I kayak fish because it gives me the ability to sneak from snag to snag silently, while moving in very tight in shallow waters. Sitting so low on the water allows me to hear every surface strike close by.

What to take. When you prepare to go fishing, take a dry storage tubs for wallet, phone and keys. Carry with you, as little tackle as possible (less is best). Most important to take with you are: a landing net and a basic first aid kit because having a fish flapping wildly in a kayak can result in a few bloody spikes.

Where to go. When you are looking for a kayak fishing location, go where power boats and weekend warriors cannot access. Join a local or online club to go with a more seasoned angler to learn as much as possible. Try fishing in freshwater lakes first where tide and swell will not affect you as much. Choose a spot that is easy access from your car.

How to catch bass. The bass species of fish can be caught all year round. If you are a beginner, the bass are a great fish to target with bait and lures. The bass can be found in dams, lakes, and upper reaches of rivers. Depending on your location, they can be caught using spinner baits, soft plastics with jig head spinners, a 1000 size reel, 8lb braid with a 10-15lb leader. And don’t forget your landing net!

The best strategy and technique to catch bass is to go out at first light. In fact, regardless of the species, it is always my favourite time to fish. The warmer months give you a greater chance to use top water lures for some very exciting strikes, especially from a kayak! Otherwise, soak some shrimp traps where you want to fish a week prior to going, and use live shrimp because the bass love them. I like to use a paternoster style rig and keeping the shrimp 30cm from the bottom. Once the shrimp dies, re-bait with a live one. The bass tend to leave the dead shrimp alone.

Trial and error is the key to success. Conduct your research before heading out by listening to local reports, and adjust your fishing trip plans to suit these conditions.

Which kayak? I have been kayak fishing for about 7 years. I use a Mantra Noa kayak. (However, I would love a 4m offshore kayak to be able to hit close reefs off the coast.)

If you do not have your own kayak yet, borrow one from a friend or rent one. Practice with it, ask questions, and note what you think you need for the type of fishing you plan to do.

If you save up a mere $50, you can buy a second hand kayak online. However, do not buy blindly without doing your research. Before you buy, decide on the style of fishing you want it for, and if possible, trial it first to experience first hand if it fits your needs. Be sure of what you want to use the kayak for before buying one. Different brands and styles can cater for different fishing styles.

By Chris Hughes

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The Right Conditions

The most productive areas for flathead are usually in close proximity to some form of weed bank. This may be an extensive shallow bank only accessible at high tide or just a single small outcrop on the edge of a small gutter. The flathead will position themselves in areas where the composition of the mud/sand bottom is extremely fertile, nutrient-rich, and provides the perfect environment for juvenile prawns, crab and baitfish to hide and grow quickly.

Large flathead can reside in deep water next to structures such as bridge pylons, wrecks, rock bars, submerged trees and rock walls. However, most flathead are generally caught in 1-2m of water and congregate around the edges of sandbanks, weed banks, and mouths of shallow estuaries.They are also found in shallow waters, near oyster leases and mangroves.

Tides and Times

The best tides to fish for flathead is during the first 3 hours following the high tide, especially in areas where a large expanse of water drains over yabby banks. The flathead will lie in schools, head first, towards the current, camouflaged on the seabed ready to ambush their unsuspecting prey.

Dawn and dusk are the best times to catch flathead. However, very large specimens can be caught during the night even at dead low tide, especially when using live bait. During calm weather, with less than 10 knots of breeze, is the most productive for flathead catching.Sometimes a shower of rain can trigger the fish to start feeding if it has been quiet beforehand.

Equipment

Rods and Reels:

Two rods will cover most situations. A 7’ 2-4 kg spin rod is sensitive enough for trolling small hard bodied lures and is still perfect for throwing lightly weighted plastics long distances. For deeper and more current driven areas, stepping up to 4-6 kg rod will make using heavier jig heads and big plastics easier to handle, it will help you stop the big mulloway and trevally that frequent the same terrain.

A 2,000 or 2,500-sized reel is the perfect match for the 2-4 kg rod, spooled with 3 kg braid, and leadered up with 12lb fluorocarbon makes casting all day effortless, this light combo is more than capable of landing large flatties. The heavier of the two outfits can be either a 3,000-4,000 spin reel or a bait caster,9 kg braid and 20lb fluorocarbon make a powerful combination able to stop just about anything.

If using bait, use a leader approximately 1m in length with a small ball sinker above the swivel. If anchored next to a run-off from a sandbank, choose the smallest ball sinker which will allow your line to slowly drift with the current. Flick upstream into the shallows and let your line drift into deeper water, as the flathead will lie on the edge of the drop-off.

Lures:

A 2-3 inch deep diving hard body lure, or a 3-inch curly tail soft plastic, are effective lures for flathead, particularly around oyster leases.Bright pink or greeny-yellow colours work well.Use a slow retrieve with a twitching action.If trolling, troll in the direction of the current.

Quite often, the tide height will dictate which method is the most suitable. High tides allow access to shallow highest margins along banks, but the fish will be spread out and easy to spook; so, trolling small hard-bodied lures 30 to 40 metres back will allow more ground to be covered.

When the tide is about half way through the run-out, clearly defined drains will have formed and it is here that numbers of flathead congregate waiting to ambush anything that is trying to vacate the rapidly diminishing bank. Soft plastics are the go in this situation. A 3-4 in minnow or grub-style plastic matched to a lightly weighted jig headand slowly worked back from the head of the drain and worked all the way back, can provide explosive action.

