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Are you the solution to the carp problem? • Scratching the barra itch • Dreaming of Dunk Island
Boating & Kayaking
Tried & Tested
Ned Rigs in the yak • Paddling and pedaling Samsonvale • More boat towing tips •
Stacer Proline comparison • Black Magic Snapper Snacks and KLT Hooks • McLaughlin’s Advanced Formula Berley •
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ROUND R OUND ROUND R OUND Rnd 01 R nd 0 1 Rnd 01 R nd 0 1 Rnd R nd 0 02 2 Rnd R nd 0 02 2 Rnd R nd 0 03 3 Rnd R nd 0 03 3 Rnd R nd 0 04 4 Rnd R nd 0 04 4 Rnd R nd 0 05 5 Rnd R nd 0 05 5 Rnd R nd 0 06 6 Rnd R nd 0 06 6 Rnd R nd 0 07 7 Rnd R nd 0 07 7 Rnd R nd 0 08 8 Rnd R nd 0 08 8 Rnd R nd 0 09 9 Rnd R nd 0 09 9 Rnd R nd 1 10 0 Rnd R nd 1 10 0 Rnd R nd 1 11 1 Rnd R nd 1 11 1 SERIES S ERIES 1 11 1 A U S C H P AUS CHP SERIES S ERIES 1 11 1 A US C HP AUS CHP
D DATE ATE D DATE ATE January January 12 1a 2n-u13 1a3ry January J 12 12 - 13 13 March March 02 02a-rc03 0h3 M March 02 02 - 03 03 March March 30 30a-rc31 3h1 M March 30 30 - 31 31 April April 06 06pr-i07 0 A l7 April 06 06 - 07 07 April April 27 27pr-i28 2 A l8 April 27 27 - 28 28 May May 18 18a-y 19 19 M May 18 18 - 19 19 June June 22 2u 2n-e23 23 J June 22 22 - 23 23 September September 14 14 1e5mber S ep-t15 September 14 14 - 15 15 September September 21 21 2e2mber S ep-t22 September 21 21 - 22 22 October October 05 0 0 O5ct-o06 b6er October 05 05 - 06 06 December December 07 07ec-e08 0m 8 ber D December 07 07 - 08 08 Jan - March March Jan 2020 2 0 2 0 Jan - March March Jan 2020 2020
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February 2019, Vol. 31 No. 4
Contents NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES Yamba 20 Ballina 22 SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND The Tweed 24 Southern Gold Coast 26 Gold Coast Canals 27 Jumpinpin 30 Gold Coast 32 Southern Bay 34 Brisbane 36 Brisbane Offshore 38 Northern Bay 39 Noosa 40 CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Rainbow Beach 43 Hervey Bay 44 Gladstone 46 Bundaberg 47 Monduran 47 Rockhampton 48 Stanage Bay 48 Yeppoon 49 Mackay 50 TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Whitsundays 83 Ayr 84 Townsville 85 Hinchinbrook 86 Port Douglas 86 Cairns 87 Cairns NFZ 87 Lucinda 88 Cooktown 88 Cape York 89
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From the Editor’s Desk... There’s nothing wrong with trudging the riverbanks and doing your bit for the environment, especially if it involves picking up a bagful of rubbish and smashing a few vermin on the head. I think both carp and tilapia have the same brownie points as cane toads. Rob ‘Rupe’ Gaden Jr gets us up to speed on the best way to do this this month with a piece on his favourite carp bashing techniques. Just don’t do what he just did – slip over on some wet rocks and break your foot. Rupe says that his moon boot is as good a tool as you’d expect for sneaking up on carp: rubbish! MEGA CHRISTMAS SUBSCRIPTIONS A big shout out to all of our new subscribers that came on board over the Christmas break – either as gift recipients or via redemption of a gift card. We
know that you’ll love these magazines delivered to your door every month. Remember that you’re in the draw for subscriber prizes each month, too. We’ve been giving cool gear to our subscribers for decades, and we love doing it each month. If you’re not a subscriber yet, give us a call on 1800 228 244 or click the links on www. fishingmonthly.com.au if you want to become involved. TOURNAMENT ANGLER GUIDE Whether you’re a tournament angler or not, the ABT Tournament Angler Guide stitched into the centre of this issue is a quality read if you like lure fishing. Back in the day when it was a stand-alone magazine (and over 160 pages), it had the nickname of ‘the instruction book for your lure box’. Nothing much has changed. Whether you’re scoping out a new area for social fishing or for a tournament,
Joey and Jamie’s preparation article will help you succeed. And after livestreaming my entire season from the boat, there’s a no-holds-barred article on every lure I used to weigh bream across Australia. It takes ABT’s motto – ‘Who Shares Wins’ – to the extreme. We’re really proud of the improvements in coverage in these catch-and-release events. When the general public knows that anglers are doing the right thing by
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the fishery and the fish, the environmentalists can focus their well-meaning but ill-informed attentions elsewhere. And that will help all anglers in the longer term. GREAT DIGITAL VALUE Every month, we are picking up more and more subscribers on our digital platform. Just search for ‘Fishing Monthly’ on www. issuu.com. For the standard subscription price on your own state magazine, you get access to ALL state magazines, every month, for a year. And you get them a week-and-a-half before the first print issues hit the subscribers’ mailboxes. So if you’re fully into consuming your fishing magazines on a computer or tablet, then get clicking! The value is sensational.
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Hayden Goodchild caught this dog tooth tuna on a 60g Gomoku micro jig about 1km off Cape Moreton. The fish was released to fight another day. A Fabian Power image.
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SPECIAL FEATURES Scratching the barra itch Dreaming of Dunk Island 2019 Tournament Angler Guide Better solution to the carp problem? FEBRUARY 2019
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REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics 16 Camping and 4WD 110 Cooking 112 Dam Levels 100 Freshwater 100 Fun Page 118 Sheik of the Creek 108 Sunfish 107 Tech Tricks 18 Tournament News 109 Track my fish 114 Trades and Services 116 What’s New Boating 122 What’s New Fishing 91
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Barra
Scratching that barra itch all year round GLADSTONE
Roderick Walmsley
A few years ago, if someone asked if you had heard of the Fitzroy
Northern Territory or the dams around the Mackay, Bundaberg and Gladstone areas – have attracted the attention of Southern Queensland and NSW anglers making the trip
north to target barramundi. The floods that caused Awoonga, Monduran and Lenthalls dams to overflow shut these dams out of the equation and caused them to lose favour with
Barra are a great target species for the kids to get into. This one ate a live mullet and the kids loved it.
King threadfin salmon are a great by-catch when targeting barra. They are also a viable target species in the river during the barra closed season. River, you would be forgiven for assuming that they were talking about the river located up in the northern region of Australia. Up until a few years ago the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton was somewhat of a hidden gem for barra anglers. However, the implementation of Net Free Zones in Queensland (including the Fitzroy River) has really highlighted the venue as a viable place for travelling anglers to come and get their barra fix. Previously highprofile venues – like the
many of these travelling anglers. The introduction of Net Free Zones had social media sites quickly turning the spotlight on the Fitzroy River. The river itself is located in Central Queensland. Its catchment covers an area of 142,665km2, making it the largest river catchment flowing to the eastern
coast of Australia. It is a massive system stretching a length of 480km. It links into another system in its lower reaches, which itself links up to the waterways adjacent to the town of Gladstone. In essence, you could launch your boat in the town reaches of Rockhampton and, picking your tides, could
then travel via water all the way to the town reaches of Gladstone. The enormity of the Fitzroy River and its associated systems can be quite daunting to the travelling angler and local knowledge is a huge help for those wanting to navigate the system safely. The Fitzroy and Port Alma systems are about as
This class of barra is a good average size for the Fitzroy River. Vibe style lures, like this Madness Vibe, account for large numbers of barra throughout the system.
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FEBRUARY 2019
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It’s barra like this that keep people coming back.
Barra close as you can get to a Northern Territory barra fishery. Mile upon mile of mangrove-lined mud banks can give the impression that you are in a remote and isolated creek, when in fact you are only a short distance from the town reaches of Rockhampton or Gladstone. There is a closed season for barramundi on the East Coast of Queensland. This closed season runs from midday on 1 November and ends midday 1 February. It offers the barra some respite from local fishing, however, the closed season
also coincides with the regions wet season and its opening date can quite often occur in conjunction with the flooding of the river. The large catchment in the upper reaches of the river can mean that inland rain could cause the river in the Rockhampton town reaches to flood for up to two weeks after the rain falls. The barra opening on 1 February is one of the most anticipated dates on the Central Queensland calendar. Fishers like myself who have major
withdrawals regarding barra (or the lack of being able to catch barra during the closed season) are again let loose on the system and can finally scratch the barra itch. The good news for barra fishers is that Monduran and Awoonga dams, after great work from the stocking groups, have made a resurgence. Good numbers of barra are now spread throughout the dams with anglers reporting regular captures of fish in that 65-85cm size range. Recaptures of tagged fish have indicated
The author with over a metre of Fitzroy River barra caught in winter.
This sounder shows a large school of barra up Awoonga Dam. It shows how well the numbers are coming back.
exceptionally fast growth rates, so the expectations are that they will go from strength to strength. The plus side is that while the salt is out of bounds for barra anglers the dams are fast becoming another viable option. The town reaches of the river feature large rock bars that offer prime fish holding structure. These rock bars need to be navigated with caution. On a high tide the
area looks deceptively safe, but as the water level drops the rocks become visible. The area is well sheltered and provides anglers with the opportunity to fish out of relatively small boats a short distance from ramps. There are boat ramps on either side of the river giving locals and travelling anglers easy access. Tide sizes or heights are probably the biggest influence that affects how
you approach the system. These tides affect water clarity, where the fish position themselves in the system, or more accurately, where the water forces the fish to hold. A basic rule of thumb is that the water clarity is cleaner over the smaller tides and when there is less water flow. Other issues like trending winds, flood events or time of year can To page 12
THE GO-TO BIG BARRA BAITS When it comes to tempting big impoundment and wild barra, ZMan and TT Lures offer anglers a huge array of specialist jigheads and soft plastics that combine to deliver some of the most effective presentations on the water. ZMan’s selection of big barra baits cover it all, from frogging the weed beds to prospecting the depths of big rivers and dams. 10X Tough ElaZtech material is super soft and flexible with a life‑like natural buoyancy, yet incredibly strong.
There’s a TT Lures jighead that’s ideal for every barra bite scenario and TT Lures gives you the strength of extra heavy duty, chemically sharpened Mustad and Gamakatsu hooks. Hook up with confidence with TT Lures.
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FEBRUARY 2019
11
Cyclone season has blown on in MACKAY
Keith Day habdays@bigpond.net.au
Mackay anglers are champing at the bit to have a crack at a saltwater barramundi and all the indications are that this open season will be a ripper. Rain during the second half of December set the conditions up nicely and with Cyclone Penny brewing in the Gulf, the fish should be in cooperative mood. Let’s hope so anyway. The run of prawns in the creeks at the end of last month was not huge, but most cast netters managed a feed or two. With the continuing showers and storms I expect there will be prawns aplenty come February 1. Prawns are the number one bait for barra by a long margin, unfortunately everything else from toads to picker bream also love them and that can get very frustrating. Other good baits include mullet, herring, whiting and gar. Live baits are surely the best but many a barra has come undone scoffing down a strip bait or dead herring floated into a snag or over a rock bar. Barra will even smack a bunch of yabbies wriggling around on a hook, and the emphasis is again on ‘movement’ either from the bait itself or by the angler slowly working the bait to give it a live appearance. Barra can be notoriously fussy at times and what works one day may not necessarily work the next day or next identical tide. It pays to have a bit of variety if bait fishing and the same applies to lures or flies. Soft plastics continue to grow in popularity along with soft vibes and both will
attract a barra’s attention, either in the creeks, the headlands or the dams. Big paddle-tails from Reidy’s, Storm, Rapala, Squidgies, Castaic and Happy Rock to name a few will see plenty of use over the next month or so. There is almost as much variety in hardbodies for barra, and the ‘Made in Oz’ models are great as they have quality hooks and rings. Some imports work well but have inferior hooks that often need upgrading.
