NSW Fishing Monthly September 2018 by Fishing Monthly

AFTA TACKLE SHOW WINNERS • SUCCESS IN THE ESTUARIES

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Kayaking with the kids Pejar from the yak S ort out your boat seating

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Features

Bass in the wilderness • Estuary tactics Part II • Mulloway masterclass • Essential barra lures • Best tackle for 2018

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September 2018, Vol. 24 No. 2

Contents BYRON COAST The Tweed 24 Ballina 26 Yamba 28 COFFS COAST Coffs Harbour 30 Nambucca 32 South West Rocks 33 MACQUARIE COAST The Hastings 34 Harrington-Taree 37 Forster 38 HUNTER COAST Erina 39 Port Stephens 40 Swansea 41 Hunter Coast 42 SYDNEY The Hawkesbury 12 Sydney Rock and Beach 14 Sydney North 16 Pittwater 18 Sydney Harbour 19 Botany Bay 20 Sydney South 21 Western Sydney 22 ILLAWARRA COAST Illawarra 44 Nowra 45 BATEMANS COAST Merimbula 46 Narooma 46 Batemans Bay 47

From the Editor’s Desk... ALL THE AFTA TRADE SHOW NEWS Each year the fishing tackle trade conducts a businessto-business show on the Gold Coast in the middle of winter, and it’s always an event to remember. Distributors and fishing tackle stores from all over Australia gather to show off new products and do deals. This show is not open to the public, so we at Fishing Monthly and www. tacklejunkie.fish are bringing you the latest and greatest tackle via social media, YouTube and print. To those of you who missed our videos broadcast straight from the Gold Coast Convention Centre, where we interviewed wholesalers showing off their latest gear, you can check them out on the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel. One of the most exciting things about the AFTA Show is the Best In Show awards.

It starts with retailers voting on what they judge to be the best new gear, the votes are tallied, and the awards are presented at the formal Gala Dinner. We have compiled the winners and runners-up for you in this issue, and some of them are particularly innovative and exciting. And just quietly, we hear that there’s a good chance there will be a public (non-buying, look and see only) day next year. It’s not confirmed yet but we’ll bring you news of this as it comes to hand! BASS SEASON OPENS Of course, river bass anglers from the Tweed to the Genoa will welcome the opening of

the river bass season. With the dry conditions this year, we’re unsure how good the spawning recruitment will be, but well done to all for letting the fish go about their business. There’s bass on the cover and plenty of bass inside. BARRA TOUR INFO INSIDE You’ll also notice a 16-page guide inside inviting you to the Zerek BARRA Tour. The BARRA Tour is in its teenage years now, after starting in 2005. It boasts a friendly group of competitive barra anglers that have a brilliant week fishing and touring together through the hottest Queensland barra lakes at the time.

Be aware that we screwed up a little (there are a couple of incorrect dates in the Guide, which was printed earlier than this magazine) and that the correct BARRA Tour Dates are in the Tournament Calendar, on the entry forms and on the website (www. abt.org.au) – just not in the introduction. The Zerek BARRA Tour runs from the 19th to the 25th November, 2018. Just to be clear. There are articles about getting started, getting better and getting involved. Find a mate, find a boat and we will see you there.

EDEN COAST Tathra 48 Bermagui 49 Eden 53 Mallacoota 53

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AUST

SPECIAL FEATURES Big bass in the wilderness More estuary tips and hotspots ABT BARRA Tournament Angler Guide Mundi Magnets: Best barra lures Award Winning Tackle for 2018

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REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics 76 Black Magic Master Class 27 Cooking 77 Dam Levels 94 Fun Page 88 Tides 112 Trade Directory 110 Tournament News 102 What’s New Boating 114

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BASS

Choose your own bassventure! COFFS HARBOUR

Stephen Worley info@tdsimages.com.au

Many of us have come to realise that most of these sayings like “it’s not

all about the journey, not about the destination.” But for most anglers, these sayings are… absolute rubbish! For most of us, what we really want is to catch fish. Good fish. The adventure isn’t what

A simple camp set-up saves you weight and time, leaving more room and time for fishing. about the fishing, it’s the experience that matters,” “the adventure is what it’s all about, any fish are just a bonus,” and even “it’s

it’s all about, although the adventure can be the bonus to a great fishing trip… as long as we still catch fish. Fortunately for

the bass angler, a quest for adventure can make it possible to find what we are really after. As the bass season kicks off for another year, anglers all over the state will set plans for fishing trips to the classic bass waters of NSW. Many of these bass waters are considered ‘wilderness’ fishing locations, but is it really ‘wilderness’ bass fishing when you can park your Toyota Camry next to the river? Don’t get me wrong, there are some great waterways in NSW that fish really well, even under relatively high pressure, but they’ll often be hit and miss and can shut down due to heavy traffic. What many bass anglers are hoping for is to have the river to themselves and maybe find that hole full of Jurassic bass that haven’t had a lure thrown at them in a long time, or maybe ever. Fortunately, if you’re willing to put in just a little more effort than the average angler, there is

no shortage of opportunity when it comes to finding more secluded bass water, even for residents of our largest cities. NEW GROUND Almost every eastern flowing river in NSW and Victoria holds a decent bass population, although virtually every bass river has been fished in some way. Many of these river systems have sections that aren’t crossed by roads, aren’t accessible from downstream by boat, and are surrounded by either private land or forest that restricts access to the river. Consider how many kilometres of bass river are out there that have rarely, if ever, seen a lure run through their waters. An adventure into those new river sections may be a journey in its own right, but coupled with a lack of fishing pressure you have a recipe for not only a

One of the exciting things about fishing new water: What’s the next hole going to be like? be the ones that ‘bother’. If you’re willing to walk, hike, paddle or climb into sections that no one else will, then

These maps are amazingly powerful and allow you to look at the landscape in real images. You can use these

Bass are nearly always keen on a surface lure, even if it’s not cicada season.

PBs are always a possibility when chasing wilderness bass.

great adventure, but also the great fishing that we’re all really chasing. THE SEARCH What you are looking for are sections of river that are not easy to get into, or are difficult to fish well. You’re working off the principle that, the harder it is to access, the fewer the anglers that will bother. You’re going to

your reward will be seldomtouched waters and, possibly, willing and plentiful bass. How do we find the sections that are worth the journey? There are some tools you can use to help you narrow the selection down to the most likely prospects. Google Earth and similar satellite mapping programs have changed the search forever.

images to locate river sections that have limited access. Particularly long sections that have no road crossings and are surrounded by native bushland. Start off by looking at the river systems that you know hold good bass – those popular, classic bass fishing locations. Now search through those systems

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Big bass and little creeks are a good recipe for aggressive fish. They are compelled to eat whatever swims past.

BASS looking for viable water that may not see an angler often, due to lack of access. You can then use topographic maps to get a better idea of the ‘lay of the land’. You can find ‘relief’ maps online that will show the topography, but you will feel much more like a real explorer when using real life, hard copy topographic maps. Satellite images don’t provide a good representation of the gradient of a river and the surrounding topography,

and using topographic maps will help you understand the location more clearly and will sometimes show tracks that aren’t on the digital versions. Google Earth and Google Maps are the obvious resources people will head to, but there are some other online resources that can be more useful in some locations. THE PLAN Are you walking, riding, paddling or parachuting into

After dinner at camp, Pete got this bass while literally casting from the tent.

the area? Will you be fishing from the bank or from the river? Are you walking in and out the same way, or will you have ‘put in’ and ‘take out’ in different locations? Firstly, work out how you can get to the water. Find out the nearest access points via car. Are there tracks into the river, or will you be bush bashing it? It’s best to use topographic maps for this part of the planning as they show tracks of varying types and the terrain of the area. On satellite imagery you might find a track that gets you close to the river but you may not be able to tell that there is a 100m near vertical drop into the river from there. A topographical map will enable you to visualise the steepness of the terrain and choose an easier route. You will also need to consider how the river can be fished. Planning is not just a matter of getting to the river, but about what you need once you get there. If you arrive at your carefully selected waterbody and the bank is overgrown with vegetation, or there are large sections with high canyon walls, you may not be able to fish the section effectively on foot. Alternatively, the river section might be so skinny and shallow that paddling down the river will spook everything along the way.

There’s no greater anticipation than heading into the unknown. This track descended from 1400m, finally hitting the river at 200m above sea level. This part is easiest to judge on the satellite imagery maps where you may be able to get a sense of the water itself and the surrounding vegetation. Next you will want to work out when is the best time to go. The months surrounding the off season (May to September) will be better suited to fishing the lower portions of a catchment, particularly if the river is low and there hasn’t been much flow, as it’s looking for this spring. Most of the ‘wilderness’ sections of our rivers though, are high up in the system so will provide better fishing during

the height of the bass season, so late spring until early autumn. You will also need to think about if it will fish better when it’s really dry, or when there’s more flow. THE INVENTORY You don’t need to run out and grab a heap of new gear to start doing some more adventurous bass fishing. A decent backpack that’s comfortable for longer hikes would be all that’s required for some ‘bassventures’. As difficulty of access and isolation increases though, some more specialist hiking gear could be called for. I’ve never been that

interested in the ultralight hiking world before, but through these types of trips I have certainly discovered why people in that world are so obsessed with shedding grams from their inventory. The more unneeded gear you can banish from your pack and the lighter you can make your essentials, the further and longer you can go. On a bass trip you will also need to carry fishing gear and maybe a watercraft with you as well. One thing you need to remember is that once you start fishing you’re still going to have whatever gear you brought with you resting firmly on your shoulders. Walking is hard enough with a 25kg backpack, but trying to get around on a river bank and fishing while wearing one is likely to result in wet gear, a wet angler, an injury, or all of the above. If you’re doing any overnight trips then a quality lightweight sleeping bag, bed mat and shelter will make your pack much more manageable and enable you to fit more fishing gear in. There’s two ways to go ultralight: go without comfort, or go without cash. You might pay two or three times more for ultralight gear that will still be warm and comfortable, but you will use them ten times more. You To page 10

SEPTEMBER 2018

WHAT’S NEW FISHING TESTED

PRODUCT GUIDE

New Siglon PE braid from Sunline great for no-fuss luring

The purchase of braided line should be seen as an investment. It might not be quite as long-term as a rod and reel setup, but usually longer than a many lures, and certainly any terminal tackle. It’s for this reason that, despite my not being particularly moneyed at this stage in my life, I always look for the best quality braid I can get my hands on. Lesser braids, while cheap and affordable after a standard tertiary studyladen week, won’t give the same mileage, often rubbing through and breaking only weeks after installation. As a result, an angler will often end up spending more in the longterm if they want to keep fishing, but there are steps available to minimise unnecessary spending and maximise catching! EJ Todd Fishing Solutions have a history of

From experimentation in the past, I’ve learned that braids with less strands tend to operate better on a baitcasting set up, because they flatten much easier and often end up slightly stiffer. This stiffness helps line to run off the spool during a cast, where softer braids often can’t keep up with the rotation and end up overrunning. Braids with more strands on the other hand, usually end up being rounder in profile but softer and more flexible, and definitely better suited to a spinning set-up. With no risk of overrunning, spinning setups can get away with using comparatively soft braids. With this in mind, I decided that the PEx8 would go onto my Daiwa BG 2500 spin reel, and the PEx4 onto my 13 Fishing Concept A baitcaster.

Techniques like jerkbaiting can be a nightmare when using substandard braids, with the potential for looping and uneven wrapping on the spool between jerks. There’s none of that with Siglon PE!

bringing in high-quality fishing products from all over the world. Basically, if you take fishing more seriously than just about anything else in life, you’ll have brought EJ Todd products. Everything under the Todd’s banner comes with unmistakable quality identified by Australian anglers for Australian anglers, and the new Siglon PE from Sunline is no exception! SPOOLING UP Having been sent two spools for testing, the PEx4 and PEx8 (both in 16lb), I decided I would do a comparison of the two. The two 150m (165yds) spools were in the ‘light green’ colour, perfect for my planned testing site that features a lot of aquatic weed. The PEx8 is available in light green, orange and multi colour, and the PEx4 just in light green. As the name suggests, the PEx8 is an 8-carrier braid, and the PEx4 a 4-carrier.

SEPTEMBER 2018

As for the comparison of the two models, I found that my decision to put the braids on their respective reels was a good choice, and feel that anyone interested in using this line should follow the same principal – PEx4 for baitcasters and PEx8 for spin reels. QUALITY THE BEST SOLUTION Some of us might not think too hard about what braid we use, but we should – it’s what keeps us connected to the fish!

potential for uneven wrapping on the spool, I thought this was a perfect test for the braid. For a bit of fun, I decided to fish jerkbaits on both the spinning and baitcasting setups loaded up with the Siglon PE. Like with all braids, it took a few casts for it to warm up and cast properly, but within 2 minutes I was belting out long casts with a 4.5g jerkbait, and within 5 minutes, I was hooked up on the spin gear! This fish started a fantastic few months of top-class jerkbaiting in South East Queensland for me, and I got plenty of use out of the PEx4 and the PEx8. On the 8 I was able to deliver good casts comfortably with jerkbaits as light at 3.5g, while with the 4 on the baitcast set-up, I used baits as light at 4.9g without any trouble at all. I also got some use out of the braids fishing for flathead, bream and squid without any loops, wind knots or troubles associated with lesser braids. They’ve even retained their original colour better than other braids I’ve used! As a bonus, I found it to be extremely thin for its poundage, which aided in casting distance and overall stealth.

If you want a braid that will last more than a few months, retaining its strength and abrasion-resistance, Siglon PE is a great choice. Being as trouble-free as it is, you’ll be able to spend more time fishing and less time stressing about retying, untangling wind knots and re-packing the spool. Siglon PEx8 comes in poundages from 5-130, while the PEx4 in 3-50, so there’s a PE for literally every fishing scenario. Coming in at a pretty incredible price for a high-quality braid, this is the perfect option for anyone looking for peace of mind with braids, where you can spool it up and not worry about it for over a year. At around $24.95 for 150m spools of PEx4 and around $40 for 150m spools of PEx8 (more for 300m spools), it’s a product that marries up supreme quality and affordability. Choosing a braid when spooling up new reels and re-spooling old ones can require a bit of thought. EJ Todd have made that decision much easier for me! For more information, and to find an outlet near you that stocks Sunline Siglon PE Braided Fishing Line, visit www.ejtodd.com.au. - Bob Thorton

The author was just happy to be out bass fishing after a period of little to no linewetting. A trouble-free braid made those first few trips out to the dam pure joy.

Even the baitcaster got a run with the jerkbaits! The 16lb PEx4 had no trouble delivering a 4.9g bait into the nooks and crannies where the bass were.

