Finding new fishing spots reconnaissance
Finding new fishing spots is my favourite pastime. For land-based and inshore anglers, the best time to do reconnaissance is low tide. I know that sounds self-evident, but few people actually do this. I rarely go fishing without sussing out an area first. Be it in my boat with a sounder for offshore trips. Or…
Living with Crocodiles
Living with crocodiles in Northern Australia and other places they’re found, can be dangerous. But like tigers in India and lions in Africa, we can’t just go around killing everything that threatens us. Last year Karen went to Jim Corbett National Park in India to see a Tiger and was rewarded with this amazing experience:…
I’m Hooked – Fish hook accidents
Earlier this year, after 30 years on charter I had MY FIRST EVER fish hook accident. For those not on social media, here is a quick outline of the events. I was filming some new content for the land based component of our course Barra Basics with my son. Nek Minut the big local croc…
Best fishing rig for coral trout
When bottom bashing over heavy structure, the best fishing rig for coral trout in my opinion is a free running rig. What fishing rig to use in different applications is super important and something few people get right. Mostly because what happens under the water in different conditions has never been explained. For example, when…
Electric motor support bracket
After years watching my electric motor bash the deck when we hit chop, I’m surprised I never thought to add an electric motor support bracket. Electric motors are in my view one of the best inventions since sliced bread. But boy do they cop a pounding. Perched on the front of the boat, it gets…
Custom Boat Pros and Cons
Late last year we ordered a custom built boat from BMENQ in Cairns. We sold the good old barra boat when I retired from charters because we needed something a little more chop friendly. In between we bought and sold a 5.6 m Bonito as a stop gap. Mostly so we could do some filming…
Lizard Island
Back in the days before COVID-19 we decided to go to Lizard island for a couple of weeks. The Lizard Island area of the Great Barrier Reef is very dear to my heart. I spent a decade of my youth on the game boats catching marlin. It had been 20 years or more since I…
What sounder should I buy?
Over all our social media channels, email and messages, we probably get asked, “What sounder should I buy?” about 10-15 times a day. MYTH BUSTER… Funnily enough, that question in itself is not that helpful when looking for a new sounder/fish finder. Ask instead, “What transducer will suit me best?” I am amazed at the…
Fishing as a hobby has amazing benefits
Fishing as a hobby has some amazing benefits, which is why I have always encouraged my kids to come fishing with me! Hoping they will get as addicted to it as I have been. Fishing as a hobby (or in my case a lifestyle) can benefit humans in so many ways… • Great exercise. Walking…
Storms at sea in small boats – real life stories
Last week on our return to Cairns from holidays, we were caught unawares by an electrical storm at sea. One minute it was just wind and rain, and we felt pretty safe in our Black Watch 40, Mood Swings. Nek Minit – lightning flashed all around. To make it worse, the clear zipper ripped and we…
