Hooked Up - MAY 38

FlatheadA luring guide for

beginners.

The Great Sandy Strait

It’s flats fishing heaven!

SpaniardsAlternative tactics when

trolling won’t work.

bluefinIt’s more fun than trolling. We promise!

Stickbaiting for

Bar Crusher 490We take out the new

mini crushers.

ISSUE 38

MAY 2015

FREE

!

650 R600 R

“WHEN YOU WANT THE BEST” THE LIMITED R RANGE STANDARD FEATURES INCLUDE INCREASED HORSE POWER, CUSTOMISED INTERIORS, UNIQUE GRAPHICS AND MORE...

SERIOUS OFFSHORE FISHING RIGS FOR ALL SEASONSTUNA, MARLIN, KINGIES...

625 OFFSHORE 675 OFFSHORE

760 R

The Offshore and R range have been designed by fishermen for serious offshore fishing. Tried, tested and proven in all waters.

Incorporating Haines Hunter’s unique and tested 21° Performance Deadrise Vee (PDV) hull, the Offshore and R range deliver superior performance and handling.

Loaded with standard features and customisable for all fishing conditions as you would expect from Haines Hunter. Contact your dealer to get more information or visit the website.

650 R600 R

“WHEN YOU WANT THE BEST” THE LIMITED R RANGE STANDARD FEATURES INCLUDE INCREASED HORSE POWER, CUSTOMISED INTERIORS, UNIQUE GRAPHICS AND MORE...

SERIOUS OFFSHORE FISHING RIGS FOR ALL SEASONSTUNA, MARLIN, KINGIES...

625 OFFSHORE 675 OFFSHORE

760 R

The Offshore and R range have been designed by fishermen for serious offshore fishing. Tried, tested and proven in all waters.

Incorporating Haines Hunter’s unique and tested 21° Performance Deadrise Vee (PDV) hull, the Offshore and R range deliver superior performance and handling.

Loaded with standard features and customisable for all fishing conditions as you would expect from Haines Hunter. Contact your dealer to get more information or visit the website.

PG. 4 HOOKED UP ISSUE 38 MAY 2015 WWW.HOOKEDUPMAGAZINE.COM.AU

FACEBOOK.COM/HOOKEDUPMAGAZINEAll editions of hooked up can be read digitally on all formats via our website WWW.HOOKEDUPMAGAZINE.COM.AU

On This Month’s Cover

HOOKED UP magazine M A Y 2 0 1 5 I S S U E # 3 8

Jason Taylor with a southern bluefin tuna taken on a Daiwa Saltiga Dorado Pencil stickbait.

PUBLISHER: Hammerhead Media Pty Ltd

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Kosta Linardos [email protected]

GRAPHIC ARTIST: Evan Stampe

ADVERTISING: [email protected]

LOGO DESIGN: Tim Haynes & Michael Cusack

CONTRIBUTORS: Peter MorrisGreg CarterJason Taylor

CONTACT: Hammerhead MediaPhone: 03 9772 0351Fax: 03 9772 0351Address: PO Box 21 Patterson Lakes, Vic 3197Email: [email protected]

Web: www.hookedupmagazine.com.au

RIO’s pursuit of making it easier for anglers (and retailers) to choose the perfect fly line for every condition has taken a giant step forward. This incrdeibly useful app from RIO helps anglers refine their choice of fly line when paired with hundreds of fly rods on the market, and a multitude of species, situations and conditions. You can download the app for free from your app store on iPhone, iPad, or Android.

INTRODUCING RIO’S

FLY LINE SELECTOR APPAvailable for iPhone, iPad, and Android.

WWW.JMGILLIES.COM.AU

INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY

Rather than me rambling about something, I thought I would instead use this precious space to give away this very awesome Daiwa Freams to one our fine readers. You can read the full review on this great new reel from Daiwa on page 48. All you need to do to be the lucky recipient is follow us on Instagram at hookedupmagazine and leave the comment under the image of the Freams “I want it”. Lucky recipient will be drawn at random.

Good Luck!

44 The Hooked Up Review

16 Surface Luring for Southern Bluefin

22 Beginners Guide to Flathead

38 Tactics for Spanish Mackerel

30 Fishing the Great Sandy Strait

JMGILLIES.COM.AU

AUSTRALIA’S

MOSTPOPULAR

BRAIDJ583


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Black Magic Rock ‘n’ SurfBlack Magic’s growing range of rigs targeting land based fisherman has got even better. This new addition to the range incorporates two flies per rig tied on suicide 3/0 hooks. There are two colours to choose from; the tried and tested “bleeding pilchard” with its red/blue/silver combo, and the “blinky” with its hot pink/blue combo.

Each fly is topped with a soft, long-life lumo bead which is great for fishing at night, or in deeper water giving your hook that added attraction.

These rigs are ideal for a range of species including snapper, salmon and flathead. Developed for use from the rocks, beach or wharves, they are also effective fishing “straight up and down” from boats. Just put a small strip of bait on each hook, attach a suitable weight, and you’re ready to cast.

blackmagictackle.com

Daiwa Lure AccessoriesYou’ve seen the latest range of Daiwa lures, and by now may have tried them. What you may not have seen yet, is the new range of Daiwa lure accessories that have been released at the end of summer 2015.

Quality lures require quality terminal accessories and only the finest performance accessories carry the Daiwa name. The range includes four different models of Trebles, Tournament split rings and Tournament snaps to cover diverse fishing applications.

Notably, Daiwa’s focus on technology and innovation continues, with the introduction of the D Treble Saq Sas range of trebles. Available in sizes #1 to #10, these high performance trebles are needle sharp and feature Daiwa’s Saq Sas Hook Plating Technology that increases hook penetration by up to 40%. More refined, sharper, and less prone to corrosion, these trebles enable you to hook fish with needle like precision.

daiwa.com.au

Old Town Predator XLThe Old Town Angler Series is completely engineered, below and above the waterline, to deliver the perfect platform for fishing. Old Town took inspiration from our nationwide team of pro staff members, focused on innovative features, and spent years on in-depth research and development. Our team examined seating, rod placement, paddle holders and total “fish-ability” and incorporated it all into this revolutionary fishing series. Like its siblings the Predator 13 and MX, the XL incorporates all the innovative features of the Predator that anglers are raving about, like the Exo-Ridge deck, Element Seat System, high-strength mounting plates and Tri-Hull design. You asked for a high-capacity version of the Predator, here it is. The largest in the Predator fleet, the XL truly lives up to its

name at 6.35cm wider, featuring more storage options, virtually infinite configurations for mounting sonar and electronics, and an unprecedented 272kg capacity. What really separates the XL from the rest of the pack is something truly inspired. Old Town’s engineers have designed an optional revolutionary modular console system in tandem with our newest Predator. The Predator XL comes standard with a Minn Kota motor, but this innovative system allows you to customise your Predator XL with electronics in a matter of mere seconds.

bla.com.au

MAY 2015 ISSUE 38 HOOKED UP PG. 7WWW.HOOKEDUPMAGAZINE.COM.AU

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Daiwa Tournament Baby Vib 47SVibration baits in their many forms, are versatile fish catching tools that can be used in a range of water depths for both reaction and finesse applications.

New to the Daiwa lure range in 2015 is the Tournament Baby Vib 47S. With a hollow plastic body, it sinks quite slowly, and its full body profile and internal rattle give the lure presence in the water.

Whether you fish them vertically, or rip and twitch them in the shallows, Daiwa’s Tournament Baby Vib 47S will prove deadly on a huge range of fish including bass and golden perch, bream, estuary perch and flathead.

daiwafishing.com.au

Diamond Deck Marine FlooringDiamond Deck is a quality durable marine grade closed cell EVA foam that will not absorb water and is specifically manufactured to the highest of standards and is also UV stable. Diamond Deck has also developed a marine grade adhesive pressure sensitive backing for the easiest of applications to just cut to size then peel and stick to shape your adventure. Diamond Deck is ideal for all marine applications on all boat surfaces including checker plate with unlimited applications and endless possibilities.

Diamond Deck has also ensured that this quality product is affordable to all consumers, DIY fishing, boating and adventure enthusiasts who are conscientious about the safety and comfort of their family and friends.

diamonddeck.com.au

Eagle Talon 17 DLXThe Eagle Talon 17 DLX comes standard with the sharpest features you can catch in an all-aluminum boat. All of the most requested bass boat amenities are included, with a 125 litre divided livewell, recessed trolling motor foot-control, and a rod locker that will hold up to 9” rods. The extra wide all-aluminum hull has an exceptionally stable 92” beam and 64” bottom width. The sharp entry lines of the bow provide a wave-splitting glide that softens your ride, even with lower horsepower motors. With the addition of Faria gauges, custom steering wheel, massive lockable storage, and an insulated cooler, the Eagle Talon 17 DLX is a natural evolution of the common bass boat.

g3boats.com.au

Garmin 7400XSV Series Garmin’s new GPSMAP 7400xsv series of premium multi-function displays combines powerful performance with a renowned interface to deliver a range of class-leading features in a fully-networkable, simple-to-use package.

Boasting a vibrant widescreen display with full pinch-to-zoom touchscreen capabilities, the GPSMAP 7400xsv series is offered in four sizes – 7407xsv (17.9cm/7”), 7408xsv (20.3cm/8”), 7410xsv (25.4cm/10”) and 7412xsv (30.5cm/12”) – to cater for all types of vessels from sportfishers to cruisers to yachts.

Built-in features such as digital switching, weather, radar, thermal and IP camera visibility, along with dedicated sailing features such as laylines, tidal information, enhanced wind rose, a current slider and other elements will strike a chord among cruisers and sailors.

For anglers, the GPSMAP 7400xsv series also integrates Garmin’s premier sonar technology – traditional HD-ID™ sonar, true dual 1kW CHIRP sonar, CHIRP DownVü™ and CHIRP SideVü™ – to deliver the clearest scanning sonar on the planet along with unequalled target detail and separation. Compatible with a wide range of transducers, the GPSMAP 7400xsv is also compatible with Garmin’s new Panoptix™ all-seeing sonar, making them the most powerful MFDs yet.

www.garmin.com


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All New Haines Hunter 565RLast years launch of the 565 Offshore at the Melbourne Boat Show was met with great enthusiasm from dealers and punters alike with sales showing the 565 has filled a big gap in the market. The 565 Offshore performs like a hardcore game boat and doubles as a weekend leisure boat, and at under 36k, it has no peer. This has lead Haines Hunter to give the 565 Offshore the “R” treatment.

To be presented at this years Melbourne Boat Show is the all-new 565R. When Haines Hunter decides to take a boat into the R segment, it’s more than just a paint job and a sticker.

