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LYVOLUME 12

25 SEPTEMBER, 2015

Welcome one and all and thank you for tuning in to this month’s edition of JTSM, your local sport�shing news. Spring has sprung, the winter angling season that never really was, has departed for another year. Whilst air temperatures in patches were quite brisk this winter, water temperature never dropped much below 20 degrees. Sustained warmer waters didn’t encourage the winter �sh migration which ended up being little more than sporadic at best. A busy month it’s been, we’ve welcomed our fourth Prime Minister in �ve years (not counting the forgettable Mr Rudd twice) and there’s been a strong push to remove more commercial nets from

QLD waters. Over the past decade almost every likeminded sport �sho I’ve discussed the matter with has voiced strong views on removing the commercial nets from our estuaries and bays. Follow the link below and sign the “Nets out Queensland” e-petition, it only takes a moment of your time and could start a �ow on e�ect bene�tting all �shos state wide. �e Queensland parliament is �nally willing to listen, let’s make sure we are heard!

CLICK HERE

Steve KellyEDITOR

image taken from “Waypoints - Chilean Patagonia” video

Waypoints - Chilean Patagonia�is month’s short video is a beautiful destination �shing piece shot by Denver Miller, part of the sequence that makes up the world renowned “Waypoints” DVD. Con�uence �lms have produced some of the �nest multi destination �shing videos over the past decade, I can highly recommend following the link and purchasing one of their productions.

Offshore FishyREPORT

Damon Mclean with a healthy example of a hard �ghting Cape Moreton Yellowtail King�sh

Frank Gilligan subdued this brute of a bludger trevally on a recent trip to Hervey Bay

Well it seems the greater blue water �sh population of South East Queensland hasn’t been informed of the bene�ts vitamin D and Omega 3 fatty acids have on the human body and brain. When sea and wind conditions have permitted for o�shore �shing, the majority of our local angling �eet have found it tough to bring home a feed. One of the more consistent areas for squire over the past few weeks has been the shallow reef systems and co�ee rock under the lighthouse at Cape Moreton. Typically these areas start to �sh well in early spring; productive times tend to be when a high tide change coincides with dusk or dawn. Lightly weighted soft plastic jerkshad or prawn imitations cast well away from the boat while drifting these locations should attract attention. In glassy calm conditions the shallow co�ee rock patches tend to be more like an aquarium. Try �shing these locations when slightly turbulent water lifts the nutrients and attracts the schools of bait. Bait schools will frequent the shore line along the eastern beach at Moreton and Stradbroke Islands as we progress further into the month, larger predators often in close proximity. Sight casting to the large cobia or tuna that cruise with the bait makes for entertaining sport �shing on relatively light tackle. On your way o�shore this spring, try cruising the northern facing beaches at both North Stradbroke and Moreton Islands scanning for large bait schools in on the shallows, being mindful of the green zone surrounding North Point on Moreton Island.

Western Rocks and Hutchison’s Shoal have both continued to produce excellent quality Spanish and broad barred mackerel right through the cooler months. Tepid winter time o�shore waters played a large part in this. It will be interesting to see if these toothy critters hang around throughout spring. �e local light tackle marlin �eet is franticly re rigging and re skirting lures in preparation for the start of our juvenile black marlin run. September last year had the �rst of the junior blacks arriving at Hervey Bay, Brisbane following in the weeks thereafter. Over the past decade I have certainly noticed a trend, when we have an excellent mackerel season in SEQ we typically have a poor juvenile black marlin run and vice versa. �e exception has been at Hervey Bay and Bundaberg, here’s to proving me wrong in summer 2015. Pearl perch, squire and tusk �sh have been caught sporadically over the past few weeks, weather permitting they should only continue to improve this month. Wide Caloundra and the shallower systems to the west should provide �shos with quality perch right through spring time. �is area is also home to some of the largest amberjack in our local waterways. Both king�sh and amberjack have o�ered excellent sport on light to medium jigging tackle at Hutchy’s, Round Patch and Square Patch and should only continue to grow in size this month. Perl Perch or Snapper locations in depths ranging between 50 – 80m are all likely hotspots to try high pitch jigging for king�sh or amberjack. Fingers crossed for favourable conditions this spring so we can all get out on the salt and briny.

