Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Photo Caption Contest

Update: This photo caption contest is now closed. To see the winner, click here.

We get some great photos here at FishMax, but sometimes, like this one below, we just can't find the right words to use as a caption, so we thought we'd ask our readers what they thought, and to make it more interesting, we're offering a great prize!



Simply post your funny caption in the comments section of this article or on the FishMax facebook page, to go in the running to win a FishMax.com.au Sun Safe pack (including  sunglasses and hat) valued at over $50.


Terms and Conditions

  • Entries close on October 31, 2010
  • Winner will be contacted by us in November 2010 and will be announced here on FishMax.com.au.
  • You may enter as many times as you want.
  • The winner will receive a FishMax sun-safe pack comprising sunglasses, sunsafe hat and other sun safety gear with a RRP of over $50.
  • Only entries posted in the comments section below or on the fishmax.com.au facebook page will be eligible.
  • Entries valid for Australian residents only.
  • The prize is not transferable and not redeemable for cash.
  • A valid email must be left in order for us to contact you if you win. If the winner cannot be contacted, we will award the prize to the runner-up.
  • The best entry will be selected by the FishMax.com.au staff. The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to. 
Make sure that when you leave your comment below, you use a google ID or other form of ID as shown in the dropdown box, or if you don't have one of those, choose "anonymous" and enter your name and email address in the comments section, so we can contact you if you win (don't worry,  we'll remove you're email address before the comment is published, so no-one else will be able to see it).

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Cooking Salmon - Great Broiled Sockeye Salmon Recipe

While in Vancouver recently, the Snapper King and I had a chance to catch some beautiful Sockeye Salmon. Now the Canucks tell me that Sockeye can be the hardest salmon to cook, as its prone to drying out quickly, but they also say its the best eating salmon, and that's something I can attest to.

While in Vancouver, we made it our goal to eat ALOT of salmon and we tried it heaps of different ways. Here is one recipe for Broiled Salmon with a Citrus Glaze that I just loved.

Ingredients


1 side, skin-on, sockeye salmon, 1 1/2 to 2 pounds (that's about 600 to 800 grams), pin bones removed

1/3 cup dark brown sugar

2 tablespoons lemon zest

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Position a rack in the oven 3 inches from the broiler. Line a half sheet pan with aluminum foil and place the salmon on the pan.

Place the sugar, zest, salt, and pepper into the bowl of a small food processor and process for 1 minute or until well combined. Evenly spread the mixture onto the salmon and allow to sit for 45 minutes, at room temperature.

Turn the oven on to the high broiler setting for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, place the salmon into the oven and broil for 6 to 8 minutes or until the thickest part of the fish reaches an internal temperature of 131 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Remove the salmon from the oven and allow to rest, uncovered, for 8 to 10 minutes. Serve immediately.

Stevo's Comments

The salmon was some of the tastiest salmon I've tried and the glaze was perfect! The prep is easy and it would also be interesting to try using orange zest instead of lemon zest, but the lemon zest was very good.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Fishing Quote of the Week



"There's a fine line between fishing
and just standing on the shore like an idiot."
                                              Steven Wright                                           


Monday, September 20, 2010

Great Aussie Brand for Boaties and Fishers

We all know that a good quality shirt and hat (along with sunglasses) are essential gear no matter what type of fishing you do. Too many fishermen have lost body parts (and even lives) to sun cancer to take risks.

A brand we've recently been trying out is Shock & Oar started by  West Australian's Brendon and Deirdre Westhout in 2008.

Taking inspiration from their careers on the water aboard everything from fishing trawlers to luxury mega-yachts, Brendon and Deirdre began their clothing brand online in 2008. In mid 2009 Shock & Oar opened its flagship Store in the heart of Fremantle, Western Australia.

The Name "Shock & Oar" came about when company founder Captain Brendon Westerhout and his Engineer colleague were given the nick-name ‘Shock & Awe’ following their building of the mega yacht Aussie Rules for golfer Greg Norman in 2003. They turned the phrase into ‘Shock & Oar’ to cleverly reflect their nautical skills in driving and engineering big boats.

The range includes the Avon Decent Long Sleeved Tee (RRP $39.95) and the Rotto Brim Hat (RRP$24.95) pictured. While made in China, they are designed in Australia and appear to be well made and will handle a fair workout on the boat or while shore fishing. Shock and Oar Clothing also includes ranges for the girls and the kids, and is stylish enough to wear off the water as well as on.

Shock & Oar is giving Fishmax.com.au readers a 20% DISCOUNT* on their online purchase until Saturday 25 September 2010. Just enter coupon code fish10 in the coupon code section at the checkout. (*Discount off original prices and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. Normal postage charges still apply). You can visit the shop at http://www.shockandoar.com/

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

That's a Big Fish!

While in Canada recently, Stevo and The Snapper King arranged to try something very different for Aussie anglers -  fishing White Sturgeon in the beautiful Fraser River (British Columbia, not far from Vancouver). Unfortunately due to a scheduling conflict, they didn't get the chance, but they've promised they'll be back next year to try their hand.

