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Episode 151:Steve and Ash preview next years Port Lincoln Tuna Classic

This week we are joined again by Steve Toome and Ash White, the boys behind the Port Lincoln Tuna Classic as we look forward to next years event to be held in March. The boys talk us through the early preparations for the next competition, a few new things to look forward to as well as all of the regular favourites that make it one of the great weekends in the calendar! They also share there fishing exploits across 2025 with both of the the boys catching trophy fish in Queensland and we also talk about the arrival of this years school tuna season in SA!

As always, we have all the news in SA fishing including:

• Dredging under way to re open the Cape Jaffa Marina.
• The first $10k prize is won in the 'Lets Go Fishing' Competition as a Salmon Trout wins a Robe local a huge prize!
• Western Australia has also had big fishing restrictions put in place across their coastline.
• Oyster Shell collection for restoration of shellfish reefs. 
• Seeds for Snapper is underway for this year.
• ANSA and Recfish SA Citizen Science inter club competition announced to be held at Bundaleer Reservoir in early 2026. 

Plus for our tackle item of the week we have a stocking stuffer from Shimano for the angler who has everything  - They are literally selling Fishing socks and jocks!

AND! Our most positive fishing report in weeks: Whiting out from North Haven and also off the Rapid Bay Jetty, Tuna season starting on Eyre Peninsula, Southern Fishing Charters cleaning up on reef species and Mulloway and Bream going well in West Lakes!

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Episode 150: Paul Wilton, President of the Game Fishing Club of South Australia

This week we celebrate our big 150th episode with a great guest, Paul Wilton, the President of the Game Fishing Club of South Australia! Paul gives us an insight into how the club has changed and grown over recent years, some of the competitions they run including the Wirrina Tuna Slam in February and also talks about the social side to the Game Fishing Club. He has also caught plenty of fish himself and is even nice enough to invite us and any prospective new members to join them at the club for one of their monthly social nights.

To celebrate our 150th episode we reminisce on some of our favourite episodes over the past few years and also look forward to the next big milestones to come!

We have plenty of news in SA fishing including:

• RecFish SA holding a Carp fishing competition at Mawson Lakes this weekend!
• The ‘Let’s Go Fishing Competition’ is still running with the $10k prize still up for grabs, the next round starts soon with another lot of tagged fish to target.
• Cape Calamari and other Pro Boats are doing ‘Research days’ with SARDI to monitor the Algae. 
• We wrap up the 20th Onka Stompa which raised a lot of money for mental health!

Our tackle item of the week is the new Shimano Squidgies ‘Glimma’ soft plastic, a 90mm baitfish profile with a cool Shimmering tail that is sure to catch plenty of fish! Our fishing report includes Clifty finding some metro whiting, big Crabs being entered in the Ardrossan Pub Competition to win beers and and esky and Kingfish still firing in the upper Spencer Gulf!

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Episode 149: Alicia Bolitho, Tackleworld Port Lincoln & Pt Augusta

This week we are joined by Alicia Bolitho, one half of the team behind Tackleworld Port Lincoln & Pt Augusta, along with partner Shane who has featured on the podcast already in episodes 111 and 123. Alicia has been heavily involved in all things Algal Bloom, representing the tackle industry in her role as the SA Board Member for AFTA, so it is great to hear how she is pushing the case of the local tackle shops. We also get an update on the great fishing that is currently on offer on the Eyre Peninsula, including massive Kingfish at Port Augusta, land based KGW at Port Lincoln and everything in between. With very minimal Algae over that way, the Eyre Peninsula would be a great place to go for a Summer Fishing Holiday. 

