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SUMMER HOLIDAY FISHING • BULL SHARK BASICS

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How to catch bull sharks • Stalking the estuary flats • Pumping yabbies this school holidays •

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in these editions. I’m not a massive fan of reading magazines online, but even I think that the speed of publication and the experience is pretty cool. Are we giving up on print? No way. I’m the world’s biggest fan of unwrapping a magazine that the postie has delivered, and enjoying the contents without the clutter that you’re bombarded with in social media. So no matter what hurdles that distributors and the postal service put in our way, you have my assurance that if you’re a fan of print, we will satisfy your need for years to come.

a couple of WEEKS earlier than you’d get it in your mailbox. And, in the light of the Australia Post dilemma, we’ve made the deal irresistible. You just have to read the magazine on your desktop, tablet or handheld device. For the standard subscription price of $65, you now will have access to not just your home state, but ALL THREE Fishing Monthly titles – the day they go to the printer! If you value being the first to read the monthly issue, then this solution may very well be for you. As an added bonus, all of the video boat tests, tackle reviews and other content we create is embedded and clickable

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10 14 48 58

In recent years we have encouraged anglers to sign up for subscriptions, with the result that over 7000 copies of Fishing Monthly are mailed each month to loyal readers. However, in the last few years, Australia Post has raised postage prices by over 50%. Couple that with increasingly poor service in the same timeframe, and there’s no wonder that I have much less hair that I did in 2013! We have been left with no choice but to pay a premium to Australia Post to send our subscriber magazines via Priority Post. It grinds my gears to pay a company extra because of how poorly they do their job. But we will, because we owe it to our supporters. A DIGITAL SOLUTION? Concurrently, we’ve quietly launched a digital subscription to Fishing Monthly in the background. Delivered via the issuu.com platform, we now have a way that you can read the magazine only hours after it goes to press. That’s

AUST

We fought and we lost. More than six years ago, we raised the price of Fishing Monthly magazines (all states) to $5.95 from $4.95. I honestly believed that it would be our last price rise. Ever. After all, it’s our readership that makes this magazine what it is. We have lots of readers all loving to hear about their own state. Reports on what’s going on in places they fish is more relevant than exotic species in exotic locations. So, when our newsagent distributor dictated that they needed a bigger chunk of the pie, we were left with no choice but to add a dollar to the cover price. This issue is the first time a Fishing Monthly magazine has cost you $6.95. Well, not if you count the old Annual magazines ($9.95), Catch magazine ($19.95) or Tournament Angler Guides ($9.95), but you get what I mean. It’s not an easy road for publishers at the moment.

REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics 100 Camping and 4WD 80 Cooking 88 Dam Levels 74 Freshwater 74 Fun Page 90 Junior Northern 67 Junior Southern 36 Politics and fishing 98 Sheik of the Creek 67 Tech Tricks 18 Tournament News 91 Track my fish 86 Trades and Services 96 What’s New Fishing 68 What’s New Boating 102 SPECIAL FEATURES How to catch bull sharks Stalking the estuary flats Pumping yabbies DIY lure making: Glidin’ Doc

From the Editor’s Desk...

BOATING AND KAYAK

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Whitsundays 60 Ayr 61 Townsville 62 Hinchinbrook 63 Cairns 64 Port Douglas 64 Lucinda 65 Cairns NFZ 65 Cape York 66 Weipa 66

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SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND The Tweed 24 Southern Gold Coast 26 Jumpinpin 30 Gold Coast Canals 28 Gold Coast 32 Southern Bay 34 Brisbane 38 Brisbane Offshore 40 Northern Bay 42 Noosa 44

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Bull Shark

Never mind the bull, here’s how to catch sharks BRISBANE

Bob Thornton

Summer can be a tough time for anglers in Queensland. There can be weeks of unbearably hot days, followed by periods of cataclysmic downpours that can leave our

reputation as a killing machine and a menace to our waterways, can actually be great sport during summer. They’re big, they pull hard, they jump, they’re abundant, and they can be caught at any time of the day – what’s not to like? Best of all, with the use of circle hooks, you can release

of fishing, so I can’t give advice on it. After being spawned (bull sharks pups are actually born live, like mammals), the juveniles swim into rivers, creeks and canals to live for a few years, free from predation in an environment that is full of food. As I’ve already stated, these sharks

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The bull sharks encountered in the tidal freshwater sections of rivers are usually around this size. waterways unfishable. On top of that, the hot weather can also have the same effect on the fish as it does on humans – sitting motionless out of the sun, trying to get reprieve from the heat. Quite often, the only time predatory fish are active during summer is at periods of low light, which can mean late finishes or super early starts. There is, however, one sporting target that is readily available along the entire Queensland coast that seems to thrive during the hottest periods of the year. The humble bull shark, while bearing an undeserved

these valuable members of the ecosystem back into the water, and satisfy the compulsion us catch-andrelease anglers have. So how do you find, catch and land these balls of muscle? Let me tell you what I’ve learnt over the years! ENVIRONMENT Straight off the bat, this article focuses on targeting the juvenile estuary-going bull sharks, which rarely exceed 1.5m in length, so rivers, creeks and canals are where most of my shark fishing happens. Larger sharks in more open waters require a different approach, and I’ve never done that sort

