NSW S.COAST - BACK IN THE SADDLE 30/1/11

30cm black bream taken on a Zipbait skinny pop

I have spent some time without a yak of my own recently which is the reason for the lack of south coast fishing reports on my behalf. However, last Wednesday i picked up my brand new Hobie Pro Angler (the same colour as my last one just the new model) thanks to Pauly at The Sailing Scene in Sydney, who opened the shop especially for me so i could pick it up before the weekend.

Sunday afternoon was my first opportunity to get the yak in the water, so i decided that since i had a limited amount of time to fish i would stay close to home and fish the local river, but with the amount of boat traffic present, mainly ski/wake boats i thought my best option would be to drive as far upstream as possible before the river turns to fresh water and fish for black bream and estuary perch.

I launched at 4:30pm and arrived at my spot just after 5pm and fished poppers and unweighted plastics around the many snags in the upper reaches of the system and i was rewarded early in the session with a bream just on legal size. The action was fairly consistent, getting hits on both lures every couple of casts, and landing fish every few minutes but i found it tough to find any of the real bruisers that i know live around the area.

All of the fish were bream in the 25-28cm size range, but fought hard for their size close into the snags. At this stage i was thinking of heading home until i cast the unweighted plastic towards a snag but it wasnt one of my best casts and landed a metre or so from the target, but as soon as the lure hit the surface a bow wave shot out from the snag and hit the plastic hard, the drag screamed as the fish went for deeper water, then performed a U turn and went straight back into the same snag it came from and snapped the line.

Shortly after, i landed a 30cm fork bream on the Zipbait popper from the edge of a shallow weedbed. I was just about out of daylight so i started the pedal back casting at a few snags and weedbeds along the way without any luck.

Im very happy to be back in a yak and enjoying the many different opportunities it can provide, and im looking forward to getting back into the comps as well.

SSBS RND 1 - GEORGES RIVER RESULTS 31/1/11

Congratulations to Andrew Death for taking the win at the first SSBS event of 2011.

2.21kg's is a huge bag and is another impressive result, relagating Stewart to third (Only just Stu, Hedge on your tail). Biggest field assembled for a bream comp in Australia, over 100 entrants (Including 80 + boaters). Next round is the infamous Clyde River at Nelligen, no doubt I will be pre-fishing it till the cows come home (Last two comps here, 2 x donuts). For anyone looking to get involved in the world of tournament fishing look no further than the SSBS Series...

For more information on the SSBS series, please click here.

1 Andrew Death 2.21 3 50
2 Robert Chambers 1.89 3 49
3 Sailing Scene/Lox Rods Stewart Dunn 1.585 3 48
4 Dave hedge 1.535 3 47
5 Luke Kay 1.43 3 46
6 Hobie Fishing Carl Dubois 1.265 3 45
7 Fully Loaded Man Jason Peters 1.245 3 44
8 Ronnie Sonter 1.17 2 43
9 Alan Parkinson 1.145 2 42
10 Daniel Holder 1.125 3 41
11 NSW SCKF Jason Childs 0.96 2 40
12 Sean O'Hagan 0.745 1 39
13 I Fish Jason Lambert 0.725 2 38
14 Jason Reid 0.47 1 37
15 Terry Grimn 0.45 1 36
16 Brian Rutledge 0.38 1 35
17 Jonathon Chen 0.37 1 34
18 Westie Clint Short 10
19 Ken Raley 10
20 Marcel Chaloupka 10
21 Scott Carmody 10
22 Peter Woods 10
23 Michelle Carmody 10
24 Tom Duffy 10
25 AKFF Dave Gleeson 10
26 Eric Wood

DAIWA-HOBIE ABT RND 5 BEMM REPORT 23/1/11

The anticipation, the journey, the heralded return...

The 2011 Daiwa Hobie ABT Kayak Series has many spectacular settings and destinations, none more hyped than the tournaments return to the mighty Bemm River. With a reputation for big southern Black Bream, the Victorian town conjured up an impressive turnout of competitors. So many in fact that the event earned its mega breamin’ tag and broke all previous ABT Kayak records by amassing the biggest turnout ever seen at any ABT Kayak event since its inception (57 entrants to be exact).