We also have all the latest news in SA fishing including:

• A slight increase in bag limits for Kingfish and Crayfish.
• Cockle season is open for bait collection only with Brevotoxins making them unsafe to eat.
• The Spencer Gulf Ferry is again not running. 
• An update on the ‘Lets Go Fishing Comp’ - No winners yet but a huge $530 monthly prize has been won.
• The specific species of Algae responsible for the Brevotoxins has been identified and we’ve all been blaming the wrong one!
• Federal report released outlining some issues with the government's reaction to the Algal Bloom.
• Paul Cook is the winner of the Bream Master SA Angler of the Year!

We also have all our normal segments with The Fishing Guru Bait and Burley Dough mix, our tackle item of the week and a great option to leave in the car for an emergency bait supply! Our tackle report includes Rohdey catching the bag of Crayfish on the opening day of the season, plenty of massive Kingfish around Port Augusta and some big land based Snapper from Victor Harbor.

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Episode 148: Asher Dezsery

This week we are joined by RecFish SA CEO Asher Dezsery to discuss the disappointing news that recreational bag limits have been cut in both gulfs as a result of the Algal Bloom. Asher talks us through the limited notice they were given and how they are in ongoing discussions with the Government about this issue. While it is disappointing to see bag limits cut (particularly when commercial fishers in Spencer Gulf are unaffected) it is promising to hear that there are still a few positives including ongoing plans to buy out commercial licenses and further funding for fish stocking and creating new habitat. We also chat about the Lets Go Fishing Competition and hear some tips on how our listeners can have the best chance at winning one of the $10k prizes on offer. 

We also touch on the rest of the SA Fishing news including the Governments summer plan to manage the Algae, the Streaky Bay Jetty is re opened after repairs to keep it safe and the Port Moorowie boat ramp is repaired for free by a local contractor after sustaining damage in recent storms.

We chat about Rohdey’s fishing in Port Douglas last week including how he uses Shimano Neoprene reel covers to provide peace of mind that our reels will arrive safely! We also have the latest fishing reports including improved fishing on the eastern side of Yorke Peninsula, a hot Kingfish bite in Spencer Gulf, proof of Murray Cod breeding in Happy Valley, a rare catch of a Cod in Mawson Lakes and a billfish filmed swimming around the Port Lincoln Jetty.

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Episode 147  - Levi Nash, SAFTAG

This week we are joined by Levi Nash from SAFTAG, South Australia’s fish tagging program. He gives us a run down of the program and the different ways that people can get involved in tagging fish including the new option of joining as a RecFish SA Citizen Science Member. He also runs us through the different types of tags and how they are used on different species, as well as talking about some of the huge distances tagged fish have travelled. We chat about the King George Whiting we recently caught, 1 week after it was tagged in the exact same location and also talk about the plans for some tagged fish to be released with cash prizes on offer to help the industry bounce back from the Algal Bloom. 

We also have all the latest fishing news including:

• The RecFish SA AGM is coming up with calls for nominations to fill some board positions.
• The I-Naturalist Website has hit 50,000 observations of fish deaths resulting from the Algal Bloom
• Gone Fishing Day is coming up on October 19 with RecFish hosting an event at Happy Valley.
• Shark necropsy results released with some but not all directly blamed on the Algal Bloom.
• Cray Season opens in the states South East.

We chat about the Yeti 14 litre Daytrip Cooler bag as our tackle item of the week and have a massive fishing report including a hot KGW bite at Port Victoria, better reports in the Gulf of St Vincent over the long weekend, natives at Bundaleer and Happy Valley, Barrel Tuna at Portland and Kingfish at Port Augusta. 

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Episode 146: Fraser Ellis MP, Member for Narungga

This week we are joined by Yorke Peninsula Politician Fraser Ellis to discuss a few big issues affecting fishing on Yorkes. The Marion Bay boat ramp has been a big news issue, after having nearly $4 million spent on a new ramp, ongoing issues have forced the Council to remove the walkway and pylons leaving it very similar to the  old ramp. Fraser gives us his own opinions on this and also encourages Councils to follow the lead of the Barrunga West Council and waive boat ramp fees to encourage tourism into their regions. We also discuss the Algal Bloom and its implications to tourism on Yorkes as well as forecast what this could mean for Summer and any potential restrictions on fishing to help the ecosystem bounce back. 

