initiative that helps to raise funds for Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) and awareness of the disease. More than 17,000 men are

Size Range: Up to 50cm, more common from 20-40cm. Tactics: Whiting love clear and shallow water where they grub around for yabbies, worms and other tasty tidbits. By targeting these areas with your baits or lures, you’ll encounter plenty of whiting, as well as other interesting by-catch. Rigs: A running sinker rig with a long leader, tiny long shank hook is enough to fool a whiting, even in shallow water. Light braided line around 4lb with a 2-4lb leader is an excellent balance for the anglers throwing lures at wily whiting. Bait: Worms and yabbies (nippers) are two baits that are rarely met with failure. Lures: Small hardbodies, plastics, and more recently, surface lures have all taken plenty of whiting in the last decade. Often, the bigger whiting will be the ones that take lures..

COASTAL

WHITING

YOUR CHALLENGE • Enter the challenge via the website and be sure to read the terms and conditions. • After you have registered, a limited edition Fishing Challenge cap and Fishing Challenge brag mat will be posted to you.

diagnosed with prostate cancer in Australia every year. Pirtek has been partners with Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia since 2009 to help raise vital funds for prostate cancer research, awareness initiatives and support programs by hosting Australia’s biggest single day fishing competition. The challenge is also a major fundraising partner for the Peter Duncan

It can be redeemed at any one of the 98 Pirtek outlets around Australia. You can find these locations at www. pirtek.com.au. This year’s challenge will take place on Sunday 17 March 2019 between the hours of 6.00am-6.00pm. Competitors need to fish for their chosen species, photograph their catch on the brag mat with their angler number and upload the photo to the website for judging.

• The list of target species will be available via the website www.pirtekfishingchallenge.com.au at 1200 hours AEDST on Sunday, 24 February 2019. • On Saturday, 16 March 2019 (after 6:00pm) you will be sent via email a repeat list of the target species plus your angler number. You can also log on to the website to download this information. • Fishing will commence at 6:00am and finish at 6:00pm on Sunday, 17 March 2019. • All lines must be out of the water at 6:00pm on Sunday, 17 March 2019. • When you catch your target species simply lay the live fish with the nose in line with the ‘0’ (zero) measurement on the Pirtek bragmat. • Photograph the fish so the entire length can be seen in the photograph along with your angler number. • Check out the Photographing Your Fish page for information on how to correctly photograph your catch.

MARCH 2019

• If you do not receive your brag mat before Sunday 17 March, you may measure and photograph your fish using last year’s brag mat, a fisheries measuring sticker, another competitors mat (with your Angler Number), or a generic brag mat (BCF sell them). • If you are not happy with the photograph, simply take another one. • Quickly release the fish and try to catch a bigger one. • Only a fish caught by the registered angler can be entered. • Any photograph that shows a fish not alive or damaged will not be accepted. • Any photograph which has undergone digital manipulation, i.e., photoshop, will be disqualified. • You can only upload one photograph per angler to the website. This needs to be your biggest fish. • Follow the directions on the website to upload your photograph. • The upload needs to be complete by 7:00am AEDT, Monday, 18 March 2019. • Any photographs uploaded after this time will not be accepted.

• Remember to write your angler number clearly in the white box provided on the brag mat.

• If your photograph is damaged, blurry or the overall measurement of your fish is not clearly seen with your angler number the photograph will be disallowed.

• Check your photograph to ensure the whole fish is in the photograph and the nose end of the fish is in line with the ‘0’ (zero) measurement and the overall length along with the angler number is clearly visible.

• Check the website on Saturday, 23 March, 2019 to see if you’re a winner. The National Fishing Challenge committee’s decision will be final and no correspondence entered into.

COASTAL

Rigs: Running sinker rig and a paternoster rig are both good options with 20lb braided main line to 20lb leader. The same line weights can be used for lure fishing.

Rigs: 20-30lb should be your minimum line weights for both your mainline and leader. Lures: Murray cod will eat a variety of surface lures, hardbodies, lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits. As with bait, lures should be big and annoying to achieve the best results.

COASTAL

Size Range: Up to 110cm, common to 40cm.

Bait: Live baits of herring, mullet work well for larger tailor, but dead baits of pilchard, garfish also work well, particularly on the beaches an headlands.

Tactics: Redfin are a schooling fish, so finding schools of fish before deploying bait or lures is preferred. Redfin are very aggressive and will respond to a variety of presentations in the lakes and rivers where they have been introduced.

Lures: Anything suitable for bass or trout will certainly fool redfin. Small hardbodies, soft plastics, surface lures and even flies will readily take perch.

COASTAL

Size Range: Up to 1.1m, commonly caught 30-65cm.

Lures: Most lures work well on flathead, the trick is to have it in their face. Lures such as soft plastics, vibes, lipless crankbaits and hardbodied lure all take flathead, and they’ve been known to chase down swimbaits and surface lures as well.

Size Range: Up to 60cm, common from 20-40cm.

Bait: Any small invertebrates, such as worms, crustaceans and insect larvae make great redfin bait. Yabbies and shrimps are definitely standouts when searching for bigger perch.

FLATHEAD

Bait: Flathead will eat anything they can fit in their mouth, whether it’s live, dead, big or small.

REDFIN

Rigs: A small running sinker rig fished vertically from a boat on 6-10lb is sufficient for redfin anywhere.

Lures: Tailor are predatory and will chase down most offerings at speed. Topwaters, metals, hardbodies, and soft plastics will work well, however tailor will make short work of plastics with their razor sharp teeth.

Rigs: A running sinker rig with 6lb braid with a 15lb leader is sufficient for bait fishing. The same goes for lure fishing, but try to attach your lures with a loop knot where possible to maximize the action of the lure.

MURRAY COD Tactics: Murray cod are a structure-loving and territorial species. Therefore, lures or baits fished or cast around big snag complexes repetitively usually get a response eventually. During periods of low light, they will often leave their lairs in search of food.

TAILOR

Tactics: Flathead are classic ambush predators that use camouflage to their advantage, often burying themselves in sand or mud when awaiting their prey. Drop offs, weed edges, hard rock and mud edges are all great spots for flathead. Flathead have a preference for tidal movement, either running in or running out, and don’t feed as much when the water is slack.

Lures: Lures like Australian-made hardbodied lures, spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits all do damage on yellowbelly.

Size Range: Up to 1.8m, common from 40-80cm.

Lures: Small hardbodied divers, smaller than your little finger, cast around rocky shores, mangroves or bridges and worked with a slow, steady retrieve are hard to beat. When fish go deeper, tiny soft plastics and blades with according jighead size is a sure-fire way to pin a bream. At times, they will also rise to small surface lures.

Rigs: Light braided line around 6-10lb with a fluorocarbon or monofilament leader from 12-20lb will suffice is fine for lure anglrs. Sometimes, tailor can bite through non-wire leaders. Running sinker rigs, paternoster rigs and ganged bait rigs all work for tailor, and some old school angler prefer the use of wire on their trace.

Bait: Baits of yabby, live shrimp, worms and even smelly dead baits are successful.

TROUT (BROWN & RAINBOW) Size Range: Up to 1m, common from 30-50cm.

Tactics: In dams and lakes trout can form huge schools in deep water, and this is when they can be caught trolling lures. Trout are an opportunistic predator in streams, meaning they will investigate anything that comes into their domain. At other times, trout can sometimes be very fussy, particularly when there is a specific hatch of insects or baitfish in the area. Drifting baits, or casting small lures and flies is a good tactic in rivers. Bait: Baits of worms, crickets, grasshoppers, mudeyes and shrimps can all be successful at different times. Lures: Winged lures trolled off a downrigger are fantastic for when trout are schooling deep. Hardbodies, small bladed spinners and soft plastics are great for trout in shallow water.

MURRAY/DARLING BASIN

Tactics: Lures and live baits are popular, and they also love to hunt down worms and grubs set on the bottom. Lures cast around fallen timber in rivers and standing timber in lakes are all successful, especially around first and last light, and the warmer periods of the year are generally preferred.

MURRAY/DARLING BASIN

Size Range: Up to 75cm, commonly caught at 25-50cm.

Bait: Because they are omnivorous almost anything found or bought should catch bream, including white bread, which is an under-used favourite.

Tactics: Tailor can be found in rivers and estuaries, coastal lakes and bays, but are at their biggest best in the surf and off oceanic rocks. Beach anglers often target tailor in and around the surf gutters, and those fishing rocky headlands can often expect a few tailor too. Tailor are migratory, and seldom spend long in any one area. Tailor will take live and dead baits, even quite large ones, and will readily chase down lures moved quickly through the water column.

Bait: Baits as varied as scrubworms, corn, bread, dough, shrimp and grubs are all attractive to carp and the use of berley will increase your success rate dramatically.

GOLDEN PERCH

Size Range: Up to 50cm, common from 25-35cm.

Rigs: Running sinker onto a #1 or 1/0 hook will work for the bait anglers. For the lure brigade, 2-6lb braided line connected to 6-10lb fluorocarbon or monofilament leader is ample.

Rigs: A medium running sinker rig, paternoster rig or float rig with 6-20lb braided line onto a 10-20lb leader. Anglers can obviously go lighter in clear water free of snags.

Lures: Carp will take lures, usually as by-catch. Fly anglers can target carp in shallow water by sight fishing with small nymphs.

BREAM (ALL SPECIES) Tactics: Bream are incredibly widespread and can be found in just about every saltwater river, creek and coastal lake in the state. Bream love structure – especially rock – and if you find rocks or other hard structure in the intertidal zone, you can be sure that bream hang around it at some time of the day. Bream will also aggregate around weed an flooded grass at times. Keep the gear light when bream fishing, as this will get you more bites. If you want to catch a bream on a lure, make sure that it’s small. They’ll eat nearly every bait you can find or buy, it just needs to be presented in a natural way.

Tactics: Smelly baits are very effective for carp. Carp will also get up into shallow water and mooch along the bottom looking for aquatic insects, and this is where fly anglers can have some fun, sometimes landing some huge specimens.

MURRAY/DARLING BASIN

Size Range: Up to 1m, but more commonly encountered at 30-60cm.