As with all re-spooling of braid on my reels, I made sure to pack it down as tightly as I could onto about 20-30m of squishy monofilament, which I use as backing. ON THE WATER Soon enough I was on the water, and the end of autumn saw me getting stuck into one of my favourite forms of fishing – jerkbaiting for impoundment bass! With the constant jerking of the rod and

abt

BARRA TOURTournament

FREE GUIDEBOOK

Guide

Australian Bass Tournaments A Peter Jung cover image

ABT.ORG.AU

abt

Tournament Angler Guide

abt.org.au

2018 zerek barra tour calendar Welcome to the 2018 version of the BARRA Tournament Angler Guide or TAG as we like to call it in the office. For the third straight year Zerek is the naming sponsor and for the third straight year it looks like they’ll have a range of baits that both the barra and the barra anglers will love. Whether you’re throwing their Flat Shads, Fish Traps (in the small or new larger sizes) or the new Zerek large hard swimbaits, you will be covered in each of the lakes the BARRA Tour visits. One of the highlights of last year’s BARRA Tour was watching tour newbie Dean Jackson tie on the Zerek Fish Trap he received

in his tour sample bag and land the biggest barra recorded at the Kinchant event. It was a great reward for a team who decided to give the BARRA Tour a go and tasted success in their very first event. Each year the Zerek BARRA Tour is a mix

of seasoned veterans and aspiring newcomers. It doesn’t take the newbies long to get into the swing of things, the routine of fishing, driving, having a few refreshing ales and doing it all again not only accelerates your barra learning curve but also

forges great friendships. The fact that Camp Kanga at Peter Faust Dam will be open again for this year’s tour only adds to the excitement and the social atmosphere. We definitely missed this social gathering point in the 2017 tour. Once again, we will be using the TrackMyFish powered ABT Tournament Series App to record catches. On lakes likes Kinchant, it allows ABT to deliver live scoreboards to those keen on following the results. Inside this guide you will find calendars, how-to articles and stories from teams who have given it a go for the first time. You’re all welcome! Just

DATE

LOCATION

EVENT

SPONSOR

SESSION TIMES

19 November

Kinchant Dam

BARRA Tour Round #1 (Evening Event)

Hobie Polarized

4pm - 12am

20 November

Teemburra Dam

BARRA Tour Round #2 (Evening Event)

Wilson Fishing

4pm - 12am

21 November

Peter Faust

BARRA Tour Round #3 (Night Championship)

Westin

4pm - 8am

23/24 November

Peter Faust

BARRA Tour Round #4 (Evening Event)

Lucky Craft

4pm - 12am

fill out the entries, make your travel plans and we will see you on the 2018 Zerek BARRA Tour.

You can download the entry forms, rules and event information at www. abt.org.au

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abt

Tournament Angler Guide

abt.org.au

Finding the ‘perfect funnel’ TNQ

Karim DeRidder

For the average angler, stepping into the tournament scene for the first time is a massive leap out of the comfort zone. For most, there is a high level of anticipation for that first dabble into competition, and every

current tournament angler has felt this at some stage. Tackle preparation, boat organisation and research into their likely destinations builds a solid level of excitement. Anglers traveling to the Mackay area and sampling the delights of fishing talk around the Camp Kanga Dongas near Lake Proserpine will most likely hear plenty

of chatter about certain productive spots, key areas of the lake, and when the conditions are perfect, hordes of barramundi on their side imaging units each session. While some anglers may pass on valuable information to help find those sweet spots, these areas are generally fairly close kept secrets for each angler, especially for the tournament angler

who will generally work extremely hard to find the ultimate spots, which may lead to tournament success. The questions will develop in new anglers trying to take in all that key information that may lead to success on their part; a 1m+ barra hitting the deck. What do these areas generally look like? What characteristics do they share? What separates poor locations from good locations, and what makes great ones? The following explanation will hopefully enlighten the average barra angler and turn them on the right path towards finding their own ‘perfect funnel.’ The perfect barra funnel is a concept discussed to some extent in most victory speeches after an ABT BARRA round every year. The talk will cover techniques and tackle used and briefly describe a location on the lake where its physical characteristics and environmental conditions have ensured a consistent confluence of barramundi directed past the victorious angler’s boat. This is essential to any success during the barra tour and

Craig Griffiths with a solid deepwater daytime capture. Large schools of barra can be targeted successfully in lakes when knowing where to look and what to throw. generally requires a level of understanding of what to look for, ensuring that you are maximising your time spent on the lake. During pre-fish prior to the start of a tournament, it’s important to spend a significant amount of time sitting in front of the sounder to identify areas that are most likely to see movements of fish during critical times in a tournament session. A good starting point is to identify river beds and creek channels – areas of deep water that are the arteries of the lakes. Their role in directing fish movements around the lakes is essential to

understand. The perfect funnels will generally be fed from these deep water areas, transferring fish to ideal feeding zones via these pathways and hopefully right to your interception point – an area where each cast has the highest probability of interacting with moving, feeding fish. Structure such as tree lines and weed beds will determine these fish movements and act as physical steering mechanisms to direct them to feeding zones. Both Faust and Teemburra have vast amounts of standing timber including vivid

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TAG 2018 abt

The ABT Faust round in 2015 required very specific boat positioning and identifying fish movements through vast, open water weed beds. When the perfect funnel was identified, this was the result: a 110cm class fish.

lines along creek channels and sparse flooded forests; both influence the barra movements in their own way. It can be quite interesting to compare fish movement and behaviour in these structure-rich locations to the more open water areas; this movement and behaviour changes by the hour and it’s important to keep in touch to ensure you are casting to the most viable locations. As Kinchant is mostly void of timber, the weed edges influence their movements in similar ways. Being a smaller lake, Kinchant is easier to work out than Faust and Teemburra. Both weed and timber are key structures in their own right, and both work together as perfect ingredients in

abt

Tournament Angler Guide

abt.org.au the development of the ultimate funnel. As most ABT rounds are afternoon/evening sessions, it’s important to understand the movement of the barra as they relate to these particular times of the day, and generally their movement to feeding zones. Gradual sloping ridges that enter the lake (commonly referred to as ‘points’) and wide extended flats are well known as reliable feeding zones, by identifying a close relationship to the deep waters as discussed previously, more knowledge is built towards identifying funnels to these areas. The perfect shallow areas will have significant ambush zones and, as discussed earlier, structure such as a

LURES TO USE Deep water creek channel to flat Transam 95, Madness Vibe Tree line of creek and at end of point Lucky Craft 100XD Pointer, Madness Vibe, Transam 95 Weed edge to boat position Lucky Craft 100 pointer (shallow), Rapala X-Rap XR14 or 12, any 130-250mm paddletail plastic such as Slick Rigs, Castaic Jerky J 5/7”, Berkley Hollow Belly Weed-edge and lantana towards water edge Same plastics as above, suspending hardbodies such as Lucky Craft 100 Pointer, X-Rap, glide baits.

weed bed, weed channels, significant snags or tree lines. On most occasions the barra will feed close to these structures. The cover presents as the perfect ambush spot for an unsuspecting bony bream. Faust has been well known to produce insane sessions when the lake was at capacity; places where masses of old lantana had long died off were ideal areas for barra to hunt and the no-holds-barred, hand-to-hand combat is still discussed by many barra anglers who experienced this type of fishing. For relating those areas to specific bite times, the old saying, ‘make hay while the sun shines’ relates well to barra fishing. Interchange the sun with moon and you have a winner. The standard bite time that all lakes exhibit right on dark generally starts and fades quite quickly, however a gradual build of action usually progresses with the moonrise towards its upward extremity during most ABT events. The last important aspect discussed here is the geographical location of the area and environmental factors, as these directly influence the amount of fish that will travel through these areas. As most successful tournament anglers are well aware, the weather patterns

The author with a dark coloured weed-dweller. A perfect funnel was identified on the point of a vast weedbed with high activity of moving barra observed. This fish bit as the lure broke free of the weed into clear water right on the point. and prevailing wind that drives the current in the lakes must be studied and adapted in the plan of attack. Bulk barra movements will locate themselves in areas of the dam in significant numbers; a steady single or minimal variant direction of wind can develop these quickly. At the same time, the presence of a drastic change of stability influenced by wind direction

change and velocity can disperse them as quickly as they arrived. During your pre-fish, keep track of areas where a majority of barra are identified on your SI, where the winds have been pushing current and nutrients to certain areas of the lake. Keep narrowing your focus until you are seeing mass movements of the fish into small specific areas. These areas will be like a

convergence of footpaths to a multidirectional crossing, waiting for the green ‘walk’ light to illuminate. Identify your deep water/shallow relationships, locate your structure, pre-empt your bite time and stay flexible to your environmental factors; the lights will turn green and the restaurant doors will open. Now you may read this and wonder what my To page 6

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2018 AFTA Tackle Trade Show Each year the fishing tackle trade conducts a business-to-business show on the Gold Coast in the middle of winter, and it’s always an event to remember. Distributors and fishing tackle stores from all over Australia gather to show off new products and do deals. This show is not open to the public, so we at Fishing Monthly and www.tacklejunkie.fish are bringing you the latest and greatest tackle via social media, YouTube and print. To those of you who missed our videos broadcast straight from the Gold Coast Convention Centre, where we interviewed wholesalers showing off their latest gear, you can check

them out on the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel. One of the most exciting things about the AFTA Show is the Best In Show awards. It starts with retailers voting on what they judge to be the best new gear, the votes are tallied, and the awards are presented at the formal Gala Dinner. We have compiled the winners and runners-up for you in this issue, and some of them are particularly innovative and exciting. And just quietly, we hear that there’s a good chance there will be a public (non-buying, look and see only) day next year. It’s not confirmed yet but we’ll bring you news of this as it comes to hand!

JOHN DUNPHY MEMORIAL FISHING TOURNAMENT Every second year the John Dunphy Memorial Fishing Tournament is run in conjunction with the AFTA Trade Show. John Dunphy was one of Australia’s greatest tackle innovators, and Australian Bass Tournaments (ABT) uses the event to help debut new technology and improvements to fishing tournament data capture. This year was no exception. Seven tournament pros took out 14 industry identities with the aim of catching their biggest bag of five bream. However, they didn’t bring and fish back to the weigh-in. Instead, all of the captures were recorded on the ABT Tournament Series App (powered by TrackMyFish). At the same time, the majority of the field were live streaming their fishing day via a collection of Garmin action cameras. This live stream was curated and presented on at the Trade Show on two massive screens. “ABT’s aim is to make fishing a real spectator sport,” said ABT founder

Steve Morgan, “and with live streaming technology getting smaller, cheaper and easier to manipulate we are enjoying taking the lead in this area.” The live stream is managed by InfoFish, and it’s a great partnership. Not only does the company (which administers Queensland’s tagging program) run the back end of this system, but the data gets used meaningfully after the tournament. With over a million fish recorded in the InfoFish database, the company believes that monitoring the top 20% of anglers gives a great snapshot into the structure of a waterway’s fish stocks. This means that catch and release fishing can become an important part of community monitoring of the resource. That’s a great position for catch and release fishing. For the record, team Costa won the day with a cracking Gold Coast bag with over 4kg for five bream. Well done to Jamie Mckeown (ABT); Jenny Gordillo (Costa) and Tanya Konsul (Costa).

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION AWARD In an age when everything has a use-by date and companies and brands come and go, longevity is rare. J.M. Gillies has written its story into history and has significantly helped shape the fishing industry in Australia. For J.M. Gillies this story now spans 90 years. Over the years J.M. Gillies has been responsible for the distribution of brands such as Plano, Rapala, Maxima, Berkley, Redington, Sage, Arbogast, Classic, Bomber, Killalure, Warlock, Tassie Devil and SeaDog. J.M. Gillies was established in 1928 by John Malcolm Gillies in West Melbourne, and his vision was to service the fly industry. Fly tying was the core business, and this built a foundation and a name for the brand in Australia. The start of 1987 saw Pat Levy, who at the time was a young storeman and packer, risk everything to buy the business. Gillies had a number of warehouse moves in a short period of time due to the expansion of the business, before

finding a base in Port Melbourne in 2000. The business continued to expand, and a number of neighbouring warehouses were taken over before finally running out of space, and the company moved to a purpose-built warehouse in 2009 that is still home today. During the company’s 90 years, J.M. Gillies has distributed and manufactured more than 70 brands of fishing products and other sporting goods. For Pat, it’s always been about providing the best service and brands. The service side has been a foundation for the business, with a core sales team and internal staff that’s being largely unchanged for the past three decades. Although brands and products come and go, the team at J.M. Gillies have become a family with a common goal, and have established great relationships with tackle stores all around the country and also other countries around the world. Pat Levy was inducted to the AFTA Hall of Fame at the 2018 AFTA Gala Dinner and Awards Night, in recognition of his services to the fishing tackle industry.

WOMEN IN RECREATIONAL FISHING Also represented at the show were members of the WIRF leadership program (Women in Recreational Fishing). Focused on unearthing tomorrow’s female fishing leaders, this scholarship program gave 10 women the chance to attend the AFTA Gala Awards and contribute their voices to the future of the industry. The network has been created by the VFA (Victorian Fisheries Authority) as part of the Target One Million program to encourage females to participate in the fishing activity with the family, rather than just watch. It is linked to the Target One Million drive to increase participation to get one million Victorians fishing by 2020. Some of the goals of the program

include how to better share knowledge about the skills and equipment need to fish, to empower women with the right info; how to get more women on boards and in leadership roles within the fishing industry; and how to advertise women in fishing in a more positive way. An interactive Facebook group has been created for women to enable them to talk, gain and share knowledge to engage in recreational fishing activities in a comfortable manner. Female anglers of all levels are encouraged to join, post and learn from one another. Interested parties can check it out at www.facebook.com/ groups/womeninrecfishing. And that’s all the news from the AFTA Show. Read on to check out all the product winners!

