TROLLING FOR SCHOOL BLUEFIN KINGFISH ON TOPWATER
TONGA-IS THIS THE BEST OVERSEAS SPORTFISHING DESTINATION?
FISH FINDER- CATCH MORE FRESHWATER SPECIES WITHOUT LIVE SONAR
CATCH MORE SEE MORE , INTRODUCING
HDS ® PRO sets a new standard for underwater visibility. Get the highest resolution live sonar with ActiveTarget 2 ® . And ultra high definition clarity in the MHz range with new Active Imaging™ HD
Bow-to-stern boat control with the Ultimate Fishing System , and detailed C-MAP ® charting make HDS ® PRO the most powerful fishfinding tool available.
FISH MORE IN 2025
Happy New Year!
As we welcome 2025, the team at Hooked Up wish you all a successful year on the water. The start of a new year brings fresh opportunities, and whether you’re chasing new personal records or enjoying your favourite fishing spots, there’s so much to look forward to.
In this issue, we start with one of the most exciting fisheries currently booming across the south coast and Tasmania – school southern bluefin tuna. Trolling for these fish is incredibly rewarding, but it’s not without its challenges. Finding the fish, understanding their habits, and fine-tuning your techniques can make all the difference. We’ve broken it down to help you get results and make the most of this growing fishery.
We also dive into the art of chasing kingfish on poppers. Kingfish are a prized summer species for many anglers, and with their explosive strikes and tough battles, it’s easy to see why. This issue delivers practical tips and techniques to help you connect with these powerful fish.
For those with an eye on adventure, we take you to Tonga – one of the best sportfishing destinations within a short flight from Australia. From land-based game fishing to chasing dogtooth tuna just offshore, Tonga has something for every angler. If you’re looking for an overseas trip that delivers both variety and excitement, this could be your perfect destination.
We finish this issue with a focus on freshwater fishing. Success in the fresh comes down to making the most of every tool you have at your disposal, and this includes knowing when to step back from live sonar. While useful, it can sometimes lead you to fish that simply aren’t feeding. We share tips to help you fish smarter and improve your results.
We hope this issue inspires you to spend more time on the water, take on new challenges, and enjoy every moment that fishing has to offer. Whether it’s the bluefin tuna run, kingfish action, a trip to Tonga, or freshwater pursuits closer to home, 2025 is set to be a great year.
Wishing you all the best for the year ahead.
Kosta Linardos. Editor-in-Chief
NEW TO 2024 IS THE VANFORD FA SERIES, A REVOLUTIONARY ADVANCEMENT IN FINESSE FISHING.
This series incorporates cutting edge technology and the robust Ci4+ material, offering unmatched strength and lightness. Key innovations include the Duracross drag washer, Anti Twist Fin, Infinityxross, and Infinitydrive, enhancing performance and durability. The MGL rotor and Long Stroke Spool design promise smooth operation and superior casting. Tailored for both novices and seasoned anglers, the Vanford FA series sets new standards in the mid-range fishing reel market, ensuring every outing is both productive and enjoyable.
NOW FEATURING SIX MODELS, INCLUDING THE ULTRA LIGHT 500 SIZE.
DAIWA 25 SALTIGA
At Hooked Up, we’ve seen our fair share of impressive reels, but the all-new 25 Saltiga has us genuinely excited. Daiwa’s relentless drive for performance has pushed the boundaries once again, delivering upgrades that bring more torque, durability, and precision to the table—ideal for hardcore anglers chasing trophy fish.
The 25 Saltiga’s main gear is now 10 per cent larger, offering more torque and increased durability, which means greater confidence when turning the handle against serious fish. Its new Powerdrive Rotor has been completely redesigned, delivering a 7 per cent boost in rigidity, so you can fish harder under heavy loads without compromising performance.
One of the most exciting improvements is the twin bearing pillar support, which smooths out oscillation and reduces friction. This ensures a seamless experience when working lures and fighting fish—something every serious angler will appreciate. Daiwa has also upgraded the line roller system, making it larger, smoother, and far more durable, particularly when braid is running over it under heavy drag pressures.
The bail arm has also been given a clever redesign. The new Crank Power Bail, complete with an improved spring mechanism, makes opening and closing easier and directs the line perfectly over the upgraded roller system for maximum efficiency.
Perhaps the most eye-popping feature is the new DRD/ATD Tough Drag system, introduced in models 18000 and above. This system uses eight metal rollers in each drag plate to reduce heat and friction under load—an absolutely insane design that promises smoother, more controlled fights against big fish.
If we were going to suggest areas for improvement on an already legendary reel, Daiwa seems to have nailed every single one of them. From the upgraded durability and rigidity to the innovative drag and roller systems, the new 25 Saltiga looks like an absolute beast on paper.
We can’t wait to get this reel on the water and test it out for ourselves. If the upgrades perform as promised, the 25 Saltiga could set a new benchmark for what a saltwater reel can do. Stay tuned for our full on-the-water review—this is one reel we’re itching to put to the test.
daiwafishing.com.au
YO-ZURI PINS MINNOW
Yo-Zuri’s Pins Minnows Series has been a top seller worldwide for over 2 decades! The Pin’s Minnow floating lures series is offered in a variety of natural colours and patterns to tempt even the most cautious trout. They incorporate a durable ABS Resin lip to get down over the structure and in the strike zone. These extremely versatile baits cast very well for their size, they are perfectly suited for stream and lake fishing. The Pin’s Minnow Series can be cast or trolled producing a tight wiggling action that attracts a wide variety of species to strike. (Available in two sizes 50mm/2 grams & 70mm/4 grams).
tacspo.com.au
MOLIX SHAD 140 3 NEW COLOURS
Molix has introduced three exciting new colours to their highly popular Shad 140 range, expanding the options for anglers targeting iconic Australian species like barramundi and Murray cod. The new colours—Aussie Dark Flash, Aussie Clear Flash, and Blue Black Herring—have been carefully designed to suit a variety of fishing conditions and environments, ensuring maximum versatility and appeal. Each colour option offers unique benefits, with the Aussie Dark Flash providing a striking, bold profile perfect for murky waters, while the Aussie Clear Flash delivers a subtle, natural look ideal for clear water conditions. Meanwhile, the Blue Black Herring mimics the appearance of baitfish commonly found in Australian waters, making it an irresistible choice for predatory fish. With their lifelike action, durability, and now an expanded colour range, the Shad 140 lures continue to be a favourite among Aussie anglers looking to improve their chances of landing trophysized fish.
ejtodd.com.au
MEGABASS GORHAM 147F
Megabass Gorham is a jointed waking and subsurface bait with a presence that awakens distant neutral targets & draws fish in! The new Megabass Gorham articulated body is equipped with two synchronized systems in each section. This patented moving balancer system significantly improves flight posture and cast distance, while providing optimal swimming balance for immediate action as soon as you begin your retrieve. As a result, Gorham’s attack range is dramatically increased, bringing far-off targets within easy reach and getting bites from fish like Murray cod, barramundi, bass, huge trout, mulloway and more. The unique Ramble Tail provides an erratic disturbance that triggers the instincts of hesitant surface feeders. Gorham opens the door to new topwater potential, triggering bites from otherwise dormant fish. With a slow retrieve, Gorham’s natural tail swing paired with the movement of its jointed body creates an ultra-realistic, flashing wake action on the surface.With a fast retrieve, Gorham dives into the shallow subsurface range, moving with a large flashing and rolling action that generates bulging water displacement, triggering the active feeding instincts of targets who lurk in search of a fleeing meal. Work in a twitch to incite bites from targets hot on the trail. 147mm,32g. Floating, rigged with 2x #2 trebles.
