Wednesday 29 AUGUST 2012

Tackle specials and angling politics

from Downrigger Shop

G’day lads,

 

Lots of deep water fishing, this week. Bruce Rayment went to Browns Mountain, on Sunday:

Hi Andrew, after buying the Electric outfit off you some weeks ago, I finally got a day to fish when the weather was reasonable last Sunday. With good mates Yves and his son Kayden we hit Browns. This was the first time deep reef fishing with electrics for all of us.

 

 

With your advice and that from Chris W in our heads we let the first rig drop with two good sized chunks of Striped Tuna attached. It got to the bottom and soon started bumping, we all looked at each other for reassurance this was fish rather than just the sinker. We gave it a bit of free line then started it coming up and the rod loaded up! A few minutes later we had the first Gemfish of around 5kg aboard. Reeling fish up whilst pressing a button amused us, so we all took photos of each other with folded arms as we winched up!

We went back and did the same drift each time and every drop produced fish quickly, 2 double hookups thrown in and we soon had our bag limit. With other commitments we headed home early.

 

 

So, the rig works a treat – as I knew it would. Thanks for all of your assistance. Regards, Bruce.

 

Bruce, that sensational report just proves what a generous person you are, not that there’s any doubt of that.

Just by the way, big gemfish like those fit perfectly in our fish chiller bag

Ice and gemmie into the bag, zip it up and these delicious fish will stay in top condition for the table. Click here to order.

Glad the tackle worked perfectly but also somewhat jealous, since we did nowhere near as well fishing Browns on Monday! As well as regular deckie, Darryl we had two blokes on board that day who had never fished wide before, being Shannon my outboard mechanic and Mick O’Brien, a mate from the Central Coast.

We met John and his crew at the ramp, who were heading out for a snapper sesh on their beautiful Haines CC:

After some admiring glances at their flawless rig we went our separate ways. First stop for us was the Twelve Mile. On arrival there were two boats over the main hump, being a pro drop liner and client Rob, who had coincidentally visited just this weekend past, for some knife jigs.

He said he had just dropped a big kingie, and that the bad news was a seal was hanging around and pinching fish off the lines. Mick hooked up first drop on a jig, a big barracouta.

As Rob had predicted the seal attacked, tearing the body away from the hooked head:

 

Here’s what was left:

Such annoying animals! There was nothing for it but to leave, in the direction of Browns.

When we got there conditions were fantastic but surprisingly, not many boats on the Mountain. Good shows on the sounder:

Darryl set up for some bottom dropping using the big electric and after some top sessions this winter I wasn’t expecting too much trouble, in filling the chiller bag.

But everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Whaler sharks attacking hooked fish down deep. Blues and makos in close. Seals taking them off the line, just under the boat.

Sharks banging into the boat and interfering with the lines, this was typical:

We managed some fish but things were tough indeed with all the pests hanging around waiting for a free feed and mostly, finding it.

The good news from Monday was that the new outboard ran like a dream. The gauges in particular are marvellous on this model, showing all kinds of helpful information. Nothing else for it but to get back out there again ASAP, which is what we’ll do next week. On the topic of Browns Mountain, here’s how it shows on a plotter using the gold Navionics card:

And here’s the new platinum Navionics card, stacks more detail:

Only downside, the Platinum card is ridiculously expensive. Tyrone writes to let readers know of an interesting new product:

Replace the old red cord/lanyard

 

Equip yourself with AUTOTETHER™ Wireless Lanyard for Fishermen and all Boaters!  A revolutionary new wireless lanyard that shuts off your motor instantly. It protects the boat operator and up to 3 passengers including pets and kids, allowing unrestricted movement about the boat. Just attach the personal sensor, turn the AUTOTETHER™ system and sensor on, and you’re ready to go. Falling out of your boat is the most common cause of injuries and death for fishing and recreational boating. Increase your chances of survival. Shut off your motor when you fall into the water, get back on your boat, and save yourself. Reduce the chance of battling the odds of hyperthermia, shark attack, prop injury and drowning. •No tools or wiring – installs in seconds! •Works with any engine type (petrol/diesel) and multiple engines• Portable from boat to boat• Runs on AAA batteries for 150 motor hours

Also comes in a Screamer Alarm version for sailing vessels and commercial vessels to protect crew.