Circle hook

Many baits, both live and dead, will work for bullies, but nothing seems to come close to freshwater eel fillets, and a bait this size is ideal. exist all up and down the coast, and anywhere from the mouth of a river or creek system right up to the first

impassable barrier, which is sometimes in drinkable freshwater, is likely to house sharks. I’ve seen bull sharks trying to climb rapids, and the next bass I have had taxed by a hungry bully up in the fresh certainly won’t be the last. It’s this tolerance to freshwater that makes these animals so amazing and unique. RIGGING UP Most of those who chase bullies have preferences for their rigs, but there are some aspects of a bull shark rig that you simply can’t skimp on. The most obvious is a wire trace – that should be at least 30cm long. I’ve experimented with single strand rigs and premade nylon-coated traces, and haven’t noticed a lot of difference. The wire is

important to the rig because a bull shark’s teeth can cut through monofilament or fluorocarbon like cheese. On the bottom of the rig obviously you need a hook, and in the last season I’ve discovered how good circle hooks are for catch and release shark fishing. Anything between a 4/0 and a 10/0 size (depending on the size of the sharks you’re going up against) should suffice. These can either be crimped on when using nylon-coated wire, or attached with a Haywire twist, which you can easily learn from online videos. Some premade rigs also come with the hook already built into the rig. Above the wire trace, it’s important to have some fairly stiff, abrasion-

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Even bull sharks over a metre can be landed on light estuary tackle. The author landed this one on a 2-5kg spin rod and a 2500 size reel.

Bull Shark resistant monofilament or fluorocarbon. Bull sharks, and indeed most cartilaginous critters, have rough, sandpaper-like bodies that can wear through low-poundage lines, so it’s important to have something there that will stand up. I will usually never go any lower than 40lb, in either mono or fluoro, and even then I occasionally break off on bigger models. Obviously this two-part rig attaches to your mainline. These are the basics of a shark rig, and optional extras can include various weights, which I will use in strong current, and floats, either foam or biodegradable

balloons, which I regularly use to keep my baits away from bottom dwellers like catfish. On the other end, rods and reels will always be personal. I’ve never felt any need to over gun with heavy boat rods or anything like that, usually opting for lighter, snapper weight gear so I can enjoy the fight. Bullies fight cleanly, and can be knocked over on fairly light gear if you take your time and allow them to run when they want to. I’ve caught plenty of bullies on bass gear, some of them approaching the metre mark, so as long as there’s good terminal tackle on the

shark’s end, you should be able to wrestle them to the boat, kayak, or shore you’re standing on. BAITS Bully baits vary as much as the imagination, but there are a few standouts that BULLY BAITS Live Mullet Gar Herring Pike Dead Freshwater eel Tuna fillets Mullet fillets Stingray flaps Salami

Kayaks can get you into some of the more confined creeks that bullies will sometimes inhabit. It certainly adds a new element to shark fishing.

They may look quite gentle when out of the water, but under those gums are some nasty teeth – make sure to stay away from that end! rarely go untouched during a session. Live baits are a favourite amongst shark anglers, and in Queensland, where cast netting is legal, getting a few decent live baits for a shark session never takes long. I’ve used mullet, herring, gar and pike to catch bullies in the past, and generally speaking you’ll tend to select out bigger sharks when using livies. The right dead baits can out-fish any live bait if rigged correctly, and anyone who has targeted bullies will know just how effective freshwater eel fillet can be. You can either catch them yourself, or buy them from a tackle store that sells them.

They seem to work just as well when defrosted! Who said fresh is best… Any oily dead bait should work, such as bonito fillets and stingray flaps. I even have a friend who regularly catches them on salami! METHODS As a general rule, bullies tend to be hunters, not ambush predators. This means they will be actively searching for prey, and for most sharks, this is round-the-clock work. Because of this, I have found the sharks to be more active when the tide is moving, as a lot of sharks will swim with the current to cover more ground. So when you throw out your bully baits, the idea is for them to come to you.

Many times I have observed them on the sounder moving past the anchored boat, and within seconds one or more of the set rods will load up! Time of day seems to matter little when fishing in rivers and creeks. Although bullies as a general rule will favour periods of low light to hunt, they will hunt all day, even on really hot days. I have a clear memory of sharking on a record 40°C day in a Sunshine Coast creek, and catching a shark mid afternoon! There’s nothing in particular that I look for when choosing a spot – usually just somewhere I can comfortably anchor the To page 12

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Bull Shark From page 11

boat or kayak, or that allows me to fish from the bank without the current bringing my bait ashore. A nice outside bend in the river with plenty of current, or a creek or gully mouth will do just fine. The trick is to let the current take your offering away from the boat, and this way the flowing water will keep the bait away from you and hopefully in the one position. If you’re fishing with circle hooks, whether under a balloon or on the bottom, it’s important to have a means of feeding line to the bully once it grabs your bait. If you don’t have a baitrunner style reel, you can simply loosen the drag so line can run freely without

too much resistance. After allowing the shark to run for 5-10 seconds, it’s just a simple matter of slowly increasing the resistance until the circle hook point gets some purchase in the corner of the shark’s jaw. It’s as simple as that. If you decide to fish with a fixed float that doesn’t release from the trace when something takes the bait, it’s better to use a ‘j’ style hook. When fishing with this style of rig, it’s important that you hold the rod while waiting for a bite, and strike almost immediately when you see the float disappear under the surface. If you wait too long, the shark will feel the residence of the float and let go. Sharks won’t always take the bait and move

away from you. Sometimes they’ll move off sideways, or cruise back toward you. I’ve had sharks grab my bait, swim under the boat, before pulling tight again on the other side, all while I was having a yarn to my fishing buddy. It’s for this reason that you should always keep your eye on the line and watch for any movement. TOE TO TOE Bull sharks always give a good account of themselves, particularly on lighter tackle and, as I touched on earlier, they sometimes jump! Bigger bullies can sometimes take huge surging runs, so having a reel with a relatively smooth drag is a good idea. Another pro to fishing