vivafishing.com.au
SHIMANO
COLTSNIPER WONDERFALL
Shimano Coltsniper Wonderfall jigs are a shore jigging style lure designed to have a captivating fall action that allows you to target a variety of fish species around the Australian coastline. Available in 30, 40, 60 and 80 gram sizes and five different colours featuring SCALEBOOST technology that give them complex reflections in the water like the scales of a real baitfish to attract strikes from even the most keen eyed predators. shimanofish.com.au
LITTLE JACK SEGROCK
The Little Jack Segrock is a unique lure with an ultra-realistic design and finish that only the masters at Little Jack can achieve. It’s a 90mm, 31g small baitfish imitation that’s been designed to skipp across the surface or run just under. With its heavy, realistic body and a propeller mounted at the rear, this lure creates both flashing and vibration to attract a wide range of targets. The Colorado blade attached to the rear hook enhances its appeal even further. It can tackle various situations with a variety of actions, including slow retrieves and surface kipping. With a steady retrieve, the double flashing action from the propeller and blade strongly attracts fish. The skipping action, which makes the lure hop across the water’s surface, generates bubbles, making it especially effective when targeting fish near the surface or in feeding frenzies (busting fish).
gladiatortackle.com.au
MEGABASS VIBRATION-X DYNA
The concept behind the Vibration-X Dyna is high vibrating power in a compact body. The dyna combines a bite-sized silhouette with an aggressive rolling, ultra-high pitch vibration, overwhelming flight distance, and exceptional structure evasion performance. The internal weights are positioned to give the lowest possible centre of gravity, increasing stability. The nose cup catches water flow, dramatically increasing responsiveness during retrieval. The exceptional initial swimming performance at the start of retrieves helps to increase the productive zone of the lure, allowing it to cover a wide area despite its small size. The dyna is a little giant whose oversize vibrations and high-speed flashing puts most small vibes to shame. Dyna triggers the fighting instincts of neutral fish, drawing forth a new level of reaction bite. Whether you’re working timber, edges or rock walls the Vibration X Dyna in both silent and rattling will cause fish such as Murray cod, redfin, yellow belly, mulloway and more to strike. vivafishing.com.au
SALTY CREW MIDWAY 19 UTILITY SHORT
The Salty Crew Midway 19 Utility Short in their Earth colour offers a perfect blend of performance and functionality, designed for those who value comfort and versatility. With a 19-inch outseam, these shorts are crafted from a durable 4-way stretch fabric that dries quickly, making them ideal for active days on the water or outdoors. The Teflon EcoElite durable water and stain-resistant coating keeps you dry during light rain or spray, while the innovative utility pocket provides easy access to your pliers, phone, or essential gear. A hidden zippered pocket above the front pocket offers secure storage for valuable items, adding an extra layer of convenience. Constructed from 96% nylon and 4% elastane, these shorts feature a tough 2-way stretch performance fabric and a lasso waistband with a custom drawcord for a secure fit. The zip fly with a snap closure enhances ease of use, and the zipper security pocket on the front right adds practical functionality. Available in sizes 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, and 38, the Midway 19 Utility Short is perfect for any adventure. Priced at $89.95, it combines style, durability, and performance, making it an essential addition to your outdoor wardrobe.
salty-crew.com.au
McLURES SEA MONKEY BULLET 5.5”
McLures pride themselves on creating high performance lures, built with the latest technology and materials. All McLures are designed in Australia and built to the highest possible standards. The Sea Monkey Bullet is a unique lure that offers a bullet shaped head but also offers 4 jet holes for increased bubble trail. These lures are best used at higher speeds and run a bit further back than traditional skirts. They come with many different head colours matching the skirts with some glow heads, some tinted and some offering Kauri Shell. These lures come with most of the range offering a UV over skirt whilst the underskirt offers McLures exclusive “Luminite” (which glows in the dark on all colours). They also come with Red Crystal 3D Eyes and the resin heads are near indestructible. The Sea Monkey Bullets are 6.75” long overall with a skirt length of 5.5” and weigh 48grams. They are available in 8 awesome colours. These lures are deadly on tuna and all high speed pelagics.
jurofishing.com
SAMAKI ZING HD REEL
Meet the older brother to the Zing reel: the Zing HD “Heavy-Duty”. Featuring a Titan grey aluminium body and an oversized handle, this reel delivers exceptional durability and generous power. The ‘HCS’ High-Capacity Spool allows for higher PE lines, allowing anglers to go after freshwater monsters like barramundi and Murray cod with confidence. With Magnetic cast control and Micro-Adjust drag, the Zing HD provides exceptional control at every stage of the catch. The sleek metallic gunsmoke details add a touch of luxury, making this reel as stylish as it is effective samaki.com.au
HARIMITSU NEW COLOURS
Harimitsu have released seven new Sumizoku colours into the UVLUMI range which are all designed in Australia by Pwilly. Being UVLUMI, these are high in UV and or have a super intense lumo/ glow finish. You will also notice a number of changes in the current UVLUMI range where different materials and colour patterns have been incorporated to increase cloth durability and glow intensity. Inclusions to the range are Pilly Glow, King George Whiting, Lemon Lime & Bitters, Solid Orange, Solid Pink, Solid Black and a Solid White fine cloth Albino which holds glow like you have never seen. Available In stores January 12th 2025. vexedfishing.com.au
BAIT JUNKIE 10” GAR
The new Bait Junkie 10” Gar is designed to mimic the many species of slender baitfish that predatory fish love to hunt. Made wi sinking salt infused Elastomax material gives the Gar the ability to perfectly mimic species such as longtom, garfish, sauries just under the surface. The thin waist that carries through from other shapes in the Bait Junkie range promotes water flow over the tail section producing an awesome ‘S” motion that has proven to be effective on a large range of species. Unique rigging slots are available on the belly of the Gar to enable ease of rigging for stinger hooks so they can be fixed into position easily without hassle. Available in six great colours the Bait Junkie 10” Gar is an ideal choice for everything from shallow water flathead, inshore kingfish, offshore tuna and many more species throughout Australia. The Bait Junkie 10” Gar comes with 2 pieces per pack. daiwafishing.com.au
FISH MONKEY F15 CRUSHER
The FM15 Crusher is the ultimate all-around glove for anglers chasing fish offshore this summer. Featuring an ergonomic design, these gloves reduce hand fatigue, enabling you to maintain consistent pressure on your catch with ease. The four-way stretch, quick-dry fabric is lightweight and breathable, offering UPF 50+ sun protection for all-day comfort and shielding your hands from harsh UV rays. Reinforced padding safeguards against cuts from leader lines and sharp objects, while the synthetic leather palm provides exceptional strength and durability with a second-skin feel for optimal dexterity. The open-finger design allows for precise knot tying, bait rigging, and effortless management of rods and cockpit equipment. Enhanced with a PVC non-slip grip on the palm and fingers, these gloves excel in leadering, billing, gaffing, and handling tackle with unmatched control. A reliable alternative to sunscreen, they protect your hands while ensuring superior grip and functionality, making them an essential addition to your fishing gear. ejtodd.com.au
TIEMCO GLIMMER 7
Tiemco’s Glimmer series sets a new standard for strolling techniques with a design tailored to finesse anglers. Developed in Japan, it mimics a wandering minnow to entice bites from even the most pressured fish, excelling in hover, mid, and bottom strolling—techniques proven in major tournaments. Perfect for Australian species like bass, estuary perch, bream, jacks, golden perch, trout, and flathead, the Glimmer series offers unmatched versatility. Equipped with a rear treble and a magnet-secured top double hook, Glimmer ensures exceptional hookup rates while maintaining a precise and natural presentation. Its detailed colourways match local forage, while the internally weighted Glimmer 7 delivers excellent casting and works effectively at depths of 3-10ft. For best results, cast beyond your target, let the lure sink, and retrieve slowly. A gentle rod shake creates a side-to-side roll, adding flash that draws in even passive fish. Ideal for tough conditions, the Tiemco Glimmer is a must-have for anglers targeting Australia’s diverse species with finesse techniques.