Lures fall into two categories—hard and soft—and both are equally effective. Hard bodies are great for trolling and the simplest option when exploring new areas whereground needs to be covered. Locally made pig lures, Cultiva mira shads, Zerek Tango shads, and Tilsan minnows are popular. However, any bibbed lure in the 45-65mm range designed to swim between two and six feet will work. Flathead lure colours range from the wildest fluro creations to a variety of pinks right down to natural transparent models that are a must when the water is crystal clear. Soft plastic variations can range from single and double tail grubs, minnows, shads, or vibes. Again, the colour choices are just as plentiful as the hardbodies. Atomic, squidgy, Mcarthy, Samaki, Jackal, and Berkley brands provide a broad selection for all applications.

Baits:

Live bait, such as herring, mullet, yabbies and prawns, are definitely the gun baits in the estuaries and are worth the extra effort to find. Dead bait include fresh WA pilchards, white and frogmouth pilchards, and strips of mullet or tailor. Choose a hook size appropriate to the bait you are using, with a hook gape of about 1cm.Suicide and bait holder hooks are good choices.

Technique and Strategy

Choose an area where water drains out over a ledge or through a narrow channel.Anchor downstream of this point and flick your bait or lure upstream.Let your bait drift down with the current or slowly retrieve your lure in the direction of the current.

If you have an electric motor and a pair of polarised sunglasses, flathead can sometimes be caught by sight. Flathead can be spooked if your boat gets too close, so cast well upstream of the fish and let the bait or lure travel to the fish.

Keep moving and trying different locations to avoid wasting time casting where there are no fish. Try working an area for ten minutes and if it is quiet, then move on. Remembering the same location might produce later in the day when the water height and clarity have changed.

Be careful of the spines on the corner of the jaw of the flathead and the dorsal fin. These spines are venomous and will inflict half an hour of pain to the unlucky recipient.Always use a rag or a pair of pliers when removing hooks.

If using bait, flathead have a tendency to mouth/suck the bait instead of swallowing the hook straight up, so let the flathead run for a couple more metres before setting the hook. Use a landing net as flathead have a tendency to throw the hook right next to the boat.If fishing from shore, drag the flathead up onto the beach instead of raising your rod next to the water edge.

Dusky flathead are a common catch in the Southport Broadwater and have a minimum size limit of 40cm and a maximum size limit of 75 cm, with a bag limit of five (regardless of flathead species).The bigger flathead are the female breeders and should always be released unharmed. The smaller flathead are the tastiest to eat, so there is no point keeping the larger ones. If we all release the large ones, there will be a sustainable fishery well into the future for generations to come.

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Where to find flathead on the Gold Coast

Along the break walls of the Southport Seaway

Along the western side of Wavebreak Island

Around Carter’s Bank, 100metres north of Wavebreak Island

Around Crab Island

Around Brown Island

The Aldershots

Mouth of the northern arm of Coomera River

Mouth of the Pimpama River

“The Junction” at Coombabah Creek and southern arm of Coomera River

The entrance to Bullock Head and Wasp creeks along the northern arm of Coomera River

Around the Never Fail Islands

Five Ways and Tiger Mullet Channel

The mouth of the inlet at the northern end of South Stradbroke Island

Kalinga Bank

Just outside the entrance to Swan Bay on the southern end of North Stradbroke Island (NB. Swan Bay itself is a marine park and all fishing is prohibited inside)

/Jan2018

The post Fantastic Flathead Fishing appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

The billfish are accessible all year round, and a myriad of other game fish species are teeming in local waters, making the tournaments of the Gold Coast and Moreton Bay region some of the most exciting in Australia.

Fishing Tournaments: Tips and Tricks

Tournaments take recreational angling to the next level by making target fishing serious. The competition is fierce because the prizes and the honours are very attractive. All participants, no matter the size of boat, stand a chance to win.

There are many sanctioned tournaments held along the Australian coastline, which are all good fun and a great way to meet fishing comrades. There are some tricky regulations you need to abide by. An example is not being allowed to help the angler during the fight, making it very funny to watch your mate struggle on a big once-in-a-lifetime fish and you cannot help him or her. It is also illegal to gaff some species; only a net is allowed. Having the right line class and leader are some of the trickier rules to remember.

Make sure you are familiar with the rules specific to the tournament. For example, a 10kg tackle tournament means the line class of 10kg or under, and they are very strict with these rules. If your crew are not concentrating, they can make a mistake that ends the team’s chances. Missing the tag before a marlin breaks free, by illegally using a net to land the fish or by striking the drag with either too much or not enough drag can be disastrous. And make sure your boat is correctly registered and insurance has been paid; otherwise, you will be disqualified.

Before you go out fishing in a tournament you need to be prepared. Anglers need to undertake research prior to competition days, especially if they are in unfamiliar territories. An in-depth understanding of locations, weather, types of fish species, and baits are needed. Readily available equipment is important, such as a good sounder that you are familiar with, will give you an edge. However, to their credit, some teams do still venture out without one.

Rods, reels, line class, gaffs, nets, and extra tackle need to be arranged before the competition begins. Champion teams are very well organised. Safety is paramount too; make sure your boat and crew are ready for action in any conditions. Check safety equipment, lifejackets, and supplies for long days, and possibly over night. There is nothing worse than leaving vital items at home and realizing it when you are miles away from land.

