Good old Joe Francis on News Media today- proudly making an announcement that all boats seized doing the Fisheries blitz on Crayfisher "persons" doing the wrong thing will go to Auction later in the year.

He decribed the action of these people as "Bastardry" and "Un-Australian" . 

Two more vessels were seized this week, bringing the total seized, since the start of the rock lobster season, to seven. Operation Bagana has mobilised large numbers of Fisheries and Marine Officers across the State to target rock lobster pot interference and related offences. 

This vessel was seized by Fisheries officers at the Bent Street Ramp

A 66-year-old Safety Bay man had his catch and 5.6m fibreglass runabout seized by officers on Wednesday at the Bent Street Ramp in Safety Bay and faces further investigation for alleged gear interference with commercial rock lobster pots and other rock lobster related offences. Enquiries continue into a 68-year-old Cooloongup man and a 44-year-old Barragup man on the same matter.

Following the apprehension, Fisheries officers also executed search warrants at two related addresses and a further quantity of rock lobster was seized. 

Also seized, for alleged rock lobster pot interference and other rock lobster related offences near Mindarie, was a 6.4m fibreglass cabin cruiser seized today from a 66-year-old man from Mindarie. Fisheries officers are also continuing investigations into four other men related to this matter.


This cabin cruiser was seized by Fisheries officers at Mindarie

South Metropolitan Compliance Manager John Breeden said Fisheries Officers will continue to conduct overt and covert operations across the State targeting people who don’t follow the rules.

“I’m hearing a lot of positive feedback from the community regarding our operations focussed on gear interference,” Mr Breeden said. 

“The community can feel proud that by reporting all the information they have on fish thieves, our officers have been able to detect and apprehend them.

“As a result, we hope the fishing experience has been enjoyable for the large majority of law abiding fishers. It’s a unique fishery on the doorstep of a major city, where we can catch fantastic seafood to share at Christmas with friends and family, making those early morning trips worth it.”

Mr Breeden said the important message remained for those few that still choose to break the law.

“We are watching,” he said. “Don’t be the owner of the eighth boat seized. It’s just not worth it. 

"Western Australia’s aquatic resources are highly valued in our community and everyone should respect the rights of others when fishing. Interference with another person’s fishing gear or catch, selling recreational fish or other similar offences can result in penalties of up to $400,000, imprisonment for four years and loss of boats, vehicles and equipment.” 

Call FishWatch on 1800 815 507 to report any suspected illegal fishing activity. Information on rules and limits is available in the Recreational fishing for rock lobster guide, which can be viewed or downloaded at

 good day in bunno in 50m of water

Happy New Year!

Heading down to Dwellingup this up coming weekend, 7/8 Jan, and going to give the murray a go near our campsite at Charlie's Flat

Anyone fished down there recently?

If so any tips?

Cheers,

Mrs is not keen for me to take out the boys too wide, anyone know of a couple of spots within 4 miles of the Port Geo Ramp. Fishing out of a 5.8 ali boat and don't have much knowledge of the bay area.

I often read about references to gravel or flat coral bottom, in regard to

prefered habitat of certain fish or when talking about reading sounders.

Not meaning any disrespect to those fishers; maybe theres a meaning that eludes me

But Im old enough to have done more fishing than most and im not sure that such things exist 

Im too chicken to dive so havent seen any kind of ocean floor with my own eyes

Can someone enlighten me?

Set out below is a 2016 review.  The support we have received from the fishing community has been outstanding, and I know a number have people have followed our “start-up” story so I wanted to give an update.  It is a fairly long read for those that are interested.  

It has been and interesting journey for Shore Catch so far.  We opened our Wangara shop in Late February 2016 and have now had 9 months of actual trading.  We proposed a unique product line that was designed for experienced fishers and invested in the equipment, premises, licences, stock, and all the rest.

The shredded fish and burley products we make seem to have gained good market acceptance, because they work.  We currently wholesale various products to quality tackle shops in the Perth Metropolitan region, as well as selling our full range from Wangara.  There was a lot of R&D into making quality “new” products, and I think we did ok.  Our research is ongoing and we will produce more products in 2017.