Why Sturgeon? Because they are HUGE! White Sturgeon are a great fighting fish and catches over over 500 lbs (220kg) are not unheard of. In fact,  the largest White Sturgeon caught on the Fraser River appears to be the one in the photo below, caught in 2005 near Chilliwack, B.C which measured 11 feet and probably weighed about 1,000 pounds according to guide Len Ames.




Sturgeon can be found all across the far reaches of North America, from Mexico to Alaska and have an amazing life-span of up to one hundred years. They are also the biggest fish found in fresh water in the North America. Sturgeon are an incredibly strong species and it requires dedication and strength to catch one.

The Fraser River, in BC is a great place to catch Sturgeon and during peak times (in the Northern Summer) most fish average 50-100 lbs (20 to 45kg)  and 10-20 fish per day is common. Fraser river White Sturgeon are incredible fighters, surface jumps and long screaming runs are common! Catch and release is mandatory for White Sturgeon on the Fraser, and of course, as is usually the case in North America, make sure you have the right type of license.

Apparently this (2010) has been a pretty good year for White Sturgeon on the Fraser River. Check out these examples! The first was caught late in August and the second caught just last week.






Everyone agrees that one of the best outfits around is Silversides Charters, who have been fishing Sturgeon and Salmon for years and really know their stuff. If you're going to be in the area, make sure you give head guide,  Brian McKinlay a call and definitely check out the Silversides Website for some great pics and video.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Sockeye Salmon in British Columbia


Recently Snap and Stevo had the opportunity to fish for Sockeye salmon in British Columbia with Fishmax’s Canadian contributor Rob and his mate Sandy, aboard Rob’s 38 ft Tiara. Leaving the West Vancouver yacht club marina at Eagle Harbour, the Tiara’s twin caterpillar 500 hp diesels quickly had us out at the fishing ground in the Strait of Georgia, off the northern mouth of the Fraser River.

Up until about 20 years ago it was thought near impossible for recreational fishermen to catch Sockeye. Commercially Sockeye were fished by gillnetters, but these fish were reluctant to take a hook, as they feed on plankton and small aquatic organisms such as shrimp. Over the last two decades, fishermen have developed a variety of methods to catch these fine looking and even better tasting fish, on fly and with lures.

We trolled small lures called Hootchies off downriggers at depths between 25 and 50 feet. Boat speed is very slow with 2 to 2.5 knots considered best. Once hooked the sockeye are a game fighter, with hard runs, often taking to the air with wild leaps. If you’ve ever seen those wildlife documentaries of them throwing themselves up rapids you’ll understand the power in these fish. The weight of the fish we caught averaged 9 lbs or 4 kg.

Fortunately for us, we arrived in Vancouver on the opening day of the best sockeye season in a hundred years, with an estimated 25 to 30 million fish heading back to the British Columbia’s Fraser river to spawn. Let’s hope that this is the start of bumper seasons after real concerns over dwindling numbers seen the last few years.

The weather was as good as it gets in Vancouver's summertime, with warm barmy days and gentle breezes. As it didn't get dark until nearly 9:00pm we spent many hours on the water chasing fish. We had a great couple of days with great company, hooking into these exciting fish, topping the evening off with a nip (or two) of Mount Gay rum on the run back to the marina.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Fishing Quote of the Week



"We ask a simple question
And that is all we wish:
Are fishermen all liars?
Or do only liars fish?"

                                                     William Sherwood Fox          


Saturday, September 11, 2010

Fishing Book Review - Fishing Season

Fishing Season is the latest book by flyfishing guide, instructor and author,Philip Weigall.

Philip has been writing regularly on all things flyfishing for twenty years for publications including Freshwater Fishing Magazine and Flyfisher Magazine. Fishing Season is Philip's sixth book and takes you on a journey through a (fly) Fishing Season full of challenges and victories, disappointments and frustrations, but most of all, quiet happiness!

It is billed as a book not just for fishermen, and while I do agree that it's interesting and well written, I really think this book with all its flyfishing references is one more for the true flyfishing enthusiest.

Fishing Season is available from good bookstores or contact the publisher at http://www.exislepublishing.com/ .

Fred

Monday, September 6, 2010

Fishing Quote of the Week



"Fishing is a... discipline in the equality of men
- for all men are equal before fish."
                                           Herbert Hoover


Thursday, September 2, 2010

Off Shore Rods By Fin-Nor

Fin-Nor's reputation for utilising tomorrow’s technology to build the toughest high-performance fishing gear appears to be represented in its latest jigging rods. When you pick up the strongest model in the Fin-Nor Offshore Jig range, it’s hard to believe something that weighs so little can handle 80lb so easily. But that’s exactly what it does!

Fin-Nor construct the Offshore Jig rods using the latest high-modulus carbon graphite technology to create blanks that are 50 per cent stronger than carbon graphite rods used by other brands. The manufacturer says its a complicated process that uses different nano-technology to increase the strength of the material. Put simply: it makes it possible for less to be able to lift more. Fin-Nor make the most of this incredible strength by matching these blanks with the latest Fuji Alconite guides and Fuji reel seats, plus grips shaped for fish-fighting comfort.

The results of this leading technology are great value jigging rods that reduce angler fatigue, yet have ample power to take on the biggest kingfish, samsons, dogtooth and anything else that dares to pick a fight with these sticks.

The six-rod range includes a 30lb, 50lb and 80lb in both spin and overhead formats.