Monday 25th July 2016

Tackle specials and angling politics

from Downrigger Shop

In the depths of a cold and windy winter meaning a lot of our readers have found it difficult to get offshore. But for those who’ve found a weather window the rewards have been excellent. Here’s Jason Hotop with a big beautiful spawn run gemfish:

 

 

Browns Mountain … most of them still smallish but some better Gemmies starting to appear Andy!!!

 

That’s a ripper, Jase! Grant picked up what might be its twin:

 

 

Trent Bracey hit Texas Reef off Terrigal for a jigging session:

 

 

G'day Andy, quick Texas report from Tuesday. 4 boats out in total. We got 6 all around 75cm and mostly around the afternoon tide change. Four on your jigs and two on yakkas. Lost one rig to jackets. Cheers, Trent

 

Cheers to you buddy and most grateful for your report. Murray McGuire on Texas too. Here’s his mate with a couple of keepers:

 

 

Richie Inglis out wide off Sydney and finding one of my favourite fish:

 

 

Mad keen fisho Steve Menown didn’t let big seas faze him – he stayed inside the Heads.; Thanks for the report ol buddy, some light line trevally fishing sounds just great:

 

Hi Andrew, we went out today. The swell was around 1 to 1.5m and really messy. so we didn't stay out for long. We were at the Artificial where we fit the flat head. 47cm. We then went to Clifton Gardens and got the Trevallies and tailor. We also hooked up quite a few small ones which of course went back in.  Thanks for your help Steve

 

Mike Fitzgerald headed out chasing snapper and found more than he bargained for:

 

 

Found half a dead floating cuttle fish just off the Heads and grabbed it. Snapper fishing and burleying at Long Reef Wide and wanders along for a few pilchards but Mrs Mako

 

Plenty of action in the Deep South. Here’s David Clarke:

 

 

Hi Andrew, I had the privilege of joining a good mate Paul Azzopardi on his boat 'Snapperazzi' and compete in this weekend's Apollo Bay  Tuna Classic held by the Victorian Game Fishing Club. Had a great couple days in the southern ocean and what a great bunch of fisho the VGFC has in it!! Unfortunately the 'Barrel' of a SBT in the picture was caught by Mitch on 'Happy Hooker' to win the comp and not on our boat. Any way congrats to them and I'll be back next year!! Cheer David Clarke

 

Up north and Lachlan Bilston is always out there into it. You’re an inspiration mate, you really are:

 

 

Andrew, had a great trip last week from Hervey Bay to Yepoon via Lady Musgrave Island, Fitzroy Reef and Cape Capricorn on 40 foot cat "Trim" which is en route to Hamilton Island from Pittwater.  Amazing fringing lagoons on Southern Great Barrier Reef.  Great weather. Also caught a big Spanish Mackerel.  A bit concerned about Ciguatera so he went back.  Commercial fisherman told me later would have been fine only the real big ones that may be an issue. Regards Lachlan

 

 

Better to be safe than sorry Lach. Mad keen fisho Bevan Jones targets remote Indonesian waters near his place of work. When things go wrong, he soldiers on:

 

 

Hello Andrew, there was a incident when I went to help land a red bass that had been caught on a popper. The angler lifted the fish out of the water and dropped the fish on the deck. When that happened the free treble lodged into my ankle. After some initial first aid, It was decided that we needed to get the Dr at the clinic to remove the hook and we should fish on leaving the lure where it was and just tape it up to stop it flopping around.

 

 

Next cast the plan paid off and I hooked and landed a 5kg GT. When back at camp, after a few photos and medicinal beers a trip to the clinic was in order. After a local injection and some scalpel work the lure was out and two stitches to hold it together and stop it from getting infected in the Tropical climate. An exciting day out. Regards Bevan

 

Hardcore! I’m feeling woozy just looking at that. Lots of international action from those able to get away from chilly weather back home. How’s this? Craig Phillips:

 

 

Morning Andrew, Craig from up Newcastle champ, just a quick report from two young fellas that fish with me; They are over in Hawaii having a lovely holiday and only fished one day; these fish where caught on Saturday 9/07/2016