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BEST ROD CATEGORY WINNER Abu Garcia Real Finesse Abu Garcia Real Finesse

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Abu Garcia is ushering in the next generation of sleek design and high performance rods with the Real Finesse range. Featuring 100% carbon blanks with Abu’s Triarchy Force production methods, finesse rods deliver sensitive, ultra-light blanks with higher break strengths and improved impact and fracture resistance. Features include: nano carbon (super high modulus Nano Carbon 55t material); 4 Axis Cross (carbon tapes are wrapped around the blanks in an X shape, both from 45° and

135°, enhancing torque and preventing twist); equipped with Advanced Fuju Torzite Micro Guide System; Triarchy Force (100% carbon material arranged in both length and width directions with unique multilayer construction and finishing techniques, increasing hoop and overall rod strength). There are five models in the range, all 2-piece: 51OULS (EXF action, 5’10”, 0.14g rig weight, 0.1-0.3 PE line), 67SULT (F action, 6’7”, 0.1-7.0g, 0.1-0.5 PE), 610LS (EXF action, 6’10”, 0.1-5.5g, 0.1-0.3 PE), 76LT (F action, 7’6”, 0.1-7.0g, 0.1-0.5 PE), 79ULS (EXF action, 7’9”, 0.1-7.0g, 0.1-0.3 PE). www.abugarcia-fishing.com.au

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For smarter, more efficient lure casting under a variety of circumstances, the new Curado DC changes the game and represents the latest in Shimano Technology development. Shimano’s Digital Control (DC) braking system is the star element of this reel and gives you the ability to make every cast count. The Curado DC offers four adjustable settings that enable anglers to fish a wide variety of lures of different shapes and sizes, in all weather conditions, without having to constantly fiddle with internal brake settings. It can also accommodate different casting techniques and even line type. Housed within the aluminium Hagane Body, Micromodule gearing provides seamless gear

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meshing for smoother winding performance, whether on the retrieve or when hooked up. There are four reels in the Curado 150 DC stable, including a choice of a medium (6.2:1) to an extra fast (8.5:1) gearing ratio, and a lefthand wind option is also available. www.shimanofish.com.au

RUNNER UP Daiwa Exist LT 3000 DC Celebrating 60 years of innovation isn’t easy, and that’s why Daiwa held nothing back in creating the new 18Exist LT. The flagship model, the Exist, has personified excellence throughout Daiwa’s history, and now the new 18Exist LT, which stands for Light and Tough, introduces even more ground-breaking technology, and it was the 3000 DC that was recognised in particular at the AFTA show. Monocoque body also debuts in the 18Exist LT for the first time through the entire size range. Monocoque body is a truly one-piece frame with no side plate. Instead, the side plate is replaced by the main drive gear housing, which screws into the body allowing for maximum gear diameter and ultimate rigidity. You will find the brand-new Machine Cut Tough Digigear inside the new 18Exist LT is up to 109% larger than non-monocoque reels. The 18Exist LT’s monocoque body is Daiwa’s most advanced body they’ve ever developed, and they’re available from 1000 to 4000 sizes. www.daiwafishing.com.au

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Daiwa TD Black Combo

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Daiwa TD Black combo

The clear winner in the Best Combo category was the Abu Garcia MGXtreme spin reel matched with a Real Finesse rod. The Abu Real Finesse also won the Best Rod category. MGXtreme spin reels are Abu Garcia’s lightest and most compact spinning reels. These brand new reels feature the CMg carbon rotor and one-piece X-Mag alloy gear box to reduce weight to 5.6oz (159g). The high performance, durable AMGearing system is combined with HPCR and Salt Shield bearings for both freshwater and saltwater use. This extremely lightweight, versatile reel is also equipped with an innovative removable sinker keeper that eliminates tangling when using a drop shot. Features include: 11 stainless steel HPCR bearings (Salt Shield ball bearings for pinion gear and line roller) + 1 roller bearing; CMg rotor; AAMGearing system; Carbon Matrix drag system; one-piece X-Mag alloy gear box; C6 carbon body; Rocket line management system; compact bent carbon handle arm with cork knob; always on, instant anti reverse; and attached sinker keeper. abugarcia-fishing.com.au

An evolution of the popular Generation Black rod series (HVF blanks), the new TD Black series of rods has taken a leap forward in blank design and now features HVF (High Volume Fibre) Nanoplus blanks. With higher graphite density able to be achieved through Nanoplus technology, the result is a lighter, crisper, more powerful rod, while the addition of Braiding X technology further enhances rod performance by increasing wall strength and reducing blank twist. This allows a lighter, more dynamic rod to be created. For the perfect reel to match the new TD Black Rod, you can’t go past the new TD Black LT reel. Bearing the famous Black name that has been featuring so strongly in the Daiwa line-up over the last few years, the TD Black LT features the LT’s Light Tough Concept to deliver anglers a reel that impresses in looks and wows in performance. Both these great innovations from Daiwa combine to create one deadly combo. www.daiwafishing.com.au

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The Zerek Live Swimbait takes the famous Live Mullet body profile to the next level. It uses the same concept as the widely acclaimed Live Shrimp – to emulate natural prey movements to trigger strikes. The segmented TPE (thermoplastic) body is held together with a Kevlar webbing, providing superior strength and freedom of movement. The main body section hides an ingeniously designed one-piece wire frame that connects the tow point to the hook hanger, giving even more strength. The wire frame also has additional hangers – two on top for attaching a spinnerbait arm or extra hooks, and a hanger underneath for chin weights such as the Mustad Fastach Football Weights and the traditional hook hanger. Easily workable with a straight retrieve, the lifelike 3D eyes and detailed finishes (natural and attractor patterns) make the 8” Zerek Live Swimbait very effective on barra, Murray cod, mulloway and more apex predators. Available in 12 proven colours, the new Zerek Live Swimbait is designed to sink in freshwater at the rate of 1ft per second, allowing anglers to effectively target suspending fish, thermoclines or bait schools easily. www.wilsonfishing.com

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The original Chasebaits Ultimate Squid has taken Australia by storm, catching a huge range of species in both fresh and salt since its 2017 release. Now, in response to angler demand, the Chasebaits team has released a 200mm version for anglers targeting larger offshore species. The larger model has all the same features that made the original such a smash hit – those trademark rippling wings, extended candles that flutter with any movement, contracting tentacles, custom 3D squid eyes, and custom scent. Designer Grainger Mayfield said the new model has been performing very well in field testing. “Naturally it has been catching a variety of pelagics and reef fish,” he said, “but anglers may be surprised to know that it’s also effective on cod and barramundi in the fresh. The Squid may not represent a specific freshwater prey item, but neither do spinnerbaits and it doesn’t deter the fish. As more anglers start changing their mindset, we’ll see a lot more freshwater catches on the Ultimate Squid.” Another new release is a custom jighead called the Ultimate Squid rig, made from ultra high tensile steel. It comes in 21g and 42g versions, has twin 4/0 assist hooks, and makes the Squid falls at a natural 45° angle for the most natural presentation possible. Keep an eye out for both the Ultimate Squid and Ultimate Rig from October. Price: approx. SRP $13 www.chasebaits.com.au

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The Sayori-S mimics one of the world’s most common baitfish – the garfish. Not only is the Sayori-S the perfect shape, but it also swims with the perfect, natural ‘S-type’ motion, just like the gar that it’s imitating so well. This sinking lure can be used for shore casting or for casting and trolling from a boat. At low speed, it swims under the surface with a tight, snaking action, while at higher speeds it will skip and splash across the surface like fleeing prey. You can also add a trolling weight or use a downrigger without affecting the lure’s action. If you remove the hooks, Sayori-S also makes a great teaser. The Sayori-S HD-Saltwater edition is fitted with premium quality 6X strong saltwater-grade ODZ Trinity SX hooks by Maruto Japan. Matched with HD stainless steel split rings, this lure is ready to tackle the biggest and strongest fighters in the sea. No aftermarket terminal upgrades are required. The Sayori-S 235 measures 235mm and weighs 58g, and will be available from October. Price: SRP $34.95 www.unitedtackle.com.au

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Building on the success of the original Pompadour, Jackall has released the much-anticipated 120mm Mega Pompadour. The Mega Pompadour is aimed squarely XOS freshwater fish such as Murray cod and big impoundment barramundi, and in a short time it has already gotten a number of 1m+ cod captures under its belt. This top-of-the-line crawler bait has been built to demanding specifications for Australian conditions, so there’s no need

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The new Frill Seeker is one of the latest lifelike creations from Chasebaits, and when you watch a video of it swimming you’ll know why it caused such a stir at the AFTA Trade Show. The Frill Seeker can be used as a surface wakebait or subsurface, diving to 1ft. Its fluid, lifelike movement comes from its segmented body, soft segmented tail and supple frill that shakes when the lure swims. When paused, the frill flares out, adding an extra dimension to the lure’s realistic appeal. As well as imitating a lizard, its profile also mimics a swimming mouse or rat. This durable lure features an ultra strong 10X soft tail attached securely with a corkscrew wire, and is fitted with ultra sharp and sticky BKK trebles. It measures 175mm (95mm body and 80mm tail), which is an ideal size for bass, small cod, small barra, jacks and any other fish that feeds on terrestrial animals like lizards or mice. Frill Seeker comes with a spare tail, and will be available from December. A larger model is in the pipeline, so watch this space! Price: SRP $24.95 www.chasebaits.com.au

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to upgrade hooks or rings – it's ready to go straight out of the pack. The Mega Pompadour’s wings close on the cast, and its magnetic weight movement allows the lure to be cast long distances while keeping its flight attitude. It also has a unique noisy rattle system, comprised of a glass rattle and brass ball. The Mega Pompadour has a strong crawling action made by metal wings, two types of loud rattles, and additional water disturbance made by the rear prop. It creates a massive noise and commotion on the surface, which large predators can’t resist. Price: SRP $59.95 www.jackall.com.au

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Bluewater HC Stickbait

Rapala Xtreme 160 HDFFU

The new HC Stickbait from the JM Gillies Bluewater stable is built tough to take on the most ferocious predators in the sea. The HC Stickbait is handcrafted, and both the insert and body are made with polyurethane material. The lure also features a heavy-duty wire through construction. This new lure measures 175mm long, weighs 120g and is initially available in five reactive UV colours with internal shell. It is set to be a smash hit with anglers targeting the likes of tuna, mackerel, wahoo and giant trevally. It won’t be available in stores until October, but in the meantime you can find more news and photos at the JM Gillies website, on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/jm.gillies) or Instagram (@jm.gillies). www.jmgillies.com.au

When fishing offshore, anglers often like to troll between spots to maximise their chances of catching a feed, and now Rapala has come up with the perfect bait for this application. As we know, Rapala makes lures that perform well, and look absolutely fantastic, and the Xtreme 160 is no exception to that, and with the new High Definition colours, they’re sure to see hungry fish launching themselves at it coming over the side. With the ability to handle trolling speeds of 15-20 knots, you can rest assured that this bait will stay in the water, and won’t come to the surface. This bait is perfect for tuna, mackerel wahoo, mahimahi and many, many more. Fitted with quality VMC trebles and built tough to handle the riggers of pelagic teeth, this is an absolute winner for anyone wanting to troll at high speeds offshore. www.rapala.com.au

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Viva Entice Bench Crimper

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Viva Entice Bench Crimper

Complete Book of Knots

The Entice Gamefishing Bench Crimper from Viva won the AFTA Best Game Fishing Accessory Award by a large margin. This reliable bench crimper can be used with nylon, wire, brass, copper, aluminium – any kind of crimp and any leader material. Owning a bench crimper is ideal if you want the power to do the biggest crimps, and the Entice does crimps up to 400lb. And if you’re making a lot of crimps, it makes the job much easier. Viva director Ran Feng said the Entice had gotten a great response in the short time it’s been available. “We gave it to a number of gamefishermen to try out, and they loved it,” he said. “It’s just so easy to crimp, thanks to the leverage from that long handle. Everyone wants to be sure that their crimps are 100%, and with the Entice you can achieve this with very little energy.” The Entice Gamefishing Bench Crimper has interchangeable dies, and is excellent value for money. Price: SRP $249 www.vivafishing.com.au

Learning how to tie the correct knot is one of the fundamental necessities of this great sport, because the knot is a critical connecting point between you and the fish. If your badly-tied knot fails, your fish is gone! This latest book from AFN will set you on the right path. The Complete Book of Knots has been put together by Bill Classon and Nigel Webster, hosts of the popular TV show The Fishing Show. . In this fully illustrated publication the pair outline all the knots anglers will ever need. This book caters for everyone, from the beginner to an expert, and has everything in it – from the basic knots through to some of the more advanced. Whether you are a first timer or a seasoned angler, there is something in it for you. Superbly illustrated by Trevor Hawkins, the steps are easy to follow, making it easy to master the process, and to tie dependable knots. Price: SRP $16.99 www.afn.com.au

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series, which feature Fuji Guides on the runner models, Pacific Bay rollers, Pacific Bay bent butt, and a carbon butt on nonbent butt models. All Ocean Assassins are built using SLS3 construction, which uses inner and outer spiral wrap layers of carbon fibre to sandwich middle layers of alternating longitudinal carbon and glass. The spiral wraps maintain a round cross-section in the blank when under load, which helps the blank handle higher loads. The middle layers of unidirectional carbon and glass create the backbone of the rod by utilizing the strength of glass combined with the light weight of the carbon fibre to deliver a strong, balanced and thin rod blank. www.pennfishing.com.au

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Daiwa’s J-Braid goes to another level with the release of the premium braid in the line-up, the new J-Braid Grand. A premium 8-strand PE, J-Braid Grand is made from an advanced new raw material (IZANAS) and is J-Braid’s strongest, most abrasion-resistant line ever. Four times more abrasion resistant than other lines, J-Braid Grand has a short pitch fibre construction that significantly reduces line damage and failure to dramatically increase line abrasion resistance and line strength consistency. Like all true premium Japanese 8-strand PE lines, the new J-Braid Grand maintains a true round profile for optimum line performance through the guides and on and off the reel. Made in Japan and available in sizes ranging from 6lb (0.6PE) to 150lb (PE16) and in multi and island blue colours, J-Braid Grand is the smoothest and best performing J-Braid they have ever made. www.daiwafishing.com.au

Utilizing the latest 9-carrier technology, the award-winning Berkley X9 Braided Line Crystal is an extremely smooth and strong line that has been designed for optimal strength and casting distance. Featuring a 9-carrier construction with a PE core, Berkley X9 braided line is extremely round and smoothly flows through guides for increased casting distance. Its high strand construction also enhances wear resistance for fishing over rugged structure, and provides higher knot strength. It is finished in Berkley’s highly visible crystal and flame green colours for easy strike detection. Berkley XP Braided Line Crystal is currently available in 150m, 300m, 2000m spools in crystal and flame green, and Berkley has also released a 5-carrier version (X5). For more information on these and more new releases from Berkley, visit their website or check them out on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BerkleyFishingANZ) or Instagram (@berkleyfishing). Price: SRP from $34.99 www.berkley-fishing.com.au

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When it comes to quality and value for money, Penn’s Ocean Assassin range of offshore rods are a definite winner. Since their launch, they have accounted for a wide range of bluewater species. For 2018, Penn has added a series of Game models to the Ocean Assassin range. There are eight models in the new Game

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Wilson Fishing Live Fibre RLF46FRD

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The Live Fibre RLF46FRD from Wilson Fishing brings together years of development in a package that has been designed to be more affordable yet retain all the qualities Live Fibre rods are known for. Rated at 37kg, this fully rollered bent butt game rod features premium quality, big foot roller guides, a deluxe leather foregrip and a detachable butt. The blank features a composite build with world leading Toray carbon cloth that places the pressure on the fish, not the angler leading to shorter fight times and less angler fatigue. Built to Australia’s exacting demands, loaded with features to put the fight in your favour and now awarded the AFTA Best Game Fishing Rod for 2018, the Live Fibre RLF46FRD will be available in December. www.wilsonfishing.com