Managing Director John Haber comments: “The new 565R has a 200mm shorter deck allowing for better garage storage and a lower centre of gravity which improves handling. We increased the cockpit space by 100mm so it’s got more room for fishing and while that has reduced the cabin by 100mm, you can still comfortably sleep two and there is room for a toilet.”

The new sporty appearance and crossover capabilities between family fun and hardcore fishing are sure to be huge draw card for new buyers at this years boat show. Best of all is the fact it weighs in at less than 2 tonne so the average SUV or 4x4 can easily tow it.

Initial sea trials indicate this boat is one of the best performing hulls Haines Hunter have ever produced, with a wide beam of 2.4 and Haines Hunters 21 degree dead rise you get the perfect combination of soft ride and stability.

There is a strong focus at Haines Hunter on producing boats that fit in with all aspects of a busy lifestyle. The 565R has been designed to affordably get the hardcore angler on the water whether he wants to chase whiting or tuna. It provides a lot of boat with high-end finishes and performance but you don’t need to break the bank to afford it, buy a new house to fit it or a new car to tow it. Most importantly is that it’s an amazing looking boat that anyone will be proud to own and is built to stringent safety and performance standards.

haineshunter.com.au

Yamashita EGI OH K Shallow SeriesThe new Shallow and Super Shallow squid jigs from Yamashita are now available in size 3.5 and 4.0 in the EGI OH K series. These slow sinking jigs are available with sink rates of 6 seconds per meter and 10 seconds per meter! But don’t think the slow sink rate means less weight or poor casting distance. Yamashita have added extra weight to the tail of the jig which changes the sinking posture in the water to be more horizontal. This creates more water pressure when sinking and results in a slower sink rate, yet excellent casting distance. Yamashita have also applied a special top coating over the cloth which is 1.5 times stronger than uncoated cloth.

Available now in 12 new colours in the following sizes:• 3.5S 20g Sink Rate 5.5-6.0 sec./m

• 4.0S 24g Sink Rate 5.5-6.0 sec./m

• 3.5SS 19.5g Sink Rate 8.0-10 sec./m

ejtodd.com.au

Shimano Grappler RodsThese Japanese designed rods are aptly named, as they are perfect for grappling with any species you may encounter while jigging or casting lures offshore — from kings, samsons, amberjacks, various trevallies and dogtooth tuna, to mackerel and southern bluefin.

There are five rods in the jigging series— two light micro rods for fun fishing in close, but also around trap floats, FADs and the like, and then three gruntier rods with PE 3, 4, and 5 ratings.

The casting series consists of four rods that are two metres-plus in length and of two-piece construction for ease of transport, with a near undetectable ferruling system that in no way hampers their performance. These are rated for PE lines from 2 through to 5.

Grapplers are built on super light, high carbon content High Power X blanks, and the componentry is top-notch — CI4+ reel seats on the light jig rods and Fuji reel seats on the rest, Fuji K series SiC guides on stainless steel frames, and custom shaped hard EVA grips, with a split grip design for the light jigging models.

www.shimanofish.com.au

Lucky Craft Sammy BugThe new limited edition 75mm Sammy Bug is Lucy Strikes new take on the ever-popular Sammy. Designed for bass and cod it features a loosely mounted front cup which creates a metallic sound whilst walking and is finished with a fizzer tail fitted with Decoy W-77 trebles. At 23 grams it will cast long and is built tough to stand up to the punishment of a big cod. The iconic Sammy action and new melodic sound is sure to generate explosive surface strikes from hungry cod and bass.

ejtodd.com.au


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Lucky Craft SKT SpinnerbaitThe Lucky Craft SKT Spinnerbaits are a result of years of fine tuning from Professional USA bass angler, Skeet Reese.

Built with a compact, yet hefty profile, the Lucky Craft SKT Spinnerbait Double Willow offers excellent casting distance and the ability to reach greater depths with ease. Complete with two super-bright willow blades, the Lucky Craft SKT Spinnerbait Double Willow delivers an abundance of flash that will attract fish in a wide-range of water conditions, from gin clear to dense and muddy. Adding to its attraction, the Lucky Craft SKT Spinnerbait Double Willow is fitted with a banded skirt that perfectly accents its lifelike colour scheme. Available in 4 colours.

ejtodd.com.au

Super Braid 5 ConnectedSunline Super Braid 5 is a high quality polyethylene braid with just the right amount of stiffness and resilience. Designed with super high sensitivity and strength to feel the bite and fight with power and is manufactured with an exclusive specialised dyeing technology for significantly improved fade resistance. It offers colour coded line (every 10m of blue-pink-orange-green-red rotation) for exact line out measurements applicable to a wide range of fishing situations. It’s now available in connected 300 metre spools up to 1200 metres and breaking strains from PE2 up to PE12. This new extra length connector system allows you to spool big game reels or a little finesse 2000 so you can target everything from squid to monster GT’s .

ejtodd.com.au

Bar Crusher Hard Top Pilot HouseAustralian plate aluminum boat manufacturer Bar Crusher has launched its new Hard Top Pilothouse (HTP) series of offshore Fishing Weapons.

Incorporating three models – 670HTP, 730HTP and 780HTP – and delivering all of the performance and functional fishing features for which Bar Crusher is renown, the HTP series offers the ultimate in protection from the weather, as well as the opportunity to stay overnight, with fully-enclosed cabins, toilets and other comforts.

The flagship 780HTP is a real bluewater weapon. The cockpit offers everything required for offshore fishing - plenty of space to fight and handle big fish; a fully-welded and sealed, self-draining checkerplate deck with scuppers; alloy rod holders; good-sized baitboard; transom livebait tank; deck wash; sizeable kill tank; tackle storage; leader dispenser; and more. The flexible layout can be changed in minutes - from a functional fishing machine to a dining layout for the evening. Either side of the entrance to the lockable pilothouse are a couple of seats that when the cushions are removed reveal a plumbed freshwater sink and a single-burner gas stove for cooking.

The fully-lined cabin is roomy and functional, with a comfortable V-berth, LED lighting and storage shelves running the full length of the cabin. Under the centre cushions is a plumbed toilet. The HTP series is factory-packaged on a custom-designed galvanised or alloy trailer, which ensures towing, launching and retrieving is a breeze. Self-centering and aligning perfectly every time, Bar Crusher’s innovative Bar Catch™ system also allows for single-handed launch and retrieve... a real bonus for such big boats!

barcrusher.com.au

New Shimano Torium Overheads For 2015The Torium overhead series is back — and they’re better than ever.

The three all-new reels in the 2015 lineup — the 16HGA, the 20HGA and the 30HGA — come equipped with Shimano’s legendary Cross Carbon star drag system, which has been designed to provide 10 kilos of brute-stopping power. This is just what you need when fishing braided line like Power Pro, and line capacities are excellent for their respective sizes.

With a high gear ratio of 6.2:1 and a staggering 117cm of line recovered with every crank of the handle, those high speed metals and jigs are simply going to fly through the water. Hopefully their target species can keep up!

At a tad over 500 grams in weight, the three reels feature a compact design with a low-slung gear housing, so they’re sufficiently light and ergonomically efficient for long casting sessions without fatigue. Additionally, three SA-RB bearings and one roller bearing make every cast accurate and as smooth as silk.

Finally, given their rugged work environment, the inclusion of EI surface treatment on the aluminium frame and spool will ensure these Toriums continue to look the goods and perform for years to come.

shimanofish.com.au

Gulp! has a powerful attractant that acts like a blood trail in the water. It is this powerful, water-based scent release system that makes Gulp! so effective. A revolutionary soft bait that is biodegradable with 400x more scent dispersion. Berkley helps you Catch More fish!

2, 3 & 4” Shrimp 6” Squid Vicious 6.5” Nemesis 5 & 7”” Jerk Shad2, 3, 4 & 6” Jigging Grub

berkley-fishing.com.au - facebook.com/berkleyfishingaustralia - youtube.com/user/purefishtv

SCENTEDSECRETWEAPON

SUPER

berk ley- f ish ing.com.au

Scan to learn more about why Gulp! is the most effective ‘soft plastic.’

www.youtube.com/user/purefishtv

QR campaign by Mark HUISKEN the 2014-04-07Gulp Effective YT clip start time : 07-04-2014

end time : You Tube

You QR must be taller than 2 cm (on print support)short link : http://www.pfcatalogarc.com/qr-purefishing,283.htmlLong link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ruUABEkhgE

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Daiwa Lure WalletDaiwa is the world’s premier fishing tackle manufacturer, with a strong culture of quality and innovation.

Introducing the Daiwa Lure Wallet: the perfect “small” lure organizer. Its compact size is ideal for small bream and trout sized lures. Made from woven PVC, Denier, EVA and tough clear vinyl it features a corrosion resistant zipper and ridged EVA inside to “attach” small lures too. The EVA holds small lures in place avoiding them tangling or getting damaged like a traditional tackle box.

The Lure wallet is perfect for the angler on foot and is compact (only 23x17x5cm), light and unlike normal lure boxes it does not rattle all day long as the lures are fastened securely in place.

daiwafishing.com.au

Two New Colours For The Ecogear Sx40 Known as one of the greatest bream lures ever made and well respected as a trout lure the Ecogear SX40 now has two new colours designed for those fishing the fresh! A new colour numbered 376 sees a spotted-dog styled pattern that is sure to have hungry browns and rainbows racing for this presentation. A second new colour numbered 377 has a gold upper body with a contrast tiger pattern and a pearl over white belly which will also be right at home in the fresh.

jml.net.au

Savwinch Super WinchThe popularity and reliability of the Savwinch brand has attracted interest from larger vessels. Savwinch have answered the call and brought out a whopper winch to suit 20-30m vessels. This unit is not for the feint hearted, targeted at commercial sized vessels that weigh up to 40T heading out in the rough seas. Standing at 500mm tall and 1000mm wide, with a massive over the top worm gearbox and their proven 12/24v motor that is one of the quietest and lowest power drawing on the market. This unit comes with a unique manual clutch that allows the user to disengage the gearbox, this is a great feature in case things go wrong! Continuing their high standards of Australian manufacturing, high grade Marine 316 Stainless Steel is used and the famous solid shaft to further strengthen the drum. The new Super Winch is compatible with Savwinch’s world first Electronic Fast Fall system, allowing huge vessels to get the anchor down in no time at all.

savwinch.com.au

SureCatch Micro Solid RingsWith the increase in micro jigging and the propensity for anglers to rig their own jigs these days, SureCatch has released two smaller sized solid stainless steel rings that are exceptionally tough. Now available in sizes 4 (36kg) and 5 (68kg), the SureCatch Stainless Steel Solid Rings complement the existing range of solid rings in sizes 6, 7 and 8, giving anglers the full breaking strain options from 204kg down to 36kg. Forged for extra strength and built with a seamless ring, the SureCatch Stainless Steel Solid Rings will allow you to rig your jigs and know you have the strength behind you when the going gets tough on oversized fish.

wilsonfishing.com.au

Spotters FreakHave you noticed there are no quality eyewear solutions out there for guys with proper man size heads? These are the guys that look like they’re wearing their kids’ sunglasses – even when they try on the biggest pair in the store! Spotters have developed a solution.