them swimming properly, but time will tell. If you are a visitor to paradise, then places to chase barra are all over the district. The Pioneer River at the highway bridge rocks is a good place to start and no boat is needed. There are a number of spots on the river where there is bank access, so check with the tackle shop staff. A small tinny gives access to Sarina Inlet/Plane Creek – Sandy and Alligator
Budding flyfisher 12yo Balin Tweddle christened a new reel and fly line with this nice tarpon from the Gooseponds on a small black and gold deceiver pattern. Check with one of our local tackle stores for the latest good drum on what lures are hot at the moment. In last issue Gordon Macdonald gave instructions for Brush Dragon flies and I have a few tied up ready to go. I can’t wait to cast one up a small drain or gully and work it out with the falling tide. Having seen the action of these flies in a swimming pool I have no doubt barra will absolutely climb all over them. I have also been experimenting with some articulated flies and finally seem to have
creeks between Sarina and Mackay are also good barra spots. North of the city we have the NFZ centred on Seaforth as well as Reliance and Constant creeks, all of which produce good numbers of barra. The dam barra have been going nuts the last couple of months with Teemburra the most reliable and it is producing some really well conditioned fish in the 100-120cm range as well as plenty around 80-90cm. Big soft plastics have proven to be the best bet over the last few weeks and they
are always worth having on hand. A big barra or even a medium one has no problem sucking down a 150-200mm soft plastic. I suggest rigging with a minimum hook size of 5/0 and preferably a 7/0 and make sure they are strong hooks. MAFSA members are waiting for one more barra delivery for Kinchant Dam due in February with the last 2500 fish to come from Good Fortune Bay hatchery, Bowen. That will finish the barra stocking for this summer. If you aren’t into chasing barra (unbelievable, but some prefer other species) February still gives plenty of variety. In the creeks the great run of good size flathead continues with fish around the 60-80cm range readily available on almost every sand bank or in the deeper water close by. We don’t get the absolute monsters here, but a decent flatty is good fun and they are top tucker. Fresh yabbies, prawns or small livies will catch plenty, but strip baits also work well. Lures and flies downsized from barra ones can be used with success on flatties. During February other likely encounters in the creeks will include grunter, cod, jacks, bream and threadies, which is not a bad line up. Live yabbies and prawns will score on all these species with the cod, jacks and bream around the snags and the others in more open water. The beaches generally fish pretty well in summer for whiting, swallowtail dart and a few other species, but if there is cyclonic rain and dirty water that puts an end to beach angling. The exceptions to this rule are golden trevally and snub nose dart (oyster crackers or
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Good sized flathead, like this neat 65cm one, are an all summer catch. Soft plastics will account for plenty. permit) both of which don’t seem to mind a bit of dirty water, although if it gets too murky they will move out. Fresh live yabbies will be taken with relish by all of these species. The close inshore pelagic fishing is usually over by February, mainly due to rainwater runoff, but odd stragglers are still about, although most will have headed south by February. Around the islands good catches will again rely on water clarity, rough weather and dirty water means leave the boat on the trailer! Grassy lippers, cod and a few yellow lippers will be mooching around the inshore islands and bluies can still be found right in hard on the rocks. The trout and stripies also get in the act around the islands if the water is clear. The offshore fishing will be very weather dependant, not only for wind but for water clarity as well. On the good days I expect there will
be plenty of red and pink fish out in the shipping channel and trout up in the shallow waters around the islands and reefs. Pelagic activity offshore will be decided by water clarity. Sooty grunter are on the chew in the river and the dams and with suitable conditions I expect they will shortly come into roe. By the time this issue hits the stands, MAFSA Inc members are likely to be out chasing brood stock or have spawned fish in the hatchery. Nominations will open during February for the World Sooty Championship event run by MAFSA over the long weekend in May. Keep an eye on MAFSA’s Facebook page for updated info and details of online entry for the comp. February in Mackay is very weather dependant as we are in the cyclone season, but whatever the weather Mackay always has fishing opportunities.
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calendar of events 2019abt
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Tournament Angler Guide
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TAG 2019 abt
Costa BREAM Series
Qualifier 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Grand Final Australian Open Queensland Open
Dates 20-21 February 23-24 February 23-24 March 30 April-1 May 4-5 May 6-7 July 7-8 September 19-20 October 29 November-1 December 19-21 March 20-22 September
Sufix BASS Pro Series
Qualifier 1 2 3 4 5 6 Grand Final Australian Open
Dates 2-3 March 25-26 May 22-23 June 13-14 July 10-11 August 14-15 September 23-24 October 26-27 October
abt.org.au
Location Marlo-Bemm River Gippsland Lakes Botany Bay Albany Blackwood Bribie Island Gladstone Port Stephens Gold Coast Sydney Moreton Bay
State VIC VIC NSW WA WA QLD QLD NSW QLD NSW QLD
Sponsor Costa Mercury Daiwa Power-Pole Okuma Nulook Floors Squidgy Bass Cat Costa Daiwa Nulook Floors
Location Clarence River Glenbawn Dam Lake St Clair Cania Dam Somerset Dam Richmond River Lake St Clair Glenbawn Dam
State NSW NSW NSW QLD QLD NSW NSW NSW
Sponsor Bassman Spinnerbaits Sufix Evinrude Bass Cat Ecogear Lews Sufix Rapala
Casino Outdoors and Disposals BASS Electric Series
Qualifier 1 2 3 4 5 Grand Final
Dates 9 March 13-14 April 30 June 28 July 8 September 28-29 September
Location Richmond River Toonumbar Dam Maroon Dam Lake Gregory Wivenhoe Dam Borumba Dam
State NSW NSW QLD QLD QLD QLD
Australian Open
12-13 October
Wyaralong Dam
QLD
Valley Hill
Zerek BARRA Tour
Event 1 2 3 4
Dates 8 November 9 November 11 November 13-14 November
Location Kinchant Teemburra Peter Faust – Night Championship Peter Faust
State QLD QLD
Sponsor Power-Pole Edge Rods
QLD QLD
Samaki Wilson
Australian Open
10-12 September
Awoonga Dam
QLD
Venom
Dates 12-13 January 2-3 March 30-31 March 6-7 April 27-28 April 18-19 May 22-23 June 14-15 September 21-22 September 5-6 October 7-8 December
Location Bemm River Mallacoota Sydney Blackwood River Nelson Woy Woy Gold Coast Port Macquarie Albany St Georges Basin Marlo
State VIC VIC NSW WA VIC NSW QLD NSW WA NSW VIC
Sponsor Strike Pro Mortgage Corp Cranka Lures Lurefans Atomic Gerber Tackle Tactics Lowrance JML Pro Lure Power-Pole
January-March 2020
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Daiwa
Hobie Kayak Series
2019 HOBIE KAYAK BREAM SERIES Presented by
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Event 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Australian Championship
WA BREAM Classics
WA BREAM CLASSICS
Event Kayak 1 Boat 1 Kayak 2 Boat 2 Kayak 3 Boat 3
Dates 3 February 10 March 19 May 9 June 6 October 20 October
Kayak Grand Final 9-10 November Boat Grand Final 23-24 November
Vic BREAM Classics
www.hobiefishing.com.au
Facebook: WA Bream Classics Location Murray River Swan River Swan River Murray River Moore River Blackwood River
State WA WA WA WA WA WA
Swan River Albany
WA WA
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Event 1 2 3 4 5
Dates 2-3 February 16-17 March 4-5 May 22-23 June 12-13 October
Location Glenelg River Mallacoota Gippsland Lakes Warrnambool Marlo
State Vic Vic Vic Vic Vic
Sponsor Glenelg Hopkins CMA Bayford Volkswagen Club Marine BCF Atomic
Final
23-24 November
Glenelg River
Vic
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BLACK MAGIC
MASTER CLASS
/
W I T H PA U L L E N N O N
Banking some boss bream Bream fishing has come a long way in the past 20 years. We now live in the age of $30 a pop bream
tournaments dedicated to the humble bream offering tens of thousands of dollars in prize money.
way to catch bream, but it’s simple, effective and something anyone can do regardless of age or
The great thing about bait fishing for bream is it’s so easy, anyone can do it. lures; $1000 outfits; flashy boats jacked up with expensive sounders, electric motors and power poles; and fishing
With that said, targeting bream on good old fashion bait has changed bugger all. For some it may not be considered the coolest
Black Magic KS hooks are by far the best bream hook the author has used. 90
FEBRUARY 2019
fishing ability. As someone who makes a living teaching people how to fish with lures I still get a kick out of going back to roots and soaking a bait for a bream. It’s a very relaxing way to catch a fish, but for all its simplicity it’s only simple when you’re doing it right, so knowing before you start is very important. The first thing you need to nut out is where are you going to start and that means knowing what typical bream habitat is. The answer to this is structure. Bream love structure with anything from sunken timber to break walls, rocky shorelines oyster racks, rock bars, jetties and wrecks to name a few. Once you know what you’re looking for it comes down to fishing it with the right methods. The biggest mistake anglers make is fishing too heavy a weight, as structure and sinkers are a recipe for constant snags and no fish. Bream like the bait to look as natural as possible and will often take the bait as it sinks and that is why an unweighted presentation is best. When I explain this to people often their first
response is that they can’t cast it out far without a sinker. If that is the case, you will probably find your line and rod are too heavy. With a good 6lb braided line like Black Magic Fibre Glide and a 1-3kg graphite rod you can cast an unweighted bait a long way. A critical part of success for this type of fishing is your leader size. Bream can be very cautious and shy away from heavier leaders, so the lightest you can get away with the better. For more forgiving terrain you can drop down to as low as 4lb, but for areas like racks and oyster infested rock bars you may need to go up to 10lb to give you a chance to pull them out. While this will probably mean less bites, at the end of the day you will come out in front as the rate of fish landed compared to fish hooked and busted off will be far higher. I generally run about 1-2m length of the Black Magic fluorocarbon leader for this kind of work as it’s super tough and can handle being scuffed around poles and being dragged over rocks better then anything else on the market. While at times bream can be ravenous and eat just about anything you throw at them they can also be extremely picky, so it’s best to make the effort and source the best bait possible. In my opinion, you can’t beat live nippers on bream and they can be the difference between getting a bucket full and catching
Live yabbies are the number one bait for bream and worth the effort. nothing. Large peeled prawns, mullet strips, and live worms are also effective baits, but live nippers still reign supreme For hook choice I use Blackmagic KS series in size 1 for nippers or 1/0-2/0 for large peeled prawns or mullets strips. Another key component for a successful bait bream fisher is berley. A bucket with a packet of chook pellets, half a loaf of bread and a couple of caps full of
tuna oil mixed together will not only attract bream, but also turn shut down fish on the bite. A handful every 5-10 minutes is all that’s required as berleying too much can have a negative effect, as you risk fish becoming full and therefore no longer interested. Well that about covers bait fishing for bream, hopefully you can get out and get stuck into a few of them this month.
Casting unweighted live yabbies around structure such as this is a deadly method for catching bream.
PRODUCT GUIDE
WHAT’S NEW FISHING
Black Magic Snapper Snacks and KLT Hooks
TESTED
Recently I was lucky enough to have a few of the new Black Magic Snapper Snacks and KLT hooks come my way, and I wasted no time in putting them to the test. Into the tackle box they went, along with my usual go-to plastics on my next trip out for reds. The Black Magic Snapper Snacks are based on the same principle as the popular sabiki bait jigs, and all we know how deadly those little flashy attractants are. The main difference is that the Snapper Snacks are much larger and stronger for bigger fish, and have luminous flashes built into the skirts.
The first time I dropped down the Snapper Snacks, things didn’t go as I had hoped; the Snacks were molested by leatherjackets and stripped. On the plus side, at least they liked them! Still, nothing survives a jacket attack, so I grabbed a few more and headed to another spot, hoping the jackets would be less enthusiastic there. In the next location I had better luck. I dropped the Snapper Snacks down in 40m of water where a bait ball was holding 10m off the bottom – perfect snapper conditions. The
While the author was preoccupied with a kingy, two flathead hooked themselves on the Snapper Snacks. I had not bothered winding in the Snacks and after I wound in the slack from the busted kingie I noticed that both rods were bent over but not doing much. I pulled them up and found that I’d caught a double header of flathead. There must be a bit of sand down there too. So on that trip I didn’t catch any big reds but I’m sure they will come. There haven’t been many about lately, but I certainly caught just about everything else. The next week I was at Burrinjuck Dam and tried the 3/0 KLTs bobbing yabbies. The goldens were thick and I only had six yabbies and scored six fish in six drops, and didn’t miss a hook-up. I’ll definitely be taking the Snapper Snacks and KLT hooks on my future trips, and I’m looking forward to seeing what else I can catch on them. The marlin are about this month and I can’t wait to give the 10/0s a run on the billies! - Greg Clarke
Snapper Snacks appeal to a range of species, including sweep.
This hungry couta couldn’t resist a Snapper Snack.