A number of tackle shops have requested that we supply selected bait, and we are currently stocking at a few outlets as a trial.   We do not intend to be a manufacturer and processor of all types of bait products and directly compete with the existing wholesale suppliers.  The products we wholesale will be unique in the market and only be available through selected wholesale clients.

We will continue to operate a retail shop in Wangara.  Although manufacturing and wholesale supply is likely to be our main focus, I think we can add value to the retail sector by offering unique products and services.

Our 2017 retail products will be around the following themes.

Fish Based Burley – We will continue to manufacture our fish based burley products, being either a minced fish based burley block or shredded mulies block in 1.5kg or 5kg sizes.  We are currently changing the shape of the 1.5kg blocks to a 100mm diameter by 200mm length logs.  We have modified our manufacturing and packing process to produce a product that will fit into the vast majority of existing burley pots.  Overall, we have been very happy with the performance of our burley products, and after much testing, and numerous customer reports I think we have the mix ratios right.

Shredded Fish – We custom built a piece of equipment that was designed to shred any fish to a size that had buoyancy in the water column. The Shredder is certainly the “Queen” of our processing operations and we make a lot of our products from her output.  Our in-store retail products are 1kg and 2kg vacuum sealed shredded, mulies (Albany pilchards), local mullet, tuna and mixed fish (various commercially caught whole bait fish, and reef fish frames).  Our business certainly has a component of recycling in it.

Bulk Bait to Order – A popular product has been bulk mixed bait for trips away.  It has been good to deal with knowledgeable people about their requirements at the shop, or via email, and we have learned a lot.  We will shortly update our web site to allow custom selection of baits & packaging to make it easy to order exactly what you want.  It will generally take 3-5 business days to produce the order with Wangara being “on the way” for Northern trips.  We are working with Mad Fish and hope to provide discounted esky bags that we can pack for trips away – take the bait up in it and bring the fish back in it.

Full Range of Retail In-Store Baits – We aim to provide a quality range of retail bait.  We buy from primary producers, market or wholesale supplier, depending on the product and availability.  We have upgraded our freezer storage space in the showroom so we can stock the variety of retail products that people want.  Our bait is generally classified as: whole small baitfish; fin fish fillets; whole fin fish; cephalopod; crustacean; bivalve; and various custom packs with bait variety based on purpose.  We will keep our web site regularly updated with available baits from mid-January 2017, and any suggestions of additional products are welcome. 

Custom Clothing – There is a market for a good quality WA locally made products.  We have produced a lot of shirts this year and I believe the point of difference is customer service.  It is good to work with people to make something that they want, and producing Danny Green’s yearly Yardie Creek trip shirts, and Shelley Taylor-Smith’s Rotto Swim School shirts was a highlight.  The Port Hedland Game Fishing Club was excellent to deal with again, and to hear that our shirts were now “collector’s items” was very satisfying.  We will expand this business line and consolidate a pricing structure.  Custom shirts in short runs (5-20) is the product in most demand by retail customers.  A few images are below.

Knife & Accessories Range – The post about this subject in early 2016 was very helpful (http://fishwrecked.com/forum/knife-range-members-input-requested).  I have visited a number of tackle shops over the last year and have reviewed the knife ranges.  There are some very good offerings of knives in tackle shops, that you can’t even buy from the wholesale knife suppliers, and I guess this is a reflection of quality knives being a relatively slow moving item.  Understandable, given that a good knife that is looked after should last a lifetime.  We will continue to stock a pure “fishing” range of knives and accessories, and refine the offering as it is a service that adds value.  As a separate matter, “high end” manufacturers and distributors seem to care little about the fishing range – the number of our customers preferred knife types that have been discontinued is certainly disappointing.

Selected Tackle – It has been a common mantra that Shore Catch is not a tackle shop.  Nevertheless, we do need to stock some retail tackle items that are complementary to our manufactured products.  Rigs, hooks, sinkers and Big John’s Jigs are the main offering. 

