Tuesday 21st June 2016

Tackle specials and angling politics

from Downrigger Shop

Wind rain and even snow across southern Australia, meaning it’s time to target winter species. Lots of our readers doing that successfully! Here’s Richie Inglis at Browns Mountain off Sydney, Monday 13th June:

 

​

 

Hi Andy, the best blue eye from yesterday at Browns! Went 33kg on the lie detector and tastes great! Also got these two. The little fellas went 13 and 10.

 

​

 

Fantastic result Rich and so good of you, to share these pics. Client Dean visiting this week and telling me the story of legendary angler Dave Blakers. This man is the ultimate predator, picking and choosing the biggest kingfish he can find, and by sheer skill forcing them to surrender to his will. In his most recent adventure, he hooked this 1m+ monster on the ribbon weed flats behind Barrenjoey, at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River:

 

​

 

Tackle was 2-pound fluoro carbon line, straight through to a Jackall Chubby (they were competition bream fishing.) One hour later, the fish was boated near Lion Island. An incredible feat but apparently this legend does something something like this every time he’s on the water. Next trip, he’s going down to 1-pound line to, in his words,  ‘give the kingfish a chance.’ Dan fishing the post-flood dirty water too:

 

​

+++++++

This one didn't get away today. Awesome fight to the end. Bear Island at Botany Bay.

 

Mark Way sends the latest news from Kiama. That’s a good NSW red:

 

​

 

Fishing off Kiama has been quiet over the long weekend, except for Scott Brown who got onto some good Reds off Jervis Bay, with arvo coming up trumps on good sized Reds and a solid 4.6kg snapper on soft plastic being the pick of them.

 

You got that right Mark. While we’re talking about snapper, check this nutty video. Dan writes:

 

snapper off a burger rings wrapper... Gold Ando. I might try this at browns

 

Young fishos are the future of our sport and nothing’s better than a pic from some proud dad of his youngster out there doing it. Greg Costello writes:

 

​

 

Liam with a nice salmon caught on a live yellowtail in Jerusalem Bay on the weekend

 

Here’s a great story. Duncan from D&H Reel Repairs phoned for some carbontex this week and told me about his trip to NZ last month. Saw a bust up out the front of his cousin’s house.

 

​

 

Grabbed his rod (fitted with an ABU 5500!) cast in, and hooked up. Result, a 1.28m king, which he released to fight another day. What a battle that must have been:

 

​

 

Of course some lucky dawgs head north for the sunshine. Jack Lapsewicz being one. He’s in Port Douglas:

 

​

 

Hi Andrew, this is today's fishing. Look at this Chinaman fish. What a beast! Cheers

Jack

 

Solid. To boats, and we spotted this interesting centre cab at The Peak on Thursday:

 

​

 

Boat builder Craig Baer sends a progress report on his new rig:

 

​

 

Hi Andrew, Here is some updated pics of the 6.9M plate alloy mono, regards Craig

 

​

 

Can’t wait to see the finished project, Craig. Really need your help with this one lads. Could you please share to your readers? We have got a couple of boats back in the past, and we can all imagine how we’d feel if ours was stolen. Here’s George’s message, please share as far and wide as you can and let’s try to locate this one too:

 

​

 

Hi andy, hoping you can help share this with your readers. my boat was stolen from in front of my house in Maroubra last night. You never know maybe someone will spot it somewhere

 

My pride and joy was stolen this morning from my house in Maroubra NSW. You all know how much time and money we put into our boats so I'd appreciate any help I can get. If any of you live locally can you please share this post and maybe something will turn up. Thanks in advance "**stolen boat** My boat was stolen early this morning (14/06/16) from Maroubra, NSW. Please help me find this boat.

 

​

 

Its a White Sea devil with a black stripe and its name is in yellow writing on the side "devil in'em". It has a 115hp Mercury optimax on the back. It was under a dirty old grey Boat cover when it was stolen and may still have the same cover on it. It's very distinctive and there is not many like it around. If you have seen it somewhere or you have any information regarding its whereabouts please pm me. There will be a reward for any information leading to the recovery of my pride and joy. Thank you for any help

 

Will do what we can cobber. To tackle, and with the gemfish run building and deep drop season starting, this report from David Tarallo is perfectly timed. Sounds like the gear is working for him:

 

Hey andy heres some video footage of the bent butt saltiga deep drop rod u sold me last year Great rod as is the 24kg bent butt trolling road u sold me as well

