Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas from the FishMax Team


Everyone here at FishMax wishes all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Enjoyable New Year.

For the next week or so we're all going fishing, but we'll be back next year with more great fishing tips, reviews and features, more "Holy Sh*t or Bull Sh*t", more fishing celebrities, fishing giveaways and a whole lot more including some exciting new fishing goodies that we look foward to sharing with you all.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Fishing Quote of the Week



"It has always been my private conviction that any man who
pits his intelligence against a fish and loses has it coming."
  John Steinbeck

                                                                                                                 


Celebrity Interview - Glenn Cooper of Cooper's Brewery

Exclusive FishMax Interview

Glenn Cooper, 5th generation brewer, and now Executive Chairman and Marketing Director is a keen fisherman. Glenn was kind enough to recently take some time out of brewing one of the writer’s favourite drops (Coopers Pale Ale) to answer a few of our questions.

It’s clear from Glenn’s answers  that, like many of us, for Glenn, the joys of fishing are inextricably entwined with the joys of spending time with family members.

Glenn recounts fishing with his then future father-in-law off Black Point in the middle of Gulf St Vincent “I was about 19 and had just started going out with Elspeth. He made me do all the work, hauling up anchors and the like!”.

Glenn still loves fishing Gulf St Vincent, going after King George whiting and great South Australian Snapper for the table. Glenn sites Crumbed King George whiting eaten with his wife’s famous home-made tartare sauce as a favourite.

Fishing's a family affair for the Cooper Clan
His favourite spot on the Gulf is a secret though - “It's known only to me and my GPS” he tells us. While he might not want to share his hot fishing spots, Glenn does enjoy sharing the fishing experience with others. “Recently I took my son and his girlfriend and some of their friends fishing in rough seas in Gulf St Vincent.

We decided to go into deeper water despite the rough seas and we got a great haul of snapper. My son’s girlfriend who had never caught a fish, landed a beautiful six pound red!.”

Glenn was also kind enough to share with us his hot fishing tip “ With King George whiting, if they are not biting, don’t think the fish are not there. Practice patience and they will come on!”.


Words: Stevo Perry Pics: Coopers Brewery and Mr Cooper’s private albums.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Sunset Beach a Trevally Fisherman's Paradise

Guest Writer Simo sings the praises of Sunset Beach, Qld.

Hiding just north of Dingo Beach, near Gloucester Island National Park is the tranquil Sunset Beach.

This Queensland Central Coast gem was the scene of a long awaited family holiday with friends and equally keen anglers. With local haunts carrying names such as “The Rock” and “Trevally Alley” we were looking forward to some fun times enjoying the local surrounds whilst catching a feed of fish.

Firstly we head out to “The Rock” where the fun started in the first 5 minutes with a nice hook up of mackerel. Before too long everyone was in the action with a large array of species and dinner was sorted for the night.

 
Simo with some of the Sunset Beach Bounty

The next day we headed off to Trevally Alley and after a half dozen drifts over structure we had as many of the target fish. Trevally are a great fish that put up a decent fight and you really can have some fun playing with the drag and lightening up your gear. The kids all enjoyed the action with some of the younger ones experiencing a big fish for the first time.

After a week of crabbing and fishing the fun was over and some interesting driving through swollen creeks continued the excitement for a little longer. The waters of the Central Coast provide some of the best fishing for such a wide range of species that can provide fun and excitement for any angler.

FishMax Tip: Fish Sunset Beach from boats but keep close to land.

Holy Sh*t or Bull Sh*t - The Truth about the Gannet Man Revealed

Last week we posted a video claiming to be of the so called "Gannett Man" , New Zealander Matt Watson from the ITM Fishing Show jumping from a helicopter and catching a marlin (see the video here) and asked "Is it Bull Sh*t or Holy Sh*t "- is the video of a Watson catching a marlin by diving from a helicoptor true or false?

Well we had a lot of comments on our blog, by email and on facebook with some saying the video showing this crazy Kiwi catching a big fish from from a helicopter was definitely true, with others saying it couldn't possibly be real.