Wilson Live Fibre RLF46FRD

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Much of the best fly fishing in our amazing country exists in the tropical regions of the north, and now Rio have provided the perfect fly line for tropical climates. Rio’s Jungle Series of fly lines are designed to withstand the heat of tropical jungle destinations. Each line is built on Rio’s low-memory DirectCore that is extremely easy to anneal (stretch) and lies perfectly straight on the water, yet retains the stiffness

needed to cast on hot conditions. Each line has a short, quick-loading head that will easily cast and turnover typical large flies used in the tropics, and a range of density options ensures anglers are covered for all species, conditions and waters. So next time you’re headed north in search of a tropical fly fishing fix, or even overseas to a typically humid fly fishing Mecca, be sure to load up your reels with something that’s up for the job – Rio’s got your back! www.jmgillies.com.au

RUNNER UP Primal fly rod series Primal Fly Rods are the newest brand from Manic Tackle. They deliver a high premium performance and finish quality at an affordable price. They’re ideal for anglers looking to upgrade from an entry level package. At the heart of all Primal rods is a helical core of Nano matrix prepreg. As well as making the rods strong, it means they cast a very smooth, tight loop with very little tip bounce and exceptional tracking. Casting is smoother and more accurate. The award-winning RAW freshwater series of rods are lightweight and fitted with customised machine cut skeletal reel seats with double locking rings and stabilised timber inserts. The stripping guide is a titaniumframed SIC and the guides are custom light wire single foot guides. The rod actions are fast while still maintaining enough feel to drop a tiny dry at close range off the rod tip. The RAW freshwater rod range includes an 8’6” 4wt, with 9’ 5wt, 6wt, 7wt and 8wt, all 4-piece. Price: SRP $499 www.manictackleproject.com

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The most demanding conditions require a different kind of tool, whether it’s a strong head wind, a fish at a distance, bulky rigs, or a heavy sink tip. The new Igniter from Sage is tuned to handle the most technical of conditions. This is not a rod for the everyday angler, the Igniter is equipped with a high line speed taper to carry large amounts of line at distance with wind cutting performance. This rod is absolutely perfect for streamer fishing with heavy sink tips or covering big water when conditions turn south. Made form quality materials, like Fuji ceramic stripper guides, hard chromed snake guides, KonneticHD technology, laser etched line weight on slide band, Sage retains its reputation for being some of the best fly gear available anywhere. The rod also comes with a black powder coated aluminium rod tube with a Sage medallion. If you bring the will, the Igniter will supply the way. www.jmgillies.com.au

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Sage Igniter

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Tackle Tactics TT Lures Swimlockz Jigheads

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TT Lures SwimlockZ

Berkley Snap Jigs

TT Lures SwimlockZ jigheads have been designed for fishing large soft plastic paddle tail swimbaits, with a tapered head design that shifts the bulk of the head weight below the hook to control the torque of the tail, and reduce the tendency of big plastics to roll onto their side. Built on heavy-duty, black nickel Mustad chemically-sharpened hooks to handle big fish, SwimlockZ also feature TT Lures’ ‘head lock’ grub keeper to secure your soft plastic in place, and a stainless steel connection point moulded into the underside of the head to secure stingers or a blade for added flash and vibration. Lock it on! SwimlockZ are initially available in three hook sizes (8/0, 9/0 and 10/0), and four weights: 1/2oz (14g), 3/4oz (21g), 1oz (28g) and 1.5oz (42g). Keep an eye out for them in tackle stores from September. Price: SRP $15.95 www.ttlures.com.au

An innovative take on a time-tested technique, the Berkley Snap Jigs deliver all of the fish-catching performance of an ice-jig, but with the ability to attach your favourite soft plastic. The Snap Jig can be fished both vertically over structure and for suspended fish in open water, or cast and retrieve for side-toside and backward-and-forward dynamic darting action. This versatile jighead naturally glides on the fall, and can be worked over points, open water, and on a straight retrieve for an enticing side-to-side action. Along the underside, the Berkley Snap Jigs feature a hook hanger that allows anglers to increase attraction with the addition of a blade, and improve hookup rates with a stinger hook. Offered in a number of lifelike colours, the Berkley Snap Jigs provide a unique take on a lure that has been putting fish in the boat for years. www.berkley-fishing.com.au

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Samaki Black Marlin Sublimation Shirt

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When relentless heat threatens to cut short a pleasant afternoon tossing carefree casts, arm yourself with cool comfort and keep chasing those elusive fish. Simms’ SolarFlex Armor Shirt features hard-working COR3 technology, with all-day oudor-fighting and moisturewicking protection. The shirt shields against the sun’s harmful rays with a UPF 50 rating. The Coolcore fabric chills down as it gets wet, giving you natural relief from the heat. Mesh panels on the sides and arms add breezy ventilation that will keep you feeling fresh on the water from dawn until dusk. It is finished with a full-coverage built-in gaiter for all over protection. Features include: COR3 technologoy (quick‐drying, wicking and UPF 50), Coolcore fabric technology (up to 30% lower surface temperature when wet), Polygiene fabric treatment (natural and permanent odour‐ control), patent‐pending full coverage gaiter design, and mesh inner side and arm panels for ventilation. Price: SRP $199 www.manictackleproject.com

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Wilson Fishing has just released the Venom Deluxe Multifunctional Headscarf, which takes a well-accepted product and improves it to make the headscarf much more user friendly. For starters, the material is much softer, being constructed from 95% polyester and 5% spandex. This makes the user far more comfortable during the day’s fishing. The design is also tapered to provide vital protection in two areas. Firstly there is a hump designed into the top of the front that more effectively covers the nose of the wearer. A similar, but slightly larger hump is also designed into the bottom to cover up that annoying spot

Venom Deluxe Headscarf

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Getting plenty of looks, feels and votes at the AFTA show this year was the Black Marlin Sublimation shirt from Samaki. Samaki have a history of providing anglers with good quality, reasonably priced and sun protective fishing apparel, and this fantastic design will fit in nicely with the rest of the range. Just like the rest of the range, the eyepopping images on the material will let other anglers know you mean business. As usual, Samaki have used their UPF 50+ Fish Dry fabric, which is a lightweight 100% polyester material, and will keep you incredibly cool, will dry quickly, yet still breathes. All of Samaki’s fishing shirts are available in adult, youth and kid sizes, allowing the whole family to get in on the action and out on the water, and still say sun safe. www.samaki.com.au

Samaki Black Marlin shirt

at the base of the neck that is left exposed by zippered or buttoned fishing shirts. Rated by ARPANSA at 15+, the material is also moisture wicking, making it perfect for anglers fishing in hot weather. Comfortable and cool to wear, ideal for all outdoor activities and machine washable, the Venom Deluxe Multifunctional Headscarf is a brilliant clothing accessory to keep you on the water longer. www.wilsonfishing.com

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Mako Edge

BEST SUNGLASSES CATEGORY WINNER TIED Mako Edge All anglers are looking for that extra edge when out on the water, and Mako Eyewear have delivered with their aptly named, Edge frames. Designed for style, flexibility and comfort, these lightweight warp resistant nylon frames have an 8-base wrap to reduce side light entry. The TR90 frame material has rubber grommets in all the essential places, the tapered arms and bridge, to make sure they stay put all day. The polarised lenses are available in polycarbonate and glass and in all Mako’s popular colours. makoeyewear.com.au

WINNER TIED Spotters Fusion Spotters have done it again with their new Fusion frames. It combines style and functionality with a matt black frame contrasting with an ice mirror lens. The modern wrap frames are comfortable and light enough to wear all day. Cleverly designed with ergonomic

non-slip grips on the arms, they’ll securely stay in place when you need it most. The Fusion comes in a wide choice of lens material and colour tints to suit your fishing style. The grey-based lens give incredible colour definition, glare reduction and superior depth perception delivering 100% UV protection and perfect visual clarity. spotters.com.au

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RUNNER UP Tonic Tango Tonic Eyewear know good design, so it is no surprise that this year’s newest offering, Tango, has balanced sleek style with supreme comfort. The Tonic Tango is incredibly lightweight with a mere 1.7mm lens, and a streamlined arm that doesn’t rely on rubber grips to stay on your head. The cleverly designed fit holds smoothly and securely to ensure you won’t be constantly pushing them up the bridge of your nose. An update to the lenses haven’t been forgotten. Keeping anglers in mind, extra yellow has been added to perfect fishing tactics for flats fishers. www.toniceyewear.com.au

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Yeti LoadOut Bucket

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The YETI LoadOut Bucket is no ordinary bucket. It’s well-nigh indestructible, and is built to last a lifetime. Essentially, it’s the last bucket you’ll ever buy. This 5 gallon (19L), super-tough bucket can handle any tough job on the boat or out camping. It features a HeftyHauler Handle for a comfortable, secure grip, as well as a LipGrip Handle, making it easy to carry when full. It’s food safe and has a BearFoot Non-Slip Ring, so the bucket will stay where you put it, and not leave scuff marks on the deck. The LoadOut Bucket is made from high-impact-resistant, high density polyethylene construction, and has AnchorPoint Tie-Down Slots for securing to your boat or vehicle. It measures 10.25” x 12.875” x 15.875” ( Weight: 5.8 lbs. If you want to cover the contents of the Bucket, you can purchase a Loadout Lid separately. The Loadout Lid keeps contents safe from salt spray and contained when conditions get rough. It’s transparent, easy to remove and water-tight. It’s also super strong; the HeftHex Construction makes for a durable framework that resists cracking, even in extreme temperatures, with over 130kg of pressure. If you didn’t think lid technology

was a thing before, this might get your attention. And thanks to the Four-Finger Release Tab, it takes just four fingers to get the lid off. Price: SRP $69.95 (lid not included) au.yeti.com

RUNNER UP Hook’em Teaser Bar The new Teaser Bar is another quality Australian-made product from Melbourne-based company Hook’em. This new dredge boom allows anglers to run dredge teasers further behind the boat, eliminating the problem of dredges going into the prop wash on turns. It’s an effective and affordable option for smaller boats which don’t have outriggers. The Teaser Bar goes in both straight and 30° rod holders. The drag of the dredge puts a lot of pressure on rod holders, so Hook-em have added an extra support hole at the top of the Bar. This hole, which sits above the dredge connection, has been added to take a retainer, to greatly reduce the weight and pressure imparted to the rod holder. As you’d expect from a Hook’em Product, the Teaser Bar is made from all stainless steel and is over-engineered for superior strength. It’s also great value for money. Price: approx. SRP $275 www.hookem.com.au

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Wilson Platinum Tournament Bag Daiwa Tactical Tackle Box

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Wilson Platinum Tournament Bag

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The Wilson Fishing Platinum Tournament Bag is a large hold-all tackle bag supplied with eight waterproof tackle trays, to fit enough tackle for any trip. There are three outer pockets, two of which are constructed with open mesh to allow the stored product to breathe and dry out, making them perfect for things such as fishing gloves, packets of plastics and more. The front pocket is fully enclosed and will suit lure sleeves and the like, and on the front of this pocket is a tool holder that can accommodate any tool you’re likely to need, and may even be used to dry lures on! Up top there is clip-attached cover that houses a carry handle and a mobile phone and wallet compartment. Underneath this cover is the zippered top that gives access to the eight waterproof trays. On the sides are two sturdy, plastic sleeve covered carry handles and a padded shoulder strap. The bottom of the bag is constructed from waterproof, formed and condensed plastic foam, giving your tackle protection from water ingress from below and creating a solid base that will never collapse. www.wilsonfishing.com

Daiwa have come up with a tackle storage solution to allow you to keep all of your different accessories in one place. Daiwa’s series of Tactical Tackle Boxes have tons of storage, and the large top pocket will hold five 3600-sized trays (medium) or five 3700 sized trays (large). Tactical Tackle Boxes also feature a moulded sunglasses holder, two zippered side pockets on the back, a mobile phone/ GPS holder on the front, and a pliers holder on both of the side pockets. All of this clever, space-optimising placement means you don’t have to leave anything behind to save on space. Large carry handles, padded shoulder strap and great tackle organization will allow the angler to take the Tactical Tackle Boxes everywhere. Each box comes with five Modular Storage Trays, which are perfect for lures, jigs, terminal tackle, sunblock and tools. The DTTB-60 model (medium) is 9” x 13” x 14”, while the DTTB-70 (large) is 12” x 14” x 12”. www.daiwafishing.com.au

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The Zexus ZX720 Motion Sensor Headlamp can be used in traditional on/off mode, or you can put it in motion sensor mode, and trip the sensor by waving your hand in front of it. This feature is very useful when you have wet or dirty hands, and is designed to not get tripped accidentally by other moving objects. This bright LED light (550 lumens) runs on 3 x AAA batteries, and when left on it will shine for around nine hours. During normal use, however, when it is being switched on and off, it lasts for weeks. The ZX720 Motion Sensor Headlamp features a very wide band to provide the most comfortable fit possible, and it’s fully adjustable to fit a wide range of head sizes. It’s also splashproof, rainproof and corrosion resistant, which makes it the perfect choice for fishing, hunting and camping. Price: SRP $199 www.vivafishing.com.au

Zexus Motion Sensor Headlamp S

The Hopper BackFlip 24 fuses the durability of the Hopper Flip with a new, convenient-to-carry design. It is Yeti’s first cooler engineered to double as a backpack, using the best tech of both worlds. Built taller and wider than its Hopper Flip counterparts, the Hopper BackFlip is designed to efficiently distribute the weight of your goods. Yeti designers have added supportive, ergonomic shoulder straps to help lighten the load, and a removable chest strap and waist belt are included for added stability and security. And like the rest of the Hopper family, it promises superior cold-holding, a 100% leakproof zipper, and a tough DryHide Shell. The Hopper’s high-density fabric is waterproof and resistant to mildew, punctures, and UV rays. The liner is made from an FDA-approved food-grade material. Closed-cell rubber foam offers far superior cold-holding to ordinary soft coolers. With a DoubleBarrel frame and Diehard joint construction, the Hopper BackFlip 24 is strong enough to support up to 227kg

Yeti Hopper BackFlip 24

without losing its shape. Price: SRP $449.96 au.yeti.com

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Watersnake Prowler Kayak PFD

AFN Kool Bag

BEST WATERSPORT/DIVE PRODUCT RUNNER UP

The new Watersnake Prowler Kayak Vest combines the storage capacity of a traditional fishing vest with the essential safety requirements of a PFD. The clever design is ideal for kayak fishing, canoeing, or any lightwatercraft activities. The Watersnake Prowler includes multiple zip pockets on the front and back for storing fishing tackle, tools, and personal items. It also features easy-to-adjust straps, durable buckles, tough zippers, and a camo print design that enhances the stealth factor by blending into the surroundings. The Prowler’s PFD 50S rating provides adequate buoyancy for swimmers in sheltered waters, while the streamlined construction also allows plenty of freedom for paddling and casting. In fact, it’s so comfortable you’ll forget it’s even on! The Watersnake Prowler Kayak Vest is available in four sizes (small, medium, large and extra-large) to suit a range of body weights, from 40kg to in excess of 70kg. www.watersnake.com.au

