Now that the chill of winter is starting to fade, switched on anglers are gearing up to chase some of the fastest and toughest fighting fish in Australian waters. September sees the return of warmer currents along the East Coast of Australia and with these warmer currents we see a run of very sought after sports fish.
Species like dolphin fish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, GT and kingfish start congregating off some of our closer inshore reefs giving those with a capable boat and appropriate safety gear the opportunity to wrestle with some of our favourite string pullers.
Warmer Waters
From the NSW/QLD border north, there are numerous shallow reefs that break up the strong pull of the currents that run along the coast and offer the perfect ambush spot for fast moving pelagics. Typically you only need to venture 10-15km to find some of these reefs and the fishing can be absolutely explosive!
Throwing stick baits and poppers over these reefs or trolling around these reef edges and dropoffs can lead to some of the most exciting (and exhausting) sportfishing you can find within an hour or so from the boat ramp. Providing you have the appropriate boat, safety gear and favourable weather, these closer inshore reefs are a great option this time of year!
The Right Gear for the Job!
Reels:
Although finding and getting to the reefs that attract these awesome fish is relatively easy, extracting them is another thing and this is definitely a situation where you need the right gear for the job!
Stopping angry GT and kingfish near structure is heart in mouth kind of stuff and to have the best chance of stopping these kind of fish consistently you need the best quality gear. Shimano Stellas, Daiwa Saltigas and Penn Slammers are proven performers in this arena. The price tag might seem a little intimidating, but these high end workhorses pay for themselves when you’re not replacing internal components after every trip. This is exactly the kind of fishing these reels were manufactured for.
Rods:
When it comes to rods, it’s a similar story. You need specialist rods for this kind of fishing. Rods from the Zenaq range, Daiwa Saltigas, Penn Ocean Assassin and Wilson Venoms are all proven brute stoppers. If you are throwing stick baits and poppers all day for these heavy handed pelagics, you need rods that are both capable of putting the brakes on big fish and are comfortable casting big baits for hours at a time. High quality graphite rods with the best and lightest components are a must for this kind of fishing.
Lures:
When throwing poppers and stick baits and trolling for pelagics you can save some money by throwing some of the great mass produced plastic lures on the market. Nomad, Rapala and Halco all make great plastic lures that cast well and have a great range of finishes and actions. These lures are great if you are starting out or concerned about losing them to the reef or some of the toothy creatures you are likely to come across.
Some of the larger trolling lures from these guys are dynamite for finding active fish cruising the reef edges. Lures like the Halco Max and Laser Pro, Nomad DTX Minnow and the ever reliable Rapala Countdown and X-Rap Magnums are all proven pelagic catchers and for those looking to troll up active fish.
On the surface and subsurface side of things, the higher end wooden and resin lures like those currently produced by West Coast Poppers, Fifth Element and TP Kustoms offer you brilliant hand crafted designs and finishes. Although on the higher end of the value bracket, the solid, wire though construction of these purpose built lures are typically finished with a much thicker epoxy and their solid build which makes them almost indestructible…. almost!
Line and Terminals:
Staying connected to these pelagics often comes down to line choice, knots and terminals. With so many braids on the market it’s hard to recommend only a couple, but Tasline and Saltiga 12 have proven their effectiveness enough times that they come highly recommended.
Good leader material is also important. As long as you stick with good quality fluorocarbon or monofilament you can’t go wrong. Sunline Super 100 and Sunline Big Game are two of the better leader material options on the market. It’s also important to run good quality terminals on your lures for any heavy duty pelagics.
Upgraded terminals are a must if you don’t want to lose the fish of a lifetime to straightened hooks or split rings. Matching your favourite lures with heavy duty split rings, trebles and singles will allow you to fish with confidence. Decoy Split Rings, BKK Trebles and Gamakatsu GT Recorders etc, will keep your lure firmly connected to that fish of a lifetime!
Time to Get Out There!
September on the East Coast of Australia marks the start of some of the best inshore pelagic fishing for the year. The inshore reefs along the coast provide small boat owners the option to target these fish during good weather periods with relative ease. Hopefully we’ve given you some insight into what’s involved in targeting these awesome fish.