Most competitors go fishing regularly, so there is no need to practice for a tournament. When fishing foreign waters, try to talk to the locals and use some of their techniques and knowledge. I was recently given local tips and baiting techniques, which helped me immensely. If you’re serious about competitive fishing, on the day you need to put into practice all the strategies and knowhow for the target fish. Be prepared that sometimes you will do everything right and still have no luck. My personal strategy in these tournaments is to firstly have a good social time, while using my best abilities to catch the target fish. If I am unsuccessful, then I am left to appreciate a good day on the water.

These days technology is a huge benefit, such as advance knowledge of fish finders, water temp apps, and websites that keep you updated on weather and fish migrations. Using the latest tackle improves your chances, such as tuna tubes, downriggers, outriggers, and tow-cams. There are no guarantees though. Too often, you have the latest equipment and techniques on board and never catch a fish, while a nearby boat with the basic limited equipment catch all the fish.

My fishing lifestyle

I am grateful to be living a sport fishing lifestyle where every tournament and event has left its mark on me. I regularly participate in competitive fishing. I have had the privilege to compete in several countries and all over Australia – Cairns, Exmouth, Perth, Darwin and Tasmania – and I have loved every minute of it and met the best people.

To-date, I have competed in many local tournaments against serious competitors. I love it! The Flathead Classic on the Gold Coast, Shimano Shootout, Garmin Light Tackle Masters, and several blue and black marlin, light and heavy tackle tournaments run by most game fish clubs up and down the east coast of Queensland. As the game fish migrate, other states run just as good tournaments at different times of the year, so it is a great excuse to travel while doing what you love.

Fishing is a great sport, with many ups and downs. Most important is to have fun during a tournament. It is my belief that if you keep trying, sooner or later you will have a win. I recommend you enter a tournament as a way of meeting other people who share a common passion, having fun while putting yourself in the running to catch a fish-of-a-lifetime, and maybe take a tournament win.

Keep in mind, there are serious teams out there who want to win all the time, and they can. But you and your mates can be right beside those teams, trying to catch the same fish with your smaller boat and far less experience, and still have the time of your life. And if you are like me, then you can enjoy seeing the fish caught by all boats and experiencing the spectacle of the whole show, before heading to the bar to share those stories of the big one that got away.

Locally sanctioned clubs are governed by the Game Fishing Association of Australia (GFAA), which is the longest established national fishing association in the world. It has been, and remains, a model and example for game fishing associations around the world. As such, the GFAA is affiliated with the International Game Fish Association (lGFA) and plays an active part in the leadership of the sport of game fishing on a world level. The GFAA code of practice is extensive, covering fishing ethics, conservation, education, safety and competition rules. www.gfaa.asn.au

By Vlad Tesic

Interview by Andy Kancachian

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Why join a fishing club?

The best way to learn how to compete in a tournament is to join a game fishing club. There are two clubs on the Gold Coast. Gold Coast Game Fishing Club and the Surfers Paradise Sports and Game Fishing Club. Further north, Moreton Bay Game Fish Club and The Little Ship Game Fish Club (also a club in Redcliff and Bribie Island). At these clubs, you will find out how to set up your boat and receive advice on rods and tackle. Members are an excellent source of information on where and what is biting. The clubs’ network provides an opportunity for you to fish on other members’ boats and learn from other crew on board.

A club will teach how to fish or how to fine-tune your fishing skills. The members meet regularly for social activities and to hear from guest speakers and club members who are willing to share their knowledge and experience. The clubs promote sustainable fishing through conservation and education. Many support and participate in ongoing tag-and-release programs. They encourage the study of game fishing species and their habitats, and assist in the maintenance of the marine ecological balance.

The post Are You Game? appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

There is a basic difference between kayak fishing and fishing from a boat. With a kayak, you fish slower and more thoroughly because you are limited in the distance you can cover. You can also sneak up on fish and often watch them attack a lure right beside you because your profile in the water is much smaller.

When kayak fishing during the months from September to December, flathead and bream are the easier targets nearing the summer season. If you are looking to take your kayak fishing challenge up a notch, have a go at bass, trevally or mangrove jack. I recommend bass in a freshwater creek or out at Hinze Dam, trevally in Nerang or Coomera Rivers, and mangrove jack in a heavily structured stretch of Currumbin or Tallebudgera Creek.

Where to go

Getting a feel for kayak fishing is best done by fishing shallow waters and flats were you can pick up bream and flathead pretty consistently, and in calm safe conditions. As you learn about your kayak and grow in confidence, you can take the adventure of kayak fishing further.

The most significant elements to be worried about if you are considering kayak fishing offshore, estuary or fresh water for the first time are wind, wave and tide action. Keeping close to a shoreline is best as you learn while ensuring your safety, and it is usually your best chance for finding fish. That is why estuaries, canals and fresh water streams are my favourites.
The lower reaches of rivers and creeks are great to try out kayak fishing. Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creeks are my pick spots as they are generally wind protected and shallow, and have clear waters with plenty of access and low tidal flow.

If you are social media savvy, direct message some of the leading kayak fishermen targeting the same waters you want to fish.

Kayaking for jacks

In South East Queensland, the mangrove jack present the toughest challenge in our calm water creeks, estuaries and rivers. The bone-rattling fight and cunning feeding tactics make them the ultimate sports fishing target. They belt lures like nothing else, and can pull you around at their mercy once hooked – a feeling you will never tire of.