 

 

A short story they only trolled three times ?? longest time waiting for a rod to go off was 1 hour ( how’s that ) The blue went 270kg and the four yellow fin ranged from 65kg to 78kgs and they managed to drop a 100 plus kilo yellow fin at the boat. This is a one in a life time fishing trip WOW. Anyway tight lines digger love ya reports, Cheers Craig

 

Super impressed but I’ll confess to mixed feelings, Craig. We once had yellowfin that size along the NSW south coast in big numbers and not far offshore. Thanks to AFMA mismanagement (like with SBT in the 90s) they are now a distant memory. Grant orders 60 jigs and sends a video of his recent Fiji stickbaiting trip. Just so good! Don’t miss it:

 

 

 

To boats, and I ran into Brad and Greg (from Mobile Marine Services) at the boat ramp last week. What a beautiful little Formula 15 this is! A real credit to you:

 

 

Spotted this sweet setup at Twelve Mile Reef last week. Congratulations to its owner:

 

 

 

‘The new project boat is here, hon! Leaving it on the front lawn until I get to it, won’t be long.’ Chittaway Bay last weekend:

 

 

To tackle, and a reader writes:

 

Hi Andy. I need to get some of your smaller (castable) knife jigs for casting at long tail tuna. I’m thinking the smaller 40gm ones. Do you think they will do the trick?

 

 

 

They’re awesome. Here’s my best tuna on them, and here’s a link to the page. At $48 for ten (including delivery!)  you can’t go wrong.

 

Sergio stopped by yesterday with his new jig rod, looking for a reel to go with it. Ryobi 8000 with full spool of 24 kilo colour change braid and a power knob the perfect match for size weight and drag rating:

 

 

Only $155 including power knob and line which is probably why they’re so popular. Tim spooled up and retrofitted knobs to ten on Thursday, we carry them in both silver and black:

 

 

Here’s Tom’s 90cm on one, Friday 15th July:

 

 

And here’s Josh’s 89cm on his Ryobi, Monday 18th July. It’s been a great week for us:

 

 

Last but certainly not least! Chris Wallis from Ecofishers gets away from it all:

 

G'day Andrew, I recently visited Kitava Island in PNG and among other things crossed to Nuratu, the island in the background of this photo, in this outrigger.

 

 

During the crossing I noticed this fishing line, at least 200lb breaking strain, wire trace, about a 12/0 hook with a flower as a lure.

 

Once we overcame my lack of pidgin I understand the target species with this rig is wahoo, spanish mackerel, tuna, red emperor and pretty well anything else that will take it. These fish would probably be the only form of protein for the locals who are scientifically credited with having one of the healthiest diets in the world. Cheers Chris Wallis

 

To politics, and readers might remember that, when we launched Dean’s boat at Brooklyn last month, a sign at the ramp told boaties that the trailer washdown facility had been closed ‘until further notice’ due to water restrictions.

 

 

This was in the same week as Warragamba Dam was overflowing, so why was the washdown bay still closed? I wrote to Hornsby Council (who manage the ramp) asking when the washdown hose would be reconnected, given there were no longer any water restrictions. I copied in the Hornsby Advocate newspaper (who are excellent) and local MP Matt Keene (who is useless.) Hornsby Council responded that the real reason the washdown facility had been closed was due to noise complaints, from nearby houses. I figured that was a lie because the nearest houses are 200 metres from the washdown area, and who’s going to complain about the sound of a hose that far away?

 

 

So on Sunday I drove up to Brooklyn and knocked on a few doors. No one has made any complaints, and the bloke living closest to the ramp didn’t even know there *was* a washdown area. Conveyed that intel to the Advocate and they decided to publish the story:

 

 

This is not the biggest story of all time. But it is indicative of the creeping way that so many of the services we pay for are being eroded. The price of our fishing licences, the cost of registering our boats, renewal of our trailer rego keeps going up. And services keep going down. Will keep on this one and keep our readers informed. And as I always say, please keep the reports and pics coming in! so many readers enjoy what you have to share. Until next time,

 

Andrew Hestelow

Managing Director

In the depths of a cold and windy winter meaning a lot of our readers have found it difficult to get offshore. But for those who’ve found a weather window the rewards have been excellent. Here’s Jason Hotop with a big beautiful spawn run gemfish:

 

 

Browns Mountain … most of them still smallish but some better Gemmies starting to appear Andy!!!