Well balanced and built tough, this badass sunglass is engineered for real Aussie blokes who catch fish with their teeth, drive trucks blindfolded, dig mines with their hands tied behind their back and have hulk proportioned melons.

Freak possesses a massive 150mm girth from screw to screw and the expansion flexibility to accommodate any man sized think tank. But Freak is not just about size. Spotters have styled a chunky frame front to balance out the lens surface area, and added sculpted temples for a slick look.

Shown here with the Penetrator lens, this pair of sunnies is going to give you crystal clear vision all day, every day, whether you’re fishing the flats or the creeks, or fighting tuna out in the big blue wilderness. Nothing else will give you better depth perception, better visual clarity or more total eye relaxation. Finally, a quality eyewear solution designed to fit YOU.

spotters.com.au

Stella FI Models:Stella 1000FI PGS

Stella 2500FI

Stella 3000FI HG

Stella 4000FI XG

Check your local Shimano Stockists today.shimanofish.com.au facebook.com/Shimano.Fish youtube.com/ShimanoAustraliaG

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ON THE SHELF with Peter Pakula - FIS

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Lure PatternsIt’s been good to see that there is a greater understanding of what a lure pattern is, but for those who don’t yet grasp it, here’s a few pointers. I guess the word pattern is misleading as that term can mean a lot of things, so we’ll change the terminology yet again to a ‘Lure Team’, which evokes the thought of players on a field i.e. the lures working together rather than a mob of individuals with their own agenda.

You’ll often hear anglers saying that a particular lure in a spread “is going to be the next one to get a hit” and that’s generally because they see that it’s working very well. If you only have one lure that is swimming with the right action, it means the rest of the ‘team’ isn’t pulling its weight.

There are a few basic rules with lure patterns that there’s no need to bend:

• The biggest lures are run closest to the boat going down in size to the smallest furthest away from the boat.

• Try and get a good colour selection out. Strangely enough there does seem to be an order to the colours. The main colours and their positions going from the back of the boat outwards are: black, blue, violet, green and the 5th pink or the areas traditional favourite colour.

• The most aggressive heads are closest to the boat going out to the least aggressive. This is pretty much covered by big lures close to the boat, small lures further back.

Lure Heads and their PositionsPart of getting a ‘Lure Team’ to coordinate so they are all working isn’t that easy. There is a huge variance in the way boats are set up, rod length, straight butts, bent butts, line class and even leader choice which all determine the choice of lures for each position on your boat.

At Pakula Tackle we make around 30 different head shapes and there are 5 sizes in most of them. The need for this many is simply due to the fact there are so many variations in boat and gear set-up’s requiring many different shapes and sizes to get a team of lures working right.

Just like the term “lure pattern” is confusing, so is the terminology used to describe positions where lures should be trolled. Any boat can run long and short corner lures as they are run from the gunnels, but even in this common position a lure will perform differently as there are many variables. As an example, if you are running bent butts in straight or angled rod holders this effects the angle at which the line/leader enters the water and that plus distance determines the lure head choice.

Next is the short and long riggers. Once again height of the outrigger and the distance the lure is deployed determines the head shape. The lure choice for the riggers is quite different on a trailer boat with 4.5m outriggers than it would be on a big cruiser with 9m outriggers. If you don’t have outriggers you don’t have outrigger positions, they are just longer flat lines and once again lure selection is different than those mentioned earlier.

The Shotgun, the lure furthest out is only a Shotgun if you have a shotgun pole, ideally with its tip higher than the outriggers. If you don’t have that pole then you don’t have a shotgun position, you may troll your rod from the rocket launcher, or from the gunnels. You should use terminology to describe that and yes once again lure choice would be different for all three of those set-ups.

Trying to describe which lure best suits your set-up isn’t easy to write about because of the sheer number of variables. Getting recommendations about someone else’s hot lure is pretty much a waste of time unless the recommendation comes from someone with the same boat set-up and tackle as you. Luckily to make things easier for you we can offer personal advice via our Live Help Button on our website at pakula.com.au.

OutriggersThe reasons for using outriggers is usually to get more height so your lures work better at a greater distance and width to get your lures outside the turbulence of the prop wash. Both of which are good reasons to get outriggers. However, outriggers for trolling baits and outriggers for lure trolling are not the same.

Outriggers for baits are set up for a gentle as light as possible release often incorporating a drop back. The length and the height of the riggers isn’t important. Often the riggers are quite flat almost parallel to the water. They are also often quite soft and flexible so they enhance the action of swimming and skipping baits. Outriggers for lure trolling should be long, ideally as long as the boat and in the case of 5m boats longer i.e. 6 metres. The height and width should be maximised to get lift on the lures and leaders trolled off the outriggers.

The riggers also need to be very stiff and able to cope with a release at least equal to the strike drag used on the reels when trolling which is a third of the line class being used. For example 8kg on 24kg line. To eliminate drop back, which we certainly don’t want, we use taglines with rubber bands that break close to the strike setting of the outfits used. There are a bunch of videos and articles about outriggers on our website.

Wishing you all tight lines

Pakula’s guide to colour placement.

The set up of your boat, rods and leaders will determine the best lure choice for your “lure team”.

HELIX SERIESW I D E S C R E E NIf fishing is in your DNA, there’s no such thing as “too early” or “too far”. High expectations go with the territory. The new HELIX™ Seriesanswers the call with an uncompromising, Wide Screen colour display. These units are the most value-packed 5” models on the market,

offering the trusted Humminbird technologies in powerful Ultra High Definition landscape viewing.

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WWW.HOOKEDUPMAGAZINE.COM.AUPG. 16 HOOKED UP ISSUE 38 MAY 2015

Words: Jason TaylorImages: Thomas Lucht and Jason Taylor

The annual run of southern bluefin tuna is now a stable fishery that anglers can look forward to each year. It’s been a very popular

seasonal fishery that sees fishermen from all over the country travelling from Bermagui on the NSW south coast all the way down

and across to Port Mac in South Australia

A southern bluefin that took a liking to a Daiwa Saltiga Dorado Pencil. Note that the angler has it rigged with a high quality swivel and split ring.


Are you getting bored?Trolling deep diving and skirted lures is the main target method utilised when targeting bluefin and with a good six years of solid fishing across these southern locations, you may be a little bored of trolling. If you’re looking to add some excitement to your annual southern bluefin tuna fishing it might be time to bring along some heavy spin gear and surface lures to have a go at them on the surface.

Targeting SBT with surface lures is an exciting, challenging and a very different way to tangle with these beasts than what trolling is. The excitement you’ll experience when watching big schools of tuna bust up on the surface is something you need to experience to grasp the sheer nail biting pandemonium. Once you’ve hooked up you have a very different fight on your hands and one that is going to hurt a little more than a conventional game rod. However, the pain of casting all day and the fight with a longer rod is all worth it when the fish comes boat side and you set the gaff. While it is a far more challenging target method than trolling, it isn’t by any means impossible and by changing your focus and getting the right gear together, you can have an amazing day on the water sight casting at southern bluefin tuna.

Finding Tuna On the SurfaceFinding tuna is one thing, finding them feeding on the surface is another. I would be lying if I told you that there was some secret or technical way to know how to pin point a surface feeding school but there isn’t. Tuna will actively be busting up the surface when they push the bait towards it. In these instances you will see multiple tuna, birds, seals and dolphins all competing to tear into the same bait ball and this is the time you can cast out your offering.

Unfortunately, tuna won’t be anywhere near the surface unless there is a reason for them to be, and that reason will always be food. So essentially you’re looking for bait, however, it’s an enormous ocean so where do you start? The usual channels of communication are your best bet; social media, tackle stores, mates, things you’ve heard. If you can get a GPS coordinate of where the schools last were this is a great starting point! Unfortunately if you just drive out into the big blue without some kind of idea of where the fish or bait are, you will have a hard time finding them.

Once you have a general idea of where the fish have been you can go out and look for visual signs. Birds are a great visual aid when searching for tuna but you have to know which birds are feeding and which are just flying or sitting on the surface. If you see a large number of birds that are circling and diving this is a pretty good sign that they are hitting bait and that tuna are underneath them. You should watch all bird activity closely as they may be flying over a deeper school of bait that the tuna haven’t brought to the surface as yet.

The other integral element when looking for tuna is your sounder. Watch your sounder closely as you may see bait schools that are holding well below the surface, sticking around

Quality doesn’t always come with a high price tag. This bluefin fell for a Gillies Stickbait which is a lure that doesn’t come with a high price tag.

Albacore are a welcome by-catch and are an amazing feed.

Even if you spend hours casting once you have a fish like this by the boat it’s all worth it.


these schools is a great idea as at any minute they could get harassed by tuna, rise to the surface and you can start casting.

While your objective is to target tuna on the surface, I don’t believe that you should leave the trolling gear at home. At times it may be your only method of catching fish and it’s also a great way to pass the time while you’re searching for surface feeding fish. Also, a spread of lures can potentially alert you to where the fish are and you can bring in the trolled lures and start casting at them.

Approaching the schoolIt really doesn’t matter what species of pelagic fish you’re targeting when approaching a feeding school, the same rules apply to tuna as what they do Australian salmon. If you go in with the boat too fast and too close, you’ll spook the fish and they’ll go down. You also need to consider other anglers that may be in the area and not go charging into a school and ruin it for everybody. When you see a busting school of fish you first need to stay back and take note of which way the current and wind are moving your boat. You need to approach the school slowly and with a bit of stealth in order to get within casting range. It’s easy to get nervous and excited and want to hurry towards the fish as you fear they’ll go down, but if you take your time and have patience you’ll be surprised that they stick around on the surface for a while. Sometimes just sitting there and allowing them to come to you is the best option, however, this isn’t always possible. It’s not uncommon to have wild commotion right at the side of the boat and being in the middle of tuna, dolphins and seals all feeding on a bait ball is extremely exciting.

The fish will go down with the bait and then come back up intermittently and its important when they do go down to not race over towards their last known location, this will just spook them down further. Wait for them to rise again and then motor to whatever direction they are and slowly move into casting range.

If you’ve never done this you can probably gather that its easy to spook the fish and difficult to get into casting range, read on and I’ll explain the gear required to maximize casting distance.

Albacore. The chicken of the sea.

An alabacore that fell for a River2Sea dumbbell popper.

Popping rods have the action and length for long casts with big lures.

Anton Vogiatzis with a 50kg bluefin taken on a stickbait. Fish like this require high quality gear and terminal tackle

Thomas Lucht with a school bluefin that hit a well presented stickbait.