Offshore FishyREPORT

Moreton Bay and EstuaryREPORT

Flathead have continued to provide local inshore enthusiasts with quality �shing throughout August and the �rst half of September. With the annual Flathead Classic just around the corner many of the participants have been getting in plenty of pre �sh time in the lead up to the event. �e ever popular Jumpinpin �ats, gutters and deeper channels will be targeted heavily in this year’s tournament; �sh over 90cm in length already caught and released this season. Nudgee Creek and the �ats at the entrance of Jackson Creek have produced some of the best �athead and chopper tailor captures we have seen for some years. �e size of the �athead should continue to improve and it will be worth targeting whiting on poppers in the same locations in the later stages of this month. Scarborough Reef and the southern end of the Bribie Passage are o�ering quality bream of late with the odd squire thrown in for tasty measure. �e Bribie Island Bridge has been a popular location late at night with large jew �sh and green back tailor the prized quarry. �e months of September and October are historically excellent times to target large jew �sh, shad styled soft plastics and sinking blades are proven lure choices. Look to target the mouths of the Brisbane and Pine Rivers or the Jumpinpin Bar and Gold Coast Seaway either side of the tide changes.Northern Moreton Bay has been �shing reasonably consistently for schooling squire along the deeper

channel edges and exposed co�ee rock. �e ledge at Bulwer and the Curtain Arti�cial Reef have been two of the more consistent locations, soft plastics and micro jigs both popular choices for attracting all matter of species. Cobia are starting to move into the northern bay with sporadic captures already coming from the Wild Banks Arti�cial and Curtain Reef. Cobia are a sucker for a well presented slow pitch jig, this technique allows the angler to very precisely present their o�ering directly into a bait school or particular piece of structure with a sense of urgency. Next time you’re venturing into the northern bay targeting cobia or king�sh around the navigational markers, make sure you have a 60-80 gram slow pitch jig in your arsenal. It’s been a relatively slow winter season around the Southern Bay Islands. Warmer waters and a lack of squire proceeding down through the bay have made for slim pickings in August and September. Flathead numbers around Macleay and Coochi have been positive, the region also experiencing a good run of diver whiting. Although diver whiting are not usually recognised as a sport �shing target, the species that eat them are. Hopes are high amongst locals in the southern bay that we should see a good springtime snapper run. Tailor are still frequenting the southern bay islands and in years passed we have seen Australian salmon join them during early spring.

Here’s hoping they may turn up and inject a little life into what’s been a relatively slow sport �shing winter. Mud Island has also had an uncanny winter with only a handful of quality �sh being recorded thus far. Fortunately the shallow waters have provided quality sight casting opportunities to

squid with a few big eye trevally and tailor also present. �e month of September often sees large schools of bonito and mac tuna arrive in the bay, �ngers crossed both weather and �sh are accommodating.

�e delectable Lesley Marshall with her slice of Hervey Bay gold

Above: Cricket legend and keen �sho Andy Bichel getting amongst a few snapper at Moreton Island earlier this monthBelow: Frank Gilligan with a �ne

Spanish Mackerel.

FreshwaterREPORT

�e punctuality of our local dam bass populations has also been poor this winter; the usually reliable schooling bass have also been late to stack up in the deeper waters. Locations such as Pelican Point and Queen Street at Somerset Dam are both now holding good schooling �sh, the old creek bed o� Platypus Cli�s at Wivenhoe still takes some beating in September. Recent bass tournaments at Hinze Dam have uncovered excellent quality �shing with the majority of competitors all weighing in hefty bags. Concentrate interests o� the deeper points and around the underwater tree tops using spin tails, vibes and ice jigs. Early October is often a magic time to �sh the margins of our local dams with surface lures and spinnerbaits. If the warm day time temperatures we are experiencing continue, then I’m con�dent locations like Hinze Dam and Borumba will produce excellent sport �shing throughout spring.

On the 29th and 30th of August Sun Tag in conjunction with the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association held a survey tagging event at Lake

Samsonvale. Almost unbelievable numbers of �sh were tagged over the 48 hour period, between 24 vessels (50 anglers) they managed to capture, tag and release 1,333 Australian bass. Very exciting to hear the �shery appears to be thriving and even more exciting to see one of our very regular customers Noel Frost land a stunning saratoga over 75cm in length. Although small numbers were stocked into the lake, saratoga has never really been thought of as a targetable species in the North Pine Dam. A stunning example of a prehistoric saratoga Noel, many thanks for keeping us up to date with the happenings in and around PRFMA. �e PRFMA’s Boating Access Scheme has just kicked o� for another year and I’m led to believe there are still many permits available.

