SIMPLY THE BEST www.gamakatsu.com.au

ESCAPE WITH ET Australia’s leading fishing, outdoors and lifestyle show now has its own
magazine. Based on the impeccable reputation and knowledge of Andrew Ettingshausen,
this brand encompasses all elements of the great Australian outdoors.
The Escape with ET audience will make this online magazine & iPad App their fishing and
outdoors resource. It will be the trusted source of information viewers and lovers of the great
outdoors require for:
• Fishing
• Boating
• 4 Wheel Driving
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• Travel & Destinations
Why advertise with us?
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Worldwide distribution online and via the App Store on the iPad
Backed by a highly respected Australian show
Cutting edge technology with high quality finish
Respected writers and supporters
Promoted heavily through the TV series, website, competitions, facebook, and blog
Why an Online Magazine?
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An online electronic publication helps reduce carbon footprint
Fast and effective with minimal loading times
Free to all members
Highly interactive; readers can access links to websites, email addresses, video, search facility and zoom in features
Support video, audio, animation and interactive links
All advertising pages within this example are for demonstration purposes only.
For more information please contact:
tiarne@escapewithet.com
Latest &
Greatest
XPS Rechargeable LED DUO
This year Coleman® launches XPS™ (Exchangeable Power System) technology
into their range of electric lights. A world first, this technology not only allows
you to use battery packs across multiple products but it also gives you the
choice on how you wish to power your product - rechargeable or battery
operated.
The XPS Duo is 3 lights in 1 – a full area lantern or 2 removable pods. Each
removable pod contains NiMH rechargeable batteries with an individual
runtime of up to 1.5hrs. Charge on the dock while illuminating (light output: 216 Lumens)
360° using 12 x 5mm white LEDs that never need to be replaced. Hang on pod handles or free
stand on fold out arm. Recharge battery pack from 12V and 240V adapters. (Included ) RRP
$119.99. For more information visit our website: www.colemanaustralia.com.au
Caenan Baitcast Reel
The new Caenan features 7 Shimano
bearings, High Efficiency Gearing (HEG),
Variable Brake System (VBS) and comes
in a sleek metallic silver and red finish.
A low-mass aluminium spool helps to keep
weight down and assist in making long
stealthy deliveries to fussy bass and barra
holding in your local river snag or along a
weedy impoundment bank.
The Caenan is capable of delivering 5kg of
drag pressure and also features hard EVA
grips grips which causes less fatigue to the
angler.
www.shimanofish.com.au
Panasonic Lumix FT2
Whether it is your own clumsiness or
a fishing boat mishap, it is no secret
that digital cameras are often the first
things to break. Tough cameras are fast
becoming popular among users and
with the new Panasonic LUMIX FT2, it is
easy to see why.
Boasting a 14.1 megapixel sensor,
4.6 times optical zoom, 28mm wide
angle lens and High Definition video,
it is the complete package encased in
a two metre shockproof shell that is
waterproof to ten metres and freeze
proof to minus ten.
It enables this hardwearing durability
with uncompromised image quality,
video functionality and low light
performance.
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With its Intelligent Auto setting, the
camera works everything out for you;
face detection, scene detection and
adjusting of exposure in different
conditions to give you the best possible
photograph.
Marine Pro
Batteries
Next time you’re
listening to music moored
on a deserted beach or watching the
fish finder whilst anchored to your favourite
fishing spot, take time to consider whether
you’ve got the right battery to start your
engine and get you home safely.
The Century Marine Pro range is designed
and manufactured right here in Australia,
specifically to suit Australia’s harsh climate
and unique conditions. They incorporate
specialist hardwearing internal components
and advanced design features such as
Platelock technology to combat the effects
of wave pounding, engine vibration,
extreme temperatures and damage from
transportation by trailer.
55LB & 80LB
Thrust Terrova now with I-Pilot
Minn Kota have added new options to
popular Riptide Terrova model of electric
motors.
The new I-Pilot GPS based
autopilot feature gives new meaning to
the term ‘hands free fishing’ allowing the
angler wireless control of his electric motor
from anywhere in the boat.
Incorporating: Co Pilot-giving total control
of your electric motor from anywhere
in the boat. Record a Track featureallowing an entire track, up to 2 miles
in length, to be stored to memory.
Revolutionary Spot-Lock feature
which works like an electric
anchor, holding the boat
in place.
Cruise Control - maintaining actual boat
speed in 1/10 mile per hour increments.
Digitally
controlled
AutoPilot™
delivering infinitely variable steering
adjustments for smoother course
corrections & tighter heading accuracy.
Digital Camera Warehouse has the
LUMIX FT2 available right now, so visit
Perfectly adapted to life on the water,
Century Marine Pro Batteries are available in
a range of sizes and include both dedicated
starting and dual purpose batteries designed
to provide starting power for engines up to
350Hp and the deep cycling capability to run
your on-board accessories. Whether heading
out for a days fishing or cruising out for a
long weekend to a favourite beach, Century
has a marine battery to suit your need.
www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au
www.centurybatteries.com.au
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And with that HD video, every
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GPS based Advanced AutoPilot which
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2 year warranty
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Flinders & Outback Water Cruises
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Phone: 0438 857 001
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10% off Skytrek self drive access fee
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Book a Full and Half day tour
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Down n’ Dirty Tour
Desert Cave Hotel, Coober Pedy
Direct Bookings Only
Phone: (08) 8672 5688
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Valid from 1 Feb 2010 to 1 Dec 2010
New Humminbird 858cx DI Combo,
a serious sounder for serious fishermen...
10% OFF
Wilpena Pound Resort
10% off Scenic Flights
and 4WD Tours
Phone: (08) 8648 0004
FREE GOLF PACK
Coober Pedy Golf Course
Receive a free golf pack when
hiring clubs for a round!
Phone: (08) 8672 5555
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Bendleby Ranges
15% off
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3 combined tours in 1
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Flinders Ranges By Bike
Buy one FRBB trail pass
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20% off admission to mine tour
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25% off a sunset camel tour if
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Phone: (08) 8648 6640
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Coupon valid from 1 Feb 2010 to 1 Dec 2010
Please present these coupons at the above businesses to receive discounts.