 

That’s a ripper, Jase! Grant picked up what might be its twin:

 

 

Trent Bracey hit Texas Reef off Terrigal for a jigging session:

 

 

G'day Andy, quick Texas report from Tuesday. 4 boats out in total. We got 6 all around 75cm and mostly around the afternoon tide change. Four on your jigs and two on yakkas. Lost one rig to jackets. Cheers, Trent

 

Cheers to you buddy and most grateful for your report. Murray McGuire on Texas too. Here’s his mate with a couple of keepers:

 

 

Richie Inglis out wide off Sydney and finding one of my favourite fish:

 

 

Mad keen fisho Steve Menown didn’t let big seas faze him – he stayed inside the Heads.; Thanks for the report ol buddy, some light line trevally fishing sounds just great:

 

Hi Andrew, we went out today. The swell was around 1 to 1.5m and really messy. so we didn't stay out for long. We were at the Artificial where we fit the flat head. 47cm. We then went to Clifton Gardens and got the Trevallies and tailor. We also hooked up quite a few small ones which of course went back in.  Thanks for your help Steve

 

Mike Fitzgerald headed out chasing snapper and found more than he bargained for:

 

 

Found half a dead floating cuttle fish just off the Heads and grabbed it. Snapper fishing and burleying at Long Reef Wide and wanders along for a few pilchards but Mrs Mako

 

Plenty of action in the Deep South. Here’s David Clarke:

 

 

Hi Andrew, I had the privilege of joining a good mate Paul Azzopardi on his boat 'Snapperazzi' and compete in this weekend's Apollo Bay  Tuna Classic held by the Victorian Game Fishing Club. Had a great couple days in the southern ocean and what a great bunch of fisho the VGFC has in it!! Unfortunately the 'Barrel' of a SBT in the picture was caught by Mitch on 'Happy Hooker' to win the comp and not on our boat. Any way congrats to them and I'll be back next year!! Cheer David Clarke

 

Up north and Lachlan Bilston is always out there into it. You’re an inspiration mate, you really are:

 

 

Andrew, had a great trip last week from Hervey Bay to Yepoon via Lady Musgrave Island, Fitzroy Reef and Cape Capricorn on 40 foot cat "Trim" which is en route to Hamilton Island from Pittwater.  Amazing fringing lagoons on Southern Great Barrier Reef.  Great weather. Also caught a big Spanish Mackerel.  A bit concerned about Ciguatera so he went back.  Commercial fisherman told me later would have been fine only the real big ones that may be an issue. Regards Lachlan

 

 

Better to be safe than sorry Lach. Mad keen fisho Bevan Jones targets remote Indonesian waters near his place of work. When things go wrong, he soldiers on:

 

 

Hello Andrew, there was a incident when I went to help land a red bass that had been caught on a popper. The angler lifted the fish out of the water and dropped the fish on the deck. When that happened the free treble lodged into my ankle. After some initial first aid, It was decided that we needed to get the Dr at the clinic to remove the hook and we should fish on leaving the lure where it was and just tape it up to stop it flopping around.

 

 

Next cast the plan paid off and I hooked and landed a 5kg GT. When back at camp, after a few photos and medicinal beers a trip to the clinic was in order. After a local injection and some scalpel work the lure was out and two stitches to hold it together and stop it from getting infected in the Tropical climate. An exciting day out. Regards Bevan

 

Hardcore! I’m feeling woozy just looking at that. Lots of international action from those able to get away from chilly weather back home. How’s this? Craig Phillips:

 

 

Morning Andrew, Craig from up Newcastle champ, just a quick report from two young fellas that fish with me; They are over in Hawaii having a lovely holiday and only fished one day; these fish where caught on Saturday 9/07/2016