COASTAL

Size Range: Up to 65cm, common from 30-40cm. Tactics: Bass in rivers love structure, but when they spawn in winter, they will school up in open water around the tidal reaches. Bass can be a little different in the dams. If there are bony bream or other schooling baitfish present, the bass will usually school up in deep water, chasing the smaller bony bream. If there is a lot of structure around the edges and the food source in predominately insects, small fish and shrimps, the bass will feed in shallow water. Fishing where the bass are with lures or bait that mimics what food source is available is the preferred approach. Rigs: Light braided line around 4-6lb with a fluorocarbon or monofilament leader around 8-14lb is preferred for lure fishing. The same applies for bait fishing, with unweighted, weighted and floated rigs working, depending on how deep and where the fish are holding. Bait: Grasshopper, cricket, worms, yabbies, and particularly live shrimp are successful. Lures: Bass take a variety of lures from surface lures, diving lures, lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, jigs and even flies. Match your lures to suit where and how the bass are feeding.

GREAT DIVIDING RANGE

CARP

BASS

MURRAY/DARLING BASIN

Pirtek Fishing Challenge

MARCH 2019

WHAT’S NEW FISHING POWERDOLPHIN WATER DRONE

ATOMIC HARDZ SLAPPA

PowerVision is launching the world’s first multi-functional water drone. Equipped with a 220° dual-joint rotation camera, the PowerDolphin can capture 4K UltraHigh-Definition footage. The camera can rotate 70° above water and 150° below the water, sending real-time 1080 pixel footage wirelessly to your phone through the Vision+ app, with a maximum transmission distance of 1000m. The drone includes adjustable front lights to capture stunning illuminated photography in various water conditions. The integrated PowerSeeker detects fish within a range of 40m and travels by waypoint to the perfect fishing spot, utilising the built-in sonar GPS to plot the ocean floor. It will tow hooks, lure fish, release bait and capture fish at a distance of up to 1000m. Once the fish takes the bait, the PowerDolphin will automatically drag itself back to the controller. The PowerDolphin can travel at a speed of 5m per second. A helpful technology for Australia’s lifesavers, PowerDolphin’s robust design and 3 speed gears enables it to tow and remotely release lifejackets, lifebuoys and other rescue equipment. Price: SRP $1299 www.powervision.me

The Atomic Hardz is one of the most popular lure brands in Australia, and the new Slappa has just arrived and has quickly proven itself on Murray cod up to 70cm and larger bass. The Atomic Slappa is a classic surface crawler designed to make maximum disturbance on the water. It is 90mm long and has large aluminium wings that fold against the body, enabling anglers to deliver a long accurate cast time and time again. The wide body displaces water and provides the point upon which it waddles across the surface. The small cupped face also spits water as it moves across the surface. Cast them for bass and cod, wind slowly and hold on! The Slappa is available in 14 colours, including both natural and brightly visible patterns, and also some glow colours for anglers casting at night. For more information on this and other new releases, visit the Atomic website or check them out on Facebook at facebook.com/ atomiclures. www.atomiclures.com.au

DAIWA FUEGO NATIVE CUSTOM

MAXIMA CLEAR

Bold in looks and impressive in design, the Fuego Native Custom is a baitcaster that definitely stands out from the crowd. The Fuego’s striking low profile aluminium frame sits effortlessly in the hand and combines with its advanced technologies and designs to ultimately impress in style and engage in performance. Weighing in at 215g, the Fuego Native Custom is lean and mean where it counts, yet refined and precision designed where it’s needed. It’s a combination that many reels aspire to have but few budget priced reels fully achieve. Featuring many of Daiwa’s best baitcaster design features including Magforce Z, UTD, Swept Handle, and a spec sheet that includes a 6.3:1 and 7.3:1 retrieve ratios, six ball bearings, the Fuego Native Custom is pimped and ready for baitcaster excellence. www.daiwafishing.com.au

NIKWAX SOLARWASH

In just two weeks of summer exposure, synthetic materials can lose up to half their strength, making them much more vulnerable to tearing and puncture. To save your expensive gear, and double its lifespan, simply apply both Nikwax SolarWash and SolarProof. Their combined presence forms a protective coating which helps to maintain the product’s exterior. Both sprays also individually increase UV resistance by 50% and form a waterproof shield against unwanted leakage. With the ability to remove dirt and other barriers that decrease water repellency, SolarWash is the perfect high-performance tool for protecting outdoor equipment. It increases the durable water repellency of a product to the highest testable standard after just one spray and rub-in. Both water-based sprays can be applied to wet or dry equipment that has been cleaned. For the best results, apply Nikwax SolarWash and SolarProof to brand new equipment. All Nikwax products are palm oil free, nonhazardous, water-based, biodegradable and contains zero fluorocarbons. Price: SRP $25.95 (SolarWash), $34.95 (SolarProof) www.nikwax.com

MARCH 2019

PRODUCT GUIDE 1

Maxima, a company that has produced quality monofilament fishing lines for decades, has now upped its game once again, with the introduction of Maxima Clear! The new Maxima Clear fishing line is incredibly strong and easy to handle, yet retains the tough, high-durability finish that maxima has always been known for. It has outstanding knot strength, exceptional abrasion resistance and low memory to improve casting distance. On top of that, its clear finish makes it difficult for fish to detect under water. Maxima Clear meets a wide range of freshwater and saltwater fishing situations, from casting and jigging to trolling and bottom fishing. It is available in Leader Wheels, with poundages between 1-30lb, Guide Spools, with poundages between 6-50lb, and Service Spools, with poundages between 2-130lb. There really is a Clear spool to meet just about any fishing situation. www.jmgillies.com.au

ZEREK GADGET Z TRAYS

Zerek has released an airtight range of storage trays to keep your tackle in the best shape possible. Worm proof and TPE plastic safe, the Gadget Z range from Zerek makes use of a large rubber seal to keep these boxes airtight, and this serves to prevent water from getting in to destroy the lures inside. Made from polypropylene material, the Gadget Z trays comes with removable compartment separators to allow the angler to design their own internal layout how they want, while maintaining the airtight seal to protect expensive lures. Additionally, three extra strong locking clasps are fitted to ensure the tight seal remains locked tight, regardless of how the boxes are stored or transported. Initially two models are available, the large size coming in at 360x230x50mm and the small at a compact 275x185x50mm. www.wilsonfishing.com

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING SHIMANO REVOLUTION SERIES 7

The newly revamped Revolution series brings 20 different rods to choose from in spin, jig, troll and surf, they’ve got you covered, whatever the target species. This is a wide-ranging series, consisting of light, medium and heavy spin, baitcast, jig, bluewater troll rods at value for money prices – in effect, almost every fishing style available in Australia. The new Revolution models have been updated with all-new fittings. Using Fuji O Ring guides, which have increased protection for the insert, Soft Touch reel seats for greater comfort during long fishing sessions, which complement the hard-wearing customshaped EVA fore and butt grips. The twopiece rods also have subtle ferruling system that you’d be hard pressed to pick. Utilising Shimano’s 24-30 Ton Toray graphite, the blanks the new Revolutions are built on combine casting performance – where applicable – with incredible lifting and fish fighting power. www.shimanofish.com.au

ZMAN TRD CRAWZ

Joining the already incredible line-up of various soft baits ZMan offers, the new TRD CrawZ is sure to fill a gap for those chasing crustacean-eating critters in fresh and saltwater. One thing that makes the TRD CrawZ so unbelievably effective is the fact that when it’s rigged on a NedLockZ jighead, it stands on its head, waving its claws like a real yabby defending itself. The buoyancy of the 10X ElaZTech material serves to make this feature even more life-like. The fins on the tail of the yabby resembles a tucked in tail, but also aids in helping this great bait glide naturally to the bottom on a slack line. Additionally, if rigged backwards, it can also glide in under structure! With 8 colours to choose from, this 2.5” bait will be perfect for the likes of bass, bream, yellowbelly and many, many more. www.tackletactics.com.au

SAMAKI WINDCHIME

The new Samaki Windchime shirt is saturated in colour; with a scale base for depth, they’ve added some key species to make your fishing senses come alive. Sailfish, barramundi, jewfish and mangrove jacks feature on the front and back, all erupting out of their hiding places to inhale lures. The lightweight fabric is perfect for all outdoor elements, protecting from the harsh sunrays with UV50+ resistant technology. The soft touch 100% polyester material is comfortable on the body, plus has the added feature of being breathable, keeping the angler cool and dry. Samaki designs are brought to you by Australian anglers who love to design Australian species. Windchime 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. Price: RRP from $49.95 www.samaki.com.au

DUO ROUGH TRAIL HYDRA

WARLOCK COD LOLLY

Long and lean and designed as the ultimate sinking stickbait for large predators, the new Duo Rough Trail Hydra 220 is the lure to pack for your next offshore adventure. Slim-profiled and with a fixed weight in the tail to maximise casting performance and enhance its action, the Hydra 220 features a dynamic skipping action when worked across the surface, while a twitch and jerk retrieve will see it move from side to side to enhance strikes. A hyper realistic garfish imitation when worked across the surface, the Hydra is ultra long (220mm) in length to reduce fishing swallowing and biting off the lure, while its tail-heavy, 58.2g body weight allows for long, tangle free casting on the water. If you’re looking to call up the predators to the surface the new Duo Rough Trail Hydra 220 is the lure to reach for. www.duo-australia.com.au

Just in time for big cod season, the Warlock Cod Lolly is here and ready to make an impact on the Murray cod fishing community. The Warlock Cod Lolly is suitable for the deeper dwelling fish that are a challenge to reach with other lures, and it has the ability to dive quickly to the required depth. This lure will get in the faces of big predators in their hidey-holes and put you I with more chances at landing that dream fish. The Cod Lolly has an incredibly enticing sideways swaying action that is irresistible to most predatory fish, especially big Murray cod in rivers and dams. The Cod Lolly is available in a range of striking colours and is very well built, with quality materials to handle the toughest predatory fish, and will see you through many memorable cod captures. www.jmgillies.com.au

SHIMANO TRANX 200

Shimano’s Tranx baitcaster series has been expanded, with the addition of a 200 size in two retrieve ratio options. Whether you’re chasing barra and threadies upstream or even big Murray cod, GTs and the like out the front, these are perfect for the job. These reals feature the CoreProtect system, which offers superior saltwater resistance through an internal water repellent and water resistant seal system. A large 48mm throw handle with double paddle assists cranking power and complements the 7.2:1 gear ratio (the 200A has a 6.2:1 retrieve speed). Featuring Shimano’s Hagane Body, the Tranx holds 170m+ of 30lb braid, and boasts a 5.5kg Cross Carbon drag. The new SVS Infinity casting controls make these reels a precision caster’s dream by adjusting the external brake adjustment dial. A longer handle and three SA-RB bearings plus one roller bearing provide almost effortless winding. Shimano recommends pairing the Tranx 200 with a JDM Dialuna or revamped Revolution series rod. www.shimanofish.com.au

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au MARCH 2019

WHAT’S NEW FISHING SAMAKI SKITCH X

OKUMA KOMODO 13 SS 273

Samaki Skitch X offers you a new range taking Skitch into the future. With an extended history of Skitch and Skitch Nano, Skitch X has combined all of its predecessors fantastic features and rolled them into the one. The X factor in the Skitch X is obvious in its ultra slick cosmetics with a sleek black blank encased in X weave wrap, a powerful performance feature, ultra hard EVA grips for comfort and support as well as striking blue details and carbon fibre locking rings. The Samaki Skitch X has been created for every angler across the nation, from Barra fishing enthusiasts with a 6’0ft cast and spin model , to the estuary fisherman taking advantage of light and medium spin 7’ models, offering the ever so popular slug spinning 9’ model plus the famous 6’6” and 7’ heave models which are designed to give you the grunt you require when fishing heavier slugs. Price: from SRP $99.95 www.samaki.com.au

ZEREK AFFINITY

The Zerek Affinity is a 220mm long, 3-jointed floating swimbait originally designed for large bass and pike, but built to accommodate the brutal fisheries that are Murray cod and barramundi. Constructed with a tough ABS plastic body that is supported by through wire construction to ensure durability, the Affinity features a unique joint section that creates a smooth sliding action during retrieve. With its large profile, the Affinity is the prefect size for massive predators that are feeding on larger baitfish in the fresh or the salt, and with the addition of the two provided removable weights (10g and 20g), the Affinity can target them at any depth. The removable weight concept keeps the extra weight perfectly hidden, and balances the lure’s action whether you’re using the lure unweighted or with the chin weights. Unweighted, the Affinity weighs in at 96g and comes in 10 very lifelike colours. www.wilsonfishing.com

RAPALA BC400

MARCH 2019

The Okuma Komodo SS Series of baitcast reels has made a name for itself in big fish circles, taking on species such as barramundi, Murray cod, PNG black bass and offshore jigging targets, thanks to its stainless steel main gear, pinion gear, drive and spool shafts, offering the ultimate power, combined with impressive drag outputs. The compact and much anticipated 200 Series models are now available, including the KDS-273 and KDS-273LX (left hand). Both models fit neatly in the palm, boast 9kg of drag, a gear ratio of 7.3:1 and a line capacity of 0.29mm/205m. They boast a heavy-duty build, heavy drag capabilities and plenty of line capacity in a compact size. This feature-packed reel also includes precision Japanese ABEC-5 spool bearings, 6-pin Velocity Control casting system, Spool Access Port, rigid diecast aluminium frame and side plates with CRC: Corrosion Resistant Coating process, A6061-T6 machined aluminium, anodized spool, multi-disc high output Carbonite drag system, dual antireverse for maximum reliability, Zirconium line guide, synchronized level wind optimized for braid, and more. Price: SRP $389.90 www.okuma.com.au

SKY RIGGER

A new drone fishing device invented by NSW anglers Jaiden Maclean and Byron Leal has launched after more than two years’ research and development. The pair created the patented Sky Rigger following the viral success of their Drone Fishing for Tuna video, which achieved hundreds of millions of views across the world. At the time, they used a makeshift device to attach their rig to a drone and deliver the bait from the beach out beyond the breakers, and within 24 hours they landed a 20kg tuna. The success of the video inspired them to develop a new drone accessory to make the sport safe and accessible for everyone. The Sky Rigger, distributed by Sea Ulcer, attaches to DJI Phantom drones. Its unique, foolproof design ensures the safety of the drone while allowing unimpeded use of its camera so anglers can capture unique unseen fishing action. Price: SRP $199 www.seaulcer.com

BLACK MAGIC 15 FLEA

The new Rapala BC400 is the ultimate all-round oversized baitcast reel. Whether you are casting large swimbaits for Murray cod and barramundi, or slow pitch jigging reefs for demersal species, the BC400 is the ultimate crossover reel. It also features six ball bearings and a large over-sized handle, and the 6.3:1 gear ratio allows the angler to wind fast when needed, making this reel a very versatile fish catching weapon. The CNC machined alloy spool has a line capacity of 200m/0.33mm of 50lb braid, and is easily accessible with a quick switch side plate, allowing for quick and easy maintenance on or off the water. Carbon fibre drag washers with a drag output of 10kg/22lb, centrifugal brake system, precision machined brass gear and a one-way clutch system will see you stopping and landing that fish of a lifetime. Check it out at your favourite tackle store. www.rapala.com.au

PRODUCT GUIDE

Like the Maggot lure before it, the wellknown Black Magic Flea has had a refresh with some great looking new skirt colours added to the range Coupled with some of the old favourites, anglers can now select from 10 colour options to suit their preferences. For those who aren’t familiar with the Flea, it’s a 200mm lure ideally suited for tuna, but it’s got a great record with other pelagic species like mahi mahi, sailfish and marlin. The head itself is 30mm in length and is a cup face pusher with a small reverse taper. That gives it a nice wriggly trolling action with a good bubble trail. Black Magic recommends using up to 200lb leader with this lure and a 7/0 game hook. The last point worth noting is that all the heads have good UV content which you’ll see if you place them under a UV light. You’ll notice UV content in some of the skirts and there are glowing lumo versions too – all extra attraction for your target species. www.blackmagictackle.com

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING

Unique Yamashita Eginno Pyonpyon new on the squid scene

TESTED

Anybody who enjoys squid fishing, whether it is an obsession or an occasional flirtation, would or should know the Yamashita brand of squid jigs. Yamashita’s innovation is second to none, and the jigs in their various iterations are available at an affordable price. I have accumulated a significant collection of Yamashita jigs over the years. It has been difficult to walk past them in a tackle store and not at least grab one or two. Eginno Pyonpyon It can be interesting to find out the translations of Japanese product names. In this case, ‘Eginno’ is the combination of egi (squid) with innovation, and Pyonpyon means ‘jump jump’, like the flicking of a prawn. Like all Yamashita jigs, these new jigs have some unique and interesting features to attract cephalopods to them. All of these features are based around mimicking a prawn in the water. The first thing you’ll notice is the folding front flap. It is designed to fold back on the cast to assist with casting distance, and will then fold out during your retrieve to create a unique water resistance. The goal is to create an effect that’s similar to

The author with a handful of South Australian cephalopod. that of a prawn swimming. I assumed that the design would give the jig a bit of a sideto-side action like it does with a lure, but this was not the case. There was no visible action created by the bib, but it does slow the decent of the lure. This is ideal when you’re fishing shallow water for the likes of tiger squid in Queensland, as you can fish far more slowly, keeping the jig in the zone for longer. The next feature that’s a bit different is the addition the leg feathers. Video of the jig underwater show that these feathers need minimal movement of the jig for them to move and sway, similar to that of a prawn swimming. I suspect that for squid, with their high sense of vision, this additional movement would further spark interest in the jig. The Search Rattle in Yamashita jigs is a feature I have always liked, and I am glad it is in the Eginno Pyonpyon. I was lucky enough to speak to one of the members of the Yamashita research and development team a number of years ago about this. He explained to me that they had put a huge amount of hours into creating the correct pitch in the Search Rattle – 600hz to be exact. At 600hz the Search Rattle mimics a feeding sound that hungry squid

The Yamashita Eginno Pyonpyon looks a little different from conventional squid jigs. Different in this case is full of Yamashita innovation. are attracted to. How’s that for attention to detail? My experience with the Yamashita rattling jigs is that you will have occasions where if you are not using a rattling jig, you may as well not be fishing. It really can make all the difference. Last but not least are the 490 Glow Beads. These have been inserted into the body of the jig to create the unique glow a prawn emits in the water. This is not a feature of all the colours in the range, however, as some are UV enhanced instead. From the packet to the water It is one thing to be different, but that difference also needs to work. I was given a couple of jigs in the 3.5, 18g size, and my plan was to use them in the squidrich waters around Port Vincent in South Australia. From a squid fishing perspective, this is a magnificent place as you have plenty of options, whether you’re landbased or fishing from a boat.

Even the smallest squid enveloped the jig. There was no questioning they wanted it! The marina wall was my first port of call, and I realised pretty quickly that I had to fish the Eginno jig a little differently from other jigs. With traditional jigs I generally use quite a strong whipping action, with a short to medium pause in between. I found that although this retrieve did work with the Eginno, the 3.2 second per metre drop rate of the jig meant that my pause needed to be longer. I also found that the Eginno didn’t whip from side to side like a standard jig, but instead hopped up and up, moving out of the strike zone. More subtle hops were better, and I didn’t have to worry about the jig plummeting into the structure below. Looking back at it now, it was a more finesse presentation, which was ideal during the Christmas holiday break. There was certainly plenty of fishing pressure on the local squid, and we had more success than most. This also proved to be the case out of the boat. The slower presentation had the jig in the zone for longer, and the squid couldn’t resist them.

I think part of the reason for our success was the hook-up location of the Eginno jigs. In 10 days of fishing them I had zero just tentacle hook-ups. Even the smallest squid enveloped the jig. The majority of the hook-ups were in the

The author was impressed with the hook-up points when using the Eginno jig. Most squid were hooked in the prime location between the eyes, with no tentacle hook-ups.

The result of a couple of hours testing the Yamashita Eginno Pyonpyon.

sweet spot between the eyes. You get maximum result for effort when you are hooking them there. Final thoughts I didn’t think I needed more squid jigs, but I have now changed my mind. There are enough differences in the Eginno jigs, and situations where they would be the best option, that I’ve decided to get a few more. Bring on the squid season here in Southeast Queensland, because I can’t wait to use the Yamashita Eginno jigs on the tiger squid around the Moreton Bay islands. I think the Eginnos will be perfect for the shallow water presentation required to target these squid. The Eginno jigs are available in two sizes (3.0/15g and 3.5/18g). Both sink at the same rate and are available in eight colours. To find out more about the Yamashita Eginno range, and the other Yamashita jigs available, go to www.ejtodd.com.au or check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ Yamashita.Australia. - Peter Jung

MARCH 2019

As close to perfect as it gets WAGGA WAGGA

Rhys Creed

It is the beginning of the best season of the year, for fishing and weather anyway. This is when I get excited! Every season has different fishing styles –

start to dwindle and the water temperature will come back to a more comfortable level, most likely sitting around 20°C. With irrigation demand slowing the river will start to drop, but we won’t see a huge drop until mid-April. Lures and bait will work

tie up in shaded areas under willows or close to structure. You’ll want to try and tie up above the snag and drop your bait down in front of the log. This way the scent from your bait will carry right through, past all the fish, and they will move up to eat it if they are hungry.

taking photos, looking for snags or rocky patches that will hold fish when the water comes back up. On the fishing front, March can be hit and miss. You’ll want to fish in the low light periods, as there will still be a fair bit of heat around during the day. As always, casting and trolling the rocky banks will keep you in with a good chance of landing a fish of any size. If you run a smaller lure (under 100mm) you’ll catch golden and cod. The rocky banks near the wall on the Batlow side are worth a fish, as well as the islands near the dam wall. There is still plenty of water and structure around. Right up the other end of the dam is also worth a visit with the main river channel being exposed. There are some large rocky patches towards Yolde if you boat around from Yatching Point. Between these two locations there are some good rocky drop-offs and banks with lots of timber at this low level. Trolling

You can’t beat the colours of the mighty Australian native, the Murray cod! this creek bed in 4-8m it’s definitely worth fishing as it holds some giant cod. TUMUT RIVER You can’t go past fishing the Tumut River either as it has been fishing so well

hopper imitations with the fly rod into the backwaters and watching trout come up and smash them. This is still a good technique, but as the water drops there will be less and

Adam Smith with a Tumut River rainbow caught on an FTL Twin Spin. while summer has surface activity and trout on fly, winter is all about giant cod in the dams and spring is all gold. Autumn means perfect weather, perfect water temps, low running rivers and extremely active natives. My favourite style of fishing, if you didn’t know already, is chasing natives in rivers, and

really well. If you love casting lures, spinnerbaits and hardbodies should be at the top of your list. Spinnerbaits are great for casting tight to structure and allowing it to sink into the zone, with hardbodies working well in the slacker water as you can slowly search the bottom as you retrieve your lure.

Yabbies and worms work well. Take a shrimp pot with you and use aniseed soap or cat biscuits as bait and drop it in close to some reeds – there are plenty of shrimp around at the moment. Also, now is a great time to go chip some bardi grubs before they hatch and become moths. It’s a great bit of fun with the kids as well, you just need

The author with a solid river golden that hammered the Balista Dyno 90 in hybrid green colour. large lures along the edge of the river channel works really well. Also there is a creek that runs in from the flats on the south near Chucks Bay. If you can find

over the last few months. Summer was incredible and it will continue to fish well as long as the bug activity stays around. We spent a lot of the summer casting

less backwaters for this style of fishing. This is when we go back to the spin rod with spinners, with soft plastics and hardbodies being the pick of the lures to use.

Tallis with an armful of cod that couldn’t resist the Mud Guts spinnerbait. March marks the start of this great time of year. MURRUMBIDGEE RIVER The Murrumbidgee River is at the top of my list for this month and the next few to come. This is good news for you because everyone in the Riverina can access it and the entire system will fish really well. The extreme heat will 78

MARCH 2019

If you’ve never tried lure fishing before then a few brands that work well are the 70 and 90mm AC Invaders, Balista Dyno 90 and the Mud Guts 5/8oz. If you are fishing fast flowing water definitely opt for a willow blade on your spinnerbait rather than a Colorado, as they work better in the slower flowing water. If you’re keen on bait fishing then make sure you

to be prepared for some hard work chipping. BLOWERING DAM The lake is much lower than it has been over previous years at this time with little rainfall. This doesn’t mean poor fishing at all, it’s actually a great time to get up there and check out all the banks while they are low. We learn a lot about the dam by memorising or

The Takacat Inflatable is the go-to craft for this time of year.

FUN PAGE AND COMPETITIONS WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR CATCH

CRACKER WHOPPER DECENT IMPRESSIVE THUMPING NICE BEAUT DELICIOUS MONSTER PANSIZED MAMMOTH FIGHTER FLIGHTY

NIFTY DELIGHTFUL BEAUTIFUL CHUNKY AVERAGE ARMFUL HUMBLE ADMIRABLE SOLID QUALITY FEISTY ARM STRETCHING

DTD - REAL FISH OITA

Name: Address:

P/Code:

The first correct entry at the end of each month will win the prize pack. SEND ENTRIES TO: NSW Find-a-word Competition, PO box 3172, Loganholme Qld 4129

NSW MARCH 2019

Phone (day):

BARRA COUNTRY by Brett Currie

The ‘Real Fish Oita’ is an incredible, award winning squid jig manufactured in Europe by leading Croatian company - DTD. Taking out the coveted ‘best new product’ in its class at the EFTTEX 2015 Expo in Warsaw, this wonderful range is now available in Australia through Dogtooth Distribution. The product imitates real fish species. This coupled with DTD’s use of only the highest grade materials available, ensures great balance and results in superior catching ability. With the unique ‘fish parasite’ feature, aimed at luring predators in for an ‘easy kill’, these truly unique jigs are set to explode into the Australian market. FEATURES - Double weight system with inner weight designed to produce sound while squid jig is in action. COLOURS - 7 different designs representing popular fish species. ADDITIONAL - Luminous body, fish parasite, great balance, sound effect, quality stainless steel hooks SIZES - 5 Sizes available www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au

SPOT THE

10 DIFFERENCES

GEORGE & NEV by Michael Hardy

ORIGINAL

FIND-A-WORD

Congratulations to, Wayne Cumming who was last month’s winner of the Find-aWord Competition! Monthly winners receive a Fishing Monthly prize pack. Prize delivery can take 8 weeks. – NSWFM

SUBSCRIBER PRIZE

The subscriber prize winner for January is R Worth of Cootamundra, who won a pair of Mako polarised eyewear. All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – NSWFM

of Mondrook, B Hall of Balgownie, S Langstaff of Kellyville, P Henry of Empire Bay, G Sanson of Melrose Park, M Ryall of Singleton, D Wolhoff of Westleigh, G Waugh of Greystanes, B Hingston of Bateau Bay, G Smith of Werris Creek, P Muldoon of Balcolyn, M Muldoon of Caves Beach, D Chandler of Theodore, C Englebrecht of Wagga Wagga, A Hepper of Iluka, J Wilson of

Boronia, R Bland of Forster, L Bennett of Marrangaroo, T Ryan of Wagga Wagga, T Polley of Burrell Creek, H Morrison of Forbes , G Ridley of Warren, M Blake of Walcha, C West of Dapto, J Perfect of West Bathurst, J Paul of Inverell, C Wilson of Lake Albert, and C Rush of Gloucester. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – NSWFM

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS

FIND THE GAMAKATSU LOGO

The answers to Find the Gamakatsu Logo for January were: 8, 12, 14, 20, 24, 35, 38, 43, 51, 56, 58, 70, 75, 87, 94. – NSWFM

This month’s Guess the Fish Answer: Tilapia

The Find the Gamakatsu Logo prize winners for January were: A Hoss of Darawark, B Gardner of Hughes, P King of Barden Ridge, A Sinclair of Lalor Park, J Cupitt of Sanctuary Point, E Simpson of Narrabri, C Portelli of Colyton, W Forbes of Nambucca Heads, C Carter of Richmond, C Diggins of Wanniassa, B Bailey of Ulladulla, D Allen of Gorokan, J Cross

GUESS THE FISH?

Answer: MARCH 2019

Trades, Services, Charter COFFS COAST

HOLIDAY RENTAL MACLEAY VALLEY COAST

CRESCENT HEAD HOLIDAY RENTALS

SYDNEY

Freshest Fishing Tours 0421 405 221 Coffs Coast Sport Fishing 0434 517 683 Trial Bay Fishing Charters, 0427 256 556

Penrith Marine (02) 4731 6250 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

www.southwestrocksfishingadventures.com.au

CANBERRA/ACT 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 6 MAIN ST, CRESCENT HEAD NSW 2440

Phone: 02 6566 0500

PORT & REEF SFISHING GAME ERS

CHART

H2O Marine (02) 6280 0555 Aussie Boat Sales ACT & NSW 0433 531 226 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 Contact: David Hayman (Stumpee) Mobile: 0411 096 717 info@swrcharters.com.au

MACQUARIE COAST

Crescent Head Holiday Rentals (02) 6566 0500

Castaway Estuary Charters 0427 239 650

HUNTER COAST

TWEED/BYRON COAST Tweed Coast Marine (07) 5524 8877 Ballina Marineland (02) 6686 2669

MACQUARIE COAST Graham Barclay Marine (02) 6554 5866 Manning River Marine Taree (02) 6552 2333

SYDNEY

Wangi Point Lakeside Holiday Park (02) 4975 1889

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

Blacksmiths Holiday Park (02) 4971 2858

CENTRAL COAST

QUEENSLAND

Central Coast Holiday Parks 1800 241 342

Mikat Cruises Fishing Charters Swains & Coral Sea 0427 125 727

ILLAWARRA COAST

MIKAT CRUISES

Riviera Caravan Park, St George’s Basin (02) 4441 2112

FRESHWATER Burrinjuck Waters State Park (02) 6227 8114 Grabine Lakeside State Park (02) 4835 2345

MINN REPAIRS & SERVICING

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

THE FISHING EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME!

