16 QLD’S BASS TO BARRA TRAIL

For anglers who travel no further north than the Tropic of Capricorn, which runs through Rockhampton in Queensland, we reckon the Bass to Barra Trail makes for the ultimate road trip full of legendary fishing opportunities.

 

30 JUST LIKE PARADISE

There are places within Australia that just don’t seem like reality, where glassy waters stretch to the horizon and the only measure of time seems to be the tidal movement. John Boon recounts.

 

38 THE COMPETITIVE STREAK

Starlo argues that fishing competitions and tournaments continue to have a hugely positive role to play in the angling world — even if you have zero intention of ever entering one yourself!

 

47 FISHING TERRITORY

Our Huge NT Fishing Section

 

48 MILLION DOLLAR FISH FIRES UP WITH INSTANT ACTION

Now in its 11th season, NT’s Million Dollar Fish continues to electrify the Top End, drawing anglers from across Australia and beyond to chase red-tagged barramundi and the ultimate $1 million prize.

 

58 21 YEARS OF ARNHEM LAND BARRAMUNDI LODGE

Now celebrating its 21st Anniversary, the Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge has always been more than a fishing camp. Christine Mansfield shares a tale of country, culture, adventure and the fish that inspires lifelong obsession.

 

66 BARRA, BANTER AND 20 YEARS OF SECRET WOMEN’S BUSINESS

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Secret Women’s Business Barra Challenge once again showcased why Corroboree Billabong remains one of the Territory’s premier inland fishing destinations. Alex Julius reports.

 

72 FROM BUCKETS TO BUCKET MOUTHS

From winding in buckets as a sprog at Port Macquarie to banging great big barra at Shady Camp, Craig “Lats” Latimore has had a roller-coaster fishing journey.

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80 CORROBOREE PARK CHALLENGE – A FAMILY TRADITION

How impressive is it that the Corroboree Park Challenge has been running for 36 years? Alex Julius explains.

 

86 FISHING FUN, FOG AND IMPROVEMENT

Lyndon Anlezark believes recreational fishing is far more than a pastime. It is a thread that binds families, communities and cultures across Australia, shaping identity and wellbeing.

 

92 TOP END BARRA SERIES 2025

This year’s Top End Barra Series was different to any previous rounds because, for the first time, there were two categories: New School and Old School.

 

98 HOOKED ON THE VIC: WOMEN REEL IN BARRA GLORY

If you’re a keen, competitive female angler, and you’d like to fish the mighty Victoria River, give some thought to entering a team in the Alure Ladies Fishing Classic. Alex Julius Reports.

 

100 SEVEN SPIRIT BAY BLUE MAGIC

For our regular Tropical Fishing Apparel Photoshoot, we travelled to the iconic Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge to experience the Lodge’s trademark remote luxury, unequalled hospitality, top-shelf dining and, of course, the epic bluewater pelagic and reef fishing, with some nice barra thrown in for good measure. AJ’s photographic feature.

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112 BEACH BERLEY IN THE SOUTHERN SURF

Not much more tingles the senses than being confronted by a high-energy beach setting. Once the initial novelty of the vista before you wears off, however, your brain soon snaps into fish-finding mode… and berley can make the difference. Shane Murton’s tips are worth noting.

 

120 MATCHING IT WITH MONSTER MURRAY COD

Rod Mackenzie discovers it could be any one of countless locations that hold giant Murray cod, as the bite snaps from hot to cold. Cod fishing is like that, where sometimes the smallest of things make all the difference.

 

124 CASTING FOR CALM: HOW ONE WOMAN IS HEALING LIVES THROUGH FISHING

Many anglers use a fishing rod to escape the pressures of life. In Darwin, a new program has been established to create a fishing support system aimed at women. Steve Cooper reports.

 

126 NAFA HALL OF FAME

NAFA proudly recognises and celebrates four more legends of Australian recreational fishing by inducting them into our NAFA Hall of Fame.

 

PRODUCT AWARENESS

36 MYCOOLMAN – Dual Zone Portable Fridge & Freezer

37 MY COOLMAN – 2000W Power Station & Energy Inverters

56 JM GILLIES – Indigenous Classics

64 FISHING & OUTDOOR WORLD 

70 JM GILLIES – Sage R8 Salt

85 ROD & RIFLE TACKLEWORLD KATHERINE

90 NT POWERSPORTS – Horizon Boats & Honda Outboards

111 JM GILLIES – World of Exclusive Lures

118 SIMRAD – New NSS 4 Chartplotter & Fishfinder

119 HONDA – Honda BF250 – Flagship V6 Power with Smart Control

125 LOWRANCE – Software update 25.2

128 SHIMANO – Sustain 5000XG Reel

 

129 GOOD GEAR

 

COLUMNS

14 AJ’S TAKE with Alex Julius

28 FISHING OZ with Steve ‘Starlo’ Starling

8 TOYOTA LAUNCHES THE NEW HILUX WITH BOLD DESIGN, INCREASED SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY, AND IMPROVED DRIVEABILITY AND COMFORT

Toyota’s latest HiLux raises the bar with a fresh design and smarter engineering that strengthen its legendary durability.

 

12 FANGS IN THE FOREST

Kim Courtney explores Australia’s prehistoric world, from ancient megafauna and vanished ecosystems to the first humans and their changing continent.

 

18 REELING IN RUBBISH

Dorian Mode shares a humorous tale of an unintended environmental mishap and the grassroots crew who helped clean it up.

 

20 FISHING WITH CROCODILES

Dick Eussen explains crocodile behaviour, attacks, myths and management across Northern Australia.

 

26 RIVERINA PEST PATROL

A Riverina pest-hunting weekend chasing rabbits, pigs and other ferals made for a great family catch-up, reports Cal Auldist.

 

31 OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS

 

COLUMNS

6 WILD PLACES with Dick Eussen

7 ON THE TOW with Steve “Scoop” Cooper

25 DOWN THE BARREL with Rod “Harro” Harrison

 

PRODUCT AWARENESS

30 KATHERINE ROD & RIFLE