Gary Brown's Weekly Reports

Weekly report 25/04/08

BREAKING NEWS

Mark (Mango) Mangold has just won the Club Marine Gippsland Lakes Bream Qualifier and also taken away a $10,000.00 pay cheque. Congratulation Mark.

For any further information on the results and much more about bream fishing you just need to go to http://www.bream.com.au/


ALSO SOME MORE BREAKING NEWS

The Squidgy Summer Series has been run and won. Here are the results.

1st TEAM SHIMANO(5) - 4.304kg

2nd TEAM COWANS BOAT(5) - 4.264kg

3rd TEAM HIGHLAND SCOTCH WHISKEY & COLA(5) - 4.146kg

4th TEAM CULBURRA BAIT & TACKLE(5) - 4.064kg

5th TEAM KINGRODS(5) - 3.888kg

6th TEAM PFLUEGER(5) - 3.724kg

7th TEAM CENTURY BATTERIES(5) - 3.304kg
8th TEAM BIG/S.F.B.A(5) - 3.194kg

9th TEAM CHEW ON THIS(5) - 3.036kg

10th TEAM SQUIDGIE(5) - 2.816kg

11th TEAM TERRIGAL BAIT & TACKLE(5) - 2.556kg

12th TEAM SEETO(3) - 2.306kg

13th TEAM JAPAN TACKLE/COMPLEAT ANGLER(5) - 2.272kg

14th TEAM SCUMLINE(5) - 2.204kg

15th TEAM BREAM IT ON(5) - 2.194kg

16th TEAM BUDGET(4) - 2.140kg

17th TEAM HOOKED UP(3) - 1.818kg

18th TEAM MAKO EYEWEAR(2) - 1.192kg

19th TEAM NITRO(2) - .784kg

20th TEAM EBT TEAM A(1) - .448KG

As TEAM Pflueger Carl Dubois and I had the best day on the water in the Squidgy Summer Series. We caught around 20 legal fish, up graded about 6 times and only travel From Hen and Chicken Bay and up to Gladesville Bridge. Trying flats, boats, a couple of bays and deep water to get out bag of 3.724 kilos.

All up there was 85 bream caught for a total weight of 54.69 kilos. That is an average weight of 643 grams each. Not bad for Sydney Harbour.

Carl has put a report together for our challenge of the Squidgie Bream Challenge Grand Final. This is how our day unfolded.

At 7.00am 20 boats were ready to set off from Bayview in Hen & Chicken Bay at 7am for 7 hours of exciting fishing. They ranged from humble tinnies to $50,000 fibreglass imports.

Up for grabs was a $1,000 entry fee into the Forster Megabucks Tournament plus $3,000 dollars worth of tackle for each angler. Some well known names were amongst the teams and Gary and I were out to try and upset them. The first thing I had to do was catch a bream! The Lake Macquarie round was a thing of the past and I was sooooooo relieved (not as much as Gary though) when I landed our 1st bream for the day that just made the 25cm fork minimum length. We landed a few more just under size and ventured into Exile Bay to fish the flats.

Gary tied on one of Ecogear VX40's (a metal blade lure) and hooked up within the first few casts. Next cast he's on again and I switch from the SP's to a VX40 as well.
And that's when the fun started. The bream were climbing all over these things and after two drifts we had our 5 bag limit. Only 8:20am and we were ready to start upgrading. Gary gets a good hit but it's a lousy, rotten flathead of 58cm's. Normally a great catch but not today! ) More upgrades come over the side when I get our first kicker fish, a 35cm fork beauty that weighs 900 grams. We couldn't believe how good these lures were working. All we had to do was cast them out as far as we could, then double-hop them back to the boat. Often the fish would come back 2 or 3 times if they didn't hook-up the first time.

Once the bite shut down we moved off to a few other bays. We'd take turns swapping between Gulp SP's and Lucky Strike HB's, but the VX's were snaring most of the fish. At one stage Gary and I had a double hook-up and it took us a few minutes to decide which fish in the well had to be returned to the river. I only wish we had choices like that every tournament we fished in!

With 90 minutes to go, we figured we had a bag of about 3 kg's. We still needed a couple of kicker fish as we knew you'd need a bag over 4 kg's to win. Gary suggested Gladesville Marina where there was some deeper water and a chance to hook some thumpers. As we were fishing, Gary noticed a lot of water in the boat, and I mean a lot. We quickly discovered that one of the fish in the live well had its tail over the water outlet and the water was just running over the top. Gary said, "I'll sort this out, you catch a horse."

