Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. To find out more including how to change your settings, please see our Privacy Policy
BCF
BCF
Find a Store Your Store BCF Hervey Bay
null
Login / Join Your Store BCF Hervey Bay

LOGIN / JOIN

Login Join
  • Boating
    Boats & Motors
    • Petrol Motors
    • Electric Motors
    • Accessories
    Maintenance
    • Marine Oil
    • Marine Grease
    • Marine Additives
    • Wash & Polish
    • Lubricants
    • Tape
    • Adhesives & Fillers
    Boat Fit-Out
    • Bait Boards
    • Rod Holders
    • Boat Tank & Aerators
    • Seats & Pedestals
    • Anchors & Docking
    • Biminis & Launchers
    • Boat Covers
    • Pumps & Plumbing
    • Boat Lighting
    • Electrical
    • Switch Panels
    • Marine Batteries
    • Rigging
    • Hardware & Extras
    • Boat Letters
    • Fasteners
    • Marine Carpet
    Safety
    • Life Jackets (PFD)
    • Flares
    • Epirb
    • PLB
    • Fire Extinguishers
    • Signalling Devices
    • Buckets & Bailers
    • Oars & Paddles
    • Compass
    • Accessories
    Electronics
    • Fishfinders
    • Chartplotters
    • Combos
    • Transducers
    • Communications
    • Handheld GPS
    • Audio Visual
    Trailer
    • Winches
    • Jockey Wheels
    • Lights
    • Rollers
    • Parts
    • Accessories
    • Tie-Downs
    First Aid & Sun Safety
    BCF Boating

    New In

    Online Exclusives

    Clearance

    Shop All Boating

    Buyers Guides

    • Choosing the Right Life Jacket
    • Selecting an Electric Motor
    • Selecting the Correct Anchor
    • Boats & Motors
      • Petrol Motors
      • Electric Motors
      • Accessories
    • Maintenance
      • Marine Oil
      • Marine Grease
      • Marine Additives
      • Wash & Polish
      • Lubricants
      • Tape
      • Adhesives & Fillers
    • Boat Fit-Out
      • Bait Boards
      • Rod Holders
      • Boat Tank & Aerators
      • Seats & Pedestals
      • Anchors & Docking
      • Biminis & Launchers
      • Boat Covers
      • Pumps & Plumbing
      • Boat Lighting
      • Electrical
      • Switch Panels
      • Marine Batteries
      • Rigging
      • Hardware & Extras
      • Boat Letters
      • Fasteners
      • Marine Carpet
    • Safety
      • Life Jackets (PFD)
      • Flares
      • Epirb
      • PLB
      • Fire Extinguishers
      • Signalling Devices
      • Buckets & Bailers
      • Oars & Paddles
      • Compass
      • Accessories
    • Electronics
      • Fishfinders
      • Chartplotters
      • Combos
      • Transducers
      • Communications
      • Handheld GPS
      • Audio Visual
    • Trailer
      • Winches
      • Jockey Wheels
      • Lights
      • Rollers
      • Parts
      • Accessories
      • Tie-Downs
    • First Aid & Sun Safety
    • New In
    • Online Exclusives
    • Clearance
    • Shop all Boating
    • Boating Buyers Guides
      • Choosing the Right Life Jacket
      • Selecting an Electric Motor
      • Selecting the Correct Anchor
  • Camping
    Bedding
    • Sleeping Bags
    • Hammocks
    • Self Inflatable
    • Air Beds
    • Foam Bedding
    • Camping Stretchers
    • Repair Kits & Acc
    • Air Pumps
    Tents
    • Touring Tents
    • Dome Tents
    • Hiking Tents
    • Family Tents
    • Instant and Fast Pitching Tents
    • Pop Up Tents
    • Canvas Tents
    • Swags & Cots
    • Shower & Ensuite Tents
    • Tarps
    • Poles, Pegs, Guy Ropes
    Gazebos and Shade
    • Gazebos and Shade
    • Beach Shade
    • Shelter Acc & Parts
    Safety & Protection
    • First Aid & Sun Safety
    • Water Filter & Additives
    • Insect Protection
    Camp Furniture
    • Camping Chairs
    • Camp Lounges
    • Camp Stools
    • Beach / Event Chairs
    • Camp Tables
    • Carts & Wagons
    • Kitchen / Stove Stands
    • Wardrobe & Cupboards
    • Kids Camping Chairs
    Fridges & Coolers
    • Iceboxes & Soft Coolers
    • Travel Cooler & Warmers
    • Fridge & Cooler Accessories
    • Fridge Freezers
    • Fridge Covers & Slides
    • Ice Bricks & Packs
    Cooking
    • Cookware
    • Cooking Utensils
    • Pots, Pans, & Billie
    • Food & Snacks
    • Camp Ovens
    Gas & Fuel Appliances
    • Gas Bottles
    • Gas Hoses & Fittings
    • Portable Stoves & BBQs
    • Lantern Glasses & Mantles
    • Gas Light & Heat
    • Fire Starters & Fuel
    • Gas Spare Parts
    • Stove & BBQ Accessories
    Hiking Gear & Packs
    • Daypacks
    • Duffle Bags
    • Hiking & Travel Packs
    • Dry Bags
    • Hydration Packs
    • Hiking Accessories
    • Hiking Boots & Socks
    • Hiking Poles
    • Hiking Clothing
    • Hiking Food & Stoves
    • Hiking Sleeping
    Toilet & Shower
    • Portable Toilets & Chemicals
    • Camping Showers
    • Water Heaters & Pumps
    • Wash Accessories
    Camping Storage
    • Plastic Storage
    • Water Storage
    • Storage Accessories
    Tableware
    • Kitchenware
    • Melamine
    • Drinkware
    • Food Storage
    • Party / Picnic
    Power & Household Batteries
    • Generators
    • Power Inverters
    • Solar Power
    • Household Batteries
    • Power Accessories
    Lighting
    • Torches
    • Camping Lanterns
    • Spot & Worklights
    • Headlamps
    • Appliances
    • Electrical Parts & Acc
    Camping Hardware
    • Knives & Multitools
    • Binoculars
    • Metal Detectors
    Gadgets & Gear
    • Games & Gifts
    New In
    Camping Buyers Guide
    • Choose The Best Swag
    • Choose The Best Gazebo
    • Bedding
      • Sleeping Bags
      • