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| The Dominator loves to fish |
Nicknamed ‘The Dominator’ after he debuted for New South Wales at the age of 25, handy all-rounder Dominic Thornely has seen his share of great cricket both here at home and in the UK and the IPL, but it's not just runs and wickets that gets Dom excited. Dom and his mates, including best mate and fellow cricket star Brett Lee, get out on the water as often as they can. This week FishMax talks exclusively to Dom about fishing the Sydney Harbour and the critical ingredient to catching lots of fish.
FM: What’s your earliest fishing memory?
DT: My Dad used to take me fishing on the Murray River when we would go camping to a small town called Walwa in the North East of Victoria, Every year we would camp at the caravan park where the same families would come from all around. They all would bring along their boats so I made sure I was up early and fished with a number of the blokes in their ‘tinnies’. Murray Cod and Redfin were the targets. My first fish was a redfin caught trolling.
FM: Where is your favourite fishing spot?
DT: I fish all over the harbour and the Hawkesbury River, would have to say Sydney harbour is my favourite as there are some many options but particularly the Kingfish of Sydney are awesome fun to catch.
FM: Your best fishing story?
DT: Brett Lee and I are best mates and we often head out on the harbour to fish, It was Sept 11 2009 and we had a massive patch of Kingfish hitting the surface right out the front of the Kings St wharf (Minutes from the CBD). We caught fish after fish (average 70-90cm) on every cast using metals and flickbaits. We had the patch for over a week and kept coming back each morning eventually we would recognise a routine and had the boat positioned waiting for them to re surface. Brett and I couldn’t get enough of the action right on the door of our largest city. Training was every afternoon and by the end of the week we were buggered! Up at 4am fish till midday off to training till 6pm and do it all again the next day.
FM: Favourite fish recipe (either describe the dish or give the recipe if you prefer)?
DT: I learnt this off Masterchef! Kingfish cut in fillets, cover in salt, lime rind and a sprinkle of olive oil, let sit for 5 minutes and then cook on a hot plate with the skin down, cook until the fish is ¾ cooked flip for a minute and your done, perfect kingfish fillet.
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| Thrornely and his 10kg Tuna caught on a handline |
DT: I caught a 10kg Yellow fin Tuna on a hand line. Was on my honeymoon at Lord Howe Island we were trolling around Balls Pyramid with 80 pound mono handlines (gloves on of course!), the fish ripped the handline and spool over the side and into the water, All I had hold of was the line ripping through my hands. Managed to hang on and gain some line back plus the spool and had him on board in a short time. Greatful to be wearing the gloves!
FM: How often do you go fishing?
DT: I have been addicted for the past 5 years, playing cricket professionally for NSW for 10 years I realised I needed a hobby and something to take my mind of the game. Plus I had a lot of down time when not training! I fish at least once a week some weeks up to 4 times.
FM: Where is the most exotic place you’ve been fishing?
DT: Lord Howe Island is a magic place with some of the best fishing literally minutes off the Island.
FM: Do you have a fishing tip you’re willing to share?
DT: Knots, tackle and reels are critical to landing good fish. Use your sounder, study it and learn how to use it. Have a plan and stick to it. My favourite saying is ‘no run no fun!” this definitely applies in the harbour. Like cricket I believe you never stop learning particularly when the conditions can change the bite so quickly, I guess its a little like cricket, when the conditions change so does the action.
Words: Stevo Perry Pics: Dominic Thornely's Personal Albums
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