Chifley Dam Cabins 1800 68 1000

• 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

FISH TAXIDERMY Fish Taxidermist 0428 544 841

CHARTER BOATS

Dave Gaden’s Yamba • Deep Sea

REEL TIME FISHING CHARTERS

SATELLITE TV INSTALLED Phone: 0427 125 727 I Fax: (07) 4972 1759 michael@mikat.com.au

www.mikat.com.au FISHING GUIDES

SYDNEY The Boat Pimpers (Sydney) (02) 9792 7799

ILLAWARRA COAST EDEN COAST

OPEN 7 DAYS

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

Reel Time Fishing Charters Yamba 0428 231 962

Salt Away 1800 091 172 www.salt-away.com.au

Bay & Basin Sportsfishing 0413 610 832

MARINA BOAT & TACKLE, YAMBA MARINA

CLARENCE COAST

MODIFICATIONS & REPAIRS // BOAT & TRAILER

Fish Port Stephens Estuary Charters 0434 370 687

Phone Dave today: www.fishingyamba.com.au 0428 231 962

Now Agents For

Minn Repairs & Servicing Call Troy 0412 605 080 – W: minnrepairs.com minnrepairsservicing E: minnrepairs@gmail.com

PORT STEPHENS

• 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

EASY PARKING

• All electric motor brands • Australia wide freight • Quick turn around • Authorised Minn Kota/Watersnake repairer

Captain Kev’s Wilderness Fishing Tours (02) 4474 3345 or 0424 625 160

KAYAK DEALERS The Life Aquatic - Mona Vale – (02) 9979 1590 Australian Bass Angler - Penrith – (02) 4721 0455 Hunts Marine - Yallah – (02) 4284 0444 Bunyips Great Outdoors - Lismore – (02) 6622 1137 Maclean Outdoors - MacLean – (02) 6645 1120 Wetspot Watersports -Fyshwick – (02) 6239 1323 Graham Barclay Marine – Forster – (02) 6554 5866 Hunter Water Sports - Belmont – (02) 4947 7899 Totally Immersed Watersports - Nowra (02) 4421 5936 Hunts Marine - Batemans Bay – (02) 4472 2612 Compleat Angler – Merimbula – (02) 6495 3985

MARINE MECHANICS COFFS COAST Coffs Harbour Marine (02) 6652 4722 North Coast Boating Centre (02) 6655 7700 Jetty Boating (02) 6651 4002

$449 USD (includes shipping)

www.hydrowaveaustralia.com

Boat Wrap Specialist www.xfactorsigns.com

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. 82

MARCH 2019

“

Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory

ba Prawn Blade BAITs”& TACKLE “Yam CLARENCE

YAMBA BAIT & TACKLE “Yamba’s Leading Tackle Shop” “IN THE MAIN STREET” Shop 3, 8 Yamba St, Yamba

02 6646 1514

ONLINE TACKLE PRODUCTS

www.fishin.com.au TOURNAMENT TACKLE STORE

OPEN 7 DAYS

•

A U S T R A L I A

ZX BLADES

Margay 2017

ZMAN GRUBZ CRANKA CRABS

“The Home of Leavey Lures” • Stocking all Major Brands • Experienced Local Knowledge • Tournament Bream Gear in Stock • Snorkelling gear in stock

BENT MINNOWS

JACKALL CHUBBY

FREE EXPRESS SHIPPING

Drop in to see Mick & Kelly

• • • •

Marina Boat and Tackle (02) 6646 1994

$49,990

17’7” • Single axle Basscat trailer 115 hp Mercury 4 stroke 24v electric motor (Minn Kota or Motor Guide) 2 x sounders (Humminbird 597cxi HD Di or Lowrance HDS 5)

Yamba Bait & Tackle (02) 6646 1514

0425 230 964 – info@fishin.com.au

Wooli Bait & Tackle (02) 6649 7100

COFFS COAST Compleat Angler Kempsey (02) 6562 5307

Pantera II 2017

SHOP 18, 29 KIORA RD MIRANDA NSW 2228

MOTackle (02) 6652 4611 or www.motackle.com.au

www.fishin.com.au 0425 230 964

Rocks Marine Bait & Tackle South West Rocks (02) 6566 6726

Blue Bottle Fishing 0409 333 380 or www.bluebottlefishing.com MOTackle (02) 6652 4611 or www.motackle.com.au

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

SAMPLE AD - BUSINESS NAME This is where your copy will appear. You will have approximately 30 words within a 5x2 ad size.

Adrenalin Flies www.adrenalinflies.com.au Anglers Warehouse www.anglerswarehouse.com.au

N O W AVA IL A B L E ALL YOUR FISHING MONTHLY GEAR

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$74,990

19’1” • Single axle Basscat trailer 200 hp Mercury Optimax 24v electric motor (Minn Kota or Motor Guide) 2 x sounders (Humminbird 698cxi HD Si or Lowrance HDS 7 GEN2)

Yar-Craft 1785BT 2017

From

T-Shirts

22 85

Email : ads@fishingmonthly.com.au HUNTER COAST Port Stephens Tackle World (02) 4984 2144

SYDNEY 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

NOW YOU CAN TIE THE PERFECT FG KNOT EVERY TIME

Phone Cases From

29 45

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18’1” • Single axle Basscat trailer 115 hp Mercury 4 stroke 24v electric motor (Minn Kota or Motor Guide) 2 x sounders (Humminbird 698cxi HD Si or Lowrance HDS 7 GEN2)

MANNING RIVER MARINE 13 Victoria Street, TAREE (02) 6552 2333 jim@manningrivermarine.com.au www.mercurydealertaree.com ABERDEEN FISHING & OUTDOORS 69 New England Hwy, ABERDEEN (02) 6543 7111 aberdeentackle@gmail.com www.aberdeenfishingandoutdoors.com.au

NO MORE bulky braid/leader joins

SEE IT! .. BUY IT! .. www.fgwizz.com.au

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Phone: 0410 173 060 basscataustralia@gmail.com

Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0800 or email ads@fishingmonthly.com.au MARCH 2019

NSW Tides

2019 2019 Local Time

SYDNEY (FORT DENISON) – NEW SOUTH WALES SYDNEY (FORT DENISON) – LONG NEW SOUTH WALES LAT 33° 51’ S 151° 14’ E

Time

1 1 0541 1208 TU

TU 1759 2358

LAT 33° 51’ S LONG 151° 14’ E Times and Heights of High and Low Waters Times and Heights of High and Low Waters MARCH FEBRUARY JANUARY MARCH FEBRUARY JANUARY Time m Time m Time Time m Time m Time m m 0541 1.57 1208 0.58 1759 1.33 2358 0.50 0633 1.63 1310 0.52 1857 1.30

Time m 0441 1.47 1.57 1.47 0.67 0.58 0441 1100 0.67 1.28 1.33 1100 WE 1652 1.28 0.53 FR WE 1652 2300 0.50 2300 0.53 0536 1.57 1.63 1.57 0.58 0.52 0536 1208 0.58 1.30 1.30 1208 TH 1800 1.30 0.50 TH 1800 2355 SA 2355 0.50 0630 1.69 0.51 1.69 0.45 1.69 0630 1309 0.45 1.34 0.47 1309 FR 1902 FR 1902 1.34 SU 1.30

16 16

Time

1 1 0020 0700 FR 1346 1935

17 17

2 2

0044 0.51 18 3 3 0720 1.69 18 1400

3 3

2 2

0633 1310 WE WE 1857

0044 0720 TH TH 1400 1947

4 4

0127 0803 FR FR 1445 2032

5 5 0207 0844 SA

SA 1523 2114

6 6 0245 0920 SU

SU 1600 2152

7 7 0323 0957 MO

MO 1635 2230

8 8 0400 1031 TU

TU 1710 2306

9 9

0437 1107 WE WE 1745 2344

10 10 0516 1143 TH TH 1821

0.47 1947 1.30 0127 0.52 0803 1.73 1445 0.42 2032 1.31 0207 0.52 0844 1.76 1523 0.39 2114 1.32 0245 0.52 0920 1.77 1600 0.37 2152 1.32 0323 0.53 0957 1.77 1635 0.37 2230 1.32 0400 0.54 1031 1.75 1710 0.38 2306 1.32 0437 0.56 1107 1.72 1745 0.41 2344 1.31 0516 0.59 1143 1.67 1821 0.44 0024

0048 0.46 0.52 0.46 1.82 1.73 0048 0722 1.82 0.33 0.42 0722 SA 1403 0.33 1.39 SA 1403 1959 MO 1.31 1959 1.39 0141 0.40 0.52 0.40 1.93 1.76 0141 0814 1.93 0.22 0.39 0814 SU 1455 0.22 1.45 SU 1455 2052 TU 1.32 2052 1.45 0.52 0233 0.36 0.36 2.02 1.77 0233 0905 2.02 0.14 0.37 0905 MO 1545 0.14 1.49 MO 1545 2145 WE 1.32 2145 1.49 0.53 0326 0.32 0.32 2.07 1.77 0326 0956 2.07 0.10 0.37 0956 TU 1635 0.10 1.52 TU 1635 2236 TH 1.32 2236 1.52 0.54 0419 0.32 0.32 2.05 1.75 0419 1047 2.05 0.12 0.38 1047 WE 1724 0.12 1.53 WE 1724 2328 FR 1.32 2328 1.53 0.56 0514 0.34 0.34 1.98 1.72 0514 1138 1.98 0.17 0.41 1138 TH 1813 TH 1813 0.17 SA 1.31

19 19

12 12

0151 0824 SU 1503 2056

4 4 0230 0901 MO

20 20

1537 2131

5 5 0306 0936 TU

21 21

1610 2205

6 6 0343 1010 WE

22 22

1642 2239

7 7 0419 1044 TH

23 23

1713 2314

8 8 0457 1118 FR

24 24

1745 2349

9 9 0536 1153 SA 1818

0.59

0020 1.53

0029

FR 1229 1901 1.31 0.62 0114 1.60 0708 SA SA 1321 0.47 1950 1.31 0.66 0210 1.53 0812 SU SU 1416 0.50 2041 1.32 0.70 0308 1.44 0921 MO MO 1518 0.53 2134 1.34 0.73 0410 1.37 1037 TU TU 1628 0.54 2230 1.39 0.72 0511 1.31 1152 WE WE 1740 0.55 2327

1.85 1901 0.26 0114 1.52 0708 0.47 1321 1.68 1950 0.36 0210 1.51 0812 0.54 1416 1.51 2041 0.45 0308 1.50 0921 0.61 1518 1.36 2134 0.53 0410 1.51 1037 0.63 1628 1.25 2230 0.59 0511 1.54 1152 0.61 1740 1.21 2327 0.61 0608 1.58 1256 0.57 1843 1.21

1.52 1854 0.48 0111 1.42 0707 0.63 1313 1.43 1932 0.53 0159 1.43 0802 0.66 1402 1.34 2018 0.57 0253 1.45 0909 0.67 1505 1.27 2115 0.60 0355 1.49 1028 0.64 1621 1.23 2220 0.60 0500 1.57 1144 0.56 1741 1.25 2328 0.57

Time m 0603 1.69 0.61 1.69 0.43 1.62 0603 1250 0.43 1.32 0.51 1250 SA 1848 FR SA 1848 1.32 1.24