Please check valid dates when booking.
It features a brilliant colour, wide-screen 480V
x 800H 7-inch LCD display with CCFL backlight
and 16:9 aspect ratio which provides a precise,
clear picture. The unit comes standard with
incredible features like DualBeam PLUS
Sonar that combines great detail with wide
coverage, 50 channel external GPS receiver,
unit cover, temperature, GPS Speed, sonar
record and screen snap shot capabilities.
The unit also features Down Imaging and
SwitchFire giving you command of the most
versatile sonar technology on the water
to ensure that you maximise your angling
experience. You are now able to see what is
happening directly below your boat. Timber,
weed, bridge pylons, reef and any other
structure will show with stunning detail as
you patrol the water. The picture-like images
are created with high-frequency sound waves
emitted in razor thin slices. And the sonar
returns from these waves create an instant
‘snapshot’ of what’s directly below your boat.
Coupled with SwitchFire, these technologies
take the guesswork out of sonar fishfinding.
SwitchFire Sonar gives you the power to
choose how returns are displayed. Two
unique modes give you complete control to
adjust to the fishing conditions and let you
quickly locate and target fish.
The unit allows you to navigate your way
through unfamiliar waters with Humminbird
cartography – a built in UniMap covers the
Australian and New Zealand coastlines at 30
metres per pixel resolution, with an optional
upgrade to Navionics Gold card cartography
available. Other key features include the GPS
Chartplotting and advanced Fishing System
capabilities helping to put you right where
you want to be.
The 858cx DI Combo is Ethernet compatible
thus giving you access to some amazing
optional extras like the all new Humminbird
Radar, NMEA 2000 and more.
More Info...
For more information on this great unit visit
www.humminbird.com.au or consult your
local Humminbird stockist.
GoPro&
Contour
Plus
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If you have ever wanted to
capture breathtaking video of your
adventures, whether on land, sea
or in vehicle, there has never been
a better time to start camera
shopping.
The folks at Go Pro and Contour
have produced some truly
innovative products over the last
twelve months, making choice wide
and purchase just that little bit
more confusing.
So, which camera is right for your own
personal feats of the landscape? We’ll go
through your options and their vast features
so you can make an informed decision.
The HD Hero camera system from Go Pro is
fast gaining momentum as the go-to device
for adventure and sports enthusiasts wanting
to capture the action on video for easy
uploading and viewing.
Dubbed as the world’s highest performance
‘wearable’ camera, shooting in full 1080p
High Definition, the image quality is truly
amazing. Tiny cameras are definitely not
known for their clarity and brilliant colour
reproduction, but the Go Pro HD Hero is
seriously impressive and so versatile. Go
Pro’s huge range of optional accessories and
mounts render it able to attach to just about
anything; helmet, bicycle seat post, your
dashboard, your surfboard or jetski or even
on your head or chest. This enables stunning,
mind-altering captures from angles that will
bring footage to life and put an end to boring
video. The Go Pro HD Hero comes in a sixty
metres waterproof housing that will also
protect it from dust, rocks and other debris
you might hit in your journey.
The battery will allow 2.5 hours of continuous
shooting on a single charge, and spare
batteries are easily sourced and affordable.
You can shoot continuous 5 megapixel stills
at 2/5/10/30 and 60 second intervals, handsfree. Quite simply, the Go Pro HD Hero is
a smart choice for anything water-bound,
especially boating, fishing, surfing and
general tear-about antics. Its range of mounts
makes it a great choice for any activity, but
the waterproof housing gives it the edge for
the seafaring adventurer. Another helmet
camera gaining momentum across the globe
is the Contour Plus, from the good folks at
Contour.
Brand new to the line-up, the Contour Plus
is their top of the range helmet cam with
an array of features and seriously striking
video quality. Built with the photographic
enthusiast in mind, the Contour Plus shoots
in 1080p full High Definition and utilizes an
f/2.8 170-degree rotating ultra-wide angle
lens. This means you get great performance
in varying light conditions with minimal
distortion or the fish-eye look.There’s also
the option of live-streaming your incredible
feat via HDMI and an optional external
transmitter. Added to that is a built-in GPS
to record your location, speed and altitude
and the option of an external microphone
for better sound recording. If you have an
iPhone or iPod Touch, you can use these as a
viewfinder for the Contour Plus via Bluetooth.
You can even change the camera settings
straight from the screen. The Contour Plus is
the ideal helmet cam for on-land exploits and
is perfect for quick capture and uploading
with no fuss. It is not waterproof – however,
there is an underwater housing coming soon
as an optional extra.
Get these and see the whole range now at Digital Camera Warehouse:
Contour: http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod7573.htm
Go Pro: http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/category767_1.htm
What’s in a Squid Jig?
Squiding has finally started to make its mark with the Australian angling
fraternity and for my money, it’s about time! Squid are great fun to catch,
you don’t need a boat, it’s something the whole family can do and at the
end of it all you get a great feed!!
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Skinny leaders: Using a thin leader line
from your jig to your braid (2-3m) will get
you more grabs. Squid have fantastic eye
sight and can see everything so using as
skinny a line as you dare is the go! Making
this leader line out of fluorocarbon will only
increase your chances because fluorocarbon
line has the same light refracting index as
water making is virtually invisible.
The right rod: Using an Egi rod (squid jig
rod) makes life so much sweeter. The overall
action of the Egi rod is much different to that
of a normal rod. They are stiffer in the tip to
help work your jigs and the overall action of
the rod is parabolic so you don’t tear out the
thin hook from the squids tentacles. All that
and they look really cool!!
I hope this little blurb has helped you further
your ambitions to become a better squider.
Once you get a few under your belt you won’t
look back. www.purefishing.com.au
Egi Master
>>Tactical Squid Fishing
> SQUID RODS
> SQUID BRAID
Here are some key factors to making a successful squiding trip:
Finding good ground: The southern
calamari squid is an inshore species that uses
its amazing camouflaging skin to blend into
surrounding rock and weed. Therefore you’ll
find them where there are rocks and weed!
Casting over sand in most cases will result in
poor catch rates.