With a couple of balloon rigs set behind an anchored boat on a still morning, anticipation is running high.

with light gear is that it tires the shark out before you bring it aboard. If you’ve ever had a large fish come aboard too green, you’ll know what I mean! When it comes time to land them, it’s important to keep safety as your first priority. A large landing net is always the safest option for landing a bully. If you don’t have one, beaching the animal on the bank is probably the second safest. Although I have tail-grabbed bullies to land them, I don’t recommend landing them in this way, because this leaves the head swinging free and snapping, ready to take a chunk out of an arm or leg. Long-nosed pliers are a must when sharking, as it allows for a safe hook removal, with your fingers well away from the business end! If you plan to hold up your bully for a photo, it’s easiest if you grab the tail firmly with one hand, and put another firm hand either under the belly, or around the back of the neck. The latter is better for small sharks. The whole time, I like to point the toothy end well away from my body. Another tip for shark handling is not to worry about gentle releases, as swimming the shark before release is just another opportunity for something to go very wrong.

Holding the toothy end away from your body is a good idea when handling these little balls of muscle. I usually just spear them straight back into the water like I would with pelagic species. Bullies are hardy and should swim straight off. EXTRA TIPS Some shark anglers recommend the use of berley. I don’t typically use berley, but if you want to tip the odds in your favour, it’s fairly easy to concoct your own. Just remember to keep it constant and not too heavy. Learning how to tie a simple balloon rig (which can be searched for online) will be of great value to you when you set out to target bullies. It can be used with the basic rig I mentioned before, and if you wish to change back to a bottom rig, you can simply remove the balloon from the trace.

It’s fine to keep one for a feed (they have a bag limit of one and a maximum size limit of 1.5m), but I regularly see and hear about individuals who proudly kill these animals needlessly after capture. If you chase sharks simply to kill them, you’re fishing for the wrong reasons. Not only does it make you look bad, it also reflects on the fishing community as a whole. Sportfishing should help to build a respect for a species of fish, and I’m not alone when I say it’s our responsibility to promote the conservation that we practise. I hope this gives you the boost you need to get out of the house in the middle of summer and load up on a few bullies.

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Tech Tricks

A basic guide to filleting a tasty mackerel BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

Anglers have been getting amongst the mackerel in Moreton Bay over the last few months. Both school and spotted mackerel have been fairly plentiful and

both are extremely tasty. They are often located and caught in good numbers at this time of the year, so I thought I would demonstrate an easy way to fillet them that will maximise your flesh yield and allow you to fillet numerous fish within a short period.

Whether you are filleting school and spotted mackerel, or perhaps even a Spanish mackerel, wahoo or other long pelagic fish, the basic filleting technique remains the same. When completed, this basic task will leave you with bone-free, skinless portions of tasty white flesh. These can then be cooked

in numerous ways including deep fried in crumbs or batter, grilled in lemon butter or portioned into curries, stir fries and pasta dishes. Mackerel is great eaten fresh but also freezes well, especially when you vacuum seal it. With seven hungry individuals in our household, we can go through a lot of

fish in a sitting. Additionally the kids always want a few pieces to take in their school lunch the next day, so I am often filleting quite a few mackerel at a time, especially when they are plentiful. Being able to process them efficiently is a godsend at the end of a long day on the water.

Immediately after catching your mackerel, it is best to bleed them quickly and put them into an ice slurry to maximise the flesh quality. Once home or at the ramp’s cleaning table, the next step is to remove the tasty flesh. Let’s look at an easy way to complete this task.

2 1

Insert your shorter blade down near the base of the tail along the back and push through until the point hits the backbone. The backbone is raised higher than the vertebrae, so you want to slice flush against the vertebrae and all the way through to the backbone.

Having a good surface – preferably a bench or fillet table high enough that you don’t need to bend at the waist – will make the task a lot less tiring. Use two sharp knives for filleting mackerel: one with a 7” blade and another with a 9” blade. You’ll also need a dish for your fillets and a few bags for the frames and skin offcuts. A hose or rags to wipe off your fillet table occasionally will keep your surface clean, however avoid getting water on the fillets. Have a fillet glove for your non-knife hand.

Next, slice across the fish with an angled cut that is roughly parallel to the gill plate opening and just behind the pectoral fin. Only cut deep enough that the blade touches the spine but doesn’t cut through it.

Continue to slice forward towards the head, keeping the blade flush against the vertebrae and only cutting in as far as the backbone. A razor sharp blade will make the task a lot easier and the flesh will slice cleanly without need to saw at the flesh. Slice all the way up to roughly behind the head. 18

JANUARY 2018

Cut up through the belly, using just the knifepoint to sever the belly flesh. Avoid cutting through the gut organs, which is messy. Once back past the gut area, push the blade deeper until the point again touches the spine. Keep the blade flat against the vertebrae as you cut towards the rear of the fish.

Tech Tricks

Once you are virtually down near the tail fluke, push the blade all the way through and then slice backwards to detach the rear of the fillet from the carcass. Holding the rear of the fillet upwards away from the backbone, slice along the top of the backbone to sever the last point of attachment, removing the fillet from the frame.

Cut the fillet into three or four sections. Each section will provide two portions of fish, so keep this in mind when working out how big you want each section. Change over to your longer blade for the remaining steps. Holding the rear of the tail portion, slice the blade into the flesh, keeping the blade flat against the skin of the fish. Slice forward, keeping the skin flat between the blade and the cutting surface and remove the skin fully.

Cut forward up to the slice you made behind the head. You will need to cut through the rib bones of the gut cavity as you do, however, as they are not tough; a sharp blade will do this with ease. Remove the fillet from the rest of the fish and lay skin side down. Put your knife blade parallel to the rib bones on the flesh side of the gut cavity. Slice down and around the ribs to remove the bones and gut. Discard into your waste bag.

The thicker sections forward of this are handled in a different way. Each will have bones running through the centre of the fillet. Position the blade edge against the centre bones and then slice straight down towards the skin before turning the blade 90Â° to get it flat against the skin. Slice outwards to remove the flesh totally from the skin. Repeat with the flesh on the other side of the fillet by slicing down the other side of the centre bones and then outwards to totally remove the remaining flesh.

Repeat with the other portion or portions of fillet. In this instance we are left with five portions of flesh and three sections of skin and bones. The skin/bone offcuts can be discarded. Here the flesh has been displayed to show the relevant pieces â€“ put the flesh straight into your dish as you remove it from the skin to avoid contact with any enzymes and slime on the cutting surface.

Obviously we would repeat the previous steps to fillet the other side of the mackerel. Sometimes I will remove all the fillets from each mackerel and then discard the frames and clean my working surface before processing the fillets into portions. If you donâ€™t like the strong taste mackerel can possess, trim the few remaining red sections from the fillets.

You should be able to process ten mackerel quite quickly and efficiently with this method. I like to keep all the tail portions together as these are a similar thickness and therefore they will cook at the same rate. Some mackerel will have roe in them and this can be removed for eating as well, although many consider it to be an acquired taste, and the frames can be kept for crab bait. From here you can portion the mackerel into meal-sized packets of fillets and freeze, although it is best eaten fresh. Enjoy! JANUARY 2018

Fishing after long period of stormy weather LAKE MONDURAN

Rob Howell

After a very wet start to the season, Lake Monduran has finally stopped spilling and the dam’s level settled recently at 100%. The fishing has been a bit tough, due to the stormy rain periods and variable winds that we had through

November and December. In saying this, there are little windows of opportunity when the barra get active and feed. There have been a few success stories post-flood. Just recently a few keen anglers from North Brisbane took advantage of some major bite times and came up with the goods, boating up to 16 barra per session on two separate occasions.

of this beautiful holiday park at this awesome holiday destination. Over the years we have met many wonderful holidaymakers that come here to chase big barra, kayak,

visited us in the past and we would like to welcome you all here again in the future. • You can contact our helpful staff for camping and accommodation enquiries on (07) 4157 3881

There have been quite a few barra success stories post-flood. Predicted bite times can be taken from most anglers almanacs; these times are based on a combination of tides, moon phases, sunrises and sunsets and give you an optimum fishing time throughout any particular day of the month. All these factors play a big part in tidal fishing. While a lake isn’t tidal, these predicted bite times have There are little windows of opportunity when the barra get active and feed.

Von Ireland

Filling in for regular reporter Von Ireland is her niece Pee Wee, who was taking care of the shop while Von was away. I wrote this article on behalf of Von, who is out discovering the other great wonders of our country. I thought I’d sneak in and pinch a piece of her paradise. The track into Stanage can’t be faulted. Road works

E MONDURAN HING INFO VISIT LAK FOR UP TO DATE FIS TERS ON FACEBOOK AR CH G HIN FIS ES GUIEDLIN

LICENCE REQUIRED

LUXURY 13.6M LONG

• Hot water • Sleeps 8, licensed for 10 • Self contained • DVD player • BBQ • Fridge/freezer 07 4157 3881 or email info@lakem.com.au

JANUARY 2018

or email info@lakem.com. au or contact me regarding fishing info on 0410 599 147 or follow my Facebook page Lake Monduran Guidelines Fishing Charters.

Large prawns have been a favourite of the black jew lately.

A! BARNDRUR + E R T E M A H AN C T A C ON LAKE MO FISHING CHARTERS

AWESOME HOUSEBOAT

water ski, bird watch and just to simply sit back and relax by the fire. Monduran is a place for the whole family, so we would like to thank all the holidaymakers that have

you, as the Jew Hole in Stanage Bay is going crazy with activity. The black jewfish are starving, so make sure you present them with a fully loaded hook. Large prawns are a favourite amongst them. If you’re up for the challenge, the Percys have a whole assortment of reefies on the bite, in particular the red emperor and nannygai. The odd bream has been caught in and around the bay and if you have the patience for flicking lures, threadfin

BA RR A PA RK

GUIDELINES

Despite recent heavy rains, things will start to look up this month.