When we approached Matt Watson's representatives for a comment, this is what they had to say:

"We keep the details behind Gannetman very secret... Just as Peter Jackson from The Lord of the Rings doesn't give up his secrets, nor do we. In saying that we don’t have the necessary budget to engage Weta Workshop and I can confirm that everything you see in the clip actually happened. "

So the truth? Can man really jump from a chopper and catch a marlin?

Well, we are certainly not going to say it's impossible, and Matt Watson's Marlin jumping antics were widely reported as real across the globe,  but it does appear to us that (unfortunately) this particular video is a bit of "movie majic".

The response of the fish, the position of the camera man and other factors have our experts certain that this wasn't a case of simply spotting a marlin in the wild and diving on  to it from a chopper.

Watson catches marlin from JetSki
Watson himself has been reported as admitting  that TV trickery was involved in taking the photo and so we have to rule this one "Bull Sh*t".

There is no doubt though that Matt Watson does some crazy stuff - See more on his website at The Ultimate Fishing Show.




Want to know if a fishing story, picture or video circulating the internet is true or false? Simply send details to holyorbull@fishmax.com.au and we'll find the answer!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Game fishing in Cairns – the Black Marlin capital of the world

Nothing beats the excitement of a fight with a powerful game fish and the thrill of bringing it in.

You’ve got a few weeks left to head north to Cairns and catch (no pun intended!) the last few weeks of the Black Marlin season. In early September every year, these highly prized queens of the marlin group flock to the waters off Cairns to breed and spawn along the 250 km stretch of the Great Barrier Reef. The stretch of the reef between Cairns and Lizard Island is the undisputed best place for anglers to catch the biggest Black Marlin in some of the best conditions in the whole world.  

The Marlin is one of the fastest species of fish. If you’ve ever attempted to reel one in, then you’ll know they’re also pretty strong. Black Marlins usually weigh in at around 750 kg, but greater weights have been recorded. If you want to try your hand at bringing in one yourself then hop on cheap flights to Cairns before the end of December, head out into the Coral Sea, and try your luck before they head back north. Or, plan your trip for next year.  But make sure you take advantage of the best big marlin fishing in the world. It’s right on our doorstep!

There are a few different options for getting out on the water and beginning your Black Marlin hunt. For serious anglers, the best way to take advantage of these superb conditions is to charter a multi-day trip and live aboard the boat (you can also sneak in some diving, snorkelling and swimming on the reef!). You’ll also be able to follow the fish as they move, and angle at various different locations on the reef.

Otherwise, many operators offer day trips from Cairns. Of course, Black Marlin are not the only fish that are going to give you a nibble. There’s plenty of Wahoo, King Mackerel, Tuna, Giant Trevally and Mahi Mahi that make perfect bait for the Marlin and a delicious dinner.

Nothing gets the adrenaline pumping like a few bites from a monster marlin, not to mention hooking one, the fight and eventually bringing it in.  If you’ve got a few days to kill this Christmas season or are itching for some angling action, get up north to Black Marlin territory. www.cheapflights.com.au can get you there quickly and cheaply.

For more info on Black Marlin fishing near Cairns, try http://www.fishingcairns.com.au/page1-5.html.

What’s the biggest Black Marlin you’ve ever caught?

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Bream - Part 3 - Catching Bream in the Surf or from Rocks and with Lures

In Part 1 of our 4 Part Series on Bream, You read about The Best Places to Find Bream in Australia. In Part 2, You  read about the Best Way to Catch Bream in Australian Estuaries, Bays and Harbours. In this Part 3, read about the Best Bait and Rig for Surf and Rock Fishing For Australian Bream and About Fishing for Bream with Soft Plastics In Australia.

Best Bait and Rig for Rock and Surf Fishing Bream in Australia

In New South Wales and southern Queensland many surf and rock fishermen target Eastern Black Bream.

Small surf gutters and holes close to the shoreline can very often produce good size Bream, (and also Whiting, Flathead and Swallowtail Trevally). Try fishing such gutters and holes with
When fishing around a rocky bottom, the favourite haunt of bream, it still pays to use the sinker right on the hook to alleviate constant snagging. However, when fishing a sandy gutter try a 40 centimetre trace below the lead weight and a No1 or 1/0 hook.

