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New Double Clutch lures coming soon!

by Murray 13th Dec 2012

Over the past few years the Double Clutch IZM 75SP-G has proved itself as one of the must have lures on the ABT tournament circuit, so the new Double Clutch IZM 60SP is bound to be one of the most anticipated lures of 2013. Handmade in Japan to the highest standards, these lures will be available in Australia from February 2013. Until then you can read all about them here.

ABT Live Streaming This Weekend

by Bradley 20th Jan 2012

ABT Live Streaming

Please refer to details below for broadcast times.

Daiwa-Hobie BREAM Kayak Series – Glenelg River (SA State Title & WQ1) 21-22 January 2012

Glenelg River plays host to the first State Title event of the 2012 Daiwa-Hobie BREAM Kayak Series, 21-22 January. Log in from 1pm (CDT) each day to catch the live-stream action of the weigh-in. This tournament also serves as the first qualifying round for the 2nd Hobie Kayak Fishing Worlds, to be held in the USA. Will one of the proven performers continue their good form or will one of the new wave of tournament competitors make their mark? Tune in for two great days of red hot competition.

Live Results Stream Daiwa-Hobie BREAM Kayak Series – Glenelg River

Mercury Glenelg River BREAM Qualifier #1 21-22 January 2012

Glenelg River plays host to the first qualifier of the 2012 BREAM season, 21-22 January. Log in from 2pm (CDT) each day to catch the action of the weigh-in live-streamed from the Nelson Hotel. This is the first opportunity for anglers to qualify for the 2012 Grand Final. With great cash and prizes on offer, this event is sure to attract the cream of Australia’s BREAM tournament anglers.

Live Results Stream Mercury Glenelg River BREAM Qualifier #1

2012 Daiwa BREAM Australian Open

by Bradley 13th Jan 2012

Ian Seeto from Lure and Fly and Daiwa sponsored angler, 15/15, 10.11kg has taken out the 2012 Daiwa BREAM Australian Open! Russell Babekuhl took out second with Steve Morgan rounding out the top three. Michael Colotouros took out the final session Big Bream Honours.

Story and pictures coming next week.

Daiwa BREAM Australian Open 11-13 January 2012

by Bradley 11th Jan 2012

Daiwa BREAM Australian Open 11-13 January 2012

Sydney Harbour plays host to the first event of the 2012 BREAM season, the Daiwa Australian Open, 11-13 January 2012. Log in from 2pm (EDT) each day to catch the livestream action of the weigh-in. The successful boater-only format returns in 2012, and offers anglers one of the biggest challenges of the tournament season. With a crack field of assembled anglers fighting it out on one of Australia’s greatest tournament arenas, the action is sure to be red hot.

Live link - http://live.bream.com.au/

2012 ABT Tournament guide

by Bradley 21st Dec 2011

The 2012 ABT Tournament guide is now available online or as a free download. Full of in-depth articles on how to make you a better tournament angler for the upcoming 2012 season.

Hard copies will be available in all good newsagencies or from Fishing Monthly from the middle of January.

For more information click here.

New Daiwa ABT and Hobie section

by Bradley 20th Dec 2011

The Daiwa BREAM Series and Daiwa-Hobie BREAM Kayak Series hits the water in January 2012 to kickstart another big year on the tournament trail. The new section on Daiwa’s website will have all the news from the Bream and Hobie events throughout the year.

For boaters the action starts on Sydney Harbour in early January with the Daiwa BREAM Australia, then heads to the Glenelg River in Victoria for the opening round of the eight event national BREAM Series.

For kayak anglers the action begins at Forster in early January with the 18 event series visiting Australia’s premier kayaking venues throughout the year on its journey to the Bemm River Grand Final in November.

For bream fishing fans the new tournament season will offer unrivaled event coverage, with the Daiwa livestream, ABT reporting and coverage on daiwafishing.com.au, hobiefishing.com.au and lureandfly.com delivering action direct to their computer or smartphone.

For more information click here.

Bass stocking surging forward

by Bradley 24th Nov 2011

A total of 47,000 Australian bass fingerlings were released by Fisheries Victoria into seven
Gippsland waterways this week. This is the second year of a five-year program.

Broodstock used to supply the fingerlings were sourced from Gippsland rivers. Bass are an
important species to anglers and are regarded as an excellent sport fish.

This year’s stocking is the ongoing rate for the next four years. It is set to provide a depth of
age classes for the fishery into the future.

Fisheries Victoria Executive Director Anthony Hurst said the growth rates for bass in this part
of Victoria would likely see these fish reach the minimum legal size in about four years.

“These stockings will provide an ongoing fishing opportunity over many years. Bass are a
long-living species and many of these fish will be around for over 15 years,” Mr Hurst said.

The minimum legal size for Australian bass is 27cm and the bag limit in Gippsland is two bass
per person, per day.

The areas and number of fingerlings stocked for this year are: Mitchell River 5,000; Avon
River 3,000; Macalister River (downstream of wall) 2,000; Lake Glenmaggie 10,000; Cowwarr
Weir 2,000; Lake Narracan 10,000 and Blue Rock Lake 15,000.

Join Us on Facebook

by Bradley 21st Nov 2011

Join us a on Facebook and get the latest gear updates, fishing news, greatest links plus lots of giveaways! This week were giving away 5 copies of the latest “Fishing DVD” to five lucky Facebook fans.

Join us at Daiwa’s Facebook page

This week on Hooked

by Bradley 20th Nov 2011

This week on Hooked On Tackle world Dave jumps onboard Helifish in Darwin to chase barra. This is one amazing trip as the boys fly over the Darwin’s landscape. Dave and Mark from Helifish land in some great locations and have some great fun on Barra. This is one show not to be missed

Hooked airs on Foxtel Channel 183 7:30pm Tues and 6:30pm Sat

This week on Hooked

by Bradley 14th Nov 2011

This week on Hooked On Tackle World Dave hits the high seas off Darwin to do some good on bottom fishing for black jew and golden snapper. Also Dave gives the lures a run for spanish mackerel.

Hooked airs on Foxtel Channel 183 7:30pm Tues and 6:30pm Sat

Skeeter BREAM Classic Championship Results

by Bradley 3rd Nov 2011

Team Manning River Marine ,Kristoffer Hickson & Daniel Brown have taken out the Skeeter BREAM Classic Championship! More information coming soon.

DAIWA – Hobie World Kayak Fishing Tournament

by Bradley 3rd Nov 2011

The inaugural DAIWA – Hobie World Kayak Fishing Tournament has been run and won at the weekend in Port Macquarie. Contested by anglers from Australia, USA, Thailand, Singapore and South Korea, competitors were faced with the challenge of bringing a daily bag of their three largest bream to the weigh master over three days of competition.

Given that ten of the eighteen competitors were Internationals, and had never seen, let alone caught a bream before, it’s surprising that the final results were never a certainty.

Ultimately, the Aussies prevailed and took out the top three places, but not before a spirited challenge from USA angler, Jose Chavez, who led the event after the first day, before settling with a fourth place finish. International Competitors would eventually claim five of the top ten places.