Hi Andrew,

We would appreciate making this available to your readers as we believe this device will save many lives and personal property in the future. It is affordable as it retails for approx$295. Statistics show you are more likely to be ejected from your vessel than sink with it so being able to stop the motor and get back onto your vessel must mean a greater chance of survival. Look forward to your feed back.

 

Thanks, Tyrone. My feedback is that it sounds like a great idea, especially considering how many of our readers fish way offshore and are sometimes a little light on crew numbers.

Steve fished 70 kilometres off Mandurah, in WA:

Couldn't resist a bit of competitive skiting (after all, we are fisher folk.) Had a trip out on a mate’s boat last month, roughly 70km offshore from Mandurah for some greyband, just a little bigger than those below.

Funny thing though, is that the biggest was caught on a non electric reel (Avet) in 180mt's of water, by the smallest bloke on the boat - thats Gazz struggling to hold his fish up:

Impressed, I wrote back to Steve: ‘Wow! Greyband, are they the same species as bar cod? That’s fascinating Steve, thanks so much for sending.’ He replied:

Probably not - they look very similar, but you could say the same for pearl perch over there and dhu fish over here, but the dhuies here get to 25kg (attached a cuppla pics of small and extra large). Same with the cod - up to 40kg apparently

.

Jack sent in some helpful advice on deepwater sinkers made from reinforcing rod:

 

 

Really helpful and thank you, Jack.

As to deep dropping, we just received a new shipment of Japanese Daiwa Tanacom Bull electric reels. Send an email if you’d like a top deal to consider?

Closer in Sam and son Pat have been cleaning up, on Harbour squid:

 

 

Hey Andy the Harbour is holding good sized meals just now so if the fishing is a little slow the S Jig should be pulled out.  Here is Pat with a couple we took this week. Sam

 

Good advice, Sam! Ran out of time for squidding on Monday, will try again this weekend.

Heading north, and regular readers will know the name Ballina has magic for me. The magic’s still there:

 

 

My mate bob went fishing yesterday in perfect conditions. They a great day out on the 32's off Ballina. He landed this beautiful 7 kilo snapper on soft plastic gear using 16 pound line and 20 pound leader. He also hooked a 6ft plus marlin on the same gear. The marlin won that battle after its first leap into the air.  Sounds like the conditions were fantastic with 1knot of drift and the fish were on the chew, Marc

 

What a top fish Marc, please pass on my congrats to Bob.

Chris Hughes is justifiably excited about a nice capture in the Brisbane River mouth:

Just thought I’d share these pics with you. On the way back from a slow morning chasing some snapper I spotted a school of busting tuna. Chased them for 10mins and got close enough to put a cast in. landed the cast right in the middle of the bust up, 2 touches then BANG. 25minutes later I pulled up my first ever tuna. I couldn’t be happier.

 

 

Thanks Chris, gee mack tuna go hard.

Greg from Reel Magic has a recommendation about children with seasickness, from last week’s report:

 

Andrew, as a kid I was always spewing. Avomine 30mg:1/2 the night before1/2 in the morning at breaky not on the water works good for 80kg male. On an extended charter keep up the routine

 

Bart W says there’s alternatives to medicine:

 

No old wives tales just simple facts, people who have a weak stomach will always feel sick so you need to strengthen the stomach to prevent vomiting.  Things to avoid – fatty greasy foods on the day, and day before going out on the boat. Eat clean food no cheeses or milk in the morning just a simple sandwich. Ginger is very good for tummy aches so have a slice or 2 with tea night before and take flat ginger ale on the boat. I take fresh ginger slices and if I start feeling funny I pop 1 in my mouth.

 

Thanks Greg and Bart, some good options there.

Kurt had a hot sesh last week:

Hit the Brisbane river a few nights ago and picked up a very nice Jew and I also got a couple of pinkies to throw in for good measure . I picked all the fish up on up my 3000 Sustain spooled with 8lb.

 

 

Beautiful! I have got to get my first jewie this summer. We chased them for the first time in January, hooked up a stonker but the hooks pulled.

Jon writes, after viewing a sounder screen shot:

You seem to have a very clean screen on the HDS, have you got the noise reduction on. Also are you using a standard or 1kw tranny.

 

Standard 600mw transducer it came with, Jon. To improve performance on Lowrance sounders, follow these instructions exactly:

Dave Clark has a follow up regarding his big sand flathead, from last week’ report:

 

Hi Andrew, on closer inspection we think this flathead is a bluespot not sand, bluespot grow up to 68cm, so there goes his record. Oh well keep on trying.

