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Introduction to SUP fishing • Centre console boats guide •
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MARCH 2018, Vol. 30 No. 5
Contents NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES Yamba 20 Ballina 22
simply showing their new products, letting the customers interact with it and making their famous pro-staff available to the fans. And it wasn’t just die-hard anglers that had fun; there were also activities for families. There were thousands of rainbow trout in a pool that were eminently catchable, and available for the kids, and they loved it. Why haven’t we got a tackle show like this in Australia? Plenty of people ask this question every year. Boat Shows ‘don’t have enough tackle’ and fishing shows don’t have the manufacturer support
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This beautiful Spaniard was caught out from Hervey Bay.
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to get off the ground. Plenty of show organisers have tried and failed. I’m a pretty vocal supporter of the industry getting behind a show that will excite the angling public. Is it happening yet? Not from the top down. At the moment, the vibrant Lure Show in Ipswich, Queensland each winter, is the closest we have – even if it’s a distant second to tens of thousands of tsuri-baka (fishing crazy) Japanese. But we do have ideas and a passion for the sport, and you’ll be the first to know when we make some inroads into making it happen.
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MARCH 2018
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And you know what? Nothing has changed. After a few days at the Yokohama Fishing Show in January, the numbers may be down a little from the ‘90s, but the enthusiasm remains the same, both from manufacturers and the attendees. So what’s it look like? The best way is to watch the video on the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel or the www. tacklejunkie.fish Facebook page. In a nutshell, if you take the Brisbane, Rose Hill or Melbourne Boat Show and swap out the boats for tackle stands, that’s what the show is like. It’s a tackle junkie’s dream fix, and it would have been even more exciting if I could understand more than a little Japanese. The most amazing part of it, however, was that it was a no-purchase show. Apart from some merchandise and clothing under a certain price limit, all of the major companies were
AUST
8
JAPAN - DOING TACKLE SHOWS RIGHT I hadn’t been to a Japanese tackle show in years. The last time was in the ‘90s with Quintrex Boats International’s Marketing Manager, Andrew Hill, as he opened a few doors for me to get an insight into a market that Australia was exporting around 2000 boats a year into. At that time, there were tens of thousands of uberkeen anglers, sampling all of the delights of the latest rods, reels, lures and baits. Fans lined up for hours to get autographs from their favourite fishing stars like Jim Murata (Japan’s Mister Shimano) and Norio Tanabe (the first Japanese angler to win a US BASS event, and the creator of the Nories brand). Show-goers paid money for the latest catalogues to get signed, and each stand had hands-on engagement with the fishing public.
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REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics 18 Camping and 4WD 86 Cooking 92 Dam Levels 80 Freshwater 80 Fun Page 96 Junior Northern 76 Junior Southern 36 Politics and fishing 78 Sheik of the Creek 93 Suntag 90 Tech Tricks 16 Tournament News 94 Track my fish 88 Trades and Services 100 What’s New Fishing 54 What’s New Boating 108 SPECIAL FEATURES Trolling for Spaniards Cool off at Coolmunda Target topwater cod Scones in the camp oven
From the Editor’s Desk...
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BOATING AND KAYAK
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TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Whitsundays 68 Ayr 69 Townsville 70 Hinchinbrook 71 Cairns 72 Port Douglas 72 Lucinda 73 Cairns NFZ 73 Cape York 74 Weipa 74 Cooktown 75
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CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Hervey Bay 58 Rainbow Beach 59 Bundaberg 60 Lake Monduran 60 Stanage Bay 61 Gladstone 62 Rockhampton 63 Yeppoon 64 Mackay 65
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SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND The Tweed 24 Southern Gold Coast 26 Gold Coast Canals 28 Jumpinpin 30 Gold Coast 32 Southern Bay 34 Brisbane 38 Brisbane Offshore 40 Northern Bay 42 Noosa 44
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Fishing Diary Angler: Dax Gallagher Location: Urangan Pier, Hervey Bay Date: September 13th, 2017 Conditions: clear, N 5 kts, outgoing tide, waning moon Black Magic Tackle: 60lb Tough Trace Note: When targeting strong fish with sharp teeth you MUST choose a leader with excellent abrasion resistance.
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Spanish Mackerel
Tips and tricks to troll for Spanish mackerel BRISBANE OFFSHORE
Kaspar Lenigas
Without a doubt Spanish mackerel are one of my all-time favourite fish to target. Not only are they fast and taste great, but they look mean and have a serious set of choppers that can effortlessly slice any baitfish to pieces. There are many ways to catch Spanish, but trolling for them with live and dead bait is the most effective way.
The specific techniques used for catching Spanish mackerel using baits are slowly becoming a dying art, with more people opting for the easier option of trolling lures, which can certainly catch them on the right days, but is by no means the most effective way to catch a better class or numbers of Spanish. Tr o l l i n g baits effectively can take a little time and skill to perfect, but there’s no better feeling than setting out a perfectly righted bait, locating fish
A couple of large Spanish mackerel – fish of this size can be a regular capture trolling large baits.
on the sounder then turning back and watching your rods in anticipation before they fold over and the drag starts screaming off. GEARING UP There are many options when it comes to choosing the right setup to target Spanish mackerel on the troll. In my experience the best setup is a lever drag overhead reel in the 20-30 size range with a high gear ratio matched with a 7-8ft long 15-24kg overhead rod. The benefit of using a longer rod is that you have far more manoeuvrability around the boat – these fish can change direction or power off very quickly when boat side and with a longer rod you can eliminate the risk of losing the fish to the prop or hull of the boat. Long rods also make setting baits apart much easier and with the added length you get much better shock absorption, excellent when absorbing the lunges and violent head shakes during the fight. I find the use of monofilament line on the reel and the absorption from a longer rod create a nicer take up of pressure to set hooks, allowing the fish to hit the bait and turn before the pressure is applied and the hooks set themselves. High gear ratio reels are great for Spanish mackerel, as mackerel can swim incredibly fast and change direction quickly; the higher ratio makes it easy to keep up with the fish during the fight and maintain pressure. Also high ratio reels make chasing after the fish with the boat much easier, as you can keep pressure on the fish. The combination of a long rod, mono and a high gear ratio reel
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MARCH 2018
OPTIMAL USE: • Sight fishing in full sun • High contrast
With a prehistoric looking head, razor sharp teeth and tiger stripes along their body, they sure are an awesome looking fish. certainly makes fighting mackerel very easy as you can keep an even pressure very easily throughout the fight, further eliminating the chances of the fish shaking the hooks. My go-to setup for this style of fishing is a Shimano Tyrnos 20 or 30 reel spooled with 60lb braid and top shotted with 50-100m of 55lb Schneider monofilament on a Wilson Live Fibre M10 10-24kg rod. The reason I use a top shot is so I can change it out to a new top shot when I feel like it and still get enough stretch from the 50-100m of monofilament top shot and lots of line capacity from the braid if I need it. You can run straight mono if you desire and still have plenty enough line for most fish you encounter. You don’t need to use any fancy or colourful mono. I find the cheaper lines like Schneider to be ideal, as they last long and are very strong and hard-wearing. The Tyrnos and M10 setup is ideal for trolling an array of live and dead baits effectively and will easily catch the majority of fish you encounter. I’ve caught many fish well over 20kg on this setup, but if you are purposely targeting larger fish in excess of 20kg with big baits, a heavier 37kg combo comes in very handy; it can handle the big baits you are trolling and help shorten the fight time, reducing the likelihood of your fish being eaten by sharks. I like to run no more than two setups when trolling for Spanish mackerel, but it’s perfectly fine to troll with one setup. The added benefit of running two rods is that
you can run two different baits to see what the fish are feeding on. As Spanish mackerel school up it’s not uncommon to encounter multiple hook-ups and I find dealing with two fish much more manageable than three, especially if I fish solo. It’s also much easier to run two baits effectively without tangles; just set them at different distances behind the boat.
HOW TO FIND THEM Spanish mackerel are by far one of the most common pelagics on our reefs and can be found on most inshore and offshore reefs from 10-40m deep in Southern Queensland and northern New South Wales from December through to July. For most of Queensland, Spanish mackerel can be caught year round. The size and numbers vary depending on the time of the year.
It can be carnage on the deck when you find a good school of mackerel.
