Rod Mackenzie Online Tackle Shop - Signature Series - CodMac

Shane Atze with a nice squid caught on fly.

You’ve got to applaud the conviction of the dedicated fly angler as they push their chosen sport to the bounds. Dare not tell them it can’t be done as no fish known to angler cannot be tamed by fur and feather and nor will there ever be for that matter.  Their enthusiasm to manipulate the simple sport of angling into an aeronautical nightmare thwart with a thousand and one variables is at times questionable. And something to be pondered especially when many of us struggle to outwit our quarry on conventional tackle using simple methods. Still, they toddle on in their own world with all the determination of a madman, the obsession realised only with the cry of ‘yes’ as the hook is set.  Never mind the same fish could have been caught for a pittance and tenfold on worm and hook.  It’s about the hunt, a package if you like, where numbers are nothing and costs are the burden of those who fail to realise the challenge.
 In this case the target species is a saltwater hunter that’s adept with the ability to blend and change colour at a moment’s notice.  An ocean born chameleon, the squid is a fearsome predator that appears from seemingly nowhere, thrusting forward two long hook clad tentacles that entwine and draw the struggling prey towards a parrot like beak. Embraced in its grip, there is no escape and its prey is killed and torn into manageable bite sized pieces before being devoured.  This time the hunter becomes the hunted in a match where the final move hinges on fur and feathers.
Drifting the weed beds in the quiet ocean bay, the cumbersome fly, a hand crafted creation that resembled a small baitfish takes to the air. It dances gracefully above the water before gaining the distance required, touching down near a weed encrusted pylon where it slowly sinks in the clear blue waters. With a short, sharp strip of the line, the mass of fur and feathers springs to life looking all the more real as it jerks its way just above the sea grass. A few more strips and a taunting shadow to the right slowly rises from the sea floor and ghosts the fly with a cautious eye. Not fully convinced, it pauses briefly before locking onto its prey and spearing forth its two long tentacles. The spur clad harpoons find their mark and encircle the fly in their deadly grip. In that instant the hunter knows its mistake, recoiling under a jettison of water it desperately tries to release its prey. But just like the barbs on its tentacles the fly too holds a shaft of finely tipped spins that now hold fast to the sucker clad limbs.  A cloud of black ink, a last means of defence will do little to help as the squid is drawn towards its captor.  A wry smile says it all and adds fuel to the obsession that is fly fishing. Just notch this catch up as one more victory for the fluff chucker’s as they tick their way through a seemingly unlimited list of what can be taken on fur and feather.

Blades are working well in local waters catching both golden perch and redfin.

 With every passing season it seems the tackle and technique available to a wide variety of fish is ever changing. Is it the fish themselves that require change or the relentless pursuit to have the angling edge that drives a combination of fishos and lure makers to explore new ground?  The lipless crankbait craze that continues to escalate has many variations from high pitched rattlers to silent runners, all of which seem very effective. The latest variation on the lipless range are known as blades and are a little more on the finesse side than the larger models. Over recent months they have proven very effective on a diverse range of local fish species that include golden and silver perch, Redfin, Carp and even Murray Cod are not adverse to their smallish size and action.  Most tackle shops are up with this trend and are beginning to stock a good range of blades and lipless crankbaits. When it comes to choosing what works best in the areas you intend to fish, most store owners will have a rough idea. The lighter weights say 5 grams and just above will suit the shallower areas, where deeper water will require heavier weights of 10 grams or more, these weights will also be influenced by current.  
Depending on the brand, some lure’s weights will come in metric while others are imperial which can be a little confusing. The best bet here is to grab several of different size and weight and see what works best, it won’t take you long to work them out. They are best fished in a lift, drop motion. Cast the lure towards structure, allow it to sink, then slowly lift and drop the rod tip as you retrieve the line. If there is no weed allow the lure to touch bottom before repeating the pattern. A strike from a fish can come from the first wind of the handle to the last as you go to lift the lure beside the boat. With the miniscule size of some the smaller blades available, light spin gear is more appropriate for casting these lures at distance. Most brands come with sturdy split rings and hooks but it pays to check, as cheaper inferior gear will straighten and bend under the weight of a good fish and none of us want that. 
This new range of lures, while a little different are relatively easy to use and the way the fish are lining up to take a swipe at them, it looks like they’re here to stay.

A nice mulloway landed from the surf near Salt Creek.