We stock a large range of pre-made rigs and have been very happy with the range, quality and service from MJ’s Custom Tackle.  It is nice to be able to stock a WA made product that is designed for our conditions.  Our point of difference is the range of products to cater for all fishing styles.  We will shortly have MJ’s produce 2 Shore Catch paternoster rig patterns for demersal species, and King George Whiting, that will be available from our shop only.

It has been excellent working with Big John and we certainly congratulate him on his awesome products and service.  Again, it is great to see a locally made good quality product start to gain acceptance in the market, again.  John has updated all our stock with his new range and the products just get better and better.

There are thousands of hook choices out there.  In the end we selected Gamakatsu hooks in 4 patterns (Octopus, Octopus Circle, Shiner and Long Shank) across the full range of size class.  We do not stock small packet sizes, except for the long shank, and our pack sizes are 25 hooks.  Our point of difference is that we actually keep all hook sizes in stock, as I know how frustrating it is to go to buy hooks and what you want is not there.

Although not really tackle, the flaked salt ice is a welcome addition to our retail offering.  We have posted about this before so I won’t go on about it again but it does really work.  On Christmas Day a wholesale customer arranged to pick up an order as it was the only time he had available.  We packed the esky at 9am with the products in salt ice and when it reached its destination at 7pm, after a day in the heat and sun, there had been no defrosting of the ice and the products were still frozen solid.  It is so much better than cubed water ice.

We will continue to seek selected products that hard to get in other places.  Tackle is not what we do, but we do need to hold some so we may as well offer unique items, and good quality and range of a few “standard” items.     

Selected Combinations – We will discontinue the consignment sale of second hand equipment.  There is a lot of work in doing it and the returns are marginal at best.  You also have to be of a particular personality type to succeed in selling second hand goods and be able to deal with the types of people that want the world for nothing.  It is really a distraction from the things that matter so is no longer a core business.  Instead, we will stock a small range of rod and reel combinations that are set up ready to fish.  We are likely to have known brand 10lb, 20lb, 30lb and 50lb combinations for different styles of fishing.  We will stock quality in the medium to low price range.  More detail will be released in due course.

Our business is growing steadily and I would personally like to thank Callum, and my family, for the efforts that have been put in.  Callum has been employed for a few months now and his knowledge and enthusiasm is outstanding.  In 2017, Callum will take the role of Production Manager and look after our manufacturing and processing operations.  We are seeking to hire new casual staff so if you are interested please let us know.  Please note that to do the job, you probably need to have been around fish a lot over your life as it is certainly not a job for those that haven’t.  This is the first advertisement for staff as we consider a fishing related forum the best place to start.

Our business set up is nearing completion.  It has been a lot of hard work and we are indebted to the people that have supported us in our first year.  We have adopted a “hasten slowly” approach so we are sure we can deliver quality, and the right products at the right price.  I am certainly happy this phase is near completion and I can start to focus on operational and R&D initiatives, amongst other things.  It has been quite a ride, and we still have a fair way to go, but I think we can approach 2017 with some optimism. 

Happy New Year to all, and thanks again for your support.  As always, any feedback is appreciated.  Mick 

 Has it cleared up there ?? Flying family up there end of week. Any fish to be caught beach or jetty?

 Started trying to put the clears on today, they seem really tight and hard 

to put on. Not sure if im doing something wrong, they look like they have never been used.

some of the plug things that they clip onto on the boat broke off. Looks like its from corrosion, are they easy to replace?

 went  out for a quick bash early yesterday to beat the wind 

got this  bloke and a couple breaksea happy days.!

 Couple of mates have spent the last week down here in Esperance and today we finally got on the water, Holth got some Jaffa queenies ( all released)  on the Abrolhos grubs and this nice blue groper on a metal so his day was made, Bear got towelled up a few times on the jigs but amoungst that was this Harlequin , ended the day with a good bag of nannies, black arse and fox fish.

looking for the does and dont's when fishing King sound.