ejtodd.com.au
SHIMANO TWIN POWER FD
The Twin Power name has been a byword for strength and durability in the realm of fishing reels for over three decades. Crafted with a robust metal body and rotor, this reel is specifically designed to conquer the challenges posed by Australia’s most formidable fish. Building on the legacy of the acclaimed Twin Power line, the FE series introduces five cutting edge features adopted from the Stella FK series. The InfinityXross, Infinityloop, Infinitydrive, Duracross, and Anti Twist Fin technologies redefine the angler’s experience, ensuring the reels performance and longevity. Shimano proudly declares this as their strongest and longest lasting Twin Power reel ever. Anglers can expect unparalleled strength, precision, and durability, making the Twin Power FE series the ultimate companion for those seeking to conquer the waters and tackle Australia’s hardest fighting sportfish. Elevate your angling prowess with the re-evolution of power, the Twin Power FE.
shimanofish.com.au
YO-ZURI 3D MAGNUM
The 3D Magnum & 3D Diver feature a tough ABS Resin body, 3X strong treble hooks with a through wire construction in the 180mm making it the most durable trolling lure of its type on the market. Yo-Zuri’s proprietary and patented Internal 3D Prism finishes are extremely durable and put off light in all directions, makes these baits stand out in any fishing condition!!! They are designed to be fished with a crimp, loop knot, cable or single strand wire, to give the bait the freedom to swim correctly. 3D Divers are deadly on a number of offshore species including Tuna, Wahoo, Dolphin and Mackerel, just to name a few. This versatile trolling lure can be pulled from 4-9 knots with a wide swimming action and runs true out the box, no tuning necessary! The 3D Divers comes in two sizes and six colour patterns to cover a variety of fishing conditions and species. (Available in two sizes 140mm/48 grams with a dive depth of 3.5-5.5 meters & 180mm/100 grams with a dive depth 5-6.5 meters). tacspo.com.au
LITTLE JACK CHARIKOM
Almost every species loves a well-presented lipless crankbait and almost every predatory species in Australian waters preys upon our many bream species. It therefore makes sense to join the two together and only the master minds at Little Jack in Japan could execute this idea so perfectly with the all new Charikom. The Charikom features the most realistic bream and snapper profiles and colours ever designed. With a combination of intricate moulding, outstanding lifelike paint finishes and soft plastic fins these are a true masterpiece. Designed to vibrate on the drop with excellent stability and offer full control of its intensity on the retrieve you have a lure with the action, aesthetic, and hardware to fool your favourite predators. Whether you’re trying to imitate black bream in the estuary when targeting jews and flathead, pikey bream in the rivers when targeting barra or snapper offshore when chasing mulloway, larger snapper and a host of demersal species there is a colour and profile to suit.
gladiatortackle.com.au
MERIDIAN SPECTRE SERIES
The Spectre series consists of a range of six sizes. This head is very different to most other heads on the market, having an offset 10 degree cup face running an offset tow point, that big tuna find impossible to refuse. The Spectre is best suited to the long corner, long rigger and shot gun position, with an ideal running speed of between 5-9 knots.
meridiantackle.com.au
MEGABASS AYU TWITCHER
Introducing the Megabass Magdraft Ayu Twitcher, the ultimate technical swimbait that is perfect for any angler. With the ability to be adjust the action via retrieval speed and rod work, this swimbait is extremely versatile and can adapt to any situation. Megabass’ original Maghold (PAT.P) system has hooks that are magnetically attached to the body to camouflage the presence of hooks providing a natural action and reducing hand ups on structure and weed. The Ayu Twitcher’s body format maximizes body sensitivity, allowing for outstanding swimming performance even in strong currents and rivers and backwaters. At 18cm in length and weighing 8oz, this swimbait is slow floating, offering a realistic presentation to the fish and making it an excellent choice for big cod, barra, mulloway and flathead.
vivafishing.com.au
SAMAKI SHORE CAST ROD
The Samaki Shore Cast Rod is built for beach and rock fishing enthusiasts who demand performance and style. Available in lengths from 9-foot to 12-foot, the range covers everything from chasing tailor on sandy beaches to targeting pelagics from rugged rock platforms. Featuring premium Japanese Fuji-K O-ring guides, it ensures smooth, tangle-free long-distance casting. The deluxe cushioned reel seat offers enhanced comfort during extended sessions, while the sleek black and orange design provides a striking, modern aesthetic. samaki.com.au
BANDIT RENEGADE BRAID
Introducing the new Bandit Renegade X8 braid, engineered with superior knot strength and exceptional abrasion resistance to tackle the toughest fishing conditions. Each line undergoes rigorous testing, exceeding stated breaking strains for unmatched reliability in both fresh and saltwater environments. Its ultra-smooth, round construction ensures minimal friction through guides, facilitating longer and more accurate casts to reach elusive fishing spots effortlessly. The Bandit Renegade 8X Braided fishing line stands out with its vibrant fluoro green coloration, providing visibility above water while remaining discreet beneath the surface. Available in 200-meter consumer spools and bulk 3,000-meter spools, it caters to various angling needs from casual outings to professional setups, allowing for multiple reel loadings without compromise. Whether you’re targeting freshwater bass or battling saltwater giants, the Bandit Renegade X8 delivers unparalleled performance, making it an essential choice for discerning anglers seeking durability, strength, and precision in their fishing lines.
jmgilies.com.au
SALTY CREW TAILGATE POLO LS SUNSHIRT
The Salty Crew Tailgate Polo LS Sunshirt in Storm combines style, comfort, and high-performance features for those who love the outdoors. Made from 100% recycled polyester jersey, this long-sleeve sunshirt offers a sustainable choice without compromising on quality. The two-piece collar and quarter placket with Salty Crew branded buttons lend a polished touch, making it versatile enough for both casual and active settings. Designed with functionality in mind, it boasts UPF 50+ sun protection, sweat-wicking technology, and anti-microbial properties to keep you comfortable and fresh throughout the day. Vibrant screen-printed designs adorn the front, back, and sleeves, adding a bold statement to this practical piece. Available in sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL, and XXXL, and priced at $79.95, the Tailgate Polo LS Sunshirt is the perfect combination of performance and style, making it an essential addition to your wardrobe.
salty-crew.com.au
VEXED SHRIMPANSLEEVE JIG WIG
The Vexed Shrimpansleeve Jig Wig is another brand new concept from VEXED. Simply push a Jig Wig onto your favourite brand/size/shape jig head and have the flexibility of being able to interchange hook size’s and weight’s with different coloured Jig Wigs fast and efficiently. The Shrimpnsleeve is available in a variety of Natural Shrimp colours and have proven to be highly effective on Flathead, Founder, Bream, Redfin, trout and just about any species that feed on shrimp. These are designed in 3mm, 4mm and 5mm to suit most brands of jig heads on the market within a certain size range, and are available in lengths from 6cm to 10cm. Pwilly came up with this idea years ago when he never had the right weight/colour Bucktail Jig for the right situation, yet he had a tackle box full of perfectly good jig heads in various brands and sizes. Check out the Vexed Buckabou Jig Head range as they are specifically designed to fit these Jig Wigs snug and come in a range of weights from 2.5g-28g with a super strong/sharp cutting point hook.
vexedfishing.com.au
DAIWA SALTIST MQ
Summer is the perfect time to be on the water and the perfect reel for your next trip is the Saltist MQ. Built to handle the rigors of Australian saltwater fishing the latest Saltist spin reel is our strongest and most advanced ever and features a new single piece aluminium Monocoque body (MQ). One of Daiwa’s most famous features, Magseal, combines with the MQ body to make Saltist MQ one of the best protected reels from the harsh marine environment. The single piece MQ body houses a larger diameter Tough Digigear allowing you to transfer full through the handle to stop those hard pulling fish in their tracks. Air Bail, ABS Longcast Spool, ATD Drag, Air Rotor, and Aluminium Round Knob combine delivered the Saltist MQ classic looks, style and ultimate power, strength, and refinement. Available in a full range of sizes from 2500 up to 20000, Saltist MQ has you covered in every corner of the country. Whether you’re looking for a small and strong spinning reel to fish our coastal estuaries and rivers, or a large heavy tackle spinning reel suited to casting lures and dropping baits for reef species and pelagics the Saltist MQ is there and ready for you.
daiwafishing.com.au
SPLASH RATZ KIDS JACKETS
This new and exciting range of kids Splash Ratz personal floatation devices are made from a soft polyester outer, with two front belts with buckles. They also feature deep arm holes for ease of movement. The Splash Ratz range of jackets are available in three eye-catching patterns and are all certified to latest Australian standards.
jmgillies.com.au
SHIMANO CAIUS
The Caius 150HGC is an exciting new addition to the affordable price range of low profile baitcasters. The Caius borrows is sleek design from it’s sibling the Curado M, but delivers performance on a budget. With three stainless steel bearings plus one roller bearing, VBS Braking System and Super Free Spool, casting is effortless and uncomplicated. Keeping the same gear ratio of gear ratio of 7.2:1 it will really get those lures flying. shimanofish.com.au
GAFF-MANN
CERTIFIED FIXED GAFF
Engineered for the demands of the open water and designed for school tuna and kingfish our Certified Fixed Gaff Handle sets the standard for strength and precision. The handle and fitting, crafted from structural-grade material, are fully anodized for exceptional durability in marine environments, ensuring your gaff stands up to the toughest fishing conditions. With a total length of 1735mm, this gaff is your reliable companion for every angling adventure. The handle and fitting are meticulously crafted from structural-grade material, providing robustness and longevity The full anodization enhances corrosion resistance, making it a reliable tool in any maritime setting. The three strategically placed grips handles offer a secure and comfortable hold, giving you optimal control during intense fishing moments. The gaff head, measures 10 x 100mm, is certified to handle weights of up to 150kg. This certification attests to the gaff’s strength and reliability, ensuring it meets the demands of serious anglers. gaffmann.com.au
SAMAKI ZING GEN 4
The 4th generation of the legendary Zing series, the Samaki Zing Rod features HyperKinetic Nano+ fibre graphite blanks and Samaki exclusive, custom-designed reel seats for both spin and cast. It boasts signature camouflage hard EVA grips with red highlights and Fuji concept “O” guides. This versatile series includes models tailored for Estuary, Inshore, Travel, Egi, and Surf, ensuring there’s a perfect Zing rod for every angler.With new species-specific models in 7’2”, 7’4”, and 7’6” lengths, the Zing Series is designed to suit a range of fishing applications, continuing the Zing legacy of performance and innovation. samaki.com.au
SHIMANO TALICA 20IIA & 25IIA
The Talica 20IIA and 25IIA reels are designed to tackle the most demanding challenges that the deep blue sea presents. Equipped with a compact and powerful lever drag system, these reels offer unmatched control and precision when targeting large, hard fighting fish. The 2-speed lever drag functionality allows for seamless switching between high gear and low gear, providing the angler with optimal flexibility and an advantage during intense battles. The drag system boasts a complete redesign featuring a dual plate drag system delivering even more drag pressure than the previous series while maintaining free motion of the reel even at maximum drag. Additionally, the reels feature the highly acclaimed S compact body design, a marvel of ultra-precision one-piece frame construction that eliminates distortion and guarantees exceptional rigidity. To enhance the reels’ longevity and corrosion resistance, Shimano has applied its proprietary E.I treatment to the Talica 20IIA and 25IIA models. This advanced surface treatment process ensures that these reels can withstand the harshest marine conditions and continue to perform at peak levels for years to come. shimanofish.com.au
ST.CROIX PHYSYX
The St. Croix Physyx Series rods are a new series that are a technique focused range conceived in science to evolve and advance the angling experience. It’s unique design and materials converge to manifest the ultimate fishing rod. The Physyx series feature St. Croix’s SCIV+ Carbon fibre with added SCIV IACT Glass+. They are fitted with the finest Titanium framed guides with Silicone Carbide inserts. The reel seat is St. Croix’s Trigon handle that features a curved triangular profile to promote greater hand to blank alignment for dramatically improved control, along with a flattened top curve for greater hand comfort and reduced fatigue. This handle is made from Carbon fibre and high tactile TPU accent material. The reel seat is Carbon fibre with Aluminium locking nut to help keep weight down. The Physyx series also offer IPC®, ART™, TET and FRS St.Croix technologies. These rods come in 4 Spinning models as well as 2 Baitcasting models and will suit anglers fishing freshwater, estuaries and inshore saltwater fishing. The series also carry the St.Croix 15 Year Unconditional Warranty.
jurofishing.com
SALTY CREW FLAGSHIP BOATSHORT
The Salty Crew Flagship Boatshort, available in Black and Dark Olive, is designed for those who demand performance and durability on the water. With a 19-inch outseam and a mid-length cut, these shorts combine comfort and practicality, making them an essential choice for any adventure. Crafted from a robust ripstop fabric made of 92% nylon and 8% elastane, they offer 4-way stretch and quick-dry capabilities to keep you comfortable in wet conditions. The high right hip features a reinforced plier pocket with an internal magnet, while a lower right cargo pocket and a left hip zippered pocket provide ample storage for your essentials. The 360-degree internal drawstring ensures a secure fit, while the anti-rash interior soft thread enhances comfort for all-day wear.
Priced at $89.95 and available in sizes 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, and 38, the Flagship Boatshort is the ultimate combination of style, functionality, and durability, ready for whatever the day brings. salty-crew.com.au
SAVAGE TRAILERS C SERIES SEMI OFFROAD
The Savage Trailers C Series Semi Offroad is designed for anglers who crave adventure and refuse to be limited by paved roads. Whether you’re navigating corrugated tracks, tackling muddy trails, beach launching, or venturing into remote fishing spots, this trailer ensures you get to where the fish are without compromise. Built with full galvanised construction, the C Series is engineered for durability and rugged performance. A front mesh infill allows you to walk along the trailer safely during launching and retrieval, keeping you dry and protected from potential dangers like crocodiles. Customisation is at the heart of this trailer’s design—Savage will tailor the build to suit your boat and specific needs. Choose from options like an upgraded chassis, reinforced crossmembers, and heavy-duty U-bolts for even greater resilience. Beach launching becomes effortless with a swing-around drawbar and socketed spare wheel, while the mud-terrain tyres provide unbeatable traction on any track. Complemented by tough black alloy rims, the C Series combines functionality with a stylish edge. Galvanised steel guards are built to withstand rough treatment, ensuring longevity in any environment. Whether you need a single or dual-axle configuration, the trailer adapts to your requirements. The rear roller’s lowered design makes launching and retrieval seamless, even in shallow water. The Savage Trailers C Series Semi Offroad is the ultimate companion for anglers ready to explore beyond the beaten path.
savagetrailers.com.au
BARNETT WILDHAWK COMPOUND BOW
The Barnett Wildhawk Compound Bow is the perfect introduction to archery for young enthusiasts. Designed to inspire strength, focus, and confidence, this bow is ideal for first-time archers as young as five years old. Its lightweight 18-pound draw weight and manageable 22- to 24-inch draw length ensure an enjoyable and accessible experience for beginners. The Wildhawk features a reinforced ambidextrous grip, allowing for both right- and left-handed use, with dealer assistance available if needed. Additional elements, such as an arrow rest, soft-touch finger rollers, an adjustable sight pin, and visually enhanced cams, provide ease of use and enhanced performance. Crafted with young archers in mind, the Barnett Wildhawk combines functionality and comfort to make every shot count.
Equipped with cutting-edge Plasma Rise technology. This innovative line features a special polymer layer offering rubber-like cushioning to absorb shocks and resist abrasion. Ideal for the toughest fishing environments.
Available in: 70m spools 4lb to 60lb
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SUMMER SCHOOL
Keep your eyes open and your wits about you and you’ll soon be having great fun with school-sized SBTs
Words & Images: Jamie Crawford
The annual migration of southern bluefin tuna is one of the most anticipated movements of fish across southern Australia. Every year these blue bullets push around the southern coastline of our country, crossing multiple jurisdictions and stimulating local economies in their wake. These migrating school bluefin offer fantastic light tackle sport for southern anglers, and there would be fewer fish with the same degree of social and economic importance.
