HOW TO CATCH FLATHEAD

Flathead would be one of our most popular table species and provide great sport as well. Flathead are endemic to Australia with a number of different flathead species being found around the country.

HOW TO CATCH SNAPPER

Some hints and tips to bag the ever popular Snapper from the staff at Shimano and from our very own Pro Anglers.

HOW TO RIG SOFT PLASTICS

We often take for granted the importance of putting your soft plastic tails and hooks together properly, so I’ll provide you with some hints and tips for getting the job done right.

HOW TO CATCH KINGFISH

There are many ways in targeting Kingfish from using a wide variety of baits to lures. Although debatable, 
Kingfish can be one of the hardest fish to land, as it is commonly known to make a run to the rocks or anything sharp to bust you off as soon as you hookup. 

GOING THE DISTANCE

It’s not always necessary to be able to lob 150 grams 70, 80 or even 100 metres….but it’s kind of nice to know you can!  In this article I’m going to have a look at a few products that will help you reach more distance when casting.

CATCHING SQUID

Squid fishing has had a radical re-birth in recent years, with improvements in tackle and techniques revolutionising the way we target the humble squid. 

CRAB TIME IN SA

The onset of warmer weather here in SA heralds the beginning of the blue swimmer crab season throughout our shallow coastal waters. 

BRAID AND SOFT PLASTICS

Fishing soft plastic lures successfully depends a lot on tackle and technique. As Brett Mensforth explains, choosing the right gear and fishing it effectively isn’t at all difficult – nor is it as expensive as you might think.

RIGGING FOR MEGA COD

The initial greeting as a large Murray cod engulfs your lure can best be described as sudden, violent and often very destructive. Cod are a strong, powerful fish capable of delivering a strike factor that has few equals.

WHITING ON POPPERS

Like a lot of Aussies who enjoy wading the flats with ultra-light tackle in pursuit of yellowfin, I decided to try the surface popper thing. 

GUMMY SHARKS - A GREAT ALL ROUNDER

There's a few species of sharks that roam southern waters which are highly sought-after both for the lively scrap they provide on rod and reel, but also the sublime eating they offer.

LIVEBAITING FOR KINGFISH

In southern waters I doubt there’s a tougher species of fish on offer than yellowtail kingfish. If you’re after speed, stamina and sheer muscle, then kingfish tick all these boxes, and more. 

HOW TO CATCH YELLOWBELLY

Lake Windamere located near Mudgee in central-western NSW is widely considered a great place to catch some whopping Golden perch (aka yellowbelly or ‘yellas’) up to 65cm which are caught on a regular basis! 

LAND BASED FISHING IN HERVEY BAY

The fabulous fishing found in Hervey Bay has a lot to do with its geographic location, offering a truly unique variety of both warm & cool water species side by side. 

TROLLING FOR TUNA

Southern Australia has been privy to one of the best runs of southern bluefin tuna (both school sized fish and barrels) seen in a long time.

FISHING FOR BEGINNERS

One of the most surprising things I have noticed during a number of recent speaking seminars when I have asked people in the crowd “what are you fishing for” – the answer is most often “whatever gets on the end “!

SURF SALMON

There are few things more enjoyable than pinging a well designed metal lure way out into the surf, cranking the reel handle a few times and having the rod load up to the weight of a big, angry salmon.

LAND BASED GAME FISHING

Land based game fishing is undoubtedly one of sport fishing’s ultimate challenges! Tackling huge fish from rock ledges has become hugely popular over the last few decades with some truly phenomenal captures being made from the sand stone ledges around Jervis Bay.

GETTING STARTED WITH STICKBAITS

Stick baits are now readily available from micro sizes suitable for bream & whiting all the way up to XOS sizes for GT’s , tuna & even billfish! 

STELLA FJ

The new Shimano Stella FJ has the smoothest, most efficient drive train Shimano has ever engineered with unprecedented durability.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

A change in seasons for Mackay brings about different target species and styles

BROOME SHORE BASED

2237kms. That’s how far it is from Perth to Broome; Two very big days in the car, hundreds of dollars in fuel, roadhouse pies, cramps and that same bloody CD over and over and over. Bugger that, lets fly!

