Hooked Up 138 November 2023
In this issue we cover the Melbourne snapper season, how to catch cobia, big southern calamari and a guide on braided lines.
How To Catch Cobia
Cobia are a widespread species across the northern Australian coast year-round – they fight hard, eat lures or baits and are often caught by anglers. Cobia – also known as black kingfish – grow in excess of 40kg but are more commonly caught around 10 to 15kg in size. At this size the fish put up a great fight and are fine for the table. The larger cobia over 20kg are exceptional fighters and seem to never give up, but these large trophy fish are not as good to eat and should be released. There is a massive range of techniques and tactics you can use to target and catch cobia. In this article, we will explore these and a
Swibo Knives
When it comes to filleting and boning knives, precision and sharpness are the name of the game. As an avid angler and knife enthussiast, I’ve had my fair share of experiences with various blades, but recently, I had the pleasure of putting Swibo Knives to the test. In this review, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on two of their offerings: the 20cm filleting knife and the shorter 15cm boning knife. First impressions matter, and Swibo Knives certainly knows how to make a statement. Upon opening the package, I was immediately struck by the razor-sharp edge of both knives. It’s evident that Swibo takes pride in their craftsmanship, and these knives are no exception. One standout feature that caught my attention
Hooked Up 137 October 2023
Discover a variety of proven techniques to catch more and bigger golden perch. Dean Norbiato shares his insights, ensuring you’re well-prepared to land some prized slabs of gold. Mark your calendars for mid-October when the snapper season in Port Phillip Bay is set to kick off. Kosta Linardos provides you with valuable information on where to find these sought-after fish, the best bait techniques, and early season reports. Stay tuned for our follow-up report in November to see how the season is progressing. Explore the art of deep dropping as we target a wide range of deep-water species using electric reels. Jonah Yick’s in-depth guide will help you tackle the challenges of offshore deep dropping and potentially land some incredible
St Croix Avid Panfish
While St. Croix rods aren’t exactly a household name in Australia, I believe they soon will be based off the model I just reviewed. Juro Fishing Australia has just taken over distribution of this very fine rod company and is doing it right with a big range that’s been hand-selected to suit Australian species and techniques. St. Croix is one the biggest rod companies in America thanks to its innovation, great designs and outstanding craftsmanship. St. Croix began in Park Falls, Wisconsin, in 1948, when two anglers, Gordon Schluter and Bob Nordskog, set out to redefine the art of rod building. What started as a modest venture has since evolved into one of the America’s biggest rod companies, and St.
South Australian Calamari Land Based
Words & Images: Oli Wood Late winter and early spring means only one thing for me here in South Australia, and that is big southern calamari and loads of them. It’s these cooler water temperatures where big squid congregate in the shallower waters to breed. In order to catch more squid, it’s important to understand their behaviour during this time of the year, their spawning grounds and where they congregate. During the main winter spawning season, they are often found in the shallow coastal weed beds from two to six metres of water. If there is a decent tide, these larger squid tend to feed in the shallower waters from two to three metres. If the tides are slower, then
Western Port Snapper
Words & Images: Peter ‘Fergie” Ferguson Many people think snapper season starts only in mid-November but let me assure you, there are quality snapper to be caught well before then by those anglers willing to put in the hard yards to get what I believe are the most satisfying snapper captures of the season. Over the years I have caught many quality snapper throughout winter but September heralds the start of warmer waters that tend to get the metabolism moving on the resident and early-arriving snapper in Western Port. I fondly remember, about 20 years ago, the reaction I got when I showed my mates and the local tackle shop a 5kg snapper I caught in mid-August around the mouth
How To catch Coral Trout
Coral trout are a Queensland staple and one of the most targeted fish in northern Australia. The amazing eating qualities and generally great catchability of coral trout makes them an awesome target. There are five species of coral trout commonly caught in northern Australia: the common coral trout, bar cheek coral trout, blue spot coral trout, passion fruit coral trout and coronation trout. All five look different and each occupies a slightly different environment. Trout are found right across northern Australia, in all marine tropical waters, and when fishing on any coastal hard bottom or reef, inshore or offshore, you will find coral trout. In terms of east coast Australian distribution, the coral trout start in good numbers off Bundaberg