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The AFN Fish Kool Bag is a new fish chiller bag that has been designed to store your catch in a hygienic environment, ensuring fresher, longer lasting fish. This durable insulated bag holds ice for days. It’s portable, ideal for boats, and has a flared bottom to ensure it doesn’t tip over. The Kool Bag is insulated with 1/2” dense foam, and is UV and mildew resistant. Other features include comfortable and strong carry handles, a waterproof zip and fish ruler. The bag includes wheels for easy transport of heavy loads, and has a drain plug so it’s easy to empty out at the end of a trip. This fully sealed bag comes in four sizes: Small (750mm x 400mm x 200mm), Medium (1000mm x 400mm x 200m), Large (1400mm x 400mm x 300mm) and X-Large (2000mm x 600mm x 400mm). Price: SRP $99-$300 www.afn.com.au

Watersnake Prowler Kayak Vest

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Penn Spinfisher VI Liveliner

Chasebaits Rip Snorter Vibe

Daiwa Exist LT 3000 CXH

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Costa Untangled Pescador

Chasebaits Rip Snorter

Costa have absolutely pushed the envelope this year at the AFTA show, with a completely new concept to the world of fishing accessories. Introducing the Untangled range, which has taken a positive step towards cleaning up our environment. What makes the Untangled series so unique, is that the frames are actually made from discarded fishing nets! Every year, thousands of tonnes of fishing nets are left in the ocean to rot and be hazardous to marine life. Taking out the prestigious John Dunphy Award for Innovation this year is a member of the Untangled family, the Pescador, which is available in for lens colours. On top of all this, the cases are made from recycled material as well, and in this case, they are made from old Patagonia clothing. They look as good as the other frames in the Costa range, and by wearing them you’ll be saving the environment as the same time! www.costadelmar.com.au

With so many vibes on the market, the creative team at Chasebaits set out to provide something truly different. After many months in R&D, they have achieved their goal with the world’s first truly weedless vibe. It’s great news for anyone who’s lost a lot of expensive vibes, or who is too afraid to fish them in snaggy country. Designer Grainger Mayfield said it took a long time to get the design exactly right. “The hook design in particular was very complicated,” he explained. “Even when we had finished the design, it took another eight months to find the right factory to combine the quality, strength and shape that we wanted. It was a great feeling when we finally achieved our goal of creating a fantastic hook that works seamlessly in the lure to make it a true weedless vibe.” An obvious concern with any weedless lure is the hook-up rate, but that’s not an issue with the Rip Snorter. Field testers have been using it deep into snags and rock beds to great effect, catching bass, cod, mangrove jack and more. Its ease of use means that even novice anglers can catch fish. The Rip Snorter is 90mm long, weighs 16g and will be available from October. Keep an eye out for a 12mm version in the coming months. Price: SRP $17.95 www.chasebaits.com.au

The new Penn Spinfisher VI features IPX5 sealing so whether it gets hit with a wave, or you let it ride in the spray all the way home, you don’t have to worry about saltwater getting into the gearbox or drag system. The HT-100 drag washers are housed in a fully-sealed spool to give the stopping power needed for big saltwater fish. A Full Metal Body and sideplate keep the CNC Gear System in precise alignment under heavy loads. Durability, Smoothness, and Precision is what CNCGear Technology delivers. By using state of the art software and CNC machinery brass drive, pinion and oscillation gears are cut to exact tolerances. The new Spinfisher VI live liner system has four ‘on’ positions which progressively increase the rear drag when needed. Factory matched settings have been applied for each size reel, and can be user adjusted to the angler’s preference with the included tool. With the turn of the handle, the live liner is automatically disengaged and back in fighting mode. The Spinfisher VI is available in standard, Live Liner and Long Cast models. Price: from SRP $199.99 pennfishing.com.au

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Costa Untangled Pescador

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RUNNER UP TIED Daiwa Exist LT 3000 CXH Celebrating 60 years of innovation isn’t easy, and that’s why Daiwa held nothing back in creating the new 18Exist LT. The flagship model, the Exist, has personified excellence throughout Daiwa’s history, and now the new 18Exist LT, which stands for Light and Tough, introduces even more ground-breaking technology, and it was the 3000 CXH that was recognised for innovation at the AFTA show. Monocoque body also debuts in the 18Exist LT for the first time through the entire size range. Monocoque body is a truly one-piece frame with no side plate. Instead, the side plate is replaced by the main drive gear housing, which screws into the body allowing for maximum gear diameter and ultimate rigidity. You will find the brand-new Machine Cut Tough Digigear inside the new 18Exist LT is up to 109% larger than non-monocoque reels. The 18Exist LT’s monocoque body is Daiwa’s most advanced body they’ve ever developed, and they’re available from 1000 to 4000 sizes. www.daiwafishing.com.au

Tim the Bream shows bass class

STORM

After a 5-year absence from ABT Qualifier fishing, former #1 ranked ABT BASS angler, Tim Morgan, returned to the bass tournament scene with a bang, winning the second event of the Rapala BASS Pro Series Queensland road trip at Cania Dam, presented by Lew’s. He’d dusted the cobwebs off the previous year at the Storm Australian Open on the same lake, and the knowledge gained at that event provided the foundations for the win this year. “I don’t know what it is about everyone chucking tailor lures out in the middle, but I fished lower lake points that I’d identified in the Australian Open last year with a technique that (my brother) Steve and I used here 20 years ago - twitching Rapala jerkbaits,” Tim said. Back then it was Rapala Husky Jerks in bright colours, but this time it was

A five-year absence from ABT BASS Qualifiers did nothing to stop Tim Morgan charging to the win at the Cania event of the Rapala BASS Pro Series, presented by Lew’s. John Francis won the non-boater division. a pair of baits that landed the fish needed to win. “Early on I’d throw a 9cm Rapala Shadow Rap Shad (clown colour) right up amongst the structure and

work it down into the strike zone, pausing for 3-5 seconds between rips. Later on I’d switch to a pre-production Rapala Jack Deep (5cm) that I’d wind down to 10ft and

Tim’s a great believer in the naming sponsor products. The Rapala Shadow Rap Shad Deep 9cm in clown colour did the damage for him early each day.

twitch at that depth,” Tim continued. Tim fished the jerkbaits on a Rapala Koivu 652 rod (6-12lb) with an Okuma 3000 Ceymar reel loaded with 8lb Sufix Nano braid and 8lb Sufix Invisi-line leader. In the afternoon session he committed to schooled fish and landed two on a pearl Slider Grub fished on a 1/2oz Impact Tackle jighead. “There were plenty of schooled fish, so we just sat on them until they bit. Luckily we got three decent ones in the afternoon,” he concluded. A popular winner, who knows how many other retired bassers saw the win and are thinking of dusting off the rods? Scott Towner also made a successful re-appearance at a BREAM event last month. Now, the upcoming Storm Australian Open is well within his sights on Glenbawn Dam in mid-October.

Tim’s Cania Jerkbait Pattern

Rapala Shadow Rap Shad Deep

Rapala Jack Deep

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 102

SEPTEMBER 2018

Allwood rues slow second session Allwood has all but locked up the 2018 BASS Pro Angler of the Year title, but he was unable to run down a slow finishing Morgan on one of his favourite lakes. Finding a motherlode of bass in the lead up to the pre-fish ban, Terry was surprised that the fish had all but disappeared come tournament time. Allwood said, “Often the bass head to the edges after a strong southwesterly, like we had in the days leading up to the tournament, but I was too slow in working that out to win the event.” Allwood’s first session

fish came from the deeper waters. Fishing a Majorcraft 20g Jig Parra spoon (slow version), he’d sink the lure to the bottom and retrieve with a six-turnand-drop retrieve. That yielded Allwood four bites and four fish in the first stanza, which gave him the confidence to continue with the technique. “I went shallow for a little in the second session and lost three fish, but for some reason I went back deep and suffered the consequences,” Terry continued. When he did commit to the edges in session three,

not only did he box a limit in the first 90 minutes, he had the luxury of upgrading for the rest of the session, ultimately dropping 4.31kg on the scales – the 4th heaviest bag of the event. His baits for the edges included a Jackall Squirrel 79 and a Bassday 90B jerkbait – both in bright colours. The key was to get the baits down to the 8-10ft range and twitch them there. All of Allwood’s presentations were on a Samurai Reaction 302 rod with a Daiwa Luvias reel loaded with 10lb Unitika Light Jigging Deluxe line and 10lb FC Rock leader.

BASS PR O

Terry Allwood rode a jerkbait bite to a solid last session and a nearunbeatable position in the BASS Angler of the Year race.

Francis bags out to bring non-boater win home Reflecting John Francis full bag was a variety of techniques that he used

to help catch it. His 12/12, 10.23kg total was a kilo and a half bigger than

Tim Morgan’s. Kingaroy’s Francis fished with Casino’s Joey

John Francis was the only competitor at the event to weigh-in a full bag of 12/12 bass and thoroughly earned the trophy.

Urquhart on day one, jerkbaiting the edges early and then dropping back to deeper water with ice jigs and spoons later in the day. On Sunday, he snapped Dave Young out of his rut and proceeded to rack up the event’s biggest bag off the edges on jerkbaits at first, and then with spoons out deeper. A Jackall 67 Squirrel and Halco Twisty 20g both got a bit of a workout. Francis fished these baits on a Westin Twitching Jerkbait rod, Daiwa Freams Z reel spooled with Sunline Siglon 8-strand, 10lb braid and a 10lb Sunline Shooter leader.

Tim Steenhuis took the Garmin $500 for Big Bass.

WINNING TACKLE Rod: Rapala Koivu 652 (6-12lb) Reel: Okuma 3000 Ceymar Line: 8lb Sufix Nano braid Leader: 8lb Sufix Invisi-line Lure 1: 9cm Rapala Shadow Rap Shad (clown colour) Lure 2: Rapala Jack Deep (5cm) Lure 3: pearl Slider grub fished on a 1/2oz Impact Tackle jighead

Tim also won the $250 Evinrude Bonus for running a 200hp H.O. E-Tec on his boat.

Watch the day two Highlights by scanning this QR Code or visiting the ABT Tournaments YouTube Channel.

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Fish

Weight (kg)

After a very slow day-one donut, Dave Young came back strongly on Sunday to weigh the Duffrods Big Bag of 4.53kg. He caught the limit on jerkbaits fished around the edges.

TOP 10 NON BOATERS

TOP 10 BOATERS Place Angler

DUFFRODS BIG BAG

Payout

Tim Morgan 9/12 8.75kg $2,000 + $250 Evinrude Bonus Terry Allwood 9/12 8.38kg $1,100 Keeghan Painter 9/12 7.56kg $800 Mick Thompson 10/12 7.53kg $600 Jono Bale 7/12 7.06kg Lew’s reel Craig Simmons 7/10 6.67kg Braden Schuch 7/12 6.45kg Bill Schloss 8/10 6.32kg Matt Johnson 7/12 6.22kg Shaun Falkenhagen 6/12 6.18kg For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

Place 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

Payout

John Francis 12/12 10.23kg Prize Pack Mark Parriott 9/12 9.40kg Liam Dutton 10/12 8.76kg Brett Hyde 9/12 8.18kg Mitchell Rose 8/12 7.15kg Tim Steenhuis 7/12 7.12kg $500 Big Bass + Pack Dylan Byron 7/12 6.87kg Warren Howe 7/12 6.23kg Mark Lawson 6/12 6.17kg Angus Meyndershagen 6/12 6.14kg For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au SEPTEMBER 2018

103

Lennox blades Boondooma BASS

STORM

Armidale builder Mark Lennox added to his list of Rapala BASS Pro wins in a tough bite at Lake Boondooma. He won the JML sponsored qualifier with a 10/12, 11.33kg bag that was nearly 2kg clear of the rest of his competition. A seasoned blade fisherman, Lennox has won both bream and bass events on blades and used his skills amassed over the years to perfection on the winter bass bite at the South Burnett lake. Each session, Lennox started at the dam wall to box a small limit of fish before heading up the Boyne arm to upgrade these to much bigger specimens. His choice bait for the bottom end of the lake was a cream coloured Keitech Swing Impact on a 1/4oz N itro jighead with a #1 hook. Fishing it in 20ft of water, it was a natural choice for the schooled fish. “I’d sound the creek bed

Mark Lennox reinforced that he is a competitor to be feared when there’s a blade bite going on in fresh- or saltwater. and look for rock between 12-22ft down. That’s where the bass were sitting,” he said. After pulling up on his sounded bass, Lennox used a Duffrods 3-5kg rod with a

Daiwa Battler 2500 reel, 8lb Unitika line and 8lb FC Rock leader to deliver a Yamba Pro blade to the depths, where he would fish it vertically. After that, it was just

Lennox targeted the better class of bass with blades around boulders and rock in the Boyne arm on Yamba Pro Prawn blades.

Lennox’s Boondooma Boulder Technique

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 106

SEPTEMBER 2018

a matter of enticing them to bite. Lennox used small hops, leaving the lure close to the bottom until the bass ate it. Mark said, “Sometimes the bass would come up and eat it off the top of the boulders, and other times you’d need to drop it down beside the rocks to get a bite.” Adding to complexity of the presentation was that strong winds would blow Mark around and he was using a standard, cable steer electric motor with no spot lock function. You really have to know how to position a boat to get results on days like those. “Lots of fish were sitting in the little secondary channels beside the main river bed over gravel, but those fish were the hardest to catch - you needed to find the isolated fish relating to rock to get the bites,” Mark concluded.

Ben Biggs best in back of the boat The Gold Coast’s Ben Biggs proved that versatility in the back of the boat is the key to increasing bags and ascending the scoreboard. He used a variety of techniques to contribute to limits and take home the ultimate non-boater prize.

Paired with Paul Aldous on day one and Bass Cat’s Craig Simmons on day 2, Ben’s successful bait collection included Evergreen Little Max blades, Imakatsu IK 800 crankbaits and OSP Blitz extra deep running crankbait. On day one, Biggs

hopped the blades early to put together a limit and then used the crankbaits to upgrade later in the sessions. Ben fished the blades on an Edge Black Widow 6101 dropshot rod with a Daiwa Certate 2004 spooled with 10lb Toray Jigging PE braid, while

the crankbaits were cast on a 704 Black Widow with Daiwa Steez 100H spooled with the same line. Day two with Simmons was spent fishing blades and spoons down deeper. Interestingly, Ben fished the big Imakatsu at Pelican Point in 20-30ft of water, throwing long casts and banging the lure into the bottom. He also caught a couple on a weighted Blitz (with a bullet weight straight in front of the lure on the line). “It pays to fish differently from the boater and to really listen to

BASS PR O

Ben’s big tip for non-boaters? Fish differently from your boater. what they are saying,” Ben advised aspiring non-boaters. Sometimes the techniques you bring along

Matt Johnson presented the Duffrods Big Bag to the weighmaster in session two – a cracking 6.23kg limit.

will make the difference in this shared-weight format. It’s sage advice for no-boaters in any event.