BUSHY LURE & SHIMANO BIOMASTER REVIEW

Having met Kaj ‘Bushy’ Busch several years ago and having fished with him myself a few times now, it’s obvious the guy is about as smart as it gets when it comes to tackle design. 

CATCHING COLDWATER COD

While I am not a big fan of the cold it does provide some excellent cod fishing opportunities if you know where to look. 

CATCHING YELLOWTAIL KINGFISH

Kingfish have a nail bighting reputation for tearing off and around every obstacle within very long distances of their initial hook up spots, and with light line it’s always a task and a half trying to put any pressure on them. 

CHANGE OF SEASONS

For those located in Southeast Queensland we are inevitably coming into our cooler months. 

CHASING NQ MANGROVE JACKS

North Queensland is renowned for its awesome Barramundi fishing, but with the seas on closure just around the corner it’s time to focus on some other species.

TIPS, TACKLE & TECHNIQUES FOR CHASING QUEENFISH

It’s that time of year again on the East Coast when the large highs dominate weather patterns and bring long runs of south-easterly trade winds along the Central Queensland Coast.

CHASING SALMON

From the deserted white sandy beaches of Yeagerup to the heart pumping, shoulder to shoulder action of the salmon holes, Western Australia’s southern coast line has it all.

COBIA CONUNDRUM

Cobia (rachycentron canadus) or “black kingfish” as they are often referred to, are an enigmatic species generally found in our tropical northern waters but has been recorded as far south as Jervis Bay in NSW. 

COFFIN BAY BLUEWATER

Coffin Bay on the lower Eyre Peninsula here in South Oz has long been a popular destination for bluewater fisho’s.

DEEPWATER SNAPPER IN SA

South Australia is well known for its snapper fishing, and for good reason. Our Gulf waters offer some pretty good fishing for reds at certain times of the year.

EXMOUTH BILLFISH

As we motored out of the Exmouth marina, the Gulf water to the east began to glow with the first hint of daybreak. 

BAY FISHING SESSIONS WITH THE FAMILY

Sometimes it’s good to take a step back and enjoy the simplicities of fishing. 

FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND WINTER FISHING

The good fishing never stops up here in Far North Queensland, even with dropping water temps and trade winds the fish still have to eat and they have done exactly that this winter so far.

FIJI FISHING ESCAPE

With conditions cold and miserable in my home state of SA it didn't take long to start fantasizing of somewhere warmer that was swarming with large tropical speed freaks just waiting to crunch a lure.

FISHING LAKE LENTHALLS

We have had our share of challenging years on Lake Lenthalls, which is the main water supply for Hervey Bay in Queensland and was once regarded as one of the state’s premier bass & barramundi fisheries.

FISHING NINGALOO FLATS

I reckon shallow water flats fishing would be up there with the most visually appealing forms of fishing you can do.

FISHING SHALLOW REEFS

Fishing around shallow inshore reef systems would have to be one of my favourite forms of fishing.

FISHING THE ABROLHOS ISLANDS

The Abrolhos Islands are located approximately 35 miles west of the coast of Geraldton Western Australia, there are 3 main islands Wallabi Easter and Pelsart but for this article I'll be discussing fishing the southern group of Islands otherwise known as Pelsart Island group. 

FLATS FRENZY

You'd really have to strain your brain to think up a fishing scenario more exciting than fishing the tropical flats. 

FISHING THE SWAINS REEF

The Swains reef is made up of the southern reefs of the Great Barrier Reef from Hixon Cay to the Ribbon reefs, a very untapped sport-fishing destination. 

FISHING UP NORTH IN DECEMBER

I’ve recently finished up Guiding for the year so it’s time for something a little different. 

FISHING WITH BURLEY

Fishing with burley is a great way to achieve success, burley can bring in all sorts of fish from far and wide and the lucky dip of what can swim right up to you is quite special. 

FISHING WRECKS

Wrecks are an ideal place to fish in winter when the weather isn’t at its best. 

FLATHEAD ON PRAWN PLASTICS

Prawns and shrimps are a common food source for many inshore fish species, including one of our lure fishing favourites, the flathead. 