Based on the format of the Hobie sailing world championships, these championships allowed competitors to fly in to the event location, where they were provided with a, tournament ready, pedal powered Hobie MirageDrive® Pro Angler.

The thing that struck me most is the versatility shown by the Internationals. Fishing a foreign waterway in a foreign country, for a foreign species, these anglers adapted superbly to the challenge. Mentored by the Australians for 2 days prior to the event, there was a great sense of sharing, of both knowledge and skills.

I interviewed Jose Chavez (USA) and talked to him about adapting to this foreign adversary. Interestingly, after only 3 days on the water, he’d pretty well summed up the situation, and had a very good understanding of this species.

In relating to the bream, he credits the knowledge shared by his Australian Mentor, three time Angler of the Year, and Hobie Fishing Pro Greg Lewis. Jose describes the Bream as “a little smart bulldog… you don’t think they’re as powerful as they are, but those things can fight”.

Besides that though, it was quickly evident that Jose is an accomplished angler in his own right. He has a sound understanding of locating fish, and how they relate to structure, tides, wind and current.

The biggest challenge he faced was adjusting to the lighter equipment required to fish for this species. Casting lighter line and light lures affected his casting accuracy, and it took him several days to adapt. And adapt he did. His first day bag from the Camden Haven River was the largest of any angler in the tournament. Once he’d located the fish, using a topwater lure as a search bait, Jose quickly “switchbaited” the fish with a lightly weighted soft plastic, a technique he uses at home on Bass and Redfish. The second day on the Hastings River at port Macquarie was disappointing, after he lost a number of good fish in the oyster racks, but he was still in contention for an upset win, sitting in 3^rd place. Jose made some slight adjustments to his technique for the last day, which secured him a fourth place finish.

Scott Baker from Mornington Victoria was eventually crowned World Champion, but all the competitors were quick to relate the positive experiences from the event, and look forward to the return match in the US in 2012.

For full results, visit http://www.hobiefishingworlds.com

For photo galleries of the event, check out http://www.lureandfly.com and http://www.hobiefishingworlds.com

1ST Daiwa Hobie® Kayak World Championships

by Bradley 10th Oct 2011

Hobie Cat Australasia in conjunction with Daiwa Australia, announce that eighteen competitors from five nations, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, USA and Australia, will compete in the inaugural Hobie world kayak fishing championships. The tournament will be held in Australia, on the New South Wales mid north coast, starting on October 27 at Camden Haven on the Camden Haven River, moving to the Hastings River at Port Macquarie on October 29 and 30.

The event is the concept of Steve Fields, General Manager of Hobie Cat Australasia. Steve is a former sailing world and national champion in multiple Hobie Cat Catamaran classes.

Steve Fields, stated, “Hobie Cat has been hosting Hobie sailing world championships since the first Hobie 16 titles held in Hawaii in 1976. They are fantastically competitive and ruthless events on the water but they are great social occasions as well”.

“People from all over the world with similar interests not only compete but share expertise, knowledge and skills. In the end, there is one World Champion, but everyone goes home feeling better about themselves, with new friends, new skills and having had a cultural experience in a part of the world they, otherwise, may never have visited.”

“Hobie Cat has grown and diversified into new areas since those early days. Our venture into kayaks has built a huge, worldwide Hobie kayak fishing fraternity. I wanted to bring these people together somehow and came up with the Hobie Kayak Fishing World Championships. I put the concept to Daiwa Australia and they loved the idea so much they jumped straight aboard, as the major sponsor of the first such event ever to be held.”

Day one of the International competition will be a standalone event. However, on the starting signal, at 7am on the weekend of October 29 – 30, the spectacular sight of 67 pedal powered Hobie MirageDrive® Pro Angler kayaks will leave the beach. The world championship competitors will be joined on the water by grand finalists from the 13 rounds, held throughout Australia, of the Daiwa Hobie ABT Kayak Fishing Series.

Live weigh-ins of the catches will take place on the waterfront grassed area at the Water’s Edge Boutique Hotel, Buller Street Port Macquarie, from 2pm on each of the three days of the world championship competition.

For more information or photos please call Bob Findlay Office: +61 2 4441 8400 Mobile: 0412 127 454 bob@hobiecat.com.au or keep up to date at www.hobiefishing.com.au and the event site at www.hobiefishingworlds.com

Airtorque rods have arrived

by Bradley 5th Oct 2011

The new Airtorque rods have just arrived. For more information click here.

Ballistic Spin Reels have arrived.

by Bradley 5th Oct 2011

The Ballistic spinning reels in the 2500 and 3000 sizes have just arrived, the other sizes will arrive soon.

For more information click here.

This Week on Hooked with Dave Butfield

by Bradley 12th Sep 2011

This week on Hooked with Dave Butfield, we head to Swansea in NSW and hook up with Jason Nunn to fish . The boys fish Lake Macquarie at night to chase bream using mullet, Dave and Jason show you some of the basic techqenics in catching bream. If you’ve never had much luck catching bream well this is a great show to tune your skill as Dave catches some amazing bream.

You can watch Hooked On Tackle World on Channel 183 every Tuesday night at 7:30pm and Saturday night at 6:30pm. Just so you don’t miss the fishing action Hooked On Tackle World will be aired 28 time throughout the week

Steez Amraam just arrived.

by Bradley 6th Sep 2011

The new Steez Amraam “megatop” rod has just arrived and its probably on of the best finesse bream rods we’ve felt in a longtime! For more information click here.

New Daiwa Freams in stores this week.

by Bradley 22nd Aug 2011

The long awaited Freams will be instores this week. For more information on these reels click here.

New Caldia details revealed

by Bradley 12th Aug 2011

Daiwa has always had a long history of innovation, in 2010, Daiwa pioneered the ground breaking technology- Magseal and Air Rotor, a combination that the new set the future standard for all Daiwa spinning reels. Its unparalleled engineering produced Daiwa’s flagship reels – Saltiga and Certate. Now Daiwa expand its innovation with the new Caldia.

Caldia is a new era for Daiwa, an era where the introduction of innovations where Magseal, Air Rotor and Zaion are now available in mid range reels.

For more information click here.

New Airtorque coming soon.

by Bradley 12th Aug 2011

The introduction of the new Airtorque range will set a new standard for delivering high performance rods without high prices. Using the latest carbon design available and by combining 30 tonne carbon with a micro pitch taper, Airtorque delivers an incredibly light and powerful yet amazingly strong blank that will stop literally any light tackle sportfish.

But a blank isn’t everything and that’s why Airtorque employs Fuji’s new alconite “K” guides, these guides dramatically reduce line wrap and improve line speed for faster more accurate casting. Added to this Daiwa uses customized Fuji ACS/VSS reel seats, custom alloy componentry and ultra tough EVA grips, to produce a highly spec’d rod series that has never been available at this price level ever before.

For more information click here.

New Gekkabijin Yogiri now available.

by Bradley 12th Aug 2011

The newly designed body on the Yogiri creates an incredibly stable wobbling action that tracks straight in slow to rapid moving water or when cranking at any speed. This highly responsive stable wobbling action attracts predatory fish from long distances and is ideal for dirty water situations where vibration is the key to getting strikes.