Spanish Mackerel Trolling dead and live baits at slower speeds is by far the best way to find and target Spanish mackerel,
because these presentations have a natural smell and lifelike action, which is more likely to trigger a
A couple of great eating-size Spaniards from a double hook-up.
response and entice a bite, even if they may not be all that hungry or active. Like most fish you need to find the bait and Spanish mackerel can be on any reef, as long as there is bait or life to hold and attract them to the area. As you troll baits at slower speeds you can thoroughly cover a reef, so with the added bonus of a sounder it can make it easy to locate the bait and Spanish mackerel so that you can keep trolling over them until they decide to eat. Spanish mackerel will generally hold around the edges of the reef where the current is broken up, as this is where the bait and activity will be holding. You can find Spanish mackerel sitting off the reef in deeper water feeding on large bait schools or waiting to move up onto the reef at a key bite time, so it can pay to troll off the reef before looping around and trolling back over it again. As far as water goes, you can find them in either green or blue water – they don’t like dirty water. LIVE BAITS Live baits are the best bait you can use to catch Spanish mackerel. It can take some time to catch good live baits and keep them alive, but if there
Long rods are great when fighting Spanish mackerel; they have lots of shock absorption to stop them shaking hooks and are easy to move around the boat if the fish dart off. are fish on the reef you are fishing, you will find out very quickly if they are there. You can use a whole array of live baits, from small tuna and bonito to yakkas, pike, slimy mackerel, grinners, small queenfish and trevally as well as reef fish like
fusiliers, rainbow whiptail and rainbow runners. My motto is if you can rig it and it swims, they will eat it. Rigging live baits is quite easy as well. For smaller baits I use a small barrel swivel, which I connect my mono leader to. Then off the other end of
the swivel I connect 1-2ft of 40-60lb single strand wire trace with a haywire twist, which is then connected to a 4/0-6/0 ‘J’ hook, which is used to pin the baitfish in the nose or mouth. Off the loop connected to the J hook I crimp on a section To page 12
BB BC BG BJ FAB FB MM OG
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MARCH 2018
11
Tech Tricks
Get that sinking feeling BRISBANE
Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com
Getting your baits down to where the fish are hiding has been an important part of successful fishing since the dawn of time. Once, fishers would use coral and small rocks attached to vine and sinew lines to get baited bone or shell hooks into the strike zone. These days we have the
same basic requirement, however fishing has advanced dramatically and we now have specific types of weights suited to numerous fishing applications. Commonly called sinkers, these weights are designed for a specific situation, however many anglers are often confused as to which one is best for their application. These are just a few of the more common sinker types. There are also pyramid, sand
grip, reef-bean, bell, spoon, split shot and many more. While any sinker can get your bait to the bottom, good sinker choice can increase bait presentation and placement and also decrease snagging. At the end of the day this adds up to more better results and a lot more enjoyment. Let’s have a look at some of the more common sinkers styles and which of your fishing applications they are best suited to.
BALL SINKER The most commonly used sinker is the ball sinker. Its spherical shape makes it ideal for a broad array of situations and it’s available in more sizes than any other sinker style. It will easily roll across the bottom and therefore allows a good bait presentation, as it will move easily in the current or when a fish takes the bait. The ball sinker casts well and is the most commonly used sinker in the running ball sinker rig, which is the rig most anglers use for basic bait fishing in the rivers, creeks and estuaries. Some anglers tend to use ball sinkers for all their fishing applications, although there is often a sinker that is more specifically suited to their needs.
SURF For anglers fishing in the surf environment there is a sinker that has been specially devised to minimise one of the main issues involved with this type of fishing – line twist. There’s a lot of water movement in the surf environment with waves rolling in, sweep and currents running along the beach. Ball sinkers and many other shapes will roll around due to water movement and therefore twist your line. The surf sinker is somewhat disc-like, a flattened version of a ball sinker, some would say. Due to its shape it is more likely to drag or shuffle across the bottom than roll, which greatly limits line twist. To twist-proof the rig further many anglers will have a quality rolling swivel above and below the sinker. 16
MARCH 2018
STAR The shape of the star sinker promotes it bedding down easily into sand and soft mud. It is designed to go at the end of the rig (paternoster) for better casting. The star sinker has a swivel embedded into the lead as a line attachment point to minimise line twist. Its pointed shape also adds to its casting attributes. For any situation where you want to minimise bait movement, the star sinker is a good choice. The exception is snaggy areas, because the shape of this sinker will cause it to get wedged in structure and snag easily.
GRAPNEL The grapnel sinker really came to the fore with the interest in slide bait fishing. This form of fishing, which is commonly done from the beach or ocean rocks, is a little different to other forms. Firstly, the sinker is cast out and allowed to sink to the bottom. Small tugs on the line will make the grapnel sinker bed down into the sand. Soon the main line can be pulled taut without the sinker moving and a slide bait rig with attached hooks and bait is clipped on the line. The angle of the line will have the bait slowly making its way out to the sinker with gentle lifts of the rod tip. This allows large baits (dead and live) to be fished a long way out from the shore without the need to cast the actual bait. The grapnel sinker is like a small anchor with galvanised wire arms that can be bent outwards to ensure it grips the sand and rocky bottom. The flexibility of the arms also makes it the best option for rocky areas when slide baiting. Excessive tension will see the arms straighten and the thin profile of the lead reduces wedging between rocks.
BREAK-AWAY A more advanced version of the grapnel sinker is the break-away. This one was purposely designed for slide baiting applications with spring stainless-steel arms and more teardrop profile. The anchoring arms lock into position via a recess in the lead body and a great degree of force is required to encourage the four arms to dislodge and fold backwards, freeing the sinker from its purchase in the sand. The break-away sinker is the best option for slide baiting on the beach, especially when using large live baits, as it beds deeply into the sand and holds well against a reasonable degree of pressure. Break-away sinkers are also available in heavier weights than the grapnel sinker, which increases casting distance for the slide-bait angler.
Tech Tricks
BARREL SINKER The long, slender profile of the barrel sinker makes it great for fishing rocky and snaggy aquatic terrain. It’s less likely to foul by getting wedged between rocks and has less resistance in the water making is unlikely to move around much once it settles on the bottom. The barrel sinker can also be used in strong currents and is popular for keeping baits down under a float as it has low resistance. Some even add large barrel sinkers to the line above trolling lures, such as spoons, to keep them below the surface. Personally I’m surprised that more anglers don’t use barrel sinkers for most of their fishing as they are less intrusive and offer greater snag resistance than other sinker profiles.
BEAN The oval, slightly flattened shape of the bean sinker means that it won’t roll around on the bottom as much as the ball sinker. Before the introduction of surf sinkers, it was the choice of many beach fishers. Additionally the bean sinker is a favourite of many reef fishers; it’s less likely to snag than a ball sinker and due to the flattened sides it will plane up quickly on the retrieve, which minimises snagging. For those fishing the edges of the vertical reef for trout and sweetlip, the bean sinker is often fished just above the hook. This can offer a slight flutter to the bait as it sinks. If a snag is forthcoming then a few short sharp taps with the rod tip will often see the sinker jump upwards on the line and then dislodge the hook as it falls down and hits it. The bean sinker is one of the older styles and is a great option for a broad array of fishing.
TEARDROP Also called a bomb sinker, this sinker style is a great one for drift fishing. It’s best for sandy areas and those with minimal snags. Due to the swivel attachment point, it’s unlikely to add twist to your line. The teardrop sinker is commonly added to the bottom of paternosters and similar rigs. It’s popular with whiting fishers who drift fish and those casting paternoster style rigs from the beach who still want their bait to move around (which the grapnel, breakaway and star sinker don’t permit). Those bobbing baits on the bottom for golden perch, cod and others will often use a small teardrop sinker. Additionally this sinker can be added as a chin weight for swimbait lures to get them deeper on the retrieve. It is available in much lighter weights than the snapper lead and is therefore a good option for shallow water applications where you want the sinker at the bottom of your rig.
GLOW SINKERS Over the last decade or so, glow sinkers have become popular. These are mainly available in an egg shape or snapper lead profile in pink, green or white. The main idea of the glow sinker is that it acts as kind of a teaser or enticer. In deeper water it slightly illuminates due to the glow coating, the theory being that fish will come to investigate this unusual glow and then find the bait. When fishing at night, you will need to shine a torch on the glow sinker for a few seconds each time you retrieve it to ensure it will glow when deployed. Many anglers swear by the glow sinker’s effectiveness for night fishing and deeper water applications where it’s a degree darker.