Stanage is a season standout STANAGE BAY

Call Jamie today to book your next trip Ph: 0407 434 446

proven to be very accurate in pinpointing these times in impoundments over the years. My wife Kelly and I have been managing Lake Monduran Holiday Park for 12 years now. After many years of uncertainty towards our long-term positions and lengthy negotiations, we are now happy to say that we have secured the ownership

Pecka with a pair of black jewfish for the table. have just been completed, so the road is in excellent condition for the entire trip. If it’s a comfortable journey you’re after, now’s the time. Be sure to bring the big gear and eskies with

salmon are hanging around Porters Creek. Muddies are a bit on the quiet side, but their size makes up for their numbers. The boat ramp has been graded and is also in

excellent condition. Be sure to be first on the water to jag a close park. The ramp has been chockers with keen anglers from all over, mostly on the hunt for the black jewfish. Mozzies and sandflies have been few and far between, making this time of year even more pleasant. As we approach the end of the holidays we need to remember to keep being responsible in our waterways. Limit the amount of alcohol consumption on board and keep a clear head, so everyone comes home safe.

Now we wait to see what Mother Nature will provide for the wet season. Here’s hoping for some decent freshwater to bring on those muddies Stanage is renowned for. Stay safe, everyone, and may the fish be plentiful. • Don’t miss out on the amazing fishing and crabbing at Stanage Bay! Call us at Stanage Bay Marine & Accommodation on (07) 4937 3145, check out www.stanagebay.com, email stanagebaymarine@ bigpond.com or look us up on Facebook.

Reef species turning it on GLADSTONE

Liam Jones

December gave us a bit of everything: rain, wind, storms, glass-outs and everything in between. We were lucky enough to have a few days before Christmas where the winds dropped below 10 knots for the first time in a long time. Those that were lucky enough to get out had to work pretty hard and were rewarded with some big redthroat and trout. Its that’s time of year when the redthroat and trout really fire up and chew on just about anything thrown in front of them. They will move right up into the shallows over the bigger tides and make for some extremely fun and brutal fishing. Hitting surface poppers and stickbaits in less than 2m of water makes for some pretty challenging work for the angler. This is where gear can’t let you down, so that extra hundred or two you spent on the rod and reel will certainly pay off! We had a small run

good impact on the overall outlook of things. Barra are having the perfect opportunity to breed uninterrupted in just about every estuary system in central Queensland. The jacks have been hitting hard and they all seem to be a bigger class of fish than in previous years.

fish-holding structure. I’ve caught plenty of big golden snapper when trolling over rocky outcrops looking for fish. Black jewfish have been really hit and miss through December but I’d expect them to start firing up as we move into the year, providing they don’t

Riley O’Neal caught and released this 58cm cod in the Gladstone marina. the steady rain we have had it has been very poor compared to what it has in previous years. Until the government has a serious buy-back of commercial licenses, I can’t see this changing in a hurry. There are simply too many pots in the water to wash out any crabs. The ones that do come on are caught pretty quickly. As we move through the new year, little should change from the previous few weeks. Whether or not we get rain will have the biggest impact on how the area fishes. If we get some good weather, the offshore fishing should be at its best. With XOS redthroat schooling in big numbers expect some great sessions. When it comes to this stuff fresh, local bait is always

Jacks Boric caught this GT while product testing a Nitro Rods Popping rod prototype.

Ryan Bellert christened his new combo with a solid red in the recent good weather. of black marlin inside the reef in November and early December. These little marlin are a lot of fun on light gear and put on a very entertaining show. Most of the fish seemed to come from just north of Northwest Island in the gutter country. Small skirts in blues and purples were the standout lures. I would expect most of these fish to have well and truly moved through to the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast by now. Inshore things have been pretty good. We had a steady fresh flow in most creeks for the whole month of December, which can limit the fishable areas, but it’s certainly having a

along with Wild Cattle Creek and the Boyne River. These creeks and rivers are probably the least affected from the fresh flow and have been fishing really well. Reports of 6-7 jacks a session have been coming out of the Boyne River over the past few weeks. Expect this to continue throughout

Surface fishing has been the standout on all my recent trips chasing jacks. Colosseum Inlet has been fishing well for jacks

January and February. Just about any rocky structure in the Boyne River is worth throwing a lure at for a jack. For early morning and late afternoon sessions surface walkers and poppers make for some very exciting fishing, and by-catches of queenfish, trevally and salmon will keep you entertained when the jacks aren’t playing the game. The harbour has been fishing well for golden snapper over the past few weeks. Deep rocky structure and rocky pressure points are where the fish are holding. Big 6” and 7” plastics like Castaics, Lunker Citys and Happy Rocks have been the standouts, and suspending deep diving hardbodies like Jackall Squirrels, Imakatsu Pump-Rs and Yakamito Sirens will get the job done and don’t make for a bad option to tow around while you’re looking for some

get too much pressure. Awoonga is still fishing amazing. While the fish aren’t huge, they certainly make up for it in numbers. They’re hitting hard and putting on a show. Early morning surface bites have been the standout. As sun moves higher in the sky the fish have been sitting a little deeper where Duo Realis 100s and 90mm Hyper Jerks have been getting the bites. Crabs have been very hit and miss once again – more miss than hit, unfortunately! Considering

best and can make the difference between a good trip and a great trip. Remember, January is still closed to barramundi fishing so if you want to catch a barra the only places you can target them are stocked impoundments. If you do manage to catch a barra in the salt, do your best to return it to the water in the best possible condition. I expect this year’s opening will be an absolute cracker. • For more information on what’s biting, or to stock up with all the tackle and bait you need, drop into LJ’s Compleat Angler Gladstone at the Gladstone Marina on Bryan Jordan Drive. You can also check out the latest news, photos and specials at Facebook Compleat Angler Gladstone.