The Yogiri imitates many of the small shad shaped baitfish that inhabits many of our freshwater and coastal waterways. The range of ultra realistic colors and patterns are a true testament to Japanese design, these lures imitate baitfish perfectly and are highly recommended for clear water fishing where fish are commonly intimidated by bright or flashy colors or patterns. Its superior casting abilities is ideal for estuarine flats, trundling mountain river runs to pinpoint casting to snags for bream, trout and estuary perch.

Handmade to the highest standards, these lures feature 3D realistic eyes, ultra sharp chemically sharpened trebles and realistic natural colors/pattern

For more information click here

Saltist HRF Type II debuts today.

by Bradley 10th Aug 2011

In 2011 Daiwa has upgraded one of the country’s favourite baitcaster reels with an all new UTD drag and cosmetics. So if your fishing takes you into the rugged salt water’s of the Australian coast then the all new Saltist HRF Type II is just what you’re looking for if you need a tough high-capacity, low-profile reel. Designed for either braided lines or monofilament, the Saltist HRF Type II will tackle any medium to heavy saltwater action you care to throw at it, from barramundi and jacks up north to mulloway and flathead down south.

For more information click here.

Z200H now available

by Bradley 9th Aug 2011

The new Z200h is now available.

For more information click here.

Pixy PX Type R

by Bradley 9th Aug 2011

The new Pixy PX Type R has just landed.

The finesse anglers dream reel, the new Pixy PX Type R is Daiwa’s ultimate lightweight baitcaster. Developed specifically for Japans high pressure, high intensity bass fisheries, where anglers are required to use ultra light lines and lures to tempt fish into striking.

The new shallow Super duraluminium “air” spool will spin with the lightest of weights, right down to small bream and trout sized lures, casting effortlessly and accurately. While the finesse Magforce Z system will apply breaking when necessary to prevent over-run.

For more information click here.

Exist Hyper Custom 2508 and 3012

by Bradley 26th Jul 2011

Daiwa Australia has just secured and landed the final production of Daiwa’s most prestigious spinning reels , the Exist Hyper Custom. This incredible reel is only available in the 2508 and 3012 models in very limited numbers, so reserve yours now if you want one of the finest reels money can buy.

Features

Real Four
Digitally designed Hyper Digigear II
Silent oscillation II
Twistbuster II
Machine-cut high accuracy air metal housing
11 Anti-rust CRBB ball bearings
Superfine Dura-aluminum machined main shaft
Dustproof body shell
Individually serial numbered
Machine cut engine plate
Rotor brake
Hyper Tournament Drag
2 sealed ball bearing, titanium coated Twist Buster 2 line roller
Ultra duralumin parts
Semi-hard protection case
Washable design
All saltwater friendly.

MODEL

GEAR

RATIO

BALL

BEARINGS

WEIGHT

DRAG

PRESSURE

SPOOL CAPACITY

Exist Hyper 2508

4.8

(71 cm’s)

11 + 1

200

7 kg

150m/8lb, PE 1/200m

Exist Hyper 3012

4.8 (81cm’s)

11 + 1

245

7 kg

150m/12lb, PE 1.5/200m

Black Label Technical series coming soon.

by Bradley 7th Jul 2011

The Black Label “Skippin”.”Shootin”.”Shaky” series were designed for aggressive fishing techniques like the “skipping” method used to throw a lure to overhangs or under boat docks/ piers and “shooting” method to directly throw a lure to fish located on a fish finder or structure. Also due to the ultra fast and sensitive action they are able to dance a soft plastic lure to attract fish – “shaking style”.

When Daiwa designs and tries to reduce cost of a rod, normally we simply reduce a similar ratio form each cost categories like blanks, guides, handles etc. But, in this instance we concentrated on blank design to gain the highest performance. Black Label is similar to our flagship rod range – Steez. While Steez concentrates on being light weight, Black Label concentrates on high performance, it has similar cosmetic styling but the blanks design emphasis combines lifting power with superior hook setting power. As a result we have designed a rod series that produces superior performance far beyond our competitors, yet still featuring quality componentry like Fuji SIC guides, Daiwa surround hold reel seats and triple A grade cork handles, all this at a fraction of our competitor’s price.

For more inforamtion click here.

Black Label versatile series coming soon.

by Bradley 7th Jul 2011

The Black Label “Versatile” series of rods is designed as the all-rounder style series. These rods can be used for the majority of fishing methods in particular with hard body lures like crankbaits, vibrations, topwaters etc

The design of the Black Label Versatile series is the same as the Technical series, concentrating on high performance. They have similar cosmetic styling, but the Versatile series combines a soft tip action and lifting power with superior hook setting power to produce a rod that is perfectly suited for all hard body and soft plastic fishing techniques… As a result we have designed a “versatile “rod series that produces superior performance far beyond our competitors, yet still featuring quality componentry like Fuji SIC guides, Daiwa surround hold reel seats and ultra tough and light EVA grips, all this at a fraction of our competitor’s price.

For more information click here.

Pro News Updated

by Bradley 10th Jun 2011

Jamie Robley discovers Daiwa’s latest bream weapon…the Gekkabijin Vib.

Check it out by clicking here.

New Fishing Platform

by Bradley 8th Jun 2011

Recreational fishers will enjoy a new fishing platform

A NEW fishing platform erected on the Lower Tarra River at Tarraville will make it easier for local anglers to bag their catch.

Situated next to an existing fishing platform, the new platform will allow extra opportunities for anglers to put their rods in the river in response to an increase in the popularity of the area.

According to West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority River Health Team Leader Michelle Dickson, the fishing platform was made possible by $25,000 worth of funding through the Department of Primary Industry’s Recreational Fishing Grants Program.

“At peak times there is not enough room for all the anglers on the platform, forcing some people to access the water form the bank and placing erosion and compaction pressures on the banks of the river,” said Ms Dickson.

The site is located in the estuarine section of the Tarra River and is surrounded by fragile mangrove and Saltmarsh vegetation.

WGCMA Project Officer Ken Holland said, “Construction of a second fishing platform will protect this vegetation from being trampled and allow for natural regeneration whilst increasing safety for recreational fishers”.

“The site is very popular and anglers regularly report catches of yellow eye mullet, silver trevally and estuary perch”, added Mr Holland.

The fishing platform adds value to other work completed in the area by the WGCMA and local landholders in recent times to fence off valuable salt marsh vegetation to protect it from cattle access. When combined, these actions

provide for increased habitat both in stream and on the bank and riparian areas of the Tarra River.

The Recreational Fishing Grants Program has funded over 350 projects worth more than $13.7 million since 2001.

Pro News Updated

by Bradley 26th May 2011

Check out the latest lure pro news.

Greg Seeto gives some insights into using the Baby Crank, for more information click here.

Chris Seeto gives the low down on one of the hottest lures out, the Gekkabijin Vib 3s. For more information click here.

Pro News Updated

by Bradley 12th May 2011

Check out the latest pro reviews.

Mark Gerkovich gives his insights on winter vibing with the Gekkabijin Vib 3S, for more information click here.

Adam Royter dissects Daiwa’s latest New Era fly reels giving you a full insiders look on its construction. Foe more information click here.