SNAPPER Depending on where you live, this sinker could be called a snapper lead or dropper sinker. It is predominately used for deep water fishing where anglers are using a paternoster rig. It goes on the bottom of the rig, with the hooks a metre or so above, so it minimises snagging, especially when drift fishing. The snapper lead will simply drag across and over most rock and rubble structure. It can vary from a teardrop shape to a thin, elongated profile, the latter being the less likely to snag. The eyelet at the top of the sinker is the attachment point for your leader. Many simply put a loop in the end of the leader then put this through the eyelet and pass it over the bottom of the snapper lead to attach the sinker. This makes it easy to change sinkers from one size to another without cutting and shortening your leader each time. Snapper sinkers come in an array of sizes between 1-32oz and are a good option when fishing on the drift.
SINKER SLIDER For those fishing braid, heavier sinkers can pose a bit of a problem as they can abrade the line with constant sliding up and down. You either have to run a long monofilament or fluorocarbon leader so you can put the sinker on it instead of the braid, or use sinker slider. These plastic tubes come in several sizes and have a snap attached to which you can clip a snapper lead, teardrop sinker or star sinker. The tube will not abrade the line and the fish can easily run with the bait against minimal or no resistance as the line will slide through the tube easily. Additionally it’s easy to change the sinker weight when necessary without re-rigging. MARCH 2018
17
WHAT’S NEW FISHING NEW ASTRO VIBE COLOURS
1
Strike Pro’s very successful Astro Vibe 45 has been a standout in the Hobie Bream series and Vic Bream Classic series, and has helped anglers win a number of events. Now two new fish-catching colours have been added to the range: 612E and 793E. Like the other colours in the Astro Vibe range, the new colours incorporate a polycarbonate belly with small inbuilt rattles for added sound, which can be handy when the water is slightly discoloured. The Astro Vibe’s construction also allows for a transparent finish to be achieved in a metal blade, and the belly section is enhanced with UV for added attraction and effectiveness. The Astro Vibe 45 is 4.5cm long, weighs 9.6g and comes fitted with quality hooks. It’s deadly on bream, bass, estuary perch, yellowbelly, mulloway, flathead and redfin, just to mention a few. www.jurofishing.com
ZMAN 2.75” FINESSE 2 FROGZ
green and blaze orange colourations. It comes in 6, 8, 10, 14, 17, 20, 25 and 30lb breaking strains in 150m and 300m spools. Price: SRP 150m $34.99, 300m $67.99 berkley-fishing.com.au
BONE DASH 90S
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The Bone Dash 90S is a dual function sinking pencil and vibe, and is the first lure produced by legendary rod maker Bone Lim. This dual-function, sinking pencil bait flutters on the fall and slides on the retrieve, giving anglers options like never before. By attaching the line to the front eyelet, the Dash 90S will work like a sinking pencil bait, fluttering on the fall with a side-to-side glide on a straight retrieve. Attaching your lure on the top eyelet will enable the vibe mode, giving the Dash 90S a tight wobble on a straight retrieve. This tie-off position also creates less resistance through the water while still maintaining the fluttering sink. The Bone Dash 90S measures 90mm long, weighs 33g and comes in 10 colours. Bone recommends anglers fish these lures with the Bone Voyage series rods such as the BVC774H, BVC684XH, BVC704XH or the BVS704XH. www.wilsonfishing.com
ZMan’s bite-size 2.75” Finesse FrogZ features a realistic frog profile and twin paddle feet that create noise, water movement and a bubble trail that predators can’t resist. Rig it for surface fishing on a TT 2/0 ChinlockZ or ChinlockZ Finesse hook, hold the rod tip up and wind the Finesse FrogZ until you hit the magic speed where the feet are bubbling and it’s calling predators to attack. Alternatively you can rig the Finesse FrogZ on a TT 2/0 SnakelockZ or ChinlockZ SWS to fish weedless through cover, or even on a standard HeadlockZ or DemonZ jighead for subsurface fishing. A bottom hook slot and deep top hook pocket protect the hook from fouling or snagging when weedless rigging, and the softness and flexibility of the ZMan 10X Tough ElaZtech ensures the plastic clears on the strike, exposing the hook and pinning the fish. Deadly on bass, saratoga, mangrove jack, barra and more, this little frog is also sure to get eaten by a few surprises in both the fresh and salt water. It’s available in six colours, with four per pack. Price: SRP $10.95 www.zman.com.au
Pumping worms and yabbies is a great way to get the freshest of fresh bait for your day’s fishing. Having the right tool to get the job done is an important step to success and one that needs careful consideration. The Wilson Big Willy Bait Pump gives users an extra long 39” shaft meaning you do not have to bend so far down when pumping. This is a great asset for those who want to collect bait comfortably and easily. Stainless steel and brass construction mean that this pump will go the distance, giving you years of faithful service and opening up your fishing options. Available at all leading tackle stores, the Big Willy will become a vital part of any bait collection trip. For more information on this and other bait collecting products from Wilson’s, visit the Wilson Fishing website. You can also catch up with the latest news, catch photos and videos at www.facebook.com/LWilsonAndCo. www.wilsonfishing.com.au
BERKLEY FIRELINE ULTRA 8
PELICAN IPHONE CASE
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Berkley Fireline Ultra 8 delivers a line that is incredibly strong and abrasion-resistant yet long casting and user friendly, resisting wind knots like never before. Optimised for spin reels, Fireline Ultra 8 is ideal for all light to medium lure fishing applications. The unique fusing process using heat to molecularly bind thousands of Dyneema fibres gives Fireline Ultra 8 more body than regular braids. The body and heft of Fireline Ultra 8 delivers unique handling properties and superb manageability. More tolerant of line twist than traditional soft braids, Fireline Ultra 8 performs exceptionally well on spinning reels meaning less loose loops and less wind knots on the water. The 8 strand fusing process also gives Fireline Ultra 8 several significant advantages. It is four times more abrasion resistant than original Fireline, and is rounder and smoother, casting 10% further than traditional Fireline. Fireline Ultra 8 retains superb knot strength and near zero stretch, delivering a telegraphic feel for structure and strikes. The unique fusing process produces a round profile that resists digging into the spool under heavy loads, and never separates like many standard braids. Fireline Ultra 8 is available in crystal, flame
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PRODUCT GUIDE
BIG WILLY BAIT PUMP
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With an IP68 waterproof rating, the Pelican Marine case shields your smartphone from the harshest elements that mother nature can throw at you. Providing reliable protection from the snow, dirt, sand, dust and water, the Pelican Marine’s slimline five-layer shell design protects your smartphone and its screen from scratches, impacts and drops from all angles. The case has been uniquely constructed of impact absorbing materials, like the ultra-tough elastomer internals and a rigid polycarbonate outer shell, with a soft-touch over-mould incorporated into the design for an easy hold that also reduces the risk of the device sliding off surfaces. Like all Pelican protective equipment, the ruggedised Marine case has been tested to military specifications and is guaranteed to survive multiple drops. The IP68 waterproof protection rating enables your smartphone to stay submerged under water at a depth of up to 1.5m for up to 30 minutes. The Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Case is compatible with iPhone 6, 7, 8, X and plus models. Price: SRP: $99.95 www.pelicanstore.com.au
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PRODUCT GUIDE
WHAT’S NEW FISHING X-RAP MAGNUM XPLODE
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The over-engineered X-Rap Magnum Xplode combines a heavy through-wire construction with a thick-walled ABS body, giving it Rapala’s Magnum level of strength to absorb the most vicious strikes. Featuring 3D holographic eyes and internal foil, it is explosive and loud. Low positioned tow points pull the popper downwards, keeping the X-Rap Magnum Xplode stable in all weather conditions, while its deep cupped face generates a thunderous service explosion with each sweep of your rod. The long-casting, rear-weighted X-Rap Magnum Xplode rests tail down, perfectly positioning the 5/0 VMC 75 series 6X Tropic Spark Point trebles, which are connected to 250lb split rings. Available in eight fish-catching colours, the lure weighs 140g and is 17cm in length. Suitable for many large saltwater gamefish, such as GTs, tuna and kingfish, the X-Rap Magnum Xplode is a must for all serious sport and game fishers. It’s due to arrive in Australia around March. Price: SRP $49.95 www.rapala.com.au
VANFOOK JWS-50 ASSIST HOOK
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The JWS-50 wire assist hook from Vanfook is a single assist hook designed to battle fish with sharp teeth, such as mackerel. You can use these assist hooks when jigging or on stickbaits and poppers. Fitted with standard wire JH-10 and JH-30 hooks, Vanfook JWS-50 assist hooks have excellent fish-holding strength and superb hooking penetration. The assist line is a strong, flexible and difficult to kink hybrid wire (200lb) which is further protected with a transparent shrink tube. Made in Japan, Vanfook JWS-50 assist hooks are available in sizes 1/0 to 6/0 with three assists per pack. For more information on this and other hooks in the Vanfook range, check out the EJ Todd website. You can also find more info, news and catch photos on the EJ Todd Facebook page. www.ejtodd.com.au