I was told that the tide must either be half way down (or up) to use the boat ramp for one but someone pointed out that Fraser River is a spot to check out, is it ok at the mouth of the Fraser on low or would I be hitting mud?

Just looking to do a trip around the 5th if it's possible with tides etc or it maybe a shorter trip to Broome.

Thanks in advance. 

So I had a go at my mates new saltiga/talica (overhead) combo and it was amazing.  Have been daydreaming a fair bit since then and now I'm window shopping/tyre kicking for a new O/H jigging setup for around $500-600.  Have found a few setups (Daiwa saltist LD plus about 3 varieties of Daiwa rods) but was wondering if anyone had some other (non-Daiwa) suggestions.  Will be using jigs mainly around 80-120 grams for demersals.

Enjoy

 Hi all quick question to see how other guys deal with this, sorry if its been discussed before. My boat windows can get pritty foged up time to time with spray.  Ive got a hard top and fair amount of windows going on so viability can be an issue, before I look at wipers or or  changing the windscreen arangement has anyone had any luck with rain X or similar cheers in advance 

 In exmouth untill after new year and looking for some spots in the gulf. Need to catch the brother in law a good demarsal fish. Nice red or spango would be swell! Not about raping the ocean just need to get him a fish haha! Cheers for any input crew!!

finally got around to making some occy traps with some bits and pieces I had laying around... first time trying this so will be interesting to see how they go. 6 x 100mm pipes over 25m, placing out this arvo so can't wait to see if they produce when I check them on my first day off (5 days from now)... 

 Alright guys I know this should probably be in the cooking and recipe forum but I figure more people read this forum and I need a good recipe tonight! If anyone could give me there best beer batter recipe would be greatly appreciated. One big question I have is do I use self raising flower or plain? Got fresh dhu and squid to cook. Thanks heaps!

New Year’s SALE 20% OFF “EVERYTHING” STORE WIDE

Starts Friday 30th December (8.30am) and Finishes Sunday 1st January 5.00pm (3 Days ONLY)

20% OFF “EVERYTHING” STORE WIDE (excluding bait)

YES that Includes Shimano STELLA Reels, Shimano Ocea Jigger Reels, SALTIGA Spin & Overhead Reels and all HIGH END rods!!!

The key to secure a top end product at less 20% OFF is to GET IN QUICK!!!

We also have Less 50% OFF Bargain bin.

We stock a massive range of gear including;

Shimano Reels and rods

Daiwa Reels and rods

Pflueger Reels and rods

Penn Reels and rods

Abu Reels and rods

..… and more

Plus;

Katipo Plastic Cray pots
Katipo Plastic Cray pots " Fully Rigged "
Wooden Cray pots inc Steels base & Jarrah base
Cray grapples
Cray Accessories
Madfish Fish Cooler Bags
Big Chill roto-mould Fish Ice boxes (50L – 150L)
Demersal jigs including Lamble (Massive range)
Demersal jigs (Massive range) including Jigging Sports Australia,IMA,Eupro
FCLabo,Caprice,Zesta,Damiki,Vexed,Storm, Shimano,Abrolhos plus plus Micro jigs etc
Speed jigs like Black Magic and Jignesis
Demersal jigs ie Octa & Pirate style jigs including Daiwa, Giliies & Berkley