Using good jigs: A good quality jig is
invaluable. Spending from $20 - $35 on a jig
will see you with a top notch jig that will have
all the right attributes; such as – sharp hooks,
correct sinking angle, good body colours,
strong connection points and good sizes and
weight ranging.
> SQUID LEADER
> SCENTED SQUID JIGS
> SQUID JIG STORAGE
Using scent: Scenting your jigs is the
second most important thing you can do to
help catch more squid (first being buying a
good jig). There are a few to chose from such
as EgiMax, UV Make-Up and or alternatively,
you can buy a Berkley jig that has a body
cover that’s made from PowerBait and is
already full of fish feeding stimulant!
Using braid: Braid or PE line is accentual
when squiding because of its lack of stretch
you can make your jig action work better and
feeling (or seeing) the subtle grabs from the
fish is made much easier because of braids
visibility.
Serious about chasing cephalopods? Introducing Berkley’s Egi Master System
Egi Master squid rods - specifically designed squid fishing rods developed by Adam Royter. Egi Master line system - mutli
coloured PE braid and tinted 100% fluorocarbon leader for ultra stealth. Power Egi squid jigs - the Berkley advantage of PowerBait
scented squid jigs. Egi Master squid bag - accessible jig storage, pockets for leader, braid scissors and more.
Available at leading tackle stores, visit purefishing.com.au for more details or call 02 4351 7740 for your nearest stockist.
purefishing.com.au
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Southern winter
they’re more
autumn blues and at times even summer
blues, but whatever you like to call them
we all anticipate the annual return of the
magnificent southern bluefin tuna to Portland
Victoria any time from February onwards.
Over the past five years I have watched with
great interest, as the Portland tuna boom has
developed from an almost unknown local
attraction, into a thriving recreational fishery.
Article By Portland fishing charters
Image courtesy of Gamakatsu
As most people would realise, the tuna
haven’t just decided to visit Portland in the
last few years. There are a number of things
that have happened to help create a greater
awareness of this fishery and allowed better
access to this wonderful species. Firstly boats
have gotten BIG. So big in fact, that a lot are
now towed by F-trucks or even trucks with
‘oversize’ signs on them. GPS technology is
now more affordable, reliable and accurate,
and marine engine technology is now also
more reliable than it ever has been. Even the
weatherman now gets it right 99 per cent of
the time and of course our safety gear has
improved, including EPIRB, which gives us
a bit more confidence should we run into
trouble. My personal tuna targeting evolution
began around 16 years ago, when a bunch of
mates and I took my 49ft old timber cray-boat
out to the shelf for a day tuna fishing. It was
definitely a big adventure, requiring us to
leave super early in the morning and travelling
all the way out to the shelf at 7kts. We got the
results though, trolling our assorted cheap
lures that were probably more suited to Barra
fishing than tuna, and the seed was sown!
Not long after that we decided that we could
get away with taking my 4.75m Quintrex Bay
Hunter out as long as we had another boat
come along for backup, which was usually
my mate’s 4.8m Savage. We always looked at
the weather very carefully and we had good
success towing Halco laser pros at around
4-5kts.
Then came my 5.6m Barcrusher. This boat
was the ultimate so I thought, however over
only a matter of a few years it went from
being one of the biggest boats at the ramp
to only a medium sized one. I now own a
48ft Randell that we use as a lobster and
charter boat. I’ve even considered throwing
my kayak on the back deck on a nice day and
having a paddle through a school of tuna for
something different. I guess we all wonder at
times how we used to manage without the
big boats and modern technology.
Southern winter
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I’ll share with you a few of the things
that I’ve learned over the years chasing
tuna. I’m sure I’ve still got a lot to learn
also and maybe in another 16 years
time, we’ll all be doing it differently
again.
use the internet or
ask the local tackle shops, in order to get
some up to date information on where the
fish have been biting. Try and get some GPS
marks, especially from anyone who’s been
out recently, as there is a lot of ocean out
there.
Troll with a variety of lures, trying different
colours and sizes, and travel between 5-7kts.
Generally we currently troll two Rapala
x-raps, the thirty footers, both different
colours on the edge of the prop wash. My
most consistently successful skirted lure
is a homemade tiny pink squid with a bean
sinker in the head. It’s the cheapest and most
unlikely looking lure but it works well. The
only problem is that it won’t hold the water in
medium to strong winds so we can’t always
run it. Variety is definitely the key with skirts
though, and once you find a colour or size
that’s working on the day, change the other
lures to something similar. Keep in mind
however, that what worked the day before
might not get touched on another day!
The other thing to look for is sea birds
(particularly gannets and turns) circling,
diving or picking at the water. Troll past any
groups of birds that are sitting on the water,
with even one lonely albatross sitting on the
water often producing results.
Always keep a look out for any activity. You
will occasionally see a fish bust the water or
jump, and missing a school by a few hundred
meters can be the difference between a good
or bad day. Oil slicks on the water can also
indicate tuna feeding below.
These are just a few things to watch out for
and you will pick up little clues every time
you venture out. I hope this article has raised
your curiosity about the Portland tuna run,
and I hope to see you on the water soon.
FACT BOX
Portland Fishing Charters
Story & Photographs by Brett Wilson,
Ask most people what was the first
fish they caught and I’m sure that
90% will say a Bream!
This silver little scrapper covers the entire
Australian coastline with one strain of the
species or another, Pikey up north, Black
down south and Yellow Fin Bream in the
eastern central regions.
With urban sprawl, man made waters and
the Aussie will to live and play by the water
over time has given this fish more places to
live and feed than ever.
Its not an exotic species, nor a rare and not
considered much of a table fish either, but
this aside it has spawned a massive amount
of interest and made a massive financial
contribution to the fishing industry over the
past 10 years with a huge surge in Bream
related products.
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Catching Bream on lures is nothing new
and its been done for decades in one form
or another but over the last 10 years this
form of catching Bream has developed into
a fulltime pastime for some anglers. Its been
responsible for a national tournament circuit,
that now has smaller sub comps sprouting off
all over the country. This same organisation
has even managed to get a free to air TV show
out of the comps. There are now dedicated
websites, clubs and friends are made, and
sometimes lost all over the country because
of this bread and butter fish.
