NEW ADDITIONS TO THE SQUIDGIES RANGE

The incredibly popular range of Squidgies soft plastics has been expanded to include larger sizes in the Fish and Wriggler models.

The new 150mm Squidgies Fish features the brand’s iconic fish profile, thumping paddle tail action and body roll. Six classic and exciting new colours have been handpicked to target trophy-size flathead, mulloway, Murray cod, barramundi and other offshore species.

The new Squidgies Fish 150 works best with jig head sizes from 20-60g and can be rigged weedless when fishing the snags and weedbeds.

Squidgies also has expanded the iconic Wriggler range with the reintroduction of a 140mm size and a 160mm size. The Wriggler’s slender profile, ribbed belly and curled tail create a unique action and flutter on the fall, highly effective for offshore species like snapper and pearl perch. Closer in, these oversize Wrigglers are dynamite for big flathead and mulloway in estuaries, using a lift-drop-lift action. Meanwhile, in the fresh, a simple slow rolling retrieve to trigger the Wriggler’s seductive tail action will elicit bites from the wariest Murray cod.

The new Wriggler 140 and 160 comes in a mix of Squidgies’ classic, time-proven, colour patterns as well as some new and exciting colours.

Both of the new lures are now available from Shimano stockists.

ROVEX D:8 CAST BRAID

D:8 Cast braid is the latest fishing line evolution from Rovex. Developed for anglers who demand a premium mainline for high-performance technical fishing and precision casting, D:8 Cast is the new optimum choice in braided lines.

Constructed from premium Japanese PE fibres and featuring an XSF Low Friction Finish, D:8 Cast braid is exceptionally strong, thin and smooth. Laboratory analysis of true line diameters determined that D:8 Cast is thinner than most 8-strand braided fishing lines on the market. This thinner diameter increases spool capacity, reduces line weight and enhances casting.

The XSF Low Friction Finish is the result of a unique manufacturing process that forms an ultra-smooth surface over the braided line. It also contributes to the soft and supple texture. This advanced finishing process produces a braid with better line lay and superb casting properties.

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 23 October 2020

WORK STARTS ON REEF RESTMORE RAINBOW TROUT COMING TO METROPOLITAN LAKES

More families will have the chance to catch the fish of a lifetime in metropolitan Melbourne, with a further 500 ‘stonker’ rainbow trout stocked into lakes around Melbourne this week.
Minister for Boating and Fishing Melissa Horne said following a positive response to the first round of fish stockings, 500 more trout were making their way to Melbourne’s lakes.
The rainbow trout weigh at least 4 kilograms each, with some up to 7 kilograms, and add to the 500 catchable-size trout recently stocked into metropolitan lakes.
The latest round of lakes being stocked include:
• Albert Park Lake (90 fish)
• Karkarook Lake (60)
• Yarrambat Lake (60)
• Lilydale Lake (45)
• Pakenham Lake (40)
• Navan Park Lake (30)
• Spavin Lake (30)
Lakes in Berwick, Emerald, Casey Fields, Rowville, Roxburgh Park, Caulfield and Ferntree Gully are also being stocked with additional fish.
For the full metropolitan list of ‘stonker’ stocked waters, an interactive map showing your nearest location and the dates each lake will be stocked can be seen at www.vfa.vic.gov.au/metrostonkers.
A daily bag limit of five trout applies to family fishing lakes, of which only two trout can exceed 35 centimetres. To learn more about catch limits visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/fishingguide or download the free ‘Vic Fishing’ app for smartphones.
Under current restrictions, fishing and boating are permitted activities within 25 kilometres of home or permitted workplaces, with up to 10 people from a maximum of two households allowed. You must be able to keep 1.5m distance from others, including while on a boat, and you must wear a fitted face mask at all times unless a lawful exemption applies.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne
“As restrictions safely and gradually ease, visiting these lakes for family-friendly activities like fishing makes for an ideal way to enjoy the outdoors.”
“It’s great to see fishers safely wet a line again and this stocking program will give more people that opportunity in lakes close to their homes.”

Media contact: Kieran Jones 0421 031 900 | kieran.jones@minstaff.vic.gov.au

ROVEX INAZUMA CARBON RODS

SHIMANO VANFORD

MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 21 October 2020

GOOD NEWS FOR BREAM NUMBERS IN GIPPSLAND LAKES

A survey of black bream spawning success in the Gippsland Lakes has recorded its second highest level of the last ten years.

Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling said the survey results are terrific news for the Gippsland Lakes system, which is now free of commercial net fishing thanks to the State Government’s $35 million Target One Million plan.

“These scientific surveys are done annually at 50 sites in the Gippsland Lakes to provide a time series of information about the spawning success of key species,” Mr Dowling said.

“Specialised sampling methods during winter catch juvenile black bream less than one year old, which are typically less than 10cm long.

“The abundance of these small bream provides a snapshot of how successful the previous spawning season was and enables fisheries managers to predict the health of the fishery in years to come.

“Spawning variation from year to year is normal and influenced by environmental factors such as river flows and waterway health, however the trend over the last four years is significantly better than the six years prior.

“Black bream take about six years to reach the minimum size of 28cm, which means this relatively strong pulse of small bream will enter the fishery in 2026/27.

“Recreational fishers won’t have to wait that long though because the strongest spawning year of the last 10 was in 2017 and those fish will enter the fishery from 2023/24.”

Mr Dowling reminded fishers that the Gippsland Lakes Recreational Fishery Plan is currently out for public comment until 28 October.

“The Plan will accelerate the recovery of key species including black bream and dusky flathead and return the lakes to a recreational fishing mecca by improving fish habitat, installing artificial reefs and stocking fish.”

To learn more and complete the online survey with your feedback on the Plan, visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/gippslandlakes

Media contact: Amelia Crafter 0437 801 068

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 9 October 2020

WORK STARTS ON REEF RESTORATION IN PORT PHILLIP BAY

Fishers will soon reap the rewards of new infrastructure in Port Phillip Bay, with work now underway on the first of two major reef projects near Geelong.
Minister for Boating and Fishing Melissa Horne said reef works have started at Nine Foot Bank off Geelong Arm, using an Australian-first restoration technique.
The degraded shellfish reef will be restored through the deployment of 500 square metres of recycled shells from restaurants and the seafood industry. The recycled shells will create new substrate on the seafloor for the remaining oysters in the area to colonise.
The restored reef will provide more habitat for fish in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria’s largest recreational fishery and home to outstanding snapper, whiting, flathead and calamari fisheries.
The government is investing $500,000 in the reef at Nine Foot Bank – which is being built in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, which is contributing $600,000 to the project. Construction and seeding at the site will be finished by the end of the year.
The start of works at Nine Foot Bank comes just a week after a further $700,000 was announced to build three other reefs in Corio Bay.
The reef restoration projects will improve the marine ecosystem by enhancing water quality and marine biodiversity.
Target One Million is delivering better fishing across Victoria’s bays, estuaries, lakes and rivers by stocking record numbers of fish, removing commercial net fishing from Port Phillip and the Gippsland lakes, and improving fish habitat including reef development.

Media contact: Kieran Jones 0421 031 900 | kieran.jones@minstaff.vic.gov.au

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday, 13 October 2020

FUNDING A BETTER BOATING FUTURE FOR ALL VICTORIANS

The Victorian Government will deliver on its promise to reinvest boating fees directly back into the industry, with a new dedicated fund set to invest millions of dollars back into boating each year.
The Better Boating Fund will ensure every cent of the approximately $30 million of boat licensing and registration fees collected each year goes towards improving boating for all Victorians.
Legislation introduced into Parliament today will create the Fund, which will be dedicated to priorities including recreational boating facilities and boating safety and education across the state.
The Fund will also ensure there is more transparency for boaters to see where their licence and registration fees go.
The Victorian Government will develop a strategy to determine the priorities for investment and this strategy will be co-designed with key boating stakeholders.
The development of the strategy will be a priority once the legislation has been introduced and there will be opportunities for public engagement throughout the process.
The Government has already abolished all boat ramp parking and launching fees, saving families up to $315 a year on annual parking permits.
A major $40 million investment is also going towards upgrading six priority boat ramps across the state. Work is underway at the Hastings boat ramp and Cowes Jetty, and planning for the upgrades of Mordialloc, Queenscliff, Point Richards and Rhyll boating facilities is progressing.
Boat ramps and jetties are also now open thanks to an easing of coronavirus restrictions, and people can go fishing and boating within five kilometres of home for a maximum of two hours.
A limit of either one household or a maximum of five people from two households can go out together as long participants can safely socially distance and wear a face mask.
Recreational boating supports more than 20,000 jobs and is worth almost $8 billion a year to the Victorian economy, with the number of boating registrations increasing by 2.5 per cent on average each year over the past eight years.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Fishing and Boating Melissa Horne
“We’re delivering on our promise to reinvest every dollar of boating fees back into recreational boating, improving boating experiences for Victorian families and supporting jobs and businesses in this important industry.”
“This is landmark legislation which will transform the way the boating industry is managed in Victoria.”
“We’re continuing to deliver important upgrades to make boating easier and safer for families across the state.”