On one of my retrieves I felt a nudge and then 'whoompf', there was some serious weight on the end of my line. "Gary," I said as this thing swam under the marina. I dipped the rod to keep the line free of the barnacle-encrusted pontoon and called out again, "Gary...net!" But Gary, who had his head down near the bilge pump, didn't hear me. Very quickly the fish swam to the surface and when he came out from under the pontoon I yelled out "GARY! GET THE NET!!!" This thing was a monster. He had huge blue lips, looked about 3 inches across the back and I guesstimated he would've been at least 45cm's. He took one look at me and with a few big tail beats he shredded me on the pontoon before I could dip the rod again. Oh, the agony! So close but not close enough.

With no time to lose, we quickly got back to the fishing. Then, it's Gary's turn and his rod bends until the tip is in the water. This time we're ready and we move away from the marina into open water. Gary backs off the drag now that we're clear and we know this is another big bream. Then woe is us again, the line goes limp and we've dropped him. Oh, double the agony. We check our watches and still have 20 minutes to fish, so cursing under our breath, we return to the edge of the marina.

5 minutes later I'm on again and this feels like another bruiser. Come on, 3rd time lucky we think and yes, Gary expertly slides the net under our biggest fish that stretches to 37cm's fork and 1.1 kg's. With 5 minutes to go, Gary lands another upgrade and we think we may have a chance. We hope we have about 4kg's and as we carry the fish to the weigh in there are a few 'Ooh, big fish' from the spectators. As they go on the scales we see that the leaders have 4.2kg's and we're shattered to only go 3.724 kg's.

The old adage of the one that got away really bit on us the bum today but in reality nearly every team drops a few good fish.

In the final wash-up we came in at 6th place, with the winners, taking it out with 4.3kg's, being Team Shimano, so big congratulations to Bill and Mark on a good win. I had one of the best days fishing ever and the biggest thanks go to Gary Brown who let me join his team for the series. Thanks Gary!

So there you have it a great day was had by all.

For further information you can go to http://www.ausbream.com.au/

AND FOR SOME MORE BREAKING NEWS.

Kim Bain has just won the Lake Lewisville Bass Tournament in Lewisville, Texis on April 10-12, 2008

Kim Bain over halls leaders to be first Aussie to win a BASS event in the USA Aussie Bain Wins in Texas.
Said Kim, catching her breath..." I was...luckily... just keeping in touch with the leaders each day, it certainly wasn't going to plan but I was glad to still have a chance; day one I lost a seven pounder and was 18th, day two I lost two big fish and slipped back to 20th place which was just enough to make the final day twenty pro shootout; ...oh boy... then in the shootout I was flippin' a beaver [a beaver is a reaction innovations soft plastic - reaction innovations is her own manufacturing company], I nailed a 7 pounder and a 6 pounder ....I thought ...that knocks over the deficit from the first two days....there was a chance....still a chance.....you are allowed to weigh your best five fish each day but I only scored two more fish today [the final day] so I was super nervous...for the rest of the day it had been tough for everybody; Being the last of the top twenty in the shootout I weighed in early to post what I think was the biggest bag of the tournament even though it was only four fish. And then the wait,....nervously waiting while everybody else weighed...in the end I'd won...by a few ounces....I still can't believe it " Aussie Kim wins a $50,000 USD boat...in the USA it's a bit of a benchmark to win fishing events that have a boat as first prize ....and Kim is the first Aussie to ever do it. Not only is Kim the first Australian ever to win a BASS event, she is also the first Australian to win any event in the USA.

If you would like to read more about Bass fishing in the USA you can go to http://www.bassmaster.com/, then go to the WBT and then click on the "live leader board"
I will be running another class starting on the Thursday the 5th of June at 7.00pm. The cost of $95.00 includes a fish barbeque and the class. To book in and pay you will need to either ring the shop or pay them a visit.

NEXT FISHING CLASSES

I will be running another class starting on the Thursday the 5th of June at 7.00pm. The cost of $95.00 includes a fish barbeque and the class. To book in and pay you will need to either ring the shop or pay them a visit.

Windybanks Bait and Tackle
523 Pacific Hwy Mt Colah NSW 2079
Ph (02) 9477 1501
Annette

My next class will start on Wednesday the 2nd of July at 7.00pm and run for 3 consecutive Wednesday nights. The cost will be $80.00 per person. To book in and pay you will need to either ring the shop or pay them a visit at

Absolutely Hooked
174 Merrylands Road
Merrylands
Ph (02) 9897 3474
Mike and April

NEW PRODUCT RELEASE from TTLures

“SWITCHBLADE”

The new 1/8th ounce “SWITCHBLADE” vibration lure from TT Lures is the latest weapon of choice for anglers who simply want to catch more fish.
An extensive colour range has been developed and rigorously tested by many of the TT Lures tournament team anglers. Tim “the bream” Morgan, Darren “dizzy” Borg, and recent ABT Bream Grand Final winner, Ben Godfrey, are just a few of the team members overwhelmed by the increased numbers of fish that they are catching with this exciting new lure.