If you have a four wheel drive vehicle and a day or two to spare you could do far worse than pack a few surf rods and head to the beach to wet a line. Anglers are reporting good catches of Australian salmon biting from the shore along the back of the Coorong. Situated between Kingston and the mouth of the Murray, this stretch of coastline allows vehicle access to the beach opening up some truly awesome fishing. At present time salmon up to 5kg are keeping anglers busy and at this size they are a handful on rod and reel. If intended for the table, salmon should be bled straight away, removing the head and sticking them upright in the sand while you continue to fish is a proven and popular method. Eaten fresh or smoked, salmon make a fine dish and their rich pink flesh is of excellent texture and quality. Salmon do not freeze very well so it is best only to take what you can use at the time. Salmon also make excellent bait for other fish species and a fresh slab cast into the waves is sure to tempt any larger predatory fish in the area. Amongst the catches of salmon have been a few Mulloway and while most of these have been of the smaller variety, some bigger fish are starting to show.

This is a great time to hit the beach as a cross section of species go about their spring run where they skirt the coast feeding up on schooling baitfish that take refuge amongst the breakers. Gummy sharks have also been another notable and welcome catch over recent weeks with some larger specimens weighing in at 15kg or more. There are plenty of fresh flake fillets on a shark this size and they are great on the plate and freeze well for future meals. A great point of localized fishing information and up to date reports can be gained locally at the Salt Creek Road House. Overnight camping is available along the beach and these areas are clearly marked with a post and number. You will require a permit to do so at a cost of around four dollars a night. These can be purchased at Salt Creek along with bait, ice and other essentials.  The 28, 32 and 42-mile crossings are popular entry points as is the Tea Tree Crossing just a few kilometers from Salt creek. This is just the start of the surf fishing season and over the next few months as the weather warms we can expect to see the action continue as snapper begin to show, followed closely by a variety of other species that include school and bronze whaler sharks. Add to this the odd thumping great Mulloway and it’s easy to see why so many anglers get excited about casting a rod along this section of the coastline.     
 
 

This is what its all about as anglers gear up for the snapper season.

Its snapper season and with the spring run about to start in our bays, anglers are gearing up in anticipation for thefirst sign of big red to appear. Good runs of fish should begin to enter the bays over the next few weeks and if the lastfew seasons are any indicator, we are set for some serious fishing. Snapper are a popular sport fish that are great on the line and just as good on the table. They have a dogged fight that will see bigger fish pull plenty of line off the reel. Most anglers target these fish with bait, pilchards, cut fish,squid and octopus, just to name a few. In truth snapper are somewhat the scavenger but in saying that they like theirmeals fresh or as close as. While bait fishing is an extremely effective method to target snapper, some anglers prefer the challenge of catching these fish on soft plastics.
Soft plastics have become the big thing over the past few years and the trend is growing as more and more anglers findsuccess using them. In truth it is not that difficult to fish soft plastics for snapper and the ocean swell will oftenwork the plastic for you as the rod is left to sit in the holder.Burly is a key ingredient in snapper success and a good trail will often draw and hold fish in the area. While we presume snapper to be bottom feeders, they will readily free swim up a burly trail so it pays to drift one or two un-weighted baits back where current permits. Working soft plastics mid water in the trail will also have the desired effect. 
Drift fishing is another popular method of finding snapper and works best in calmer conditions. This method allows you to cover more ground and actively seek out the fish instead of waiting for them to come to you. Snapper will often schooland hold on small sections of reef or structure. Once these have been located either by drifting over them or marking them on the sounder, you can drop the pick and get the burly in the water. Other fish will often respond to the burly first, gar, mullet, salmon are just a few and are a great diversion while waiting a run from big red. These lesserspecies, while entertaining also make excellent fresh baits.Depending on where you fish, current and tides will have a varying impact on rigs, baits and prime times to be on thewater. Snapper can be caught at all stages of the tide but the last hour of the run in up to full tide and the first hour of the run out are the easiest. It pays to have a variety of different lead weights to hold baits in stronger current and smaller weights when there is little to none. Snapper can smash a bait like a Mack truck and they can also mouth and nibble it like a mouse. As with most forms of fishing use only as much lead as is needed to hold your bait in position. This goes for soft plastics also, carry a good range of different head weights and sizes to cover a variety of different conditions.

The snapper run is a highly anticipated angling event that has plenty of anglers keen to sample the first of the fish entering our bays. Over the coming weeks I am sure these same anglers will be grinning to the sound of a sizzling drag as big red puts on his annual show that falls around this time every year.