Some people like to chase them in magnificent
looking American bass style boats that go
100 miles and hour and others like to catch
them on bread, or an old hot chip with the
kids, either way these fish provide massive
amounts of opportunity for anyone looking for
a bit of fun. For the dad with his kids they are
relatively easy to catch, for the hardened lure
fisherman chasing the wiley kilo plus models
Bream at this size are a huge challenge.
The Southern Black Bream is in my view
probably the toughest one of the three, living
its life in the same system most of the time
making it very aware and on his game.
The yellow fin who travels to sea to spawn
exerts a lot of energy and tends to be more
on the chew more often and lives in a bigger
variety of habitats.
This silver little scrapper covers the entire Australian coastline with one
strain of the species or another, Pikey up north, Black down south and
Yellow Fin Bream in the eastern central regions.
The Pikey Bream is awesome fun, aggressive,
fight hard and can live in huge packs that can
own a snag and destroy any lure that comes
close.
Gear for Bream does vary but ideally for
luring Bream a 6’10” to 7’2” rod is ideal in the
2 to 4kg class and a 1000 to 2500 size reel is
perfect to hang onto all day. Use a rod length
of leader onto some fine braid, go as light
as you wish for the conditions your fishing,
but remember Bream love structure, and
know where home is. Lures are once again a
personal thing and whether it be a soft plastic
or small hard body, fish to your conditions,
depth and habitat.
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The best thing about now days is there is a
plethora on information for budding Bream
anglers, books, DVD’s and as I said websites
with members keen to share knowledge. The
good old Bream... a fish from the past and a
vital fish for the future!
They can swim.
BUT They can’T hiDe.
new eT siGnaTURe seRies By mako
www.shimanofish.com.au
It’s almost unfair: thanks to the astonishing clarity of our new
High Definition polarised lenses. Mako’s ET Signature Series
gives you the edge – whatever you’re fishing for.
Fish like yoU mean iT.
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JD’s
Boatshed
JD’s Boatshed in Sydney was established in June 2004
at Caringbah NSW. The Boatshed’s inspiration was
born from a family that has grown up on the water
and enjoys its lifestyle and all it has to offer. Starting
with only one brand, a cosy showroom and small
service area, JD’s Boatshed has come a long way...
Tournament 2100
Glastron MX 185
Cobalt 242 Bowrider
The showroom has doubled in size over
time to cater for a many quality brands, a
chandlery and a busy service centre. Our
strategic vision is a one-stop Marine Centre
that offers all our customers a taste of this
lifestyle with only quality products.
JD’s Boatshed is committed to the provision
of, and a commitment to, quality service
in all facets of the business operations.
Such is the ongoing success of the
JD’s Boatshed business model
the expansion into QLD in
October 2010 was deemed to
be a natural progression for
the management team.
Located at 247 Bayview
Street, Runaway Bay, the
branch is building strong
customer
relationships
within the marine markets
of the Gold Coast and
Brisbane regions.
Current line up of boat brands is headed by
the Cobalt range of award winning bowriders
and sports cruisers. Cobalt Boats has been in
the boat building industry since 1968 and is
still controlled by the same founding family
to this very day. The range of Cobalt Boats
has consistently been amongst the recipients
of the prestigious J D Power Marine Awards
for the last eight years. The owners of Cobalt
boats are often repeat buyers and some are
now experiencing the enjoyment of their
third Cobalt Boat. A true testament to the
quality, and value for money, inherent within
the Cobalt product.
JD’s Boatshed has been diligent in the
acquisition of the products they wish to
sell and promote in accordance with their
business model. The Australian built Formosa
aluminium plate boats have now been
available through JD’s Boatshed Sydney
dealership for a number of years.
Formosa Tomahawk 550 Centre Console
JD’s
Boatshed
The Formosa range has
proven extremely popular
with the boating public, from
the dedicated fisherman to the
family which requires an all purpose
boat for in shore and off shore activities.
JD’s Boatshed and Formosa are forging a
formidable partnership with the aluminium
boating fraternity. Glastron Boats continue
to be an integral part of the JD’s Boatshed
product line up. The Galstron brand is now
into their fifty fifth year of boat building and
continue to be a much sought after boat for
family enjoyment. As always the Glastron
brand is forever looking at the current market
requirements and new and exciting models
will be available within the coming season.
Both branches of JD’s Boatshed are exclusive
Glastron Boats distributors and as such can
provide the Glastron model which best suits
your family boating requirements.
Tournament Pleasure Boats are endorsed by
JD’s Boatshed as one of the finest Australian
built fibreglass fishing and pleasure craft
available in todays market place. The
Tournament range is popular with the buyer
looking for a day cruiser to entertain, a
runabout to use for fishing or fun, a full on off
shore fishing boat with all the right equipment
or a bowrider for the family who wants a
tower for boarding or sking. JD’s Boatshed
can provide you with the Tournament boat
and options for whatever your suits your
marine requirements.
When it comes to power for your boat JD’s are
now suppliers of the latest Mercury outboard
motors, and Mercruiser power upgrades,
through the Sydney branch sales and service
facility.
Marine products available through JD’s
Boatshed Caringbah comprise Dunbier
Trailers, Garmin, BLA Products, Hi Tech
Batteries, Fusion Sound, R W Basham,
Lowrance, GME, various lubricants, trailer
parts and safety equipment.
Within the many marine products and
accessories supplied by JD’s Boatshed the
boating public can always be assured of the
commitment to service and the provision of
finest quality products by dedicated staff.
Tournament 2250
Formosa Tomahawk
620 Centre Cab
Full
icle with ink
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Does Blue
$1,500
sit waiting off the
Gold Coast?
Over the recent Easter Long weekend a fleet of up to 20 boats
mixed with professional and amateur Blue Marlin fisherman
headed out off the Gold Coast shelf for a crack at some
Blue Marlin action, what followed showed the full potential of
this secret world class Blue Marlin fishery...
the
Gold Coast is full of world
class attractions including
Australia’s best theme parks, beautiful
resorts, famous beaches and fine restaurants
to name a few. But perhaps one of the biggest
attractions is yet to be fully realised? To those
in the know the Gold Coast is home to some
of the best Blue Marlin fishing in the world
which is on offer all year round. Over the
last 12 months impressive capture statistics
have been reported even through the colder
months of winter and if you ask the old sea
dogs these results are nothing new for this
stretch of water.
At any one time no more than about 6 boats
fish with any consistency for Blue Marlin
off the Gold Coast and of those you would
be lucky to find 3 boats out during week
days, usually professional charter boats.
With good weather the weekend may see
a limited fleet of perhaps 13 boats hunting
for Blue Gold off this impressive coast line.
So where would the Gold Coast
rank as a Blue Marlin fishery?
to
put it all in perspective a world
class Blue Marlin location over
a 12 month fishing period will see a charter
boat average around one Blue Marlin every
three to four fishing days, this is of course
a yearly average, the average Blue Marlin
figures reported off the Gold Coast each year
are easily as impressive, raising the question
“Why isn’t the Gold Coast recognised as a
truly World Class Blue Marlin fishery?”
It’s a question that many are now asking and
the responses are certainly divided, perhaps
its better we keep this Blue Marlin location
a secret and enjoy the action without the
international anglers flooding in from all over
the world for a chance at catching our hidden
Blue Gold, or just maybe properly managed
with some good publicity it could be the next
big world class attraction the Gold Coast and
the Australian Game Fishing industry needs.
For now the jury is out on bringing the crowds
but one thing is for sure the Blue Marlin are
definitely out off the Gold Coast.
ith
Article w site Link
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SIMPLY THE BEST
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afford to use anything but the best.”
– Andrew Ettingshausen
See what’s new at Gamakatsu:
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www.frogleysoffshore.com.au
PO BOX 5177 Ballina NSW 2478
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Powered by:
In this months look at hard body’s we’ll focus on the deep divers, or “crankbait”
lures and hopefully open up an amazing world of new piscatorial opportunities
which can be achieved y in most southern saltwater estuaries.
Story & Photographs by Greg Reid, Photographs by Warren Keelan
With this style of fishing
there’s one really important
ingredient & that’s wind...
You need the surface of
the water to have a ripple
on it. In fact 15-20 knots is
prime shallow water hard
body time.
I’ll be the first to admit I have a serious
obsession with soft plastic lures. It
started on the humble flathead in
the early nineties and then lead to a
serious snapper obsession in Jervis Bay
for the next decade or so.
About 10 years ago small hard body’s
shifted into my consciousness and thus
began hours of wading shallow flats
in Erowal Bay on the northern eastern
side of St George’s Basin.
Fast forward to the creation of the Basin as
a recreational fishing haven, along with the
development of some very affordable high
quality lite spin tackle and you have a recipe for
a lifetime worth of skinny water exploration.
In this months look at hard body’s (HB’s) we’ll
focus on the deep divers, or “crankbait” lures
and hopefully open up an amazing world
of new piscatorial opportunities which can
be achieved year round in most southern
saltwater estuaries.
The deep divers really can be broken down
into three basic depth categories depending in
the size of the bib. As a general rule of thumb
you have deep diving <2m, medium <1m and
shallow diving <0.5m. You can then break
that down into another category (your going
to need a bigger tackle box yeah) suspending,
floating, and sinking. Now we can call these
“crankbaits”, which are fatter and wobble a bit
more, or “shads”, which tend to be longer and
skinnier and sometimes require a bit more
twitching.
Each selection will enable you to locate the
depth at which the fish, usually bream, are
feeding at. For example, using a basic locked
blood knot tied directly to the split ring, tie on
a deep floating crankbait. Now we’re looking
for an area where weed meets the sand, it’s
called an edge, and usually no more than
about 3m deep. You simply cast out with
the wind at your back to get the maximum
distance. Just before the lure hits the water
click over the bail arm and wind about 4 or 5
fast turns the moment the lure hits the water.
This does one of several things. It takes the
slack out of the line and gets you connected
with the lure in the event of a surface bite
the moment it hits the water, or, it creates a
reaction bite, or at very least attracts the fish’s
attention! If you don’t get hit straight away
the 4 or 5 turns (cranks) on the handle enable
the lure to dive to about 1.5m and then STOP!
or pause. The pause is the killer, the lure then
starts to float slowly to the surface and this is
when most bites will occur. Every time you
crank you lure dives, then you pause and
so on until you wind it right in or your lure
gets smashed!, and don’t forget a good pair
of polarized sunnies so you can see into the
water because fish will sometimes follow the
lure and hit it right at your feet.
With this style of fishing there is one really
important ingredient and that’s wind. You
need the surface of the water to have a ripple
on it. In fact 15-20 knots is prime shallow
water hard body time. The stirred up water
and the slapping of the waves gives the fish
a sense of cover and it stirs up the bottom
and gets the fish actively feeding. As with
the above, you may need to tie on med <1m
and then shallow <0.5 diver if you don’t get a
result down around 2-3m. Do this after 10-20
casts.
Some of our best bream, and flathead on
the surface strikes have come from a foot of
water in the middle of the day, you just need
wind, a few lures and light line. Speaking
of gear, go and spend all your money you
can’t take it with you! Just kidding, although
sometimes it is easier to ask for forgiveness
rather than permission but now I am getting
sidetracked. Use lite line. Braid is preferable
but not essential. If your on a budget or you
couldn’t be bothered tying leader knots, 2-4
lb braid with 4-6 lb leader, or 4lb flourcarbon
mono is ample for the sand flats or edges.
It’s different if your fishing around wharves or
sharp rocks but the Basin has very little in the
way of structure until you get into the creeks,
and even then 3lb braid with 4lb leader will
do the job most days. We regularly land 40cm
bream in the snags on this gear. If you use
any heavier line you just don’t get the quality
of presentation and you can’t cast as far. It’s
important to be able to cast as far away from
either yourself or the boat as possible so as
not to spook wary fish. That’s one reason why
I tend to prefer heavier 4.5gram crankbaits
over a 3 gram shad.