The majority consisted of sturdy Breamers, the first time hopeful, non boater stalwarts, interstate travellers and a massive flock of Victorian residents ready to cast more than an eye over the solid field. With Bemm River being the popular fishing and camping destination many arrived days earlier to take advantage of the impressive waterway, scouring possible hotspots developing what game plans they could (Just which direction to go, when and why?).

The official practice session on the Saturday gave many an insight into what to expect come tournament day. The sight of pre-fishing competitors and the numerous reports of sizeable Bream on offer had many minds agape. Those that could reflected on their efforts and last year’s Bemm bumper crop, ABT weigh master Simon Goldsmith and those infamous bump tubs were expecting the full kit and caboodle (The elusive three kilo mark).

The chance for history to repeat itself was nigh. On Sunday the 23rd of January the tournament assembled on the shores of Sydenham Inlet, with full catering by Alpine Country (Hobie Dealer) and the presence of the new ABT/Fishing Monthly Trailer. Mr. Goldsmith accompanied by Josh Carpenter prepped the entrants and assembled onlookers on the rules, etiquette and what lay ahead come weigh in. With just minutes to go a couple more individuals arrived and boosted the total number of live wells that needed to be inspected to 57 (As mentioned previously an impressive new record).

The ABT officials commenced time on and the contestants spilt off in alternate directions. Some ventured towards the bay flats, others as I found out later trekked a lot further. The Bream may of been feeling a little stung after the official pre-fish but the overcast conditions provide an idyllic backdrop and more than made up for any immediate lack of action (My experience only). As with most Bream events your approach was determined by the conditions. Would the surface be a big fish early morning option or perhaps dictate the only path to deeper water progeny?

There were some massive Bream around, schooling with either identical/smaller fish or roaming around what appeared to be solo. The vision of a big black thumper cruising the crust below a windswept wave was seriously awe inspiring. Water quality was mainly a turbid brown but in some locations ran crystal clear. Natural coloured presentations like a Zip Bait Khamsin Jr pattern 513A (Grey/Bronze/Green and Black fleck) worked well in the shallow sandy silt while a clearer 3B Crank Puppy Dog Hooch pattern (Shrimp, clear with orange stripes) dominated clearer, deeper water.

Everyone had their own individual approach and some would ultimately be more successful than others. First placed Jordan Trusty ventured kilometres up River before even wetting a line, an all or nothing approach that involved 3lb fluoro finesse and a Stiffy Minnow crank (Tassie Tiger pattern ). Runner-up and tournament debutant Bryan Lazzaro fished a lot closer, using a braided non stretch vibe and rip approach with a ghostly looking Ecogear VX35 Blade (Colour 439). The locations were polar opposites, their techniques varied greatly but in the end result proved to be much the same.

There were of course some unfortunate stories, with a couple of big fish deaths and of course a few late penalties. As entrants sauntered their way back to the finish line and milled around waiting for a victory weigh bag all eyes were affixed to the weigh master. As it turned out 100 legal Bream graced the judges presence (over 72kg’s of Bream was weighed) and 25 competitors secured a full bag. During last year’s event a 2.5kg bag didn’t even make the top ten, interesting to note that the same bag weight submitted at this event almost made the top five (Testament to the pre-fishing numbers perhaps?).

With such a large field the payouts went all the way down to 12th Place, with Kevin Winchester landing the tournaments $ 100 Boss Hog Bream of 1.15kg. In 11th place with 3 fish for 2.25kg, earning himself $75 was Clark Wilson. Dave Hedge rounded out the top 10 with 3 fish for 2.26kg ($100, Hobie Long Sleeve Shirt Prize). Hobie’s own Greg Lewis came in 9th with 3 fish for 2.33kg, ($100, Hobie Long Sleeve Shirt Prize). In 8th place with 3 fish for 2.36 was Glen Chester ($125, Hobie Long Sleeve Shirt Prize). 7th spot went to Matt Petrie with 3 fish for 2.42kg ($150, Hobie T-Shirt) and in 6th place with 3 fish for 2.51kg was Chris Burbridge ($150, Hobie T-Shirt).