If you go in with the boat too fast and too close, you’ll spook the fish and they’ll go down.


Surface LuresSurface lures can simply be placed into two categories - stickbaits and poppers. If you don’t know what the difference is I’ll provide a brief explanation- a popper is a floating lure with a cupped face that grabs the water and lets out a big turbulent splash. A stickbait generally doesn’t have a cupped face and skims and skips across the surface or just under it. Both are designed to imitate a sick, injured or fleeing baitfish that has gotten lost from pack.

Southern bluefin tuna are a hard fighting fish and they require lures that are capable of withstanding a long battle with heavy drag pressures from 4kg to 8kg and sometimes more. You therefore need to purchase strong surface lures that can withstand such pressure. Brands and models that I like to use are Daiwa Saltiga Sliders, Ocean Potion Stick Baits, Maria Loaded and the Gillies Stickbait. I much prefer stick baits over poppers as I have found their action far more effective on tuna and they are easier to use which causes far less fatigue. If using a popper some of my favourites have been the River2Sea Dumbbell and the Williamson Jet Popper.

With regard to size I’d use anything from 150mm through to 200mm. While I do like the erratic action of a floating stickbait they are obviously lighter and have less casting distance. A sinking stickbait which swims sub surface is heavier and therefore offers better casting distance and will swim better in rough conditions. It’s therefore beneficial to have a mix of sinking and floating stickbaits on hand for various conditions. I generally retrofit my stickbaits and poppers with single hooks. I find that single hooks fair better in a long battle and it also helps to release the fish.

The outfitTuna require quality gear and while you don’t need to spend an absolute fortune and buy the best of the best, you can’t go too much lower than the best. It’s hard to say what is the ultimate sized outfit as you could hook a 15kg tuna and an 80kg tuna in the same place. I therefore think its best to go with larger gear. You’ll still have fun with the smaller fish but you’ll be prepared to fight with a larger specimen. When choosing a reel keep in mind that the gears are going to get a big work out with all the casting and retrieving and then ultimately

the fight. You therefore want a quality reel with strong gears and a large comfortable handle. I like Daiwa Saltiga in the 6500 size and the Shimano Stella in the 20,000. This is a great size to cast with and fight bigger fish. They have a great line capacity, excellent gearing and smooth drags. If you don’t want to spend this much there are other cheaper reels that will get the job done but may not last as long after prolonged use.

I spool my reels with PE5-8 braid (around 24kg or 37kg in the mono scale) and this is sufficient for stopping big fish. I tie on a fluorocarbon leader that is about two rods lengths and this is usually around 80 or 100lb. I tie the leader to the braid via an FG knot. If you cant tie an FG knot a well tied Improved Albright knot is easier and will be sufficient, however, it wont pass through the guides as well or be as strong as the FG.

Long specialised stickbait and popping rods are imperative to be able to cast the large lures the distances required to reach the feeding fish. Most specialised surface lure rods will have large guides to allow for the heavy line and leader to pass through on the cast. They’ll generally be around 8 foot in length and are designed to cast large lures long distance. As I said earlier the downside of using these kinds of rods is that the length does put quite a bit of hurt on you in the fight. If fishing a braid that has a breaking strain of around 24kg I’ll set my drag to around 8kg. Even though out in the deep blue there isn’t a lot of reef around for tuna to run you into, you still want to muscle the fish and tire him quickly. If you hook a big fish he could spool you or just sulk on the bottom and if that happens you will have a hard time bringing him back up with an 8-foot popping rod. You should therefore work hard to get the fish to the boat and some decent drag pressure is necessary to do this. If there are a lot of small fish around by all means feel free to use lighter gear and have some fun if you’re planning on keeping the fish.

Its fun to try new methodsFishing opportunities are limited in everyone’s busy lifestyle so I understand that it may seem risky to put away the trolling gear and take a risk with surface luring. However, it will be worth it when you hook that fish on the surface, give it a go, I’m sure you’ll love it.

Even at this size bluefin put up a great fight on spin gear.

A popper: Note that poppers have a wide open cup face which digs in to water and provides a large splash.

Stickbait: Stickbaits generally have no cup in the face and are designed to skim along the surface or just below it. There are choices of floating and sinking stickbaits.

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A Guide For Beginners

The humble flathead is more than likely Australia’s most targeted species. Google analytics show that it’s the most searched for

species and our own website stats at Hooked Up are no different. Accessibility, great table qualities and relative ease of capture are

most probably the strongest reasons for this. The various species in the flathead family can be found all across the country and while in some places they can be deemed as a pest and annoying by-catch, the south eastern seaboard and its many rivers and estuaries are home

to the dusky flathead which is a commonly targeted species.

A Guide For Beginners


A packet of plastics, a few jig heads and simple light outfit is all you need to get a few flatties. This fish was taken fishing flats, a great place to target flathead.

Getting spiked by a flathead is almost a right of passage for fishermen. No matter how hard you try to avoid, it will eventually get you.

For any angler wanting to get into fishing with lures for the first time I believe the flathead is a great starting point. It’s a relatively easy species to catch on lure (when they are at small sizes of 30-40cm) and they will provide you with some on the water experience when it comes to understanding a species and understanding lures. Best of all, you can catch them all through the day, although like most fish dawn and dusk are prime times. While bait fishing does require thought with regard to when and where to fish, its still a case of presenting baits and attracting the fish to your offering. Targeting flathead with lures requires an angler to take their presentation to the fish and this takes a little more thought and prowess.

Understanding the flathead This isn’t an article about targeting big flathead, but targeting flathead in general. The idea is to get you out there casting lures and catching fish. Big fish will come along and that’s great, but this would be a very long article if I were to explain it all. Regardless of how experienced you are or how many flathead you’ve caught its still a lot of fun to walk down to a bank and cast a few plastics or hardbodies for flathead. Flathead are an ambush predator and an amazing looking fish. While they may seem boring or ugly, if you take a moment to look at one and then think about the stereotypical image of a fish, you’ll see that it’s a pretty amazing looking animal. Its flat body, ability to bury itself in the sand, lightning fast attack and amazing camouflage make it a predato that any prey should fear. They have a large mouth for their body size and you’ll be surprised at some of the baits and lures a small flathead will have no trouble in consuming.

Whether you’re targeting them for sport, a bit of fun or a nice feed of fillets for the table, they’re a great fish to have in such abundance in Australian waters.

www.vic.gov.au/fishinggrants

Your fishing licence fees at work

More fish habitat in Tambo RiverFishing licence fees have helped the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority place 50 log structures between Sardine Flat Road and the Tambo River mouth.

The structures consist of several logs tethered to piles that are driven into the river bed close to the bank on either side of the river.

The structures complement 40 others placed in the same stretch last year and will provide food and shelter for popular angling species such as black bream, luderick and estuary perch.

Evaluating fish habitat benefitsFish surveys in the Delatite and Rubicon rivers suggest that habitat improvement works have provided long term benefits to fish populations, particularly for brown trout and two-spined blackfish.

The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority has delivered various fish habitat projects since 2000 including lunkers, rock groynes, instream woody habitat and bed seeding using large rocks, many of which were funded by fishing licence fees.

Fish assessments around historic habitat restoration sites in the Goulburn and Acheron rivers are planned later in 2015.

Fish ladder on Werribee RiverMany of the Werribee River’s 30 fish species can now better navigate the Bluestone Ford thanks to a new fish ladder partly funded by fishing licence fees.

The fish ladder is a series of rock steps and pools that create a pathway through which fish can pass for breeding, feeding and seasonal migration.

The Melbourne Water led project involved large excavators moving individual boulders into place until the desired gradient was achieved.


Flathead of this size are a prized catch. As you progress in your pursuit for flathead you will run into fish of this size. Note the large plastic used to tempt this fish to strike.

Greg Carter with a solid flathead taken on a soft plastic vibe worked in a deep channel.

Where to target flatheadFlathead are everywhere in the marine environment and the best place to target dusky flathead is an estuary system. The estuary offers the flathead an amazing variety of prey; prawns, yabbies, crabs, baitfish, squid and cuttlefish are all on the flatheads menu. A look at their diet is a good explanation as to why they taste so good and as to the styles of lure they will hit.

You don’t need a boat to catch flathead and it can be easily done fishing landbased or via a canoe or kayak. Having a good understanding of a likely flathead ground is the first step to getting you on to fish. To break it down simply for beginners I will divide it up into three areas-flats, channels and drop offs/banks. Concentrating on these three areas will reap you rewards if you fish them at the right times with the right kind of lures.

What’s commonly referred to as a “flat” or “flats” is pretty self-explanatory. It’s a section of water where it is generally very shallow with limited structure and a flat sandy or muddy bottom. Shallow is a fairly genralised term so to be specific anywhere from 30cm to 1.5 metres can be considered as an average depth for flats. Some flats are accessible via foot and some only by some sort of vessel, regardless, they are a great place to target flathead. During the lead up and around the high tide, flathead will settle themselves on the flats awaiting an easy meal from passing baitfish and crustations that are moving into the deeper channels as the tide recedes. They sit and wait for these baitfish to swim past and then attack. Casting lures across these areas on the lead up and the following outgoing tide will more often than not get you on to multiple flathead. Doing a bit of a reconnaissance mission at low tide to have a closer look at these flat sections is a great idea, it will give you a good understanding of where the flats move into deeper water and provide you with some great areas to cast at. The best types of lures to cast over the flats are diving hardbodies, moderately weighted soft plastics (1/8th oz) and even surface lures. Feeding flathead will readily hit a well presented surface lure so don’t be afraid to tie one on and give it a go.

Channels and drop offs are prime places to target flathead. These are a great area to target larger sized flathead or flathead when the tide has receded or the

weather has cooled. In even moderately clear water you should be able to see where the channels and drop offs are and if not you can use your depth sounder to look for them. Don’t think that these areas are only accessible by boat; you’ll often find channels and deeper sections that rapidly come up shallow right at your feet and often at river mouths. Working these areas with metal blades, vibes, deep diving hardbodies and soft plastics is the way to go. If you’re just starting out use the lure that you most enjoy fishing with and stick to it. If plastics are too fiddly and hardbodies are getting boring, use a blade instead and keep working it, move along a little further and cast again. Try a straight retrieve and mix it up with hops and pauses. There are a number of different ways that you should work various lure styles in different scenarios but for now, while starting out and targeting flathead, the idea is to just keep that lure in the water and cover as much ground as possible. There is a really good chance you’ll get on to some fish.

Banks are one of my favourite places to fish. They offer a wide variety of species within the structure that resides along them and you never know what you’re going to catch. While you will most likely catch good numbers of average sized flathead, you can also pick up all the other species that call an estuary home. The down side of fishing banks is that they are often thick with structure and you can snag up easily. Getting snagged and losing lures is just part and parcel of fishing and at times when fishing snaggy territory it can be hard to avoid, however, it can provide some of the best fishing in a system. Rigging plastics with a weedless presentation is a great option to reduce snags and plastics in general are your best option as they are far more economical than hardbodies.