Pro News Updated

by Bradley 18th Apr 2011

New Pro News on the upcoming new Infeet rods and Gekkabijin MX2004 reels.

Click here

Also check out Warren Keelans review on the TMZ-I for south coast bass. Click here.

New Freams coming this winter

by Bradley 31st Mar 2011

The new Freams heralds a giant leap forward in reel innovation. In 2010 Daiwa introduced Magseal in its flagship spinning reels – Saltiga and Certate, this incredible innovation introduced the most technically advanced spinning reel design ever. Though this system is superb it is not that economical to introduce into lower price spinning reels. Daiwa recognized this and developed another system that would suit these reels and called it ‘Oil Seal”.

Available mid winter 2011.

For more information click here.

New Steez Megatop rods

by Bradley 24th Mar 2011

Daiwa’s technically advanced reels can should be complimented the ultimate sports fishing rods, rods that there was no compromise in technology and expenditure spared to develop the worlds most advanced designs.

Steez rods utilize the famous Bias Construction diagonal ply design, to create a finer diameter blank that resists twisting, eliminating stress, creating better casting accuracy and greater hook setting power, to produce a blank with maximum density yet extremely light, powerful and sensitive. Each blank is constructed of different carbon material to suit a specific fishing style.

The new Megatop series is a revolution in sensitivity as it takes it to an all new level by introducing Daiwa’s incredible new SVF-SPX carbon. Megatop is unlike any other ordinary solid tip construction, the new SPX material binds graphite fibres with precise resin control for an extremely even distribution of fibre. The result of this is virtually no spine in the rod tip so it bends the same angle in any direction. This allows for incredible pinpoint cast control with even the lightest of weights and its incredible transference of even the slightest bump or vibration allows for the incredible bite detection unlike any other rod.

Steez Megatop, the ultimate rods from the world’s leading designer and manufacturer…Daiwa.

For more information click here.

New Spellbinder models

by Bradley 15th Mar 2011

Three new models have been added to the very popular Spellbinder series. The new single piece 7 ft LFS, MLFS and MHFS rods are a great addition to the series.

Ultra fast, ultra light, ultra powerful… that’s the easiest way to describe the all new Spellbinder series. Designed on Daiwa’s latest new concept blank designs which introduces a blank that is amazingly light and fast at a price that has never before been seen in Australia.

Built with the finest components like Fuji K guides, Daiwa reel seats and ultra tough EVA grips available the Spellbinder series is the ideal choice for the serious angler.

For more information click here.

Gekkabijin Vib 3S just landed!

by Bradley 8th Mar 2011

The Gekkabijin Vib 3S is an all new “vibe”. Imitating the small shrimps that are so prevalent throughout estuaries, bays, rivers and streams, the Gekkabijin Vib 3S will definitely be one of the lures to watch on the ABT Tournament trail in 2011. Guaranteed to be a live well filler for bream, it will be equally effective on bass, trout, estuary perch or just about anything that eats small shrimp!

Unlike any other available it features a hollow plastic body, giving it a full body profile and the internal weight system causes the lure to sink nose forward to avoid snagging. On a slow crank it produces a wide wobble but speed it up and the tight high pitched wiggle attracts any predatory fish.

Handmade to the highest standards, these lures feature 3D realistic eyes, ultra sharp HD chemically sharpened treble with lifelike skirt and are painted internally with chip proof paint for an incredible lifelike finish.

Heartland Z 6101MLFS-Sv Saegake just landed!

by Bradley 8th Mar 2011

Daiwa Australia is proud to announce the availability of a limited production of the most sought after bream rod ever released in Australia – the Heartland Z 6101MLFS-Sv Saegake.

The Saegake became legendary over the years that it was produced, originally built in Daiwa’s Taiwan rod factory, it ceased be produced for many years but now the legend returns. The new limited production run will be handmade to the highest standard and quality in Daiwa’s Japanese rod factory.

The rods will be shipped to customers who preordered their rods later this week.

New Crest rods available at BCF

by Bradley 21st Feb 2011

The new Crest rod range available through BCF stores is the perfect match for one of Daiwa’s most popular budget spinning reels – the Crest series

The Crest rods are the ideal rod for anglers who demand high performance without breaking the budget.

Built on a light and tough high performance graphite blank they feature AO ring guides for superior casting, graphite reel seats and ultra tough EVA ergonomic grips.

For more information click here

Pro News Updated.

by Bradley 10th Feb 2011

The Pro news section has been updated with two superb reviews from opposite sides of the country.

Hal Hervey from the Bluewater stores in Western Australia reports on the new Saltiga 5000 and Tournament Master Surf rods. Click here for the pro review.

Sydney Tournament angler Greg Seeto reflects on his experience using the amazing TMZ-i 662ULFS rod. Click here for more information.

New Eging and Finesse reels just arrived!

by Bradley 10th Feb 2011

The new Emeraldas Infeet 2506 and Gekkabijin MX 2004 have just arrived!

For more information on Emeraldas Infeet click here.

For more information on Gekkabijin MX 2004 click here.

Tournament Master X -G rods just landed!

by Bradley 9th Feb 2011

The all new TMX-G series introduces high class tournament technology to a class of rod never seen before.

The TMX-G series uses Daiwa’s latest carbon design – M500, this new high modulus carbon blank material allows the blank to be thinner, by combining precise resin control with unidirectional graphite fibre making it one of the lightest, strongest and most sensitive blanks in its class.

That’s just the beginning, add to this Daiwa’s ultra sensitive and ergonomic grips, the latest Daiwa “original Comfortable” reel seats and Fuji Sic guide system and you have the best tournament ready series available on the market.

For more information click here.

New Finesse Spinning Gear available soon

by Bradley 2nd Feb 2011

Daiwa’s range of new finesse spinning gear will land on our shores soon. Check out the latest gear below.

Gekkabijin MX 2004 spinning reel – click here

Infeet Gekkabijin rods – click here

Daiwa ABT Mallacoota Story.