LUREIN' FLATTIES

In this article I'll run through a few of the basics that have helped to improve my flatty catch rate over the years from tides, hot spots, lures, retrieve techniques and gear of choice!

GETTING KIDS INTO FISHING

It’s seems to be getting harder for kids to get involved and maintain enthusiasm for fishing nowadays than ever before. 

GO THE MIGHTY BLUES

So I should have my mouth washed out with soap for speaking the words “Go the mighty blues”, but the fishing arena is the only place where I will ever say it, as I am a Queenslander to the core!

GREAT LAKE, TASMANIA

The Great Lake in Tasmania’s central highlands has always been a favorite Trout haunt of mine and it’s also one of a handful that is open all year round.

GT FISHING BASICS

If fast-paced adrenalin hit is what you are after when you hit the water then look no further than the fish with a very self-explanatory name, the Giant Trevally. 

HARD BODIED LURED SNAPPER

Catching snapper on soft plastics has come along in great leaps and bounds over the past couple of years.

CATCHING MARLIN IN HERVEY BAY

We have been experiencing a phenomenal run of juvenile black marlin here in Hervey Bay over the last month and it looks set to run into the New Year with record numbers of fish being raised, teased, hooked & landed! 

HERVEY BAY'S JUVENILLE BLACK MARLINS

Hervey bays famous run of juvinile black marlin is hopefully approaching and many of us keen fishos will be making the trek across the bay to hopefully snag one of these beautiful fish in the gin clear shallows. 

HOW TO CATCH JUNGLE PERCH

Jungle Perch are one of the most challenging but rewarding fish in FNQ. 

HOW TO LURE YELLOWTAIL KINGS

Chasing big kings on the surface has been a major focus of my fishing career. 

IMPOUNDMENT BARRA BASHING

There is undoubtedly no denying nor mistaking the fact that Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) are one of the iconic poster-fish of Northern Australia. Tens, if not hundreds of thousands of anglers travel to the far north each year to try their hand at capturing these fish.

IN SEARCH OF JUNGLE PERCH

The humble Jungle Perch (JP for short) has been right at the top of my bucket list for the last few years.

JUVENILLE BILLFISH OFF CAIRNS

The juvenile Black Marlin season off Cairns has well and truly started. With some half decent weather recently we headed out on a couple of different occasions, into the general location where the bait balls were holding and fish were being caught regularly. 

KANGAROO ISLAND FISHING

Kangaroo Island sits some 15km off the Fleurieu Peninsula in SA and is a low-fuss getaway in many regards.

LAKE CRESCENT TROUT FISHING

Growing up in Tassie for me meant countless weekends away camping and Trout fishing every chance we got and I guess not much has really changed over the years except for the obvious improvements in gear and techniques. 

AUSTRALIAN BASS IN LAKE GREGORY

When it comes to the impoundment scene, I must say that I am absolutely addicted to catching barramundi in my local barramundi dams, being Kinchant, Teemburra and Peter Faust Dam, just to the north of Mackay.

LANDING SA'S BIGHT REDFISH

It's hard not to love fishing the southern reefs given the variety of species you'll encounter and the fact that so many of the fish taste great and will eagerly snap-up a range of modern lure types and baits. 

LARGEMOUTH BASS COMPETITION

Well, I’m back in Dallas recovering from what was, by far, one of the harshest, most brutal fishing tournaments I’ve ever experienced at the Bassmaster Central Open on Lake Amistad.

LIVEABOARD FISHING OUT OF PORT LINCOLN

Liveaboard fishing trips are great. They allow you to fish as much, or as little, as you choose. 

LURE SELECTION AND UPGRADING YOUR TERMINALS

Over the warmer months South Australia starts to see an increase in bigger fish activity. 

CATCHING SPANISH MACKERAL

With their aggressive attitude, fighting qualities and superb eating, its little wonder Spanish mackerel are such a popular sportfish here in Australia. 

MARLIN MADNESS

The mayhem and pandemonium produced when the illuminated shines and fluorescent colours of a marlin expose themselves through the water’s surface is anything short of breathtaking. 