For any angler wanting to get into fishing with lures for the first time I believe the

flathead is a great starting point.

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Working hardbodies along bank edges is a great way to pick up flathead, it can however lead to lost lures via snags..

A solid flatty taken from the boat in a deep channel with a metal blade.

Lizard like eyes, amazing camouflage and lightning fast strikes make the flathead an amazing predator.

Choosing an outfitThe best part about buying a flathead outfit is that you can use it on so many other species. The best all round outfit you can buy is a 7 foot, 2-4kg rod and a nice 2500 size reel to go with it. Spool the reel with 6lb braid and then tie on a leader of about 6-8lb. This will be a great little flathead outfit and will also be perfect for whiting, bream, trout, Australian salmon, bass, tailor and many other species. You don’t need to spend a lot and there are quite a few brands that now do quality rods and reels that you can put together for under $200. When choosing your lures its best to ask the tackle store for a few different options and then just choose lures you like the look of. Take note of dive depth, weight and length and choose a few different lures. The idea is to get out there and have fun and after you’ve caught a few flatties (and whatever else may come along) you can go to our website and read hundreds of different detailed articles on different lures and species. Once you get that feel for targeting flathead on lures, it can be hard to think of mcuh else.

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GT’s are often found on the current lines and pressure points within the straits.

Threadfin salmon are a prized capture in the straits on lure or live baits at night.

The Great Sandy Strait is a 70km sand passage and estuarine environment separating mainland Queensland from Fraser Island. It is

surrounded by a maze of meandering streams and channels that is home to a diverse range of coastal wetlands, crystal clear waters, white sandy

beaches, native woodlands and dense rainforests.

Working the flats for flathead at Inskip Point on foot.

The mighty mud crab! A great reason to visit the straits!

Tailor are prolific throughout the straits.


The Sandy Strait National Park is a popular holiday spot for boating and fishing enthusiasts that attracts anglers from all parts of the country. The sheltered bays, sand flats, beaches and mangrove-lined creeks are the perfect spot to throw in a line for fishermen of all skill levels.

The Sandy Straits National Park and its fringing coral reefs boast more marine diversity than the entire Great Barrier Reef. It seasonally has migrating species from the northern and southern hemispheres of Australia which overlap at this latitude. Often open ocean species make their way in through the channel separating Fraser from Inskip Point and down from Hervey Bay which in turn presents amazing angling opportunities in relatively clear shallow waters. Nestled on the western side of the Straits are the lazy fishing villages of Poona, Boonooroo, Maaroom, Tuan and Tinnanbar which all have large boat access to the Straits and beyond as well as access to the small feeder creeks that thrive with piscatorial life. To the north is Hervey Bay and to the south Tin Can Bay and to the east is Fraser Island which is quite a remarkable location itself. All these locations and the offshore proximity make up what is the Great Sandy Strait National Park.

Mainland CreeksThere are many creeks on the mainland that flush into the Sandy Straits. Most of these are small but productive waterways that can be accessed via boat ramps at the main townships. The upper reaches of these small feeder creeks receive less fishing pressure as most are blocked off by rock bars and large fallen logs. These fertile waters can be accessed by punt or yak via a maze of tracks that spread throughout the national parks and state plantation forests. Google Maps is an invaluable tool when planning a trip to one of these remote locations. The entrances to these creeks are alive with pelagic activity and if you like to tango with Jacks and barra the upper reaches that still have tidal influence are your best option. Once you venture up into the fresh water reaches jacks and barra can still be caught however bass become the dominant species.

A greedy bass from the upper Mary River.

Golden trevally are a prime target species on the flats of Fraser Island

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Snapper Creek is the northern limits boundary of Tin Can Bay. It is home to the major port of the Straits for commercial fishing vessels and also has a large recreational marina. The manmade structures within Snapper Creek are FAD’s (fish attracting devices) for many predatory species. Jacks, bream, cod and trevally are the most commonly encountered species but just about anything could be lurking amongst the ageing encrusted pylons. In the open waters and sand flats, whiting, flathead and tailor are a common catch. The locals will tell you that the marina is a green zone however; this is incorrect although it is still closed to all fishing. You can freely fish the outskirts without causing a ruckus or fear of repercussion from the feisty locals. At night there are many lights that beam onto the water which in turn attracts bait fish and predatory species. I have had insane sessions on big eye trevally to the point that I just had to put my gear away to get some sleep. Squid and cuttlefish can seasonally be found in good numbers under the lights when they are in the system. A popular tourist attraction in Snapper Creek is the daily dolphin feeding where you can hand feed a dolphin in exchange for a small donation.

Inskip Point is across the southern passage of Fraser and it is here the barges embark to take tourists over to this popular tourist destination. Inskip is a very popular camping spot however if you are considering a trip booking ahead is a must especially around the holiday seasons. The fishery gets a hammering around here although there are still many remarkable catches caught as large fish enter and leave the straits via the deep passage. Tailor and tuna are my favourite species to target at Inskip by trolling or spinning metal as any bottom fishing in the main channel is hard going with the strong currents. The sandbanks on the western tip of Inskip Point are an easily reached location to target whiting and flathead on foot. East of Inskip Point is the Wide Bay bar which is notorious for its long sets, treacherous swell and generally is only an option for larger boats to cross unless the favourable conditions of gentle winds and small swells are present.

Kauri Creek is one of the larger creeks that flow into the straits. Upstream from the national parks camping ground/boat ramp is a designated green zone right up into the non-tidal upper reaches. There is a military reserve on the southern side which is totally out of bounds for the public. Kauri is known for its expanse shallow sand flats, thick mangrove lined banks, small feeder creeks and drains. Jacks, threadfin salmon and barra are the main draw card when sportfishing although over the years I have caught many other species including golden trevally as by-catch. There are quite a few decent snags to fish in deeper water west towards the green zone although some of the best fishing is up against the flooding mangroves that litter the banks. Fishing the mangrove fringes on a run out tide especially during dusk or dawn can be sensational. Crabbing is also popular pastime

Small GT’s on the surface can keep you entertained for hours.

Good mates, fishing and watching the sun go down is what the straits are all about.

Barra are a regular capture to those that are in the know.

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in Kauri creek and during school holidays dozens of pots can be seen set through out the system. For obvious reasons I try and stay away during these holiday periods and leave it to the holiday makers to have their fun and enjoy the surroundings.

Poona, Scrubby, Butha, Big Tuan, Little Tuan and Maaroom creeks are all of fairly similar in size and feed in from the mainland between Tinnabar and Maaroom. Once again Jacks, threadfin salmon and barra are the main draw cards that lure serious anglers in from the South East Queensland. The Sandy Straits is considered to be the true cut off point for breeding barramundi in Qld although some of the hardcore Noosa River locals will debate this. Most of these creeks have rock bars, deep holes and banks littered with lay down timber which acts as cover and protection for these predators. Casting hard bodies and weedless plastics are the most popular and effective styles of sportfishing in these creeks. Anchoring up and floating live baits back into the thick snags is still popular with many locals particularly the old school fishermen. The fishing in these remote creeks is on par with many of the northern QLD creeks that are found in built up areas, it is certainly not as productive as the remote FNQ destinations however it does give a realistic opportunity and taste of what it is like to fish FNQ. Estuary cod are commonly caught as by-catch when targeting the trophy species and occasionally juvenile Queensland grouper are also lured. In the upper reaches of most creeks bass can be found in the non-tidal freshwaters and lagoons. Large tides are found in the sandy straits in comparison to the rest of SEQ which can make the fishing tough or shorten prime times for the main target species however it does turn it on for the pelagic speedsters.

Fraser CreeksThere are many small creeks that flow west from Fraser Island, most of these are small and many are restricted to entry at high tide. Tootawwah, Fig Tree, Toowoora, Cypress are just a few of the creeks which present excellent fishing for all predatory species. Some of these can be quite tricky to find through the maze of sandbanks and channels so a beacon to beacon guide that can be downloaded from the internet can be a saviour if you do not have the luxury of a nav map in your GPS unit. Every creek on the Fraser coast is individual from day to day so having a variety of gear, being able to read a creek and adapt is a beneficial asset.

Mary River The Mary River is an amazing fishery that starts more than a hundred kilometres south in the Conondale ranges, which is split up by several weirs along the way. The river’s catchment covers an area of 9,595 km2. It is best know for its Mary river cod (no take) and Australian bass in the upper fresh water reaches. Threadfin salmon, big queenfish and barramundi are the main draw cards in the lower tidal reaches. Being such a large river it can be quite daunting to any new coming anglers visiting the area. I have fished the upper reaches on many occasions for bass and have been lucky enough to catch and release Mary river cod, however, I have only fished the river mouth on one occasion targeting the drains on the outgoing tide for threadfin salmon and barra. It’s one of those places that I long to fish more often but I’m frequently side tracked from by the endless angling opportunities available in such a relatively small area. The Susan River flows into the Mary near the mouth, which presents similar saltwater angling opportunities with its drains and the odd snag.

Flats Fishing In between the mainland and Fraser the Straits has an enormous expanse of seemingly never-ending sand flats that present many angling opportunities for fishermen of all levels and preferences. It is possibly one of the best ‘whiting on surface’ fisheries in Australia. Where there are large schools of whiting big flathead are also not to far away. Sight casting to golden trevelly and other pelagic species on these flats are forms of angling that really appeal to hardcore lure and fly anglers. Fishing these on a rising tide in full sunlight makes for magic angling.

In the gutters that surround the flats Tuna and many reef species are a realist draw card at different times of the year. The deeper holes that are found amongst the sand archipelago and along the Fraser cliffs can be a lucky dip of offerings to the humble bait fishermen soaking a line or with plastics and vibes worked near the bottom which consists of mainly coffee rock. The main channel running parallel and close to Fraser is well marked for navigation. There are also many shallow reefs on rubble and rocky ground especially on the northern end of the straights that produce snapper during the winter and most other reef species found at this latitude.

Prime times of popular seasonal species:Jacks and Barra: September to AprilBream: May to September on plastics, December to March on surface lures.Whiting on surface: September to AprilGolden trevelly: November to FebruaryGiant and big eye trevelly: May to OctoberFlathead: June to OctoberTailor: May to OctoberTuna/mackerel: January to MayBig Queenfish: November to February

Zonings: Before planning a trip to the Sandy Straits anglers should check the marine park zoning as there are many hidden small green zones which are a total fishing ban. Although most of us try to do the right thing they can catch the unwary fisherman out and land them with a hefty fine if caught. The mass of water is predominately classed as a conservation or yellow zone which is limited to one line or rod and one hook or lure per person when line fishing. When trolling, each person is limited to a maximum of three lines or rods with a combined total of six hooks. Crabbing is permitted and only four catch devices may be used per person.