by Bradley 1st Feb 2011

Jarrod Healey, a 30 year old Landscape Gardener from Noble Park has claimed victory in the first qualifying event of the 2011 Daiwa BREAM Series with a substantial 10/10, 10.43kg limit.
The EJ Todd sponsored angler has been spending his Christmas holidays at the iconic Mallacoota township since he was a child and this year was no different. Healey picked up a cool $2400 for the win, $500 for the 1.49kg big bream and an additional $250 for being the highest placed Mercury owner.
His second career victory since his last at Mallacoota back in 2008, Healey claims he struggled on the prefish to find fish or productive areas.
“I used past experience and would sight cast to feeding or cruising fish along snags or sand flats,” he said.
“Working both the top and bottom lake, I would only get 1 fish at a time, not 2 or 3. Infact, I caught 7 legals on day one and only 6 on day two,” he continued.
Targeting these large solitary fish meant that Healey’s bag was going to be healthy as long as he could find enough to fill his limit. Day one’s 5/5, 6.13kg bag set up his victory, putting Jarrod over a kilo in front of his nearest rival. Of course this was cemented with his 1.49kg kicker fish, which ultimately won big bream.
Healey used a G.Loomis SR842 matched to a new Daiwa Certate 2004 and a G.Loomis DSR820 with a new Daiwa Certate 2506 both spooled with 3lb Stren Microfuse and 4lb Sunline FC Rock leader.
His lures of choice for the weekend consisted of a shallow Cranka Shad in toffee apple colour, a deep diving Jackall Chubby in brown suji and a Berkley camo worm rigged on a 1/32 Nitro jighead; the Cranka Shad accounting for the big bream.
“The bigger fish are on the banks, but it is a matter of having the patience to be rewarded,” said Healey.
“Day 2 I didn’t have my first fish till 9.15am, I got my five fish, but you are never sure what limits will come in at Mallacoota,” he continued.
Testament to this theory is Shaun Clancy’s victory from 10th place in the 2010 Daiwa BREAM Grand Final with a 5.58kg limit at this venue.
Taking home $1500 in second place was Warrnambool based angler Mark Gercovich with a 10/10, 9.21kg limit. In his first visit to Mallacoota, Gercovich found some good yellowfin bream on the flats during prefish. Remembering back to the 2007 BREAM Grand Final at Lake Macquarie catching yellowfin, Gercovich used a slow rolling crankbait technique to fill his bag.
Gercovich used a Daiwa Interline TMZ776 matched to a Daiwa Sol 2000 spooled with 3lb Yamatoyo Famell Spinning Fluorocarbon and a Daiwa Saltist Hard Rock Fish with a Daiwa Sol 2000 with 2lb straight through fluorocarbon.
He used a Jackall Chubby in suji shrimp and a Zipbait Rigge 46MDR in colour 809 for cranking the flats. On day 2, when there was no wind and bright sunny conditions, he headed to deeper water looking for bream with an Ecogear VX35 in colour 439.
“Using the Humminbird 898SI sounder, I was able to identify some good schools. Using a simple lift, drop technique I was able to pick up a 36cm and a 37cm on the vibs. When the wind picked up again, I then headed back to the flats,” he explained.
Champion non boater for the Atomic Mallacoota Qualifier was Darryl Hislop, a 41 year old brick layer from Colac in his first ABT event (9/10, 6.31kg). Taking home a swag of Daiwa goodies including two rod and reel outfits his wire to wire victory was set up with a 5/5, 4.05kg day one limit fishing with Tony Pettie and completed with a 4/5, 2.26kg limit with Dave Welfare.

Hislop used a G.Loomis 842 rod and a Shimano Sustain 2500 spooled with 4lb Berkley Crystal Fireline and 5lb FC Rock leader.
Heading upriver on day one, the pair worked in 6ft of water around Gypsy Point, Hislop choosing to throw a mid range Smith Camion in natural colours and a deep Jackall Chubby in suji shrimp, all retro fitted with Owner ST11 ultra light trebles.
“I was trying to work the lures across the bottom structure with the occasional flick,” explained Hislop.
Day 2 saw him venture out to the middle of the bottom lake working Ecogear VX40 blades in colour 439 and a variety of Berkley plastics before working the sand drop offs at Goodwin Sands.
The Atomic sponsored event was once again heavily promoted by Frogley’s Offshore. National Sales Manager Jay Morgan handing out a $100 lure pack to every angler at the briefing as well as a swag of Atomic, Bassday and Samurai Reaction rods to those anglers weighing in the largest Atomic or Bassday caught bream over the weekend. The lure displays on site were impressive to the attending public and the amount of kilo plus bream being weighed in on these lures testament to their popularity.
The top 4 boaters and non boaters have now qualified for the end of year Daiwa BREAM Grand Final at Forster and can relax, save and plan for the main event.
The focus now turns to Tasmania where the much anticipated St Helens and Derwent rounds will be held in early March. Let’s keep a close eye on any record breaking attempts, of course, all the action of the Rapala Derwent Super Series event will be streamed live on www.bream.com.au.

For all competition results click here

20 NEW FISH CLEANING TABLES FOR ANGLERS

by Bradley 19th Jan 2011

Recreational anglers visiting coastal fishing spots now have the luxury of cleaning their catch in comfort thanks to 20 new fish cleaning tables across Victoria.
Fisheries Victoria Executive Director Anthony Hurst said new tables had been installed at key fishing destinations in recent months, bringing the total number installed by Fisheries Victoria to more than 30.
Fifteen of the new tables are adjacent to boat ramps and popular fishing spots while another five have been installed on piers for use by land-based fishers.
“Whether you’re a serious angler who wets a line several times a week or a family fishing from a pier, these new tables make it easier to take some fillets home for the table,” Mr Hurst said.
Fish cleaning tables have been installed at:
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Curdies River at Curdievale
•
Yambuk Lake boat ramp
•
Public Reserve on the Glenelg River, Nelson
•
Apollo Bay boat ramp
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Apollo Bay wharf
•
Ocean Grove boat ramp
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St Helens boat ramp, Corio Bay
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Two tables adjacent to the Port Welshpool boat ramp
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Main wharf at Port Franklin
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Jetty at the main boat ramp at Inverloch
•
Dawsons Cove at Paynesville
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Fishermans Wharf at Paynesville
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Shaving Point at Metung
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Johnsonville boat ramp on the Tambo River
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Fishermans Landing, Lake Tyers
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Main boat ramp at Lake Tyers
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Karbeethong (near Mallacoota) boat ramp and a second table on the jetty
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Main boat ramp at Mallacoota.

All of these new fish cleaning tables feature slanted stainless steel surfaces and many are roofed to protect anglers and their catch from the elements.

Hickson Hauls to Victory in Australian Open

by Bradley 18th Jan 2011

Kris Hickson claimed the biggest win in his tournament career to date with a come from behind victory in the Daiwa BREAM Australian Open, 12/14th January. Claiming the win for personal and event sponsor Daiwa, Hickson eclipsed a talented field of anglers with the Port Macquarie breamer charging from 4th on day two to 1st on day three thanks to his 3.54kg final day bag.

Compiling a 15/15, 9.56kg limit to claim the Australian Open title, Hickson also leapfrogged Steve Morgan to become Australia’s number one ranked BREAM angler and secure a long held personal goal.

Falling 370 grams short of denying Hickson his goal was 2008 Australian Open winner John Balcomb who compiled a 15/15, 9.19kg three day bag to come within one decent fish of toppling Hickson from the winner’s dais and adding another event win to his impressive Sydney Harbour tournament CV.

Victory though belonged to Hickson, with the Daiwa bream pro inscribing his name into the records book as the winner of the inaugural boater-only Daiwa BREAM Australian Open.

Fishing a milk run of wind blown marinas between Putney and the Harbour Bridge, Hickson would start each morning at Rozzelle Bay, hitting boats and pontoons that he could see holding fish underneath.

“I used my Blue Eye sunnies to spot fishing hanging and feeding on the floating structure then took my lure straight to them”, explained Hickson.

With his targets located Hickson would cast his 1/28th oz, size 1, TT HWS rigged Squidgy Lobby in dusk colour, at the fish, delicate enough not to spoke the fish, yet tight enough to get their interest. He’d then let the lure sink watching for any signs of interest from fish.