16 16

27 27

13 13

28 28

14 14

29 29

15 15

30 30 31 31 0608 1256 TH TH 1843

SU 1230 0.26 1854 1.52 0.47 0111 1.68 0707 MO MO 1313 0.36 1932 1.51 0.54 0159 1.51 0802 TU TU 1402 0.45 2018 1.50 0.61 0253 1.36 0909 WE WE 1505 0.53 2115 1.51 0.63 0355 1.25 1028 TH TH 1621 0.59 2220 1.54 0.61 0500 1.21 1144 FR FR 1741 0.61 2328 1.58 0.57 1.21

11 11 12 12

13 13 14 14

15 15

Time

1 1 0537 1230 FR

0030 0.50 0.59 0.50 1.81 1.66 0030 0702 1.81 0.31 0.46 0702 SU 1346 0.31 1.41 SU 1346 1945 SA 1.28 1945 1.41 0128 0.41 0.56 0.41 1.93 1.70 0128 0757 1.93 0.20 0.41 0757 MO 1438 0.20 1.50 MO 1438 2038 SU 1.32 2038 1.50 0222 0.33 0.53 0.33 2.01 1.73 0222 0849 2.01 0.13 0.39 0849 TU 1527 0.13 1.57 TU 1527 2128 MO 1.35 2128 1.57 0.51 0315 0.28 0.28 2.04 1.74 0315 0941 2.04 0.10 0.37 0941 WE 1614 0.10 1.62 TU WE 1614 2216 1.38 2216 1.62 0.50 0408 0.26 0.26 2.01 1.74 0408 1030 2.01 0.13 0.37 1030 TH 1659 0.13 1.65 WE TH 1659 2305 1.39 2305 1.65 0.50 0501 0.28 0.28 1.91 1.71 0501 1120 1.91 0.20 0.38 1120 FR 1744 0.20 1.65 FR 1744 2354 TH 1.40 2354 1.65 0.51 0556 0.33 0.33 1.76 1.67 0556 1210 1.76 0.31 0.41 1210 SA 1828 SA 1828 0.31 FR 1.41

1827 2358

m 0537 1.51 1230 0.60 1827 1.19 2358 0.69 0633 1.55 1320 0.54 1916 1.26

m Time m 0432 1.60 1.51 1.60 0.52 0.60 0432 1124 0.52 1.27 1.19 1124 SA 1730 1.27 0.63 MO SA 1730 2310 0.69 2310 0.63 0542 1.70 1.55 1.70 0.41 0.54 0542 1230 0.41 1.37 1.26 1230 SU 1836 SU 1836 1.37 TU

16 16

18 18

0017 0051 0.65 0.54 0.65 1.60 0017 18 3 0644 0720 3 1400 1.81 1.60 18 0.49 0644 MO 1325

19 19 20 20

21 21 22 22

23 23

4 4 0135 0800 MO

26 26

27 27 28 28

1.57 0.56 1.25 0.57

1435 2033

5 5 0215 0837 TU 1507 2106

6 6 0250 0912 WE 1538 2138

7 7 0326 0945 TH 1608 2210

8 8 0401 1019 FR

0.54 0043 1.63 1.63 0.42 1.60 0043 0652 0.42 1.58 0.44 0652 SU 1300 1.58 0.43 SU 1300 1912 SA 1912 0.43 1.41 0134 1.59 1.59 0.51 0.58 0134 0753 0.51 1.41 1.52 0753 MO 1353 1.41 0.54 MO 1353 1958 SU 0.48 1958 0.54 1.42 0229 1.55 1.55 0.59 0.63 0229 0900 0.59 1.27 1.43 0900 TU 1452 1.27 0.64 MO TU 1452 2048 0.53 2048 0.64 1.43 0329 1.51 1.51 0.64 0.66 0329 1013 0.64 1.18 1.34 1013 WE 1603 1.18 0.70 TU WE 1603 2149 0.57 2149 0.70 0434 1.50 1.45 1.50 0.64 0.67 0434 1127 0.64 1.16 1.27 1127 TH 1720 1.16 0.72 WE TH 1720 2256 0.60 2256 0.72 1.49 0.64 1.23 TH 0.60

24 24

0051 0720 SU 1400 1958

1638 2243

9 9 0439 1054 SA 1708 2317

10 10 0518 1130 SU 1740 2354

11 11 0601 1208 MO 1814

0.49 1958 1.32 0135 0.59 0800 1.64 1435 0.44 2033 1.38 0215 0.54 0837 1.68 1507 0.41 2106 1.43 0250 0.50 0912 1.70 1538 0.39 2138 1.47 0326 0.47 0945 1.70 1608 0.38 2210 1.50 0401 0.46 1019 1.67 1638 0.39 2243 1.53 0439 0.47 1054 1.63 1708 0.41 2317 1.55 0518 0.49 1130 1.57 1740 0.45 2354 1.56 0601 0.52 1208 1.49 1814 0.50 0034

17 17

MO 1325 1.32 1930 0.59 1.64 0116 0.44 0739 TU TU 1415 1.38 2020 0.54 1.68 0212 0.41 0831 WE WE 1501 1.43 2108 0.50 1.70 0304 0.39 0922 TH TH 1545 1.47 2154 0.47 1.70 0357 0.38 1012 FR FR 1629 1.50 2240 0.46 1.67 0448 0.39 1100 SA SA 1710 1.53 2326 0.47 1.63 0542 0.41 1149 SU SU 1751 1.55

19 19 20 20 21 21

22 22

23 23 24 24 0.49

25 1.57 0011 25 0.45 0635 MO MO 1239 1.56 1831 0.52 1.49 0058 0.50 0732 TU TU 1330 1914 1.56 0.56 0147 1.40 0834 WE WE 1428 0.56 2003 1.55 0.60 0244 1.31 0941 TH TH 1536 0.62 2105 1.54 0.62 0348 1.24 1048 FR FR 1652 0.67 2219 1.55 0.60 0456 1.22 1149 SA SA 1758 0.68 2329

26 26

1.56 12 0648 27 12 0034 0648 0.56 27 TU 1251 1251 1852 1.40 1852 0.56 0120 0120 0744 1.55 0744 0.60 WE 1343 1343 1939 1.31 1939 0.62 0215 0215 0850 1.54 0850 0.62 TH 1447 1447 2038 1.24 2038 0.67 0319 0319 1008 1.55 1008 1609 FR 0.60 1.22 FR 1609 2154 2154 0.68

13 13

28 28

14 14

29 29

15 15

30 30 31 31 0556 1240 SU SU 1847

1321 1928

2 2

0633 1320 SA 1916

Time

1 1 0026 0645 MO

17 17

1.53 0.39 0029 1.41 25 0610 10 0619 25 1.67 0020 25 10 0619 0.39 1.85 0.58 25 0.44 0610 FR 1229 SU 1230

1.31 11 0559 26 11 0024 0559 0.62 26 FR 1220 1.60 FR 1220 1900 1900 0.47 0107 0107 0645 1.31 0645 0.66 SA 1300 1.53 SA 1300 1940 1940 0.50 0156 0156 0736 1.32 0736 0.70 SU 1345 1.44 SU 1345 2024 2024 0.53 0247 0247 0836 1.34 0836 0.73 MO 1439 1.37 MO 1439 2113 2113 0.54 0344 0344 0945 1.39 0945 1542 TU 0.72 1.31 TU 1542 2205 2205 0.55

0108 0745 SA 1428 2018

m 0020 0.61 0700 1.62 1346 0.51 1935 1.24 0108 0.59 0745 1.66 1428 0.46 2018 1.28 0151 0.56 0824 1.70 1503 0.41 2056 1.32 0230 0.53 0901 1.73 1537 0.39 2131 1.35 0306 0.51 0936 1.74 1610 0.37 2205 1.38 0343 0.50 1010 1.74 1642 0.37 2239 1.39 0419 0.50 1044 1.71 1713 0.38 2314 1.40 0457 0.51 1118 1.67 1745 0.41 2349 1.41 0536 0.54 1153 1.60 1818 0.44

0113 0728 TU 1357 2003

0.54 1.81 0153 0.30 0806 WE 0.30 1.48 WE 1430 1930 1.48 2036 0116 0.43 0.43 1.90 0230 0739 1.90 0.22 0842 1415 TH 0.22 1.59 TH 1500 2020 2107 1.59 0212 0.34 0.34 1.95 0307 0831 1.95 0.17 0916 1501 FR 0.17 1.68 FR 1530 2108 2140 1.68 0304 0.27 0.27 1.95 0344 0922 1.95 0.17 0952 1545 SA 0.17 1.75 SA 1600 2154 1.75 2213 0357 0.25 0.25 1.88 0323 1012 1.88 0.22 0930 1629 SU 0.22 1.78 SU 1531 2240 1.78 2148 0448 0.27 0.27 1.77 0404 1100 1.77 0.30 1009 1710 MO 0.30 1.78 MO 1605 2326 1.78 2226 0542 0.33 0.33 1.63 0448 1149 1.63 0.41 1052 1751 TU 0.41 TU 1642 2307 0011 1.74 1.74 0.42 0538 0635 0.42 1.47 1141 1239 WE 1.47 0.53 WE 1724 1831 2355 0.53 0058 1.68 1.68 0.51 0635 0732 0.51 1.33 1237 1330 TH 1.33 0.64 TH 1815 1914 0.64 0147 1.60 1.60 0.59 0050 0834 0.59 1.23 0742 1428 FR 1.23 0.74 FR 1345 2003 0.74 1920 0244 1.53 1.53 0.64 0158 0941 0.64 1.17 0856 1536 SA 1.17 0.80 SA 1503 2105 0.80 2039 0348 1.49 1.49 0.65 0312 1048 0.65 1.18 1005 1652 SU 1.18 0.81 SU 1618 2219 0.81 2158 0456 1.48 1.48 0.63 0422 1149 0.63 1.23 1105 1758 MO 1.23 0.78 MO 1719 2329 0.78 2305 0556 1.51 1.51 0.58 1240 0.58 1.30 1847 1.30

