Page 63 - Demo

Get ready to be Bon the water
EFORE head- breakdowns at sea ing out on the • Check your fuel water, ensure system filters – any
your boat and trailer inline filter or water
are ready for the trip. As skipper, as well as wanting every sor- tie in your boat to be safe and enjoyable, you have a legal obli- gation to ensure your vessel is in fit condi- tion for the journey it is about to undertake. With that in mind, here are some useful
trap between the fuel tank, engine and the on-engine filter – clean or replace any that are clogged or defective, and inspect your fuel line con- nection fittings, as impurities can build up there and block fuel flow
tips:
• Make sure vehicle
• Inspect your trailer by checking its brake lights and indicators, servicing suspension and wheel bearings, replacing any worn tyres, in- specting the winch, wire and rollers, and treating any corro- sion
registrations are up to date
• Check over the hull and attend to fit- tings ensuring parts are not damaged or defective
• Regularly service your boat’s engine, and if you service it yourself and find a problem, get it re- paired before head- ing out
• Plan your trip by checking marine weather forecasts, tidal and bar condi- tions, confirm your boat design and size are suitable for the trip and the number of people, make sure there’s enough fuel to get out and back with one-third extra, ensure enough life- jackets are on board and are the right sizes for yourself and your passengers
• Inspect your safe- ty equipment – make sure it is ‘in date’, complies with the lat- est requirements, is stored dry, protected from heat and UV radiation, and replace any out of date
• Check your boat’s electrical system – ensure your battery is charged and in good condition, check wir- ing, switches, fuses and navigation lights are working
• Tell someone where you are going and the approximate time you are plan- ning to come back
• Consider your fu- el – unleaded petrol degrades over time, so storing fuel for extended periods in your boat’s fuel tank and using old fuel can lead to reduced engine performance, difficulty starting your motor, fuel contamination and
• If you have a VHF radio fitted check its connections before setting out, log on with your local ma- rine rescue organisa- tion and verify it is working correctly.
That done, you’ve prepared as best you can to enjoy a great return to the water- ways.
Jacko scored a beast of a longtail tuna for his new personal best.
Basking in bait ball action
* from P62
They will eat fast re-
this isn’t the most pro- ductive way to fish.
bait ball and surface feeders, try sticking to thebasics.
trieves or a variety of twitch-pause style ac- tions too – just figure it out on the day.
If you’re after sheer numbers, I would rec- ommend sticking to casting and bait balls.
Fast actions in a straight line are my go- to.
I do find twitch ac- tions work better with lures that have a slower sink rate.
The fish aren’t in large quantities in shal- low water, unless a bait ball is present nearby.
Plastics track faster without tumbling on the surface.
The great thing about shallow water tuna fishing is they can’t be as stubborn, and the forces they exert on an angler are nowhere near as brutal.
Plus, they aren’t al- ways in the shallows each and every tide.
Metal slugs match the hatch but may require a little time to sink – to prevent the lure from hitting the surface and then tumbling.
I am not going to lie –
As for catching the
You can definitely ex- pect it to change from day to day.
Though tumbling on the surface won’t mat- ter if the mackerel and tuna are on!
You can even assume it won’t happen at all!
www.bnbfishing.com.au
Bush ’n Beach Fishing, January 2021 – Page 63
This golden was a personal best beast for Brodie.