Using 3/0 KLT hooks bobbing yabbies, the author landed a golden on every drop.
hook-ups were instant, but I seemed to catch everything but snapper! On my first drop, I caught the bait, mackerel. The next drop and more slimy mackerel, then some sweep, a couple of trevally and then some barracouta. The Snacks were working a treat. I then grabbed one of the slimies and put it on a 7/0 Black Magic KLT on one of the 6kg snapper outfits. These light gauge hooks are very strong, and have a slippery, nonstick coating like a Teflon frypan so they can easily penetrate the fish’s mouth – and they nearly always hook the fish in the corner of the mouth, too. I lobbed the slimy as far as I could, put it in the rod holder and went back to the fishing the Snacks. I went on to score a trevally and a small snapper, and then the dead slimy I had forgotten about screamed off. The hook had done its job, and fairly quickly a king about a metre long came into view. Then, as usually happens, it saw the boat and bolted into the reef, as they do. I now had one less 7/0.
Black Magic KLT hooks are super sharp, slick and slippery, so they effortlessly penetrate the fish’s mouth.
FEBRUARY 2019
91
WHAT’S NEW FISHING SAMAKI AUSSIE BASS SHIRT
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For all the bass lovers out there, Samaki has created something special, something you’ve been asking for, that one-of-a-kind shirt that is right up your estuary! With natural tones of sweeping reeds, heavy structure and crystal clear sky, the Aussie Bass shirt is designed to stand out of the crowd but blend into the surrounds. As the bass strikes the lure, it sends water splashing across the surface in a flurry of action. The prominent deep green of the bass is accentuated with contrasting gold highlights. The lightweight fabric is perfect for all outdoor elements, protecting you from the harsh sun with Samaki’s UPF50+ resistant technology. The soft-touch 100% polyester material is comfortable on the body, plus has the added feature of being breathable, keeping you cool and dry. Samaki designs are brought to you by Australian anglers who love to design Australian species. Aussie Bass shirts are available in adult, youth and kids sizes, from a size 2 through to a 5XL, allowing the whole family to get in on the action. Price: SRP $59.95 (adults), $49.95 (kids) www.samaki.com.au
DAIWA INFEET
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Contemporary looks meets innovative design with the return of the Daiwa Infeet series. Designed for the light tackle finesse angler, the new Infeet range features four models, built on hyper-sensitive slow bend graphite blanks. The Infeet’s classic blank is partnered by a contrasting white carbon fibre skeleton reel seat. The exposed design of the reel seat puts the blank right in the angler’s hand to transmit even the lightest of bites. An ultra-thin, tapered EVA rear grip eliminates weight for optimum rod balance and provides that unique modern styling we’ve grown to love and expect from the Infeet range. Angler connectivity is further enhanced courtesy of Fuji S/S SiC guides in the base section of the rod, and ultra light Fuji Titanium SiC guides on the top section. The Ti SiC guides lighten the tip of the rod to enhance feel and performance and is indicated by white bindings. A blend of Daiwa’s advanced finesse designs the new Infeet series is state of the art technology blended with precision, performance, and that exclusive Infeet style and swagger. www.daiwafishing.com.au
ASTRO VIBE AND HUMMER COLOURS 3 Strike Pro is releasing a couple of new colours in its highly popular ranges of Astro Vibe and Hummer 40 lures. The new colours in the Astro Vibe range will offer all the features that you find in the current Astro Vibes, including the UV reactive polycarbonate belly with internal rattles. Astro Vibes combine the best features of a metal blade and a rattling vibe, creating an extremely effective lure. The new colour in the Hummer 40 is certainly going to catch plenty of fish, and it offers all the features of the Hummer 40. This record breaking lure helped Strike Pro sponsored angler Rick Massie break both the Biggest Bream and Biggest Bag records in the Hobie Bream series. This lure will be deadly on bream, bass, estuary perch, flathead and mulloway. To find out more visit
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FEBRUARY 2019
PRODUCT GUIDE
the Juro website or like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JuroOzProTackle. www.jurofishing.com
ZEREK JET POPPER 130
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The Zerek Jet Popper 130 is 130mm long, which is an ideal length for both small and large predatory fish – everything from tailor, salmon and small tuna through to larger trevally, queenfish and bigger tuna. It’s fitted out with heavy-duty hardware to handle the pressure from punishing encounters. The colour range, which includes 10 colours, imitates and attracts with equal measure, while the easy casting 45g overall weight allows just about everyone to cast this lure without needing some serious gym sessions. This rear-weighted lure flies from the rod tip with reduced tumbling and extra distance, giving the lure more time in the water on every cast. On the water, the Jet Popper 130 makes a loud bloop that is enhanced by the chin hole that allows a massive bubble trail to add appeal both visually and acoustically. The rear tail fins help stabilise the lure in the water, reducing the likelihood of the lure flipping and rolling on the bloop. www.wilsonfishing.com
EGILICIOUS SQUID JIGS
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The Fish Inc. Egilicious features a unique take on popular colour patterns, a tail design that is 3° higher than standard jigs to minimize snagging and fouling, and its fine Japanese Owner hooks. These super sharp and ultra-thin stainless steel hooks not only mean a better catch rate but also fewer jigs lost. They open with less force, so if you get snagged you just apply slow and steady pressure until the hook opens and the jig pops off the structure. Then you can straighten the hook and you’re good to go. These squid jigs are designed with the perfect weight for long casts, while maintaining a slow sink and realistic swimming action. Other features include 3D eyes, side feathers, tightly-wrapped cloth covers and a buoyant tail-up action. Many jigs sink flat to the bottom, reducing strikes and hook sets while increasing snagging, but Egilicious instead comes alive in the water. It’s available in 3.0 and 3.5 sizes and 12 colours. Price: SRP $11.95 www.tackletactics.com.au
BLACK MAGIC RATTLE SNACK
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Black Magic’s continual growth and development in freshwater lures sees yet another original addition to their already strong line-up of freshwater lure options. This new arrival is called the Rattle Snack and, as its name suggests, it has a built-in tungsten rattle which is harmonically tuned. There are two weights available, 7g and 14g, and the quality hardware ensures your target species will be landed, not lost. The Rattle Snack’s aggressive shape creates a very enticing swimming action, and whether you’re trolling from a boat or casting to your favourite lie in a river, estuary canal or lake, this superior action and harmonics will deliver results. With six great colours designed to suit Autralian fishing conditions, this new arrival is sure to become a favourite. It’s available now from leading tackle stores throughout Australia. www.blackmagictackle.com
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PRODUCT GUIDE 7
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WHAT’S NEW FISHING SAMAKI SLIT FOAM 7 STORAGE
DAIWA TATULA 100 10 AND 150
The all-new Samaki Slit Foam Tackle Boxes are in high demand and haven’t even landed in the country yet. Coming in four sizes, each tackle box is designed for a variety of lure storage options, holding the smallest of flies up to your favourite vibes and hardbodies. The soft slit foam insert has incremental slits and holes for you to get the maximum usage out of your tackle box, avoiding annoying hook tangles. The UV-resistant lids will reduce lure fade, and the waterproof O-ring and stainless steel hinges will safeguard your artificials. The range starts with a small single-sided option, and moves into three double-sided options of medium, large and extra-large. From $15.95 up to $59.95 there is an option to suit all anglers. For more information and stockists visit the Samaki website, and like them on Instagram and Facebook to keep up to date. Price: from $15.95 www.samaki.com.au
Making a great thing greater, Daiwa steps it up with the new Tatula 100 and 150. The Tatula 100 delivers anglers their smallest and lightest Tatula ever, while the 150 is made with power fishing in mind and sits in between the 100 size and the Tatula HD (200 size) in the Tatula line-up. Baitcaster brilliance starts with Daiwa’s Real Four design concept, with Real Engine, Real Control, Real Endurance, and Real Custom combining to make the Tatula technically advanced and performance driven. A precision designed solid aluminium frame and gear side plate delivers maximum power and unrivalled durability, while its ergonomically designed profile fits effortlessly in the palm of the hand. Digigear, TWS, Magforce Z, deliver unmatched strength, smoothness and precision both on the cast and on the crank, while Daiwa’s UTD gives you the muscle to stop just about anything that swims. www.daiwafishing.com.au
NEW TASSIE DEVIL COLOURS 10
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Tasmanian Devil lures are a unique Australian product designed for trolling, casting or jigging in fresh and saltwater. They are now available in four new colours – watermelon pearl (132), lime frog (133), liquorice allsort (134) and black betty (135). The first three colours are available in 7g, 13.5g and 20g sizes, and the black betty colour is available in 7g, 13.5g, 20g and 26g. The lure action is due to the winged technology that causes the lure to swim in an irregular manner, darting and diving, simulating the movement of wounded fish. This pulsating action is transmitted to the rod tip that will show as a ‘nodding action’ that is proof that the lure is swimming correctly. If this rod tip action is not present, you’ll know you’ve picked up either a piece of weed or a fish. All four sizes of the Tasmanian Devil swim in this erratic manner, and this is the reason these lures are so effective. www.jmgillies.com.au
ZEREK MANIAC VIBE
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The Zerek Maniac Vibe’s unique frontweighted design enables excellent casting distance, fast sinking and the ability for the lure to ‘stand up’ on the bottom. These features allow anglers to cover more ground every cast and be confident that the tail of the lure will always be in a position to snare a curious fish. Internally, the Maniac Vibe has many small ball bearings in its internal chamber creating one of the noisiest rattles that will attract fish from afar. Work the Maniac Vibe with a lift and drop technique to keep the lure near the bottom, or hop and shake it along the bottom if the fish are shut down. You can also cast and straight retrieve the lure at various speeds to cover depth profiles and present the lure to the right spot at the right time. The Maniac Vibe is 70mm long, weighs an easy-to-cast 14g, and comes in 10 colours. www.wilsonfishing.com
SHIMANO TRAVEL STORAGE
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Shimano’s latest tackle storage range includes two new releases for anglers on the go – the Travel Wrap and Soft Back Pack. The Travel Wrap comes with a hard tackle tray and additional sleeves for soft plastic storage. This lightweight, minimal travel wrap can be filled in a variety of useful ways depending on the situation. The travel wrap also doubles as a minimal soft plastic wallet – the tray is removable and the mesh pocket can be used to store braid cutters, catch scent, leader, or any other tools essential for fishing. The Soft Tackle Back Pack has a versatile range of applications and features, which make it ideal for both die-hard fishos and weekend warriors. With added benefits such as four included tackle trays, a heavy-duty mesh front compartment, hard sunglasses case, an elastic tool holder and drink pocket, this bag is sure to impress even the fussiest of anglers. www.shimanofish.com.au
STORM 360GT COASTAL SHRIMP
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The new Storm 360GT Coastal Shrimp offers anglers a deadly lifelike prawn presentation. Its realistic legs swim and kick on the fall sending out natural vibrations, while the flat bottom design keeps the bait upright when resting on bottom. Combining a segmented body, slotted belly and back slots not only allows for seamless rigging, it also delivers a very natural looking action on the drop and at rest. Suitable for conventional Jig heads or weedless rigs make these prawns a must for any angler, be it in the fresh or saltwater environment. What fish doesn’t eat a prawn? A very easy bait to use, simple lift and drop of the rod tip with a slow wind will see you hooking up in no time. The Storm 360GT Coastal Shrimp is available in eight lifelike colours and two sizes, 3” and 4”. For more information on these and other Storm lures, check out the Storm Fishing website. www.stormfishing.com.au
Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au FEBRUARY 2019
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WHAT’S NEW FISHING TESTED
PRODUCT GUIDE
McLaughlin’s Advanced Formula Berley makes a difference
McLaughlin’s Bait and Berley have been producing quality bait and berley products since the late 1940s. During this time they have constantly worked to further improve the range and quality of the items they produce. In 2018 they introduced their latest innovation – the Advanced Formula range of berleys, which builds upon the success of their popular Premium Berley range. WHAT’S DIFFERENT? McLaughlin’s Premium Berley has always had secret ingredients and smells to attract fish to it. However, as the name suggests, the Advanced Formula range has upped the ante. McLaughlin’s have managed to further enhance the range with more natural flavours, and have added colours to make it easier to see the berley trail behind the boat. The range was developed by Juro Oz Pro Tackle, and I talked to Rick Massie from Juro to find out more. He said that it has taken a number of years to get the process of drying and colouring correct to the point where they were happy to release it. “It’s not a single step process,” Rick explained. “The berleys are dried multiple times to ensure that the scent, smell and colour are maximised, meaning better results for the anglers using them.” TESTING THE TESTER Using berley is not something that I regularly do, so I thought I would speak
McLaughlin’s Advanced Formula Berley range spent years in development before being released in 2018. berley, and Jamie has had quite a bit of success on these species. His advice was to keep it simple: the berley alone will do the job and bring the fish to you. He recommended using a small
opportunity to get on the water. Fishing for garfish and tommy ruff (Australian herring) is very popular along much of the south coast of Australia, and on my Christmas holiday it was obvious that I wasn’t the only person waiting for a weather window. When we arrived, the boat ramp was bedlam, and plenty of boats were anchored and berleying in all the likely areas. It was a matter of finding a free space and joining in. I started with the Mixed Bits pack and no oil – keeping it simple, as Jamie had suggested. I wasn’t sure how well we would do considering the number of boats around us. I needn’t have worried though, as within minutes there were plenty of tommies making their way up the berley trail. Generally the garfish are not too far behind, but on this day we could see them, but couldn’t get them to bite. We ended up getting a good bag of tommies and only one garfish. We had, however, done better than most. Chatting to other anglers, many had struggled to attract anything at all. King George whiting were the next target on the list (the weather windows
When it comes to berleying, keep it simple and remember that a little goes a long way.
