Hooked Up 172 September 2026
The September edition is here and we celebrate the arrival of spring in a big way!On the cover is Colby Lesko with a chunky Lake Eildon yellowbelly taken on the new Samaki V-Prawn. Inside, Colby looks at everything spring has to offer in one of Victoria’s best inland fisheries, including yellowbelly, big Murray cod and trout.Gawaine Blake then delivers a detailed how-to on targeting early-season Western Port snapper, complete with rig diagrams, sounder screenshots and plenty of detail on where, when and how to target those big early reds.After visiting the AFTA Tackle Show, we’ve also put together our own Best in Show awards. We’ve opened up the categories and looked at the new gear from an angler’s perspective, creating
McLures Mogul 9in Review
Words & Images by Eddie Fischer When Kosta (Hooked Up’s editor) handed me a McLures Mogul 9in and told me to give it a run, I will admit I did not know a great deal about the brand. I had not asked what it cost, and Kosta never mentioned the price. I just looked at the lure, gave it the usual once-over, and thought: this thing looks pretty good. That is often how it starts with new gear. You do not always know the story behind it. You just look at the shape, the finish, the rigging potential and the overall build, then decide whether it deserves a spot in the spread. On this occasion I was heading out chasing
Hooked Up 171 August 2026
The latest issue of Hooked Up is the 2026 Tackle Special. If you didnt make it to Brisbane for AFTA this year, you’re not missing out. We’ve packed this issue with all the latest tackle drops, including new rods, reels, lures, accessories and gear from across the industry. Consider it your guide to what’s new, what’s coming, and what you’ll be seeing on tackle shop shelves over the months ahead. Read the 2026 Tackle Special now.
Yamashita EGI-OH Search Shallow Review
I have been using Yamashita’s EGI-OH Search range since it first came out, and I still rate it as one of the best squid jig series ever made. That is not a throwaway line. Over the years I have used just about every squid jig worth using, and the Search range has always had a way of finding squid when other jigs are not getting the same attention. The original appeal was pretty simple: Yamashita built a jig that combined visual, sonic and action-based attraction in one package. You had the 490 Glow, the tuned internal Search Rattle, a good fall posture, strong darting action and, later, the upgraded bodies, colours and sinker designs that kept the range evolving without
How To Dry Age Fish at Home
For years we’ve been told ‘fresh is best’. Jonah Yick explains why hanging your catch whole in a fridge for a few days delivers better flavour, texture, shelf life and presentation — and how to set it up at home.
Hooked Up 170 July 2026
Hooked Up Magazine’s 170th edition is packed with winter fishing content, including a detailed look at targeting King George whiting in Port Phillip Bay, the benefits of dry ageing fish, and the best southern species to chase through the colder months. We also review the new Yamashita EGI-OH Search Shallow squid jigs and put the McLures Mogul game lure under the spotlight. With practical advice, new tackle and seasonal fishing inspiration, Edition 170 has plenty to keep anglers busy this winter.
Hooked Up 169 June 2026
The June edition of Hooked Up Magazine is packed with practical winter fishing advice, including a complete guide to trolling for Southern Bluefin Tuna, how to rig spin tackle for hard-fighting big-game species, and proven techniques for targeting southern sharks during the colder months. Plus, you’ll find the latest gear, boats, electronics, destination features and expert fishing tips from around Australia.
How to cube for southern bluefin tuna
There’s something about old techniques that never really die. They just sit quietly in the background, waiting for the right moment to come back into play. Cubing for southern bluefin tuna is exactly that. It’s an approach that dates back decades, something that was almost standard practice through the 70s and 80s, before high-speed trolling and modern lure technology took over. But when the fish stop behaving how you want them to, when they sit mid-water and ignore everything you throw at them, cubing is still one of the most effective ways to turn a tough day into a memorable one. When Tuna Won’t Play the Game With the resurgence of southern bluefin numbers in recent seasons, particularly those solid