The top five consisted of two anglers who backed themselves using the ABT ‘Pro’ feature. Neil Carstairs took out 5th and second placed ‘Pro’ with 3 fish for 2.55kg ($150/$90 Pro, Hobie Drift shute). Derek ‘Paffoh’ Steele (Writing as the third person) managed 4th with 3 fish for 2.64kg ($200, Hobie Drift Shute). 3rd placed Martin Fellows stepped it up a notch with 3 fish for 2.71kg ($250, Ram Fly Rod Holder/Hobie Bag) and Bryan Lazzaro, in his maiden kayak tournament pulled a well earned 2nd place with three big Bream for 2.75kg ($300, Ram Tube/Hobie Gear Keeper/ Hobie Bag).

As previously mentioned the event was taken out by ABT non-boater Jordan Trusty (Fishing out of a Hobie pro Angler Kayak). Jordan remarked to me while we were both waiting to weigh in that three fish over 800g was a great bag, you could tell he was quietly confident. Weighing in last he kept us all in suspense, with his down to earth attitude, free sharing spirit and angling nous he was always tipped to do well. The big question on many people’s lips was could he break that magic 3 kilogram mark?

Weighing in a bag only just shy at 2.93kg, which included two 38cm fork Bream, Jordan Trusty simply took the win. First placed ‘Pro’ netted $210, with an additional $650 breaking the ABT bank. For his efforts Jordan received a Ram Pivot, Large and Small Hobie Gear Keepers and a Hobie Bag. With a third place in last year’s Hobie Grand Final, and now automatic qualification into the 2011 Port Macquarie Grand Final, Jordan will definitely be one to watch come the season ending tournament day (Never mind the race for the Angler of the Year title!).

The next round of the Daiwa Hobie Kayak Series floods into the Hopkins River (Sorry, a pun is a pun), followed closely by the Tasmanian event at St. Helens. With four state titles approaching (Including 10 more rounds) and 38 Grand Final spots still up for grabs there has never been a better time to get involved and participate in one of the best tournaments on the ABT stage. For more information on rounds, the event calendar, results, reports and updates on locations and numbers please visit http://www.hobiefishing.com.au/ or http://www.bream.com.au/.

For full results of this round, please click here.

DAIWA-HOBIE ABT RND 5 BEMM RIVER 23/1/11

One of the most anticipated rounds of the season is upon us, this is definitely not to be missed. Sunday the 23rd of January sees the Daiwa Kayak Fishing Series roll into Bemm River Victoria and the stage is set for a wicked turnout. If last years event is anything to go by expect big, big bags and plenty of them (A 2.5kg bag didn't even break the top 10!). Competitors will be travelling from near and far to tackle with these large southern Black Bream so make sure your ready to rumble.

• January
  23rd R5- Bemm River 3 GF spots 1 Day Event
  
  
• February
  13th R6- Hopkins River 3 GF spots 1 Day Event
  27th R7- St Helens 3 GF spots 1 Day Event
  
  
• March
  12-13th R8- Forster 3 GF spots 2 Day Event
  26-27th R9- Albany (WA ST) 5 GF spots 2 Day Event
  