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SHIMANO OCEA JIGGER RODS
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Jig-eating fish are usually at the nasty end of the spectrum, and the Japanese domestic market Ocea Jiggers have the power and design features to keep the biggest of them away from trouble, and heading towards the boat. Built on Shimano’s exclusive Spiral X and High Power blanks, Ocea Jiggers range in length from 1.88m to 1.91m, so they’re all one piece, which makes them a delight to fish with. Depending on the target species and the jigging technique required to entice them, the Ocea Jigger line-up has spin rods for slow jigging for demersals, right through to overheads that are ideal when targeting deepwater species like kingfish, samsonfish and tropical muscle like dogtooth tuna. Custom Shimano Ci4+ reel seats and comfortable EVA grips mean the high intensity fights these rods will be a part of ensures the angler’s comfort for the duration of the fight. The guides are Fuji Titanium frames with SiC inserts. For the full list of specs visit the Shimano Australia website. www.shimanofish.com.au
EUREKA TORPEDO AND TROLL DOLL
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DAIWA LEGALIS LT
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JIGPARA AND ZOC HOOKS
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Eureka Lures Australia has released an impressive range of pre-rigged small game lures that will be effective on small pelagic species. The Eureka Torpedo lures are a classic bullet shaped lure that will work in most sea conditions. They feature double feathers with an outer skirt and all come pre-rigged with quality nylon leaders, crimps and a Stainless Steel single hook and are available in four colours suitable for tuna, mahimahi, mackerel and albacore. The Eureka Troll Dolls are professionally prerigged with a quality double hook, monofilament trace and are available in five proven colours. Troll Dolls are a great high speed lure suited for tuna, albacore, mackerel, kingfish, salmon and tailor. To browse the full range of Eureka game lures, visit the Juro website. You can also see all the latest news and photos from Eureka distributor Juro OzPro at www.facebook.com/ JuroOzProTackle. www.jurofishing.com
The Legalis LT is one of the latest generation of reels based on Daiwa’s LT or Light Tough concept – lighter, stronger and more compact than ever before. It also incorporates Daiwa’s innovative technologies such as Tough Digigear, ATD, Air Rotor and Airbail, making it one of Daiwa’s most technically advanced budget reels that delivers on both price and performance. Key features include: LT Concept (suits the new generation of PE lines for higher line and drag capacity, stronger gearing, improved handling and increased performance); Tough Digigear (50% stronger than previous Digigear II); Airspool ABS (up to 30% lighter than previous generations, and has a redesigned spool lip improving overall castability); ATD drag system (reduced start-up inertia protects delicate and thin lines from aggressive strikes); Air Bail (maximum rigidity and strength with minimum weight, with a protrusion-free design mitigating line tangles during the retrieve); Air Rotor (reduces weight, stress and flexing, while enhancing transmission of vibration and allowing the rotor to spin with perfect balance); Twistbuster (tapered line roller offsets line twist and greatly improves line management). www.daiwafishing.com.au
Majorcraft has introduced a new range of lead and tungsten jigging lures — 185 versions of Japan’s number 1 saltwater lures. First up are the Vertical Short and Vertical Long Jigparas. Designed with a centre balance and asymmetric body, these have a classic broad slide action, perfect for mechanical jigging for high speed species and big predators. The Tungsten lure is denser and smaller than lead to create less water resistance and sink faster, for a quick cast and catch. The Micro is 3-10g and designed for the smaller estuary and freshwater species. The Vertical Slow Pitch and Slow Pitch fluttering jigs are designed for slow pitch angling. Their slow dancing action means they stay in the strike zone for longer, bringing in shut down or slower fish. Majorcraft has also released 45 variations of the custom coated assist hooks that come in a vast range of sizes and drop lengths. They all have a premium epoxy Z-Hard coating, which keeps the fish on the hook. www.majorcraft.com.au
Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au MARCH 2018
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WHAT’S NEW FISHING DUO D-SQUID 95
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One of the most advanced squid jigs in the world is now available here in Australia. The DUO D-Squid eliminates the traditional ‘feather wing’, which causes drag. Removing these wings, along with internalizing the weight in the body, means the D-Squid reaches the bottom at a speedy rate and allows a light yet sharp darting action in the deep zone. In additiona to this, the D-Squid has a body shape which allows the lure to maintain an ideal body position after the darting action. This results in the increase of bites and eliminates the annoying problem of the hook catching the line. There are two body sizes, 95mm (21g) and 105mm (27g). The 95mm and the 105mm will show its true potential at 15m+ and 20m+ respectively. Another great thing about the D-Squid is the colour line-up; you can select from a wide range of proven colours depending on the field conditions and activeness of the squid. With the D-squid, you will easily be able to reach those deep zones and in fast flowing currents never fished before. Price: SRP $19.99 www.duo-australia.com.au
MAZZY SLIDE BOMBER
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The all-new Mazzy Slide Bomber from Big Yella Time is here. It took many hours of design to get this lure doing exactly what was intended, along with extensive field testing of different prototypes, and now anglers can finally get their hands on some. The Slide Bomber measures 100mm and 40g, and this tall-bodied lure is designed to swim in wide S-curves. By changing your retrieve speeds with a start-stop action, the lure’s swimming action can be increased dramatically. The Slide bomber can be retrieved at super slow speeds but also does not mind pace either. It has a very slow sink, and this action is dynamite on large fish. It gives these wary and cunning fish the urge to attack. So whether you want to target Murray cod in the fresh or mulloway, jacks and flathead in the salt, the Mazzy Slide Bomber has you covered. Price: SRP: $27.95 www.bigyellatime.com
PRODUCT GUIDE
visit the Samaki website. You can also like them on Facebook and Instagram, where you’ll see the latest catch photos and new releases. www.samaki.com.au
SAMAKI RED SNAPPER SHIRT
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Samaki’s new Red Snapper shirt is striking and full of colour. It features hungry snapper in a baitfish-filled rockery, chasing down a Samaki Boombait. This shirt is made from lightweight fabric that features UPF50+ technology, providing the highest level of protection against the harsh sun. The soft touch, 100% polyester material is comfortable on the body and has the added feature of being breathable, keeping you cool and dry. Samaki designs are brought to you by Australian anglers who love to design Australian species. Red Snapper shirts are available in adult, youth and kids sizes, ranging from a size 2 through to a 3XL, allowing the whole family to get in on the action and out onto the water. For more information, including the location of your nearest stockist, visit the Samaki website or like them on Facebook and Instagram. Price: SRP$59.95 (adults), $49.95 (kids) www.samaki.com.au
SWIM BAITS AUSTRALIA
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From the fish mad brains that bought you the Shads Lures range, Swim Baits Australia are brand new swag of lures that started hitting shelves and catching big fish in 2017. These high quality timber swimbaits and glidebaits can be found in sizes from 100mm right through to a mammoth 230mm, and they are bound to get the strike in both rivers and dams. All models are fitted with strong hardware and are available in a great range of colours. Not only will they get the bite, they’re also strong enough to hold on to some of the giants who are eating them. For more information, up-to-date news and recent catch photos, look up Swim Baits Australia on Facebook to see what all the fuss is about. w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / S w i m - B a i t s Australia
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NEW 9CM SAMAKI MAGNETIC 18 SQUIDLY RIGS 15 RELEASE CLIP Black Magic’s range of Squidly rigs have Samaki is expanding further into the practical tooling and accessory market with the launch of the Magnetic Release Clip. The Samaki Magnetic Release clip allows you to access any item you want with ease. The quick release system is made of an aviation-grade aluminium magnet, which is strong and durable. With a maximum weight capacity of 3.5kg, it also features a high strength carabiner. these are so handy you’ll want more than one by your side. Ranging in three awesome colours black, red and cobalt, they are in stores now. The Samaki accessory range also includes fish grips, pliers (long-nose, split ring and multitool) and line spoolers. For more information, including the location of your nearest stockist, 56
MARCH 2018
proven to be very effective on deepwater denizens off the shelf, and on big snapper as well. Now a smaller size squid (9cm) has been added to offer anglers a wider range of species to target with this popular rig. Great for both casting and jigging, the 9cm Squidly has three plastic squids rigged in a paternoster style. The components, as always with Black Magic tackle, are high in strength and performance. Squidly rigs use 60lb trace and a long shank hook. Keep an eye out for the new Squidlys at a store near you, and watch out for the new candy colour as well. Before you use these rigs, check the local fishing regulations regarding the number of hooks allowed per rig. If need be, you can just remove one of the hooks and use it separately. www.blackmagictackle.com