Supersport

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Exclusive Hand Laid 5.9m A 50cm jack off the top on a Yakamito Spectre 85.

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5 Allen Street, Moffat Beach, QLD. 4551 JANUARY 2018

WHAT’S NEW FISHING C POINT HOOKS VALUE PACK

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

PELICAN MOBILE PROTECT

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

GARMIN INREACH

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

JANUARY 2018

PRODUCT GUIDE

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

TT LURES NEDLOCKZ 4 JIGHEADS

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

DEPS SLIDE SWIMMER

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

BASSDAY SUGAPEN 120

4 5

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

visit www.tacklejunkie.fish for the latest tackle news - AS IT HAPPENS!

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING TICA ZATARA LBXT REELS

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

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

CHASEBAITS BOBBIN’ FROG

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

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

KOOLERGEL ICE EXTENDER 11

OBSESSION MINI BAITS

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

DAIWA HIP BAGS

SQUIDGIES BIO TOUGH RANGE

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

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

Franklin crabs for GF win Graham Franklin claimed the biggest title in bream fishing, the Costa BREAM Grand Final, with the Sydney breamer hitting the ground running on day one. He showed the field a clean pair of heels as he powered to a wire-to-wire victory in the Lake Macquarie event. Pinpointing his Grand Final winning location and technique in a pre-fish weeks before the final, Franklin was confident about his spot and the fish it had to offer, but he knew success depended on being able to get there first. “It’s no secret the bridge at Swansea holds good bream but I needed to get

THE FUTURE IS HERE Self-contained Electric Outboards

Graham Franklin and Neil Kelly with their 5.44kg day two limit.

WINNING TACKLE

STORM

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 94

JANUARY 2018

Rod: Samurai Reaction 201, 203 and 302 Reels: Daiwa Certate 2500 and 3500 Line: 10lb Sunline Castaway PE Leader: 6 and 7lb Sunline FC Rock Lures: Cranka Crabs – 65mm (9.5g) in brown, cockle, and olive colours, 50mm (5.9g) in brown, cockle, and olive colours, Jackall Chubby Deep and Shallow in brown suji and ghost gill colours, OSP Bent Minnows, and Megabass Dog X Junior. there before other anglers did, and I needed there to be deep enough water on my shortcut to be able to get there as quick as I could and before anyone else,” explained Franklin. It all fell into place and a clean run on his chosen stretch of pylons at the bridge awaited him when he arrived at the bridge on day one. With the tide in the final stages of running in, Franklin positioned himself upriver and back from the pylons and cast a Cranka Crab towards the bridge and the waiting bream. With the boat positioned in about 7-8m of water Franklin would sink his Cranka towards the bottom, drifting it back with current towards the boat. “The bream would hold on the bottom, and once the crab was down there and a fish was showing signs of interest, I’d shake the rod tip to make the lure quiver in front of them and entice them to bite,” explained Franklin. As the incoming tide started to ease and the current started to back off Franklin would position himself closer to the bridge. He fished in under the bridge tight to pylons that he couldn’t reach previously due to the fast flowing water. “Once we were under the bridge, you’d occasionally see the fish flashing and moving high on the pylons and at times you could cast your crab close to them and get them to take it,” explained Franklin. While Franklin admits he didn’t catch as many fish as Jamie McKeown who was fishing close by, he got the big bites that he needed to win. He dropped a 5.20kg limit on the scales on day one, showing

that he had the fish to the win the final. Would they last for three days? Day two showed that day one wasn’t a one-off, with Franklin and his day two partner Neil Kelly bagging out early and bagging out with big fish.

At their heaviest, Franklin ran running ball sinkers on his leader above the crab and sticky weights stuck to the underbelly of the crab. His approach on day two was the same as the day before – hang back when the tide was strong then move closer and under the bridge as the tide eased. Once the tide started to run out, Franklin would reposition himself on the downriver side of the bridge and fish the back eddy as long as he could until the run-out tide was too strong and made the area unfishable. “Once the bridge became unfishable we went and fished the flats, biding our time until the end of the session,” explained Franklin.

The Costa BREAM Grand Final victor and his spoils. “I modified my Cranka Crabs on day two, adding weight to them to get them down when the current was running really hard, then progressively taking the weight off as the current slowed,” explained Franklin.