So there you have a basic introduction. Any
good tackle shop will have educated staff
who will be able to point you in the right
direction as far as lures and gear etc. Some of
my personal favourites lures are the “Jackall”
chubby, “Maria” crankbaits, “Damiki” Mu-SP
and the “Eco-Gear” SX 40. You can buy cheap
imitations but they don’t work as well as these
proven performers which will catch fish.
Next month we’ll talk about surface lures
because spring is in the air and the fish will be
looking to the surface. See you on the water
some time...
Tight lines and good times.
Greg Reid
www.bayandbasinsportsfishing.com.au
My rule of thumb is if I don’t get a fish
within the first ten casts we move or try
a different lure... And no water is too
shallow!
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2010 St George’s
Basin Flathead
Classic”
taking
snapper
without
Berley
with Tim McDonald
Let me start by saying, if you
are thinking of taking up this
challenge, be prepared to have
plenty of disappointment!!!
Strangely enough though, you will still get up
and go to that spot chasing them and wasting
hours in vain. After Johnny Feathers and I
dived one of my Snapper spots (seeing big
Snapper every dive only to be stopped by the
fact the sun had gone down), he climbed into
the boat and the first words that came out of
his mouth were “you can waste all your time
in there”!! This, I think is a great part of what
makes these fish so rewarding and so special
when you finally spear one. Even though I
have shot many, I still get excited every time
I shoot a good one.
The techniques for targeting Snapper without
burley are made complex by the fact that
they are a fish that frequent many different
environment’s and you can’t simply nail
down one single area to target them.
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The easiest area to start targeting them
without burley is shallow water, though they
are not just a species that stay in shallow
water and can be taken from many different
depths.
Line fishermen often fish them out of 100
metres of water, so finding a single place to
target them is very difficult. Shallow water
is probably the easiest place to find them as
it doesn’t require massive dives to get to the
fish. This puts them into the range of any
diver, my first Snapper came from 4 metres
of water and it was one of those moments
where luck was definitely on my side as it was
7.5kg and I speared it with my original 90cm
Sporosub gun. Many a beginning spearo
has had the chance to take a good Snapper
in shallow water, even in their favourite rock
hop location, but with the development of
your skills, these fish can be taken more often
in a wide variety of locations, some of the
Aussie legends in spearfishing Paul Rosso
and Ian Pukeridge often take great Snapper
in shallow water with great regularity, even
in waters that surround Sydney.
The first thing you must do, is find the fish!
Without the use of burley you are not bringing
the fish to you so you must find where the
Snapper are in order to hunt them. To do this,
you must lock away in your memory, any
place you have seen good Snapper. Once
you find a spot they frequent, you will see
them at that spot quite often. I have a number
of spots in all different depths of water from
shallow to deep where I have seen Snapper
and I have them locked away in my head (or
GPS for boat dive locations).
The next thing you need to do is work out
what are the conditions for the Snapper to
be there. This is very important as again you
won’t be using burley to bring them into the
area so you have to know where and when
they are there.
A couple of my spots take particular current
directions to get the Snapper there, if the
current is coming from a different direction
you won’t even see one there. A couple of
my other spots are about time of day, one
spot they will only be there from daybreak
for an hour, then you won’t see them again,
then another spot, they frequent in numbers
from about 4pm in the afternoon. Again, a
good hunter locks all this information away,
consistent catches can’t all be from luck, you
need to work hard to get “lucky “ often.
This is a lesson I have learnt from many
of my spearo mentors. Lots of them keep
journals of the fish they have taken when and
helps them to become more effective in their
hunting. Your photo album can also serve to
help you with this. As you go through it, you
can see the times of year you have taken your
Snapper and where you have taken them
(most of us only need one look at a photo of a
fish captured and the whole hunt comes back
to remembering every detail), then the best
option is to try that spot again at the same
time of year.
The next thing you must do, is find the best way to hunt
them. There is nothing that gets the old Snapper to take
off quicker than getting a glimpse of a human, so the first
thing you need to do is find something that hides you. A
Snapper hunter’s best friend is the humble Surgeonfish.
With Surgeon, you can shoot Snapper in a
couple of ways, mid water and on the bottom.
Mid water requires much patience and a
steady hand. Mid water shooting of Snapper
also requires some real luck and a keen eye for
seeing them swimming in amongst a school
of Surgeon’s. Often, they will be sitting right
in the middle of the school or hanging just
under them. To start hunting them, the first
thing you need to do is to dive as quietly and
as smoothly as you can.
The reason they are sitting under the
Surgeon’s is the fact that they feel protected
there, so you are trying to use that false sense
of security to your advantage. Diving directly
at the Snapper is generally not effective in
this situation. The best method is to try and
dive parallel to the fish in range if possible.
The first priority is also to make sure you
don’t spook the school of Surgeons and
second is to keep an eye on the Snapper’s
body language. If you notice the Snapper
starting to get twitchy, you need to back off
on your dive, this is where patience comes in.
Your natural instinct is to dive straight at
the Snapper and to swim straight at it. You
need to push down these instincts as this
is rarely going to pay off. When you see the
twitch, bring your gun back under your torso
and turn your head to avoid full eye contact
then drift parallel to the fish. Then, don’t even
roll your gun out again until the very last
moment before the shot (be careful to do this
as smoothly as you can so as not to spook it
last second). If the school of Surgeons at this
stage are starting to school around you, just
relax and continue to drift.
Strangely, this is something that can often
engage the Snapper’s attention. This is
where the steady hand comes in as often the
Snapper will come in when the Surgeons have
schooled so thickly around you that it is really
tough to shoot through the school. I have had
to shoot through schools of Surgeon mid
water when the only shot I have had at the
Snapper is a mid body shot because I have
a 2 inch gap in the school and the only part I
can see of the target fish is its gut.
On the bottom, chasing Snapper with
Surgeon, the principle is the same. Once
you have found your school of Surgeon,
you need to assess the school to see if it
is a viable Surgeon school for “bottom
hunting” Snapper. One thing that all good
hunters know, is that just any old school is
not enough to mean you are going to find
Snapper with the Surgeons.
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Having spent over 30 years travelling and exploring
wild frontiers, taking home more than just memories in
the form of photographs and video has become a way
of life; a journey of discovery I have grown to love
more and more with every adventure...
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Article by
Cliff Guy
...............................................