Big Johns range of lead head jigs including shallow water and deepwater demersal models
Demersal jig bags and accessories (large assortment)
Boat Combo's ie Penn and Shimano (overhead & spin)
Fishing WA Extreme rods
Jigging Rods inc Eupro, Shimano,Waves, Expert graphite, Jignesis, Gomoku plus high end rods.
GT rods including Temple Reef etc
General rods including beach/kayak/travel/boat etc
Electric Bent butt rod – Daiwa & Ozflex (full bent butt and mini bent butt in stock)
Squid rods including Egi Force C, Evergreen Poseidon Squid Law, Daiwa, Rovex plus more
Squid Jigs including Yo-Zuri, Haramitsu, Daiwa, Shimano, Abrolhos and Yamashita
Squid Gaffs, squid carry cases and all squiding accessories
Squid Ezi Tool
All crabbing gear including drop nets & marron nets
Landing nets including Berkley silicone etc
Gimbal belt – Super Deep M&W brand
Gimbal belts assorted
Life Jackets including the slim line Crewsaver Crewfit (both Manual & Auto)
GME GPS EPIRBS
RFD Inshore & Offshore (Fresh Batch)
All marine gear & accessories
Eva Pack Matic Cryovac machine (The BEST)
Chef Choice CC120 Electric Knife Sharpener (The BEST)
Braided & Mono line (including upmarket)
Softplastics including Z-Man, McArthy and Abrolhos
Lures including general stickbaits, minnows & poppers
ASWB and Temple Reef stickbaits & poppers (including Abalone)
Macky lures including Halco, Rapala and Abrolhos Tormentor
Barra lures including Rob Gaden Classic, RMG, Yo-Zuri & Bomber etc
Bream minnow lures including Ecogear, Zipbaits & Cranka Crabs
Large selection of Tackle boxes inc Plano/Shimano/Pflueger, Black Magic, Berkley &HPA
Terminal tackle including mono & flurocarbon etc
Fishing books and DVD's including Fishing WA
Fly Kits including Pflueger, Gillies & Abu (6-8wt)
Dive gear (includes mask/snorkel/fins and kits etc)
Handspears (Gidgy) including fibreglass & Ali
Odysseus Cray Loops
Mako Cray Loops 1m/1.25m/1.5m
Knives including F-Dick, Swibo, Bladerunner and Penn etc
Tusa Dive Knives
Sunnies including Ugly Fish & Maui Jims etc
ALL Super Deep Gear including our custom made rigs/custom sinkers/Esca lights etc
Japanese Super Deep Jigs ie 750g & 1kg
General sinkers including snapper lead & FE versions
ALL Richter products, we stock a massive selection of Richter skirted lures. We're also stocking pre-rigged skirted lures done by Mark Richter.
Also included are Richter wind-on leaders, rigs and teasers etc (PGFC members welcomed)
Pakula, Black Pete and Richter mirror teasers.
Easy Tease Teasers (2 models)
Marlin Flash Teasers
Teaser ropes custom made by us in store.
Cliff gaffs, rock gaffs & general gaffs
Custom made (Locally) WA Sea Anchors from dingy size and up to 12m boat size (big range)
Anchors including Sand, Reef and Kayak etc
Rod cases including Hard & Soft ie SWLAB and Plano
Ozflex Billfish Tag Poles (3m)
PLUS many more products!!!
__________________________________________________

* PLEASE let us know you’re a Fishwrecked member and here for the 20% OFF STORE WIDE so we can apply your discounts!!

* Floor stock only.
* No Holds.
* No Lay-by's.
* Country purchases can be made via EFT (postage cost needs to be applied)
* Plenty more gear in store
* PM us or call on 9337 5682 for any questions
* OPEN 7 Days

Cheers from the Oceanside Team.

G'day all , heading up for a 3 day trip next week ,taking my 4.65 profish and the family ,haven't ever been out up there but beach launch looks fairly good .Might have a poke around for some fish ,has anyone heard if its worth a troll yet ,and might just head out and try find some demersals ,any advice appreciated on the area .
Heard the jetty and weedbeds are worth a look for some squid ?

Cheers Andy

 Does anyone have a specific brand of gas burner they can recommend. I've been using one of those old double row burners, just takes forever to boil the water in the big 40 l cray cooker, then bring them back to the boil.

SEAFORCE IS FISHING GAMEX & AIBT 2017!!!

NOW OFFERING 10% DISCOUNT TO FW MEMBERS!!!

And we are looking to put a team together to tackle it with us.

If you are after a world class game fishing experiance that GAMEX & the AIBT is, you will not do it cheaper than this!!! With a crew and vessel to really compete and still be able to sleep in comfort on land every night.