McLaughlin’s Premium Berleys and Baits have been around since the 1940s, and have developed a reputation for quality. to Jamie Smith, the fishing specialist at Melbourne Marine Centre, for a few tips on targeting King George whiting and garfish. The store stocks the Advanced Formula
Fishing smiles. Anne Morgan enjoys chasing a few garfish.
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berley dispenser just below the surface if you want to target garfish, or one closer to the bottom if you’re whiting fishing. McLaughlin’s also does a product called Slicks Oil, which can be added sparingly in with the berley to give it even more punch. Keeping it simple sounded good to me. PUTTING IT TO GOOD USE The Christmas holiday period was my opportunity get out and give the products a try. I had a bit of a mix of the old and the new – Saltwater Nibbles, Whiting Nibbles, a Pier/Jetty mix, a small Tuna Log and Slicks Oil from the trusty Premium range, and Green Lip Bites, Mixed Bits, Pink Bits and Big Red Nuts from the new Advanced Formula range. Juro Oz Pro had also sent me a small bucket. As far as I was concerned, the fish didn’t stand a chance. Mother nature didn’t read the script, however. During most of my holiday it was blowing 25-30 knots, so it was matter of taking advantage of any small windows of
Not a bad outcome after using the berley for the first time.
PRODUCT GUIDE were few and far between). As we were fishing much deeper water, I used a two berley pot system. One pot was close to the bottom with Green Lip Bites and a little Slicks Oil in it, and the other pot was on the surface with the Mixed Bits and no oil. ‘Activity breeds activity’ was my theory, and after only getting one fish from our first location, we made a move and found some hungry fish. One thing with king George whiting is when they are biting you need to have a bait in the water, because they may not bite for long. After an initial flurry, things went quiet and I was wondering whether we should move. At that point I noticed that the berley trail from the top bucket no longer had fish in it, mainly because there was no berley left in the pot. A quick refill and redeploy had the tommies excited again, and a few more whiting hit the deck. Unfortunately for me I only had one more outing, and it followed a very similar scenario – we got a berley trail going mid and top water, created some activity and bagged a few fish. I used either the Green Lip Bites or the Big Red Nuts in the bottom pot, and it didn’t seem to matter with the top bucket. After that session I had to head back to work, but the family stayed behind and managed some more successful outings. The timid garfish eventually fell for the trap, and the ever-present tommy ruff just couldn’t resist a good berley trail. WHAT DID I LEARN? You can’t deny that the McLaughlin’s Berleys work. You can see the fish working up your berley trail, almost eating it from the berley bucket. At times I wondered if they preferred eating the berley rather than the gents or pipis I was using for bait. But that is what berley is all about – creating the activity for the angler to take advantage of. One thing to remember is to not overfill your berley bucket. The berley expands as it breaks down, so a little can go a long way. As well as that, just let the wave action do its job. Shaking the bucket may bring on a flurry of activity, but you want the fish to work up the trail you have created and then
WHAT’S NEW FISHING TESTED Senshi Custom Rigs avoid the hassle of creating your own rigs, and the 12 rigs in the range cover most of the popular target species. They are well made and the hooks are super sharp. And then there are the quill floats, float stops, split shot, berley feeders and, most importantly, their range of Daiichi hooks. Using good quality terminal tackle that is correct for the species you are targeting can make a huge difference to your results. FINAL OBSERVATIONS The boat ramp after a day’s fishing can be a great place to glean information. Stories about the fish that got away or how good the fishing was are commonplace. Or, as was the case during my holiday, “wow the fishing is tough”. That’s not how I felt though. Yes, conditions were difficult, but we were able to take advantage of the small windows of opportunity and catch some fish. So was it the berley making the difference? Well, it certainly wasn’t my knowledge of fishing with berley, because I had hardly ever done it before. I believe that the quality of the Premium and Advanced Formula berleys, and the terminal tackle we were using, gave us the edge.
The windows of opportunity were only brief for the author, but he was pleased with the result of a few hours on the water. take your baits. Shaking the bucket and releasing big volumes of berley can also excite undesirable species. As the saying goes, ‘a little bit often’ is the way to go. A bit of preparation goes a long way. The McLaughlin’s berleys come in resealable bags and tubs, and it pays to store them out of the sun and make sure you seal them properly. This will ensure they’ll stay fresh
and won’t attract pests. Fill your berley buckets before you get on the water. That way, once you have reached your spot you can deploy the berley and get the system working while you get your rods ready. A COMPLETE SYSTEM As much as I have focused on the berleys themselves, Juro Oz Pro covers the complete system, from the berleys and their dispensers (small, large and a weighted heavy-duty pot) to the terminal tackle needed to catch the fish you are targeting.
Does the McLaughlin’s berley work? Yes it does. If you want to see the full range of products you can check them out at www. jurofishing.com or ask for them at your local tackle store. - Peter Jung
MCLAUGHLIN’S BERLEY PRODUCTS • Advanced Formula range – includes Big Red Nuts, Blood Bits, Green Lip Bites, Mixed Bits and Pink Bits, available in a 1.5kg resealable bag. Big Red Nuts and Mixed Nuts are also available in a 5L bucket. • Premium Berley range – includes Bream Nibbles, Freshwater Nibbles, Pier/Jetty Mix, Saltwater Nibbles, Trout Food, and Whiting Nibbles, which come in a 1kg resealable bag. Premium Berley Snapper Nuts are available in a 4L tub. • Tuna Berley Logs – compressed tuna/tuna oil logs, available in three sizes. • Tuna Tossers – compressed tuna/tuna oil nuts, available in 1kg re-sealable bag.
Juro does more than just make quality berleys. Their range of hooks, rigs, floats and accessories are well worth looking for in your local tackle store.
Susie Wallman with a nice haul of garfish.
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CARP
Are you a better solution to the carp problem? FMG
Rupe Instagram: @rupeisfishing
A few of the early settlers of this great land have a lot to answer for. Beyond the mistreatment of traditional owners and land degradation, they’re
also responsible for the introduction of some incredibly damaging flora and fauna species, not least of which is the carp. Carp are not a problem that’s limited to Australian waterways. They’re now plentiful on every continent except Antarctica and while they’re a valuable
commodity in Europe and Asia (depending on the genetic strain), they are an absolute scourge to the Australian aquatic landscape. The habitat destruction in the Murray-Darling basin alone is enough that their introduction should be remembered as a national
The business end of the beast. Watch for the brightly coloured lips and mouth to open and close before you strip strike to set the fly hook.
Top: It’s hard to fathom that you can catch such destructive pests in surroundings as beautiful as these. Above: A selection of flies that will have you covered on most days. 96
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disaster with its own public holiday where every man, woman and child is required to catch and kill at least one carp.
Vote 1 – Rupe Is Fishing Party! SO WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP? We can catch them,
dispose of them, and limit their breeding capabilities without leaving literally millions of tons of rotting fish in the water that could
CARP lead to a dreaded black water type event. You know what, they’re bloody fun to catch! I’ve phoned around and had a chat to a few state fisheries offices when penning this article and the general consensus is to catch and dispose of as many as you can, particularly the larger breeding stock. They produce a huge amount of offspring in no time at all, so each breeder you can
Pound for pound, they’re one of the hardest fighting freshwater fish you’re likely to encounter and employ just about every dirty tactic you’d expect from a filthy, noxious pest whose ancestors cut their teeth dodging monster muskies and the like. SO YOU WANT TO BE A CARP SUPERSTAR? I hope by now I have you so pumped up that you’re furiously looking up the
the right manner. WHAT SHOULD YOU THROW? As mentioned above, a carp’s typical diet can be quite varied and they’re pickier with food than my 8-year-old daughter some days; changing their minds on what they’ll eat and what they’ll flat out refuse. Plenty of times different schools of fish in different pools of the same river will have totally
One fish feeding can lead to the others in the pool working themselves into a frenzy, like the one that amounted to this triple hook-up on three different types of fly.
The colours available in these pests can be so striking that it’s almost a shame to have to dispose of them, but it must be done to protect native fish stocks. remove can make a big difference. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CARP As a species, they’re extremely adaptable to all types of waterways and water conditions (which is why they’re so widespread) and they breed like rabbits. They’re also very mobile and not too territorial so will move up and down a river with ease, even in times when water levels are low and they might have to get their backs out of the water to move up a rapid. No matter the particular species of carp, of which there are many, a few things remain constant: they are clever, they have excellent eyesight and they seem to spend most of their time on the lookout doing their best to avoid any trouble. Even the plain brown models are still relatively brightly coloured compared to naturally occurring species and would make easy targets for large birds of prey, so you can understand why their existence would be a nervous one, and that’s before you take into account the natives swimming in their vicinity – ie Murray cod – who are big enough to eat them. Carp are omnivorous, meaning they’ll quite happily eat aquatic plants, but they do prefer a diet of insects, crayfish, shrimp and worms. For whatever reason, they’ve also taken quite a liking to corn kernels.
nearest infected waterway so your carp muster can begin. But there are a couple of things you need to decide before you head out in search of the villainous creatures. While carp can be very fussy and an eternal source of frustration – especially when sight-casting to them – if they’re in the right mood though, they can also be caught one after the other if you present your offering in
opposite requirements from you, the angler. This means that any fisher wanting to actively target carp needs to have a reasonable amount of arrows in their quiver, so to speak. Because of their fickle nature, you’re going to want to be armed with as many different lures, flies, baits or a combination of all three if you don’t want to go home with the dreaded doughnut. One thing I must stress
The tools of the trade and the result of a stealthy approach to some fast running water.
is to not be discouraged by the first, second or even seventh and eighth refusals. They will eat something, eventually. You just need to stay in the game, stay hidden as best you can and keep casting. There will be times they will charge your offering with an open mouth and just as the nerve endings in your striking hand start to fire messages to your brain they will turn away. This is standard carp behaviour. BAITS Soaking baits like worms, small crustaceans such as shrimp and crayfish offer you your best chance of success. If you can catch them in the same waterway that you’re fishing then you’ll do even better because you can guarantee they’ve eaten that variety before and they’ll be willing to do so again. If you’re wanting to sit in a camp chair and sink a few tinnies while fishing, try fishing under a float. They’re good strike indicators and it keeps your bait off the bottom, usually giving you better hook up potential before they realise there’s a hook in there. This is your best bet when fishing with kids too. The float is something for them to concentrate on, but by the time it bobs under the water the hooking part is already taken care of and they can just enjoy the bend in the rod. I talk to my kids on the trip to the water and also after we’ve disposed of a carp so they have an understanding of what we’re doing and why it’s important. If you give them the knowledge now they’re sure to carry that with them on future adventures. If walking the bank and casting at fish you can see is more appealing to you (I know it is for me) then forget the float and cast lightly weighted or even unweighted baits 1-1.5m in front of the fish. Leave some
slack line so the bait sinks in a more natural fashion. LURES Many carp have been
quality scent like SAX or Pro Cure that will last a while. Give them time to sniff it out and come over
The ‘Top Dog’ Brett Habener with a typically brown coloured European carp from skinny water. tricked into eating a lure intended for cod, bass and yellowbelly, and plenty of anglers with carp on the end of the line have been fooled into thinking they had the world record catch on before those big blubbery lips made their way to the surface. They’ll eat any number of hardbodies, blades and vibes if you put it in the right place at the right time, but they are absolute suckers for a nice supple soft plastic in a worm, grub or craw pattern. If you plan to throw lures at them, fish them fairly slow with plenty of pause after you hop it. Scent is also your friend; use a
for a nibble. FLIES Flyfishing can be very effective because you can present a small, natural looking fly and land it without too much disruption to the water. For a fish that has evolved heightened senses this extra advantage should not be sneezed at. It’s also the most difficult because you need to either have enough space to feed a cast out or be able to competently roll cast in tight cover. If you are planning on waving the wand around, take a mix of flies with To page 98
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CARP From page 97
you that closely resemble the natural baits I’ve listed above as best you can. Patterns like shrimp, nymphs, worms and
is a 4WT, 9ft G.Loomis Eastfork rod and Shimano Biocraft reel with an intermediate Rio line while a few of my mates use a 7’11” model Sage BASS
a shadow on the bottom. Naturally, while this can get you the eat you desire, it presents a new set of problems if they decide to shoot upstream and bury you in rocks, logs and reeds – and they will! CONVENTIONAL TACKLE If you plan to chase them on conventional tackle, most light-medium estuary type combos will do the trick for you, but aim for something with a fairly sensitive tip as the bites are more often than not, very subtle. A 6’6”-7’6” rod and a 2500-3000 size reel would be ideal. Braid is fine to use but make sure you have a nice long fluorocarbon leader. Mainly, so it’s as close to invisible as you can get underwater, but
Big koi carp are as clever as they are scarce. They seem to be much more switched on and picky than their brown brethren.
