CONTENTS

12 CONSISTENTLY CONSISTENT
If you are one of the 80-90 per cent of anglers struggling to achieve a consistent success rate, then John Boon offers plenty of commonsense suggestions.

20 RIGHT PLACE…RIGHT TIME
Kim Courtenay recounts how Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs beaches and shoreline were transformed into a pristine and aesthetically-pleasing magical coastline.

26 MY FLATHEAD STORY
The humble flathead ranks highly among Australia's favourite fish for recreational anglers. Jamie Robley shares his proven tips and techniques for catching them.

32 KI’S BEAUT BREAM!
Kangaroo Island boasts diverse bream fisheries in small, dynamic river and estuary systems. Shane Murton explains.

42 NAFA HALL OF FAME
AJ introduces NAFA’s Hall of Fame, featuring our first eight inductees.

50 THE TRICKY BUSINESS OF MANAGING OUR FISH
Starlo delves into the sometimes-murky realm of modern-day fisheries management. His takeaway message is crucial for the future of our sport.

57 FISHING TERRITORY
Our Mega NT Fishing Section

58 THE MILLION DOLLARS GOES OFF!
Season 9 of Australia’s richest fishing competition, the Million Dollar Fish, will go down in the record books as the one that did not get away.

66 BARRA LODGE RUNOFF BONANZA
Great Australian angler, Tumby Tom Tierney, speaks in glowing terms after visiting the Arnhem Land Barramundi Lodge his group’s catch of over 700 fish.

76 EARLY RUNOFF ON THE SOUTH ALLIGATOR
The 2024 Wet was a time of plenty for barramundi across the Top End… You just had to know when, where and how to fish. Chris Errity reports.

84 SUBURBAN PELAGIC PURSUIT – LEE POINT
Roger Sinclair’s guide to great tuna and mackerel fishing at Lee Point, on Darwin’s doorstep.

92 DRY SEASON FISHING
When you plan on a NT adventure, there are many factors to consider. Lyndon Anlezark explains.

96 BARRA CLASSIC BLITZ
The 42nd annual Barra Classic, hosted by the Darwin Game Fishing Club, was fiercely competitive, with teams utilising forward-facing sonar and achieving impressive scores. AJ reports.

98 BARRA CLASSIC MASTERS
The only criteria to enter the inaugural Barra Classic Masters on the Daly River
Was that you had to be 60 years or older. AJ reports.

100 DALY RIVER TROPICAL FISHING APPAREL
NAFA’s regular Tropical Fishing apparel Shoot was a fishy affair on the mighty Daly River. AJ Picrorial.

112 BOAT RAMP DANGERS
Steve Cooper warns: beware the dangers of boat ramps. You can break bones, lose a vehicle or even be eaten.

122 THE ROLE OF THE TROLL
In a social-media-driven world where trends dominate, many new "experts" haven't yet tried trolling for Murray cod. Is it a lost art or an untapped skill? Rod Mackenzie claims it’s the best technique to catch the giants.

128 MIXING IT UP IN TASSIE
Tassie’s natural beauty is legendary. Getting around is simple, the people are friendly and the fishing is top notch. Shane Mensforth mixes it up.

134 BEMM RIVER – AN UNEXPLAINABLE ALLURE
Ben Knaggs reckons the Bemm River, in Victoria’s far eastern Gippsland region, is one magical place.

PRODUCT AWARENESS
37 JM GILLIES – Inflatable Waistbelts
40 MYCOOLMAN – Recreational Series Portable Fridges
41 MYCOOLMAN – 16L Ice Box
48 JM Gillies – HUK Fishing Apparel
64 NT Powersports – The NT’s Horizon Boats and Honda Marine dealer
72 Fishing & Outdoor World
83 Rod & Rifle TackleWorld Katherine
90 Corroboree Park Tavern
121 JM Gillies – Warlock Cod Lolly
126 Simrad Yachting – NSX Ultrawide
140 Lowrance – The new Eagle Fishfinder
141 Shimano – Shimano Bantam 150A & Zodias Travel Rod

142 GOOD GEAR

COLUMNS
10 AJ’S TAKE with Alex Julius
18 FISHING OZ with Steve ‘Starlo’ Starling
38 A FISHING LIFE with ‘Barra Dave’ Donald