The edge that the Switchblade has when compared to similar lures is that it has three tow points which gives the lure three very different actions. This enables the lure to be cast and retrieved shallow, slow rolled deep and vertically jigged on deep structure.
Available in ten “must have” colours, rigged with Owner trebles and a quick change snap clip, this lure is ready to go, straight out of the box!

If you would like to view a colour chart of these great lures you can go to Bream at http://www.bream.com.au/ and click on the colour chart to have a look. These lures will be on the market in 2 weeks time.

Ron Osman from Estuary Fishing and Tours http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/ ,
reports that he has only fished a couple of days last week but they were good days fishing with trevally to 40cm, bream to 35cm and a few 40cm leather jackets and a couple of salmon all taken on squid and peeled prawns in a burly trail on the northern side drop off at lion island, best day we got 10 trevally, 6 bream, 4 leatherjackets and 3 salmon in a few hours with 5 people fishing. Good to see the winter fish are showing up already. We caught 5 big blue swimmers in our witches near Juno on Saturday and a just legal kingie at west head while getting yakka’s. The kingies and the jewies have gone quiet but we only tried for them for a couple of hours. Still lots of big mullet at iron ladders with the pros getting heaps in their nets. A couple of my mates cleaned up on kingies to 75cm on Sunday at a spot they call the pinnacles (35meters deep) of blue bay and they said everyone at the boat ramp had kingies but none were real big.

If you are after more information about Ron’s estuary fishing and tours you can either have a look at his web site http://www.estuaryfishingtours.com.au/ , email him at ron@estuaryfishingtours.com.au or phone Ron on 0407 661 397

Jason and Virginia Isaac from Ned Kelly’s Bait and Tackle jasned@ozemail.com.au reports that in the estuary, flathead numbers and quality remain quite good, with most locations in the lower reaches producing on a consistent basis. Whilst there are plenty of throwbacks to sort through, some bigger models to around 3 kilos have been taken on both bait and lures. Blackfish remain a little patchy, although by all reports the estuary is loaded with fish, with plenty more heading in from around our headlands. Once these fish begin to actively feed a little more aggressively, catches should be excellent.

On the bream front, some nice fish have been taken from around the break walls at night, with gut baits and yabbies achieving the better results. For those keen on chasing a mulloway, the break walls should be well worth a look over this weekend, with the combination of both a full moon phase, good tides and plenty of mullet in the lower reaches often a recipe for success. Needless to say, a well presented live mullet would not be worst bait you could offer.

Off the beaches, conditions have not been favourable, with consistent southerly winds and above average swells endured for the best part of near two weeks now. Those who have ventured out report tailor numbers are solid, with a slight improvement in the overall quality if anything. The southern end of Lighthouse and North beach remain the pick of locations locally, whilst the beaches south of Port continue to prove well worth the drive. The past week has seen numbers drop off a little, however there are some quality fish about, like the 1.67 kilo specimen Ian Cooper scored off Lighthouse earlier in the week. With the seas somewhat rough and an upcoming full moon, early morning sessions will be likely to produce the better results. Mullet or tailor strips, pipis and beach worms should all prove successful.

Off the rocks, tailor numbers remain excellent, with Plommer and surrounds in particular fishing quite well for this time of year. Drummer numbers remain encouraging for so early in the season, with increasing numbers of well conditioned fish being picked up by those putting in the time. In the absence of abalone gut following the recently introduced ban, cunjevoi and cabbage have been the baits of choice. On the bream front, numbers are continuing to improve, however with the full moon phase coming up, look for either dawn or dusk, rather than the night time hours to produce the better catches. On the land based game scene, longtail tuna remain pretty well everywhere, with Point Perpendicular producing multiple fish on a daily basis, whilst a trip to Hat Head could also result in a cobia encounter or two. With plenty of yakka’s and slimeys around our headlands at present, it is hard to see the longtails departing for at least a few weeks yet.

Outside action remains a day to day proposition with the seas and winds conspiring to make conditions awkward at best. Those who have ventured out report snapper numbers are solid on the close reefs off Plommer and Lake Cathie, with good numbers of fish to around 4 kilos taking both baits and plastics. On the pelagic front, Barries bay continues to hold longtails and mac tuna in good numbers, along with some solid cobia to around 25 kilos. As expected, live bait of pretty well any description is the way to go.

