A BRISBANE boat skipper who refused to stop his vessel and motored off on the Logan River has been fined $1500 for obstructing fisheries officers. Beenleigh Magistrates’ Court imposed the penalty for a charge of obstruction, a serious offence under fisheries laws that has a maximum penalty of $126,150. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol field officer James Hohenhaus said officers …

BIOSECURITY Queensland is launching a campaign today that asks all fishers to check their bait before they go out fishing, to make sure it is Australian wild-caught bait from a quality bait supplier, or to catch their own. The campaign asks fishers to do their bit to help protect our natural waterways and our fishing and aquaculture industries, which are …

SUPER-tuned and super-sized, the new 70mm Atomic Vib now sees the Atomic Hardz Vib range as the complete series, with three sizes (50mm, 60mm and 70mm) making up this impressive range. Designed and tuned to swim straight and true all the time, every time, the new 70mm model is a lure that can handle a host of retrieve speeds and …

A SUBSTANTIAL investment has been made under Australia’s National Carp Control Plan (NCCP) to explore the viability of using the carp virus, Cyprinid herpesvirus 3, to control the pest species, carp, in Australia’s waterways, and ultimately improve water quality and ecosystem health. A comprehensive research program is central to this approach under the Australian Government’s $15 million National Carp Control …

THE Product Emissions Standards Bill, which will see the end of two-stroke mowers and outboards (non direct-injection), recently passed the first hurdle and is expected to be passed by the Senate soon. The Bill has been classified as “non-contentious” and is supported by both the Government and Labor. Emissions standards for small petrol engines from mowers to outboards, jet skis …

ONE of the largest legally trailerable boats in Australia is here with the release of the Haines Signature 788SF. The flagship 788SF sets a new benchmark in the fibreglass fishing boat market – a formidable bluewater fishing machine that’s an impressive addition to the iconic, Australian-built, Haines Signature range. Designed with the adventurous offshore sport fisher in mind, the boat …

BENNETT Marine’s new AutoTrim Pro automatically and actively levels the pitch and roll of most boats with trim tab systems – it’s like cruise control for your trim tabs. Press one of two user-programmable ‘Favourite’ buttons and the system regulates the boat’s trim angle based on settings selected by the operator, and then holds that angle across a variety of …

A NEW release that created plenty of interest at the Australian Fishing Trade Association trade show was the unique profile and action of Z-Man’s 3.5” and 4.2” Trick ShotZ. A realistic baitfish profile with a heavily ribbed underside for creating water movement and holding scent, the Trick ShotZ feature a unique, heavily textured, spade-shaped tail that creates glides, flicks and …

THE Zerek Stalker was created to make a unique sound while being retrieved, appealing to large surface-feeding predators. The Stalker has a snake-like swimming action that rocks the internal rattles and knocks the lure’s sections together, creating the unique sound this lure emits. A jointed, three-piece wakebait with through-wire construction and large boot tail, the Stalker is built to handle …

THE innovative Formosa X Bowrider has three new sizes. Due to popular demand, Formosa Marine has added 520, 550 and the new 740 sizes to the X Bowrider line-up, giving consumers more choice. All sizes are available for the Sea-Rod range too – imagine more stability with the water ballast hull and the versatility of an active transom to suit …