by Sarah Graham
Many anglers are preparing for the opening of the new angling season on Saturday 7 August and it's shaping up to be another good one with the fishery in excellent health as a result of last year’s drought breaking rains. There are many great fishing locations around the State from which to choose for the opening weekend and early season fishing but here are a few suggestions.
Bill Presslor
If you asked most Australian trout anglers if they ever used spoons for their fishing most would likely reply that they seldom ever use this type of lure. In reality the Tasmanian "Cobra" style of lure is really a type of spoon, albeit a heavy, uniquely-shaped lure, it is still basically a spoon. Every size, shape and description of spoon has been manufactured over the years, but nothing else comes close to these little plastic and lead marvels. The Cobra style of lure has an amazing scope to accommodate a broad range of applications for almost any fishing condition. With the addition of a couple of new innovations to this style of lure Australia's most popular and successful fresh water fishing lure has just become even better!
Andrew Richardson
Recently I had a conversation with a colleague of mine regarding his desire to take his stepson fishing. He explained that although his wife's twelve-year-old son loved to fish, my colleague was unable to justify the expense. I must admit I probably gave him a stupid puzzled look before enquiring exactly why he thought a fishing trip was going to leave him bankrupt. "It's all that special gear you need mate" he said in a deadly serious tone, "you know, those expensive surf rods and big reels, and all the floats and sinkers and stuff you need. I can't justify the price of it. Not for a fishing trip here and there."
Damon Sherriff
As I have aged I've found it more enjoyable fishing with my children. I get huge satisfaction these days watching them catch a fish - even more than I do catching one myself.
I have three sons, Ben, Jack and Sam who I taken fishing from a very young age. My eldest Ben who is 7 years old, is now completely self sufficient. From tying knots, casting spinners, baiting hooks and fighting and landing his own fish he can do it all.
There are many lures on the market at the present. The soft plastics have taken the fishing world by storm. I must admit that I am no fan of them myself. I still enjoy using more traditional lures such as balsa minnows, deep divers, spinners and cobras. I find the smart hard body lure fisher can still keep up with or even out fish the plastics with the right formula.
Leroy Tirant
Tournament fishing can sound intimidating to the average angler, especially those who wish to enter the competition arena. However, when you witness the line up of boats at the start of an event it does become inspiring. To see the latest fishing rigs, gleaming paint jobs and major horsepower being run by tournament fishos-with household names and any budding angler will want to join their ranks.
Steve Steer
Being able to consistently locate your target species, select an appropriate lure and then present it in a way that the fish likes to see it can be a very daunting task for any angler. With so many variables at work against us such as different; fishing locations, target species, environmental factors, light levels, water depths, water clarities, water temperatures, water flow/tidal movements, activity/aggression levels of the fish, lure sizes/shapes/colors/actions/weights/smells/sink rates, etc, etc.
Hooks are one of those things we take for granted in fishing. The range of hooks is enormous and there is no hook for all conditions. Choice is usually a compromise. Even a beginner trying the most basic fishing should be aware of choosing the best hook for the job at hand.
Introduction
Correctly maintaining your overhead fishing reel and performing the appropriate servicing procedures is of prime importance to all anglers regardless of the overhead reel's application. A well maintained overhead reel performs at its optimum level, increases casting distance, lowers the minimum cast weight and assists the angler by operating without a fault whilst fishing, having a smooth drag with a light initial let off to respond to a sudden run from a hooked fish.
Cast your mind back to the last time you were wandering down the street and this wonderful aroma caught your attention as you passed the local bakery. Your mouth starts to water and you are tempted to go straight in there and buy some of that delicious freshly baked bread - you have in fact just been burleyed!
Splash disguised by a small cascade and landing just upstream of a deeper hole overhung by blackberries, this was a rare perfect cast. As the lure wobbled its way through the shadows a bow wave tracking to intercept indicated interest. A brief pause at the shadow's edge resulted in a solid tug on the line and with a swirling splash, I was on. After a couple of jumps and short runs, a pretty little brown trout was quickly slid up on the wet grass for a quick measure, photo, de-hook and release. At 43.5cm fork length and over a pound and a half in weight, this was a large fish for such small water with the deeply hooked jaw of a mature male trout. This brought my total for the day (about an hours fishing just 20min from home) to three landed and with several others missed or dropped, was a fitting end for a quick post work fish. As with all previous fish, that day along with many from previous and subsequent trips the successful lure was a simple small metal spoon one of the most underrated lures in our hi-tech modern fishing society.
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Presented from Issue 105, August 2013
We did a bit of a runaround Tasmania’s tackle stores to see what their tips for the first month or so of the tackle season were. We asked what the top three places to fish were, plus lures, flies, baits and a few other things.
Here is a rundown on their answers Whenever, and wherever you fish - anywhere, or for any fish in the world - ask the locals and especially ask at the local tackle store. They know what was caught today, yesterday and on what.