This fatty ate an orange glo-bug fly during the time of year when plenty of berries were falling from above the river. leeches all catch fish and flies like glo-bugs will serve you well if they’re eating berries and seeds are falling from overhanging trees. THE SETUPS My favourite way to target them is undoubtedly on fly gear. My friends and I have had some epic days on the water fishing rivers and dams for a variety of
II series, which is much easier to get around with in some of the jungle country you can find yourself in. If you’re buying a new setup, look for a reel with plenty of drag. You’re going to need it. Something like the Redington Behemoth series packs a solid punch without breaking the bank, so check them out. As with most types
Walking the banks of dams is often easier on the angler but generally leaves you more exposed to the ever aware carp who feed around the shallows. and will pull out every trick they’ve got to win freedom. TAKING OUT THE TRASH So you’ve found some carp, grabbed a rod and headed out on a carp crusade. Before you know it you’ve managed to crack that particular day’s code or pattern and you’ve now got yourself a carp on the bank or in the boat. What
do you do next? Every state and territory in Australia that has a carp population has a fairly simple policy. Humanely dispose of the animal and under no circumstances return it to the water – dead or alive. Even though they’re a pest, it is still unethical to treat them inhumanely. I’ve seen a few people
(definitely the minority) saying it’s okay to return them to non-flowing waterways, but this is wrong. I carry a knife and a fish spike in my backpack at all times when chasing carp so that as soon as they hit the bank I can grab the obligatory picture for my social networks and then walk them 20ft away from the water and kill them quickly. Before you know it I’m looking for the next Charlie who’s silly enough to eat my fly. They’re almost the only fish I kill these days and in a weird way I still feel some remorse for doing it, but I do think that each and every carp removed is a small step in the right direction for the care of our native species that I love so very much. In most cases you are allowed to keep them for food (not my taste, but whatever floats your boat) or fertiliser if you wish. There are recipes on the NSW DPI website if you’re that way inclined – just don’t invite me around for the cook-up. I promise I’ll be busy that day.
Chris Shaw didn’t mind heading into the deep to retrieve this beautifully coloured koi carp. carp species. But there’s more than one way to skin a cat and plenty of ways to catch a mud marlin. FLYFISHING We all use a range of fly rods and lines from 4WT to 8WT and in varying lengths. My current setup 98
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of fishing, sometimes you have to go light to get the bite, so my typical tapered leader finishes with 8lb line, sometimes the carp’s eyes are so well trained that you’ll need to go down to a 4lb fluorocarbon leader to avoid casting too much of
also because it buys you a bit of time if they run you into timber or other underwater structure and gives you a little bit more shock absorption on a typical surging carp run. As I’ve already told you, they’re a dirty fighting lot
With so many dams having large populations of carp it’s no wonder anglers like Bob Thornton catch them on soft plastics aimed at bass and yellowbelly.
The 2018 Murray Codference a huge success SHEPPARTON
Nick Brown teamriverrats@hotmail.com
The simple way I judge the success of anything in the fishing world is by word of mouth and excitement created long after the event, or release of a certain lure, rod or reel. The 2018 Murray Codference is still creating a buzz amongst those who attended the 2018 event. Throughout the Christmas
many attendees fished Friday and Saturday leading into the event and there were plenty of stories in between sessions about cod fishing at locations such as Lake Eildon, Lake Mulwala and the local Goulburn River. The iconic Murray cod is such a valuable commodity for the regions they call home. There is a huge tourism aspect to the Murray cod with many anglers making weekly, monthly and yearly trips to the rivers and lakes to
The crowd at the Codference. Nearly 600 turned up to learn more about the Australian icon, Murray cod. break I ran into many local anglers who also attended the event and everyone couldn’t get over how well the event was run. For me the 2018 Murray Codference was the first time I had attended a Codference and from the moment I walked into the building it just screamed professionalism. There was a nice relaxed feeling to the pre-show with those attending receiving a show bag of goodies and this was not just a basic plastic show bag, it was a high quality VFA backpack filled full of items such as the Kattafurra surface lure, ‘Care for Cod’ boat decal and removable tattoo, plus all the information you need to know about the event and the professionals speaking on the day. The all-day event was held at Riverlink Eastbank Shepparton and lured in almost 600 people, all keen to learn from some of the most knowledgeable speakers throughout the country. Guests were treated to three sessions, covering all aspects of the Murray cod including tackle, techniques, locations, stocking and scientific programs in place. The event was held in the Murray cod heartland of Shepparton, which is almost central to some of the best cod fishing locations in Victoria and NSW. Due to the central location of Shepparton,
chase the mighty cod. The love for Murray cod from our city cousins was very much apparent in those that attended the Murray Codference, traveling well over two hours to attend the event I spoke with Sam Cunsolo from Melbourne about why he travelled down to the Codference. “Traveling to the Codference is great as most of us that travel make a weekend out of it,” he said. “Fish the Friday and Saturday and then attend the Codference on the way home.” “I encourage all to attend for the information you can gain on the day. “It’s a great chance to chat to those in charge and for me the drawcard was definitely
between Carl Jocumsen and the Kattafurra lure.” Sam also mentioned that he enjoyed all the other incredible speakers and felt the VFA had really outdone themselves at the 2018 Codference. The star of the show was Murray cod, but closely behind it for me as well was guest speaker and full-time professional fisherman, Carl Jocumsen. Carl was, for many, the biggest drawcard the event has ever had and I urge everyone to listen to his fishing story. Yes, he has represented our country fishing for bass in the USA, but Carl always finds himself chasing Murray cod when he is home from the States. The presentation Carl gave showed his love for the Murray cod as it has and will always be special to Carl. Carl spoke about his Murray cod stories as a kid and also recent trips he had done since he has returned from the States. One thing that rings in my ears from his presentation was when he mentioned how unique the Murray cod is, and how they are truly an Australian icon. He also shared his current swimbait techniques, as well as his vision for the future, with Murray cod lures to get bigger and bigger as time goes by. It wasn’t a sales pitch, but one thing was made clear, when throwing these monster lures you need to have the right rod and reel set up. The swimbait craze is now upon us, and having the likes of Ian Miller of Miller Rods designing rods is such a great step forward for us all. Seeing the size of the lures Carl throws, it’s obvious he is not targeting small cod, so using smaller lighter rods will be like taking a sword to a
Carl Jocumsen presenting at the Codference. He was the first speaker on the day, and started the event off strong.
gun fight. Carl kick started the first session and from there all those who did speak owned the stage and the audience, despite the pressure of following such a legend of the sport. The event wasn’t just about catching huge Murray cod, there was a very special segment that got everyone laughing and smiling and for me, that’s why we fish. North East Victorian Robbie Alexander delivered this presentations and it would have had to be one of the best I have seen in regards to ‘Fishing With Kids’. Speaking to Robbie afterwards, he had the following to say, and if you have seen his social media post you can imagine the passion that was flowing through the phone. “It was a fantastic day, everybody that I have spoken to enjoyed the day,” he said. “From the free food, to the free lure and backpack, to the guest speakers and the opportunity for people to talk and interact with leaders in the industry – it was a wonderful day.” I asked Robbie how he felt about being asked to present at the 2018 Murray Codference. “I was delighted to be a part of the event for the second year running, even more so delighted when they asked me if I could make a presentation all about kids,” he said. “I love kids.” Another great addition to the day was the catering supplied to those who attended. Tables full of food for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea was all provided with your free entry and the spread that was put on was not cheap, it was lovely fresh food options for all to enjoy and mingle over during the breaks. The last session had a slight change to it and that was Steve Booth presenting Yellowbelly Tactics. It was a good addition to the day away from just Murray cod, only because majority of us who chase cod also chase yellowbelly. Boothy, a muchrespected member of the fishing industry, presented a talk that had everyone thinking about changing their approach to yellowbelly fishing in impoundments. After the event I spoke with Steve about his thoughts on the day. “The VFA Codference was outstanding to be a part of, personally and
The author with Carl Jocumsen. Jocumsen was a big drawcard for those that attended the Codference. professionally,” he said. “Bringing together a range of sensational speakers, the Codference gave attendees a real insight to many facets of native fish throughout Victoria.” “From stocking to catching, from the history and through safe handling techniques, I learnt a lot from the speakers. “With over 500 people attending, this was a fantastic day that allowed me to immerse myself in cod culture from the start of the day, right through
female’s involvement in the sport of fishing and the growth of women in what is a male dominated industry. Her take on fishing and the barriers that she is knocking down was great for all inspiring females, showing there is a pathway for women in fishing. I feel if there was one negative on the day it was those who turned up grabbed their free bag and left. These people will be the same people who always question where
All presenters taking questions at the end of the day. All attendees learnt a lot about Murray cod, from targeting them to stocking and breeding. to the end.” I found throughout the day all keynote speakers were engaging and informative, from Lubin Pfeiffer talking Big Murray Cod Tactics to Will Trueman presenting his love for the trout cod and Macquarie perch. From someone who only enjoyed the Bunsen burners in science class at school, I, and many others, enjoyed the researcher’s information on fish populations and ways they have tackled the improvement in fish populations over the last 20 years. Karen Rees spoke about
fishing licence fees go, I urge anyone who hasn’t been to a Codference to get to one in the future. If the 2019 edition is in Shepparton or out of town for me it won’t make any difference, I will be putting it in the calendar as I feel it will become the second most important day on cod fishos calendar, just behind cod opening. For those who didn’t attend, you can find videos of all the talks throughout the day via the VFA Facebook, or if you search through the guest speaker’s Facebook pages you will be able to find the links. FEBRUARY 2019
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Getting deep into freshwater fishing fun TOOWOOMBA
Jason Ehrlich fishability1@bigpond.com
The summer months are a great time for trolling lures for our native species. The fish find comfort in the deeper water and some species tend to scatter more out in the open. There are many things that dictate the depth a trolled lure will reach. Sure the packaging offers some indication as to running depth when you buy the lure, but there are a lot of variables that change this. The mistakes I most often see come when anglers need to push their lures as deep as possible. Open water bass are the prime example. BASS TROLLING TIPS Bass can find comfort at around 10m deep and to place a tiny trolled offering in front of them can present some problems. The depth at which bass will be found changes over the summer months as the thermocline rises in the water column. Pinpointing depth control is an important part of trolling and you will
reap the rewards once you can place lures right in front of the target fish. The diving depth of a lure in your trolling spread is quite an easy thing to determine. Once the throbbing rhythm at the rod tip is interrupted, it is likely the lure is dragging the bottom. A bit of calculation using the sounder will soon let you know how deep the lure is going. If you shorten the line until the lure is only occasionally touching bottom, you have its exact depth. This information is crucial to know when you venture out into deeper water and target suspending fish. The first and biggest mistake I see is anglers using lines that are too heavy. Heavy lines are thicker and the thicker the line the more resistance it has when it tries to cut down deeper into the water. Imagine trying to troll your lure on cotton or a piece of rope. Which one will allow it to go deeper? Light braided line is the easiest way to present an assortment of easily obtained lures to fish around 10m deep. I find 4-8lb ideal. With a fine diameter this line slices through the water
It’s the time of year to try reaction style lures on all species. Spinnerbaits are deadly on the bass when fished deep. This one ate a similar lure, the Hot Bite Torpedo.