The Gold Coast canals are home to our country’s biggest estuary mangrove jack, with the Nerang and Coomera Rivers and nearby canals providing endless options for anglers looking to find some calm water. Also, the backwaters of Tweed River and Tallebudgera are perfect spots for kayakers to test their nerves against jacks.

The best strategy is to get out on the water in low light conditions, early morn or late afternoon to escape the boat traffic. Drifting live baits into fallen trees in the water or around bridge pylons is a deadly technique. However, most kayakers learn to prefer the heart-in-mouth experience of tossing lures into a jack’s lair and trying to get it back to the kayak. A technique is to challenge yourself to cast as close as possible to the immense variety of structures you find and slowly retrieve your lure so you can feel the beating cadence as it works its way into the strike zone. You want to land the lure close enough to the cover as possible. You want to scare the paint off it, swimming it aggressively with long pauses right in front of the fish holding beside bridge pylons, moored boats and pontoons. Allow the feeding fish time to hone in on your presentation by stalling your retrieve every now and then. Repeat this cast-and-retrieve technique as you drift your favourite stretch of water and hang on tight. Exercise your discretion and etiquette in these built-up residential areas.

Which kayak to buy?

There are different kayaks suited for various locations depending on the accessibility to the water’s edge and storage requirements. My main considerations when deciding to buy a kayak for fishing are comfort, stability, and stand’n’cast option. I also want the ability to add an electric motor, and to be able to be carried and loaded onto a car by one person. I make sure the kayak is specifically designed as a fishing platform, and has raised seat for comfort and back support to allow longer fishing sessions with a better position to fight bigger fish.

A comfortable and stable casting position is key when choosing your kayak. There are two important points to consider that are the biggest factors when you are trying to get the upper hand to land a big fish. First, you should expect long sessions on the water. And second, you should be able to give everything you can in a fight with a fish.

Aside from a kayak, you will require a paddle, a rope, and a whistle. You will need a rod-and-reel combo ideal for the fish you are targeting. Also, you will have to take a handful of lures, lip grips, or a small net to assist in catch-and-release. A 1000-2500-size spinning reel with a 2-5kg rod is a sensible outfit to cover your bases. 8lb braid and 12lb leader will be more than sufficient for everything, barring mangrove jack, to which I run 20lb line. A range of deep-diving lures at around 3m depth, and some 3-4 inch soft plastics are on the money.

There are plenty of great product reviews online. But there is no better way to get a start than hiring a kayak and getting the feeling for a new style of approach. If you are serious about what you want, and you do not find it straight away, have some patience and keep looking. I am incredibly fussy these days about what I fish from to get the most out of my days on the water, so there are kayaks to suit everyone’s needs.

You do not necessarily need to buy the “best” kayak from the very beginning. Your time and money is better spent getting on the water and actually using the equipment. Too often, expensive gear is left in the shed to be paid off and worked for. Entry-level fishing gear can get you a long way into the fishing game. I still prefer my old gear at times. It is time on the water, not the best and greatest reel, that will make for a great adventure or memorable experience. So the important point is to just get out there with what equipment you have!

By John Costello,

Interview and edit by Andy Kancachian

/Sep-Dec2017

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The only dealership in the country where you can find this entire spectrum (range?) of fishing boats is at Northside Marine. It is home to some of the best fishing boat brands in the world, including Sportsman Boats, Stabicraft, Stacer, Surtees, and Whittley Sea Legends. You will be able to find a boat that suits your lifestyle from the variety of styles and the most popular models available.

SPORTSMAN BOATS – FIBREGLASS CENTRE CONSOLES

Sportsman Boats have a reputation for building premium boats with the best ride on the water and the most yacht-calibre features for the price than any other boat in its class. They manufacture an intelligently designed series of fibreglass centre consoles and bay boats, and take great pride in the craftsmanship and quality of their products. Sportsman Boats provide a nice stable platform, with loads of storage room, and a centre console design that allows 360-degree fishability. All Sportsman Boats are powered by Yamaha Outboards and fitted out with Simrad electronics to provide the ultimate turnkey solution to boating. Northside Marine came on board as the Queensland distributor for the Sportsman Boats range back in July, and these are the hottest boats on the market! With plenty of orders already placed for the Island Reef 17, Island Reef 19, and the Open 212, and with drive away packages starting from under $50k, these boats present excellent value for money.

STACER – INSHORE ALUMINIUM TINNIES TO OFFSHORE ALUMINIUM PLATE BOATS
Ranging from a small tinnie for taking the kids whiting fishing up the Broadwater or out to the dam, through to hard core bluewater fishing machines, such as the Stacer Plate Series, Stacer have a model that suit most aluminium boat enthusiasts need. The most popular models for inshore fishing in protected waters are the Stacer Proline, Stacer SeaSprite, and Stacer Rampage range of open tinnies. These range in size, from 3m to 4.3m, with packages starting from as low as $4,990. If you are after something a little bigger to venture further afield, the Stacer 509 Sea Runner cuddy cabin is ideal for those calmer days to duck offshore with the family or a couple of mates, yet still handy in the Broadwater. If serious offshore fishing is more your style, the Stacer 659 Ocean Ranger Hard Top aluminium plate boat is a stylish rig that has all the bells and whistles, performs exceptionally well offshore, and yet is very keenly priced.

