Fishing Articles

We had travelled only a short distance when the first strike hit the lure like a stray bullet, the rod tip cracking hard on the side of the boat as it loaded up solidly. In less than 2m of water, we would no doubt have driven over this fish dozens of times during the season and not had a clue …

I worked my way back to camp just after dark using a topwater approach but failed to entice any further interest. The others didn’t have any luck in the afternoon session but we were all keen to chase them early the next morning. Everyone was up and on the water pre-dawn the next morning. We were keen to make the …

I have seen so many different versions – some involving tying spider web-like setups around your fingers to hold the braid steady. I’ve found instead of placing the braid in your mouth to hold it, simply tie a hook onto the braid and hook it to your shirt pocket. The most important part of tying this knot is keeping steady …

I run a Lowrance HDS-12 on my tinnie and if I can’t see prawns on the down scan, I won’t throw my net. It shows prawns up so well that you can pick and choose the schools that are more dense. Yes, it may sound like cheating, but prawning cuts into my fishing time, so I like to maximise my casts. I’m …

It had been a long time since I’d caught decent size pelagic fish and I’d forgotten just how much fun it is to have your line-burning retrieve stopped in its tracks as a super-fast sportfish takes off in the other direction with your lure in its mouth. Having not previously caught mackerel on anything heavier than 10lb gear, I was …

Mud crabs love whiting frames as bait but we have also had success with reef fish frames. The best shop-bought bait will always be mullet chopped in half to allow plenty of scent into the water. While the water stays clean, sand crabs are around as well, with the mouth of the Nerang River providing the better-quality sandies. This is …

The first fish to come aboard with a new piece of jewellery was a good-sized grunter. It was high fives all round and a quick pic before it went straight into the Esky. With the first fish over the side, we all became a little more at ease and figured we might be in for a good day. Fishing these …