I'm interested to hear how others have and where their EPIRB is mounted

I was told by a very experienced boatie to throw the plastic mounting bracket that everyone attaches to their bulkhead and or dash in the bin

In an emergency they are not worth a pinch of salt

hi all

Has anyone followed the Rottnest ferry back from Rotto to Fremantle? Any issues? Thinking of heading over early tomo coming back Friday, but those raging southerlys don't look too inviting. Jumping in behind the big boat would take the edge off. 

Oh and boat is a Whitley cr2590. 

Cheers

Planning to take the kids to Parmelia bank to catch some squid over the coming days ...which will be my first serious crack at some squid in the sound.  Have just bought a few shimano jigs in a range of colours and sizes.  Any tips or reports from those in the know?  Cheers. Westy. 

 Hello we are looking at doing a driving/camping trip up north from perth with fishing along the way in mid year school holidays we have a 4x4 and a camper trailer 3 boys and would love any advice/tips on locations and spots to go and or fish Thanks in advance

 Hi guys so I'm planning a trip to scott reef either at the end of 2017 or for my 30th in a couple years and as I'm sure the rest of you guys would be to, I'm researching what gear I'm gonna buy for a popping outfit for general use but something that will handle a big GT and also a jigging outfit for hopefully doggies which is the real purpose for me coz it's been at the top of my list since the first time I saw one on a TV show when I was a kid...

thing is Iv never been gt fishing or thrown lures at big tuna or jigged for anything bigger than 40+ kg sambos so this whole trip is a bit of a grey area for me. So far with cost in mind Iv landed on Stella or twin power on fcl labo pop rod or maxel pop rod and for jigging I'm torn between overhead or spin... leaning towards overhead I was thinking of sticking with maxel. ( pretty big fan because of my hybrid 20c for dhuies jigging )

So what size reels and line class would you guys recommend and also some ideas of different gear I should be looking at?

 Hey guys if anyone is chasing fresh bait there are a butt tonne of scalies down at e shed. Girlfriend and I got 124 in 2 hours coming from 5:30-7:30pm. Bite was really thick on sundown. It's a bit busy there so might want to get down early for a spot. 

 Anyone having any luck with squid in busso at the moment??

down here for a few weeks and keen to chase a few

thanks 

hello, wondering if anyone has any ideas of cause and how to fix? 

have recently installed a 1kw tranny on my head unit. 

Previously had two different types of 600w trannys with no issues whatsoever. 

the issue is that I get a single line of what I think is electrical interference when I kick the motor into gear from neutral, and sometimes immediately when just starting to accelerate from a constant speed eg moving from 10 to 15kts quickly.

The interference is only very minor eg a single vertical line from top to bottom of screen, or smaller vertical line mid water or even below sea bottom. It's only intermittent...somtimes just one fine line or a couple of fine lines in the time it takes for a full screen scroll/refresh, then it goes away. Very rarely it also happens at cruise at a constant speed but not often.

not a massive deal and the increase in picture quality from the bigger tranny more than makes up for it, BUT it gives me the Sh!ts no knowing what causing it or how to fix it!

as I said never happened in the past, only since installing the 1kw tranny. 

head unit is wired into batteries with no common wiring shared with anything else.

i was thinking a couple of potential causes, wondering what others think??

-increase in revs causes alternator to put out more into battery and that spike shows on screen?

-increase in revs/amps causes interference with the 1kw sounding?  

-interference between sounder cable and other electrical cables in conduit (but didn't occur with other tannys)?

-batteries on way out and increase in power draw from new tranny is causing minor spike when alternator increases output (happens on both batteries thou even when completely isolated from each other, so don't think so)?

We have just received our biggest order of Abrolhos Tackle since becoming a semi exclusive stockist. We're the largest stockist in WA and geez the gear sells quick!!

Abrolhos Tackle range is ever increasing with a huge emphasis on demersal gear. This gear is a standout over other brands and as an example, all Abrolhos Softplastics are made from Elazytech material so its very durable to wear-n-tear and teethy critters so one pack last you a long time.

The New Abrolhos Demersal jigging rod has been very poplar indeed with more going out the door today.

Fishwrecked Discounts Apply and Open 7 Days