STABICRAFT – INSHORE & OFFSHORE ALUMINIUM PLATE BOATS

Stabicraft are the world’s best-designed aluminium chambered boats for business and leisure bar none. It is a bold claim, but one you can believe in. The first to pioneer positive buoyancy life-ring protection, Stabicraft boats are a triumph of Kiwi ingenuity over the elements. It is the breakthrough combination of strength, stability, safety, comfort, performance, and unbeatable usability. Tested in the ‘roaring forties’ of New Zealand’s southern waters, Stabicraft prove their worth no matter what is thrown at them. At Stabicraft, “Adventure with Confidence” is more than just a motto – it is a promise. One of the most popular models since its release early 2017 has been the Stabicraft 1550 Fisher, which is a nicely appointed family-friendly 4.7m plate boat that will not break the budget, with packages starting from $35,995 drive away. Other popular models for those wanting to venture further afield include the 1850 Supercab and 2100 Supercab. These provide an exceptional ride in the roughest conditions. When the weather gets too much, the neat cabin design provides comfort.

SURTEES – INSHORE & OFFSHORE ALUMINIUM PLATE BOATS

Surtees Boats are jam packed with innovative design features so you can enjoy your day out on the water in true fishing comfort and focus on landing the ‘big one’. Safety is at the forefront of Surtees design, so it is no surprise that the Super Deep V Hull is designed to not only stop pounding through the chop, but also to stop broaching in following seas, ensuring maximum safety. The hull also boasts spray-deflecting chines to keep you dry. Surtees boats are designed to be non-pounding, stable and comfortable. The super smooth ride is the result of combining three innovative design features: the Surtees Non-Pounding Super Deep V Hull, the Surtees Original Stabilising Technology, and the Surtees Ultra Strengthened Deck System. The most popular work horse of the Surtees range in the past year has been the all-new Surtees 575 Workmate, a 5.75m aluminium plate boat that has a reduced cabin and larger cockpit that maximises deck space for the serious fisherman – and serious fishing gear. These are available in a hardtop or an ingenious fold-down roof that enables garage storage. With its handling, stability and extended cockpit providing more deck space for fishing, another iconic fishing machine has been born.

WHITTLEY SEA LEGENDS – FIBREGLASS OFFSHORE CABIN BOATS
Whittley Sea Legends are the dream crossover, balancing the needs of a blue water fishing boat, without compromising on the creature comforts of home. They put the adventure in boating, where you can take a couple of mates out for a day (or two) of hard-core fishing, yet versatile enough to spend a weekend away with the family cruising the Broadwater. The most popular model recently has been the Whittley SL 22; at 6.6m this boat has loads of storage room and a functional fishing cockpit that will accommodate four anglers. This model is easily towed by many larger-size family SUVs, and is very capable of handling itself in a fistfight with Mother Nature. A practical rigging station with pull-out work table shrouds the engine and a generous plumbed livewell occupies the port transom step. The Whittley Sea Legend range is definitely making a statement as one of the best offshore fibreglass fishing boat on the market.

Sportsman Boats, Stabicraft, Stacer, Surtees, and Whittley Sea Legends are distributed in Queensland and Northern Rivers region by Northside Marine. Check out their extensive range at Northside Marine’s 10,000m² purpose-built boating megastore at 2294 Sandgate Rd, Boondall, Qld, 4034 (only 15 mins north of the Brisbane Airport). View the range online at www.nsmarine.com.au, or call (07) 3265 8000.

/Sep-Dec2017

The post Fishing Boats For Fishing Fun appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

My main motivation to go fishing is to find peace with nature while I am out enjoying my environment. I love fishing these waters; you will never really know what you will encounter. I rarely kill my fish as I am out fishing as a sport. However, I will take fish home with me if they are worth being kept. I never take more than my partner and I can eat on the day. I am out that often that fresh is best. I never keep small ones; it is best to let them grow so I can catch them when they grow up!

A few months ago, I went out with the sole purpose of catching a marlin, and dedicated the trip to my nephew, Sasha, who has a brain injury. I packed my marlin lures and headed out to a spot that I had some luck with previously. There was nothing special about this spot, but as I sent my first lure on the outrigger and started getting ready for the next lure – Bang! went the outrigger, and I was on, with not enough time to put the second lure in. It was a black marlin and was screaming line off my reel. I chased it down. It did a couple of jumps, and eventually behaved for me. I got it on board, took a couple of photos and video, and then swam it for about 20 minutes. As it started kicking, I released it. My girlfriend and I motored back home smiling. The entire trip, including the marlin catch, took just two hours. This proves that sometimes, luck comes your way, and if you put the lure in front of a hungry fish, he will eat it.

MAHI MAHI

My favourite species here on the Gold Coast are mahi mahi during summer, and amberjacks during winter. The reason I enjoy targeting mahi mahi is purely because of the aerial show they give when hooked. And the reason to target amberjacks is for the fight; they are beasts to fight.

I was trolling one day, and it was so calm out wide. We noticed floating debris and headed that way with our trolling spread of five lures. Out of the far corner, we could see the fin of a huge mahi mahi zeroing in to our spread at full speed. That in itself is an awesome sight. He hit the lure and took off jumping around when the hook set. It did not take long to get him in, but the show was pretty awesome.