We also discuss all the latest in fishing news in SA including:

• The Coast is Calling Vouchers are now live.
• The Kangaroo Island Oyster region has re-opened, while some others around the state remain closed.
• RecFish SA clinics are back for another season encouraging kids and women to get into fishing!

We also have a listener thankyou to Port Hughes Fishing Charters who helped them out of a tricky spot while out fishing recently, while our tackle item of the week is a new range of Shimano filleting knives. 

As always we have all of the states fishing reports, including Whiting continuing to fire on the western side of the Yorke Peninsula, Fleurieu Salmon and Snapper, while we are also anticipating the Kingfish and Tuna arriving in the coming months!

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Episode 145: Ben Calvert

This week we are joined by Ben Calvert, his second time on the podcast having previously joined us in episode 97 to chat about his success fishing Barra comps in Far North Queensland. This time we are discussing things closer to home, Ben is locked in to work for RecFish SA on their clinics this summer, teaching women and kids how to fish and also running some knot tying sessions. He also gives us a comprehensive guide on how to catch more Mulloway on the Coorong, including tips for using your sounder to find fish and how to modify soft plastics to get better action out of them!

We also announce the winner of our competition promoting positivity in fishing, despite the algal bloom. Lisa Jarvis is our lucky winner, taking home a Shimano Ultegra 2500 reel and Izalus 702 Medium-Light Rod, for her photos of a shark her son caught off Victor and the sunset when visiting the Port Broughton Tourist Park. 

As always we have all the latest SA fishing news including:

• More potential freshwater fish stocking into a range of new locations. 
• RecFish are working on artificial reef builds off KI and the Fleurieu Peninsula.
• An update on the Marion Bay boat ramp which has had the walkway removed.
• Federal Inquiry into the algal bloom with fears around Tuna mortality and fewer Sardines among other species. 
• New SA health advice around the effect of the algae on those with respiratory conditions. 

Plus, we feature the Hook Eze as our tackle item of the week and have all the latest fishing reports including Spencer Gulf Whiting, South East Garfish and a wrap up of the Australian Salmon Comp on the Eyre Peninsula.

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Episode 144: Richard Hill, Savage Tackle

This week we are joined by Richard Hill, the new owner of Savage Tackle, a local SA company making top quality sinkers, burley pots and all things lead! Richard was kind enough to take us out fishing out from Port Hughes, in his beautiful boat, alongside previous owner and good mate Simon Hill. We chat about our day out, the great fishing on offer around Port Hughes at the moment as well as chatting about all things making sinkers!

We also have all of the news in SA fishing, including:

• A plan for a ‘bubble curtain’ to protect the prized cuttlefish eggs near Whyalla. 
• The state government has launched ‘The Coast is Calling’ vouchers to encourage everyone to get out to coastal regions affected by the Algal Bloom.
• Seeds for Snapper now includes collecting and replanting ‘squid jig’ seedlings.
• The 20th Onka Stompa is coming up, including a tribute to the late Mark Mills. 
• The Port Noarlunga Jetty is re-opened after storm damage has been repaired

We chat about upgrading our boats gaff as our tackle item of the week and discuss our competition promoting positivity in SA fishing with a great prize of a Shimano Ultegra 2500 and Izalus 702 rod! Our fishing report including Tumby Bay Whiting, Salmon across the Fleurieu and we wonder whether another run of barrel Tuna could still occur! Plus the Joke of the Week makes a comeback with a special listener joke from The Fishing Guru!

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Episode 143 Nathan Eatts - Cape Calamari

This week we are joined by Nathan Eatts, a sixth generation professional fisherman who runs his own business, Cape Calamari. Nathan fishes out from Cape Jervis and sells his Squid and other fish to a range of high quality Fleurieu Peninsula restaurants. The current Algal Bloom has hit Nathans business really hard, he hasn’t caught a single Squid since April 18 and has now run out of frozen stock to sell, he shares his story and uncertainty about the future. He also gives us some squidding tips and explains why the pro squidders catch so many more fish than we do!