There are two distinct runs of bluefin through our southern waters – school-sized fish, and the bigger barrels. In most locations (but not all), the timing of these two different classes of fish doesn’t align, so they can be targeted independently.
In this feature we’ll be focusing on the smaller school-sized fish, and how to effectively locate and target these great southern sportfish.
The exact timing and movement of these schools varies each year according to water temperature, upwelling and bait availability, and the time fish hold in a particular area will also vary. But if you live in the south of our country, you should see school bluefin pushing through your local waters at some stage of the year.
Starting in the west, the majority of schoolsized fish push along the southern coastline of WA from November to January. These western grounds are a bit more sporadic than the areas to the east.
These schools then migrate through SA from December to May, into western Victoria from February until approximately July, and around Tasmania from April until August. But we’re now seeing school-sized fish hold over traditional grounds for a longer period
of time, effectively extending the season in those locales.
The average fish is typically 10-18kg – some seasons we’ll encounter a run of smaller fish, and vice versa in other seasons we’ll see a larger run of fish.
Finding Fish
Most locations visited by SBTs will have known tuna grounds where bait is concentrated and hence the bluefin schools are more prevalent. These areas include raised shoals, bluewater reefs and around offshore islands. In my local area we start prospecting for school SBTs when the water temp is over 19oC.
If you are unsure where to start prospecting, start around the larger reef systems in your area – these will usually be on the charts, and we aim for water depths greater than 30m. Once you arrive in the area, keep an eye on your sounder for bait and larger soundings holding deep, along with surface activity and bird activity.
Bird activity will usually be in the form of terns and mutton birds and sometimes gannets, depending on location. Keep a close eye on the bird activity, as these will be your eye in the sky. If birds are bombing, that’s an obvious cue that there’s bait on the surface, which has likely been pushed high by predatory fish underneath. Always investigate bombing birds.
The next obvious cue is seeing fish visibly feeding on the surface. This will be indicated by sprays of whitewater, baitfish showering from the surface, or airborne bluefin busting the surface.
A school of bluefin feeding on the surface. Always approach at slow speed and troll around it, not through it.
It’s always exciting seeing tuna feeding aggressively on the surface like this, as it’s a good indication the fish are feeding, and providing your lures loosely resemble the local baitfish you shouldn’t have any trouble in rousing a hook-up. When approaching a surface melee such as this, aim to run your lures around the edge of the feeding fish, and not through the middle of the bust-up. This will help in keeping the fish on the surface for longer and it might result in multiple fish caught before the school sounds deep. It will also assist other boats fishing in the area and might offer them an opportunity to run their lures past the action while the fish are still up high.
These are the most obvious signs of surface feeding bluefin, but there are less obvious indications as well. These less obvious cues include birds hovering, swooping (but not bombing), or slowly tracking in one direction. This normally indicates predatory fish underneath – such as SBTs – and the birds are waiting in anticipation of these fish herding bait to the surface. If you see this behaviour in the sky, take note of the direction the birds are tracking, and run some lures in front of the leading bird. When the conditions are calm, it’s possible to spot a school of bluefin ‘rippling’ on the surface. This will be obvious as an area of nervous water surrounded by calm water. This is often seen during very calm and often warm conditions in the middle of the day. When the fish are rippling, they’re not usually in feeding mode, but it’s still worth running a range of lures past the fish to try to tempt a feeding reaction. Occasionally this works, but sometimes it’s almost impossible to draw a strike from a rippling school, unless you start a berley trail.
We find that school bluefin will feed better with a little bit of ripple or chop on the surface, as opposed to glass-out conditions. In my local area we see a good bite period
around an hour after sunrise, and again from mid-afternoon until late afternoon.
And remember to always keep an eye on your sounder, as sometimes we’ll mark fish sitting in mid-water. In this situation I’ll normally mark their position and keep an eye on the school to see when, or if, they rise to the surface to feed. If there are some good bait balls nearby, there’s every chance these fish will rise to the surface to feed in due time.
Tackle and Rigging
Given that we’re not hunting barrels, but we’re chasing these accessible school fish, selecting the right tackle will help to maximise the fun factor. If we’re going to spend all day with a spread of lures out the back and planning to cover a wide area, we’ll run a spread of 10-15kg overhead trolling outfits. These outfits are easy to use, and knock over fish quite well on a fast-tapered
Trolling with spin gear is okay, but it’s not as efficient or as effective as using overhead outfits.
Overhead reels are still the best choice when trollling lures for any fish.
You should always have hardbodies in the spread mixed in with skirted lures.
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I mainly run 15kg monofilament on my overhead trolling outfits, and with the stretch of mono you’ll find bibbed lures will track straight and shouldn’t break the surface too often. On these outfits I normally run an 80lb wind-on leader, and this makes it easy to guide a fish to a waiting gaff or landing net as it nears the boat. If the school fish we encounter are on the smaller side (around 8-12kg), we’ll often crack out the lighter spin gear and run some small hard-body lures behind the boat. Scaling down to this lighter gear can often result in a hook-up when the fish are flighty or selective towards small bait. Using a 5000 or 6000-sized spin reel with 30lb or 40lb braid on a PE3 or PE4 rod offers great fun for these smaller fish. But if there is a chance of a better-sized SBT or even a stray kingfish, we’ll keep the light gear stowed away. Regardless of whether we’re using our overhead or spin tackle, we’ll have a ball bearing swivel with coastlock snap in size 6/0 crimped or tied to the end of the leader to allow quick and easy lure changes throughout the day.
In the lure department, I like to have a selection of lures on hand in case the fish are one-eyed towards a particular bait. If we are targeting surface-feeding fish and we can see fish actively hunting, we’ll motor to the surface action and will run a spread of diving hardbody lures around the edge of the bait ball. We’ll pick a selection of lures to cover different depths and size profiles between 100mm and 190mm until we find a lure that is working well on that day. I typically troll hard-body lures at around 8-10km/h, and find the lures track well within this speed range. If the fish are hunting smaller bait – which they often are in my local area – then we’ll make sure the spread includes a smaller lure or two in the 100-120mm size range, and we’ll stagger the
offering to include a larger hard-body lure too. Some proven performers include the Halco Laser Pro in 110mm and 160mm, and for their price they are an awesome lure. The Zerek Speed Donkey in 140mm is another fantastic SBT lure, and can be trolled a bit quicker than some other divers. Rapala X-Rap Magnums and Yo-Zuri Hydro Magnums in 120mm and 140mm are worthy additions to the lure box, and have claimed plenty of fish. If you’re intending to keep a fish or two for the table, I’d recommending sticking with trebles, but if you’re planning on catching and releasing, then switching to in-line singles in sizes 5/0 up to 7/0 is a good idea. If switching out to singles, go for a slightly smaller hook rather than a bigger hook, as the bigger hooks can alter the action of a hard-body lure. With all of my diving lures I like natural colours including blue pilchard patterns, green mackerel and purple bonito. You may find different colours work in different areas, though.
Fighting a school bluefin near Tasmania’s Eagle Hawk Neck.
A standard sized school bluefin from SA.
A selection of hard body and skirted lures for school tuna.
I run my hard-body lures between 30m and 60m behind the boat and stagger each lure distance. I don’t use outriggers for hard-bodies, as the rigger clip will often open under the load of a diver. We’ll typically run three divers around a bait ball, and by staggering the distance behind the boat we can still turn the boat and run these lures without running into complications. Obviously bigger vessels can run more lures, but remember the more lures you run, the more work involved in setting the spread and the greater chance of crossed lines and tangles.
Skirted lures are another must-have when chasing school bluefin, and they allow you to troll at higher speeds to cover more ground when scouting for fish feeding sub-surface. They can also be used on surface-feeding fish, but skirts come into their own when prospecting these larger areas. I run my skirted lures at 12 to 14km/h, and find they create a good bubble trail at this speed.