When you are next up in Port Macquarie call into the shop and have a look at their great selection of tackle and bait they have on offer. You could also ask Jason and Virginia for their daily report on what’s happening on the fishing front. Call them on (02) 6583 8318.

Darren from Bermagui Ocean Hut Fishing Tackle, Dive and Charter Fishing Service
mailto:%20(%20enquiries@bermifishinghut.com.au reports that there have been a number of great catches over the past week or two.

Reef

Leatherjackets are giving everyone a headache on most of the popular reefs making it difficult to get the better quality species. The best fishing is for Flathead on the inshore grounds close to most beaches. North off Tilba is providing the best with a few good quality Gummy Sharks also being taken.

Game
Fluctuating water temps has a changing of the guards offshore in the form of lots of small to medium Yellowfin Tuna being taken around the edge of the Continental Shelf. There are also plenty of Striped Tuna and the odd Albacore, while the Marlin are still hanging in there with several fish being captured recently with the best 145 Kg.

Estuary
Cooling weather is starting to see the Estuaries slow down with most of the better fish being taken in the lower reaches of the tidal estuaries on the change of the tide with the first of the run in. Bream, Flathead and Trevally have been the main stay while the purists fishing for Luderick are achieving nice bags on the last of the run out.

Freshwater
Things are starting to get difficult with the land mass and water temps cooling. Trolling in Brogo Dam is probably the most productive at present although Lures of an evening after a warm day will still produce fish in the shallower margins. Again those cooling conditions are having an effect in the mountains with the fish not rising as regularly as they were a month ago. Nymph fishing is still producing on the lakes for the Fly Fishos, while trolling is the most effective form of fishing at present.

Rock and Beach
Salmon are dominating most captures both off the rocks and beach whether you use lure or bait. There are plenty of Bream, Mullet and Tailor adjacent to the rocks meeting the beach with a variety of baits working, like Tuna, Pilchards and Worms. With the cooling water some reasonable Drummer are being captured from the rocks.

If you are planing a trip down Darren’s way check out his web site at http://bermifishinghut.com.au/aboutus.htm You could also give Darren and the boys a ring on (02) 6493 4688 to find out what is coming up in the next week or so.

I never thought that the DVD’s that are put out by Offshore Productions from Tewantin in Queensland would have been much. Boy was I so far from the truth. I now have the 10 DVD’s that have been produced by this company and I can tell you, I haven’t just watched them once. I have viewed them several times. Over the next few reports I will let you what is in each of them and then you may like to go to your local tackle shop or new agency to get yourself a copy.

Not only do they have some great footage and fishing information, they also have information on how to use your sounder, boat and motor tests, 4 wheel drive tips, plus much more.

DVD Review

The Fishing DVD Number 5 has the following titles;

Northern Territory

Mulwala Murray Cod

Top Water Bream

Baitfish and Predators

Cania Dam in South East Queensland

Salmon off the Rocks

DVD Review

The Fishing DVD Number 6 has the following titles;

Deepwater Salmon

Fly fishing in impoundments

Northern Territory Bluewater

Catching Tailor

Impoundment Barra on Squidgies

How to go Jigging Wrecks

The DVD’ run for around 120 minutes and only cost between $10 to $12 each.

Paul Martin from Rock Marine Bait and Tackle (rocksmarine@tsn.cc) reports that
it has been a tough week at the Rocks with conditions outside horrible. Another week of southerlies meant most fisho’s stayed in the close grounds. Grassy has had no spotted Mackerel over the last week just the odd Snapper while guys are heading further north past Scotts for fair catches of Trag, Sampson fish, Snapper and Pearl Perch.

There are still tons of Mac Tuna with the odd Yellow fin around down towards Fish Rock. Trolling metals are working on Tailor in close and around Green Island with some nice Green Backs amongst them. The Lighthouse or Flathead grounds have been producing good numbers of flathead, just remember you bag limits. The Gaol Peak Grounds has been giving up a few Cobia and one or two Wahoo if you put in the hours.

There has been good tailor coming in off the Breakwall over the last week with late afternoon being productive. There’s always a good chance of Bream feeding under them. Flathead are about along the walls with some early local Blackfish. Bass are on the bite from Fredo to Kempsey smashing a wide variety of lures. There has been some reports good Bream and Flathead around Smithtown.

Poor conditions on the beaches have slowed the catches with Hat Head end of Smoky beach fishing well for tailor, dart, some small whiting and the odd flathead. The Rock ledges have been slow apart from a few tailor about.

For daily reports and special call Paul on (02) 6566 6726.