DAM LEVELS
Nov Dec Jan 5 5 5 86 83 82 17 15 14 38 36 38 100 99 99 72 66 85 63 61 58 87 86 83 0 0 0 39 38 0 28 24 27
13
15
16
14 31
Weipa
17
28
34
18
Toowoomba
BRISBANE
1 Tinaroo Falls Dam 2 Peter Faust Dam 3 Burdekin Falls Dam 4 Eungella Dam 5 Teemburra Dam 6 Kinchant Dam 7 Cania Dam 8 Lake Monduran 9 Isis Balancing Storage 10 Wuruma Dam 11 Lenthalls Dam 12 Boondooma Dam 13 Bjelke-Petersen Dam 14 Lake MacDonald 15 Gordonbrook Dam 16 Borumba Dam 17 Somerset Dam 18 Wivenhoe Dam 19 Pindari Dam 20 Copeton Dam 21 Moogerah Dam 22 Maroon Dam 23 Leslie Dam 24 Connolly Dam 25 Coolmunda Dam 26 Clarrie Hall Dam (NSW) 27 Hinze Dam 28 Lake Cressbrook 29 Callide Dam 30 Lake Awoonga 31 Lake Samsonvale 32 Fairbairn Dam 33 Koombooloomba Dam 34 Cooby Dam
more realistic. It also gives some spring to the connection, as braid has next to no stretch. This helps prevent pulling hooks out of soft mouths. Forget using those bulky snaps with barrel swivels attached and if I see you using wire leaders to attach your lures, I will laugh behind your back. Keep all terminal tackle to a minimum. I have nothing against snap clips for bass fishing. Just choose one with a rating suited to the line you are using. Too big a snap will start to affect the lure’s
20 18 14 47 45 42 3 3 6 88 85 88 18 16 14 42 36 25 97 96 93 79 76 73 68 55 86 26 20 47 7 7 7 101 99 100
Gold Coast
22
24 IMPOUNDMENT DAM
27
21
23 25
Cairns 1
26
19
33
20
Townsville 2
3 4
Proserpine 6 Mackay
5
Rockhampton
Emerald
32
29 7
10
Highlighted dams are covered in this issue
Gladstone
30 8
Bundaberg 9
11
Roma
performance and it looks unnatural. A tiny snap will make changing lures an easy job and it lets them wiggle more freely as it pivots around the tow point. To seasoned bass trollers, this all may be basic stuff and once you get your head around it, it really is simple. Simple but effective! Trolling is always going to produce more fish when you can reach them. Place the offering in front of them and they will eat it. If it is metres above, you stand no chance. You can
BRISBANE
always go shallower when it comes to trolling. A simple lure change or just running your lure back on a shorter line will see it come up higher in the water column. Not only does light braid allow you to troll hardbodies deeper, it gives you the ability to troll less conventional offerings like spinnerbaits, blades and tail spinners. If you haven’t already, change over to the light gear and reap the rewards. Until next month, buckled rods from The Colonel!
Dam............................ % Full
Maroon 93 91 88 Monduran/Fred Haigh 93 91 90 Moogerah 74 70 75 North Pine/Samsonvale 80 77 76 Peter Faust/Proserpine 61 59 60 Pindari 45 37 22 Somerset 77 76 77 Teemburra 85 78 85 Tinaroo 71 67 78 Toonumbar 100 96 90 Wivenhoe 70 67 66 Wuruma 99 98 96
For fortnightly updates on Sunwater dams visit www.sunwater.com.au This symbol indicates that a Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish these dams. All figures are % readings Current as of 16/01/19
(All levels correct at time of going to press. Dam levels can change at any time, so please check with local authorities to ensure safe boating and fishing.) 102
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Maryborough
w w w. b a r g a i n b o a t b i t s. c o m . a u
Dam............................ % Full Copeton Cressbrook Dyer/Bill Gunn Eungella Fairbairn Glenlyon Hinze Julius Kinchant Koombooloomba Leslie Macdonald
Gympie
12
brought to you by
Dam............................ % Full Atkinson Awoonga Bjelke-Petersen Boondooma Borumba Burdekin Falls Callide Cania Clarendon Cooby Coolmunda
allowing the lure to plummet. To gauge a brightly coloured line’s thickness by eye is a hard chore. The packaging is a far better indicator and most braids are similar when comparing their thickness and breaking strains. One this to consider though is that breaking strain is only a guide and the lines usually break at much higher than their rating. For an example of line thickness, let’s take a look at Berkley’s new X9 braid. The 4lb variant is only 0.06mm thick. The 10lb is only 0.12mm thick (only 1/10 of a mm) but still this is double the thickness of the 4lb. Double the thickness already means double the resistance when trying to send a lure deep. If you were to run 10lb monofilament, the thickness is 0.3mm (five times the thickness of 4lb braid) and enough to cost you several metres in the lure’s maximum diving depth. Not only does light braid give lures the ability to dive when trolling, the fine diameter is also great for casting sinking lures as well. These lures need to reach the bottom and stay close to it. Again, line resistance through the water comes into play. I have almost all of my bass spinning reels for Queensland lakes spooled with Berkley X9 in 6lb. This line seems to be perfect for tangling with fish out in the open water. Another mistake is to run a long leader when trolling. The leader is the thickest part of the connection to the lure and again resistance through the water is your enemy. For leader material 1-1.5m is plenty when trolling and rarely would you need to go over 12-14lb in leader size. This requires a braid to mono type connection knot like an Albright or full blood knot. Personally, I prefer a FG knot. The leader spaces the lure away from the highly visible braid to make the lure look
SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND CRESSBROOK CLOSEST TOWN: CROWS NEST Cressbrook fish are very hard to catch at the moment. Sometimes it makes you wonder just how many fish are in the dam when they are so difficult to locate. Sounding around all the usual fish holding banks and points hasn’t been able to uncover much. It is not uncommon for the bass schools to break up over the summer months and spread out in the deep water. Here, they suspend where they are comfortable in the thermocline.
boat. These fish can be ridiculously tough to fool with a lure when below the boat, but a live shrimp can be a totally different story. You will need to drop the shrimp vertically to the same depth as the fish and wait for the bites. Depending on the mood of the fish it can take seconds or minutes to get the desired response, but it is probably the best way to consistently catch big bass in Cressbrook over the summer months. Just remember there is a speed limit of 8 knots and a restricted area at
This stud golden perch was an accidental capture. The team were winding their lures in closer to the boat to avoid a pile of lay down timber on Pelican Point at Somerset when all hell broke loose. When the fish are scattered out in the middle, trolling is a great way to entice them. To be successful, study your sounder to work out what depth the fish are holding at. You then need to choose a lure that can dive as close to them as possible. Deep divers that can reach 10m deep are often necessary. Lures like the Blitz Baga, Little Rippa, Smak Golden Child and Poltergeist 50mm Crazy Deep are ideal. Some kayakers have also managed to score some quality bass trolling tail spinners. The best section for trolling is usually out from Bass Bay and across the buoy line to Deer Island. Sometimes when you stop the boat, the fish will school below you out in the deep water. A spot lock electric will ensure you stay stationary and give them a good chance to school up below your
Cressbrook Dam. Check out the signage to ensure you stay out of trouble and abide by the rules. The gate hours for the boat ramps and day use area will be extended this month to 6am until 8pm. •For all your fishing supplies and the latest reports on Cressbrook and the surrounding dams, call in to see Fish’n’Bits in Alderly Street. They have a great range of lures and fishing gear. The boys can sort you out with the right gear and give you some tips on where to find them. SOMERSET CLOSEST TOWNS: ESK, KILCOY The fishing at Somerset was sensational at the start of the year. Trolling deep-diving hardbodies has been working a treat with fish schooling from Pelican Point all the way up past Kirkleigh. These bass schools also have a few golden perch mixed in to keep anglers busy. The
schools of bass have been quite mobile and trolling is a great way to explore the deep drop-offs into the old creek bed. At times the fish can also be found out wider in deeper water where they will suspend at a comfortable level. Keep exploring until you get a bite or find them on the sounder and then concentrate on that area. A lot of smaller fish are being caught, which is a good sign for the future. The bigger models tend to hold together, so again keep exploring to find them. The southern side of Pelican Point is a good spot to start. I have said it many times before and will say it again, use your Insight Social maps to follow the contours and find the fish. These maps can be downloaded onto an SD card and then run in the later model Lowrance and Simrad sounders. I go into the shading area and highlight 10m of water as a contrasting colour to make that depth range stand out on the contour chart. The way this has changed my fishing and results for the better is unreal. While most fish are being fooled on trolled lures, they can still be caught casting. The smaller fish have been most responsive and are not as fussy about what you offer them. The big units are a different story and can be very frustrating. When they are chewing, spoons will produce the numbers. We have started the day off tossing spoons with plenty of success only to have the bite shut down quickly. Tail spinners seem to keep the bites coming throughout the day. Try to work these at the same depth as the fish. Sometimes burning or high hopping them off the bottom into suspended fish is the way to go. Other times a slow wind may be more productive. There could be a trend where the fish prefer bigger baits wound more slowly along the bottom. Summer months are usually the time to try deep spinnerbaits, beetle spin rigged torpedoes and chatterbaits. These lures need to be at least 1/2oz in weight and fished on light braid to keep them deep enough. Because they do not cast as far as other lure options, wind drifting and dragging them along with the boat is a very successful method. •Somerset Fishing has their store based at the area above the day use boat ramp. The store is open over holidays and otherwise from Friday to Sunday. Orders can also be made online via the website www. somersetfishing.com.au. They have an excellent range of gear suited to fishing for bass and golden perch.