 

​

 

Hi Andy, Can you please send me more information on the lockable storage boxes. Cheers Rob

 

​

 

No problem, Rob. Here’s some more details:

  1. Dimension: 39mm long x 21mm wide x 24mm high;
  2. Made from super tough ABS plastic;
  3. two locking points, for padlocks;
  4. silicon gasket which blocks out water and salt air;
  5. Price $25 and currently on special, with a free spotlight/lantern with 240V and 12V chargers included.
  6. Our new deal’s even better! We’re adding our neoprene fish chiller bag (usually $50) for only $35.
  7. Meaning the dry box, spotlight/lantern, two chargers and the chiller bag are just $60. That’s a steal.

 

​

 

Postage at cost depending where you are, but usually around $15. More details on the chiller bag here. Note that it holds a 100 pound tuna, but is really good for multiple blue eye and gemfish:

 

Try an order? You won’t be disappointed. Last but not least and Luigi reviews our carbontex drag washers:

 

​

 

I bought a sheet off you and have now converted all my reels. Along with quality drag grease and a good service the reels are now as good if not better than new. Silky smooth drags are bliss on those quality fish battles

 

So true. And at around $4 per reel, why would you hesitate to try it? For those new to carbon fibre reel drag upgrades and how easy they are to do I’ve uploaded four one minute videos to Youtube. Check them out here:

 

Carbontex install part 1 58 seconds

​

 

Carbontex install part 2 48 seconds

 

 

Carbontex install part 3 57 seconds

 

 

Carbontex install part 4 75 seconds

 

 

To News of the Weird and worried about dinner, with a vegan? Here’s how to handle a common medical emergency, ‘choking on tofu’:

 

​

 

David  Clarke reviews the new hit Disney movie:

 

​

 

*Nasty* reel backlash on the game boat. Thanks to Dan:

 

​

 

TOO CLOSE. Thanks to Dan:

 

​

 

This bloke went fishing for the first time and now he's totally hooked

 

Thanks buddy. I thought *I* was bad at puns! Yours truly has managed to get out twice since last report. With little wind and a long period blanket swell I was expecting an easy run to the Peak for a jigging session last week. But as we progressed eastwards a nasty sou’wester started picking up fast. By the time we got to our marks it was blowing 12-15 knots. That’s not good because most of the fish hold over little bumps and pinnacles, at this spot. Meaning that a short drift of just 25 metres or so can move you into dead water. Not good.

 

The mood brightened considerably when Fitz hooked up first drop, and brought this 75cm aboard:

 

​

 

Soon after we had a request from a nearby boat for a set of pliers. Someone aboard had a hook in their hand:

 

​

Three sets of pliers passed over and one of those did the job.

 

​

 

We were rewarded by the helpful skipper with some advice as to where the fish were holding. Grateful for that. Soon after mad keen fishos Tran and David turned up. They had bashed back from Browns in their small but seaworthy Haines - in such lumpy seas they had both put life jackets on:

 

​

 

We saw some undersized and good size fish brought aboard nearby boats but all we could jig were small ones. With everyone having plans for the afternoon we decided to give ourselves an early mark. When I got home and turned on the computer this bittersweet message received from Tran:

 

U left to early Andy

The Kings were hot in the arvo

All on ur jigs again Andy. Same colour as last time blue and pink jig

 

​

 

Nice, Tran! Hoping to get out late this week and find one like that. Super pleased to be invited for a run last Monday with tournament fisho Dean Nash.He has just about the perfect bream boat. Casting platforms at front and rear, plus twin sounders and a powerful electric motor:

 

​

 

Off we went down the Hawkesbury River. I hadn’t realized we would be fishing with lures only. That’s the way they do it in the tournaments, and Dean is a tournament fisherman. I was blown away by his soft plastic selection:

 

​

 

I learnt a lot from the man:

 

​

 

And we caught a stack of quality fish:

 

​

 

What a fantastic day and all thanks to you, Dean.