“As it sank you’d see the fish break away and follow the Lobby down, so you’d watch the line closely looking for the slightest tick that indicated a bite”, explained Kris.

If there was no hit Hickson would give the lure a couple of small hops before winding it back in and repeating the process.

The approach was spot on deliver Hickson a string of fish each day, but it was out on the more wind blown locations later in the day where he’d chang his approach and fish more by feel than by sight.

Swapping to 80mm Squidgy Wrigglers in dusk, flash prawn, and wasabi colours, Hickson keyed in on the poles, walls and parallel pieces of man-made structure, pitching the offering tight to structure, sinking it 4-6 feet down then working it back with a hop-pause-drop retrieve.

The modification in presentation was just what the doctor order and the kept Hickson catching when the fish weren’t holding high in water column and feeding shallow.

Hickson hit each of his locations at least once each day, returning only twice a day to a handful of spots that had plenty of fish in residence.

“There were a few spots where you’d hook a fish, pull it out and there’d been a heap of others following it out. So I’d rest it and come back later and pick up another one”, explained Hickson.

Managing his fish to perfection Hickson showed equal foresight during the official prefish, using his time more to locate fish rather than to catch them. The later being a mistake that many tournament anglers all too regularly make.

“I spent most of Tuesday just driving arriving looking for fish hanging under structure and throwing topwaters when I wanted to see if they were going to respond to lures”, explained Kris.

Hickson’s restraint paid off with Australian Open champion landing 30 fish on the first day, and despite missing a few crucial bites he found himself sitting mid field and firmly in contention heading into day two and three. Especially on a waterway that regularly produces four and five kilo plus bags.

The bigger bites came and stuck on day two with Hickson weighing in 3.43kg and jumping to 4th place. Day three was when it all came together with Hickson dropping only one big fish and catching his biggest bag for tournament (3.54kg).

“Driving back to the weigh-in I thought I may be in with a chance, but for it to happen meant that the leader (Steve Morgan) would have to stumble and nobody could nail a big bag”, explained Kris.

And that’s exactly what happened. Holding the hot seating with only one more bag to weigh, it was only Steve Morgan that stood between Hickson and the win. Needing 2.92kg to win Morgan fell short, weighing in only 2.35kg and handing Hickson his first Daiwa BREAM Australian Open trophy. As a Daiwa sponsored angler it was perhaps karmic influences as well as shear angling talent that saw Hickson claim victory in the Daiwa sponsored event.

The tackle his used of course was dominated by Daiwa, with Hickson using a Daiwa 701 LFS Sol rod, Daiwa Sol 2000 reel, spooled with 6lb Daiwa Tournament Hi Visibility braid, and Daiwa TDR Competition fluorocarbon when throwing his HWS rigged Squidgy Lobbies, and a Daiwa Interline TMZ-I 662ULFS rod, Daiwa Sol 2000 reel, spooled with 6lb Daiwa Tournament Hi Visibility braid, and Daiwa TDR Competition fluorocarbon when using fishing 80mm Squidgy Wrigglers.

Post victory Hickson was ecstatic with his start to the new tournament season and his third tournament win in 12 months.

“One of my goals for the season was to maintain the consistence that I’ve achieved over the last couple of years. If I continue this then the rewards such as ranking points, prize money and Grand Final qualification will more than likely come also”, explained Hickson.

With a full calendar of BREAM events ahead of us the battle to see who grabs the lion’s share of rewards will be an exciting one to watch. Will Steve Morgan regain his number one ranking from Hickson or will a new angler emerge, on time and tournaments will tell.

For event runner-up John Balcomb is was another success tournament on Sydney Harbour with the tackle store salesman falling just short of claiming his second open victory.

Fishing the marinas that had served him well in the past, Balcomb focused on particular locations, namely Balmain, Birkenhead, Walsh Bay, and a rock wall situated at the back of Blackwattle Bay.

Fishing 2″ Berkley Gulp Minnow Grubs in camo and watermelon colour and rigged on 1/16th oz and 1/20th oz, size 4 and size 2 Nitro jigheads, Balcomb’s approach was tight, structure fishing to say the least.

“It was essential to drift the plastic in and under the pontoons and structure and into the kelp that hung down”, explained Balcomb.

Once the lure was in the kelp Balcomb would let it sit for a while before ripping it out to continue its sink.

“It was as soon as the plastic came free from the kelp and started to sink that most of the fish would hit the plastic”, explained Balcomb.

If no hits came Balcomb would simply wind it back in and make another cast.

“The fish were holding tight to the kelp so you needed to make sure you got your plastic in there, if you didn’t you didn’t get the bites”, explained Balcomb.

As the tide rose later in the day Balcomb changed tact and headed into Blackwattle Bay to fish a rock wall that was primed to fire with the high tide on it, and that’s exactly what it did with Balcomb picking up the tournament’s second biggest day one fish 1.03kg) and the biggest fish (1.29kg) on day three.

“The technique was the same as on the marina, cast it close to the structure, drift it in and wait for the fish to hit it”, explained Balcomb.

The approach fired on day three will John weighing in the biggest bag for the day (3.56kg) and the second biggest for the tournament. If it wasn’t for losing a couple of fish in the kelp and a conservative day two bag (2.64kg) he may have had enough to claim his second Australian Open title.

Far from disappointed with the outcome Balcomb was pumped to simply be on the water.

“Any day on the water is a good day, and I’m just stoked to finish second and pick up $3000 and the Daiwa prizes for the two big fish”, explained a jubuliant Balcomb.

The tackle he used to catch his cash and prize winning fish included a 7’2″, 2-4kg Quantum Response rod, Quantum Energy reel, spooled with 6lb Rovex Viros braid, and 4lb Sufix fluorocarbon leader.

Balcomb wasn’t alone when it came to sharing in the spoils of the Daiwa Big Bream Prizes, with a Daiwa Tournament Master X Interline 762LFS rod and 2000 Daiwa Luvius reel outfit awarded to the biggest bream each day and a Daiwa Saltist Rockfish RF75PE rod, and 2004 Daiwa Infeet reel outfit awarded to the second biggest bream each day. Joining Balcomb on the list of big bream winners were Corrie Stewart, Josh Carpenter and Scott Butler.

With the new individual format of The Open proving a huge success and silencing most doubters the 2012 Daiwa BREAM Australian Open is destined to see the field swell and anglers champing at the bit be part of one of the most unique and prestigious events on the BREAM calendar.

Attention now turns to the Daiwa BREAM Series with round two slated for the 29/30th January at Mallacoota. With the opening round on the Gold Coast rescheduled due to the Queensland floods anglers will be extra keen to hit the water and get breaming.

Daiwa BREAM Australian Open Final Results

by Bradley 14th Jan 2011

Steve Morgan stumbles and Kris Hickson nails the fish on the final day of the Daiwa BREAM Australian Open to take victory in the one of the most prestegious events on the BREAM calendar.

Catching his biggest bag for the tournament on the final day Hickson (15/15, 9.19kg) relegated a strong finishing John Balcomb (15/15, 9.05kg) to second place and Russell Babekuhl (15/15, 9.01kg) to third place.