Each day by the time Franklin left the bridge the work had been done and he could rest easy. Breaking the 5kg mark again on day two (5.44kg) Franklin headed into the final day with a 2kg lead over Jamie

McKeown, a comfortable, perhaps insurmountable lead, that had Franklin very relaxed for an angler leading the ABT BREAM Grand Final. Day three started the same way – fish back from the bridge with weighted Cranka Crabs, then move in closer and pair back the weight as the tide eased. Once again Franklin filled his limit early, but as the current eased and he moved in under the bridge, the bite turned on but not to the extent of the first two days. “The bridge started to show signs of the fishing pressure it had received over the last three days and while we caught fish, we couldn’t get the last big bite to upgrade the smallest fish (32cm) we had in our limit,” explained Franklin. The last angler to hit the stage, the results were in reality a fait accompli and despite the fact that Mark Healey had weighed in a 6kg limit on the final day, Franklin actually extended his 2kg and his 4.82kg final day saw him claim the Costa BREAM Grand Final by a 2.30kg winning margin. Fresh off the weigh-in stage Franklin was humbled and perhaps still in shock of what he’d just achieved. “Having your name on the BREAM Grand Final shield is everything. To know I have my name on it, and achieved it with a lure – the Cranka Crab that has been so good to me since I came out of retirement – is very special,” explained Franklin.

RESULTS – BOATERS Place

Anglers

Fish

Weight (kg)

Payout

1 Graham Franklin 15/15 15.46 Boat prize package 2 Jamie McKeown 15/15 13.16 Lowrance Sounder 3 Mark Healey 15/15 12.74 Diamond Deck 4 Craig Greenaway 15/15 10.31 Diamond Deck 5 Ross Catnnizzaro 15/15 9.75 Diamond Deck 6 Todd Riches 14/15 9.60 7 Anthony Wishey 15/15 9.33 8 Mario Vukic 15/15 9.28 9 Warren Carter 14/15 9.26 10 Charlie Saykao 15/15 9.12 For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

PRESEN TED BY

McKeown goes heavy and deep for second Jamie McKeown claimed the runner-up title at the Costa BREAM Grand Final with the Queensland bream gun fishing a deep water Cranka Crab at the Swansea Bridge to catch his fish. McKeown’s approach was the same as event winner Franklin – fish back from the bridge when the tide was its strongest then move in closer to the bridge as the tide eased. Fishing the Cranka Crab in the heavy 50mm and 65mm models, McKeown used mainly the olive colour, but caught fish on others as well. “I primarily threw the olive, but on three days my kicker fish fell to a spotted crab colour. On day three, however, I was low on crabs

and pretty much threw every crab colour available and caught fish on them all,” explained McKeown. Weighting the crab to get it to the bottom in the strong current was key and McKeown was prepared and used an assortment of different weights. “For most of the session each day I had my crabs weighted with a drop shot sinker connected to the split ring. I had three sizes pre-rigged: a 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2oz. I matched the weight to what was needed depending on how strong the current was flowing. I only had about 20 minutes each day where an unweighted crab could be used,” explained McKeown. McKeown generally caught his bigger fish as

the tide slowed when the fish ventured away from their hidey holes to feed. The key, regardless of the current flow and the weight being used, was to stay in touch with the crab to feel the nibbles and when one did come simply wind them on. The approach paid dividends each day with McKeown catching his limit in the first 30-45 minutes. “The fish were super active each day there was one period on day two when I caught three fish in three casts. It was a bridge that delivered plenty for the Grand Final, and big credit to Franko for getting the biggest fish off it. He’s a very deserving winner, I couldn’t be happier for him,” concluded Jamie.

Tani Konsul and Jamie McKeown were all smiles with their Swansea Bridge bream.

Kelly bridges his way to victory Southern NSW breamer Neil Kelly claimed his biggest tournament win to date with the quietlyspoken angler fishing with Chris Gates on day one and catching a 5/5, 2.94kg limit to kickstart his Costa BREAM Grand Final.

Sitting in equal 19th place at the end of the day, it was his day two pairing with Graham Franklin and their Swansea Bridge Cranka Crab assault that would spearhead his charge for the Grand Final. Fishing the upriver side of the bridge on the

incoming tide, Kelly’s approach involved casting his Cranka Crab towards the bridge then letting it sink down and drift back to the boat with the flooding tide. Kelly would feel and watch his rod tip for the bites, twitching the rod tip then allowing the bream to take

Event winners Graham Franklin and Neil Kelly stood proudly with their prize boat packages.

the crab before loading up on a hooked fish. The approach paid dividends with Kelly boating a string of fish for the session and together with Franklin weighing a 5.44kg limit for the session. The heaviest limit for the tournament so far, Kelly’s XOS bag catapulted him into 1st place. With the leading boater paired with the leading non-boater on day three, Kelly once again found himself standing shoulderto-shoulder with Franklin at the Swansea Bridge on the final day. It was a crab attack once again with Kelly casting up-current, landing his Cranka tight to the bridge then drifting it back to the boat and into the path and the mouth of waiting bream. The pair caught fish upstream of the bridge as the tide pushed in, then as the tide eased and current backed off on the tide change the pair moved closer and in under the bridge to catch their fish.

