14 REEF FISHING WITH A LUXURY TWIST

AJ recounts a week aboard the luxury Port Douglas-based superyacht, Emerald Lady, cruising to Lizard Island and banging quality tropical reef fish along the way.

 

24 THINK LIKE A FISH

Trying to think more like the fish we pursue sounds like a smart strategy but, as Starlo explains, it has its challenges – at least until you distil things down to their absolute basics.

 

32 PURE DOPAMINE

Planning is the key to successful fishing trips, and good results mean legal highs for everyone involved—because the tug is the drug. John Boon explains.

 

40 THE DILLON BUSH EQUATION

Savvy anglers know spinnerbaits are complex—like an ever-changing equation, tough to master in a lifetime. Rod Mackenzie delves into their intricate appeal and challenge.

 

51 FISHING TERRITORY

Our Mega NT Fishing Section

 

52 MILLION DOLLAR FISH CELEBRATES A DECADE OF CATCHES

Season 10 of Million Dollar Fish, Australia’s richest and most thrilling fishing competition, made a massive splash with record-breaking catches and excitement across the NT’s world-renowned waterways.

 

58 SHOAL BAY’S DRY SEASON BARRA

Chris Errity reckons Shoal Bay – right on Darwin’s doorstep – needs to be considered when planning an easy barra trip.

 

66 CULVERT BARRA FISHING

Culvert fishing is a great land-based fishing option during the late wet season to early dry season. Lyndon Anlezark explains.

 

74 DUNDEE DELIGHT

Roche Reef off Dundee offers adventurous anglers high-flying Spaniards, bulldozing GTs, and prized table fish to satisfy any epicurean. Chris Errity’s guide.

 

84 TOP END BARRA SERIES – 2024

2024 was the 14th season of the Top End Barra Series. Tim Bolch compiled this report.

 

90 CRAB CLAW ISLAND – TROPICAL FISHING APPAREL SHOOT

Crab Claw Island Resort in Bynoe Harbour, south-west of Darwin, was  a perfect venue for our latest NAFA Tropical Fishing Apparel photo shoot. Pictorial feature by Alex Julius.

 

100 INDIAN OCEAN INDULGENCES

Approximately 2000km northwest of Perth, the Cocos Keeling Islands offer spectacular flats bone fishing. Feature by Dave Donald.

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108 NAFA HALL OF FAME

NAFA recognises and celebrates more past and present players who had a significant influence on the Australian recreational fishing scene.

 

110 EXTREME KAYAKING

Kim Courtenay explains how paddling a kayak across deep, oceanic waters, whilst trolling from a handline squashed between your legs, is about as extreme as it gets.

 

118 TITANS OF THE SEAS: SAWFISHES

Endangered and mysterious, the sawfish—neither shark, nor ray—has inspired myths for centuries. Dick Eussen elaborates.

 

122 FITZROY RIVER BARRA BASH

John Boon shares his highs and lows while competing in the 2024 Humminbird Fitzroy River Barra Bash.

 

124 VICTOR HARBOUR’S BLUEFIN BLAST

Only an hour south of Adelaide, Victor Harbor’s tuna fishery has turned into one of SA’s leading sportfishing destinations. Shane Murton Reports.

 

PRODUCT AWARENESS

38 MYCOOLMAN – Recreational Series Portable Fridges

39 MYCOOLMAN – 16L Ice Box

44 JM Gillies – HUK Fishing Apparel

48 JM GILLIES – Warlock Native Lolly

64 NT Powersports – The NT’s Horizon Boats and Honda Marine dealer

70 Fishing & Outdoor World

80 NT Fisheries – Golden Snapper management

83 Rod & Rifle Tackle World Katherine

88 Corroboree Park Tavern

106 Honda – Next-gen high horsepower outboards

107 Shimano – Tranx 300 B

116 Simrad – NSS 4 & Recon Saltwater Trolling Motor

117 Lowrance – CMAP REVEAL

 

130 GOOD GEAR

 

COLUMNS

12 AJ’S TAKE with Alex Julius

22 A FISHING LIFE with ‘Barra Dave’ Donald

46 FISHING OZ with Steve ‘Starlo’ Starling