For all the details regarding Lake Samsonvale Boating Permits or to check out the good work the folks at the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association are doing then be sure to follow the link. http://www.prfma.com.au/home

Noel Frost with a prehistoric looking North Pine Dam Saratoga

“�e CRANKA Crab is an original and unique Crab design that has been more than 10 years in development. �is lure was designed speci�cally for bream but as anglers are quickly �nding out it is deadly on a wide range of di�erent estuarine species. �is lure features realistic �oating foam claws that are attached to the treble hooks to make the lure come to life in the water. �e foam claws �oat up above the crabs head in the water waving around just like a real "defensive" crab that is trying to defend itself from predators that are trying to eat it. �ese �oating claws not only make the crab look extremely real in the water, but they also place the hooks into the perfect position for a positive hook up when a �sh eats the lure... these �oating claws also makes the lure extremely "snag resistant" as the hooks stay up o� the bottom during the retrieve!”

Taking the Australian tournament bream scene by storm the latest designed Cranka Crab has earned pride of place on the wall at Jones’s Tackle. �e tournament winning design, realistic looks and seductive swimming action are sure to account for many species down the eastern seaboard. �e Cranka Crabs bigger brother will be available in the coming months, wearing the same good looks and a single saltwater hook; a must have for the skinny water enthusiast.

New PRODUCTS

“Every couple of years it seems the Shimano technical people grab hold of the Stradic spin reel lineup and make a great reel even better. Well the 2016 reels continue that tradition — big time. Firstly, a reel of this standing couldn’t be without the new Hagane Body. �is metal frame delivers high rigidity, so there’s no �exing when under load and no loss of cranking power either. �is is complemented by the Hagane Gear system — not cut gear teeth, but 3D design cold forging for increased resilience and longer durability.”

“�e new Stradics have an additional SA-RB bearing and they’re all high 6:1 to 6.2:1 plus gear ratios, so cast lures will really motor on the retrieve. Aero Wrap II, the AR-C spool, One Piece Bail and G-Free Body all demonstrate that these reels are going to be are a repetitive caster’s delight to use, with better balance in the hand. While the new gen’ Stradics can be used just about anywhere, the presence of Coreprotect on the roller clutch, the drag, the body and the line roller, indicate that these reels are going to be perfectly at home in the world’s harshest environment — the salt.”

“Australia's leading manufacturer of custom made Spinnerbaits for the tournament angler, diehard �sherman and people who just want to catch �sh. Made and manufactured in Australia using top quality components and silicone skirt material. Let Bassman build your own winning spinnerbait. We have a proven track record for attracting all freshwater and saltwater species.”

Bassman Spinnerbaits are excited to release this year’s new editions to their tournament winning range. �e new compact “Shorty” is available in ½ oz and comes rigged with tandem blades, compact wire and has a stinger hook. Bassman Shorty sinks faster, is more snag resistant and the compact design allows for tighter running at speed. “Yellaman” is the second edition to the range for 2015 weighing 3/8oz, donning a compact wire system with cupped tandem blades, stinger hook and includes a paddle tailed grub. Yellaman is sure to tempt even the cagiest old Yellabelly. Attention to the �ner details, quality components and exceptional paint work are just some of the subtleties that make Bassman the number one Spinnerbait in Australia. To view a range of their products drop down to the store and say G’day or check them out at http://www.bassmanspinnerbaits.com.au/.

FinalWORD

Steve KellyEDITOR

Well this old pen is just about out of ink for another month. Phalanges crossed this prevailing southerly blow departs for elsewhere leaving magic conditions in its wake. We would like to thank our regular contributors for sending in their reports and images and welcome any of our readers to send us their favourite happy snaps. For any further information about what’s biting around the pond or to �nd out the latest tackle and tips be sure to email us at jtsm@jonestackle.com.au or drop into the store and say G’day. Enjoy the outdoors this spring, tight lines, Hooroo.