Scan this QR Code to watch the highlights from the final day of fishing in Mark and Paul’s boats.

Paul Aldous two short of a limit

Kilcoy’s Paul Aldous admitted to being quite surprised that his 2-fish bag in the last session actually elevated him into second place. He committed to Pelican Point for the entire event and based his fishing on a two-lure approach – a 20g Halco Twisty and 1/4ox Little Max blade in brown/red. Paul would make long casts with the Halco and let it sink to the bottom. After it touched down, it was a six-winds and let it sink back to the bottom retrieve. The bass would usually bite the lure as it fluttered back to the bottom. Paul modified the lure by replacing the treble with a pair of assist hooks, fished off the rear split ring. His tackle included a

Duffrods 7’6” 4-7kg rod with a Shimano Stella 3000 reel spooled with 10lb Sunline PE and an 8lb Sunline FC Rock leader.

His Little Max rig was lighter, consisting of a 7’, 2-5kg rod and Daiwa Certate reel spooled with 6lb Sunline Braid and 6lb leader.

“I’d cast the blade as far as I could and hop it back to the boat – it’s a pretty standard retrieve for blades,” Paul reported.

Craig Simmons took home the $250 Evinrude Bonus for running his Bass Cat/G2 rig and finishing 6th.

WINNING TACKLE Rod: Duffrods 3-5kg rod Reel: Daiwa Battler 2500 reel Line: Unitika 8lb braid Leader: FC Rock 8lb leader Lure: Yamba Pro Prawn blade

DUFFRODS BIG BAG Matt Johnson boxed a spectacular 4-fish, 6.23kg limit in the second session to take the Duffrods Big Bag. Struggling in the Kilcoy’s Paul Aldous teamed up with non-boater champion Ben Biggs to bag bass that won them both plenty.

Weight (kg)

bite to a 5th place finish for the event.

TOP 10 NON BOATERS

TOP 10 BOATERS Fish

morning sessions, Matt rode the afternoon

Place

Angler

Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Mark Lennox 10/12 11.33kg $2,250 Paul Aldous 10/12 9.59kg $1,150 Graham Ford 11/12 8.74kg $800 Shaun Falkenhagen 7/12 8.73kg $700 Matt Johnson 8/12 8.67kg $600 Craig Simmons 11/12 8.40kg $250 Evinrude Bonus Terry Allwood 10/12 7.95kg Simon Marchant 11/12 7.94kg Steve Kanowski 8/12 7.86kg Keeghan Painter 12/12 7.50kg For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

Place

Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Ben Biggs 11/12 10.18kg Bill Rose 10/12 9.96kg Nick Price 8/12 9.16kg Trent Blake 9/12 9.16kg John Francis 9/12 8.90kg Adrian Wilson 9/12 8.88kg Mathew Flynn 10/12 7.81kg Shaun Beckman 12/12 7.65kg Jim Hickson 10/12 7.07kg Mitchell Petty 8/10 6.8kg For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

Payout Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack

SEPTEMBER 2018

107

Trades, Services, Charter COFFS COAST

HOLIDAY RENTAL MACLEAY VALLEY COAST

CRESCENT HEAD HOLIDAY RENTALS

A U S T R A L I A

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Margay 2017

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.

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On board our fully equiped 38ft Randell TRIFECTA Contact: David Hayman (Stumpee) Mobile: 0411 096 717 info@swrcharters.com.au

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

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

Mikat Cruises Fishing Charters Swains & Coral Sea 0427 125 727

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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)

• 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

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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

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YAMBA’S LARGEST TACKLE STORE • Chandlery • Boat Sales • Ice & Gas • Bait & Tackle • Trailers Sales & Parts • Charter Bookings Ph: 6646 1994 or 0428 231 962 Email: dave@gaden.com.au Now Agents For

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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

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. 110

SEPTEMBER 2018

Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory SYDNEY 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

BAIT & TACKLE

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Lazer Lures

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www.fishin.com.au 0425 230 964 Blue Bottle Fishing 0409 333 380 or www.bluebottlefishing.com MOTackle (02) 6652 4611 or www.motackle.com.au Adrenalin Flies www.adrenalinflies.com.au Anglers Warehouse www.anglerswarehouse.com.au

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Wooli Bait & Tackle (02) 6649 7100

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22 85

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Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0800 or email ads@fishingmonthly.com.au SEPTEMBER 2018

111

2018 2018 2018 Local Time

SYDNEY (FORT DENISON) – NEW SOUTH WALES SYDNEY(FORT (FORT DENISON) NEW SOUTH WALES SYDNEY DENISON) – –NEW WALES LAT 33° 52’ LONG 151°SOUTH 13’ JANUARY SEPTEMBER JANUARY Time Time m

LAT 33° LONG 151° LAT 33° 52’52’ of LONG 151° 13’13’ Times and Heights High and Low Waters Times and Heights of High and Low Waters Times and Heights of High and Low Waters MARCH FEBRUARY OCTOBER NOVEMBER MARCH FEBRUARY m Time Time m Time m Time m

Time m m Time m m Time Time 0213 0.53 0141 0.34 0812 1.96 0846 1.72 0045 1.23 0540 0.43 0213 0.53 0141 0.34 1451 0.19 1525 0.39 0636 0.59 1203 1.49 0812 1.96 0846 1.72 TU MO 2116 1.33 2049 1.48 TUSU 1312 1.47 1813 0.54 1451 0.19 1525 0.39 MOSA 19551.33 0.59 2116 2049 1.48 0233 0.32 0250 0.51 0904 2.04 0922 1.75 0145 1.14 0015 1.36 0233 0.32 0250 0.51 1544 0.12 WE 1559 0.37 0729 0.66 0625 0.49 0904 2.04 0922 1.75 TU 2144 1.50WE 2152 1.35 1410 1.43 1255 1.50 1544 0.12 1559 0.37 MO TUSU 21041.35 0.61 19151.50 0.56 2144 2152 0326 0.32 0327 0.50 0956 2.07 0958 1.76 0256 1.10 0115 1.27 0326 0.32 0327 0.50 1636 0.09 1633 0.35 0718 0.54 0831 0.70 0956 2.07 0958 1.76 WE TH 2238 1.50 THTU 2229 1.36 1355 1.51 1515 1.41 1636 0.09 1633 0.35 MO WE 22111.36 0.59 20301.50 0.56 2238 2229 0419 0.34 0404 0.50 1047 2.05 1033 1.75 0408 1.12 0228 1.21 0419 0.34 0404 0.50 1728 0.12 1708 0.36 0940 0.69 0823 0.56 1047 2.05 1033 1.75 TH FR 2331 1.48 FR 2305 1.36 1618 1.44 1502 1.56 1728 0.12 1708 0.36 WE THTU 23081.36 0.54 21501.48 0.50 2331 2305 0514 0.38 0444 0.51 1139 1.97 1109 1.72 0508 1.18 0348 1.22 0514 0.38 0444 0.51 1818 0.18 1743 0.37 1043 0.65 0935 0.54 1139 1.97 1109 1.72 FR SA 2345 1.37 1713 1.48 16120.18 1.64 SATH 1818 1743 0.37 WE FR 23541.37 0.48 2300 0.39 2345 0025 1.46 0524 0.53 0609 0.45 1146 1.68 0555 1.25 0501 1.28 0025 1.46 0524 0.53 1230 1.84 SU 1819 0.39 1134 0.59 1044 0.48 0609 0.45 1146 1.68 SA 1909 0.27SUFR 17590.39 1.54 1715 1.75 1230 1.84 1819 SATH 1909 0.27 0120 1.44 0026 1.38 0706 0.52 0608 0.56 0000 0.28 0034 0.42 0120 1.44 0026 1.38 1321 1.69 MO 1226 1.61 0634 1.32 0601 1.37 0706 0.52 0608 0.56 SU 1858 0.42 2000 0.36MOSA 1219 0.52 1145 0.39 1321 1.69 1226 1.61 SUFR 18390.42 1.59 18140.36 1.85 1858 2000 0215 1.42 0111 1.39 0806 0.60 0658 0.60 0052 0.18 0108 0.37 0215 1.42 0111 1.39 1415 1.53 1310 1.53 0655 1.46 0710 1.39 0806 0.60 0658 0.60 MO TU 2049 0.45 TUSU 1941 0.45 1241 0.31 1259 0.46 1415 1.53 1310 1.53 MOSA 19060.45 1.92 19150.45 1.63 2049 1941 0201 1.41 0313 1.42 0141 0.11 0141 0.33 0754 0.63 0913 0.66 0201 1.41 0313 1.42 1400 1.45 1513 1.39 WE 0744 1.55 0744 1.45 0754 0.63 0913 0.66 TU 1334 0.25 1336 0.41 2029 0.48 2140 0.52WE 1400 1.45 1513 1.39 MO TUSU 19570.52 1.94 19510.48 1.65 2029 2140 0411 1.43 0257 1.44 0226 0.10 0212 0.30 1023 0.68 0900 0.64 0411 1.43 0257 1.44 1615 1.29 1501 1.37 0831 1.61 0817 1.51 1023 0.68 0900 0.64 WE TH 1427 0.22 1414 0.37 2124 0.50 2230 0.56 THTU 1615 1.29 1501 1.37 MO WE 20450.56 1.90 20270.50 1.64 2124 2230 0508 1.47 0358 1.51 0309 0.12 0243 0.30 1133 0.67 1016 0.61 0508 1.47 0358 1.51 0918 1.64 0851 1.56 1720 1.23 1615 1.32 1133 0.67 1016 0.61 TH FR 1517 0.23 1452 0.35 2320 0.58 FR 2225 0.50 1720 1.23 1615 1.32 WE THTU 21330.58 1.80 21040.50 1.61 2320 2225 0600 1.52 0501 1.60 0351 0.19 0315 0.31 1237 0.62 1133 0.53 0600 1.52 0501 1.60 1003 1.65 0928 1.60 1820 1.22 1731 1.32 1237 0.62 1133 0.53 FR SA 16081.22 0.28 SATH 1534 0.35 2329 0.47 1820 1731 1.32 WE FR 2220 1.67 21430.47 1.56 2329 0009 0.58 0603 1.71 0432 0.28 0350 0.34 0647 1.57 1244 0.42 0009 0.58 0603 1.71 1049 1.62 1007 1.62 1329 0.56 SU 1841 1.35 0647 1.57 1244 0.42 SA 1700 0.36 16181.35 0.36 1913 1.24SUFR 1329 0.56 1841 SATH 23061.24 1.51 2225 1.49 1913 0053 0.56 0029 0.43 0512 0.39 0427 0.39 0730 1.63 0702 1.83 0053 0.56 0029 0.43 1134 1.58 1048 1.63 1411 0.49 MO 1345 0.29 0730 1.63 0702 1.83 SU 1754 0.45 1707 0.40 1958 1.27MOSA 1943 1.41 1411 0.49 1345 0.29 SUFR 23541.27 1.36 23121.41 1.40 1958 1943 0134 0.55 0127 0.38 0552 0.50 0509 0.45 0810 1.68 0758 1.94 0134 0.55 0127 0.38 1221 1.53 1135 1.61 1449 0.44 1440 0.19 0810 1.68 0758 1.94 MO TU 1851 0.53 1802 0.44 2038 1.30 TUSU 2038 1.47 1449 0.44 1440 0.19 MOSA 2038 1.30 2038 1.47 0221 0.33 0851 2.01 0221 0.33 1530 0.12 0851 2.01 WE 2130 1.52 0.12 WE 1530 2130 1.52

Time m m Time m m Time Time 0311 0.46 0315 0.30 0943 2.04 0936 1.75 0211 1.14 0005 1.30 0311 0.46 0315 0.30 1618 0.11 FR 1605 0.34 0740 0.71 0558 0.52 0943 2.04 0936 1.75 TH 2203 1.44 2220 1.54FRTU 1415 1.44 1229 1.59 1618 0.11 1605 0.34 MO TH 21171.44 0.59 19071.54 0.47 2203 2220 0348 0.44 0407 0.30 1032 2.00 1012 1.75 0110 1.23 0318 1.12 0348 0.44 0407 0.30 1705 0.14 SA 1638 0.33 0656 0.58 0845 0.75 1032 2.00 1012 1.75 FR 2310 1.55SAWE 2239 1.47 1330 1.57 1518 1.40 1705 0.14 1638 0.33 FRTU 20221.55 0.47 22211.47 0.58 2310 2239 0427 0.44 0459 0.33 1047 1.72 1120 1.91 0226 1.20 0429 1.15 0427 0.44 0459 0.33 1712 0.34 1750 0.21 SU 0808 0.61 0959 0.75 1047 1.72 1120 1.91 SA 2316 1.50 2358 1.54SUTH 1443 1.57 1628 1.40 1712 0.34 1750 0.21 WE SA 21381.54 0.43 23191.50 0.55 2316 2358 0508 0.45 0550 0.39 1126 1.67 1207 1.77 0346 1.23 0530 1.21 0508 0.45 0550 0.39 1746 0.36 1833 0.30 MO 0925 0.58 1107 0.71 1126 1.67 1207 1.77 SU 2357 1.51 15560.30 1.62MOFR 1730 1.43 1746 0.36 1833 SUTH 2244 0.35 2357 1.51 0553 0.48 0045 1.51 1206 1.60 0643 0.48 0453 1.32 0008 0.49 0553 0.48 0045 1.51 1824 0.40 1254 1.61 TU 1036 0.51 0618 1.29 1206 1.60 0643 0.48 MO 1916 0.41TUSA 1700 1.70 12040.40 0.64 1824 1254 1.61 MOFR 23400.41 0.27 1820 1.47 1916 0040 1.52 0134 1.48 0642 0.51 0738 0.57 0548 1.43 0049 0.44 0040 1.52 0134 1.48 1250 1.51 1341 1.45 WE 1138 0.41 0700 1.38 0642 0.51 0738 0.57 TU 1905 0.45 1959 0.50WESU 1758 1.76 1253 0.56 1250 1.51 1341 1.45 TUSA 19030.45 1.52 1905 1959 0.50 0128 1.53 0226 1.45 0838 0.64 0738 0.55 0126 0.39 0030 0.20 0128 1.53 0226 1.45 1431 1.31 TH 1342 1.41 0738 1.54 0736 1.47 0838 0.64 0738 0.55 WE 2045 0.58THMO 1952 0.51 1333 0.32 1335 0.48 1431 1.31 1342 1.41 WESU 19490.58 1.80 19430.51 1.55 2045 1952 0320 1.43 0223 1.53 0945 0.69 0845 0.58 0159 0.35 0215 0.17 0320 1.43 0223 1.53 1531 1.21 FR 1445 1.32 0811 1.55 0824 1.63 0945 0.69 0845 0.58 TH 2136 0.64FRTU 2050 0.56 1415 0.41 1426 0.25 1531 1.21 1445 1.32 MO TH 20210.56 1.57 20380.64 1.78 2136 2050 0419 1.44 0327 1.55 0231 0.32 0257 0.18 1057 0.69 1002 0.57 0419 1.44 0327 1.55 1643 1.16 SA 1602 1.26 0845 1.63 0908 1.69 1057 0.69 1002 0.57 FR 1455 0.35 1515 0.23 2235 0.67SAWE 2200 0.58 1643 1.16 1602 1.26 FRTU 21000.58 1.57 21260.67 1.72 2235 2200 0519 1.46 0437 1.61 0336 0.22 0305 0.32 1205 0.65 1122 0.51 0519 1.46 0437 1.61 1752 1.17 SU 1724 1.28 0951 1.73 0922 1.70 1205 0.65 1122 0.51 SA 1603 0.24 1537 0.30 2334 0.66SUTH 2312 0.56 1752 1.17 1724 1.28 WE SA 22110.66 1.63 21410.56 1.55 2334 2312 0615 1.51 0546 1.70 0415 0.29 0341 0.33 1300 0.59 1232 0.41 0615 1.51 0546 1.70 1033 1.73 1000 1.76 1851 1.21 MO 1835 1.34 1300 0.59 1232 0.41 SU 16521.21 0.28MOFR 16211.34 0.28 1851 1835 SUTH 2256 1.51 2225 1.50 0028 0.63 0018 0.49 0452 0.38 0418 0.36 0702 1.57 0648 1.80 0028 0.63 0018 0.49 1115 1.70 1042 1.78 1346 0.52 TU 1331 0.30 0702 1.57 0648 1.80 MO 1739 0.34 1708 0.28 1938 1.26TUSA 1933 1.43 1346 0.52 1331 0.30 MOFR 23411.26 1.40 23131.43 1.44 1938 1933 0114 0.59 0118 0.42 0530 0.47 0500 0.42 0745 1.63 0745 1.89 0114 0.59 0118 0.42 1156 1.65 1127 1.78 1425 0.45 WE 1424 0.22 0745 1.63 0745 1.89 TU 1828 0.42 1800 0.31 2018 1.32WESU 2026 1.51 1425 0.45 1424 0.22 TUSA 2018 1.32 2026 1.51 0155 0.54 0027 1.29 0004 1.37 0824 1.68 0155 0.54 0607 0.56 0547 0.49 1500 0.40 0824 1.68 WE 1237 1.58 2054 1.36 MO 1216 1.74 1500 0.40 WESU 19181.36 0.50 1857 0.35 2054 0233 0.50 0115 1.20 0102 1.30 0900 1.72 0233 0.50 0649 0.65 0642 0.56 1533 0.36 0900 1.72 TH 1322 1.50 2129 1.40 TU 1311 1.69 1533 0.36 MO TH 20151.40 0.56 2001 0.39 2129

