Offshore

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Richard Talmage of Shark Mitigation Systems Ltd, the developer of Clever Buoy, said the smart ocean buoy uses new sonar technology with tailored software to detect shark-sized objects in coastal waters. “The Clever Buoy identifies large swimming objects, like sharks, and sends real-time valuable information to lifeguards on the beach,” Mr Talmage said. “The unit will be deployed about 500m offshore and …

If you like the easier approach, just drop down a livie and hang on to the rod, waiting for the tip to drop sharply upon hook-up. When the trag are on, double hook-ups are very common, with some big fish among them. Live baits have been excellent, as have bonito, mack tuna and large squid and octopus. When the trag are hungry …

I HOPE everyone is enjoying the Christmas break and getting plenty of time on the water. The Tweed River Bar is getting really shallow out the front and starting to collect any sort of swell, so pay attention when coming in or out. Currumbin Creek Bar is still very shallow out the front. The dredge left recently, so that’s it for this …

MY family and I recently made our annual trip to Hinchinbrook Island in north Queensland. The best barra of the trip (caught by yours truly) was landed off the bank at night. Good thing there weren’t any snapping handbags around because to land it I had to stand in the water. Yes I know the dangers of crocodiles but we didn’t have …

HELAINE Wilesmith took the reins at the monthly meeting while Rob Schomberg was off gallivanting around the world. The pain for Rob was further multiplied when H’s plastic rod took off. She struggled to get it out of the rod holder and it didn’t take long to realise it was well and truly a decent fish. It took off on several …

EVER since I had first heard about the new Viking Kayaks models being released, I had been fairly keen to get out on the water to see how they fared. When I eventually had the fish at the surface I realised it was a spotty mackerel and I debated how to get it on board with no gaff or lip …

In the rivers  The Noosa River has seen great numbers of bigeye trevally, GTs, cale cale trevally, bream, flathead and whiting. Big predatory fish are hanging around the bait schools coming in and out on the tides at the mouth. The best time to fish this particular spot is during the tide changes. Soft plastic lures cast out on light graphite outfits are …

I always try to set my lures about 20m behind the boat and my trolling speed is a slow idle. It is difficult to put an accurate speed to this technique but I always imagine that my boat is moving at a good walking pace. Another vital link in the chain is to remember that when you commence trolling, you …

HOUSEHOLD vinegar could soon be called on for its most important mission yet: saving the Great Barrier Reef. Researchers at Queensland’s James Cook University have described in a new paper the effectiveness of vinegar in killing crown of thorns starfish. Outbreaks of the venomous, coral-eating animals are considered one of the most significant threats posed to the Great Barrier Reef. The paper’s …