Squid –great to eat – great for bait

Phil Ellerton takes a look at a member of the Cephalopod family – the squid.

Tasmania has two main squid – calamari and arrowhead. The tubes of both of these are excellent fare when eaten fresh, while the tentacles can be frozen for bait. As bait there is little better to entice many saltwater species.

Its time to hit the surf

Ron McBain takes a look at Surf fishing.

Because Tasmania has many excellent surf fishing beaches that are easily accessible; it is no surprise that this form of angling is one of the fastest growing. It doesn’t have to be expensive and it’s a form of fishing that can involve the whole family.

Harts Hints - Handling the Catch

by Andrew Hart

You’ve don’t it! You’ve landed what you were after and a good size fish it is too! Finally, you can take home something for the table. You can’t wait to show off your catch and then enjoy a tasty and nutritious meal. You’ve done the hard work! Or have you?

Pump your own bait

Michael Bok tells where, how and why.

At times gathering bait is almost as much fun as fishing itself and the rewards from catching better fish on fresh caught bait are great. A bait pump is a great help if you fish out coastal or estuary environments. What is a bait pump?

Millions of minute mayflies on Lake Meadowbank

Robert Gott explains how the minute caenid mayfly and Lake Meadowbank combine to create a special fishing experience.

Some years ago it was my good fortune to fish with a very colourful Irishman. This fellow was a highly skilled practitioner at the craft and passionate about his fishing in a way that only the Irish can be. I clearly remember two things about him. He was a master fly tier and his creations, minor works of art.

Boating techniques – improving your catch rate

Trout guide, Peter Hayes explains some of the techniques he uses that will help improve your catch rate.

As I stand at the door of my Great Lake shack the eleventh day of February is just four hours old. The morning is black and remarkably quiet. Around me the trees seem hypnotised by the stillness in the air. This is a rare and beautiful moment in the highlands of Tasmania and you need to rise early to witness it.

Jan's Flies - Parachute Flies

Parachute flies are hot on everybody's lips at the moment and they certainly do sit nicely on the water. Next time you are on the water fishing and there is a dun or two around, have a good long look at how they sit. Very nicely, belly down on the water.

Game fishing – rigging for the best results

by Rocky Carosi – Professional Charters

Careful rigging is one of the keys that open the door to success in fishing. It is no coincidence that those who know and understand, and are skilled in how to rig – whether for fishing with baits or lures, consistently bring in the fish.

Catch in the Kitchen - Smoked Fish

The editor threw me a challenge; Find me some recipes in which to use smoked fish. Mind you, why would you bother – it’s great on its own.

Marine Communications explained.

by Henry Jacobs of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol

Communication plays a very important role in marine safety. It enables us to keep abreast of what is going on around us. We can get weather forecasts and updates on weather from Coast stations along our coastlines. Most importantly we can call other vessels and stations should we need assistance in the event of a mechanical breakdown, sickness, injury in an accident, fire and so on.

Kids Stuff – building a handline

by Michael Bok

Hey kids do you want to try out fishing? You don’t need a rod or reel because we’ll build a handline and then have a go off the nearest jetty, pier or out of a boat.

You will need the following items:

Trout tips for February-March

by Greg French

If I could fish only two consecutive months in any trout season, February and March would be my choice. Of course I would miss my cherished sea trout fishing, and red letter days on the South Esk and Macquarie rivers would be few and far between – but the weather on the Central Plateau would usually be relatively settled and I could rely on ideal conditions for polaroiding and dun hatches.