  
• April
  2-3rd R10- Marlo ( VIC ST) 5 GF spots 2 Day Event
  
  
• May
  8th R11- Clarence 3 GF spots 1 Day Event – Sunday
  
  
• June
  11-12th R12- Narrabeen Lakes 3 GF spots 2 Day Event
  
  
• July
  2-3rd R13- Redcliffe (QLD ST) 5 GF spots 2 Day Event
  
  
• August
  13-14th R14- St Georges Basin (NSW ST) 5 GF spots 2 Day Event
  
  
• September
  17-18th R15- Westlakes 3 GF spots 2 Day Event
  
  
• October
  29-30th Hobie GF (Port Macquarie) 2 Day Event
  

For more information, please click here

THE OBSERVER - DAIWA AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2011

I've got a ticket to ride, I've got a ticket to rrriiidddeee,

On Thursday I accepted an observer position at the 2011 Daiwa Australian Open, a prestigious boating tournament and one of the highlights of the ABT calender. Just what is the job of an observer you may ask, well in my case I got to ride with a top ABT angler for seven hours in a warp speed Stratos and pick brains with some of the industries finest. At first I was keen to accept a three day position but with a hectic landscaping schedule ahead of me this was wisely shortened to one.

The weather was as predicted, overcast and choppy. I was allocated to Ian Seeto, one of the infamous Seeto brothers and a Daiwa sponsored angler. Ian took control of the conditions and shared his knowledge and approach openly, delivering a full bag to the weigh master on each and every day. Be it cranking flats and pylons, blading deep/shallow water or running boat hulls with plastics/hard bodies Ian had an answer for every situation. His dedication to tournaments was duly noted and was shown plenty of respect from peers and entrants alike.

To be honest I was a little tired from lack of sleep and travelling and even nodded off a few times (Not from boredom Ian, honest), only to be awoken by 'Damn it' or 'Nooooo' (A sure sign Ian had just lost a good fish). I lost count of how many decent Bream he lost and how many just under legal length Bream visited his deck. Ian commented that it would kill him having to watch someone fish for seven, I was fine for awhile... But...

Being keen on Sydney Harbour angling I tried to justify and validate a day trip on the kayaks, just by feeling out the banks and walls. At one stage we came to a big cockle bed that was only a foot or two deep, this is about when the craving kicked in. I could have spent a whole day on those flats alone, never mind the other areas we visited. It was at this stage when I suddenly realised that maybe the ABT non-boater role might be more appealing than I first thought (Anything is worth a shot, right?).

I missed the live stream today due to landscaping duties but quickly found out the end result from the http://www.bream.com.au website. Ian came in a commendable 8th place (Just above his good mate Josh), a top 10 finish worthy of his efforts. Congratulations again Ian and thanks for my time onboard, I have some photos I would love to email you (Contact - paffoh@aol.com). Good luck for future tournaments mate and I might even see you around as your non-boater... Maybe...

For full tournament results, please visit:

http://www.bream.com.au/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=737&mode=&order=0&thold=0

KAYAK FISHING ADVENTURES - HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year readers,

Time for my annual recap, albeit a little later than usual. 2010 was a massive year for all at KFA, most of it was outstanding (In more ways than one) but a few left me scratching my head. To start with the tournament scene blew up another level with both the ABT series and the SSBS delivering great rounds and great fish. Our attendance was pretty heavy at the ABT events but perhaps a little sporadic in the SSBS. We fished well, learned a lot and even managed a couple of wins, top fives and even grand final appearances (With Jason taking out the SSBS GF).

Local fishing was non existent and our favourite Native hole (Any many other peoples) basically died due to run off from a new suburb. Its a real shame as the weed growth actually excelled to a point where light was at a minimum and constant captures proved elusive. I drive by this place everyday now and with the recent weather creating more run off mayhem the once crystal clear suburban water resembles nothing less than a muddy Yabby pond.

A little further afield and things change, for the better it seems. My favourite place to fish in the whole wide world (Yes, Lake Jindabyne) filled to a level I had not fished it from for many years (Well before my kayak fishing days). At first it became a guessing game finding previously hallowed ground but with repeated trips the edge bite really came alive. Trout Fest 2010 was a perfect example, while we caught some excellent fish the sheer majority of them made it a stand out event for the year.

KFA headquarters moved into a much bigger pad, a far cry from my old dig. A short time after Phoebe was born, followed by Patwah's baby Arli (Excuse the spelling mate). Its been a hectic time for Claire and I with a new house and child and for that the middle part of the year halted my multiple winter trips (Post and pre). Phoebe and Claire are doing well and the house is great, i'm finally getting around to the landscaping (If only for a place to store the new trailer). I have never been this proud before, and I have the tattoo branding to prove it.