 

 

To politics and our first laugh of the election campaign when Barnaby Joyce tweeted this classic:

 

​

 

In New England, trees would rather uproot themselves than be seen supporting a Greens candidate

 

That’s a classic. Thanks to all our readers and especially, contributors. Please please please keep the reports and pics coming in, thousands of your fellow fishos enjoy reading them. Until next time,

 

Andrew Hestelow

Managing Director

 

 

Wind rain and even snow across southern Australia, meaning it’s time to target winter species. Lots of our readers doing that successfully! Here’s Richie Inglis at Browns Mountain off Sydney, Monday 13th June:

 

​

 

Hi Andy, the best blue eye from yesterday at Browns! Went 33kg on the lie detector and tastes great! Also got these two. The little fellas went 13 and 10.

 

​

 

Fantastic result Rich and so good of you, to share these pics. Client Dean visiting this week and telling me the story of legendary angler Dave Blakers. This man is the ultimate predator, picking and choosing the biggest kingfish he can find, and by sheer skill forcing them to surrender to his will. In his most recent adventure, he hooked this 1m+ monster on the ribbon weed flats behind Barrenjoey, at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River:

 

​

 

Tackle was 2-pound fluoro carbon line, straight through to a Jackall Chubby (they were competition bream fishing.) One hour later, the fish was boated near Lion Island. An incredible feat but apparently this legend does something something like this every time he’s on the water. Next trip, he’s going down to 1-pound line to, in his words,  ‘give the kingfish a chance.’ Dan fishing the post-flood dirty water too:

 

​

+++++++

This one didn't get away today. Awesome fight to the end. Bear Island at Botany Bay.

 

Mark Way sends the latest news from Kiama. That’s a good NSW red:

 

​

 

Fishing off Kiama has been quiet over the long weekend, except for Scott Brown who got onto some good Reds off Jervis Bay, with arvo coming up trumps on good sized Reds and a solid 4.6kg snapper on soft plastic being the pick of them.

 

You got that right Mark. While we’re talking about snapper, check this nutty video. Dan writes:

 

snapper off a burger rings wrapper... Gold Ando. I might try this at browns

 

Young fishos are the future of our sport and nothing’s better than a pic from some proud dad of his youngster out there doing it. Greg Costello writes:

 

​

 

Liam with a nice salmon caught on a live yellowtail in Jerusalem Bay on the weekend

 

Here’s a great story. Duncan from D&H Reel Repairs phoned for some carbontex this week and told me about his trip to NZ last month. Saw a bust up out the front of his cousin’s house.

 

​

 

Grabbed his rod (fitted with an ABU 5500!) cast in, and hooked up. Result, a 1.28m king, which he released to fight another day. What a battle that must have been:

 

​

 

Of course some lucky dawgs head north for the sunshine. Jack Lapsewicz being one. He’s in Port Douglas:

 

​

 

Hi Andrew, this is today's fishing. Look at this Chinaman fish. What a beast! Cheers

Jack

 

Solid. To boats, and we spotted this interesting centre cab at The Peak on Thursday:

 

​

 

Boat builder Craig Baer sends a progress report on his new rig:

 

​

 

Hi Andrew, Here is some updated pics of the 6.9M plate alloy mono, regards Craig

 

​

 

Can’t wait to see the finished project, Craig. Really need your help with this one lads. Could you please share to your readers? We have got a couple of boats back in the past, and we can all imagine how we’d feel if ours was stolen. Here’s George’s message, please share as far and wide as you can and let’s try to locate this one too:

 

​

 

Hi andy, hoping you can help share this with your readers. my boat was stolen from in front of my house in Maroubra last night. You never know maybe someone will spot it somewhere

 

My pride and joy was stolen this morning from my house in Maroubra NSW. You all know how much time and money we put into our boats so I'd appreciate any help I can get. If any of you live locally can you please share this post and maybe something will turn up. Thanks in advance "**stolen boat** My boat was stolen early this morning (14/06/16) from Maroubra, NSW. Please help me find this boat.

 

​

 

Its a White Sea devil with a black stripe and its name is in yellow writing on the side "devil in'em". It has a 115hp Mercury optimax on the back. It was under a dirty old grey Boat cover when it was stolen and may still have the same cover on it. It's very distinctive and there is not many like it around. If you have seen it somewhere or you have any information regarding its whereabouts please pm me. There will be a reward for any information leading to the recovery of my pride and joy. Thank you for any help

 

Will do what we can cobber. To tackle, and with the gemfish run building and deep drop season starting, this report from David Tarallo is perfectly timed. Sounds like the gear is working for him:

 

Hey andy heres some video footage of the bent butt saltiga deep drop rod u sold me last year Great rod as is the 24kg bent butt trolling road u sold me as well