Images supplied by
Bo Dreisig & Cliff Guy
Capturing special moments on a personal level is great, but there
is something really gratifying about being able to share amazing
experiences and stories with many people...
Not everyone has the opportunity to go
on the wild expeditions I am fortunate to
experience with my work, and some folk
simply wouldn’t wish to, but most enjoy
immersing in the adventures through photos
and visual productions.
In the beginning, heading off with whatever
camera and gear I could afford was the
only option, and still is to an extent, but
the equipment and technology available
these days is astounding in comparison. The
objectives however have always remained
the same; to seek to capture the moments
that best showcase the magic of the
adventure and the most captivating essence
of a place or time. The modern digital era
has opened doors we had only dreamed of
back then, with an abundance of cameras
and accessories now available for amateur
and professional alike. It is now entirely
possible to let your imagination flow free and
literally bring your ideas into reality. Whilst
creating works for TV or the big screen takes
much skill and commitment, the emergence
of easily accessed visual-based technology
...
g
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F
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a
Cliff
grants so many people a chance to enjoy the
art of photography and to tell their story, and
what a truly wonderful thing this is.
It’s true that photos and video are now just
a mobile phone away, but for those wanting
to go a few steps further with their craft, it is
very important to give thought to the wider
picture so to speak, not only looking into the
range of higher end cameras on the market,
but giving consideration to the myriad of
accessories out there to go with them.
After all these years, I am still every bit
as enthusiastic about my next adventure,
chasing the best light and looking for those
enchanting moments that make a story
and trigger the emotions; having the right
equipment to achieve this, whilst keeping it
as simple as possible, is so very important.
We use a range of Sony, Panasonic, Canon
and Nikon high definition cameras such as
the EX1R, D90, 5D and the Panasonic Varicam,
and choose all Manfrotto support systems to
work them. Manfrotto are an Italian firm with
a long and successful history on a global
scale, dedicated to the art and industry of
photography.
From the humble, innovative fig rig for lighter
weight camcorders and DSLRs to get those
more unusually angled and rotated shots,
through to a range of beautiful high end fluid
head tripods and many products in between.
A fantastic value for money head for lighter
weight equipment is the 504HD, sporting
the new Manfrotto bridging technology. I
was invited to be involved with the product
launch of the classy 504 in Las Vegas, and
we produced a high-impact promotional clip
for its release, but it is this camera
heads bigger brother, the 509 that
has really caught our attention.
Using this smooth, finely engineered piece
of equipment in rough, wilderness terrain
is proving to be an absolute delight for our
crew, especially our main camera operator,
Bo Dreisig.
Bo is a harsh critic when he needs to be, and
rightly so, for he needs his gear to consistently
perform given the rigorous expectations of
the filming work he does. Bo has compared
this smart design 509HD Manfrotto head to
the best he has used, and that is certainly
saying something, for he has worked on
some major projects over the years. One of
his latest bigger productions was a series for
National Geographic USA in 2010 called Strike
Force, which took him to some incredible
locations in search of oceanic predators, but
even on more gentle expeditions, all of our
equipment needs to stand strong, so every
day in the field is as successful as possible.
Owning loads of expensive gear won’t make
you a better operator, but adequate, carefully
selected equipment is most certainly a big
help for getting the job done well.
Bo in action using the sensation
al
509HD head...
Cliff takes still shots on
Mount Stuart using Nikon
and Kata Back Pack...
Whilst swamps and mountains are traversed far easier by our crew
when carrying strong, lightweight Manfrotto legs and heads, it is not all
about tripods...
Manfrotto and their associated name brands
such as Light Panels, Kata Bags and more,
deliver a comprehensive range of useful
apparatus for the avid photographer or filmmaker and we like to take advantage of this
in many ways. Kata bags offer exceptional
protection for a vast range of photographic
gear and compact lights as big as your palm
that fit directly onto the camera such as the
ML360 LED panel, can mean the difference
between capturing an average shot and a
great shot time and time again.
Light Panels are exceptional for interview
situations, delivering the subtle extra lighting
that gives your shot that eye-catching shine.
Superbly manufactured Manfrotto grip
gear compliments the range enabling us to
position cameras and lighting to maximise on
creativity, and combined, encourages us to
consistently ‘imagine more’ with confidence.
The new, impressive Sympla kit gives rise
to a revolutionary way to support, steer and
operate your camera with remote precision,
maximising control and stability, while
stylishly engineered lighting support systems
allow for easy work-flow with minimal crew,
ensuring stunning results.
The first Engel
with the patented
Sawafuji swing motor with only one moving
d A4 Ad
Standar
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bsite Lin
with We
0 +GST
$850.0
part, specially designed for off road use.
After numerous years as eco-adventure
presenter on Andrew’s Escape with ET
television series, and now running my own
media businesses, I am always excited at the
opportunity of working with small, highly
efficient teams, where all egos are left behind,
and everyone is eager to help each other no
matter what that takes.
In 2012 Engel celebrates
50 years and still remains
the leading manufacturer
of portable fridge freezers
in Australia. And we’re
celebrating by releasing a
strictly lImItEd EdItIon 50th
AnnIvErsAry 40 litre model.
As a
offer,
special fridge
ld
the go mes with
also cod edition
a limite nd gold
black a it bag!
trans
For your nearest stockist or to view the
entire range of Engel Fridge-Freezers and
accessories, call 1300 302 653
or visit www.engelaustralia.com.au
With the latest sawafuji electronics
including built in battery monitor
and digital thermostat control, the
limited Edition Gold Engel fridge
freezer will become a must have
for anyone with an appreciation
for quality.
Article & Images by Paul Zorn
Additional Images by www.readitonline.com.au
ionals that the
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weedless snag resistant soft
Top Darwin Fishing guide Darren Nickolls
showed Colin how to modify and jerry rig
one of Reidys Rubbers so that the hook
did not protrude out side the body. Yet the
hook could still be set upon a fish strike.
They were effective and several barra were
pulled out of some pretty intense timber, but
the modifications were cumbersome, time
consuming and lacked longevity.
By May 2012 after lots of R&D including
considerable trial, error and development
changes Reidys Weedies were ready for
release.
