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SYDNEY’S AMAZING YELLOWFIN TUNA FISHERY

ON BROADBILL OR BILLFISHER……..BY CAPTAIN ROSS HUNTER

A 40 YEAR MEMORY

As a personal memory, my first yellowfin tuna experience seems like it was just yesterday. I can vividly recall the power of the fish's runs that seemed endless and the helpless feeling that after an hour I had not gained one millimeter of line. After 2 hours of frustrating "hanging on" my back was hurting, my forearm was aching and I had the distinct feeling that this was bloody hard work, maybe even too hard for this most inexperienced tuna angler.

But there is always seem to have a mate or two on the boat who reminds you that only a wimp would complain, let alone giving the rod to someone else, “just 'cause the lactic acid has kicked in and you are in diabolical pain” wasn’t an excuse. Then after 2.5 hours we get colour "Oh! Shit he's a monster" every one yells in unison at the first sight of the huge fish circle below us.

What a magnificent sight it is in vivid gold's, yellows and silvers, the huge anal and dorsal fins trailing back to the tail……… The fish is now visible all the time as it circles 20 metres under us, it is by far the biggest I have ever seen, but every bit of line is still so difficult to gain.

This then makes the angler more nervous because every one has told you that this is when you can loose a big tuna. For another 20 minutes the big fish fights in circles, he is "just there", but "just there" is now taking every bit of energy you can muster to gain those precious pumps of line. Inch by inch line is gained until a giant of a tuna joins the boat…..The boats shakes as the fish's body reverberates through it as its' giant tail beats its last. The wild screams of delight, handshaking and the backslapping are all part of the joy. The angler is wondering if there may be a local chiropractor still open, back on land for a quick spinal re set…………………………………….a long time ago, but still vivid today, such was the thrill.

SYDNEY’S YELLOWFIN TUNA FISHERY ….ONE OF THE BEST

Having been catching tuna off Sydney for a long time now it does make me realize that it is one of the most productive fisheries on our east coast. The temperate water eddies that remain around 20 degrees most winters have produced world class fishing on our charter boats BROADBILL and BILLFISHER for many seasons now. This season the fish range from 20kg to 50 kg in weight and there have been plenty of them for our clients. It is a valuable resource for my son Glenn and myself and the fish have been energetically targeted by long liners for the lucrative overseas markets for too long, however the is light at the end of the tunnel.

On Broadbill and Billfisher we generally allow one fish per angler to be kept for the table, after that we release. BE AWARE AND DO NOT WASTE OUR PRECIOUS RECOURCE

These fish are in decline because of overfishing by both Australian long liners and the International fleet, fishing 200 miles offshore. These vessels set upwards of 4000 hooks and indiscriminately catch every thing that swims near the lethal long line. Sharks, marlin, broadbill swordfish and of course all the tuna species are all suffering the same fate.

Whilst we realise that there is a world demand for these species, fisherman throughout history have had an abysmal record for overfishing until the stocks are endangered and then they go broke after the damage has been done and there’s no sustainable industry left.

We need millions of dollars poured into these fisheries and our oceans in research by all nations as to the sustainability of our fish stocks, before it is too late. It was the Howard Liberal government that offered long-liners and all commercial offshore fishermen a 220 million dollar buy out; this reduced our fleet from 120 to less than 20 with many thankfully accepting the buy out.

This will reduce the pressure on our pelagic stocks and see a regeneration of tuna over the next decade. However, we as recreational anglers must realise that Mother Ocean not a bottomless pit and treat her inhabitants with respect, Never kill more that you can eat, every fish released helps and also sets an example for others to follow.

HAPPY ANGLERS ON OUR BROADBILL AND BILLFISHER

I guess when you’ve been catching tuna for 40 years there are a few tips one picks up on the way, a bloke would have to be pretty silly not to gain a little, along that sort of journey. It is this reason why we are more successful than others by a country mile when it comes to catching tuna. It is the ability to read the oceanic currents and to go to the right areas, even if it adds some hours to the day we make the effort.

It is results that we strive for and most times achieve. So many boats go to Browns Mountain, but sometimes that is just not place to be as the fish are to the south or elsewhere. This sort of experience cannot be read in fishing mags or by watching DVD’s it is accumulated knowledge that is learnt from the thousands of tuna trips our boats have done over that long period of time.

That is why you cannot go past fishing with the best boats with Ross or Glenn both third generation family fishermen, they simply get the job done and catch the tuna more regularly than others and the records are constantly there. We may be a little more expensive but we have the best boats and in this business you get what you pay for.

There is no substitute for experience and dedication

We have had success every trip on yellowfin and albacore, sure some better than others but that’s fishing there are no guarantees. Glenn Hunter especially has caught some amazing fish for his clients Fish up to 50 kg, throw in a few makos and albies and there has been some wild action in June.