m Time m m Time m m Time Time 0214 0.51 0213 0.34 0837 1.94 0832 1.69 0340 1.19 0323 1.25 0214 0.51 0213 0.34 1511 0.17 FR 1459 0.37 0908 0.78 0859 0.64 0837 1.94 0832 1.69 TH 2100 1.50 2114 1.58FRFR 1528 1.40 1525 1.61 1511 0.17 1459 0.37 THTH 2223 0.55 22201.58 0.39 2100 1.50 2114 0304 0.30 0251 0.45 0926 1.94 0909 1.72 0441 1.25 0435 1.31 0304 0.30 0251 0.45 1555 0.17 SA 1531 0.34 1019 0.75 1015 0.61 0926 1.94 0909 1.72 FR 2200 1.62SASA 2135 1.57 1633 1.39 1637 1.61 1555 0.17 1531 0.34 FRFR 2314 0.52 23211.62 0.35 2200 2135 1.57 0354 0.29 0330 0.41 1014 1.89 0946 1.72 0533 1.33 0537 1.40 0354 0.29 0330 0.41 1636 0.21 SU 1604 0.33 1126 0.54 1124 0.70 1014 1.89 0946 1.72 SA 2244 1.64SUSU 2211 1.62 1743 1.63 1731 1.41 1636 0.21 1604 0.33 SASA 2358 0.47 2244 1.64 2211 1.62 0443 0.32 0411 0.39 1059 1.79 1026 1.70 0617 1.42 0014 0.31 0443 0.32 0411 0.39 1716 0.29 MO 1638 0.34 1219 0.62 0630 1.51 1059 1.79 1026 1.70 SU 2327 1.63MOMO 2249 1.66 1821 1.44 1230 0.45 1716 0.29 1638 0.34 SUSU 18391.63 1.64 2327 2249 1.66 0531 0.38 0455 0.39 1143 1.66 1107 1.64 0037 0.43 0101 0.28 0531 0.38 0455 0.39 1754 0.38 TU 1715 0.37 0658 1.53 0717 1.61 1143 1.66 1107 1.64 MO 2330 1.69 1308 0.52 13260.38 0.37 TUTU 1754 1715 0.37 MOMO 1907 1.47 1931 1.63 2330 1.69 0009 1.60 0542 0.41 0619 0.46 1151 1.57 0115 0.39 0145 0.28 0009 1.60 0542 0.41 1225 1.52 WE 1754 0.43 0735 1.63 0802 1.70 0619 0.46 1151 1.57 TU 1830 0.48WEWE 1353 0.43 1417 0.31 1225 1.52 1754 0.43 TUTU 1950 1.49 20190.48 1.60 1830 0052 1.56 0015 1.69 0709 0.55 0634 0.44 0151 0.36 0224 0.30 0052 1.56 0015 1.69 1308 1.38 TH 1240 1.47 0814 1.74 0845 1.76 0709 0.55 0634 0.44 WE 1837 0.50 1907 0.57THTH 1437 0.34 1505 0.28 1308 1.38 1240 1.47 WEWE 2035 1.50 21050.57 1.54 1837 0.50 1907 0136 1.51 0103 1.67 0803 0.62 0732 0.49 0302 0.34 0230 0.35 0136 1.51 0103 1.67 1356 1.27 FR 1335 1.37 0926 1.79 0855 1.83 0803 0.62 0732 0.49 TH 1948 0.66FRFR 1928 0.58 1551 0.28 1522 0.27 1356 1.27 1335 1.37 THTH 21500.66 1.47 2121 1.49 1948 1928 0.58 0200 1.64 0226 1.46 0339 0.40 0310 0.36 0841 0.52 0904 0.67 0200 1.64 0226 1.46 1443 1.29 1453 1.18 SA 1005 1.79 0938 1.89 0841 0.52 0904 0.67 FR 1635 0.31 1610 0.23 2030 0.64 2040 0.72SASA 1443 1.29 1453 1.18 FRFR 22340.72 1.40 2211 1.46 2030 0.64 2040 0324 1.43 0306 1.62 0415 0.47 0355 0.38 1014 0.69 0958 0.52 0324 1.43 0306 1.62 1604 1.15 SU 1602 1.27 1044 1.76 1023 1.92 1014 0.69 0958 0.52 SA 1718 0.35 1700 0.21 2146 0.67 2146 0.75SUSU 1604 1.15 1602 1.27 SASA 23160.75 1.33 2302 1.43 2146 0.67 2146 0430 1.43 0420 1.64 0451 0.54 0443 0.43 1123 0.66 1112 0.48 0430 1.43 0420 1.64 1121 1.71 1112 1.91 1721 1.17 MO 1722 1.31 1123 0.66 1112 0.48 SU 1801 0.41 1753 0.23 2257 0.75MOMO 2303 0.63 1721 1.17 1722 1.31 SUSU 2358 1.38 2257 0.75 2303 0.63 0533 1.47 0531 1.69 0000 1.26 0534 0.49 1222 0.61 1217 0.41 0533 1.47 0531 1.69 0529 0.61 1203 1.87 1824 1.22 TU 1827 1.40 1222 0.61 1217 0.41 MO 12001.22 1.64 TUTU 1850 0.27 1824 1827 1.40 MOMO 1846 0.47 0000 0.70 0011 0.55 0057 1.34 0045 1.21 0628 1.52 0634 1.76 0000 0.70 0011 0.55 0632 0.55 0610 0.67 1311 0.54 WE 1313 0.34 0628 1.52 0634 1.76 TU 1259 1.79 1241 1.57 1912 1.29WEWE 1921 1.50 1311 0.54 1313 0.34 TUTU 1950 0.31 19341.29 0.52 1912 1921 1.50 0051 0.64 0111 0.47 0200 1.32 0136 1.18 0715 1.59 0729 1.81 0051 0.64 0111 0.47 0736 0.60 0659 0.73 1351 0.48 TH 1400 0.29 0715 1.59 0729 1.81 WE 1400 1.71 1328 1.50 1951 1.37THTH 2009 1.59 1351 0.48 1400 0.29 WEWE 2053 0.35 20281.37 0.55 1951 2009 1.59 0134 0.57 0204 0.39 0235 1.17 0308 1.34 0755 1.65 0819 1.83 0134 0.57 0204 0.39 0759 0.77 0846 0.63 1426 0.42 FR 1445 0.27 0755 1.65 0819 1.83 TH 1423 1.44 FRFR 1505 1.62 2027 2053 1.66 1426 0.42 1445 0.27 THTH 21261.44 0.57 2155 0.37 2027 2053 1.66 0254 0.35 0906 1.80 0254 0.35 1525 0.28 0906 1.80 SA 2135 1.71 0.28 SA 1525 2135 1.71

1 11

16 1616

2 22

17 1717

3 33

18 1818

4 44

19 1919

5 55

20 2020

6 66

21 2121

7 77

22 2222

8 88

23 2323

9 99

24 2424

25 2525

10 1010

11 1111

26 2626

27 2727

12 1212

13 13 13

28 2828

14 14 14 15 15 15

1 11

16 1616

2 22

17 1717

3 33

18 1818

4 44

19 1919

5 55

20 2020

6 66

21 2121

7 77

22 2222

8 88

23 2323

9 99

24 2424

10 10 10

1 11

16 1616

2 22

17 1717

3 33

18 1818

4 44

19 1919

5 55

20 2020

6 66

21 2121

7 77

22 2222

8 88

23 2323

9 99

24 2424

25 2525

10 1010

11 11 11

26 2626

12 12 12

Local Time Local Time APRIL DECEMBER Time TimeAPRIL m

m Timem m Timem m Time Time 0212 0.40 0241 0.34 0819 1.68 0851 1.74 0345 1.28 0414 1.39 0212 0.40 0241 0.34 1428 0.36 1502 0.33 0925 0.76 1000 0.62 MO 0819 1.68 0851 1.74 SU 2043 1.79 2115 1.73 1531 1.38 1615 1.56MO SU 1428 0.36 1502 0.33 SU SA 2214 2251 0.38 2043 1.790.53 2115 1.73 0327 0.36 0256 0.36 0934 1.65 0903 1.65 0514 1.47 0440 1.35 0327 0.36 0256 0.36 1538 0.40 1505 0.38 1113 0.58 TU 1034 0.73 0934 1.65 0903 1.65 MO 2155 1.73 2124 1.84 1720 1.52TUMO 1635 1.35 1538 0.40 1505 0.38 MOSU 2343 0.38 2302 2155 1.73 2124 1.840.51 0412 0.41 0344 0.34 1016 1.54 0950 1.60 0607 1.56 0530 1.45 0412 0.41 0344 0.34 1613 0.48 1545 0.42 1219 0.52 WE 1140 0.66 1016 1.54 0950 1.60 TU 2233 1.70 2208 1.86 1819 1.48WE TU 1735 1.35 1613 0.48 1545 0.42 TUMO 2347 2233 1.70 2208 1.860.47 0456 0.47 0434 0.35 1058 1.44 1041 1.53 0030 0.39 0616 1.56 0456 0.47 0434 0.35 1645 0.56 1630 0.48 0656 1.65 TH 1237 0.56 1058 1.44 1041 1.53 WE 2311 1.65 2255 1.85 1318 0.45THWE 1830 1.37 1645 0.56 1630 0.48 WE TU 1913 1.45 2311 1.65 2255 1.85 0542 0.54 0530 0.39 1135 1.44 1140 1.34 0113 0.40 0031 0.44 0542 0.54 0530 0.39 1718 0.56 1720 0.65 0741 1.72 FR 0700 1.68 1135 1.44 1140 1.34 TH 2346 1.80 2350 1.59 1410 0.39FR TH 1330 0.45 1718 0.56 1720 0.65 THWE 2002 1.42 1923 2346 1.801.40 2350 1.59 0631 0.60 0630 0.43 1226 1.26 1235 1.37 0153 0.42 0115 0.41 0631 0.60 0630 0.43 1800 0.72 1815 0.64 0823 1.77 SA 0745 1.80 1226 1.26 1235 1.37 FR 1456 0.36SA FR 1420 1800 0.72 1815 0.640.34 FR TH 2048 1.39 2015 1.43 0035 1.53 0045 1.75 0726 0.65 0739 0.47 0200 0.38 0231 0.45 0035 1.53 0045 1.75 1320 1.21 1345 1.32 0902 1.79 SU 0832 1.90 0726 0.65 0739 0.47 SA 1851 0.78 1921 0.70 1538 0.34SU SA 1509 0.24 1320 1.21 1345 1.32 SA FR 2131 1.36 2106 1851 0.78 1921 0.701.44 0130 1.48 0152 1.70 0829 0.67 0850 0.48 0308 0.48 0248 0.37 0130 1.48 0152 1.70 1428 1.18 1501 1.33 0941 1.80 MO 0920 1.98 0829 0.67 0850 0.48 SU 1958 0.82 2038 0.71 1618 0.34MO SU 1559 0.17 1428 1.18 1501 1.33 SU SA 2213 1.33 2158 1958 0.82 2038 0.711.45 0235 1.45 0305 1.67 0345 0.52 0338 0.37 0934 0.66 0956 0.46 0235 1.45 0305 1.67 1542 1.21 1612 1.39 1017 1.78 TU 1009 2.02 0934 0.66 0956 0.46 MO 1657 0.36TUMO 1649 0.15 2114 0.82 2154 0.68 1542 1.21 1612 1.39 MOSU 2253 1.30 2251 2114 0.82 2154 0.681.45 0345 1.46 0415 1.68 0421 0.56 0430 0.39 1034 0.62 1055 0.43 0345 1.46 0415 1.68 1645 1.27 1711 1.48 1054 1.74 WE 1100 2.01 1034 0.62 1055 0.43 TU 1735 0.39WE TU 1742 0.15 2222 0.78 2301 0.61 1645 1.27 1711 1.48 TUMO 2333 1.28 2345 2222 0.78 2301 0.611.43 0445 1.50 0515 1.70 0500 0.60 0525 0.42 1124 0.57 1145 0.40 0445 1.50 0515 1.70 1130 1.69 TH 1152 1.95 1735 1.35 1801 1.58 1124 0.57 1145 0.40 WE 1815 0.43THWE 1835 2319 0.70 1735 1.35 1801 1.580.20 WE TU 2319 0.70 0534 1.56 0001 0.53 0015 1.25 0043 1.42 1205 0.51 0609 1.70 0534 1.56 0001 0.53 0540 0.65 FR 0622 0.47 1815 1.44 1230 0.38 1205 0.51 0609 1.70 TH 1209 1.63FR TH 1245 1.85 1847 1.67 1815 1.44 1230 0.38 THWE 1857 0.47 1930 1847 1.670.26 0006 0.62 0054 0.47 0100 1.23 0141 1.41 0617 1.61 0658 1.68 0006 0.62 0054 0.47 0626 0.69 SA 0723 0.53 1243 0.45 1312 0.39 0617 1.61 0658 1.68 FR 1250 1.56SA FR 1342 1.73 1852 1.53 1930 1.74 1243 0.45 1312 0.39 FR TH 1942 0.51 2026 1852 1.53 1930 1.740.33 0048 0.54 0142 0.43 0150 1.23 0242 1.42 0658 1.65 0744 1.64 0048 0.54 0142 0.43 0717 0.73 SU 0830 0.58 1317 0.40 1349 0.41 0658 1.65 0744 1.64 SA 1337 1.49SU SA 1442 1.59 1928 1.62 2009 1.78 1317 0.40 1349 0.41 SA FR 2031 0.53 2121 1928 1.62 2009 1.780.39 0130 0.46 0227 0.41 0245 1.24 0344 1.45 0738 1.68 0827 1.58 0130 0.46 0227 0.41 0817 0.76 MO 0942 0.61 1351 0.37 1425 0.46 0738 1.68 0827 1.58 SU 1430 1.42MO SU 1547 1.47 2004 1.71 2047 1.80 1351 0.37 1425 0.46 SU SA 2123 0.54 2215 2004 1.71 2047 1.800.44