We also have all the latest fishing news, including everything relating to the ongoing Algal Bloom:

• Fish deaths continue all across the St Vincent Gulf
• Federal Politicians visiting to assess the damage
• Tackle shops meeting with industry, RecFish SA and Politicians. 
• The reef modules that will hopefully help sea life to bounce back!

And in other fishing news:

• Marion Bay Boat ramp review ongoing. 
• A mutilated Great White found dead at Louth Bay near Port Lincoln with suspicions it was illegally caught. 
• 2 men caught with over 500 illegally caught and mostly undersized Abalone. 
• Port Noarlunga Jetty nearly ready to re-open following storm damage. 

We also have all the latest fishing news including winter whiting on the western side of Yorke Peninsula, Salmon across the state and the ongoing search for the barrel tuna to return. We feature the Minn Kota electric motor as our tackle item of the week and tease a whiting combo we are giving away to someone who is finding some positivity as we bounce back from the Algae!

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Episode 142 : Jordan Saliba 

This week we are joined by Jordan Saliba, a repeat guest on the show after first joining us in episode 57, all the way back in May 2022. Jordan talks about some of the articles he has written for SA Angler, his work running fishing clinics for RecFish SA and how the Algal Bloom has been affecting his own fishing! He also talks to us about kayak fishing for squid, whiting and even his PB catch of a 91cm Kingfish, as well as sharing his own experience doing some Drone Fishing recently!

We also discuss all of the SA fishing news, including an update on all things related to the Algal Bloom:

• The Government has announced a package to help recreational fishing.
• Community forums around the state + a channel 7 news special. 
• State parliament travels to the Yorke Peninsula to get a first hand look. 
• BOM and Pirsa are working on predicting future marine heat waves. 

In other news we also cover:

• OzFish building Oyster Reefs.
• Australian bass to be stocked in local reservoirs.
• The Ardrossan Jetty to be closed for 6 months for repairs.

We chat about the Shimano Izalus rod as our tackle item of the week, it's a light weight rod that is unbelievably cheap for its quality and we are lucky to have one included in an upcoming prize! We also have all the fishing reports from across the state, including Port Hughes firing for Whiting, barrel sized Tuna reappearing at Port MacDonnell, Nannygai off Marion bay, while Salmon fishing and the freshwater scene are continuing to fish well!

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Episode 141: Jamie Crawford

This week we are joined by another repeat guest and regular SA Angler contributor Jamie Crawford from Port Lincoln, to discuss the variety of different species he targets with great success. We chat about flicking soft plastics for flathead, targeting table size bronze whalers, Eyre Peninsula King Fish, Callop from the Murray and big Salmon from the beaches around Port Lincoln. He shares plenty of tips on how to catch as many fish as he does and even lets us in on his go to soft plastic for big flathead: The Squidgies 110mm Ridge Shad. 

We also cover all the news in SA Fishing, including lots on the current Algal Bloom situation:

• Dolphin death blamed on starvation. 
• The SA Government briefing the rest of the country.
• $28 million of funding from state and federal governments. 
• PIRSA giving the ok to eat seafood
• Northbank Wallaroo fishing competition cancelled.

While in other news we cover the AFTA Tackle Show where all of the fishing brands are launching new gear, including the new Shimano 700mm insulated fish bag that stays super cold for 3 days and we are keen to fill with Whiting, Squid and Nannygai!

A bit more positivity in the fishing report with plenty of Whiting on the western side of Yorkes, including Port Hughes Fishing Charters catching 60 KGW in 10 minutes! Elsewhere there are Salmon on the Fleurieu, plenty of freshwater species firing and Bream in the Port River also going well.