Check out the photos of some great fish and to all our anglers and there are too many to mention. Thanks for your company during these great tuna sojourns and congratulations from Glenn and myself on your catches of some spectacular yellowfin

LATE YELLOWFIN BITES

On many occasions he has been fishing at 6.30pm at night but that’s when they’ve been coming on the bite………………….. That’s why he has caught more tuna than others. I can see this run of tuna lasting for a while and whilst we will be land based for a few days with some wild weather, the fish will still be there for the long weekend and beyond Glenn has caught over 60 yellowfin for his anglers over the past two weeks. (Quite a few have been released, we never encourage overkill on our boats) A great effort by this most professional skipper, making me a very proud Dad.

For more details and a more detailed report visit our web site

www.gamefishingcharters.com.au

Go into Fishing Reports or email gamefishing @big pond .com CAPT ROSS and GLENN HUNTER have been fishing the waters off Sydney all their lives, they pioneered the game charter industry off Sydney. Their boats BROADBILL and BILLFISHER are the most respected boats around. You cannot be in better hands than when you charter with Ross or Glenn

TO BOOK RING 02 9534 2378 OR 0418 462 476

_b_Professional Instructors and Guides Association_b/_

PFIGA HAS NEW PRESIDENT Australia’s Professional Fishing Instructors and Guides Association has a new president after the annual AGM elections held late last June. One of Australia’s longest serving professional fishing guides and author, Steve Williamson of ‘Steve Williamson’s Fishing Adventures’ was voted unanimously to head the PFIGA into 2008/9.

Steve of course is well known for his award winning trout fishing business in the Snowy Mountains of NSW. Steve takes over from one of Victoria’s premier fishing guides Rod Barford who retires as a full time fishing guide later next season. Steve thanked Rod for his contributions to the PFIGA over the past 17 years, recently as president and secretary.

Other members elected into new committee positions are Jamin Forbes of ‘Riverina Sport Fishing’ as secretary, Andrew Mattenson as Treasurer, Jeff Brown ‘Riverlands Fly and Sportsfishing’ as Sponsorship Officer, Rod Barford of ‘Flytrek Australia’ will remain as Victorian representative and Steve Williamson will also continue in his role of the past 5 years as recruitment officer.

After the elections, Steve Williamson welcomed his new committee and told the membership that in his new role as president he will be committed to lift the profile and membership of the PFIGA as well as working towards the introduction of government regulation of fishing guides under a Professional Fishing Guides Registration overseen by the relevant state fisheries departments.

Steve stated that ‘There is no place for illegally operating fishing guides in our industry. Guides with no business registration, public liability insurance, or first aid certificates, working without any training or regulation, must be stopped from operating for the sake of public safety.

This can only be done with the support of our government. One would hope that the introduction of Tourism Accreditation Certificates over the next 12 months will also contribute towards this process.”

For more information about becoming a PFIGA member please contact Steve Williamson details are below.

Professional Fishing Instructors and Guides Association
PMB 5
Lake Jindabyne - Trout & Flyfishing, New South Wales, 2627
Ph: (02) 64561551
Fax: (02) 64 572991
Mobile: 0408 024436
Contact Person: Steve Williamson - President
Email: swtrout@airlan.com.au
Website: www.fishingguides.org.au/

The Vanuatu Marlin Classic is the first and only marlin specific fishing tournament in Vanuatu. The tournament was created to promote the sport of game fishing and conservation of fisheries through the practice of tag and release fishing.

The rules have been purposely designed to promote the release of healthy marlin. Points are awarded based on marlin-only caught on 30 lb, 50 lb, 80 lb and 130 lb line class tackle.

The organisers of the tournament have given generously to create this cash prize tournament. The first year saw prize and Calcutta payments in excess of $40,000 AUD. The second year managed over $60,000 AUD paid out.

We have been blessed to receive such great support from the local and international community with scores of sponsors.

With Vanuatu quickly becoming the next great marlin fishing destination, the VMC is a great opportunity to get in on the pioneering edge of one of the world’s best kept game fishing secrets. Don’t miss the opportunity to compete for cash in the marlin rich waters of Vanuatu!

The VMC has received the distinction of being an IGFA-Rolex Offshore Championship qualifying event. This means the winners of the VMC will be eligible to compete in the prestigious IGFA-Rolex Offshore Championship Tournament the following year.