Skirts of 4in to 6in are ideal, and again I prefer the natural colours including dark blue, green and purple for our school SBTs. I find that smaller 4in skirts when coupled with a metal jet head are good in rougher conditions and still track just below the surface. In better weather, cup-face or slant-faced resin heads are really effective on the 5in and 6in skirts. Make sure your skirts are rigged with a non-offset J-Hook such as the popular 7691S in 6/0 or 7/0.
Some proven skirts include those from the stables of Colorato, Troll so Hard, Black Magic, Pakula and Fish Eagle. I use a hard-wearing leader of 120lb mono on my skirts at around 6ft with a kanseki spring swaged on the top length to allow easy lure changes. Have your skirts rigged back on land so you’re not rigging lures while on the water and keep them stowed in a lure wrap or tackle tray to keep them separated and in good condition.
When running a spread of skirts I run these lures further back than I do with divers, and I run a long corner, a short corner, and then a metal jet head in the centre shotgun position. If we can’t see any surface feeding and we’re simply prospecting the area, then the outriggers can come into play, effectively increasing the spread by a further two lures.
Chasing our school bluefin is great fun, and with time spent on the water you should start to see a pattern of what works well in your local area. Hopefully the above information will help you to get started on your tuna quest.
A school of bluefin on the author’s Simrad NSS Evo 3.
Having a quality large landing net is a handy asset, especially when you want to release fish.
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TOPWATER KINGS
Find the ‘kingdom’ where these regal fish reign and you’re halfway to success. Words & Images: Jack Hammond
Catchng kings on surface lures is absolutley awesome fun! Big kings require quality outfits and tackle.
Yellowtail kingfish would have to be one of the hardest-fighting fish along the east coast of Australia and they can be targeted in various ways, from as simple as slow trolling a live bait or throwing a soft plastic in the washes to my personal favourite – throwing stickbaits and poppers around for that epic topwater bite. In this article I am going to talk about some handy tips I use to make finding kingfish easier and the small things I do to fire them up to get those epic bites.
Finding the Kingdom
Kingfish are a very temperamental fish and working out their patterns can be a challenge. Knowing where kingfish like to hang out is critical as you can have 50km of coastline but they may only hold up in one area. Generally kingfish like to sit in areas with decent current flow that forms an eddy so they can wait for bait fish to come through for an easy feed. Therefore things to look for are points
affected by current, submerged pinnacles or sea mounts, and any sort of shallow bommies that have enough potential for bait to hold up around them. When looking around these areas for kingfish you should spend most of your time using your sounder to look around on the current edges and eddies as the kings generally use them as a highway to cruise along all day looking for food. Water clarity isn’t a deal-breaker but the cleaner the water is generally better, especially when targeting them on topwater.
Bigger kingfish tend to become more common around the end of spring leading into the summer months, as I believe they hang out along the continental shelf during the cooler months and when the East Australian Current pushes down they come into spawn around the shallow reefs so it is definitely my favourite time of the year to chase them. Kingfish like to feed on various types of bait fish such as common slimy mackerel, yellowtail and squid but they also chase larger fish such as bonito and salmon so don’t be afraid to use a big bait or lure for a big king.
Catching Kings
Catching a kingfish on topwater is many anglers’ dream and it can be a grind before you even get one to look at your lure, so the biggest tip is to be patient. You might be casting in the right areas but they aren’t responding to a topwater lure. Either they aren’t feeding at that depth, or they may be focused on baitfish on the bottom so it is important to keep reading your sounder to see what the fish are doing. If I see kings down deep on a bait school I like to drop a knife jig down or throw a big plastic down on them and work that lure in the zone where they are feeding.
Try different retrievals as some days they will eat it on the drop and some days you have to fire them up and crank your lure past them as quickly as you can to imitate a scared bait fish, which has a high success rate of getting them to strike. The key time I target them on topwater is the lead-up to a tide change, when they will rise off the bottom and start lurking around looking for a feed near the surface so you want to be in the right place at the right time (at tide change) to optimise your chances of catching that fish of a lifetime.
Persistence with casting pays off so just keep casting and change your retrieve up every few casts; have five slow retrieves and then have five rapid retrieves, and repeat as you may get a king’s attention with a slow retrieve but they might just follow your lure to the boat. If you follow this with a cast back over them and work it with speed they will more than likely fire up and charge at your lure to strike – then you need to hang on.
Stealth
While targeting kings with surface lures I prefer to have my engine turned off and utilise my electric motor to spot-lock if I am marking fish and I will work that area hard. The less boat noise the better, especially if you’re trying to get them to come to the top. Some days they aren’t bothered, and they will literally eat anything that moves, but on the slower days you definitely want to make the most of your bite windows – and the little things count. So if you’re fishing a reef or a headland just stop up-current, switch your engine off and either drift or spot-lock if you have an electric motor.
A big school of kingfish sitting from 4 metres down to 14 metres. Readings are off a Simrad
I would not suggest anchoring as kingfish are dirty fighters and if they see your anchor rope they will use that to wrap you up in and break you off – and possibly lose that fish of a lifetime.
Outfits
These aren’t a fish where you can just get by with average tackle – you need to have your rod, reel, line, leader, knots, lures and terminal tackle organised and ready for a dirty fighter, requiring heavy drag pressures in potentially shallow water over nasty reef. All my stickbaits and poppers have upgraded split rings and I switch the hooks that come in the box to high-quality hooks if they don’t already have them. I use hooks that are sharp and can withstand heavy drag pressures – you’ll pay more for strong and sharp trebles but it’s worth the investment. I generally like to run dual trebles on a stickbait but you can change it up depending on what works better for you.
Some anglers prefer singles as the hooks stay in the fish better but I’ve found with trebles the hooks tend to set a lot easier on those gnarly topwater bites. Rods and reels are also very important when stickbaiting for kings as you want to have the right tool for the job –casting the wrong outfit for hours can quickly get tiring fast but if you are running the right set-up for the application it makes life a lot easier. My favourite for stickbaiting for kings is the Shimano Ocea Plugger 8ft 3in in PE6 medium/heavy matched to the legendary Stella 14000XH, which is a high-speed reel (important when working topwater lures).
It’s a super-light outfit and you can punch those stickbaits a long way with ease making it nice to use on a long day of casting. It also has the backbone to keep those big kings off the bottom. Leaders and knots are critical as well, and I run nothing lighter than 120lb leader for kings as if they do get you
in the reef you can use that leader to your advantage to lock up and pull the fish off the bottom without losing your lure. The main knots I use are the FG knot for my leader and a chain knot to tie my stickbaits on – and that combination is almost unbreakable.
Lures
The stickbait and popper market is huge and there is almost a different lure for each and every different species in the ocean. I like to have a variety of different lures in my lure roll when targeting kings to cover all conditions for the day. The essentials to carry in your tackle bag for chasing topwater kings definitely include a few floating poppers – my favourite is the Shimano Bubble Dip 220F, which is a blooping-style popper as opposed to a chugging popper with a large cupped face.
The author uses a chain knot to tie from his leader to the lure as it never fails.
The Shimano Ocea Bubble Dip 220F has proved to be a very effective popper for kingfish.
This style doesn’t push as much water and I find kingfish respond better. I’ll always have a mix of both floating and sinking stickbaits, and I like to use a floating stickbait when it is calm as you can rip the lure down and get it to swim with a natural and enticing action, but if the wind picks up I will switch to a sinking stickbait just to get it below the white caps to give it that more natural appeal to the fish.
I’LL ALWAYS HAVE A MIX OF BOTH FLOATING AND SINKING STICKBAITS, AND I LIKE TO USE A FLOATING STICKBAIT WHEN IT IS CALM, BUT IF THE WIND PICKS UP I WILL SWITCH TO A SINKING STICKBAIT .
Release
As hardy as kingfish are they still need to be looked after, so if you’re going to release a king then be prepared and have your systems in place. If you have a deck wash in your boat lightly spray water over the fish to keep it wet and cool and try to get photos as soon as you can.
When releasing, gently spear the fish headfirst back into the water for a strong release, but if you’re going to keep one for a feed make sure you bleed it straight away and get it into an Esky or chiller bag with plenty of ice to cool it down for the best eating quality – and enjoy your sashimi.