MELVILLE ISLAND FISHING

Most people in fishing circles have heard of Melville Island, and of the amazing fishing it offers. 

OFFSHORE JIGGING

Well we all have our comfort zones when it comes to fishing. Whether it is a chosen destination that continually produces 

OFFSHORE XOS WHITING

Like so many fish species, King George whiting spend much of the earlier part of their lives inside bays and in inshore areas before venturing offshore as they mature. 

OUTSMARTING THE WIND

The stretch of coastline I call home is from Shark Bay to Jurien Bay in W.A. and I would have to say without a doubt that this is definitely one of the windiest coastlines in Australia. 

OVERSIZED REDS

Just about all southern fisho’s aspire to landing a big snapper. 

DEEP WATER BOTTOM BASHING

Sometimes it’s great to get back to basics with a good old fashioned bottom bash whether it’s inshore for a nice feed of Flathead or further out in the deep chasing some bigger fish like Striped Trumpeter or Gummy/School Shark.

SHIMANO SPORTS CAMERA

It is amazing how far technology has evolved in a relatively short period of time.

FISHING MACKAY IN WINTER

The cooler weather has certainly bit early this year in Mackay. 

FRASER ISLAND: ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS

One of the main decision making factors for our move to Hervey Bay originally was the fabulous fishing variety the region has to offer. 

FRESHWATER FISHING ADVENTURES

I have said many times before that Mackay is blessed with such a vast and diverse array of fishingoptions, however a clear personal favourite is beginning to emerge with me.

FRESHWATER HAVEN

Well all I can say is WOW! Yesterdays kayak fishing session in an isolated waterhole west of Mackay, was truly one of the most memorable sessions I have ever had.

GEARING UP FOR INSHORE GOLDEN SNAPPER

Fingermark also known as Golden Snapper are right up high on my list of favourite fish to target and catch.

FISHING CAIRNS WITH GREAT NORTHERN BREWERY

Great Northern Brewery recently hosted two sponsored anglers from Shimano to their beach house in Cairns, Far North Queensland with the task of filming an advert for their Great Northern Larger. 

GT FISHING TIPS

It is quite possible for any old joe to grab a popping rod, drive up the queensland coast, pick an island group and cast non stop for 3 days until you’ve worked enough country to eventually land a popper in front of a gt. 

HOW TO FIND FISH

It is safe to say that fish finding technology is getting better and better all of the time.

JIGS TO CATCH BIG REDS

When octo-style jigs first hit the tackle scene, throwing them at packs of ravenous reef dwelling snapper seemed like a logical way to get these bug shaped offerings eaten. 

WILL WE SEE ANOTHER BILLFISH BONANZA?

You would have to have been without internet access and a Facebook account if you didn’t heard about the phenomenal black marlin run we experienced right down the East Coast over the last two years.

MONSTER FISH IN CANADA

Like many fishos I'm always restless and looking for new experiences and bigger fish.

NET OR GAFF, THAT IS THE QUESTION?

I will be the first to admit that there are times where the gaff is the only option. 

SMALL BOAT ADVENTURES

My time on the Central Queensland coast has almost come to an end. 

PUSHING THE FISHING BOUNDARIES

As many people would know, I am a massive advocate for “going light to get the bite”. 

QLD BARRA SEASON COMING TO A CLOSE, SO WHAT TO CHASE NOW?

Throughout the Queensland east coast, a closed season applies to barramundi from midday 1 November to midday 1 February. 

QUEEN SNAPPER: HOW TO CATCH QUEEN SNAPPER

We all have a soft spot for a particular species, be it for their fighting quality, table fare or just their looks. 

REEL PROTECTION

I love fishing Bling. There’s nothing like a brand new freshly spooled reel.

GOODBYE AUTUMN, HELLO WINTER

Our season is changing down here in South Oz at the moment. We had a sporadic summer, with hot weather fluctuating between wind and storm fronts.

SA BLUEFIN TUNA ACTION

The southern bluefin tuna bandwagon seems to just keep rolling on! 

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN OFFSHORE ISLANDS

SA is well regarded for its inshore table-fish, with a lot of accessible and productive waters suiting the small-boat brigade. 