 

​

 

Hi Andy, Can you please send me more information on the lockable storage boxes. Cheers Rob

 

​

 

No problem, Rob. Here’s some more details:

  1. Dimension: 39mm long x 21mm wide x 24mm high;
  2. Made from super tough ABS plastic;
  3. two locking points, for padlocks;
  4. silicon gasket which blocks out water and salt air;
  5. Price $25 and currently on special, with a free spotlight/lantern with 240V and 12V chargers included.
  6. Our new deal’s even better! We’re adding our neoprene fish chiller bag (usually $50) for only $35.
  7. Meaning the dry box, spotlight/lantern, two chargers and the chiller bag are just $60. That’s a steal.

 

​

 

Postage at cost depending where you are, but usually around $15. More details on the chiller bag here. Note that it holds a 100 pound tuna, but is really good for multiple blue eye and gemfish:

 

Try an order? You won’t be disappointed. Last but not least and Luigi reviews our carbontex drag washers:

 

​

 

I bought a sheet off you and have now converted all my reels. Along with quality drag grease and a good service the reels are now as good if not better than new. Silky smooth drags are bliss on those quality fish battles

 

So true. And at around $4 per reel, why would you hesitate to try it? For those new to carbon fibre reel drag upgrades and how easy they are to do I’ve uploaded four one minute videos to Youtube. Check them out here:

 

Carbontex install part 1 58 seconds

​

 

Carbontex install part 2 48 seconds

 

 

Carbontex install part 3 57 seconds

 

 

Carbontex install part 4 75 seconds

 

 

To News of the Weird and worried about dinner, with a vegan? Here’s how to handle a common medical emergency, ‘choking on tofu’:

 

​

 

David  Clarke reviews the new hit Disney movie:

 

​

 

*Nasty* reel backlash on the game boat. Thanks to Dan:

 

​

 

TOO CLOSE. Thanks to Dan:

 

​

 

This bloke went fishing for the first time and now he's totally hooked

 

Thanks buddy. I thought *I* was bad at puns! Yours truly has managed to get out twice since last report. With little wind and a long period blanket swell I was expecting an easy run to the Peak for a jigging session last week. But as we progressed eastwards a nasty sou’wester started picking up fast. By the time we got to our marks it was blowing 12-15 knots. That’s not good because most of the fish hold over little bumps and pinnacles, at this spot. Meaning that a short drift of just 25 metres or so can move you into dead water. Not good.

 

The mood brightened considerably when Fitz hooked up first drop, and brought this 75cm aboard:

 

​

 

Soon after we had a request from a nearby boat for a set of pliers. Someone aboard had a hook in their hand:

 

​

Three sets of pliers passed over and one of those did the job.

 

​

 

We were rewarded by the helpful skipper with some advice as to where the fish were holding. Grateful for that. Soon after mad keen fishos Tran and David turned up. They had bashed back from Browns in their small but seaworthy Haines - in such lumpy seas they had both put life jackets on:

 

​

 

We saw some undersized and good size fish brought aboard nearby boats but all we could jig were small ones. With everyone having plans for the afternoon we decided to give ourselves an early mark. When I got home and turned on the computer this bittersweet message received from Tran:

 

U left to early Andy

The Kings were hot in the arvo

All on ur jigs again Andy. Same colour as last time blue and pink jig

 

​

 

Nice, Tran! Hoping to get out late this week and find one like that. Super pleased to be invited for a run last Monday with tournament fisho Dean Nash.He has just about the perfect bream boat. Casting platforms at front and rear, plus twin sounders and a powerful electric motor:

 

​

 

Off we went down the Hawkesbury River. I hadn’t realized we would be fishing with lures only. That’s the way they do it in the tournaments, and Dean is a tournament fisherman. I was blown away by his soft plastic selection:

 

​

 

I learnt a lot from the man:

 

​

 

And we caught a stack of quality fish:

 

​

 

What a fantastic day and all thanks to you, Dean.

 

 

To politics and our first laugh of the election campaign when Barnaby Joyce tweeted this classic:

 

​

 

In New England, trees would rather uproot themselves than be seen supporting a Greens candidate

 

That’s a classic. Thanks to all our readers and especially, contributors. Please please please keep the reports and pics coming in, thousands of your fellow fishos enjoy reading them. Until next time,

 

Andrew Hestelow

Managing Director