I find the most productive areas for mahi mahi are where there is a dirty line with debris or foam floating. The mahi mahi seem to hang around these areas, as do the desired big male bull mahi mahi. Your strategy should be to find anything floating or dirty in the water, and look for birds and maybe flying fish. These are sure signs that there might be fish hanging around. Troll lures or you can also spin them up if you see them.

The equipment required to catch these fish does not have to be specific. I have personally caught bulls on spin and overhand reels. I recommend trolling with a braid line because of its high knot strength, lack of stretch, and great overall power in relation to its diameter.

THE WARMER MONTHS

During the months of September to December, you can expect to catch mahi mahi, baby black marlin, longtail tuna, and mackerel tuna. You can fish for these species along our coastline from Tweed and all the way past North Stradbroke and Moreton Bay.

The recommended equipment are trolling rods and lures, teasers and skirted lures. Your strategy should be to get out early, and find some bait (as the bait moves in around these months and coincides with the pelagic run to our shores). Set your teasers and put a spread of lures out, troll at a desirable speed, usually between 6 and 9 knots, depending on the lure type.

Interview with Vlad Tesic

By Andy Kancachian

The post Awesome Fishing appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

The raising of the Hinze Dam and subsequent flooding of large stands of timber surrounding the old water’s edge produces a protected habitat and abundant feed for the fingerlings released by the Hinze Dam Fish Management Committee. The Australian bass have thrived in these conditions. The Hinze Dam is now one of the best locations for bass fishing in Australia, with even mid-winter fishing producing many fish.

Despite the present abundance of these quality fish, many anglers have been disappointed. The likely reason is that they have not adapted their fishing tactics to the changed environment.

Over many years when the old dam edges were fringed with weed, grass and waterlilies, slow trolling of lures along such fringes, or casting and retrieving of lures, or flies to the fringes, usually resulted in a quick hook-up. Such conditions are presently almost non-existent. And while slow trolling of hard body lures, especially in warmer weather, will still produce the occasional catch, most fish now appear to be shoaling in or about the drowned timber frequently at a depth of 15 feet or more below the surface.

A change of tactics is required. And after locating a shoal of large fish on their fish finder or sounder, successful anglers are now resorting to jigging soft plastics, blades jackal lures, spinner baits, or even ice jigs to the depth of the shoal.

There is of course risk of losing such expensive gear in the heavy underwater timber, and some anglers have resorted to “bait fishing”, which is permitted within the Hinze Dam, with the proviso that the bait must be indigenous to the area, such as freshwater shrimps, earthworms and freshwater yabbies.

While some anglers adopt a catch-and-release policy, anyone is permitted to keep two bass per person. If properly dispatched, filleted, skinned and kept in the fridge for 24 hours, the bass fillets make excellent eating when lightly floured and panfried in a little butter.

The Hinze Dam Fish Management Committee is charged with stocking the dam. In 2016 there were 67,000 bass fingerlings released in the dam. In December 2016, the Committee released 500 Mary River cod fingerlings into the Hinze Dam. In February 2017, assisted by SEQ Water, the Committee released 40,000 Australia bass fingerlings.

Since 2010, a total of 432,500 fingerlings have been released comprising:

– 284,000 Australian bass

– 106,000 golden perch (yellow belly)

– 42,000 silver perch

– 500 Mary River cod.

The Committee used to issue Hinze Dam fishing permits. Since July 2016, the Hinze Dam joined 63 other water storages in the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) administered by the State Government.

Visit www.fishhinzedam.com.au for information about the Committee and SIP.

The post Stocking Up The Dam appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

GENERAL FISHING KNOWLEDGE

My favourite species are usually calendar-based. I really look forward to the changing seasons to alternate through my favourites, and to keep me sharp. In spring, there are still plenty of mulloway or jewfish (also nicknamed “jewies”) spread throughout the estuary and bluewater reef areas, larger fish being more common offshore especially when livies are used.

Back in the estuary, soft vibes work a treat. They are simple to use, can be trolled, cast, or just tea-bagged along the deeper gutters. Due to their soft composition, fish will repeatedly hit them until a solid hookup is achieved. Jewies just love them. Paddle Tail- and Jerk Shad-style soft plastics are effective and easy to use options.

The most productive areas for this species are generally deeper waters over eight metres to start with. Once found, start looking for variations in current flow in any location where bait fish can school up. This can vary a lot depending on tidal direction, creating nice little back eddies that hold bait. Bottom structure in the form of submerged timber or rock bars tend to consistently support permanent populations of mulloway. By concentrating your fishing efforts an hour either side of a tide change, especially if tides coincide with first or last light, will enhance your chances of success.

When purchasing equipment to catch mulloway, it is important to acknowledge that they are large powerful fish. The legal catch size is 75cm minimum, but the opportunity to catch a mulloway over a metre is quite realistic. Therefore, a medium-sized baitrunner spin or overhead reel with a smooth drag is a critical element in the ability to wear a big one out. Matched to a 10-kilo rod, you should be able to tackle anything that takes the bait.

The best strategy and technique to catch big mulloway is to use live bait. This will produce majority of specimens over 15 kilos in offshore and estuary situations. In Moreton Bay, Brisbane River and the Broadwater, soft plastics account for huge numbers of fish of all sizes. Electronic depth sounders or fish finders will improve your ability to find targets and concentrate efforts in clearly defined locations.