Media contact: Kieran Jones 0421 031 900 | kieran.jones@minstaff.vic.gov.au

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 6 October 2020

‘STONKER’ RAINBOWS RELEASED FOR METRO FAMILY FUN

Eighteen Metropolitan Family Fishing Lakes are currently being stocked with 500 ‘stonker’ rainbow trout to bolster recreational fishing fun with some big catches.

Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling said the trout weigh 4kg each and complement the large number of catchable size trout already stocked into Family Fishing Lakes.

The stockings are funded by fishing licence fees and the State Government’s $35 million Target One Million plan for recreational fishing.

Metropolitan Family Fishing Lakes boast good access with waterside platforms, walking tracks, picnic areas and other facilities, creating a wonderful environment for people to get some fresh air whilst wetting a line.

Stonker releases started this week and will be completed by Wednesday, October 14.

Rainbow trout are perfect for those new to fishing because they’re easy to catch and taste great on the plate. Metropolitan Family Fishing Lakes being stocked this week and next are:

• Albert Park Lake (60)
• Lillydale Lake (45)
• Emerald Lake (15)
• Caulfield Racecourse Lake (30)
• Don Lake (15)
• Garfield Lake (10)
• Lilliput Lane Reserve (10)
• Pakenham Lake (30)
• Casey Fields Lake (20)
• Berwick Springs Estate Lake (20)
• Roxburgh Park Lakes (10)
• Yarrambat Lake (60)
• Rowville Lakes (15)
• Karkarook Lake (60)
• Spavin Lake (30)
• Navan Park Lake (15)
• Darlingsford Lake (15)
• Ferntree Gully Quarry (40)

A daily bag limit of 5 trout applies to Family Fishing Lakes, of which only 2 trout can exceed 35cm. For more information about catch limits visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/fishingguide or download the free ‘Vic Fishing’ app for smartphones.

Under the Second Step of Metropolitan Melbourne’s roadmap to easing restrictions, fishing is a permitted activity within 5km of home or permitted work, with up to five people from a maximum of two households and for up to two hours per day, split into a maximum of two sessions. You must be able to keep 1.5m distance from others, no equipment should be shared and you must wear a fitted face mask at all times.

For the metropolitan list of ‘stonker’ stocked waters, dates and release schedule visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/metrostonkers

Media contact: Amelia Crafter 0437 801 068

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday 25 September 2020

Fishers in Lakes Entrance now have a bigger, safer spot to wet a line thanks to an upgrade of Reeve Landing Jetty on Bullock Island.

Victorian Fisheries Authority CEO Travis Dowling said the $50,000 project was funded through the Recreational Fishing Grants Program, which invests fishing licence fees into projects that make a difference.

“Works were undertaken by Gippsland Ports, which has added a 6×4 metre extension to provide more space for fishers targeting the local bream, crabs and Australian salmon,” Mr Dowling said.

Other features include new handrails and a non-slip base to increase safety.

A trio of seats will be installed in coming weeks.

The jetty provides easy access to the Gippsland Lakes, which will be returned to a recreational fishing mecca under the Draft Gippsland Lakes Recreational Fishery Plan.

The draft plan outlines six steps to enhance the health of the fishery, including fish stocking, proposed changes to bag and size limits for black bream and improved fish habitat and waterway health.

Removing commercial netting is also a key part of the plan and was achieved in April this year, 12 months ahead of schedule, delivering on a key commitment of the State Government’s $35 million Target One Million plan.

The VFA is encouraging fishers to read more about the draft plan and provide feedback during the consultation phase, which runs until October 28, 2020. The draft plan and more details are available at vfa.vic.gov.au/gippslandlakes

Media contact: Joel Peterson 0436 623 647