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PRODUCT GUIDE
WHAT’S NEW FISHING
Field testing the new Zerek Flat Shad Pro and Live Mullet There’s a huge range of soft plastics on the market, and all of their different designs have not come about by accident; rather they are the result of extensive research and development. The one thing I really like about plastics is that they are continually evolving, and a look at the new range of Zerek soft plastics confirms this fact. Zerek is all about making good lures even better. The original Zerek Flat Shad sported a baitfish-shaped body and active tail that virtually begged a fish to have a bite. I have found them to be extremely effective, especially on ambush predators such as barra, jacks, flathead and cod. Now Zerek has revamped the Flat Shad with a softer and more flexible body material throughout. It’s called the Flat Shad Pro, and it’s part of Zerek’s Professional Craft series of plastics. The newbies are lighter, yet just as dangerous to fish due to the supple body collapsing upon a bite to enable the hook to do its job. These new lures have been designed to be cast on a more lightly-
The Flat Shad has a high degree of snag proofing as the hook will lay right along the lure’s back during the retrieve. lure, with a deliberately slow retrieve, was deadly on these marble-eyed freshwater marauders. Casting just behind a large rock in a high country stream, I eased the snag-
TESTED
the action of a swimming fish. Remember how effective the Zerek Live Shrimp is, due to its very lifelike action and appearance? The same flexibility and realistic appearance is the key with the Zerek Live Mullets, as their segmented construction provides ultra flexibility in the water. Moreover, these segments are held together with Kevlar matting material throughout to ensure that toothy critters don’t give them the chop. They also feature 3D eyes for maximum attraction. Available in a wide range of colours, sizes and weights, the Live Mullet has certainly earned its place in the tackle box. Just like the Pro Series Flat Shad, the Mullet’s action stands out from the crowd. It can be retrieved as fast or as slow as you like without sacrificing that fish-attracting wiggle. I’ve seen these Mullet take quite a few species of fish so far, and without a doubt durability is one of the best things about them. In the freshwater they were good on Murray cod, and my son Scott was generous enough to take me out from Mission Beach and show me how effective the Mullet was on a decentsized queenfish. Despite the attention the queenie gave the lure with its teeth, the Live Mullet came out unmarked. That’s pretty tough! - Wayne Kampe
This Zerek Live Mullet came through totally unscathed from an encounter with a queenfish taken by Scott Kampe. weighted hook, and this reduction in weight gives the tail a slower, more active and enticing action. The Flat Shad Pro can flutter down or be retrieved on the slowest of rolls, with the tail working very enticingly. For those among us that like to pimp their lures, there’s an attachment loop
for an additional stinger hook set into the lead belly weight of Zerek’s weedless worm hook. These lures come in a range of sizes Murray cod find the Zerek Flat Shad Pro hard to resist. This fish nailed the lure the from 3.5-7”, and there are five colours second the author started a slow roll retrieve. to choose from. I opted for a bright orange/yellow 4.5” model to try out on Granite Belt cod, and I found that the proof Zerek over the rock and watched in amazement as three smaller cod fought over the offering. One naturally hooked up, and I released it after a quick photo. In the saltwater I gave a couple of Flat Shad Pros a swim in the Murray River near Tully, and saw everything from barra through to jacks attacking them. Zerek Live Mullet series The concept of a lure closely resembling a fish is an old one. Early offerings made by various companies were moulded to look like fish, but sadly did not swim like one, as they lacked flexibility due to a one-piece rigid construction. They were innovative, but not reliable fish catchers. These days the new Zerek Live Mullet range from their Professional Craft series are as far removed from those early offerings as I am from competing in an The Zerek Flat Shad pro series is virtually Iron Man event. Constructed from a highly The Zerek Flat Shad pro series is virtually snag proof. This barra scoffed the snag proof. This barra scoffed the durable, high-end TPE material, the Live Flat Shad right in the sticks. Flat Shad right in the sticks. Mullet is specifically designed to imitate
MARCH 2018
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Cooking
Tasty miso crusted salmon with crunchy rice BRISBANE
Lynn Bain
This recipe is very easy to make. It’s a slightly salty, savoury and sophisticated dish – if there is such a taste as sophisticated, then miso has it. The red miso paste that I use as part of the crust on the fish in this recipe is available at most supermarkets in the Asian section. You may also notice white miso paste in the same area of the supermarket. You could use either in this recipe, however I prefer red miso because it has a more pronounced flavour than the white miso, and red miso also adds an excellent colour to the crust on the salmon. The quantities in this recipe will serve two.
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Ingredients • 2 salmon steaks • 2 tbsp red miso paste • 3 tbsp soy sauce
Add the brown sugar.
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Place the salmon steaks onto a clean work surface and spread the miso paste mixture over the flesh side of the salmon. Place the coated salmon steaks into the fridge, skin side down, for half an hour to allow the flavour of the miso paste mixture to partner with the salmon and for the coating to firm up.
• 1 tbsp brown sugar • 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar • hot steamed rice • uncooked vegetables • noodles
Add the rice wine vinegar to the miso mixture.
Heat your bbq plate or heavy-based cast iron frypan to a medium-high heat. When it’s hot, oil it lightly with some cooking oil. Place the salmon skin-side down onto the hot surface and cook for three minutes before carefully turning the salmon over. Cook on the flesh side briefly to get some heat into the miso paste. Remove the salmon from the heat and place to one side on a plate. The salmon will continue to cook for a little while after you take it off the heat, so ensure that there is a sliver of pink flesh through the centre of your salmon steak when you remove it from the heat.
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Place the red miso paste into a cup or small bowl. Add the soy sauce and stir together well. The paste is quite thick and it will take a bit of stirring to incorporate the soy sauce into the miso paste.
Mix until well blended.
The miso crusted salmon with the rice medley is ready to be served – the rice/veggie mixture is a simple combo of steamed rice accompanied by slivers of carrot and sliced Asian greens as well as slivers of red onion. Top the rice/vegie medley with some Asian crispy noodles for that crunchy texture. These can be purchased at most supermarkets.
Dazed and confused with Dudds in a boat BRISBANE
The Sheik of the Creek
I felt dazed. My head ached, like someone had just whacked me on the side of the head with a no. 6 bean sinker, which was appropriate, because someone had just hit me on the side of the head with a no. 6 bean sinker. Manboobs was in a state of insobriety after chugging a number of midstrengths following a few weeks of domestic arguments, non-stop driving and financial stress. But let’s call it what it is: Christmas. Anyway, Skipper and Boobies had claimed the comfortable front seats with rod holders, while I was perched like an overweight cormorant on the front deck. We were hoping for a thready or two to break up the monotony, but all we
could hook were catfish and sharks. They were chewing through our supply of mullet and prawns like Charlie Webb through an all you can eat buffet. As the chillybin got lighter, the can pile around Boobies grew higher. For the first couple of hours he managed to stand up to cast, and I was warned of possible missiles by an aluminium cascade that sounded like the Black Knight standing up without his buckles done up in a late summer Brisbane hailstorm. But as the day wore on, I could hear the muttered curses from the front right fade, as Boobies found it more and more difficult to dislodge the plethora of cans gathered around his person, like ants around something that ants really like. So I had no warning of this lead missile, which dealt me a good blow on the temple. I could hear the hook fizz past
my ear. The terminal tackle swung lazily in an arc some 50m into the turgid waters of the Mary. The last remaining herring went a further two hundred metres into a stand of thick mangroves on the far bank. I considered diving in to retrieve it, but my head was already swimming; I didn’t need the rest of me swimming too. Skipper and I exchanged a look, then fumbled around a bit and gave our original looks back to each other. But the lack of bait didn’t seem to worry the catfish; Boobies was on again shortly after, even without bait. Unless he’d become confused and was putting two baits onto each hook, which was entirely possible. Watching him take catfish and sharks off his hooks was interesting. I think I know how they felt in Houston watching Apollo 11: waiting for the disaster
and able to do absolutely nothing about it. But he got through it. We got through it. Yes,
there were some catfish barbs, shark teeth and sinker wounds to contend with that night. It was alright
for Boobies, he had some high level pain relief on board. As for me, my head just ached.
TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2018 MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
6-8 Mar
ABT BREAM Series Australian Open Sydney Harbour/Hawkesbury River
abt.org.au
8-11 Mar
VMR Hervey Bay Family Fishing Competition Dayman Park, Urangan
George Duck 0407 663 578
10-11 Mar
ABT BASS Pro Round 1 Hawkesbury River
abt.org.au
20-21 Mar
ABT BREAM Series Round 3 St Helens, Tasmania
abt.org.au
24 Mar
Wyralong Dam Carp/Tilapia Eradication Comp Wyralong Dam
www.lafma.org
24-25 Mar
ABT BREAM Series Round 4 Derwent River, Tasmania
abt.org.au
21-22 Apr
ABT BREAM Series Round 5 Gold Coast
abt.org.au
22 Apr
ABT BASS Electric Series Round 2 Clarrie Hall Dam
abt.org.au
5-6 May
ABT BREAM Series Round 6 Swan River, WA
abt.org.au
19-20 May
ABT BASS Pro Round 2 Glenbawn Dam
abt.org.au
22-23 May
ABT BASS Pro Round 3 Lake St Clair
abt.org.au
2-3 Jun
Round 6 Hobie Kayak Bream Series Gold Coast
hobiefishing.com.au
2-3 Jun
ABT BREAM Series Round 7 Hawkesbury River
abt.org.au
7-9 Jun
Frenchville Sports Club Barra Bash Frenchville
frenchybarrabash@gmail.com
8-10 Jun
Weipa Fishing Classic Cape York
www.weipafishingclassic.com
9-10 Jun
Tweed Coast Marine Greenback Fishing Competition Tweed Coast
Stephen Duffield 0421 052 135
Add your tournament or competition to this list by emailing jthomas@fishingmonthly.com.au or calling 07 3387 0800 in office hours. Just supply a date, venue, tournament name and a telephone number and contact name. MARCH 2018
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BOAT MODIFICATIONS & REPAIRS
CUSTOM ALLOY FABRICATION • Boat repairs & fitouts • Bait tanks • Transom rebuilds • Fuel tanks • Consoles
FISH TAXIDERMY
MARINE MECHANICS GOLD COAST
Fish Taxidermist www.fishtaxidermy.net.au or 0428 544 841
Whitewater Marine (07) 5532 4402 T&S Marine (07) 5546 2599
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Reef Marine Mackay (07) 4957 3521
MARINE MECHANICS // MOBILE WYNUMM MANLY-BAYSIDE Wondall Rd Marine (07) 3396 5633
Gary’s Marine Centre
OVER 20 YEARS FABRICATING AND WELDING ALUMINIUM
FISHING GUIDES SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Suncoast Barra Fishing Park www.suncoastbarrafishing.com
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Lake Monduran Barra Charters 0407 434 446
TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Hooked On Hinchinbrook www.hookedonhinchinbrook.com
MARINE TRIMMERS SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Rowland Street Boat Trimmers Springwood (07) 3208 9511 Brisbane Yamaha (07) 3888 1727 Rays Canvas & Marine Caboolture (07) 5499 4911 Affordable Boat Covers Gold Coast 0419 424 587
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION BRISBANE
FOR RENT: Holiday House on Karragarra Island
CUSTOM TRANSOMS 20-75hp $750 75-150hp $890 150-225hp $980 Freight can be arranged Australia wide
PROFISH BOATS – Phone Peter 0417 782 114 Email: peter@profishboats.com www.profishboats.com
3201 6232
• Pet friendly and peaceful • Fish n Crab from in front of the house • Complimentary bikes & kayaks for you to use
in beautiful Moreton Bay
217 Pine Mountain Road, BRASSALL MARINE TRAILERS Oceanic Boat Trailers (07) 5597 0577 Spitfire Trailers (07) 0400 866 323 Tinnie Tosser (07) 5498 7339 Sea-Link Special Trailers (07) 3881 3568
Rent for $150 per night minimum 2 nights, sleeps 6 Phone Kevin 0457 778 097 or go to Stayz property No. 182473 for more photos and information
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. 100
MARCH 2018
Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND The Islander Retreat, South Stradbroke Island 0420 967 557
FRASER ISLAND Apurla Island Retreat 0437 739 121 Waddy Lodge on Fraser 0414 516 364 Cathedrals on Fraser (07) 4127 9177 Fraser Island Beach Houses 1800 626 230 Yidney Rocks (07) 4127 9167 Eurong Beach Resort 1800 111 808
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Baffle Creek Holiday House 0419 624 833
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
Dave Gaden’s Yamba • Deep Sea
N O W AVA IL A B L E
FISHING CHARTERS
ALL YOUR FISHING MONTHLY GEAR
REEL TIME
From
T-Shirts
$
22 85
• 6am to 2pm $150pp • 3 boats – holds up to 30+ people • All fishing gear and bait is supplied • No fishing licence req. • Pickup from Yamba Marina or Iluka ferry wharf
Phone Dave today: www.fishingyamba.com.au 0428 231 962 OPEN 7 DAYS
EASY PARKING
COOKTOWN River of Gold Motel 4069 5222
Phone Cases
MACKAY
From
BEL AIR MOTEL, MACKAY - PLENTY OF ROOM FOR BOATS AND TRAILERS.............PH: 07 4957 3658 FRESHWATER Yallakool Caravan Park on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746 Lake Boondooma Caravan Park (07) 4168 9694 Lake Cressbrook Regional Council 131 872 Yallakool Park and Kiosk on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746
CHARTER BOATS GOLD COAST True Blue Fishing Gold Coast (07) 5510 9622 BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters 0414 293 034 My Charter Boat Tweed Heads 0407 347 446 RU4 Reel Tweed Heads 0449 903 366 Discovery Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0427 026 519 Fish The Deep Charters 0416 224 412 Paradise Fishing Charters 0403 531 428 Gold Coast Fishing Charters 0411 605 090 Hooker 1 Charters Gold Coast (07) 5528 6469 Sea Probe Fishing Charters 0400 312 330 Coastal Sports Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0412 691 929 Gone Fishing Charters Gold Coast (07) 5529 7833
BRISBANE Frenzy Charters Brisbane (07) 3209 4576 Big Cat Charters and Tom Cat Charters 0433 430 248 Moreton Island Fishing Charters 0413 128 056 Brisbane Fishing Charters 0427 026 510 Bucket List Fishing Charters 0428 368 316 John Gooding Outlaw Charters 0418 738 750
SUNSHINE COAST Keely Rose Deep Sea Fishing Charters 0407 146 151 Odyssey Charters Deep Sea Fishing (07) 5478 1109 Rainbow Beach Fishing Charters 0439 775 070 Smithy’s Fishing Charters Sunshine Coast 0407 574 868 Top Catch Charters Sunshine Coast 0429 013 012 Fish n Crab Charters Mooloolaba 0412 155 814 Offshore Reef and Game Fishing 0413 485 402 Sunshine Coast Fishing Charters (07) 5500 0671 Fishing Offshore Noosa 0418 889 956 Noosa Fishing Charters (07) 5665 8170 Hervey Bay Fishing Charters (07) 4125 3958 Incredible Charters 1300 655 818
NORTHERN NSW
MARINA BOAT & TACKLE, YAMBA MARINA
$
29 45
Mugs
YAMBA’S LARGEST TACKLE STORE
From
$
• Chandlery • Boat Sales • Ice & Gas • Bait & Tackle • Trailers Sales & Parts • Charter Bookings Ph: 6646 1994 or 0428 231 962 Email: dave@gaden.com.au
1 7 27
Now Agents For
HERVEY BAY
Fully Guided Lure & Fly Fishing •
Clocks $
BORN AND BRED LOCAL GUIDE
• 5.5m Custom sportsfishing Vessel • 4.4m Estuary Sportsfishing Vessel • Quality Fishing Gear Supplied
42 7 0
Carry Bags From
$
www.herveybaysportfishing.com.au
Andrew Chorley
0407 627 852
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Ultimate Sportfishing Charters 0450 753 726 MV Capricorn Star 0408 755 201 Mikat Cruises Fishing Charters 0427 125 727 Bundaberg Fishing Charters 0429 017 217 Sport Fish 1770 (07) 4974 9686
20 3 3 Throw Pillows
From
$
25 4 2
and lots more...