This time the Barra Classic played a major
part in proving the effectiveness of these
lures. The biggest barra caught on a Reidys
Weedies was 99cm but they worked on fish
of all sizes.
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Gold Dust
Reidys Weedies enabled casting into timber
and along grass and snaggy banks that would
other wise be unthinkable with traditional
rubbers. Probably more importantly is the
fact that competitors could now confidently
target highly prospective areas during the
shut down periods. In the Nationals and
Classic every scoring fish counts.
So, how do they work, how
do you use them and where
can you get some?
Currently Reidys Weedies are available in
four sizes and six colours. The smallest is
70mm with four lures per pack. The 100mm
have three per pack while the 120mm and
150mm come two per pack. Each blister pack
comes with one loose lead weight for each
body in the pack. The weights are easily fitted
into the body weight chamber under the belly
of the lure. Simply locate the hole, line up the
weight and push it in. Weights can be added
or removed to suit your fishing application.
In strong current, deeper water and timber
snag situations you generally require more
weight than if you are casting into lilies. I
guess you might say its horses for courses. If
you want the lure to sink fast then use more
weight. If you want to skip along from lily
pad to lily pad then use less. A few trial casts
will soon dictate what weight you need. In
practical terms it is a good idea to purchase
an assorted sinker pack at the same time you
purchase the Weedies so you can maximise
your weight options.
Casting weed beds and into lily pads is a
simpler proposition. Most weed snags are
minor and can simply be freed up by pulling a
bit harder. A bit of experience will soon have
you casting into places where you would not
normally be game to try.
When you hook up a good one you just
have to lock up, pull hard trying to get the
fish out of the snag and under the boat as
soon as possible. You can net them green
because you don’t have to worry about
getting the lure caught in the net like you
do with a lure having trebles. Keep your line
tight with constant pressure and a bit of high
sticking while steering the fish into the net.
It’s certainly exhilarating with a big adrenalin
rush. (Don’t tell your rod maker or supplier
about high sticking though.)
Sure you will still get snagged
occasionally especially if the lure
slides into a fork. When you first
snag up try backing off by giving
some slack...
I’m only a recent convert to soft
plastics so I don’t have the greatest
level of expertise, however there
are some fundamental pointers
that I can give you if you are a
complete novice...
The main one is that all soft plastic lures
generally work best if cast against the current
and retrieved slowly. This allows the lure to
bounce along the bottom and or through
timber hitting branches along the way. Lift
and lower the rod during retrieve to enhance
tail wag. Fish strikes regularly occur just after
bouncing off the bottom or hitting branches
as you come through submerged timber.
If you are casting snags upstream in strong
current then you may well need more weigh
than can fit into the Weedies body.
In such cases fit additional sinkers or weight
to the leader before you tie on the lure.
Speaking of tying, I have found that clips tied
to your leader work just as well as tying the
leader direct to the tow eye. If you use a clip
then it’s a bit harder to add external sinkers
to the leader but spit shot can be just as
effective.
Remember the whole idea of Reidys Weedies
is to enable you to fish fearlessly in places
where other lures fear to go. The secret is
that the hook tip is hidden inside the body
of the lure preventing the hook fouling on
under water objects. Its design is such that
the body material is hard enough to prohibit
the hook from protruding under normal cast
and retrieve conditions; yet it is soft enough
to compress and expose the hook during fish
strikes.
This may allow the lure to drop out of the fork.
Double pump your rod lightly as you retrieve
again and often you will pull through. After
being snagged I have found that some times
the lure comes back minus the weight.
It’s the weight(s) that maybe causing the
obstruction. By forcing the lure through the
snag it gets squeezed and sometimes this
forces weights back out the hole. Simply
replace the weights and the lure is good as
new. Also regularly check that the hook tip is
not protruding out the top of the body slot.
When this happens it’s a result of body being
deformed by being squeezed during the
unsnagging process.
If you don’t slip the hook back into the body
slot then you dramatically increase the risk of
being irretrievably snagged next cast.
I’ve had biggish green barra jump out of the
net on several occasions. If that happens just
steer em back in and hope your mate on the
net is a bit quicker this time around. Ninety
percent of all the barra I have seen caught
using Reidys Weedies have the hook through
the corner of the mouth. The design is such
that as the barra grabs the lure and turns to
run, your hook setting action pulls the lure to
the side of their mouth and this compresses
the body exposing the hook. Consequently
they are generally hooked well and don’t
throw the lure even on the jump.
Here is a tip for all of you guys with
down scan capable sounders...
After locating a good prospective snag drive
over it with your sounder in record mode.
Pull up away from the snag and watch the
recording. Whilst playing backing in “down
scan” move the cursor to the snag shown on
the screen and push the MARK button. On
my Humminbird this creates a photographic
way point showing the snag in great detail.
Study the screen noting the orientation and
depth of the snag. Most fallen submerged
trees lay with their crown facing down stream.
Position your boat so that you are now within
comfortable casting distance down stream
from the snag. Anchor here or if you have a
Minn Kota I-pilot hit the anchor button so you
stay on location. For obvious reasons you
want to pull your Weedies through the snag
from this direction. However first drop your
lure directly over the side of the boat and
count how long it takes to hit the bottom.
Now look at the depth of the snag branches
and bottom in the recorded snap shot. From
the time it took to hit the bottom along side
the boat you can calculate how long to let the
Weedies sink before beginning your retrieve
after casting over the snag.
Every time you bump the snag you increase
the chances of having a barra smash your
lure. This just stands to reason as bumping
the snag gets their attention and puts the
Weedies right in their face. Now all you have
to do is get that barra out of the snag. Believe
me the best way is to lock up pull hard and
wind fast. Its one hell of an adrenalin rush if
it’s a big one. Barra are sociable fish and hang
around together so you can often pull several
fish off one snag.
You’re crazy if you don’t have
some Reidys Weedies in your
tackle box due to their versatility
and the extra fishing options that
they provide.
Try them out and don’t be afraid to idle along
the river casting into every snag, back water
and rocky crevice you encounter. You will be
surprised at how many fish you catch this
way. It really puts the fun back into casting
softies all day.
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