12 AJ’s TAKE with Alex Julius

16  WET, WILD & RAW PART 4
Al McGlashan continues with his inspirational sub-surface images to encourage people to gain an understanding of the aquatic environment and the essential role anglers play.

28  STRATEGIC LEARNING
There are tangible positives in "sticking" to the one area so you get to know it thoroughly and with experience. Johnny Mitchell explains how strategic learning helps in catching more fish consistently.

36  LURE OF SNAPPER
Steve Starling examines the constantly developing and fast-changing world of lure fishing for snapper around the southern half of our continent.

44 MICRO METALS FOR JURASSIC REDS
Jarrod Day reports on how micro jigs are taking over from knife jigs and soft plastics among lure aficionados chasing South Australia’s big reds.

48 THE COMPLETE SNAPPER-ON-PLASTICS SYSTEM
There’s a lot more to catching snapper on soft plastics than simply tying on a jighead, threading a softy and chucking it over the side. Shaun Taylor explains how to implement the complete snapper-on-plastics system.

52 THE DARLING RIVER DIRGE
Reading the water is as important in the fresh as the salt. It was a lesson brought home to Rod Mackenzie in spectacular fashion on a return visit to the Darling River in search of Murray cod.

58 FISHING TERRITORY

61 BARRA NATIONALS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
Big river, big tides, big boats, big fish and big come-backs… Alex Julius explains how these all featured in this year’s 20th anniversary Club Marine Barra Nationals.

74 Catch A Million Dollar Barra… $1.75m prize pool

79 CRICKET SCORE BARRA… AND SOME
For Team Scurvy Dogs, winning a trip to the Arnhemland Barramundi Nature Lodge gave them the opportunity to apply their considerable angling talents. Chris Errity reports.

86 MOZZIES & FLIES
Renee Borg’s colourful turn of phrase leaves you in no doubt that this was a trip of horrible lows and epic highs.

88 HALF WAY TO INDO
After being chased back closer to Darwin by a zillion sharks, the colour red came back into vogue way out in the Timor Sea. Alex Julius describes his unusual sea-fari.

101 SAMPAN SUNDAY
The tidal section of the Mary River had been closed to recreational fishing from 1 October to 31 January since 1988. Now this closure no longer applies and Stewie Martin found fishing Sampan Creek in January this year mind-blowing.

108 VALE JOHN DUNPHY
Early this year, it was very sad news to hear about the passing of John
Dunphy.  Alex Julius remembers John and reflects on the single most-influential person in the Australian fishing tackle industry.

110 DARWIN’S FLYING FIZZER
In barra fishing lingo a “fizzer” is a great surface propeller lure that catches fish, hence the analogy with Darwin-based Helifish, a top-notch operation that catches fish. Alex Julius reports.

117 DOWN THE DALY RIVER-OH
For a great many anglers, the Daly River is the most-beautiful barra river in the Top End. It’s been a long time coming, but finally we made it to the Daly to shoot our regular NAFA Good Gear Model pictorial, featuring stunning Sydney sports model: Joanna Maquelle King. Pictorial feature by Alex Julius.

126 GOLD COAST MARLIN
The Gold Coast black and blue marlin fishery is becoming increasingly recognised for the consistent number and respectable size of fish typically encountered. David Green shares his experiences.

134 DRY SEASON TREASURES
Huge rainfall and destructive weather events are part of the Far North Queensland parcel. However, as Dan Bowater reports, it is widely celebrated as the best bluewater fishing time; ie once the Queensland barra season opens.

140 SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SBT
There’s a first time for everything for Chris Errity, and the feel of power when a southern bluefin tuna makes a run is an unforgettable moment in the life of any angler.

142  S.O.S... Splendid Offshore Shoals
When you're chasing bottom fish in the tropics, there are usually three types of structure to look for: coral reef, rock and shoals. Lee Brake explains that, although shoals are by far the least impressive, they also offer increased chances of catching trophy fish.

148 VALE McSEA: THE FATHER OF AUSTRALIAN SPORTISHING
NAFA’s tribute to the outstanding fishing and outdoors writer of the 20th Century: Vic McCristal – the man dubbed McSea.

154 SINS OF FATHER FLAGGIN
Fiction by Jackson Baraz.

159 GOOD GEAR

BOATING

164 HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH
Warren Steptoe explains that choosing and buying a boat is only half the battle. Next comes the motor, and brand and horsepower are not the only considerations.

170 YAMAHA’S NEW F130A
Yamaha’s recent release of its brilliant F130A four-stroke motor fills an important horsepower slot in the company’s mid-range, four-cylinder outboard line-up. Steve Starling reports.

176  CLUB BRP 2015
Canadian BRP engineers were told to start from scratch with the design of the Evinrude E-TEC G2, and to come up with the most-advanced outboard engine ever built. Alex Julius reports from Sydney Harbour.

186 QUINTREX CELEBRATES 70th ANNIVERSARY –
If you’ve owned a few boats in your life, then it’s a fair bet at least one was a Quinnie. Quintrex celebrates with some great new model makeovers.

191 EXPLORER CHOSEN AS BIRTHDAY BOAT
To celebrate Quintrex’s 70 years of boat building, the company has chosen to upgrade its top-selling Explorer boats. Steve Cooper reports.

193 BOATING NEWS

PRODUCT AWARENESS
76 Darwin Barra Fishing Tours
84 Crab Claw Island Resort
87 Classic 120 Stands The Test Of Time
96 CUB Great Northern Brewery: Quench Of Choice
99 Katherine Rod & Rifle Tackleworld
106 Department of Business: Assisting Businesses to do Business
114 New Fishing Controls in the NT
158 Rid: Biggest Mozzies No Challenge For Aussie Repellent Rid

BOATING PRODUCT AWARENESS
172 Simrad’s Halo Radar
174 Skeeter Boats in Australia
184 Stacer Assault Pro 519
185 Lowrance Elite-7 Chirp Sonar

COLUMNS
14 LESSONS LEARNT with David Green
26 THE THINKING ANGLER with Jason Wilhelm    
132 FISHING OZ with Steve Starling