SA'S SOUTHERN BLUEFIN TUNA SEASON

While a lot of our fish species receive negative publicity for falling stocks and increasing fishing pressure, it’s encouraging to see a species buck the trend and bounce back after being in a slump. 

SALMON SPINNING - SIMPLE PLEASURES

As the strong cold fronts associated with winter lash the southern beaches, scouring out deep gutters and holes in the process, one particular fish comes on the angling radar and provides endless fun for surf anglers - the Aussie salmon.

TOGA TACTICS

There is little doubt that Saratoga (Toga) would have to be one of the most majestic, graceful and simply awesome looking freshwater fish of all. 

SOOTY'S IN THE FNQ

Sooty’s, short for Sooty Grunter are a small freshwater fish found in FNQ from about Mackay in QLD all the way up towards the tip of Cape York. 

TIME TO GO SOFT

Cool season saltwater fishing down south for me isn't about heavy tackle and big fish, it's about downsizing my gear and getting stuck into the unique mix of fish which peak over this unlikely period of the year.

HOW TO TIE A SLIM BEAUTY KNOT

According to my research, the Slim Beauty was developed originally as a fly fishing knot, specifically for connecting bulky fly line to either nylon or fluorocarbon leader material. 

HOW TO TIE A DOUBLE UNI KNOT

We’re regularly asked technical questions by our readers and Facebook friends, and one of the most common queries is how best to join braided line to monofilament leader. 

SEPHIA EGIXILE BB SQUID JIGS

I do a lot of squidding in the shallow bays around my home town of Port Lincoln here in South Australia. Squid make a fantastic bait for a wide range of species, but they’re also very tasty on the table themselves. 

KINGS OF THE SOUTH

There’s a lot to like about yellowtail kingfish. They look great, fight till the death and have the potential to grow to XOS sizes. But they’re not an easy fish to crack, which also adds to their appeal. 

PREPARING FOR SA'S OFFSHORE SEASON

It’s that time of year again when our offshore islands and reef systems here in SA see an annual influx of visiting pelagic species. 

SOUTH OZ SALMON

We’re pretty fortunate here in SA to have Aussie salmon available on our surf beaches year-round. Our Aussie salmon, although not a high-end table fish, are a great sportfish and especially when caught from the surf.

SUMMER HOLIDAY FISHING

We’re fast approaching the peak summer holiday period which will see a multitude of people in and on the water right around our country.

JIGGING NZ'S RANFURLY BANKS

There's nothing like the built-up anticipation before a big trip.

SA'S PORT HUGHES SNAPPER CENTRAL

South Oz is blessed with many easy country escapes, where with a minimum of fuss and fuel, you can distance yourself from the hustle and bustle of the city and be in a laidback location and in the running for quality fish. 

HOW TO TIE A KNOT

The right fishing knot can make all the differenct between landing or dropping your catch. Knowing what knot to use and when to use it is a skill that a lot of master fisherman have and it is skill that all aspiring fisherman should try and learn.

BOTTOM BOUNCING

Although it’s not at the cutting-edge of sport fishing, bottom bouncing is still a productive way of securing some fresh fish for the table. 

CAMPING AND FISHING

Camping and fishing often go hand-in-hand. A lot of our better fishing locations are off the beaten track and, given the distance and effort required to reach many of these locations, camping for a few nights makes a lot of sense.

KINGS IN THE TRAIL

We had a pretty cool session the other day out wide of the Eyre Peninsula here in South Australia.

FISHING WITH THE SOCORRO

Shimano’s range of Socorro SW threadline reels offers a quality saltwater spinning reel without a hefty price tag.

THE WINTER THAT WAS

Now that winter has drawn to a close, it’s interesting to look back over the winter that we had here in SA for 2017. 

WALKING AND CASTING

Lately I’ve been doing a fair bit of walking along local beaches, casting soft plastics around the shallows. 

SA'S TUNA RUN 2017

Each year here on the Eyre Peninsula we have a seasonal migration of southern bluefin which provides a real boon for trailer boat anglers.

TAGGING SWORDFISH

Tag and release has become the most important element to our offshore fishing and has been for a long time now.