Full story and updated ranking points to follow soon

The New Revolutionary Vibe coming this Autumn.

by Bradley 6th Jan 2011

Available early Autumn 2011 the Gekkabijin Vib 3s will be available in four fish attracting colours.

More information will be available soon.

Sooties of Eungella

by Bradley 19th Dec 2010

We all have a species or style of fishing that rings our bell. For me it’s sooty grunter and fishing crankbaits in timber, and it’s was during a shoot for an up and coming The Fishing DVD issue 23 episode that I got to indulge both. Fishing Eungella Dam near Mackay Shannon Watson and I got to experience impoundment sooty fishing about as good as it gets.

The process was straight forward, throw 2 ½” shallow and deep crankbaits to standing and laydown timber, slow roll it back and wait for the fish to nail the rattling intruder.

While the lure and retrieve was nothing new our choice of tackle, namely the rod, reel and line had somewhat of a new twist on it. Using a combination of spin and baitcaster gear, it was the Steez and Tournament Master-Z guided ranges that did most of the work. The low modulus Steez Tornado was perfect for the treble armed lures we were using while the Tournament Master Z-G Flats Master was matched up with the new 201 Cerates and Steez spinning reels. These outfits were dynamite at muscling XOS sooties away from their snags.

Baitcaster outfits followed a similar trend with the Steez Blitz and Tournament Master Z-G Topwater Tapdancer used when we were looking for a bit more grunt. These were matched up with the Steez 103 and new Zillion 100H-DA Type R baitcasters.

All the reels were also spooled up with Daiwa’s latest super fine braid, the Tournament Hyper PE and this was the first time it was used on film and it lived up to all expectations, delivering super smooth casting and A1 pulling power.

Simon Goldsmith ABT

Look out for this story in the upcoming Fishing DVD, for more information go to – www.thefishingdvd.com.au

Bass Fishing at Lake Glenbawn

by Bradley 14th Dec 2010

As a parent, I think it’s natural that we secretly hope that our children will share our passions. I think it is also one of the greatest privileges to watch them as they succeed in their endeavours.

So as a keen fisherman, you can imagine how proud I was to fish a Bass Tournament with my 10 year old Daughter, Anja, and to watch her land her first Australian Bass. The following are her own words as she recounts our weekend on the water together.

Last weekend my family and I drove to Lake Glenbawn. There was a Bass fishing tournament taking place and I went to fish with my Dad, Greg Seeto and his friend Josh Carpenter. I’ve fished in a tournament with Dad before, but I was very excited because this was my first Bass tournament and I am always asking Dad when I can fish another comp with him.

We entered the tournament as Team Daiwa. Each morning we got up at 5.00am to be on the water for the start at 6am. We fished for 8 hours on Saturday and for 5 hours on Sunday. Brad from Daiwa lent me a D-Shock and a Royalcast rod and reel for the weekend and I caught my first ever Bass on Saturday.

Josh kept telling me to cast as close to the edge as possible and wind my lure past the trees and weed in the water. I caught my fish on a spinnerbait in clear water, using the D-Shock rod and reel. Dad was so excited.

Listening at the weigh in, a lot of the people caught their Bass on spinnerbaits. I was so proud of myself because this was the first Bass I have ever caught and it was the second biggest out of the three we caught on the first day. I didn’t catch any fish on Sunday, but I still caught more than Dad. Luckily Josh caught two for us. So our total for the weekend was 5 out of a possible 8, not bad considering Dad and I don’t go Bass fishing very often.

I had a great but very tiring weekend. It was cool to try the 2 new rods and reels as well. The D-shock is like my other fishing rods that Dad taught me to use, but the Royalcast was easier to cast. I love to fish with Dad and can’t wait till we do another tournament together.

If you’re looking for a fishing combo for the kids, the D-shock and the Royalcast are great inexpensive options, depending on the level of experience of the children.

D-shock is a spin outfit with many features found in Daiwa’s high end reels, including ABS, Twistbuster and Digigear. The Royalcast reel on the other hand is a Spincast reel, perfect for kids. Available in a matched rod and reel combo it will assist with line management, reducing tangles and allowing for easy casting.

Greg Seeto

www.lureandfly.com

New Spellbinder Series just landed!

by Bradley 13th Dec 2010

The new Spellbinder rod series has just landed and will be in stores later this week.

Built with the finest components like Fuji K guides, Daiwa reel seats and ultra tough EVA grips available the Spellbinder series is the ideal choice for the serious angler.

New Horizons for Bass in Victoria

by Bradley 9th Dec 2010

Freshwater anglers are set to benefit in years to come thanks to an expanding Australian bass
stocking program that released over 100,000 fingerlings into seven Gippsland waters, including
three rivers for the first time.

Executive Director of Fisheries Victoria, Anthony Hurst, said recent advances in the genetic
knowledge of Victorian bass stocks confirmed Gippsland bass are essentially one stock rather
than several, as previously thought.

“This means broodstock bass from many Gippsland catchments within their natural range can
now be used when breeding fingerlings, which has increased broodstock collection opportunities
and consequently, fingerling production,” Mr Hurst said.

“Australian bass are a highly regarded sportfish and these stockings cement the Department’s
commitment to developing new fisheries for this species.

“Stocked bass fisheries in north-east New South Wales and south-east Queensland have proved
very successful so we are keen to ensure that Victorian anglers get the opportunity to enjoy bass
fishing.

“Lake Glenmaggie, near Heyfield, received 22,000 bass while Blue Rock Reservoir, near Moe,
received 15,000.

“These two lakes were stocked last summer with 30,000 and 22,000 bass respectively so we will
have consecutive year-classes in the water, which is ideal.

“The Macalister River below Lake Glenmaggie was stocked with 4,000 bass while Lake
Narracan received 20,000.

“New to the list of waters to receive Australian bass fingerlings are the Mitchell, Avon and
Thomson rivers, which contain low density populations of wild bass, some of which have been
used to breed the fingerlings being stocked.

“The Mitchell River received 15,000 bass, the Avon 15,000 and the Thomson 11,000 at Cowarr
Weir.

“These bass fingerlings are about 1 gram and 3cm long when released and are expected to take
several years to reach the legal minimum length of 27cm.”

The expanded bass stocking program has benefited from extensive broodstock collection by
researchers from the Arthur Rylah Institute (DSE) and is well supported by VRFish, Native Fish
Australia and local Gippsland anglers.

For more information about fish stocking visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing

Daiwa Bream Australian Open

by Bradley 7th Dec 2010

The Daiwa BREAM Australian Open has been renovated to provide an opportunity usually reserved for anglers fishing the final day of a BREAM Super Series or BREAM Grand Final event. This year, it’s an individual event. You versus fish on one of Australia’s greatest tournament arenas.
Featuring a 100% cash payback, fantastic prizes from Daiwa and the ability to earn BREAM Rankings points at the same rate as in the Grand Final, we’re sure that the best of the best breamers will be keen to test themselves. Man versus fish!

For more information go to – www.bream.com.au

High Speed Exceler just arrived!

by Bradley 29th Nov 2010

Introducing for the first time a high speed Digigear drive spinning reel – the Exceler TSH-DA – with just one turn of the handle you will notice the ultra smooth blazing speed of the Exceler. Developed with all of Daiwa’s innovative features like Digigear, Airbail, Twistbuster etc this is one feature packed series and for a first it features a spare spool of a different size for a wider choice of lines classes.