We have also taken some time to compile a list of local charter boats along with contact information as follows:

Vanuatu Game Fishing

“V-Factor” – 34’ Blackwatch Contact: Andrew Hibgame – andrew@ymer.vu

Saltwater Fishing Adventures “Tanveral” – 30’ Blackfin Contact: Herve Picarda – saltwater@vanuatu.com.vu

Nautilus Vanuatu “Wild Blue” – 9 meter Reefmaster Contact: Peter Phillips – nautilus@vanuatu.com.vu “Jay-R” – 28’ Bertram “Shogun” – 34’ Blackwatch

Crusoe Fishing Adventures “Horizon” - 38’ Capricorn Contact: Fred & Michelle – crusoe@vanuatu.com.vu "Reel Capture" - 34'KevlaCat

Harris Juannick In Deep – 28’ Vision Contact: Nounous – 42715 Allan - 46808

Impact Fishing Charters Impact - 26’ Blackfin Contact: Steve Earle - 47006 - impactcharters@vanuatu.com.vu

2008 NATIONAL 4X4 SHOW, FISHING SHOW & OUTDOORS EXPO - MELBOURNE

There is no question, the NATIONAL 4X4 SHOW, FISHING SHOW , OUTDOORS EXPO delivers quality buyers over 4 huge days. It’s Australia’s biggest off-road, touring, towing, fishing , boating expo, and the 2008 event will be bigger and better than ever, delivering more buyers to your stand.

DID YOU KNOW 64.7% of visitors attend the show to see/buy 4WD Products and Services*

60.2% of visitors attend the show to see/buy Fishing & Boating Products & Services*

64.1% of visitors attend the show to see/buy Camping & Outdoors Accessories*

"Daiwa returned to the Melbourne Fishing Show & Outdoors Expo in 2007, for the first time in many years.

This is Australia's largest event of its type and we were extremely happy with the number and quality of people we spoke to over the 4 days.

Daiwa is renowned as being at the cutting edge of new technologies for the fishing industry and it was great to get so much positive feedback on our latest new products, from the most avid fishing enthusiasts” – Bradley Sissins, Marketing manager (Daiwa Australia)

WHY EXHIBIT ?

Exhibiting at the nation’s biggest event for your industry enables you to directly communicate with consumers who are actively seeking information on your products. Without doubt, industry specific exhibitions are the best way to invest your marketing dollars, bringing you face-to-face with a qualified audience who are in the market to buy.

They let the buyer use all five senses to gain a full appreciation of your products and give you the chance to get immediate feedback from the people who matter most.

Remember that our 40,000+ visitors are not only committing their family’s hard earned dollars to visit the show, they are also investing their most precious resource – their time.

So to reward your customer’s commitment to your industry, make sure that you exhibit at the NATIONAL 4X4 SHOW, FISHING SHOW & OUTDOORS EXPO. As you would expect, your customers use the show to compare the products they are looking to purchase and as more than 80% or our visitors make their purchases at the show, don’t miss this great opportunity to be part of your industry’s premier event.

MARKETING CAMPAIGN

In promoting the show, our aim is not only to reach as many people as possible, but also to attract quality visitors, who have high disposable income and are ready to buy.

We are fully committed to making the 2008 NATIONAL 4X4 SHOW, FISHING SHOW & OUTDOORS EXPO -

Melbourne the greatest ever, with a massive visitor promotional budget.

This year, we will be promoting the show throughout the Melbourne metropolitan region and regional Victoria, using TV and radio commercials (including live crosses during the show), all major industry magazines (full page advertisements and editorial), billboards, press advertisements and editorial features. As an indication of our ever evolving marketing campaign, this year we will also be introducing extensive online media advertising, as well as direct marketing to our core demographic of club members and exhibitor databases, using special offers to reward this important prospective audience.

Zego is the ultimate one man fishing boat. For the solo fisherman, or a parent and child team, the Zego Sports Boat is the ideal boat to fish from, whether it be on a harbour, a lake or out at sea. With its incredible stability, 4 fitted ‘rocket launcher' rod holders 1moulded bin (25 litres) under the seat and high-grade aluminium front deck, Zego provides an ideal fishing and diving platform.

The superb surf handling abilities of Zego makes it the ideal boat to launch from a surf beach or if you need to cross a bar to get to your favourite fishing spot.

As launching and retrieving is a one-man operation, you can launch your Zego from almost any location, without having to rely on help. Combine this with its high top speed, Zego is the ideal boat for a quick fish after work or when your time is limited.

The versatility of the Zego means it's suited to all types of fishing,

*Sand and Mud Crabbing

*Barramundi Fishing

*Deep sea fishing

*Harbour fishing

*river fishing

*Fly fishing

*Jigging

*long lining

*Net setting and retrieval

*Dredging

*Soft bait fishing

*live bait fishing

*Close in rock fishing

*Trolling

*Game fishing

*Spear fishing

*Cray potting

The serious fisherman can buy a Zego set up for fishing with sounder, VHF radio, gaff, compass, navigation lights and rod holders.

Gabba Sporting Products
Morley st
Coorparoo Brisbane, Queensland, 4151
Ph: (07) 33944200
Fax: (07) 3394 1162
Contact Person: Mitchell Gaskell
Email: Mitchell@gabba.com.au
Website: www.zego.biz