Rock and surf fisherman going after Bream will use a range of baits including yabbies, peeled prawns, marine worms, , mullet gut’ whole and cut pilchards, fish fillets, strips and cubes.

Fishing Soft Plastics Bream in Australia

In terms of soft plastics, my mate Garry says to try 2 and 3 inch shads for daylight Bream fishing. Apparently these are supposed to represent small bait fish but closely mimicking prawns in their action for daylight soft plastic Bream fishing. He also says to give the shrimp styles in 2 inch a try.

As with most bream fishing getting your soft plastic or hardbody lure close in to the structure is the key to success. Types of retrieve also effect results and stop, wait and then short lift retrieves seem to work.

We hear lots of people ask what is the best colour soft plastic lure for Bream. A lot of fishermen who use Soft Plastics to fish Bream swear by pumpkinseed or Motor oil coloured SP's. All we can recommend is that you try a few to find what work best for Bream in your favourite Bream fishing spots. Just like live baits, Bream can be fussy so be prepared to change if one style or colour is not working on a certain day.

Be aware that because soft plastics are visual and work best for Bream in daylight or bright moonlit nights, so once its dark, we recommend that you switch back to live or fresh baits.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Funny Fishing TV Bloopers

Everyone here at FishMax loves a good laugh, and when one of our readers sent us this great video showing a series of Fishing TV Show bloopers, we had to share it.








We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Fishing Quote of the Week



"If people concentrated on the really important things in life,
there'd be a shortage of fishing poles"
                                         Doug Larson                                           


Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Holy Sh*t or Bull Sh*t?

All fishermen love great fishing stories, but some of the fishing photos and fishing videos  that circulate the 'net are really hard to believe. Some of these are true and some of them frankly are Bull Sh*t.

Here at FishMax.com.au we'll be digging deep behind the hype to find out the truth - big fish photos, crazy fishing videos, tall fishing stories - send 'em all in and our intrepid reporters will investigate and tell you whether they are truely "Holy Sh*t" or just plain "Bull Sh*t".

Our first is this great video which claims to show Gannett Man - New Zealander Matt Watson from the ITM Fishing Show jumping from a helicopter and catching a marlin! Here's the clip:



So, did Matt Watson really dive from a chopper and catch a marlin in the wild just like a Gannett catches a fish? What do you think? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below and visit next week, when we reveal the truth behind this extreme fishing video!

If you have a hard to believe fishing photo or video, send it in to holyorbull@fishmax.com.au and our journos will track down the true story!

Friday, December 3, 2010

What to get the kids for Chrissie?


If you're like the blokes here at FishMax, you probably think that one of the best parts of Christmas is shopping for the kids - or at least, until they are about 12 or 13, after that, "it's a difficult age" and best left to the missus!

In this, the third of our Christmas gift specials, we have included some great gift ideas for kids, so check our our kids Christmas gift guide.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Matt Hayden’s Udon Prawn Salad

(reproduced with the kind permission of Matthew Hayden)

His favourite, seafood recipe, Matt says “This is such a simple and refreshingly “zingy” salad to have on a hot summer day”.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon sesame oil
½ cub coriander leaves, roughly chopped
1 small red onion, finely sliced
2 spring onions, finely sliced
500g cooked prawns, peeled
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 red bird’s-eye chillies, seeded and finely chopped
lime wedges to serve
500g fresh udon noodles

Method

Prepare the noodles as directed on the packet. Toast the sesame seeds in a dry frying pan over medium heat for about 2 minutes, until golden brown. Transfer to plate to cool.

Drain the noodles and place into a large bowl. Add the olive oil and sesame oil and toss to couat. Add the remaining ingredients and toss to combine. Serve with the lime quarters.

Serves 2-3

Note: You can buy udon noodles from the supermarket, either in the fridge section, or on the shelf with other Asian ingredients, vacuum packed. Preparation instructions vary, but  as they are pre-cooked they usually only need to be rinsed under hot water to separate the strands.

For more of Matthew Hayden’s great recipes, grab a copy of “The Complete Matthew Hadyen Cookbook", available at all good book shops.

To read more from our exclusive interview with  Matt Hayden, click here.