1 11

16 1616

2 22

17 1717

3 33

18 1818

4 44

19 1919

5 55

20 2020

6 66

21 2121

7 77

22 2222

8 88

23 2323

9 99

24 2424

25 2525

10 1010

25 2525

11 1111

26 2626

11 1111

26 2626

27 2727

12 1212

27 2727

12 1212

27 2727

13 1313

28 2828

13 1313

28 2828

13 1313

28 2828

29 2929

14 1414

29 2929

14 1414

29 2929

30 3030

15 1515

30 3030

15 1515

30 3030

31 31

31 0209 0745

1.25 0.62 WE 1414 1.64 2112 0.40

31 31

31 0445 1056

1.50 0.61 MO 1654 1.38 2308 0.47

 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2016, Bureau of Meteorology Copyright Commonwealth Australia 2016, Bureau Meteorology  Copyright Commonwealth of of Australia 2016, Bureau of of Meteorology Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Datum of are Predictions is Lowesttime Astronomical Tideor daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect Times in local standard (UTC +10:00) Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect New Moon First Quarter Last Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon New Moon First Quarter 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. 112

SEPTEMBER 2018

boats & kayaks

In the skipper’s seat 115 Paddlin’ Pejar Inside story...

Horizon Aluminium Boats is an Australian family-owned and operated boat-building empire. It was founded in 1992 by Bob and Christine James, who have built their business from a small shed in Burleigh making two models, to a factory on the Gold Coast producing 84 models. Horizon Boats continues to charge at the forefront of boat design in Australia.

Made for...

Horizon have endeavoured to design and manufacture boats that not only fulfill fishing fantasies, but cater to a family-oriented boating experience. Their motto is ‘Building family dreams today,’ and they have consistently fulfilled this promise.

This month...

We’re checking out the Horizon Scorpion 485, a great entry-level rig. Check it out on page 122!

Toby Grundy explores a waterway low on most anglers’ lists that should be bumped up much higher!

116 Take a seat!

Seating options in boats can get confusing, so sit down and let Wayne Kampe break it down for you!

118 Family kayak fun

Time with the family is important, and kayaking is a great way to do it, as Justin Willmer explains.

120 Stessl Bluewater 520 with Yamaha F115hp Editor Steve Morgan climbs into this offshore-ready rig to put it through its paces.

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Stessl Bluewater 520 with Yamaha F115hp

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Glenn Gibson from Yamaha tagged along on the test to see how the rig performed. Glenn gave the modern technology some historical perspective.

SPECIFICATIONS Length.Overall............................. 5.5m Length.bow.to.transom.............. 5.3m Length.on.trailer ......................... 6.7m Height.on.trailer .......................... 2.4m Beam............................................ 2.4m Depth ........................................... 1.35m Bottom.sheet .............................. 4mm Side.Sheet ................................... 4mm Hull.weight .................................. 550kg Rec.HP ......................................... 90 Max.HP ........................................ 115 Capacity ...................................... 6 persons

Main: The Stessl 520 Bluewater was plenty of fun to fang around out of the Tweed River. The Stessl factory is a short trip from the Tweed and the Bluewater was designed for exactly these waters. Above: There’s no shortage of places to hold a fishing rod – either when in use or being stored. 120

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We’ve tested a couple of Stessl Platetrix boats since new owner of Stessl, Scotty James (who also makes Horizon Boats), has taken the helm. And the first thing I asked Scott when we did the first of these tests is “What’s Platetrix”? The answer was pretty simple. Platetrix is a design philosophy that’s based around over-engineering the heck out of the hull so that it’ll outlast any owner. They do this with extra

pedestal seats and some bars to help gear from sliding back from the front of the runabout. Powered by Yamaha’s second generation F115,

s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

longitudinal and latitudinal stringers welded below the deck, and the backbone of the hull is a keel extrusion that’s a backbone to the whole construction process. “You’ll break yourself before you break the boat,” Scott confidently answered when asked if it was breakable. With an overall length of 5.5m, the 520 Bluewater is a boat designed to be a versatile inshore and offshore rig in SE Queensland and beyond. It has a unique design internally, which sees a full floor run from transom to bow, punctuated only by the

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“We all came from a background as kids when we all went boating with the old 2-stroke V4s – oil in one container and fuel in the other. Look at it today – we have a 4-stroke motor where you turn the key and it runs quietly and smoke free. Doesn’t matter if it’s cold, hot, rainy or sunny – they just work and it makes for a great boating experience,” Glenn said. With the 115 at the top end of the allowable power on this hull, the rig made for a great day on the water for the test crew. At dawn, we ventured offshore from the Tweed and later on we retreated to the river for some estuary work. The economy was great – delivering around 2.4km/L at 3,500rpm. Drop the throttle and you can reach 65km/h,

Back in the river, the Bluewater was equally capable. but each litre gets you 800m less. With a 150L fuel tank underfloor, the practical range is well over 300km on a tank. Other features that will interest the angler are the bait station on the transom, which holds all you need to get rigged while on the water, and the huge underfloor kill tank that will store a bag limit of mackerel with ease. Add a targa top rocket launcher and your storage problems are solved. At the helm, the seats are well positioned and there’s a small ledge to cradle your

forearm as you’re making throttle adjustments. There’s room for bracket mounted electronics and the LCD Yamaha gauge was flushmounted into the aluminium. Supplied on a singleaxle trailer and weighing in at around 1.5t, this rig is towable by most family cars and would make an excellent transition into a ‘real’ fishing boat from your smaller tinnie. For more information, see your local Stessl dealer, visit www.stessl.com. au or like Stessl Boats on Facebook.

PERFORMANCE RPM......Speed.(km/h). Economy.(km/L) 1000 .........................7 ....................... 3.7 2000....................... 11 ....................... 5.3 3000....................... 20 ....................... 2.0 4000....................... 39 ....................... 2.2 5000....................... 50 ....................... 1.9 5900 ....................... 65 ....................... 1.6 • Tested with 16” SST SDS propeller

A steep entry tapers back to a moderate lee at the transom to offer a comfortable ride in choppy conditions.

The fold-up ladder and walk-through transom door facilitate easy boarding.

The unique floor design of the Bluewater sees the flat internal floor running from bow to transom at the same level.

The bait station at the transom holds rods, drinks, bait and knives.

The fold-away rear lounge gives your passengers somewhere to sit and tucks out of the way when the fishing begins.

Some simple bars for’ard keep your important gear dry and up the front.

This Bluewater sported a good-looking vinyl wrap that will turn heads at the ramp.

I don’t mind a bit of a sill to rest the arm on while driving. The test boat was fitted with a sounder combo and Yamaha’s LCD screen digital gauges. Overhead fishing rod storage is virtually mandatory in this kind of boat. It keeps your tackle out of the way and out of danger. Unless you forget about that low hanging branch at the ramp….

The Yamaha F115 delivered great economy – getting you 2.4km/L at 3,500rpm.

Standard side pockets hold your gear that needs to be readily accessible.

Now THAT’s an underfloor kill tank. Made for and in a part of the world where you can fill it with mackerel. SEPTEMBER 2018

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Horizon Scorpion 485 a great entry-level rig - SC

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Firstly, the rig is well priced. Scott James and his team at Horizon boats specialise in getting affordable packages on the

SPECIFICATIONS Length.........................................................4.9m Length on trailer........................................6.0m Height on trailer.........................................2.4m Beam...........................................................2.2m Depth........................................................ 1.16m Bottom........................................................3mm Sides...........................................................3mm Hull weight............................................... 510kg Max hp............................................................75 Capacity............................................. 5 persons a little boat testing, fishing and tubing on the Tweed River. And the question we set out to answer was this: does the Scorpion offer a good compromise between fishing, fun and family? The answer was a definite ‘yes,’ and let us tell you why. 122

SEPTEMBER 2018

water. As tested, the Scorpion came in at under $33,000, which is at the affordable end of family boating. Secondly, you don’t need to trade in the family car for a 4WD to tow it. With a dry hull weight of just over 500kg and an on-trailer weight of less than 1000kg,

you’ll move it around nicely with most family sedans. The added bonus of a light rig is that you can use a single axle trailer to tote it. Single axle trailers have inherent manoeuvrability advantages in small spaces and garages and an overall length of 6m means that it’s not impossible to fit in most spaces designed for cars. Thirdly, there’s abundant shade and areas out of the weather in the Scorpion. The cuddy cabin design’s open cabin pairs nicely with the added soft top to create a space out of the sun for anyone to chill out who has gone a bit hard early on. While travelling, the rear bench seat offers a smoother ride and folds away neatly for when the serious action takes place. There’s been a lot of thought put into getting the crew on and off the boat – a shallow draft means that

you can pull the boat to the beach transom-first and load through the duckboard and transom door. Not all boats are that easy to load. Step back to the power plant and the Yamaha

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Main: The Horizon Scorpion 485 can get a lot done with not that much boat. It has a big cabin, shade and enough grunt to easily tow a tuber, as well as comfortably fish in a hull length of less than 5m. Above: Yamaha’s Will Lee eagerly volunteered to do a few laps of the lower Tweed on the biscuit. The Scorpion ticks a lot of the boxes for fun family boating in a package that won’t break the bank, or your tow vehicle.

s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

If you have a family and like fishing, you always seem to be confronted with a series of compromises. What may be the ideal fishing boat for dad may be totally unsuitable for mum, or vice versa. Add in a couple of kids with the attention spans of a small insect and compromise will be right up there on your radar. Horizon Boats’ Scott James is right up to speed on this situation. They manufacture and sell a range of boats that are both affordable and tackle some of these issues head-on. We recently got out on the water with the Horizon 485 Scorpion Cuddy Cabin – powered by a Yamaha F60 4-stroke outboard – to do

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4-stroke F60 offers great fuel economy. Delivering 38km/h at 4500 rpm and 3.4km/L of fuel, the combination is definitely easy on the pocket when it comes to running costs.

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test – just scan the QR code on this page or visit the Fishing Monthly Magazines YouTube channel. Fishing-wise, we eased the rig out through the Tweed Bar and found the

PERFORMANCE RPM Speed (km/h) Economy (km/L) 1000.......................... 5.3.......................... 4.0 2000.......................... 9.3.......................... 2.5 3000........................... 14.......................... 2.3 4000........................... 31.......................... 3.3 5000........................... 43.......................... 3.1 6000........................... 52.......................... 2.4 *Tested with a 12” pitch alloy Yamaha propeller. Of course, we had to answer the question of whether it was ‘tubeworthy.’ Yamaha’s Will Lee readily stripped down to the boardies and contemplated how fun his job was while sliding around the Tweed. You can see the vision of Big Willie in action in the video version of this boat

Scorpion seaworthy enough to easily take offshore on the good days. For more information, you can visit Horizon’s website at www.horizonboats. com.au, like their Facebook page (Horizon Boats) or look up your local Horizon dealer and have a chat. Packages start from $31,690.

Fancy a quiet fish? The Scorpion draws little water and the transom set up with door and ladder allows you to get in and out easily when you’re in or out of the water.

Powered by Yamaha’s F60 60hp four-story outboard the fuel economy was always going to be good. How good? At 4500rpm cruising at 38km/h, you get 3.4km/L of fuel – very frugal.

The transom door is a simple design, but it makes the boating experience for the family so much better. No more busting your nuts clambering over the bow rail!

You can access the anchor well through this for’ard hatch. The crew can, at least. It’s the unwritten rule that the Captain doesn’t have to pull up the anchor.

The fold-away rear lounge seats are a comfortable place to travel and stow away when the fishing rods come out.

You can feel the weight of the cabin on the hull – the centre of gravity is higher than similar hulls with different layouts.

It looks like a lot of boat, but the family car will have no worries towing the Scorpion/Yamaha package and with a single axle trailer, you’ll be able to manoeuvre it into tight garage parking situations.

The helm will fit all of the gadgets you’ll need to spend a day on the water. Larger units will need to be bracket mounted.

There’s a pretty big cabin in there for a 4.85m boat and the fact that it’s open means that it seems even bigger.

Whether you use the cabin for storage, relaxing or both, the design is simple and easy to maintain.

Ready to roll for under $33,000, the Scorpion is a logical step to a family boat from an open tinnie. SEPTEMBER 2018

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UNBEATABLE 40–60hp FourStroke

Mercury’s unbeatable 40–60hp FourStroke range. With class leading speed and fuel economy you won’t find a better all round performer.

50HP FOURSTROKE SPEED

50HP FOURSTROKE ECONOMY

HIGHEST

Mercury Honda

Mercury

56.33

Honda

53.27

Suzuki

4.55

3.87 3.7

Yamaha 51

THE MERCURY 50HP WILL GET YOU THERE SOONER, ACHIEVING THE HIGHEST TOP SPEED IN ITS HORSEPOWER CLASS.

*Based on Mercury’s 50hp model. Information based on manufacturers’ claimed horsepower.

mercurymarine.com.au

KM/L

BEST

4.51

Suzuki

50.21

Yamaha KM/H

56.33

3.5

4.5

5.5

MERCURY’S ADVANCED ENGINEERING MEANS THE 50HP DELIVERS PLENTY OF PUNCH, BUT USES THE LEAST AMOUNT OF FUEL COMPARED TO THE COMPETITION.