Ben Black worked hard to fool a big one last month at Somerset. This giant of a summer bass ate the maggot coloured Jets tail spinner. WIVENHOE CLOSEST TOWNS: FERNVALE, ESK Despite the heat, there are still fish to be caught around the weed edges in the bay near Billies Bay boat ramp. Smaller bass seem to be most common now. You will need to cover some water and watch the sounder to find the best patches of fish. Once you find them, they should take TN60 Jackalls pulled back to the boat from the weed edge. This bite will be tough during the day as the fish go deeper and get harder to entice. Trolling the flats out in front of Billies Bay and working the sunken islands down towards the buoy line should produce bass, golden perch and plenty of fork-tailed catfish. Tail spinners were working well in the deeper water once fish were found last month, so they will definitely be worth a try. MOOGERAH CLOSEST TOWNS: RATHDOWNEY, BOONAH The fishing has been a
bit tougher at Moogerah. The fish that were suspending through the trees have been harder to find. Trolling will be a good option to cover heaps of water and closely study the sounder for any signs of life. Pick a medium running hardbody that dives to around 5m for inside the timber. If you go exploring on the flats and points in the main basin, you can run deeper lures without fear of snagging. The sounder will tell you what depth to fish. The fish are likely to be suspended off the bottom, so choose a lure to suit. If casting, reaction lures like lipless baits, spinnerbaits and tail spinners should do the trick. MAROON CLOSEST TOWNS: BOONAH, BEAUDESERT The surface action at Maroon should be in full swing. Bass can be caught at first light and late in the afternoon until dark. Topwater lures like small poppers and walkthe-dog style stickbaits are
perfect. Fish these around the healthy weed edges or over the tops of any submerged weed. When working these lures, allow a good pause of 2-5 seconds every metre or so. The better the spot, the slower your retrieve should be. Bass are a fish that will come back for multiple goes at a surface lure if they miss the hooks. The trick to getting them to come back is to leave the lure where they missed it. If you strike and pull it away from this zone, the fish won’t be able to find it again. Allow enough time for the fish to turn around and realign itself for another attempt before you move the lure again. If the line to the lure is tight the fish will hook itself on most occasions. During daylight hours, spinnerbaits and beetle-spin rigged soft plastics will get the bites around the weeded edges. Finding fish during the day and studying the To page 104
Gary’s Marine Centre
3201 6232
217 Pine Mountain Road, BRASSALL FEBRUARY 2019
103
Trades, Services, Charter BOAT MODIFICATIONS & REPAIRS
BAIT & TACKLE
CUSTOM ALLOY FABRICATION
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• Boat repairs & fitouts • Bait tanks • Transom rebuilds • Fuel tanks • Consoles
Davo’s Tackleworld Noosaville (07) 5449 8099 Davo’s Tackleworld Marcoola (07) 5448 8244
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MARINE MECHANICS // MOBILE
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Lake Monduran House Boat www.lakemonduranhouseboathire.com.au
Wondall Rd Marine (07) 3396 5633
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Boab Boat Hire - 1300 002 622
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SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND ASM Mobile Welding Brisbane 0409 624 402 Bluewater Windscreens Brisbane (07) 3382 7883 Boat Collar (07) 5441 3636 CMC Marine Sales 0409 910 808 Iconic Boats Brisbane 0475 311 447 Marine Windows and Doors Brisbane (07) 3284 5088 Small Craft Electrics (mobile) 0408 063 064
MARINE MECHANICS
nkelly@fishingmonthly.com.au BOAT PAINTING BRISBANE
FIBREGLASS Brisbane South and Gold Coas t
• Modifications • Detailing • Repairs JOE BONNICI
0410 480 203
MARINE TRAILERS Oceanic Boat Trailers (07) 5597 0577 Sea-Link Special Trailers (07) 3881 3568 Spitfire Trailers (07) 0400 866 323 Tinnie Tosser (07) 5498 7339
MARINE ELECTRONICS
MARINE ELECTRONICS SALES • REPAIRS • INSTALLATIONS
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• Sounders • GPS • Electric Motors • Marine Radios and accessories • Stereos • Televisions • Radar Units • Autopilots
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Repairs
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T&S Marine (07) 5546 2599 Whitewater Marine (07) 5532 4402
SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Brisbane Yamaha (07) 3888 1727 Caloundra Marine (07) 5491 1944 Capalaba Boat Centre 04011 728 379 Coorparoo Marine (07) 3397 4141 Cunningham Marine Centre (07) 3284 8805 Holt Marine (07) 3353 1928 Northside Marine (07) 3265 8029 Stones Corner Marine (07) 3397 9766
NORTH QUEENSLAND Reef Marine Mackay (07) 4957 3521
www.trymax.com.au PHONE: 07 3245 3633
Unit 4/1440 New Cleveland Road Capalaba
MARINE OUTBOARD WRECKERS TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND North Queensland Outboard Wreckers Townsville 1800 812 748
FISH TAXIDERMY Fish Taxidermist www.fishtaxidermy.net.au or 0428 544 841
FISHING GUIDES CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Lake Monduran Barra Charters 0407 434 446
TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Hooked On Hinchinbrook www.hookedonhinchinbrook.com
This section in QLD 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. 116
FEBRUARY 2019
Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory MARINE TRIMMERS SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Affordable Boat Covers Gold Coast 0419 424 587 Brisbane Yamaha (07) 3888 1727 Rays Canvas & Marine Caboolture (07) 5499 4911 Rowland Street Boat Trimmers Springwood (07) 3208 9511
Dave Gaden’s Yamba • Deep Sea
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The Islander Retreat, South Stradbroke Island 0420 967 557
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION FRASER ISLAND Apurla Island Retreat 0437 739 121 Cathedrals on Fraser (07) 4127 9177 Eurong Beach Resort 1800 111 808 Fraser Island Beach Houses 1800 626 230 Waddy Lodge on Fraser 0414 516 364 Yidney Rocks (07) 4127 9167
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Baffle Creek Holiday House 0419 624 833
COOKTOWN River of Gold Motel 4069 5222
MACKAY BEL AIR MOTEL, MACKAY - PLENTY OF ROOM FOR BOATS AND TRAILERS.............PH: 07 4957 3658 FRESHWATER Lake Boondooma Caravan Park (07) 4168 9694 Lake Cressbrook Regional Council 131 872 Yallakool Caravan Park on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746 Yallakool Park and Kiosk on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746
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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
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GOLD COAST BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters 0414 293 034 Coastal Sports Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0412 691 929 Discovery Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0427 026 519 Fish The Deep Charters 0416 224 412 Gold Coast Fishing Charters 0411 605 090 Gone Fishing Charters Gold Coast (07) 5529 7833 Hooker 1 Charters Gold Coast (07) 5528 6469 My Charter Boat Tweed Heads 0407 347 446 Paradise Fishing Charters 0403 531 428 RU4 Reel Tweed Heads 0449 903 366 Sea Probe Fishing Charters 0400 312 330 True Blue Fishing Gold Coast (07) 5510 9622
BRISBANE Big Cat Charters and Tom Cat Charters 0433 430 248 Brisbane Fishing Charters 0427 026 510 Bucket List Fishing Charters 0428 368 316 Frenzy Charters Brisbane (07) 3209 4576 John Gooding Outlaw Charters 0418 738 750 Moreton Island Fishing Charters 0413 128 056
SUNSHINE COAST Fish n Crab Charters Mooloolaba 0412 155 814 Fishing Offshore Noosa 0418 889 956 Hervey Bay Fishing Charters (07) 4125 3958 Incredible Charters 1300 655 818 Keely Rose Deep Sea Fishing Charters 0407 146 151 Noosa Fishing Charters (07) 5665 8170 Odyssey Charters Deep Sea Fishing (07) 5478 1109 Offshore Reef and Game Fishing 0413 485 402 Rainbow Beach Fishing Charters 0439 775 070 Smithy’s Fishing Charters Sunshine Coast 0407 574 868 Sunshine Coast Fishing Charters (07) 5500 0671 Top Catch Charters Sunshine Coast 0429 013 012
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CENTRAL QUEENSLAND (Cont.) Bundaberg Fishing Charters 0429 017 217 Sport Fish 1770 (07) 4974 9686 Coral Coast Game Fishing 0447 347 437 Norval Reef Charters 1800 771 234 Iluka Fishing Charters Gladstone 0414 940 911 Kanimbla Charters Gladstone1800 677 202
TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Action Charters Mackay 0417 452 346 Cairns Charter Boat 0427 533 081 Cairns Fishing Charters 0427 400 027 Cairns Reef Charter Services 1800 119 044 Eclipse FNQ Weipa Charters 0488 058 668 Fairdinkum Fishing Charters Townsville (07) 4751 5324 Fish’s Fly & Sportsfishing Weipa (07) 4069 9957 Fishing Charters Townsville 0403 386 722 JC’s Fishing Charters 0438 753 382
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NORTHERN NSW Evans Head Deep Sea Fishing Charters 0428 828 835 Reel Time Fishing Charters Yamba 0428 231 962 Wooli Fishing Charter (02) 6649 7100
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Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0834 or email nkelly@fishingmonthly.com.au FEBRUARY 2019
117
FUN PAGE AND COMPETITIONS SHARK SPECIES
GREAT WHITE TIGER MAKO BULL WHALE GUMMY LEMON BASKING GREENLAND BLACK TIP HAMMERHEAD
DTD - REAL FISH OITA
WHITE TIP DUSKY SANDBAR NURSE CARIBBEAN BLACK TIP BLUE SILKY GREY COPPER SCHOOL
Name: Address:
P/Code:
The first correct entry at the end of each month will win the prize pack. SEND ENTRIES TO: QLD Find-a-word Competition, PO box 3172, Loganholme Qld 4129
QLD FEBRUARY 2019
Phone (day):
FINS SCALES & TALES by A. Both
The ‘Real Fish Oita’ is an incredible, award winning squid jig manufactured in Europe by leading Croatian company - DTD. Taking out the coveted ‘best new product’ in its class at the EFTTEX 2015 Expo in Warsaw, this wonderful range is now available in Australia through Dogtooth Distribution. The product imitates real fish species. This coupled with DTD’s use of only the highest grade materials available, ensures great balance and results in superior catching ability. With the unique ‘fish parasite’ feature, aimed at luring predators in for an ‘easy kill’, these truly unique jigs are set to explode into the Australian market. FEATURES - Double weight system with inner weight designed to produce sound while squid jig is in action. COLOURS - 7 different designs representing popular fish species. ADDITIONAL - Luminous body, fish parasite, great balance, sound effect, quality stainless steel hooks SIZES - 5 Sizes available www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au
SPOT THE
10 DIFFERENCES
GEORGE & NEV by Michael Hardy
ORIGINAL
FIND-A-WORD
Congratulations to, Wayne Robinson who was last month’s winner of the Find-aWord Competition! Monthly winners receive a Fishing Monthly prize pack. Prize delivery can take 8 weeks. – QFM
SUBSCRIBER PRIZE
The subscriber prize winner for December is B Pickup of Thuringowa Central, who won a Okuma Prize Pack valued at $300. All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM
Inwood of Kirwan, S Williams of Aspley, C Rowe of Loganholme, J Boneham of Eight Mile Plains, B Johnson of Woodgate, K Edwards of East Innisfail, B Mumbray of Yorkeys Knob, A Scott of Proserpine, V Ilka of Lockrose, J McQuaigue of Currumbin Waters, S Tidmarsh of Sandstone Point, G Anderson of Emu Park, J Goody of Mt Berryman, B Nicholson of Bundamba,
G Sprott of Glenlee , E Boettcher of Tivoli, M Goodwin of Cardwell, V Bunn of Frenchville, J Handley of Pacific Haven, A Bragg of Mount Isa, G Green of Currumbin Waters, D McClurg of Boondall, W Sommerfield of Toowoomba, P Fielder of Everton Hills, J Lestor of Beachmere, S Goddard of Raceview, G Walker of Warne. P r i z e delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM
LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS
FIND THE GAMAKATSU LOGO
© A Cordelia Adams original artwork. Instagram: clausdoesart
The answers to Find the Gamakatsu Logo for December were: 15, 16, 24, 32, 36, 42, 45, 51, 52, 54, 56, 60, 63, 65, 78. – QFM
118
FEBRUARY 2019
This month’s Guess the Fish Answer: Carp
The Find the Gamakatsu Logo prize winners for December were: B Barratt of Bucca, R Gilbert of River Heads, D Hall of Glenwood, R Taskis of Ashmore, R Schefe of Point Vernon, B Wingert of Acacia Ridge, B Mackey of Parkwood, F Heiniger of Woombye, L Dyke of St Leonards, K Bennett of Doonan, R Kunde of Beerwah, D Skewes of Bli Bli, G Tonkin of Woodgate, J
GUESS THE FISH?
Answer:
boats & kayaks
In the skipper’s seat
Inside story...
Stacer have been making boats for over 40 years, and in that time have gained a reputation for building tough boats to suit Australian conditions. With over 70 models in the range, whether you are after a serious fishing rig, a family fun machine or a budget friendly tinny, Stacer has you covered.
Made for...
Stacer boats are designed to dominate all sorts of waterways. There are boats to suit offshore, in the bay and in freshwater fishing locations.
This month...
120 Paddle and pedal North Pine Dam
Troy Brown offers some tips to finding the bass in North Pine Dam, which is now open to kayaks!
124 Ned rigs in the yak Justin Willmer has a shot using Ned rigs from his kayak, with surprising results!
126 More towing tips Wayne Kampe gives away some more tips for towing your beloved rig safely!
Peter Jung compares the new Stacer 399 Proline and 429 Proline Angler in the beautiful Venus Bay. Check it out on page 128!