 

 

A short story they only trolled three times ?? longest time waiting for a rod to go off was 1 hour ( how’s that ) The blue went 270kg and the four yellow fin ranged from 65kg to 78kgs and they managed to drop a 100 plus kilo yellow fin at the boat. This is a one in a life time fishing trip WOW. Anyway tight lines digger love ya reports, Cheers Craig

 

Super impressed but I’ll confess to mixed feelings, Craig. We once had yellowfin that size along the NSW south coast in big numbers and not far offshore. Thanks to AFMA mismanagement (like with SBT in the 90s) they are now a distant memory. Grant orders 60 jigs and sends a video of his recent Fiji stickbaiting trip. Just so good! Don’t miss it:

 

 

 

To boats, and I ran into Brad and Greg (from Mobile Marine Services) at the boat ramp last week. What a beautiful little Formula 15 this is! A real credit to you:

 

 

Spotted this sweet setup at Twelve Mile Reef last week. Congratulations to its owner:

 

 

 

‘The new project boat is here, hon! Leaving it on the front lawn until I get to it, won’t be long.’ Chittaway Bay last weekend:

 

 

To tackle, and a reader writes:

 

Hi Andy. I need to get some of your smaller (castable) knife jigs for casting at long tail tuna. I’m thinking the smaller 40gm ones. Do you think they will do the trick?

 

 

 

They’re awesome. Here’s my best tuna on them, and here’s a link to the page. At $48 for ten (including delivery!)  you can’t go wrong.

 

Sergio stopped by yesterday with his new jig rod, looking for a reel to go with it. Ryobi 8000 with full spool of 24 kilo colour change braid and a power knob the perfect match for size weight and drag rating:

 

 

Only $155 including power knob and line which is probably why they’re so popular. Tim spooled up and retrofitted knobs to ten on Thursday, we carry them in both silver and black:

 

 

Here’s Tom’s 90cm on one, Friday 15th July:

 

 

And here’s Josh’s 89cm on his Ryobi, Monday 18th July. It’s been a great week for us:

 

 

Last but certainly not least! Chris Wallis from Ecofishers gets away from it all:

 

G'day Andrew, I recently visited Kitava Island in PNG and among other things crossed to Nuratu, the island in the background of this photo, in this outrigger.

 

 

During the crossing I noticed this fishing line, at least 200lb breaking strain, wire trace, about a 12/0 hook with a flower as a lure.

 

Once we overcame my lack of pidgin I understand the target species with this rig is wahoo, spanish mackerel, tuna, red emperor and pretty well anything else that will take it. These fish would probably be the only form of protein for the locals who are scientifically credited with having one of the healthiest diets in the world. Cheers Chris Wallis

 

To politics, and readers might remember that, when we launched Dean’s boat at Brooklyn last month, a sign at the ramp told boaties that the trailer washdown facility had been closed ‘until further notice’ due to water restrictions.

 

 

This was in the same week as Warragamba Dam was overflowing, so why was the washdown bay still closed? I wrote to Hornsby Council (who manage the ramp) asking when the washdown hose would be reconnected, given there were no longer any water restrictions. I copied in the Hornsby Advocate newspaper (who are excellent) and local MP Matt Keene (who is useless.) Hornsby Council responded that the real reason the washdown facility had been closed was due to noise complaints, from nearby houses. I figured that was a lie because the nearest houses are 200 metres from the washdown area, and who’s going to complain about the sound of a hose that far away?

 

 

So on Sunday I drove up to Brooklyn and knocked on a few doors. No one has made any complaints, and the bloke living closest to the ramp didn’t even know there *was* a washdown area. Conveyed that intel to the Advocate and they decided to publish the story:

 

 

This is not the biggest story of all time. But it is indicative of the creeping way that so many of the services we pay for are being eroded. The price of our fishing licences, the cost of registering our boats, renewal of our trailer rego keeps going up. And services keep going down. Will keep on this one and keep our readers informed. And as I always say, please keep the reports and pics coming in! so many readers enjoy what you have to share. Until next time,

 

Andrew Hestelow

Managing Director