3 3 4 4

5 5 6 6

7 7 8 8

9 9

10 10

11 11

Local Time APRIL APRIL Time Time m

m 0026 0.72 0645 1.55 1321 0.53 1928 1.38 0113 0.65 0728 1.59 1357 0.48 2003 1.45 0153 0.58 0806 1.63 1430 0.45 2036 1.52 0230 0.53 0842 1.64 1500 0.43 2107 1.58 0307 0.48 0916 1.64 1530 0.42 2140 1.64 0344 0.46 0952 1.62 1600 0.43 2213 1.68 0323 0.45 0930 1.58 1531 0.46 2148 1.71 0404 0.45 1009 1.52 1605 0.50 2226 1.72 0448 0.48 1052 1.45 1642 0.56 2307 1.71 0538 0.51 1141 1.37 1724 0.62 2355 1.68 0635 0.54 1237 1.30 1815 0.69 0050

m Time m 0524 1.78 0.72 1.78 0.33 1.55 0524 1159 0.33 1.58 0.53 1159 TU 1812 TU 1812 1.58 1.38

16 16

0.65 0005 0.47 0.47 1.83 1.59 0005 0619 1.83 0.28 0.48 0619 WE 1246 0.28 1.70 WE 1246 1900 1.45 1900 1.70 0.58 0100 0.38 0.38 1.84 1.63 0100 0712 1.84 0.27 0.45 0712 TH 1331 0.27 1.79 TH 1331 1945 1.52 1945 1.79 0.53 0154 0.32 0.32 1.80 1.64 0154 0802 1.80 0.29 0.43 0802 FR 1414 0.29 1.86 FR 1414 2030 1.58 2030 1.86 0245 0.30 0.48 0.30 1.72 1.64 0245 0851 1.72 0.35 0.42 0851 SA 1455 0.35 1.88 SA 1455 2114 1.64 2114 1.88 0.46 0335 0.32 0.32 1.62 1.62 0335 0940 1.62 0.44 0.43 0940 SU 1534 0.44 1.87 SU 1534 2157 1.68 2157 1.87 0426 0.37 0.45 0.37 1.50 1.58 0426 1029 1.50 0.53 0.46 1029 MO 1614 0.53 1.82 MO 1614 2240 1.71 2240 1.82 0.45 0516 0.44 0.44 1.39 1.52 0516 1116 1.39 0.63 0.50 1116 TU 1653 0.63 1.75 TU 1653 2323 1.72 2323 1.75 0609 0.52 0.48 0.52 1.30 1.45 0609 1206 1.30 0.72 0.56 1206 WE 1734 WE 1734 0.72 1.71

17 17

18 18 19 19 20 20

21 21

22 22

23 23 24 24 0.51

TH 1300 1.68 1822 0.54 1.30 0058 0.69 0802 FR FR 1401 1921 1.65 0.56 0157 1.26 0901 SA SA 1510 0.73 2033 1.63 0.54 0303 1.27 0958 SU SU 1613 0.73 2146 1.66 0.48 0406 1.35 1048 MO MO 1705 0.68 2249 1.72 0.41 0500 1.46 1131 TU TU 1747 0.58 2342

26 26

1.65 27 12 12 0742 0.56 27 1345

13 13 14 14 15 15

1.26 1920 0.73 0158 1.63 0856 0.54 1503 1.27 2039 0.73 0312 1.66 1005 0.48 1618 1.35 2158 0.68 0422 1.72 1105 0.41 1719 1.46 2305 0.58

0008 1.66 0.59 1.24 1.24 0.80 1822 0.80 0058 1.58 1.58 0.64 0802 0.64 1.21 1401 1.21 0.85 1921 0.85 0157 1.51 1.51 0.66 0901 0.66 1.23 1510 1.23 0.87 2033 0.87 0303 1.48 1.48 0.64 0958 0.64 1.28 1613 1.28 0.84 2146 0.84 0406 1.49 1.49 0.61 1048 0.61 1.35 1705 1.35 0.78 2249 0.78 0500 1.51 1.51 0.57 1131 0.57 1.44 1747 1.44 0.71 2342 0.71

1.66 25 0704 1.37 0008 25 0.59 0.62 0704 TH 1300

28 28 29 29

30 30

 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2018, Bureau of Meteorology  Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2018, Bureau of Meteorology Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect Moon Phase Symbols New Moon First Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter New Moon First Quarter Last Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon Tide predictions for Sydney (Fort Denison) have been formatted by the National Tidal Centre, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Copyright reserved. All material is supplied in good faith and is believed to be correct. It is supplied on the condition that no warranty is given in relation thereto, that no responsibility or liability for errors or omissions is, or will be, accepted and that the recipient will hold MHL and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Australia free from all such responsibility or liability and from all loss or damage incurred as a consequence of any error or omission. Predictions should not be used for navigational purposes. Use of these tide predictions will be deemed to include acceptance of the above conditions. 84

MARCH 2019

boats & kayaks

In the skipperâ€™s seat

Inside story...

Something of an Aussie icon, Clark Aluminium Boats has earned this enviable status by serving generations of commercial and recreational boaters. In the boating world, Clark Aluminium Boats is a name synonymous with strength, durability and safety. Combine these features with class, leading levels of performance, a quality finish and modern fit-outs and itâ€™s easy to see why for nearly four decades, Clark have been the first choice of many boaters.

Made for...

Clark Aluminium Boats will provide you with many years of safe, trouble-free boating enjoyment!

86 Paddling at Stuarts Dayne Taylor drops his kayak into the beautiful estuary known as Stuarts Point!

87 Bar crossing basics

Crossing bars is something many boaties will have to learn, so why not start right here with experienced boatie Wayne Kampe?

88 The answer my friend, is yakking in the wind Justin Willmer discusses some ways to cope with and benefit from kayaking in the wind!

This month...

Gary Brown put two models from the Legend range head to head! Check it out on page 92!

MARCH 2019

WHAT’S NEW BOATING FULTON XLT WINCH RANGE

The new Fulton XLT Winch range provides premium performance at an affordable price. It comes in four sizes, from single speed through to two-speed, and rated from 680-1450kg. With a stamped carbon steel frame, the range is built for strength and durability. The internals have a Z-Max 600 zinc coating for superior corrosion resistance and a 600-hour salt spray rating. The polypropylene cover protects the internal hardware from the harsh marine environment, and provides safety from moving parts. The carbon steel frame is built tough, providing all-important rigidity necessary for accurate gear alignment resulting in a longer life. The single-speed winch features an efficient gear ratio, full-length drum bearings, oil-impregnated shaft bushings, and an 8” comfort-grip handle for ease of cranking. The two-speed winch also has a shift lock design. All models are backed by a 5-year limited warranty. Price: from $149 www.fultonperformance.com

FUSION EL SHALLOW-MOUNT

Lowrance HDS LIVE, available in 7”, 9”, 12” and 16” display sizes, delivers powerful real-time sonar, charting and connectivity features including Active Imaging, LiveSight, Genesis Live and LiveCast smartphone integration. Active Imaging lets you see structure and cover with a new level of refined detail, and at a range unmatched by any other structure imaging technology. Active Imaging 3-in-1 sonar combines Lowrance CHIRP with SideScan and DownScan Imaging, and Livesight sonar delivers the most detailed views of fish as they swim in and around cover. When using LiveSight forward in conjunction with the Lowrance Point-1 GPS antenna, an on-chart indicator shows the direction the transducer is pointed, letting you line up on a waypoint or pinpoint structure. Delivering real-time, custom-mapping capabilities, HDS LIVE harnesses the power of Genesis Live charting, which uses digital depth to create depth-contour overlays on charts. HDS LIVE also allows anglers to display fishing info and entertainment from their smartphones on their 12” and 16” sunlight viewable displays. Price: from SRP $1549 (7”) www.lowrance.com 90

MARCH 2019

Mercury is kicking off 2019 in the best way, with savings of up to $800 on its outstanding 40-60hp FourStroke outboards. These are the most popular outboards on the water – for good reason. Ideal for a huge range of activities, these engines will revitalise your boat with the power, efficiency and reliability of Mercury’s advanced FourStroke technology. Weighing in from just 93kgs, these engines have everything you need and nothing you don’t. And to make a good decision even easier, Mercury Finance is available with deals at 3.99% allowing for easy, weekly repayments. This offer is subject to engine availability so if you want to take advantage to repower, refresh, and rejuvenate your boat, then you’d better act fast. This offer lasts until 22 March 2019 and is only available at participating Mercury dealers. Terms and conditions apply. www.mercurymarine.com.au

FNAVICO DISTRIBUTE 5 2 CLARION

Fusion’s EL Series of shallow-mount marine speakers feature a modern design in two styles with LED lighting options, durable construction and accessory grille options. The shallow basket design makes the EL Series ideal where mounting depth is limited. The two grille styles, Classic and Sports, provide the ultimate in cone protection while complementing the vessel look, with the choice of seven LED lighting colours. Designed for functionality that lasts in harsh outdoor and marine environments, the EL Series is rated IP65 for water and dust ingress protection from the front face when correctly mounted. It also meets industry standards for UV and salt fog protection. Offered in 80W, 6.5” speakers, the powerful EL Series is engineered with a compact basket assembly for simple and versatile installation. Extra grilles are available in Sports White, Sports Grey, Classic White or Classic Black. www.fusionentertainment.com

LOWRANCE HDS LIVE

MERCURY SALE NOW ON

PRODUCT GUIDE

Navico, parent company to leading marine electronics brands Lowrance®, Simrad®, B&G® and C-MAP®, has announced its distribution agreement with Clarion Marine Systems, via JL Audio. Navico Australia and New Zealand will be able to offer a range of Clarion Marine audio products to its existing dealer network. Under an exclusive long-term Licensing Agreement made in Q3 of 2018, JL Audio assumed responsibility for Clarion’s Marine Audio Electronics and Accessories business in North America, South America, Australia and New Zealand. Navico APAC has been the distributor of JL Audio products since 2016 hence was the logical choice to distribute Clarion Marine products moving forward. Mathew Hooper, Navico Australia and New Zealand Sales Director, commented on the recent partnership. “The well-established and quality proven Clarion Marine products complement Navico’s extensive product portfolio,” he said. “We can now offer a complete and premium range of marine electronics to our customer base and look forward to developing our partnership with JL Audio with the distribution of Clarion Marine Systems.” www.clarion.com/au/en/top.html

MERCURY’S 80TH ANNIVERSARY

Mercury Marine will celebrate its 80th anniversary throughout 2019 with events around the world, reflecting on its strong heritage of innovation and leadership in the marine industry. On January 22, 1939, E. Carl Kiekhaefer purchased a bankrupt engine manufacturing plant in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Now, 80 years later, the business that emerged from those modest beginnings – Mercury Marine – is a company with 7,000 employees across the globe and is heralded as the world’s leading manufacturer of marine propulsion systems, as well as marine parts and accessories. “Eighty years ago, Carl Kiekhaefer had a vision for Mercury and that was based around product innovation and technology – and it’s that vision that built the foundation for us to continue to innovate today,” said John Pfeifer, Mercury Marine president. Mercury will celebrate its 80th anniversary throughout the year and showcase some of its strong heritage during the 2019 boat shows. www.mercurymarine.com.au

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Clark comparison: Legend against Legend!