 

Troy Denson from the Mount This Fish Company in Florida, USA sent through some images of his beautiful mounted fish:

Beautiful, aren’t they? See more here:

Jack L has a helpful update, on the Kurnell boat ramp in Sydney:

 

Hi Andrew,

A piece of good news from “The Shire”.

Boat ramp in Kurnell is being upgraded – at last!

It is located just past Kurnell Catamaran Club on Silver Beach.

It used to be arguably the worst boat ramp around, completely useless at lower tides.

The picture below (taken yesterday) shows the progress.

It is nearly finished, it looks as 2 – 3 lane job. Shallow approach to the ramp is being dredged and there will be a pontoon next to it.

I couldn’t get a better picture because it is all fenced off.

It was supposed to be ready before the end of July.

I talked to the workmen and they reckon it will be finished in a fortnight.

Cheers, Jack

 

Good news! We sent some downrigger accessories to a client in Finland who responded with some pics of fishing over there. If you think our winter downunder was cold, check this out:

Hi Andrew, here in Finland is late summer now and weather is nice for fishing. Now when autumn comes starts the best trolling season. Fishes starts eating hard, they have to prepare for long winter time. I'll send couple of pictures of summertime fishing and couple from the end of the season.

Season ends when ice covers the lakes, usually in December. At the end temperature can be between -10 and -15°C but lakes are free because water is still warmer. In those conditions you have to be a real man there is no room for boys

 

 

Minus 15 degrees! Jarkko, for me plus 15 degrees is cold. The snow on the deck in your pic is giving me the chills.

Thanks so much and please keep us updated on your fishing adventures.

He wants to lock anglers out of millions of hectares of ocean:

The Marine Alliance is over the moon about the Coalition’s commitment, as we all should be:

 

Not satisfied with those petulant tantrums, he got a couple of hacks at the CSIRO to write what is basically a press release, supporting his position. CSIRO need a root and branch clean out of politico warmist greenies, if and when the Coalition wins office next year. So Burke’s attacking the Coalition, attacking the Queensland government, and getting the CSIRO to do his dirty work. But it’s not enough, because resistance is building. Dean Logan writes:

 

Please see the AMA’s response to today's announcement by the Federal Coalition to get the Marine Park issue back on track. See also the Coalition’s media release. This is great news for the recreational and professional sectors. Kind regards

Dean Logan

 

Les P weighs in:

 

… how can we hit back to counteract his move. Which so-called 'peak body' will take him on. If he's creating science in favour of marine park lockouts then why can't we show science against them. We have to stop dodging bullets and start...

 

Well mate I'm thinking the best way is to confront Burke in his own back yard. He’s brought misery all around the country - but of course his own electorate of Watson, in Sydney's south, remains unaffected. I've written an appeal to local voters, just one page. The plan is to do a mailbox drop in Watson, starting this weekend. Here’s an excerpt:

 

Mr Burke is Environment Minister in the Gillard Government. He’s recently made a gigantic declaration of new marine parks, where fishing will be banned. I’m a keen fisherman and know many people affected by this decision. They’re worried about their future. People running tourist fishing businesses, in North Queensland. Motel owners in WA, who depend on visiting anglers for their business. Husband and wife operators who run caravan parks or small stores supplying visitors, with their holiday needs. Good people, like your friends and family, but because they don’t live in a Labor electorate they’re getting shafted.

 

A Federal election will be held next year, and Mr Burke will be asking for your vote. Before giving it to him, can I respectfully ask that you consider the Australians whose lives he’s destroying, for political gain? Bankruptcies and business failures are just the tip of the iceberg. Going broke is horrific for those affected. The sense of futility that comes from seeing your business wantonly destroyed can result in depression and divorce, even suicide. For Mr Burke to inflict this intentionally on his fellow Australians is sickening, to say the least. Could you please keep this in mind when thinking about how you will vote, in 2013?

 

Will it work? Who knows, but it’s gotta be worth a try. What I am one hundred per cent sure of is, the way to fight these lockups is politically. My contact details are on the letter so will add any feedback from Burke’s electorate, to the weekly report. In closing, can I say yet again how truly grateful I am, to our readers and contributors? From our own backyard here in Sydney to Mandurah, Ballina, the Brisbane River and even Finland, there’s nothing I get a bigger kick from than hearing what our readers have been up to. Keep it coming! Cheers,

 

Andrew Hestelow

Managing Director