FEBRUARY 2019
119
WHAT’S NEW BOATING STACER 529 ASSAULT PRO
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The Stacer 529 Assault Pro Tournament is a true fishing machine. The front and rear carpet casting areas have enough space for multiple mates to fish off at all angles. Standard with useful accessories, the 529 Tournament comes fitted with a thruster plate bow mount for an electric motor, and anglers with a large quiver can easily store and organize their rods in the centre underfloor storage compartment. This boat is equipped with Stacer’s Revolution Hull. The pressed hull increases strength by 50% and the stretch formed shape creates an extremely smooth ride. This, in combination with a raised chine, keeps occupants safe in rough conditions and following seas. Stacer’s Ready 2 Go turnkey packages mean you can hit the water right away, and the five-year Stacer warranty provides peace of mind. www.stacer.com.au
RAYMARINE ELEMENT
2
Raymarine Element is a new generation of advanced, combination sonar and GPS displays. Building on the success of Axiom navigation displays, the Raymarine Element incorporates RealVision 3D sonar technology, improving your underwater view with 3D bottom imagery and more precise location of fish targets. Element also introduces new HyperVision 1.2MHz sonar technology, featuring ultra-high CHIRP sonar frequencies. HyperVision enhances the DownVision, SideVision, and RealVision 3D sonar, allowing anglers to see structure, vegetation, and fish with lifelike detail. The new LightHouse Sport operating system and intuitive keypad controls let anglers quickly mark spots and create high-definition bathymetric maps using the new Raymarine RealBathy real-time sonar map generator capability. The quad-core processor delivers instantaneous chart redraw, smooth RealVision 3D imaging, and fast response. The Element series consists of 7”, 9”, and 12” display models, and it will begin shipping in the first quarter of 2019. www.raymarine.com/element
JOHN DEERE 4.5L MARINE ENGINE
3
The new John Deere PowerTech 4045SFM85 marine engine is now ready to ship to customers worldwide. The new 4045SFM85 offers high powerto-weight ratio for repowering and new boat construction, and is ideal for planing and semi-displacement hulls. The engine uses a waste-gated turbocharger that provides more torque capability at the low and middle rpm range, and features replaceable cylinder liners, making it possible to rebuild the engine for extended service life. Additional features include: standard front fuel service, optional left- or right-hand oil filter options for twin engine applications; upgraded valve train (delivers a 40% increase in power and a 9% reduction in total engine weight for a 53% increase in power density compared to its predecessor); low-profile heat exchanger (reduces height by 4.3cm); and water-cooled exhaust manifold creates a cooler and quieter environment. For a complete list of specifications visit the Power Equipment website. www.powerequipment.com.au 122
FEBRUARY 2019
HYDRODRIVE STEERING
PRODUCT GUIDE
4
Small boat owners with craft up to 150hp are typically limited to mechanical cable style steering systems.This push/pull cable setup often requires higher maintenance than hydraulic steering, and can result in diminished performance over time. Hydrodrive is a hydraulic steering system for small boats up to 150hp. This affordable, quality product is available in four complete kits ready for installation or refit. It’s an economical and flexible alternative to mechanical steering, providing the capability of a hydraulic system typically only seen on 8m+ boats. Users will benefit from smoother operation, lower maintenance, and straightforward installation. Complete all-in-one kits with universal fittings compatible with most outboards up to 150hp. Hydrodrive provides smooth positive steering, fitted to the outboard with tube mounting. Each kit contains a pump with fitting, cylinder with fitting, twin hose set with required connections, and 1L of oil. Components are over-engineered to prevent leaks, even under extremely high pressure, and anodised for superior corrosion resistance. Hydrodrive Systems are backed by a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty. www.amisales.com.au/hydrodrive
MERCURY NVH CENTRE
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3
5
Mercury Marine has opened a new stateof-the-art Noise, Vibration, Harshness (NVH) Technical Centre at its global headquarters in Wisconsin, USA. The A$14 million NVH testing and research centre, which covers some 1900m2, is the largest and most expansive facility of its kind in the marine industry. NVH is the engineering practice of studying noise, vibration and harshness characteristics. The new centre houses structural dynamic testing bays, listening rooms, and two marinespecific, hemi-anechoic chambers (high-tech spaces with sound-absorbent materials on the walls and ceiling along with a sound insulated floor). “The NVH building and its capabilities will set a new benchmark in the marine industry,” said Tim Reid, Mercury Marine vice president of product development and engineering. “We are looking forward to giving our engineers a worldclass facility where they can study every noise, movement and performance indicator on every engine we manufacture.” www.mercurymarine.com.au
ACTIVE TRIM VIA VESSELVIEW
1
4
5
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Mercury Marine’s Active Trim system can now be controlled through VesselView information screens. Active Trim automatically trims an engine(s). It makes boating easier, mproves engine performance and cuts fuel costs. Originally, Active Trim was controlled through a separate dash-mounted key pad. Now drivers have the option to buy an Active Trim computer module to provide control via VesselView’s multi-function touch screen. The GPS-based control system takes into account both speed and rpm when deciding on the ideal trim position. It also solves the issue of the engine trimming up too early or too late while the boat is getting up on the plane. There are five trim profiles, and you just select the best profile for any application. You can personalise Active Trim to your driving style and/or compensate for changes in boat load, and conditions. You can easily disengage and re-engage the system with the manual trim buttons. www.mercurymarine.com.au
6
Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au
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3775 Pacific HWY, Loganholme 07 3133 3468 www.brisbanequintrex.com.au • sales@brisbanequintrex.com.au
BRISBANE
BUNDABERG
Adrians Marine Centre
28 Ritchie St, Bundaberg 07 4153 1819 www.adriansmarinecentre.com.au • adriansmarinecentre@bigpond.com.au
Marine Care Qld
15 Daintree Drive, Redland Bay 07 3186 5270 www.marinecareqld.com • enquiries@marinecareqld.com
TOOWOOMBA
Caloundra Marine
8 Baldwin St, Caloundra 07 5491 1944 www.caloundramarine.com.au • sales@caloundramarine.com.au
GLADSTONE
Steve Fleetwood Marine
10 Morgan St, Gladstone 07 4972 9463 sfmarine@tpg.com.au
Waterskiers Warehouse
91-93 Neil St, Toowoomba 0400 379 514 www.waterskierswarehouse.com.au • rod@waterskierswarehouse.com.au
FEBRUARY 2019
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Two smaller Stacer boats with a lot to offer - SC
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Peter Jung pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au
Testing boats for the magazines can at times be hard work. Poor weather can affect our ability to get a feel for how a boat performs, time limitations also prevent us from really testing things like the fishability of a boat and use it in the way you would expect to use it if it were your own. So, when the opportunity comes up to not only have an extended period of time using a boat, but to also compare two boats that are designed with similar styles of fishing in mind, you jump at that chance. This was the case when Andrew Stephen from Melbourne Marine Centre contacted me about testing a Stacer 429 Proline Angler and a Stacer 399 Proline at Venus Bay over a weekend. COMPARING THE TWO The 429 Proline Angler and the 399 Proline are part of the Stacer stable of boats built using the Striker Series hull. I will go more into the performance of the
hulls separately, however, the biggest difference I could see in the hull configuration itself was that the Proline Angler had a bit more V through to the transom to divert/cut water away from the hull, whereas the Proline had a much flatter profile. Both are designed to be stable underway and at rest, and that makes them very suitable for casting lures from (which was our intention over the weekend). But it also means the vessel is very comfortable if you wish to bait fish or troll. With the lure casting in mind, Andrew has optioned both with a Motorguide Xi3 55lb trust electric motor. Other than the overall length, the biggest difference between the boats is above the hull storage wise. The Angler has more storage space and options within the casting deck at the front. The Angler tested had a plumbed livewell installed, as an example. The Angler is also has a significantly heavier (hull weight) than the standard Proline. Motor wise both boats were fitted with Mercury 4-stroke outboards, the
Main: Fishing Monthly always loves the opportunity to compare boats designed for similar uses. If you are after a boating package to fish your local estuary, our inland lakes or rivers, it is well worth checking out the Stacer 399 Proline and the Stacer 429 Proline Angler. Above: The Mercury 20hp 4-stroke and Stacer 399 Proline was a great match – a simple boating package that will provide hours of enjoyment on the water. Angler with a 30hp and the Proline with a 20hp. LAUNCHING AND RETRIEVING Both packages came on a Stacer Alloy Light trailer and could be towed by your average family vehicle. These packages are matched to trailers in the factory, so they towed with no fuss at all. Although the boat ramp
at Venus Bay is a good one, at low tide it has its challenges and it was good to know that even in very
low water both boats were simple to launch and retrieve and could easily be done by one person if need be.
STORAGE Although a feature of the 429 Angler is the additional storage, with the extra space a full front casting deck provides, both boats have purpose built storage. The 399 has small pockets in the gunnel as well as an area at the bow for larger items. In addition to front deck storage, the Angler has very clever storage hatches near the transom and the test boat was also fitted with a deluxe rod locker. Overall, both have enough storage to keep things out from under your feet. RIDE AND HANDLING I have to say I was a little surprised at how different the boats performed on the water as far as ride and handling was concerned. It goes to show how much weight affects performance of a hull and also how much even a small V changes what the hull has to do to get on the plane.
SPECIFICATIONS 399 Proline 429 Proline Angler Overall length ........................................3.99m ....................................... 4.28m Beam......................................................1.82m ....................................... 1.84m Length on trailer ...................................5.65m ....................................... 5.65m Hull weight ............................... Approx. 111kg ..........................Approx. 260kg Top ......................................................1.60mm .................................... 1.60mm Bottom ................................................1.60mm .................................... 2.00mm Min hp ......................................................20hp ......................................... 30hp Max hp .....................................................30hp ......................................... 40hp Max persons .................................................4 ............................................... 4 128
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Once on the plane the Stacer 429 Proline Angler matched with a Mercury 30hp 4-stroke handled beautifully.
429 Proline Angler The 429 Angler is rated to a 40hp motor with the test boat packaged with a 30hp on the back. With the extra length and weight of the boat, the 30hp was a little sluggish to get on the plane with two people onboard (some of that may have been to do with this rather large author), but once there it was excellent. We were unable to get performance figures, but a boat like this isn’t about getting from A to B in a hurry, more importantly it has to handle well and maneuverer easily at low and high speed. This it did, beautifully. The package doesn’t draw a great deal of water, which was a godsend at low tide at Venus Bay and this also gave us the ability to sneak up a few
Mia Stephen was keen to come out with the team and catch a few fish while they tested the boats. She spent most of her time in the 399 Proline, showing dad how it is done. rock solid in this department. 399 Proline The 399 has a maximum horsepower rating of 30hp, so my expectation of the test
The 399 Proline had plenty of fishing mojo. Andrew caught some solid fish too. little tidal creeks that see very little fishing pressure, which was a real eye opener for this Queensland angler. Stability underway and at rest are also vital components of smaller boats and the Angler version is
boat was similar to the 429 Angler, that it would take a little time to get on the plane with the 20hp Mercury it was packaged with. I was wrong – the lighter and flatter hull meant that the 399 transitioned onto
the plane comfortably and, like the 429, handled well at low and high speeds. It too was very comfortable in shallow conditions and was even more suited to the low tide exploring we did at Venus Bay. Andrew installed a casting platform and a low profile floor in the 399 to assist angler stability at rest, which made it great to cast lures from. It was also very stable underway. FISHABILITY Although we spent plenty of time motoring around putting both boats through their paces, we also allowed plenty of time to take in the fishing that Venus Bay has to offer, especially the estuary perch fishing. A key component of this was accessing the waterway at low tide and fishing the mangrove lined edges and channels as the tide pushed in. As mentioned, this was a key feature of both boats. Andrew has shown us in past tests we have done with him that he likes to purpose fitout his boat packages and this was once again the case, as the addition of the Motorguide Xi3 on both boats meant we could stealthily position ourselves to cast our soft plastics and use it as an anchor (anchor
lock) when fish were found. Both boats have excellent stability at rest, even when anglers fish from the same areas of the boat. It was interesting to see photos of the boat when both anglers
Although we did not have fuel usage figures, Mercury outboards are known for being frugal on fuel and this proved to be the case. The boats started with full tanks and after two days running around there was more than half a tank left in both. How does this improve fishability, I hear you ask? You can fish for longer and it is more affordable. FINAL THOUGHTS I have had a bit of time since doing these tests to think about summing up what each has to offer and which I would buy for myself to go and do the types of fishing we did at Venus Bay. Is it as simple as bigger is better? No, it’s not. Both boats tick the key boxes when it comes to having a package that will allow you to fish with lures
as it allows you to have a few extra outfits onboard, but I also like the simplicity the 399 offers. I was very impressed by how the 399 and the 20hp Mercury outboard matched up. It was a great little setup, with a tested price of $17,431. That is very affordable and I don’t believe I would change too much. I have very similar thoughts on the 429 Angler, but I would put the maximum horsepower on the transom. On those days when you have three or four onboard you would appreciate it and it would be a bit more aggressive onto the plane, which I prefer. Doing this adds a little over $3000 dollars to the $23,750 as tested price. Although marketed as entry-level packages, there is a lot of value in what
To be able to spend a couple days using the boats as you would your own was a great opportunity. Here the author is putting the final touches on a silver trevally he caught from the 429 Proline Angler. were together. It shows the boat leaning, but you didn’t notice this while on board. We did not fish three out of either boat, but I believe you could do it in the larger 429 comfortably. In the 399 it may be a tight squeeze.
in areas like Venus Bay, or any of our estuary systems, and would be well and truly at home on our inland waterways or rivers like the Murray. I like the additional storage the 429 Angler has,
the Stacer 399 Proline and the 429 Proline Angler have to offer and they are well worth a look. To find out more about the full range of Stacer packages, visit www.stacer.com.au or contact your local dealer.
Both boats were set up with simplicity in mind. The addition of an electric motor, a quality sounder and some thought put into the layout and you have two great fishing and boating packages. FEBRUARY 2019
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Both boats were on a Stacer Alloy Light trailer. They are matched by the factory, ensuring they tow well and making launching and retrieving a breeze.
Both packages use the Stacer Striker series hull. The Proline Angler hull had a bit more V to improve water deflection and deal with the extra weight of the hull. The wider chines provide great stability at rest and underway.
Simple and effective storage is provided in the 399 Proline. One of the biggest differences between the two packages is the storage that the Proline Angler offers. Lots of storage keeps the decks clear and provides more room to fish.
The Mercury 4-stroke range is known to be frugal on their fuel usage. Reliable and fuel efficient, what more can you ask for? 130
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The Motorguide Xi3 electric motors that were on both boats provided the stealth and manoeuvrability to fish the mangrove lined system at Venus Bay. Just hit anchor lock and stay where the fish are when you find them.
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