FISHING THIS MONTH

The next four months of fishing (Sep-Dec) in the Broadwater and Moreton Bay are going to be very exciting for mulloway, tailor, flathead, and trevally. You will also find these species in gravel areas off the Gold Coast and Brisbane, and close in reefs off shore.

A variety of different tackle combinations ranging from a light spin outfit suitable for soft plastics and small diving hard body lures are perfect for flathead, tailor, small trevally, and juvenile mulloway. For big mulloway, a heavy spin or overhead outfit capable of using 30-50lb line is perfect for live baiting the deep heavy current driven channels around the Seaway, Jumpinpin Bar, and the Rous Channel.

A high proportion of the really big specimens are caught on large live baits, such as pike and mullet. Legal-sized tailor and mulloway are the main target when using jumbo baits. However, huge dusky flathead, greenback tailor, and even yellowtail kingfish are common bycatch. Baits can be drifted through or can be anchored on the edge of a backwater eddy or drop off; and then you wait.

The most productive time is usually an hour either side of a tide change. Bouncing large soft plastics along the bottom produces larger numbers of flathead, school jew, big eye, and GT trevally, and just about every other species found in our local waters. Trolling 50-60mm hardbodied lures in depths between two and eight feet is another highly successful method of targeting flathead.

A variety of estuary fish including flounder, bream, whiting, and tailor are frequently encountered. This is a great technique for kids, as the constant changing scenery keeps their attention and enthusiasm at a cheerful level.

TACKLE ADVICE

My consistent advice in buying fishing tackle and gear: You need to have an idea about what fish you want to catch and in what area/s you are going to be fishing. Always buy tackle from a specialist tackle shop, preferably from an experienced person who fishes the area, and who can give you expert advice and answer any questions you may have. By doing so, you will at least have the right gear and be a step closer to catching fish. Buying the wrong fishing gear can make the whole fishing experience very frustrating. So avoid department-stores type equipment suppliers, and stay away from online sites as they are relying on you to purchase the tackle that look good or have a cheap price, but are not necessarily effective.

By Kevin Ballantine

Kevin is one of the most well respected anglers on the Gold Coast. He owns Gold Coast Fishing Tackle, and provides expert advice on all types of fishing.

Interview by Andy Kancachian
/Sep-Dec2017

The post The Fish of the Season appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

Rock fishing has the title of claiming more lives than any other recreational sport around the country. For this alone, most anglers opt to fish the more accessible areas where the fish are hunted in more ways than one. Spear fishermen, professionals and every day anglers swarm to these more accessible spots. Over the years, the fish become hook shy and weary of anything that generally swims or is placed in front of them.

Scattered along the coastline from the Sunshine Coast south to northern New South Wales are a variety of rocky headlands with steep escarpments and good ledges. Most of the fishing activities around these areas are normally done where the beaches meet the rocks. But further around the face of rocks, virgin fishing grounds can be found. It is these holes and locations that the intrepid angler dreams of. During certain times of the year, anglers come out of the woodwork to fish for the different migrating species making their annual run along the coastline.

There can never be enough planning when it goes into these kinds of topics, and at the same time there can never be enough fish to catch. Headland fishing is exhilarating, mesmerising, and a total thrill. Just watching the fish chasing your lure back to the rocks with their mouths wide open chomping at every opportunity they get. Seeing the baitfish showering behind the break and watching the jewfish slap their tails along the ledges as mullet and other small fish school up in small crevices trying to escape the predators. Setting out live baits under balloons and watching mackerel or tuna, or even a marlin come up to gorge, and then swimming off at a fair rate of knots is something you can never get enough of. All of this is what waits for that intrepid angler as he climbs over the last rock face.

Knowing the areas you intend on fishing is an important part of the pre-planning stage. Tracks should be marked out. Of course, the easiest route should be taken. Having an escape plan, in case you do get washed off the rocks and into the water, is a necessity. Knowing which direction to swim can save your life.

Spanish mackerel, cobia, tailor, a variety of tuna species, drummer, black fish, groper, kingfish, and even marlin are all targeted from the ledges. To catch these fish, a fair amount of gear is required to tackle them.

Long gaffs to reach the water are essential. A combination of rods and reels, and various leaders lines, terminal tackle, somewhere to keep your bait alive, and not to forget a carry-bag to bring your fish home in is required. All of this has to be carried in along with some food, water, and more importantly the safety gear. Ropes, rock boots, a waterproof jacket and long pants, headlamp or torch, and a personal floatation device (PFD) just in case. Put all of this together and you have an arsenal of gear to take with you. The key to success here is to put a fine-tooth comb through everything; in the end, you should be left with a neat backpack, and your rods and gaff tied together.

This sounds like a lot of work, and indeed it is.

Tailor at Burleigh Headland

There are other easier ways to rockfish, and that is off our local headlands, such as Burleigh. Still, a lot of caution is required, as you do not want to stand on that slippery rock with barnacles glued to the edge. It does resemble a cheese grater. Believe me, your leg does come off second best. And do not forget those rocks that are seriously unbalanced.

There are quite a few factors to keep in mind. The Burleigh headland is one that many anglers fish, and timing is the key. For me and a few others, being down there when it is pitch black and walking around the front, knowing the rocks, knowing where to fish from, and what you are about to target are all extremely important. By sunrise, you should have a bag of fish, and be walking back out, often passing other anglers heading down for a fish, who unknowingly have already missed the bite.