Camping & AccommodationThere are many options when it comes to camping and accommodation. Just a quick search on the web will flood you with many private and national park camping grounds sprawled over the mainland townships and on Fraser Island. Permits are required for some of these locations. Budget rooms are a popular choice for the sport fishing enthusiast that simply want a place to rest and get out of the weather whilst not fishing. Holiday houses and houseboats are a bit more expensive however they are a great option especially when in groups or for extended family getaways.

Boat RampsThe main boat ramps are located in Tin Can Bay, Tuan, Mary River, Hervey bay and Inskip Point however, as mentioned there are many small access ramps throughout the vicinity.

Rat kingfish can often be found around the deep navigational marked buoys.

Small Gt’s are prolific

in the straights.


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Mackerel ‘ Tactical Response’ Mackerel are a highly sought after species by many anglers. A combination of ferocious looks, speed acceleration and hard fighting abilities all contribute to their popularity. The other huge appeal of mackerel is that at the right size they are excellent eating and please even those with a fussy pallet when it comes to eating fish. Care however, should always be taken if contemplating eating larger specimens as they are a known carrier of the toxin Ciguatera.

While certain anglers may have been fortunate enough to simply cruise out into the deep blue and almost instantaneously hook up to a big mackerel while trolling a lure, many others have not shared in this success. Yes, luck can certainly play a big role but the reality is if you are having a tough day whereby trolling lures or baits is not working, there are other excellent techniques that can be easily employed. Float lining, jigging and live-baiting are all highly successful methods that can quickly turn a slow day into a drag screaming wild one.

Trolling LuresWhile the purpose of this article is to look more specifically at alternate mackerel tactics, lure trolling still deserves a BIG mention. Lure trolling would rate as the most common of techniques employed and it is a fantastic method to actually ‘find’ fish. The low light periods of dawn and dusk will commonly see better results as the fish roam and hunt higher throughout the water column. Minnow style lures in the range of 15-20cm are ideal for this type of work and anglers can choose a variety of shallow and deeper running divers.

If trolling lures is working on the day then of course it makes good sense to stick with what is getting the job done. However, if you find yourself on the other side of the coin where you have turned the water to foam and failed to turn a reel in an endless search, tactical changes can be a game changer.

The Power Of BerleyThe use of berley has the ability to turn what may be an ordinary days fishing into an excellent one. In so many angling scenarios berley is a key ingredient that will bring fish to you rather than you finding the fish. Mackerel are no different here and respond every bit as good to berley as snapper do. A berley mix for mackerel can be as simple as cut pieces of pilchard and after setting a strategic trail at anchor I have lost count at the amount of times we have had mackerel swarming around the boat. What mood these fish are in is anyones guess on the day and at times (although they have responded well to your berley), mackerel can be incredibly finicky and will feed rather cautiously. With a berley trail in place there are now various ways in which to target these fish.

A good range of metals that work well on mackerel. Wire, trebles or singles? It all comes down to personal preference.

Cut pilchard pieces are fantastic berley for mackerel.

A well conditioned spaniard taken on a day where there was constant action aided by a berley trail.


Floating out a pilchardThis may sound simple to some but when we are discussing fish with savagely sharp teeth that can simply snip you off without you even knowing about it, it changes the dynamics considerably. The common question asked is “do I run wire in my rig?” and there isn’t a straightforward answer. As mentioned the fish can feed more cautiously at times and I have witnessed many occasions where fish have simply shied away from any baits where wire is incorporated. My preferred approach is to run a set of ganged hooks with a fluorocarbon leader of around 40-50lb and run the risk of a bite off. Yes, the occasional bite off will happen but the fact is more hits will come your way without the inclusion of wire in your rigging. Personally I find the conversion rate rather good in simply running a set of three hooks ganged together and more often than not the hooks do provide some clearance from the vulnerable area of your leader. If you find it absolutely necessary to run a length of wire try and aim to keep it very short, say around 10-15cm in length.

How you present a pilchard in a berley trail is another incredibly important consideration. If you are one of those anglers who simply cast a pilchard out amongst the trail and leave your rod in a rod holder expect far less hits to come your way than the angler who holds his rod and continually feeds a bait out. The reason for this is that you want your bait sinking naturally with your berley. Aim to tuck your rod under your arm with bail arm open or an overhead in free spool and continually feed line out while not allowing your line to come tight. By stripping and feeding line out continually your bait will present naturally. As a fish eats your offering your line will come off your reel at speed and all you need to is engage your drag and set the hooks. It’s a simple method but a highly effective technique.

Jigging With MetalJigging for mackerel with metals is a method that has certainly grown in popularity over recent years. While high speed spinning for mackerel has always been popular, vertical jigging for these fish has certainly gained more momentum. Jigging for mackerel with metals in the 40-85 gram size range can be done in two ways and both are highly successful. The first is while the boat is at anchor and the second is where you roam an area that is known to hold mackerel and make clever use of your sounder to locate the fish.

It can be a very interesting way to fish and if at anchor (with a berley trail set), you can actually watch huge schools of mackerel move in and fade back out. What these fish are of course doing is ‘roaming’ an area and a factor that can really come into play with this type of angling is angler patience. As schooling mackerel move in a common scenario may be one where three rods all go off at once with all hopefully being landed. This can then

Jacks Boric with a nice school size spanish mack taken on a jig ripped at speed through the water column.

High speed spinning with metals for mackerel is also a great landbased option. Goshie with a big spaniard taken from the rocks.


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commonly see a ‘ quieter’ interval (of maybe ten minutes or so) before the school repeats the pattern. Bear in mind continual berley will help here also. Anglers need to resist the urge to make a move and simply endure the quiet periods as you can almost be certain the fish will move through the area time and time again.

Jigs that are allowed to sink and are then ripped vertically through the water column at high speed will be absolutely belted. It is a very exciting way to tangle with these speedsters. If you’re not anchored the same technique can be used successfully but the need to continually locate the fish becomes more of an issue. Once again the issue of running wire comes into play and while some argue that having wire makes no difference, my experience shows the guy without wire will always receive far more attention. There can be days where you may lose up to 10 jigs and days where you will not lose a single one. Personal preference will always dictate how you approach this but in my belief the no wire approach is far superior.

The issue of whether to run single or treble hooks on your jigs is another choice you’ll need to make. Personally I favour the secure hook up a single hook offers and much prefer the big gape a single hook features. Mackerel have quite a large mouth and a big hook gape is always beneficial. If trebles are your preference however run with what you are confident with but at least make sure your trebles are upgraded and up to the job at hand.

Live-baiting:It almost goes without saying that live baits are absolutely deadly on mackerel. It is a technique utilised by the majority of professional mackerel fishermen as the fish will simply never say no to a live offering. Baits such as yellowtail, slimey mackerel, yellowtail pike, tailor, bonito and even smaller tuna will all be demolished by the jaws of mackerel. Naturally the smaller baits are more appealing to the likes of spotted mackerel and bigger baits such as tailor are very much like candy to a big spanish mackerel.

Live baits MUST be rigged with wire and there is simply no way around this. A common scenario will be where a mackerel slices a bait in half on impact and will then come back to finish the second half. A hook up should happen on the first impact hit if rigged correctly and there are various ways to rig a live bait. My preferred method however begins with a size 4/0 (or bigger for larger baits) Mustad live bait hook and I start by using side cutters to carefully open the eye of this hook. I have found these hooks suitable as in most cases when opening the eye slightly they do not break. With the eye partially open the next step is to insert a size 4 “Owner’ solid ring and then simply close the eye of the hook with pliers.

You will now need to run two lengths of wire from this hook. The first will come from the actual eye of your hook up to a swivel and should be say around 25cm in length. The second length of wire comes from the solid ring you have already inserted into the eye of your hook and the length will be determined by the size of your bait. Mine will commonly be around 20 cm and this is run down to a size 1 Owner treble (referred to as a ‘stinger’ hook). The importance of the solid ring you initially inserted will now be obvious and it successfully stops the two lengths of wire jamming on one another.

Once completed the live bait hook can be inserted through the top jaw of your live offering with the stinger treble pinned in the bait towards the tail end. It is an incredibly successful rig and in nearly every instance the stinger treble will do its job and pin your fish as it attempts to slice your bait in half.

Versatility With ‘time’ being a critical factor for the majority of us these days and the never ending battle against weather, versatile anglers are those who reap the rewards. If one strategy is not working move on and try another. Aim to maximise your time on the water by utilising the methods listed here and it will be you who comes home with fresh fillets for the table and a much improved capture rate.

Mackerel are a superb looking pelagic fish that are built for speed and a ferocious attack.

The addition of a rear stinger treble hook on your live bait prevents a mouth like this cutting your bait in half without hooking up.


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Tested & Reviewed: Barcrusher 490 Series■ Words & Images: Kosta Linardos ■ Distributed By: Bar Crusher Boats ■ Web: barcrusher.com.au

There is a huge market for the sub 5-metre boat so it came as no surprise when I learnt that Bar Crusher has for the first time designed and built two new 490’s; the 490C (a cuddy) and the 490WR (walk around or centre console). I recently had the pleasure of taking both boats for a run out on Westernport Bay to get a feel for these new mini crushers. What I found was a small boat with some big design principles.

The 490 CThe Cuddy is a great option for those that want protection from the elements and will be doing the large part of their fishing from the stern. This is the ideal boat for the bait fisherman that wants a small vessel he can fit in the garage and tow around with pretty much any car. There are a lot of boats on the market that may seem similar to the 490C, but upon closer inspection you’ll find that it has distinct and advantageous points of difference that set it apart from the others.

What needs to be taken into account is the fact this is a plate alloy boat. It’s not a pressed tinny. Like all Bar Crushers the 490 series is made from high-tensile plate aluminium. With 4mm bottom sides and 3mm top sides, on spec this is one of the toughest alloy boats in this size category on the market. It’s been built with design principles found in larger vessels in the Bar Crusher fleet such as the Waveslicer deep-vee hull and Rigideck sub floor system to provide a softer ride and stronger build. It’s also equipped with the Quickflow water ballast system that fills the keel with water to provide greater stability at rest but quickly flows out when underway to get on to the plane with speed and efficiency.

The Interior Starting up at the bow I liked that there was a good amount of room for storage under the front deck. It’s a simple open space but it works. You can fit in a good sized icebox and stash other items such as safety gear, ropes and whatever else you want to take with you. This is an important feature in a small boat, as small size of boat doesn’t mean you want to take less gear. While you may need to make use of waterproof bags or tubs for your gear in the simple layout, it’s still quite a bit of room for a boat of this size. The helm is a simple but effective design with a long dash shelf that runs across the helm to house large and multiple electronics.