The moment a new champ was crowned. While Kelly and Franklin caught plenty of fish for the session, it was the smallest fish in their well at 32cm that they couldn’t upgrade that held them back from weighing another 5kg bag. Weighing in a 5/5, 4.82kg limit for the session, Kelly finished the tournament with a total of 13.20kg for his 15 fish – an impressive 880g average that delivered him a 550g win over the strong finishing Louie Wardini who weighed in a 5/5, 6.05kg

Cranka Crab

limit on the final day. For the win Kelly collected himself a Bluefin Boats Estuary Pro hull/Mercury 4-stroke outboard, Garmin sounder, Power-Pole Micro Anchor and Marine Dynamics tournament boat package. The Costa BREAM Grand Final at Lake Macquarie wraps up the ABT tournament calendar for 2017; visit www.abt.org. au to check out the calendars and events for 2018. – ABT

Bridge

RESULTS – NON-BOATERS Place

Anglers

Fish

Weight (kg)

Payout

1 Neil Kelly 15/15 13.20 Boat prize package 2 Louie Wardini 15/15 12.65 Diamond Deck 3 Russell Winters 15/15 12.52 Diamond Deck 4 Simon Johnson 15/15 10.18 Diamond Deck 5 Jonathan Thompson 15/15 9.48 Diamond Deck 6 Scott Wilson 15/15 9.45 7 James Morgan 15/15 9.42 8 Anthony Hassarati 15/15 9.18 9 Brenton Madaus 13/15 9.11 10 Justin Reeves 14/15 8.99 For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

Current

Shake rod tip

JANUARY 2018

Horizon SunRunner 485 with Yamaha F90hp - SC

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Length.....................................................4.985m Beam.........................................................2.02m Hull weight............................................... 450kg Max hp............................................................90 Fuel...............................................................80L Test weight............................................... 889kg Main: The SunRunner is eminently capable in both inshore and offshore situations, and the 90hp Yamaha gives the rig a range of over 200km with an 80L fuel tank underfloor. Above: There wasn’t enough swell or wind chop to give the Hydro Lift hull a proper workout. Unique to the boat is the internal layout. A full, flat, internal floor runs from bow to transom. Instead of a front cabin, there’s a simple rail system that helps your gear stay in place up the front while opening up the maximum amount of fishing space down the back. Indeed, there’s a lot of cockpit room for a sub-5m boat, and that’s

RPM......................Speed....................... km/L 1000........................... 6.5........................... 3.3 2000..........................10.9........................... 2.7 3000............................ 24........................... 2.7 4000............................ 40........................... 2.9 5000............................ 53........................... 2.3 6000............................ 63........................... 1.6 * With a 16” alloy Yamaha SDS propeller. JANUARY 2018

with ease. Often, buyers will overlook the practicalities of trailering. Supplied on a single-axle trailer, this rig is just as manoeuvrable off the water as it is on the water and you can jackknife it into a tight parking or storage space if needed. This may include a garage.

SPECIFICATIONS

PERFORMANCE

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I found it hard to believe that while testing Horizon’s 2018 SunRunner, it was the first time I’d ever been over the Tweed River bar. Of course, I’d been through the Southport Seaway (to the north) and the dicey Brunswick River bar (to the south) countless times. Apart from the great scenery to take some images for this test, it was obvious the fishing opportunities the entrance offered. These were noted for a future fishing trip. Travelling on the SunRunner 485 with Scott James from Horizon Boats, it was good to be in the boat with a local. The factory for both Horizon and Stessl Boats is just up the road and the boat has been designed with offshore anglers on the southern Gold Coast particularly in mind. Horizon’s Hyrdo Lift hull has the runs on the board, so it’s the internal fit-out improvements that herald the 2018 version of this craft.

s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

Steve Morgan

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AN THE

range of around 24km. Plenty enough to run around on a glassed-out weekend offshore. The other thing that turns heads about Horizon boats is the price. With packages starting from under $40,000 (the rig as tested was under $45,000), it’s a great stepping stone

FMG

exactly what the Horizon team wanted to deliver. What the hull has also delivered is a rig that’s east to anchor, with a split-access to the anchor well. With the added Bimini top and bait board, it was obvious that this boat had been set up with the keen snapper angler in mind. Loading and unloading is easy with the transom door to the starboard side of the outboard. Powered by the new Yamaha F90 4-stroke outboard, the rig was economical, delivering 3km/L burned at a comfortable cruising speed of 3500rpm and 34km/h. With an 80L fuel tank, this gives a theoretical

for anglers upgrading from their first tinnie. You get shade, offshore capability and the ability to spend a family day on the water

For more information, you can visit www. horizonboats.com.au and make sure you like Horizon Boats on Facebook.

With the transom bait station, the SunRunner is set up for bait or lure fishing. That’s the Gold Coast in the background.

The 90hp Yamaha delivered excellent economy, with 3km/L at 3500rpm.

The dash of the 2018 model is improved. There are plenty of places to hang on and access to the anchor well is easy. You can also flush mount large electronics.

Designed with the serious angler in mind, there’s plenty of rod storage in the rocket launcher and shade for when you’re traveling.

The SunRunner will turn heads at the boat ramp and on the water.

The fully flat floor and rail system makes storage simple.

Check out the large kill-box under the cockpit floor. It keeps things neat when the mackerel are running.

Cradled on a single-axle trailer, the rig is manoeuvrable off the water as well as on. It helps with tight storage spots.

Boarding is easy with the fold down ladder and the slip-in transom door.

The rear lounge can fold away after you’ve finished travelling to your fishing spot.

The anchor well is simple and easily accessible through the split section for’ard.

The rear bait station is practical and has enough room to work around.

The transom deadrise isn’t massive, which provides a balance between rough water ride and shallow water loading ability. JANUARY 2018

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