You don’t need a big boat, the author catches many big kings out of his tinnie.
Electric motors are a great asset when targeting kingfish.
Sinking stickbaits are perfect for when the wind picks up.
FISH FINDER
Sometimes it’s best to lose the Live Sonar and use your freshwater instincts.
Words & Images: Dean Norbiato & Aaron Hill
Norbs with an armful of Murray cod that crunched his swimbait on the pause.
When it comes to hunting our freshwater foe, it is a pointless pursuit if you don’t find the fish. Funnily enough a phrase coined by financier Charlie Munger to explain the art of investing, ‘fish where the fish are’, sums up this scenario pretty well.
You could have the best bait or the most expensive rod and reel but if you are dangling into a barren abyss, you’ve got more chance of winning the lotto. It’s about stacking the odds in your favour and giving yourself the best chance of success.
Sometimes it requires only a small shift in spots, time of day or technique to turn a seemingly desolate stretch of water into a burner. I’ve experienced this more than enough times to know even small changes add up to big results.
In one instance we were fishing in the most idyllic topwater conditions at the break of a new cod season. It had everything: flowing clear water, mid-water boulders, a setting sun and a regiment of overhanging trees amplifying the darkness.
Punching our baits deep into the back recess created by the overhanging willows, we danced them back to the kayak in a waltz Torvill and Dean would have been proud of.
The anticipation couldn’t have been greater. We simply could not miss. Everything had aligned perfectly. After countless casts crisscrossing every possible entry and exit point from the narrow choke point, the boastful banter eventfully dried up.
“Not even a touch. I thought we couldn’t miss.”
It was at that point, under the cover of an impending new moon darkness, my angling buddy Aaron Hill surreptitiously snapped off his topwater paddler and tied on a sinking swimbait.
“A couple more casts and we’ll move on,” he quipped.
Unbeknown to me, Hilly flung his sinking bait into the back of the twisting and turning surface spot. Without a shadow of embellishment he took two cranks of his baitcaster before coming up tight on a very sizeable slab of Murray cod.
Chuffed is an understatement, as we hauled aboard the metre-plus of gorgeous green fish. It was only at that point I’d realised he’d switched his top water bait for a subsurface model. “Chalk it up to experience,” he remarked out of the corner of a wry smile.
It only took a small tweak in technique for us to find the fish, but it made all the difference, as we were only a few casts from leaving the spot with nothing more than a bad memory.
Waiting for a Bait
One of the most overlooked factors when hunting for big fish is finding small fish. Rarely will active fish be in an area and in a mood to gobble a bait without the presence of a smaller food source. As the theory goes, find the bait and predators won’t be too far away.
It has been one of the biggest traps for anglers who use Live Sonar technology but just can’t quite turn the fish they find into feeders. The simplest analogy is like dangling a chicken drumstick in front of your face right after you’ve had a big feed.
Yes, you’re there physically but you’re also not in the mood to devour another piece of food, even if it’s covered in the Colonel’s secret 11 herbs and spices. It’s why the good ‘scopers’ rarely invest more than two casts at a prospective cod. Rather than trying to coax the fish into a feed, they are better investing their time looking for a patch of active feeders.
Seems simple, but how often do you see anglers chasing one fish around for over an hour on the screen before finally giving up in a huff of frustration. All the while, more experienced anglers have cast at over a dozen different goodoo searching for one in the mood.
This same experienced anglers are also looking for more than just Murray cod on the screen, keeping just as keen an eye on any form of bait. Different clusters of bait tell different stories. For instance, a tight cluster of bait can mean there are predators in the area, as the school incorporates a safety in numbers strategy.
Getting Jumpy
Moving away from the screen and there are a number of other visible bait cues that signal the presence of predators. I remember back when I used to fish Copeton Dam more regularly it had a huge ‘tell’ that big fish were in the area. They were small redfin, carp or catfish and they used to bust up on the surface, usually in the back alcove of a bay just on sunrise.
It was only ever a 15-minute phenomenon but if the bay you were fishing had this activity you would always grip your baitcaster that little bit tighter. This scared prey would, no doubt, transmit a different beat throughout the water that would quickly reach the lateral line of any predator, turning the adjacent area into a feeding zone.
One other tip perfected by two chaps who would spend an inordinate amount of time at the dam every winter was the use of stealth. One of the main examples was the use of footwear such UGG boots in the boat to muffle any unnatural noises in close vicinity. By keeping it quiet they were better able to hear any distressed or fleeing baitfish busting up on the surface. Again, it sounds simple but those little tips and tricks can make all the difference when chasing a fish as stubborn as the mighty Murray cod.
Numerous studies have been done on this sort of thing, including releasing a smaller fish with a freshly removed pectoral fin into a dormant school of sharks. In less time than it took to say Jaws, the school switched from docile to active, courtesy of a single stressed baitfish signal beamed through the water.
While the polarised sunnies came off for the pic they we instrumental in finding this 60cm+ Yellowbelly in the weeds.
off the surface of the water, you give yourself a competitive advantage over your prey.
Like the expert scopers who find underwater plumes of bait on their screen, a pair of polarised sunnies can uncover exactly the same bait balls fleeing just under the surface. On a recent trip to Windamere Dam in the central west of NSW, we noticed the customary weed beds were back in vogue.
Not only did dense weed beds now surround the dam, but it seemed they were the only place the big yellowbelly were hanging out. The problem was that due to the density of the weed the sounder couldn’t penetrate and tell which weed beds held fish.
LIKE THE SCOPERS WHO FIND UNDERWATER PLUMES OF BAIT, A PAIR OF POLARISED SUNNIES CAN UNCOVER EXACTLY THE SAME
It took a stroke of luck and a keen polarised eye as we noticed small tight streams of baitfish scurrying in and out of the edge of one protruding weed castle. Putting our ‘fleeing baitfish equals predators present’ theory into practice, we quickly hopped, dropped and danced a barrage of sinking baits into the vicinity of the weeds.
After narrowly missing two sharp taps we finally drove the thin-gauge hooks into an absolute brute of a golden perch. That one simple visual cue dictated the rest of our trip as we spent our time circumnavigating every weed bed in the dam looking for schools of scampering bait.
What we also uncovered after a full day surveying the weed was a certain type of ‘ribbon weed’ always seemed to hold a greater concentration of baitfish, and thus big yellowbelly.
Changing lure size, colour and style can make a huge difference when the fishing is tough.
Aaron with an absolute chunk of a greenfish he spotted in the clear shallow water.
A proper slab of golden perch tempted out of an underwater weed bed.
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Lure Chart
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Takeaway Shop
For those who are plying their freshwater trade in a river this season, there are several fishfinding signs to keep an eye out for. Flowing and gurgling water (as at the head or bottom of a pool) should be at the top of the list. Not only does it provide highly oxygenated water for its inhabitants, but the constant flow brings an array of food options for any predators lying in wait.
Due to the effort needed to sit in the constant flow you rarely get fish living in these areas; rather, they visit for a feed. Think of them as nature’s own takeaway shops. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for any mid-water boulders in these areas.
They allow the predators to not only hide from the downstream flowing food, but they allow the fish to conserve energy while they wait for their takeaway meal to come to their proverbial table.
Granted, it’s not only river anglers who should keep flowing water in mind, as incoming rivulets of water into big dams are also dynamite areas to target yellowbelly and redfin. So much so, fishing in close proximity to freshly formed tributaries is banned in certain freshwater fishing competitions.
Another example of chopped-up oxygenated water are the 2m-wide chocolate milk lines that circle most alpine dams, such as Eucembene and Jindabyne, when the wind picks up above 20kmh.
These are absolute gold mines for trout anglers looking to put a bend in their long wands of graphite. Trout simply smash these areas and gorge themselves sick on crustaceans, baitfish and worms.
A slowly worked 3in paddle-tail soft plastic fished from the bank can see you nab your bag limit in record time when the trout have their nose in the chocolate milk trough.