Given the right conditions, it is an area that I teach my seven-year-old son to fish from. I feel learning to rock fish at an early age will give him plenty of experience as he gets older and understand the safety aspects of rock fishing.

Tailor is a species that schools during the cooler months of the year. However, they are also found here every day of the year, just not in larger numbers at times.

Gear selection is paramount. Keep the rod light, but have the length to get over the rocks. I use a Shimano Aerocast 11-footer, matched with a 14000LC Baitrunner. Even a Sustain 6000 would be good, spooled with 30lb power pro braid, and 4 feet of 30lb fluorocarbon leader. Arm yourself with a bunch of Raider 40 and 65gram lures. The locally made Lasers work well in 25gram white.

Work the wash and work the ledges, and remember you will come off second best against the rocks when your lures bite into one of the thousands of cunjevoi bulbs lining the outer rock ledge. There is nothing like fresh tailor for breakfast, and what a great way to start your day.

Good luck and enjoy!

By Paul Burt

Photo of Caelan, courtesy of Paul Burt 

The post Headland Fishing appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.

One of the city’s well-regarded tackle shop owners is Kevin Ballantine of Gold Coast Fishing Tackle. In the store, Kevin offers his clients practical advice based on his own fishing experiences. He is an extremely knowledgeable local fisherman and shares with us tips for buying the right equipment, what to expect in the coming months of May to July, and why he enjoys chasing his favourite target, the marlin.

Why do you fish?

One of my motivations to go out fishing is to put into practice what I preach, and of course have a good time. The most satisfying feeling is when customers who are new to fishing take my advice and experience success. Their enthusiasm is definitely contagious to all.

What is the most important consideration in buying fishing gear?

The biggest mistake fishers make when they buy fishing equipment is to simply buy on price without the right advice. Avoid buying anything online unless you are sure the product is capable of doing the job required. Successful fishers utilize proven techniques, so always buy fishing tackle from genuine fishing tackle stores with staff that fish in the area. These people will actually help you catch more fish and help you avoid buying the wrong equipment, which ultimately saves you time and money.

What fish do you expect to catch during the months of May to July?

Blue marlin, yellowfin tuna and snapper. The snapper numbers rapidly increase on the close inshore reef systems from Tweed Heads to the top of Moreton Island. As the water temperature drops and the current slows, the larger fish move in close to feast on squid and baitfish. The wider offshore grounds start around the 140-metre mark and some of the coast’s largest billfish have been caught here. At other times the fish can be anywhere out to a 1,000 metres plus. Tuna schools are commonly seen leaping and crashing through bait schools around the deeper seamount areas.

Equipment to use to catch these fish

For big yellowfin tuna and marlin, an 80-lb line will cover most encounters. Some larger vessels fish only 130lb tackle in the hope of having a chance to land that once-in-a-lifetime monster. Shimano Tiagra game reels rule this environment and their strength and quality is unmatched. T-curve rods and the new Venom rods are my favourites. For the snapper, 8000-size Baitrunners matched to a 7’ venom is a light but powerful combination.

Best strategy and technique for these species.

Without a doubt, floating lightly weighted bait down a berley trail is a deadly method for catching snapper of all sizes. For marlin and tuna, trolling skirted lures is by far the most productive method where covering ground is paramount to locating areas that might hold fish.

Favourite target

It is marlin, for the pure adrenaline rush. Nothing really compares with these fish. They will take a bait barely metres from the transom. They will crash tackle lures from any part of your spread. They are certainly not intimidated by the size of your boat however invincible you think you are. With their availability throughout most of the year, you can realistically chase them and expect results due to the different species (black, blue, and striped) overlapping from spring through to the start of winter.

Most productive areas for marlin

Juvenile black marlin are essentially an inshore species, hugging the coast as they migrate south. Areas that consistently hold bait all year provide the action and these areas are well within the range for small trailer craft.

Striped marlin are the least prolific of our trio, but can turn up in depths anywhere from fifty to a thousand metres and beyond. This species is the only commercially targeted billfish off the coast that pits recreational against pro anglers, but there is minimal conflict.

Blue marlin, like all apex predators go where the food is. If food is in the shallow, that is where blue marlin will be. But this species is normally associated with over the continental shelf deep canyon studded cobalt water. Rough conditions tend to switch these guys on more. With specimens over 800 lbs having been landed and plenty of larger ones that got away, there is plenty of incentive to keep trying.

Tip on purchasing equipment for marlin

Absolutely buy the best you can afford. These fish grow big and gear failure problems can really escalate the situation to a dangerous level. Broken rods and seized reels are common issues with gear not designed for the job.

Best strategy and technique for marlin

First and foremost is to go where these fish normally frequent. Then, run a spread of appropriate sized lures in a variety colours that have proven successful in the past try. Be in an area that looks fishy around tide changes. This could mean a bait school, a water temperature variation, or just a nice current line.

Advice on choosing a fishing boat

When buying a boat, work out what sort of fishing you want to do. If the boat is required to be an all-rounder, then it should be just that – great for estuary, bay, the Broadwater and offshore in good conditions. Your available budget obviously will determine how many extra accessories you can install. Keep safety foremost by knowing the limits and capabilities of your boat in various conditions.

Interview with KEVIN BALLANTINE

Editorial by Andy Kancachian

(May-Aug2017)

The post Tackle’n Big Fish appeared first on Boat Gold Coast.