Comfortable driver and passenger seats that sit on top of polished alloy boxes with tackle trays are a nice touch that provide storage for tackle and comfort for two while underway or when fishing. The steering wheel and throttles are positioned for sit down driving but I could also stand and drive pretty easily. The helm is positioned about as far forward as you’d want it to be, which leaves a lot of cockpit space relative to the size of boat. Wide gunwales, a 2 metre beam and

The 490C. A great little cuddy that’s easy to launch, tow and maintain.

Every inch of the Eagle Talon is covered in a high grade and extremely soft marine carpet.

As you can see the deck offers excellent protection from wind and water!

For a small boat the 490C offers a lot of cockpit space with side pockets that run right around for handy storage!

- FIS

HI N

G M


I SIO

N -

EST. 2012


Tested & Reviewed: Barcrusher 490 Series

high sides all together provide a robust and sturdy aesthetic. While it may only be 4.9 metres in length it does present a lot larger providing a feeling of safety and security. Whether you’re bait fishing or trolling, the 490 provides a great working space for a little package. Intelligent inclusions like Bar Crusher’s sliding rod holders allow you to place rods where convenient. Convenient additions such as an alloy bait board, quality alloy rod holders in the gunwales and a berley bucket and boarding ladder are all very thoughtful inclusions that allow for a functional and efficient fishing platform. The inclusion of Bar Crushers alloy rod racks that move along the side pockets are an excellent design that work very well.

The RideThe first thing I noticed while at the wheel was that the boat leans on the drivers side when fishing one up. This was to be expected and is part and parcel of any small boat. Positioning of anglers and gear must be taken into account with boats of this size. A passenger would totally balance this lean out and if you’re planning on fishing alone you could just use gear on the other side of the boat to correct the lean or do what I did and just stand slight to the centre. Bar Crusher haven’t been afraid to put some decent deadrise into this boat to provide a softer ride and this naturally makes the boat a little more tender. While it may be a little more tender standing this far forward in a small boat with a deep vee and aggressive entry, it pays off with extra fishing space in the cockpit and it’s a much softer ride. This lean isn’t in any way noticeable while you’re in the cockpit at the sides or stern; the Quickflow water ballast system provides excellent stability at rest at the rear of the boat where it counts.

As I left the 5-knot zone and put the throttle down, the Suzuki 60 four-stroke put the 490 on the plane with speed and ease, while both models are rated to 70hp, you really don’t need it, the 60 is a great match. As I trimmed up I noted that the cuddy has excellent bow lift and you get the nose up with ease, which is great on fuel economy, keeps you dry and the ride soft. I followed Bar Crusher director Peter Cleland who was ahead in the centre console on the 8 km journey to where we would stop for images. We were in calm water the whole way there so I used the wake of the centre console in front of me to drive in and out of the wake which showed the 490C to be responsive, fun to drive and soft going into a bit of chop. I basically spent 8 kilometres riding in and out and over the wake at various speeds trying to find some negatives in the performance. There was no jarring, or banging, she came off the wave beautifully and was surprisingly quiet which I attribute to the heavy alloy and very solidly built floor system.

The Suzuki 60 provided enough power throughout the rev range and while driving at speed into turns and doing the customary boat test hot-dogging, I found no unnerving response from the hull. It really is a ride that you can become familiar with and confident in quickly.

The 490WRThe 490 WR shares all the same design and structural attributes of the C so I won’t go into that again. Where it obviously does differ greatly is in its layout as it’s a centre console.

I’ve spent a lot of hours fishing out of small centre consoles and I have a good understanding of what works and what doesn’t. Simplicity and effective function in a boat is actually very hard to achieve as there is a lot that needs to be taken into account and included. Bar Crusher have done an excellent job of designing a simple and effective fishing platform in the WR. As I searched for things that would annoy me in a fishing and driving scenario it became evident that a lot of thought had been put into the layout of the 490WR. A centre console is purely

The wide gunwales are fantastic and come equipped with well placed rod holders. The boat has such good stability at rest that you can stand on the non skid surface of the sides and cast in calm waters.

The Suzuki 60 matched perfectly with both boats and provided ample power right through the rev range.

Both boats are built tough as nails so you have no worries putting them on the sand, a bank or tying them off to a tree.


designed for fishing and while it has the obvious negatives of no shelter, it makes up for it when it comes to casting, fighting fish and use of limited space. Bar Crusher have laid out the WR with all this in mind and all anglers will appreciate it.

The 490WR has the same wide gunnels as the C with a non-skid surface that coupled with the boats excellent stability allows you to stand on them and cast. The console isn’t obtrusive and allows you to walk around it from bow to stern without bumping into it, however, its’ large enough to comfortably house electronics, engine gauges, throttles and the steering wheel without it feeling cluttered. It has a dickey seat for a passenger at the front and a storage hatch for items you want to keep dry. Like the C, the WR has the adjustable rod racks on the side pockets, which is especially good in an open boat where you’ll be fishing all the way around it. I think this little invention is genius and in a fishing situation you would constantly utilise it. Instead of a standard seat, a Techni Ice icebox has been used and fitted with a padded seat on the lid. The Ice Box is fitted with tie downs so it doesn’t move while underway. This set up allows for stand up and sit down driving and the seat is placed at the ideal distance between the console and the stern, which allows for comfortable stand up driving in the rough and good fishing space to the rear. As simple as this idea of an icebox for a seat is, it’s a very intelligent one that all anglers will appreciate. Whether you put fish or lunch and drinks in the icebox, it saves a lot of room and kills two birds with one stone.

The front of the deck allows for easy placement of an electric motor and you can order your WR with a prevision in the bow rail to allow for this. The only negative I found with the design of both boats is that there is no livewell, while it may be less of an issue for the C, I believe that the WR boat suits southern estuary anglers and northern barra anglers perfectly and a live well is highly sought after for both these styles of fishing.

The RideWithout doubt and to be expected, the ride of the WR is far better than the C. Nothing compares to the ride of a centre console. It’s perfectly balanced, you’re standing on the keel and vision is as good as it gets. After spending some time taking photos and of course doing a lot of hot-dogging I fell in love with this little beast. It is an absolute joy to drive and so much fun to throw around. The handling is soft, responsive, and easy to drive and it’s a very predictable boat. It performs just how you want it to.

The ride back to port saw a stiff 20-knot southerly came up and I really got to test how the 490’s went going into it and then across it. Going into it the WR just ate it up. I had her going flat out most of the ride and the faster I went the softer it got. I really was impressed at just how soft she was and what an easy ride home it was. I really did expect a louder and rougher ride and it just wasn’t there. Going across it I copped a bit of spray, which was to be expected in a centre console, but this little boat handled it beautifully and exceeded my expectations. I could only get a visual account of how the Cuddy handled the ride home but it seemed to be much the same. I test a lot of alloy open boats in this size category every year and with regard to ride and performance this is probably the best I’ve been in.

In saying that it must be noted that while they do perform very well in a solid chop its important to remember that while these boats are Bar Crushers they will not be crushing bars. They’re small boats that will perform well when it roughs up but if you’re looking to head out in rough seas over a metre these aren’t the boats for you. However, if you do go out and it starts to blow up, you’ll have an easy ride home and you’d be hard pressed to find many alloy boats in the same size that perform as well as this.

To ConcludeThese are two great little vessels that offer a lot of boat in a small package. They left me feeling that they do offer a big point of difference when it comes to effective function, build quality, design and ride. What they lack in creature comforts they make up for in other areas such as build, durability, layout and most importantly ride, stability and fishability. These are tough boats that you can take down a dirt track, launch down a bank, put it up on the sand and enjoy your fishing without having to worry about anything. They suit a number of fishing styles and have appeal with both northern and southern anglers. You might find other boats that look flashier with more padding, hatches and colourful bits, but not many, if any will be as durable or ride this well. If you’re looking for something small that’s built tough with a great ride you’d be doing yourself a great injustice by not taking one out for a test drive.

HITS• High tensile plate alloy build

• Excellent stability at rest

• Soft ride with predictable and responsive handling

• Simple and effective lay out in both models

• High sides, wide gunnels and beam

MISSES• Both models could do with live bait tanks

• They don’t come standard with a fuel gauge

The layout of the 490WR is excellent and has been designed to maximise space. The console is the perfect size that it’s functional and in no way intrusive.

The icebox which doubles as a seat is an intelligent and well thought out inclusion. It has been placed perfectly to allow fishing room from the stern and enough room between seat and console for stand up driving in the rough.

Both boats are little pocket rockets that are a lot of fun to drive.



I will not deny I’m a “gear snob”, even though it’s totally justified as fishing reels are essentially my work tools. I love Japanese reels and all my favourite reels are made in Japan. The Japanese just do it better, there is no denying it.

The Freams isn’t made in Japan, but China, where cost of production is lower than Japan allowing Daiwa to take many of its best design features from its high end reels and implement them into the new Freams without slapping it with a hefty price tag. The new Freams incorporates Digigear, Air Rotor, an ABS spool, Twist Buster, Air Bail and most importantly the new Freams is Magsealed. Now anyone into their reels will probably be familiar with these terms but you can be forgiven for not knowing what any of them mean. While they are all great names used to market features of a reel, in Daiwa’s case they all have merit. I’ll quickly break it down for you and if you want more detailed info jump on Daiwa’s site and have a further read.

Essentially Air Rotor, the ABS spool, Twist Buster and Air Bail all aid in providing sensitivity and better line management. Put simply this means that line comes off the spool with ease and efficiency when casting and comes back on the same way. The advantages of these features is that you cast longer, with more accuracy, experience less issues such as wind knots and it keeps your very thin and expensive braid in better condition so you’re not losing fish and dealing with tangles. Does this all work they way Daiwa says it should? Yes, a definite yes. I own many of their reels and the difference in all round use and line management is significant and noticeable.

Digigear and reel gears in general are the one feature most anglers don’t give a second thought to (with great emphasis unnecessarily placed on max drag pressure) yet gears are so important. Daiwa’s Digigear system provides smooth operation and allows for years of use with consistent performance similar to the day you bought it. You know that reel you have that just feels grindy, clunky and isn’t smooth? That’s average gears that have been worn out.

Magseal is a very awesome feature that has been around for five years now debuting with the 2010 Certate. Basically it’s a magnetic oil that can shut out saltwater and therefore seals the reel from salt intrusion. I have been using my 1003 10-series Cerate for four years now, I’ve given it a hard time and it still is an amazing reel so I can attest to how well the Magseal feature works. This feature was previously only available on reels that cost in excess of $400, so the fact it’s now available in a reel that sits well under $300 is very cool.