SYDNEY SOUTH

Gary Brown gbrown1@iprimus.com.au

Dave Muscat from DM Marine at 50 Bath Rd North, Kirrawee NSW has been welding up a storm

railings, hull repairs, live bait tanks, and bait boards just to name a few. Now DM Marine have now added a new string to their bow. As of February 2018, they became the proud dealer of Clark Aluminium Boats. In this boat review I

At the rear of the Side Console there is a plumbed live well, two screwed in aluminium rod holders, a transom door and a couple of tie off cleats. for over seven years in the Sutherland Shire. They are one of Sydney’s leading aluminium boat repairer for specialized modifications in boat welding and marine fabrications. They can manufacture fuel tanks for boats, do minor repairs on aluminium dinghies, customise canopies and rails for boats, rod holders, boat 92

MARCH 2019

have carried out on the water tests of not one, but two 5.2m Clark Legend Consoles. So why two on the water tests on the same length, width and height boats? It’s to give you an idea of the overall performance of what the same boats can do when there have been a few upgrades from the standard hull length, width and height. Also, how they have been set-up to cater for two different styles of boating and fishing. Boat 1 is a Clark 5.2m Legend Side Console powered by a 100hp 4-stroke Honda on a single axle steel trailer and boat 2 is the Clark 5.2m Legend Plate Centre Console powered by a 150hp 4-stroke Honda on a dual axle steel trailer. Boat 1 is a side console that would be ideal to take a couple of mates fishing in the river, lakes, estuaries, open bays and even some close offshore fishing. Even though it’s registered to take

5.20 LEGEND SIDE CONSOLE SPECIFICATIONS Boat overall length ..................................... 5.38m Beam............................................................ 2.35m Depth ........................................................... 1.06m Weight (boat only) ....................................... 560kg Recommended hp ............................................ 70 Max hp ..........................................................115hp Bottom ........................................................ 3.0mm Side ............................................................. 3.0mm Shaft size ........................................................... LS Max people.......................................................... 6

Main: The author tested two boats of the same length, width and height set up for different styles of fishing and boating. Above: It’s a good idea to leave the safety chain on the boat until you get down to the water’s edge. Better to be safe than have your boat come off the trailer and onto the ramp. six people you could easily fit four adults for a day’s inshore fishing. If fishing close offshore I would say the boat would comfortably fit three

adults, maybe four if the conditions are right. It has an open tournament style layout with a carpeted front casting platform,

5.20 LEGEND PLATE CC SPECIFICATIONS Boat overall length ...............................5.38m Beam......................................................2.35m Depth .....................................................1.06m Weight (boat only) ................................. 760kg Recommended .....................................100hp Max hp ................................................... 150hp Bottom ..................................................4.0mm Side .......................................................3.0mm Shaft Size .......................................... LS or XL Max people....................................................6

bow-mounted electric motor, live bait tank, 90L plumbed kill tank, aluminium rod holders, ample storage, a boat catch and a trolling mode switch that will allow you to control the trolling speed by slowing down or speeding up the RPM of the motor with a flick of the switch. With its 3mm bottom and sides it would be perfect for either lure or bait fishing in the estuaries, dams, lakes and some close offshore fishing. The position of the side console and the fold down seating allows you to have plenty of leg room to move

about in the boat. The casting deck at the bow of the boat is just the right height for an easy step up to cast a snag, a school of feeding fish and to lower and retrieve your anchor. With the power of the 100hp, 4-stroke Honda outboard there would be plenty of grunt for a bit of water skiing or towing of a boat tube. The passenger’s seat at the rear can easily be swivelled around so that you can be an observer. The only slightly negative thing that I would say is that the side console could be about 20cm wider and have a wrap-around windscreen to give you more protection from the elements.

tank, 90L plumbed kill tank, ample storage, aluminium rod holders, a boat-catch and a trolling mode switch that will allow you to control the trolling speed by slowing down or speeding up the RPM of the motor with the flick of a switch. The main differences are that boat 2 has a custom designed DM Marine centre console built by Clark boats complete with high windscreen and covered in storage area below. The pod has been redesigned and strengthened, plus you now have a 4mm plate bottom and 3mm sides and the motor has been upgraded to a 150hp 4-stroke Honda outboard.

The positioning of the side console and the rear seat positions make it easy to move around inside of the boat.

Help keep your trailer in mint condition by getting Dave to install a self-watering pump. Park your trailer, turn on the pump and walk away. The pump will turn itself off after a few minutes. Boat 2 is the Clark 5.2m Legend Centre Console powered by a 150hp 4-stroke Honda and is Dave’s pride and joy. As with boat 1, boat 2 also has the open tournament style and comes with a carpeted front casting platform, electric motor bow mount, live bait

Instead of 2 fully upholstered high back fold down swivel seats with poles there is a padded bench seat built for two with plenty of storage underneath. With the extra power of the 150hp, 4-stroke Honda outboard there would be plenty of grunt, with plenty to

spare for a bit of water skiing or towing of a boat tube. ON THE WATER PERFORMANCE With two aboard the 5.2m Clark Legend Side Console the 100hp 4-Stroke Honda pushed the outfit out of the water and up onto the plane with ease, settling down on the plane at about 2550RPM, giving you a very comfortable ride at 22knots. I have found that with most 4-stroke outboards the motor noise is very minimal and at 750RPM the Honda 100hp Idle didn’t disappoint. There wasn’t much difference when the boat was travelling at 4-knots, as it too was running at 750RPM. Travelling at 8 knots it was running at 1600RPM and at 12 knots, is was running at 2400RPM, making it a very economical outboard. Top speed of this outfit was 35 knots at 6000RPM with two adults on board. Not that I would run it at this speed, preferring to cruise at about 5000RPM doing 25 knots. Once again with two people on board the 5.2m Clark Legend Centre Console, the 150hp 4-Stroke Honda pushed the outfit out of the water with two adults on board up onto the plane with so much ease, with the 150hp that had plenty

Top: Dave’s pride and joy, the 5.2m Clark Legend Centre Console, is worth a look. Above: Even the local wildlife was quite impressed with the 5.2m Clark Legend Side Console powered by the 4-stoke 100hp outboard.

The cranking battery sits nicely at the centre of the rear of the boat, l eaving you a bit of storage to the left of it for some of your boating essentials. The raised front of the tray will stop things from sliding off. of grunt left over. That even if you had three anglers on board, I don’t think that there would be much difference in the overall performance of the boat. Once up onto the plane you could settle down to a comfortable ride at around 25 knots, with the RPM running

The test boat had a customized selfdraining bait board with rod holders.

slightly slower at 4500RPM. I have found that with most 4-stroke outboards the motor noise is very minimal and at 750RPM, the Honda 150hp Idle didn’t disappoint. There was a slight difference of about 50RPM when the boat was travelling at 4 knots and while travelling at 8 knots Up at the bow of the Side Console there is plenty of under floor storage for your safety gear, and twin batteries for the electric motor of your choice. The deep self-draining anchor well would store your anchor, chain and rope while the carpet would keep the noise down.

Dave from DM Marine can design and customise your own self washing outfit for your trailer. The extra cost will be worth it as it will save you time and money on maintenance on the trailer.

The 100hp 4-stroke Honda outboard pushed the boat out of the hole with plenty to spare. Imagine what a 115hp (max hp with 3mm bottom and sides) outboard would achieve.

it was running at 1475RPM and at 12 knots, it too was running at close to 2450RPM. Top speed of this outfit was 50 knots at 6200 RPM with two adults on board. As tested. the Clark 5.2m Legend Side Console powered by a 100hp 4-stroke Honda package comes in at $41,990, with the Centre Console

coming in at $51,990.00. For more details on what Dave from DM Marine Services can whip up for you, visit the website at www.dmmarineservices. com.au or call Dave on 0410 774 696. DM Maine Services workshop is located at 50 Bath Rd North, Kirrawee, NSW. MARCH 2019

The padded seat at the helm acts as a storage compartment on the Centre Console (left), while having a 50L freshwater tank at the bottom. This would be used to help wash down your boat while fishing. If you take the aluminium divider out of the Centre Consoleâ€™s 90L plumbed kill/live well tank (right) at the front it would hold a either a decent kingy or flathead. If you like, Dave can drill a couple of holes in the divider to allow the water to flow through when travelling.

The sleek 3mm hull and reverse chines of the 5.2m Clark Legend Side Console (bottom) will give you a smooth ride when next out on the water. The Centre Console has smaller chines, but still provided a reletively smooth ride.

The Side Console that was tested on the day came with an 80lb Minn Kota Self deploy I Pilot Ulterra electric motor (bottom) that can be operated from anywhere in the boat. The Centre Console (top) had added non-slip deck material.

The pod on the rear of the Centre Console (left) had to be reinforced to take the extra weight and power of the 150hp. The Side Console took less power, but the author was was impressed with the quietness of the 100hp 4-stroke Honda outboard.

The author found that the side console (left) was a little bit too narrow for his liking, as the windscreen didnâ€™t deflect enough breeze while travelling. The custom designed DM Marine centre console (right) comes complete with high windscreen, 4 rod holders, large dash and covered in storage area.

MARCH 2019

We work hard for you and we take pride in what we do • Boat Sales • Mechanical Repairs • Custom Alloy Fabrication • Service

At DM Marine, we work closely with our customers to ensure their marine and boat customizations are achieved through solid designs and superior workmanship.

We make getting your boat fixed easy! Sydney’s leading aluminium boat repairer and modification provider, we specialize in boat welding and marine fabrications. These include Fuel tanks, Rod Holders, Boat Railings, Hull repairs, Live Bait Tanks and Bait Boards just to name a few.

50 Bath Road N, Kirrawee NSW 2232 Phone: 0410 774 696 Email: info@dmmarineservices.com.au