The Green Machine vs Barra

by Bradley 22nd Nov 2010

Well known in the ABT bass circuit as one of the best bass tournament anglers and sponsored Daiwa angler, Dave Green (otherwise known as The Green Machine) has expanded his horizons to take on the mighty Awoonga barra. Dave received the latest Luvias 701HFS rod and Luvias 3000 reel from Daiwa just before the trip and christened the outfit on this great barra. All he could say was that the outfit was incredible, ultra light, powerful and one of the most comfortable outfits he is using. Congratulations Dave!

New Luvias R rods now available

by Bradley 17th Nov 2010

The new Luvias – R rods are built on HVF (high volume fibre) blanks which are constructed with ultra high amounts of carbon fibres laid longitudinally with minimal resin use, and then rolled at extremely high temperatures and pressure to produce an exceptionally light but incredibly strong blank. These blanks are incredibly fast and “tippy” but fold away under pressure in an even arch to displace pressure through the whole blank for maximum fighting power.

Finished off with matching cosmetics and the finest components available these rods are the ideal choice for the serious angler. Luvias rods feature Daiwa’s neo concept ergonomic ratcheted reel seats, Airfoam grips and Fuji’s premium silicone carbide titanium new concept guides.

The new Luvias-R is the perfect choice for the serious angler.

Shaun Clancy’s ABT Grand Final Story.

by Bradley 12th Nov 2010

Shaun Clancy has taken out the 2010 Daiwa BREAM Grand Final. In one of the closest BREAM Grand Finals in ABT’s history Clancy’s 15/15, 13.24kg overall tournament bag secured the title, and the accompanying ten thousand dollar first prize cheque. By producing heavier tournament limits for each day of the tournament, Clancy steadily moved from 19th to 10th and ultimately took out the title with the tournaments heaviest bag on day three with 5.58kg
“I couldn’t believe it when the scales finally stopped and I realised that I had secured the win. It was unexpected and a great honour to achieve this result against the best bream anglers in the country. One of my goals was to represent myself and all my sponsors by competing over the entire event. I am especially pleased at finishing strongly with a good bag. To achieve this result at Mallacoota, my home waters and a system I love to fish, is very special.”
On day one Clancy initially travelled to a shallow water bay in Bottom Lake. Fishing in 1-4 feet of water using an Ecogear SX40 Long Cast (Colours 369/307) Clancy found no fish. This prompted a move to rockwall structure in Top Lake. The first legal fish soon followed, before a move to deeper water in Bottom Lake provided the fish Clancy was ultimately searching for. Fishing in 4-5 meters of water Clancy used Ecogear ZX35 (colour 416) and VX35 and VX40 (colours 401/439/443/445) to fill his five fish limit and upgrade once.
“The key was the Humminbird Side Imaging feature. I was able to identify where patches of fish were concentrated and effectively target them”.
Day two saw Clancy return to his first two locations from day one, again for no luck. Heading back to his deep water spot in Bottom Lake, Clancy had his first legal fish with his first cast. With Clancy’s non-boater Tyler White contributing to the shared weight with an impressive 38cm fork length yellowfin bream, caught on an Ecogear VX35 (colour 443), Clancy ultimately filled his limit with one upgrade before heading to Top Lake.
Fishing stretches of bank identified in the prefish proved difficult as other competitors were already working the areas. Eventually finding his own patch, Clancy tried to find further fish with no luck.
“I had an edge bite plan and knew that my areas held good fish. As it turned out the edge bite didn’t really materialize during the first two days and when wind came through on day two the bite shut down”.
“The key with the wind and conditions on day two was being able to use my Humminbird sounder and the spot lock feature on my Minnkota electric motor, to find the fish and stay on them when they were active”.
“Also of important note was how a competitor, Spiro Spyropoulos, was catching fish. Spiro was nearby to where I was fishing at one point, and was boating far more fish than anybody else. I studied his action and emulated it to good effect. As such I need to thank him for the demonstration”.
“Come day three I was worried about the wind in the morning and its repercussions. I headed straight to the deep water spot from the previous two days, sounded fish and used spot lock, but wasn’t able to get any fish. I travelled into shallower water at the same location, again with no luck. I then travelled back to the bank area I had fished the previous two days with no luck to try and find fish”.
Using an Ecogear prototype lure, a sinking stickbait, rigged on 3lb Famell Spinning Fluro straight through, Clancy worked shallow rocky edges in search of fish. With the first legal hitting the boat shortly afterward, Clancy employed a drogue and his electric in tandem to combat the wind blowing across the bank.

“After hooking fish I would use the electric to motor into deeper water where I would fight the fish. I employed spot lock so after landing the fish I could retie the lure, check my hooks and return to the same place I hooked the fish in the shortest possible time. By employing this method my time was maximised, I could return to areas where the fish were active and I was confident that my setup was capable of handling the next potential capture. Spot lock was the key to making it all happen”.
“My key area was 200 meters of a 600 meter stretch of bank. By focusing my efforts on this active stretch I was able to catch my five fish limit by 9.30 am. The Blue Eye sunglasses I was using made the job a lot easier. After I got my limit I was able to still find two further upgrades with one 39cm fork length fish replacing a 30.5cm fork length model. In the end my fork lengths read as such; two 39cm fish, a 36.5cm, a 36cm and a final fish that weighed no less than 900grams. As it turned out I still had time to travel to Top Lake where I didn’t find any upgrades. As it turned out my day was finished by 10.30am”.
Clancy’s outfits consisted of a 701 Daiwa Tournament Master ZG MLFS rod teamed with a Daiwa Luvias 2000 reel spooled with 3lb Famell Spinning Fluro and a 701 Daiwa Luvias LFS rod teamed with a Daiwa Sol 2000 reel spooled with 4lb Daiwa TD Sensor braid and 4lb Yamatoyo Harris Fighter FC leader. “Heading to the weigh in I knew I had a good bag, over 5kg. It was always going to depend on what other competitors had caught. Being in 10th place heading out on the final day I was hoping for a top five finish. At the tubs I saw a couple of the other anglers had got their five fish. After I weighed in I secured the hot seat and just had to wait. I was 1.44kg behind the tournament leader Chris Wright after two days. I knew Chris had caught fish, but didn’t know the quality. In the end it was between me and Chris, I knew what he needed and when the scales went down I looked across and realised that I had won by 110 grams”.
“To take the win and have the quality of competitor such as Chris Wright there congratulating me is something I will never forget. Accepting a humble, genuine congratulations from a friend and one of the best bream anglers in the country, made the moment all the more special”.
“Obviously without the support of friends, family and my sponsors I would find it difficult to attend tournaments so a big thanks to all those people. A big thank you to my two non-boaters, Andrew Hamilton and Tyler White, for their efforts and contributions. To my close friends Wayne Friebe and Jarrod Healey, we worked as a team and shared prefish knowledge in order to help one another. Without their support I would have found the tournament far more arduous, so a big thanks”.