New Seasons Greetings
This year is shaping up to be one of the best freshwater seasons on record. Healthy dam and river levels are the norm and will provide ample opportunity for anglers to tempt a new personal best.
Technology will again play a crucial role in helping anglers locate fish and stack the odds in their favour. But the best anglers out there are the ones who combine new age technology with a little old-fashioned fishing nous, and will really get their camera clicking this season.
Hilly with a nice brown he caught in the muddy gutter that ran along a wind swept bank.
The author is all smiles with this giant goodoo.
TONGA
The Pacific island nation is a sportfishing paradise with some of the best action only a few hundred metres from harbour.
Words & Images: Colby Lesko
Dan Hoey with a big redbass caught casting a popper at an island edge.
Tonga is a remote group of islands nestled in the South Pacific, east of Australia and north of New Zealand. Tonga is made up of more than 170 islands, most of them uninhabited. The fishing opportunities are amazing with extremely blue oceanic water pushing up onto the coral islands. Tonga is a sport fisherman’s paradise with a large range of species available to target only short distances from shore. The sport fishing in Tonga is relatively untapped and while the locals fish a lot for food, and this is the main form of fishing you will see in Tonga. I was lucky enough to spend a week exploring the country’s sportfishing opportunities on a recent mission.
I flew over to Tonga from Australia via Fiji then caught a ferry from the main island of Tongatapu to ’Eua island. At ‘Eua island I stayed at the Bluewater retreat owned by an Aussie mate and legendary spear fisherman Rob Torelli. The Bluewater retreat caters for a range of on-the-water activities such as
whale swims, spear fishing charters, fishing charters and island tours. The accommodation comprises small separate cabins that have a great view of the ocean from the front veranda, with a shower and toilet for each cabin. All meals are prepared by an on-site chef. Of a night-time, a big sashimi platter and a range of hot meals are served for guests and crew in the main kitchen and deck overlooking the ocean. It really is an incredible spot to stay as you watch the whales play on the surface just offshore of the retreat while talking about the day’s fishing. The retreat is a short car ride from the harbour, where the boats are kept ready to go.
The plan for the week was to explore the local waters by jigging, trolling and casting for a range of species. The first thing was I blown away by was the clearest waters I had experienced for some time. With the Tongan trench and the deepest waters off the world not far away, the water clarity is amazing and most of the islands have very deep water close to shore. Like most of the Pacific, Tonga experiences south-east trade winds for most of the year. We had a moderate SE forecast for the week I visited, with winds ranging from 10 to 20 knots. Luckily the north-west side of the islands provides the perfect cover from the SE winds and we managed to fish every day in the island’s lee. When the wind backed off, we pushed further out into the blue and fished the FADs, while on rough days there’s plenty to explore on the sheltered island edges.
Tonga’s fisheries department have deployed a number of FADs out in the deep blue waters, so we targeted these by both trolling and casting. Best results came from casting with many yellowfin tuna and mahi mahi taking the stickbaits and poppers. The FADs were great fun fishing, as you watch the neon blue mahi chase down the lures. It was the best
mahi mahi fishing I’ve experienced, with multiple solid fish at each spot we visited. We were even lucky enough to crack the magic 20kg mark with a big bull dolphin fish caught on a lure. The yellowfin tuna were in great numbers but only small – size varies depending on time of year. We also caught wahoo trolling the FADs with deep divers. All the Tongan islands and FADs are extremely exposed to ocean currents and water movement so the pelagic fish can change in numbers and sizes dramatically throughout the year or season and I’m sure every trip would be different.
When you’re not fishing the FADs, the edges of the islands provide the perfect drop-offs for casting and jigging. Casting the island edges from the boat, we caught some monster red bass, barracuda and trevally, but the jigging was most productive. The species diversity on the jig was amazing with a massive range of species landed. We focused on water from 30m to 100m deep around the island edges. Drop-offs and bait schools were the most productive areas with everything from coral trout and jobfish to amberjack and dogtooth tuna. The dogtooth tuna were a real highlight with multiple dogtooth landed on the jig every day. Size wasn’t overly big for our trip, with all the fish being pups, but the bigger fish are certainly there. It was by far the best dogtooth jigging I have experienced. While prospecting for jigging marks we trolled a spread of lures and caught more dogtooth and wahoo trolling divers. I was very surprised that the sharks were no issue when fishing for the dogtooth tuna. The average size of the reef fish caught jigging was great and you never knew what species you were going to catch next.
The Panga boats the author fished from while in Tonga.
This trip came about from Rob inviting us to explore Tonga and its fishing opportunities, and I did not know what to expect. We fished from one of Rob’s 30ft centre console Pangas so we were able to cover all bases from casting to trolling easily. The short runs from the harbour to the fishing ground are a blessing and you can start trolling for marlin in 200m of water a few hundred metres from the harbour. Very little travel time in the boats each day maximises fishing time.
We also had a quick opportunity to do some land-based fishing and it was some of the best land-based fishing I have ever experienced. Most of the coast has deep water straight off the rocks, and while getting access through the thick jungle or down the cliffs to the ocean can be hard, once you’re at the water’s edge the fishing was great.
WE ALSO HAD A QUICK OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOME LAND-BASED FISHING AND IT WAS SOME OF THE BEST LANDBASED FISHING I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.
I was lucky enough to land a trophy-sized red bass from the rocks on a popper. This would be a fish of a lifetime in Australia, but I feel in Tonga this would be a fairly common capture.
We also hooked a range of trevally species casting topwater from the rocks and a landbased topwater dogtooth certainly could be on the cards. This was all just from the rocks in front of town in the leeside of the island. I’d love to head back just to explore more land-based options and plan some bigger missions into the more remote coastlines.
I took all of my own tackle and rods over from Australia and there really isn’t much available in Tonga. I’d recommend you take everything with you and flying with a rod tube was no issues for us.
An island edge dogtooth tuna caught trolling a Samaki Pacemaker in 20m of water.
Green jobfish were a regular bycatch when jigging for doggies in Tonga.
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I took a couple of heavy PE 6 to 8 topwater casting combos and a couple of heavy jigging combos in PE 6 to 8. These rods were all matched with 14000 and 18000-sized reels. I’d recommend these heavier combos as Tonga has the potential for trophy fish wherever you are fishing, so if you hook that dogtooth of a lifetime you want to be in with a solid shot of landing it. My fishing buddies covered the heavy trolling gear, so we had all bases covered. Tonga was very kind on the tackle front and we hardly lost a lure. I took loads of lures expecting the sharks and wahoo to do some damage but the sharks where almost
TONGA ITSELF WAS A GREAT CULTURAL EXPERIENCE – AS ANY OVERSEAS TRIP IS – AND THE LOCALS ARE VERY NICE, HELPFUL PEOPLE. THE BOATS ARE A LOT MORE BASIC THAN WE HAVE IN AUSTRALIA BUT WITH THE GREAT FISHING THIS ISN’T AN ISSUE.
non-existent. I did use very heavy braid (100lb) and leader (200lb) and this helped to keep fight times to a minimum. But it was amazing to catch dogtooth and not get sharked at all! This was a massive benefit and I think because the jigging fishing pressure is so low the sharks
do not associate the boats with a free feed like they do in Australia.
Tonga itself was a great cultural experience – as any overseas trip is – and the locals are very nice, helpful people. The boats are a lot more basic than we have in Australia but with the great fishing this isn’t an issue. I’ve spoken with a number of Aussies who have been to Tonga fishing and everyone’s enjoyed their time. I’m certainly keen to head back again and I think as it is explored more, it will become an incredible sportfishing destination for keen Aussie anglers.
The major drawcard for me with Tonga was the chance of a giant dogtooth tuna and while I didn’t find that fish on this trip, I’m bloody glad I went. Exploring the blue waters of Tonga was a great time and I’d recommend it to any keen anglers looking to do some overseas trips.
jigging gear.
Mahi mahi can pop up anywhere in Tongan waters but the FADs are real hotspots.
A highfin amberjack caught soft vibing for reef fish in 80m of water.
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