MANY DESIGNS TO CHOOSE FROM ON A WIDE VARIETY OF PRODUCTS ALL MADE TO ORDER
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 Eclipse FNQ Weipa Charters 0488 058 668 Fish’s Fly & Sportsfishing Weipa (07) 4069 9957 Action Charters Mackay 0417 452 346 Fishing Charters Townsville 0403 386 722 JC’s Fishing Charters 0438 753 382 Fairdinkum Fishing Charters Townsville (07) 4751 5324
Wooli Fishing Charter (02) 6649 7100
Cairns Reef Charter Services 1800 119 044
Evans Head Deep Sea Fishing Charters 0428 828 835 Reel Time Fishing Charters Yamba 0428 231 962
Cairns Charter Boat 0427 533 081 Cairns Fishing Charters 0427 400 027
fishingmonthly.redbubble.com
Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0834 or email nkelly@fishingmonthly.com.au MARCH 2018
101
WHAT’S NEW BOATING SUZUKI DF325A
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The innovative new DF325A 4-stroke outboard from Suzuki has been designed to be robust, easy to use and versatile, making it the ideal outboard for large boats. Sharing the same revolutionary technologies as the recently-launched flagship DF350A, including contra-rotating propellers, dual louver system and dual injectors, Suzuki has stepped it up with the new model by engineering it to run on 91 RON fuel – a world first and game changer for high performance outboards over 300hp. Suzuki’s latest outboard features its proven 4.4L displacement block which gives tremendous torque and makes it the largest displacement V6 on the market today. Combined with a compression ratio of 10.5:1, the DF325A also delivers impressive fuel economy and reliability. The first deliveries are expected in March. www.suzukimarine.com.au
RAYMARINE VIDEO LIBRARY
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Raymarine has launched a full library of Lighthouse 3 ‘Tips and Tricks’ videos that demonstrate many of the operating system’s unique features. In these educational videos, Raymarine Global Product Manager, Mark Garland, and Marketing Manager, Jim McGowan, walk boaters and anglers through numerous topics, including: C-Map and Navionics advanced features; Raymarine Autopilot integration parts one and two; auto route to here functionality; one-touch vessel details; and wireless display options. Taken as a whole, this new video library demonstrates how Lighthouse 3 system software allows boaters and anglers to take command of their entire navigational and fishfinding experience. Combined with the quadcore processor found in both Axiom and Axiom Pro units, Lighthouse 3 allows anglers to adjust technologies, data displays, and other critical information in an easy, fast, and fluid way. Raymarine plans to keep building the ‘Tips and Tricks’ video library (www.youtube.com/ user/RaymarineInc) in 2018. Price: from SRP $1199 www.raymarine.com.au
MERCURY FOURSTROKE SALE
3
Mercury is offering great deals on their popular 40-90hp FourStrokes. Until 26 March 2018, you can package your boat with one of these engines and save $1130*, and Mercury will provide a free SmartCraft SC1000 tacho rigging kit with every 4090hp FourStroke purchased. Even better, Mercury Finance is available which means you can be enjoying a brand new Mercury FourStroke from just $34 a week. Mercury FourStroke outboards are renowned for being lighter, stronger, and more reliable yet still able to produce superior power and performance. Features include reliable starting, fantastic fuel efficiency, smooth operation, electronic fuel injection (on all 4090hp models), tougher components, a total commitment to corrosion protection and the availability of SmartCraft digital monitoring. *This offer is subject to engine availability, and is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or rebates. www.mercurymarine.com.au 108
MARCH 2018
PRODUCT GUIDE
SCOTTY BALL MOUNTING SYSTEM 4 The Scotty Ball Mounting System provides a mounting platform for a variety of accessories. The ball joint enables a smooth, full range of motion, and the corrosion-proof construction provides a long service life in both fresh and salt water. The 150 model’s universal mounting plate provides a platform for a variety of accessories. The 150 stands 6 3/4” tall, and the base mount measures 2 1/4” x 2 1/4”. The 151 model with Gear-Head and lowprofile track provides a mounting receptacle for a variety of Scotty post-mount accessories. The Gear-Head drop-and-lock system lets you secure and re-position post-mount accessories with just a twist, and the no. 440 low-profile track allows for quick and easy setup. The track measures 1 3/4” wide x 3/8” tall (1” usable track), and the mount stands 9” tall. The 152 with Gear-Head adapter, post and combination side/deck mount also features the Gear-Head drop and lock system. The 152 comes with a no. 241 combination side/deck mount, and the 152 base mount measures 4” x 2” x 2”, and the mount stands 10 3/4” tall. www.jmgillies.com.au
WILSON LIQUID LANOLIN
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Wilson Marine and Leisure Liquid Lanolin cleans, lubricates, rejuvenates and extends the life of metals, vinyls, plastic, leather, fibreglass and powder coated surfaces. It is the ideal choice for protecting marine hardware, cabling, outboard engines and fishing gear from the harmful effects of corrosion. Lanolin is an environmentally friendly, nonconductive, salt and acid resistant product that protects, rejuvenates and lubricates many different materials. The lanolin lubricates and protects moving parts on tools, reels, zippers and chains, while being robust enough to resist high pressure cleaning. Lanolin can also be used to penetrate and free up rusted equipment, effectively working as an anti-seize agent in the field. Application is via a directional nozzle that allows the lanolin to be placed exactly where it is needed, including tight and hard-to-reach places that ordinary spray nozzles cannot reach. www.wilsonfishing.com
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NEW OCEAN CRAFT 6 CRUISERS The Ocean Craft Cruiser range has been expanded with a model that features an aircraft carrier square-nosed bow for maximum deck space. Other Cruiser models are the Cruiser Extreme Party BBQ Boat, and the Dune Buggy Transporter. All Ocean Craft Cruisers feature an above waterline self-draining deck; full-length heavyduty, fold-down bimini top; hatch to below deck; airtight buoyancy section under deck; and ocean going, wave-punching hull. Below deck options include a storm refuge ‘V’ berth option; underfloor livebait tank, kill tank and underfloor fuel tank fit-out; and a second weatherproof hatch to below deck. Ocean Crafts can be optionally fitted with an onboard porta-potty toilet, fitted kitchen, worktop, fridge, dual burner cooker and basin stereo with hi-fi 12V power points. The Ocean Craft 5.2m Cruiser is priced from $38,283, and the 6m model is priced from $44,995. www.oceancraft.com.au
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Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au
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34Smith Smith St St Motorway, Motorway, Southport, 34 Southport, QLD QLD4215 4215 Phone: (07) 5532 Phone: 5532 5812 5812
MARCH 2018
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Sea Jay’s 460 Vision CC with Yamaha F75 - SC
TENT -
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it. Like the rest of the boats in the Sea Jay range, the warranty is effectively doubled with the purchase of the factory-matched trailer. It’s good value in our eyes. The single axle setup is achievable with a half-ton hull weight and allows you
PERFORMANCE • Top speed 63.5km/h at 5900 rpm • Best economy at 4000rpm of 3.3km/L
Main: It was great to be able to take the 460 Vision out for a serious test in some rough water. Above: Powered by the new Yamaha F75 (which is 1.8L, compared with the 1L existing F70), the rig delivered 3.3km/L at 4000rpm. With a massive 2.3m beam, this 4.6m long boat holds a console that would be at home in a hull much longer. Well designed, with a grab bar all the way around
SPECIFICATIONS Length overall ......................................... 4.74m Bottom .......................................................4mm Sides ..........................................................3mm Beam..........................................................2.3m Depth .......................................................1.24m Floor ribs ....................................................... 11 Capacity ....................................... Five persons Hull weight .............................................. 495kg Max hp ...........................................................75 Max motor weight................................... 175kg went over the setup and quickly deduced that this rig was for anglers who wanted the versatility to fish anywhere from a tidal river to offshore.
DE FOR EX
One of the most popular boat tests we’ve completed in Fishing Monthly recently was the simple and effective Sea Jay Ranger 460 – an unpainted, tiller steer open boat with the Samurai hull. That hull – powered by a 70hp tiller Yamaha – struck a chord with anglers Australia-wide. This iteration of the same hull is painted, has a plywood, carpeted floor and a giant console. Enter the Vision 460. And we finally got a nice, rough day to take the test boat for a spin – 15-20 knots from the southeast with a big tide is a pretty standard nasty-dayon-the-bay. Meeting Sea Jay’s Garry Fitzgerald at the ramp, we
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s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au
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Same as most boats? Yep, and once you learn the limits of the hull, you’ll comfortably traverse water that’s too uncomfortable to fish in. High gunwales make this rig comfortable to fish in, especially from the cockpit.