ATD and Daiwa’s secret formula oil Automatic Tournament Drag is a new feature for 2015 that is included on all the new Daiwa reels. With a standard drag system the first seconds or many metres of drag that is taken from the reel will be at an increased pressure to what the drag pressure is actually set at and then it will eventually settle back to its set pressure. So for example let’s say you had your reel set at 1kg of drag pressure, when the fish first runs, that pressure will increase, and it could be anywhere from 100 grams of pressure to a whole kilo depending on the reel and external factors such as temperature and how much use the reel has had prior to that strike. Depending on what kind of fishing you’re doing and what line class you’re using, this increase in pressure could lose you fish. ATD stops that pressure from increasing from the initial strike. So how does it work? Well I had to call Daiwa to find out as there is nothing special looking about the drag knob or the spool. I learnt that it does this purely via the use of the oil Daiwa use in the drag washers. What that oil is and how it works is much like the formula for Coca Cola and Maccas special sauce-it’s a protected secret. I assume that the type of oil can somehow keep a consistent temperature and friction in the drag washers and the lack of heat and friction doesn’t cause that initial increase in drag pressure. A very cool feature!

But does ATD work and do you notice it? The truth is no, I couldn’t notice it on my Exist I recently purchased or the Freams, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work, it most likely means it does work. Drags on both reels are super smooth and I experienced no inconsistencies on any initial strikes from fish. It’s a feature that will be much appreciated for anglers that fish super light lines with super light leaders. It will also be greatly appreciated on the opposite end of the scale when fishing extremely heavy drag settings where that initial run for the snags can often end with something broken.

In UseAt 250 grams it isn’t a super light reel but it isn’t heavy either. The metal body adds weight but provides a tough and durable shell. Although it’s a tough and robust reel it hasn’t come at the sacrifice of sensitivity and I assume that the Zaion air rotor system has a large part to play in this. The 4+1 bearings provide smooth operation and while it shares certain features with Daiwa’s high-end reels it is nowhere near as smooth, however, for the price it’s a very smooth reel. Line management is excellent and it performs just as well in this department as what the high-end models do. It is a joy to cast with and the 4.8:1 gear ratio lends itself well to a variety of fishing styles.

I’ve had the Freams in my possession for three months now and I’ve predominantly used it to target squid of which the 2004 size is perfect. Squid fishing can get pretty messy and the reel has often been covered in salt water, ink and bait and I’ve just lightly hosed it off at the end of each session. The only gripe I have with the Freams is the hinged handle design. If you don’t actually undo it and wash it inside the hinge at the end of each use in saltwater it will begin to discolour and eventually rust. With all the other features they included in the Freams I thought they may have used the one piece handle but I guess it’s a more expensive system. At the end of the day no matter how well protected a reel is you always need to take the time to clean it properly or it will fail.

To ConcludeYou get a lot of reel for the money with the Freams. It has been designed so anglers on a budget can get a great reel packed with high-end features that offer increased sensitivity and most importantly durability. There isn’t a lot on the market that offers these kinds of features at this price and its great to see they have implemented some of their best tech into an affordable package.

HITS• Magsealed, ATD drag system and Air Rotor

• Offers outstanding internal durability for the money

• Aesthetically it is one of Daiwa’s best looking reels

• There isn’t much on the market that offers such hi-tech features for the price

MISSES• Hinged handle design needs to be opened and

cleaned after each saltwater use.

Tested & Reviewed: Daiwa Freams 2004■ Words & Images: Kosta Linardos ■ Distributed By: Diawa Australia ■ Web: diawafishing.com.au

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Next time you’re out on the water or at the launch ramp you will quickly see that the 5m- 5.5m class of boats out numbers the rest. Whether you’re fishing inshore, inland or even doing light offshore work, this size of boat is easy to launch, clean, store and fish out of and it’s also pretty affordable. Whether it’s a tinny or a glass boat there are literally thousands of boats that fall into this size bracket.

The amount of boats in this size range lead Yamaha to realise that there was a strong demand for a 130 horse power engine. For many boats the very popular 115 are that bit too small and the 150 too big. I personally have a 115A fitted to my Haines Hunter 525 Prowler and if the 130 had been an option at the time of purchase I definitely would have chosen it over the 115 for that extra top end speed and mid-upper range power.

I recently had the pleasure of heading up to the Gold Coast to test the new 130 on four different vessels, and learn more about it. What I found is that the new 130A isn’t just a re-badged 115 but a whole new engine in the four-stroke line up.

Lightest in class with the best fuel economyWeight is always a deciding factor when choosing a new engine to throw on the back of your boat, so anyone will be pleased to hear that Yamaha have developed the lightest four stroke 130 available. At 172kg (wet weight) it’s only 1kg heavier than the new 115B and 14kg’s lighter than the 115A. This reduction in weight comes from advancements in materials for various components allowing for an all round lighter engine. For example the intake manifold in the 130 is made from a heat resilient and durable plastic, which reduces weight but also improves low speed torque and noise reduction. At weights this low the new 130 is not only a great option for a range of new boats but offers a great re-power option for those leaving behind their 2-stroke 130 or wanting to upgrade to something more modern and powerful that their transom can handle.

Fuel economy sees the 130 providing best in its class. Fuel performance figures showed a Sea Jay 5.6 Striker weighing 1,185 kg to use 16.25 l/h at 4000rpm and 42.45km/h. These are pretty impressive figures.

ETVFor anyone driving in rough conditions in a small boat you will always need to be working the throttle. The reality of any boat that sits in the 5-5.5 metre size is that it’s going to need to be driven on and off the throttle once it’s in seas up to a metre. A highly responsive throttle is often an overlooked and integral aspect of any outboard and the many hours I’ve done with Yamaha engines has given me great appreciation of their

throttle system. While the average family tinny might not be heading out in the rough, I foresee the new 130 being the engine of choice for many popular small deep-vee fibreglass boats that can perform at speed in less than desirable conditions. The F130A is equipped with ETV (electronic throttle valve) which is a highly responsive throttle system controlled via a microproccesser that can interpret the drivers throttle movements from the mechanical control at the helm. This all works in tune with new fuel injection and ignition technology to provide excellent response and exceptional fuel economy. Whether crossing a bar or navigating through swell or sloppy conditions, throttle response provides a safer and more comfortable ride and the new 130 has the power in the mid and upper rev range to keep you in full control.

It’s FasterThe 130 has a top end RPM range of 5300-6300. This ability to rev higher provides greater top end speed with the ability to maintain responsive power through the range. There were four boats I had the opportunity to test with the new 130. A Seajay 5.6, Quintrex 5.3, Cruise Craft 575 and Streaker 570. These boats had some pretty significant weight differences between them with the Cruise Craft being the heaviest and the Quintrex the lightest. The Quintrex obviously was the most responsive through the whole rev range and had a top end speed of just over 70km/h and the Cruise Craft the heaviest with 66km/h. The new top end rev range was definitely noticeable on all vessels with great response from 3500rpm and up.

Powering Your TechFitted with a 35 amp high output alternator the new 130 will have no problems powering all the electronics the modern boater has equipped on his vessel. You have a choice of gauge options with the new 130 and this engine sees compatibility with Yamaha’s new full colour Command Link. Command Link is an excellent new gauge system that offers some pretty significant advantages with its greatest attribute being a space saver. It’s a full colour LCD screen with customisable display options. While the Command Link LCD gauge is slightly more expensive than the popular three way digital system, it’s worth the extra expense to allow more dash room for large modern day sounder/gps systems.

It’s A Safe ChoiceYamaha don’t lead the outboard market by a large sales margin because of flashy coloured engines and clever marketing. It comes down to performance and reliability that the brand has built and earned over many years from heavy recreational and commercial use. This new 130 offers amazing fuel economy and a significant weight reduction that will see many boaters with a new power choice whether they’re purchasing new or re-powering. The 130 is built like a tank, is super quiet, smooth and responsive while offering outstanding power for its weight.

HITS:• Lightest in class

• Excellent fuel economy

• Outstanding throttle response

• 35 amp high output alternator

MISSES:• You can have any colour you want

as long as it’s grey

Tested & Reviewed: Yamaha F130A■ Words & Images: Kosta Linardos ■ Distributed By: Yamaha Australia ■ Web: yamaha-motor.com.au

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9772 1800 • [email protected] • www.baymarine.com.au

IN STORE JUNE SPECIALS ON ELECTRONICS Bell Marine quality stainless anchor winches, bait boards & rod holders.

SERVICE, PARTS & ACCESSORIESAuthorised Mercury MerCruiser service centre. Factory trained technicians. An extensive range of parts & accessories. Drop in and see us at 8 Ashley Park Dve, Chelsea Heights Vic. 3196

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p: 9772 1800 • m: 0417 721999 • e: [email protected]

Spend $20 in store during our June Sale and receive a ticket to go into the draw to win the fabulous New Haines Hunter Boat Powered with a Mercury 75 Hp 4 stroke Outboard On a Mackay Trailer Including Rego & Safety Equipment Bimini Canopy & Tonneau Cover. Fish finder.

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NEW MODEL

See our full range of quality terminal tackle at www.blackmagictackle.com

Black Magic 60lb Tough Trace was used by Adam Epifanis to catch this excellent cobia while fishing from Forster, NSW.

Tough FluorocarbonWhen high performance is critical, this is the leader for you!• 100% Fluorocarbon - no reduction in breaking strain in water

• Excellent knot strength and superior abrasion resistance

• Near invisibility in water

• Available in 15lb, 20lb, 30lb, 40lb, 60lb, 80lb and 120lb

Trace Choose between our high performance tough trace, or if you want a more supple, sensitive leader then supple trace is the one for you!• Ultra clear trace extruded from Japanese copolymers

• Excellent knot strength and abrasion resistance

• Tough Trace: 20lb, 30lb, 40lb, 50lb, 60lb, 80lb, 100lb, 130lb, 200lb, 300lb, 400lb and 560lb Big Blue (Charter packs available in 200lb, 300lb and 400lb)

• Supple Trace: 20lb, 40lb, 60lb, 80lb, 100lb, 120lb and 200lb

This 69cm flathead was landed by Adam

Robertson on Black Magic 6lb Fluorocarbon

leader while fishing near Captain Cook Bridge,

NSW.

Fluorocarbon• Specific gravity higher than water means it sinks faster

than monofilament

• Excellent knot strength and superior abrasion resistance

• Refractive index close to water makes it nearly invisible

• Very high U.V. resistance

• No reduction in breaking strain in water

• Available in 4lb, 6lb, 8lb, 10lb and 12lb

Deception• Low gloss outer coating makes it less reflective in water

• Excellent knot strength and abrasion resistance

• Supple feel

• Produced in a green copolymer

• Available in 4lb, 6lb, 8lb, 10lb and 12lb

Black Magic’s award winning tippets are ideal for freshwater anglers, but they are equally suited to saltwater applications such as fishing for squid, bream and other species!

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Hooked Up - MAY 38