Canberra saw more rain than it has in over a decade, so much so that nearly every Dam within earshot has been full to overflowing (First Brogo, then Burrinjuck, Googong, Pejar etc). The waters are still yet to settle which has made local fishing difficult (And downright hazardous) but some great Golden Perch have been extracted by Jason fishing flooded ground and a couple of close mountain streams showed promise with aerobatic Bows. If anyone fishes locally over the next few weeks take care, the local lakes are full of obese flotsam and jetsam.

Contributions from others on KFA have slowed and basically halted, which is rather disapointing. I really only have myself to blame as my judgement on an issue affected others and in turn the website (And another) suffered. The issue was a cloud over my head for a few months and I am now still poorer for it. Without dredging it up again and again those affected know why it was mentioned. Again, apologies to all and sundry (You know who you are).

KFA did pick up the pace, with a little bit of content management we hit 50,000 hits before the year was out. Pretty stoked with the result, considering how little cross promotion and avenues for advertising we had up our sleeves. The online shop stalled and is currently in an unintended hiatus. While not a priority or strict money making site tool I do hope to have it up and running in the near future. With some of the other tabs suffering a similar fate another overhaul is on the cards very soon, perhaps with a complete website update?

Which brings me to the best part of all, time management. For the last seven years my life has consisted of running and owning a coffee shop. Early morning starts, late finishes, management, staff issues, basic business, its been a real roller coaster ride. Just last month we decided to put it on the market and Claire and I recently took a deposit on the shop (Almost straight away). This puts me in a remarkable position for the first time in years, a position of change and opportunity.

While I am not exactly sure what the future will hold in regards to employment I do know what immediate rewards I will reap. More free time, more time with the family, more time fishing, more time resting, more time appreciating the little things, more time planning, more time writing, more time excelling, more time bludging. Whichever way I look at it its a win-win situation, and a bloody big one. I like to show dedication, pay my dues and walk away with a smile (In all aspects of life).

Its time to grab a beer and park my carcass...

THE TRAILER HAS ARRIVED - 3 x P.A'S POSSIBLE

It is finally here, the trailer I have been swooning over (In my mind).

Danny at Resort Trailers did a great job, especially given the multiple questions I asked over and over again. Its a high side 7' x 4' custom rack with a mammoth drawbar. With both front and rear fold down gates it was designed to carry three Pro Anglers (Or multiple other models) to and from ABT/SSBS tournaments up and down the east coast. I am pretty new to the whole trailer game so was surprised how well it seemed to tow with a full load.

The beauty of this size trailer is it tracks almost identicaly to my Subaru Forester, the main reason with sticking to 7' x 4' (And not going, say 8' x 5' instead). Perfect for sojourns down the coast and also strong my kayaks permanently when at home. Its had a few 400km + outings and even a 4wd all terrain adventure and has not skipped a beat (Except for the smashed left front wing, eh? - ed).

Not everything went to plan with this build, but the issues were very minor and fixed myself. Firstly the rack sat dead flat on the high sides (Good) but the Pro Anglers seat was just a tad to high for bottom tray loading (Bad). Couple of 40 x 40 box steel cut offs, some elongated bolts and a lick of paint allowed me to prop it up enough for one to fit (A small oversight on my behalf). The upshot is the solid sides can now breathe, essential for those cross winds that pushed it round on its maiden voyage.

I mounted a utility box on the draw bar, clear of the swinging jerry/tyre carrier and the car when jacking (Can go close to 90 degrees). Next and final steps is to sort some kind of canopy/tarp and pole system for shade and camping comfort (Edit - done and done). The pictures dont do this trailer justice but they do however paint the picture (Minus the trailers spare wheel mount and a few odds and ends).

Maybe now I can finish working on my car, rather than constantly checking for damage and washing saltwater off the roof. Maybe now those journeys to Forster with three kayaks and three cars will be compacted into one, saving time, logistics and most importantly money....

Massive road trip anybody?