FMG
the windscreen, there’s ample room for a mountain of big screen electronics and a dry storage shelf underneath. The front casting deck is elevated from the main
floor, but not so high that it’s unfishable in a bit of a sea. Underneath the floor is some gear storage and a compartment that’s ideal for the batteries for the bow mounted trolling motor. On the water, we had plenty of opportunity to see how this boat performed in a variety of conditions. In the lee of the wind and chop behind the headland, the Vision jumped up and onto the plane with the 1.8L 75hp Yamaha showing the benefit of its displacement. Around the corner where the waves and wind met current you needed to match the trim and speed of the boat to conditions. Get it right and the Vision lands gently, with the bow cutting the water. Try to traverse the chop too fast and you’ll
land the boat on the belly of the hull and wear the bang to match.
Wound out to 5900rpm, the Yamaha pushed the Vision along at 63.5km/h, but the most economical speed was at 4000rpm, there the Vision delivered 40km/h at a frugal 3.3km/L. Cradled on a Sea Jay aluminium I-beam framed trailer (manufactured by Dunbier), the Vision isn’t so heavy that you’ll need a specialised 4WD to tow
to manoeuvre the boat in tight garage situations. Overall, the 4.6m Vision would suit an angler that wants the best of all worlds, with a bent more towards bay and inshore fishing than estuary work. For more information, visit www.seajayboats.com. au or like Sea Jay’s Facebook page (Sea Jay Boats) for updated or new models.
With a 2.3m beam and 4.6m overall length, the Vision is definitely a wide boat with a big ol’ console. Spinning a 15” GP Alloy Yamaha prop it definitely jumps up and onto the plane.
With a steep entry up front flattening out to a 16° deadrise down the back, the 460 Vision’s Samurai hull addresses the balance between stability and ride.
The upswept shape of the Samurai hull has become a Sea Jay trademark.
Now that’s a big console – we loved the handrail the whole way around and the abundance of room to mount electronics.
You can have the best of both worlds up front. The traditional, roomy anchor locker and bowsprit can work with an offset mounting plate for a bow mounted trolling motor.
A plumbed livewell in the port corner transom is a typical, simple Sea Jay design.
The front casting deck is raised, but to an intermediate height. This provides a balance between height and balance in rougher conditions.
The practicality theme continues towards the transom with the fibreglass cooler doubling as a seat.
Even with a medium-height casting deck for’ard, there’s still a mountain of room to store gear underfloor – including trolling motor batteries.
Store your catch, your lunch or the food for a week away in here. The world’s your oyster with the Vision set up like this.
Cradled on a Dunbier-built, Sea Jay-branded aluminium I-beam trailer, the Sea Jay gets a twoyear rather than a one-year warranty – a solid reason to go with the factory-designed kit.
There’s some extra storage in the transom and the standard side-pockets are great for the incidental gear you’ll take for a day on the water. MARCH 2018
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Quintrex 350 Outback Explorer with 15hp Evinrude
BRISBANE
Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au
The Outback Explorer series is a brand new range of boats from Quintrex, complementing the already well received Explorer range of punts. The emphasis on the Outback models is for lighter weight, enhanced dimensions and, best of all, affordability. There are three models in the Outback range –350, 370 and 390 – and there are some extra options available for each rig to cater for individual requirements. The new Explorers offer a wider beam and an enhanced freeboard, so even though they’re only small boats they provide a lot of bang for your buck. EXPLORER 350 The little 350 model is the smallest of the three new Quintrex Outback Explorer tinnies. This baby of the Outback range weighs just
81kg, and it’s sure to be well received by people wanting a lightweight, highly portable boat for a multitude of uses. To start with, it would definitely be handy as an inexpensive tender for a larger rig. Likewise, travellers wanting a lightweight boat to put atop the vehicle or a home away from home on the draw bar of the car will also find the 350 worth a serious look. Other likely owners could well be from the first boat buying fraternity, or those wanting to downsize from a larger rig to something far more portable and less of a hassle to use. A RANGE OF OPTIONS The little 350 Outback Explorer is a 4-person craft with engine ratings up to 15hp. Standard features include two bench seats with flotation underneath, an anchor locker up front plus a small front deck, grab handles and a glove box/ drink holder. Standard, also, is a surprisingly good ride!
SPECIFICATIONS Length...........................................................3.58m Beam.............................................................1.53m Hull weight..................................................... 81kg Persons................................................................4 Engines..................................................up to 15hp Engine fitted..........................Evinrude 15 4-stroke Fuel Tote tank...................................................20L Towing................................... family sedan or SUV 114
MARCH 2018
More on this later. Options for the 350 ranged from a bimini to a carpeted floor, side rails, fuel tank rack, vinyl wraps to add bling, and last but not least a transducer bracket. Although standard construction of the 350 Outback Explorer sees 160mm alloy used throughout, Quintrex also offer an upgrade from 160mm bottom material to 200mm for those boaters planning for some heavier duty work for their rig. EVINRUDE 15 4-STROKE Stepping into the 350 from a pontoon, I was surprised by the inherent stability of this small, puntstyle craft. I also liked the overall rigidity; the floor and sides were obviously well braced within the unit, and for a small boat the 350 had a surprisingly solid overall feel about it. Power on the transom came from a 15hp 2-cylinder Evinrude 4-stroke outboard, which at 52kg was within the 58kg weight range suited to the rig. With myself and a Quintrex rep aboard, we carried out test runs in the Coomera River, which was a perfect, sheltered environment for the little tinny. I found that the Explorer 350 had a surprising turn of speed. With a light hull weight of just 81kg, I expected the Evinrude 15
would make the craft hum along pretty well, but did more than hum – it fairly sang! Planing was between 11.3km/h and 11.8km/h, and 30km/h was an easy cruising speed. With the Evinrude’s hand throttle control wide open it reached 37.3km/h, which was very good performance from a small rig under such modest power. When it comes to boat design, it’s pretty easy to build something that can go fast in a straight line. What’s less easy to achieve is brilliant handling of a little craft like this one. With a well formed waterline entry section up front and a slight amount of vee astern, this 3.5m punt amazed me with its tenacity in the corners. This is one punt that would make it fun to whiz up a mangrove creek to check the pots before the tide gets too low. With the absolutely amazing way in which the 350 cornered under near full throttle (it generated some very serious G-forces in the process) I’d reckon there would be little chance of skidding out of a sharp turn and ending up in the mangroves. The ride was quite good thanks to the work Quintrex have done with the Explorer range in general. The new Explorer’s F-section bow, plus the hull’s clever design, ensured that we could press over wash from other craft
Main: The 350 Outback Explorer may be small, but you get a lot of bang for your buck.. Above: This shot of the Explorer travelling fast shows the excellent entry area of the punt-style hull. without having to reduce speed. This is pretty much ideal for any small alloy craft these days. SUMMING UP The new 350 Outback Explorer is definitely worth a look if you’re in the market for a highly portable but equally useful small boat. I liked the ride, the ease of handling plus the roomy layout within the Explorer’s hull. Rigidity of the craft plus a decent amount of freeboard were also much to my liking. With so many people wanting to explore the Top End’s fishing, it’s great to see that there is an ideal
craft for their requirements. The price of the rig as reviewed, ready to go onto the carry racks, would be around the $5490 mark as supplied by Surf Coast Marine on the Gold Coast. You can contact them on 07 5563 7733 or send them an email at info@ surfcoastmarine.com.au. • Quoted performance figures have been supplied by the writer in good faith. Performance of individual boat/motor/ trailer packages may differ due to variations in engine installations, propellers, hull configurations, options, hull loading and trailer specifications.
Hang onto your hat! This little boat does nearly 40km/h with a 15hp outboard on it.
This image displays the excellent side height of the 350 Outback Explorer.
Large boat owners would find the 350 Outback Explorer to be a great tender.
A shelf for the anchor, and seats with flotation underneath are just a couple of the features that make the Explorer such a handy craft. A drink holder and glove box are standard equipment in the little 3.5m Quintrex.
Modest beginnings in the Quintrex factory lead to a quality small craft on the water.
Maximum power is a useful thing in small boat, and the 350 Explorer handled the power very well. MARCH 2018
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