Joel Johnson

Joel is blessed with the fish-rich coastline and waterways surrounding the Bundaberg region. With an array of options and possibilities around, he favours the shallow flats and small creeks and specialises mostly in lure fishing. Joel loves to broaden his abilities with new concepts and techniques, so feel free to email him at jmj-31898@hotmail.com

Bundaberg offshore fishing exploration

WHAT is more exciting than the unknown possibilities of a new fishing spot? I’m sure you’ve all had those dreamy weekday thoughts about fishing destinations you’re itching to explore. It may be a creek you have researched using Google Maps or a hidden gem you’ve heard whispers about. Bundaberg offshore fishing Either way, I know I am well and truly …

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When the fishing gets tough

fishing gets tough

“That’s why it’s called fishing, not catching,” I said with a resigned face after a quiet day on the water and not landing any fish. Fishing gets tough! For fishos, few things are more frustrating than fishing your reliable spots and coming away without a bite. It’s disheartening working hard to fruitlessly fish the same tides and times that have …

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Getting your weights right offshore

weights right offshore fishing

NOTHING beats the feeling of finishing the working week with big plans of heading out on the water over the weekend. There’s generally only one type of person who will leap out of bed at a ridiculous hour of the morning while most sane people are sleeping, and that’s fishers. So with around an hour and a half of driving …

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Increasing your odds via kayak

increase your odds kayak fishing

THE new year has once again kicked off at a pace many of us cannot keep up with, but among the frantic rush of the ‘silly season’ a fisher must get his or her fix, regardless of the crowds. How might you improve your odds in a time of mayhem when enough boats are on the water to require a …

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Exploring Fraser Island’s northwest coast

northwest

COMING into the cooler months always excites me, knowing it is usually the period of calm oceans and clear skies for the most part with the occasional windy change pushing through. After a fairly blowy start to the cooler months leaving me little chance to head offshore, I knew the only way to get out there was to plan a …

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Preparation key to fishing success offshore

preparation success offshore

IN the build-up to winter, the Bundaberg area was experiencing little to no good weather for offshore fishing, and when a weekend finally arose, other commitments prevented me from heading out. But at long last a weekend came along when nothing stood in the way and once Friday night arrived, the boat was packed and the alarms set for the …

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Going bush to beat the crowds

going bush easter bass funding nsw rivers bass

As mentioned earlier, what might look easy on the satellite image can be a completely different story when you get there, and after just under an hour’s drive, we were faced with this situation a number of times. After our first turn-off ended up being a locked private gate, we turned around and searched further to find a likely looking …

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Catching mangrove jack from a kayak

catching mangrove jack from a kayak

BEING passionate about fishing often gives you the opportunity to go to epic places and see spectacular things. My girlfriend Leeah and I both have a never-ending love of the outdoors, and particularly areas that feature water due to the scaly creatures that usually inhabit it. A number of weekend trips away to top spots off the beaten track left …

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Tough competition in Bundaberg’s VMR Family Fishing Classic

If only the fishing heated up as fast as we did, quickly taking our layers of warm clothing off as the sun slowly rose above the horizon. Nearly an hour had passed with no sizeable fish coming over the side, let alone going in the Esky. We hopped between the nearby waypoints until we finally began catching a couple of …

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Mayhem Catching Pelagics on Surface

Once again the smaller queenfish took little to no interest in my perfectly placed lure, but as I blooped it beyond the frenzy it was engulfed by a queenfish well over a metre in length. I thought to myself, ‘of course, I manage to hook two of the most brutal fish possible on the smallest, weakest popper while trying to catch …

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