Fishing World May 2017

“One of the major drawcards of being an angler living practically anywhere in Australia is the wide range fish available within easy reach.” This time of year was once my least favourite for fishing. All the action of summer was coming to a close; the warm oceanic currents were moving on and the boisterous natives and estuary species were slowing down. Plus, the upcoming winter season was still a fair way off. It’s a crossover period and I took that to mean a slow season. How wrong was I! That all changed when I really started to take advantage of the abundant species we have on offer along the East Coast of Australia where I’m based. Instead of hanging up my gear I recognised a change of tactic was needed…

FOR many species there are a number of ways that you can target fish with artificial lures, but one species I find particularly challenging is yellowtail kingfish. While their inquisitive nature is one aspect of their behaviour that makes them the perfect candidate for an artificial offering, their somewhat moody and unpredictable behaviour often leaves you scratching your head when you think that you’ve just worked them out. This behaviour has led me down a path of making sure that I’m am prepared for a variety of situations when I head out to captilise on the chance at getting a bite when it presents itself. The kingfish fishery where I'm based in Victoria is nothing short of excellent and it has taken many years for anglers to see it for…

THE Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) hit the 25-year mark as Commonwealth fisheries regulator on February 3, 2016. Now while it’s fair to say that while over that period Fisho has had a few issues with the agency, its priorities, decisions and actions, it acknowledges that in recent years transparency has improved greatly and explanations provided for decisions have been clearer and generally more scientifically based. So Happy Birthday AFMA, and we hope that your aim over the past 25 years of “helping to ensure that current and future generations have a healthy supply of Australian seafood” can continue to be effectively met within broader government and international priorities and developments.…

FISHING World writer Greg Finney was swept off the rocks on the NSW South Coast in 2015. A rock fisho for 45 years, Greg was “caught out” at a spot he has fished many times. Greg is now a firm advocate of wearing a life jacket and he has been asked by the NSW Government to promote wearing life jackets by recounting his experience. Visit the Fishing World website and watch the full video and hear Greg tell his harrowing story and endoreement for lifejackets.…

➀ 5 BEST FISHING APPS ➁ MIKE BONNICI'S 101KG DOGTOOTH CAPTURED ON FILM ➂ OPINION: AUSTRALIA'S BEST EATING FISH ➃ PAUL LENNON'S MONSTER JEWFISH SECOND OLDEST ON RECORD ➄ CRABBING BASICS ➅ RECAPTURED KINGFISH BREAKS RECORD ➆ THE JACK GURU ➇ MYSTERIOUS YELLOW JEWFISH CAUGHT IN HUNTER ➈ ENVIRONMENT: JUSTIFYING MINIUM SIZES ➉ OPINION: AUSTRALIA'S BEST EATING FISH…

THERE was complete silence in the windless night as we watched the ebb tide drain out of the upper Hunter River. A school of nervous mullet shimmered on the water’s surface, indicative of a predator in close proximity. I lobbed a gold hardbody lure a few metres behind the school, careful not to spook them. After giving it a quick crank down to depth, a twitch and pause retrieve was initiated to imitate a wounded fish in the pack. The lure was soon intercepted, with the commotion sending the mullet school into an eruptive frenzy. A short fight ensued, including a couple of barra-reminiscent jumps in shallow water before a juvenile mulloway washed up at my feet. Even with mere moonlight it was clear to see this was no ordinary…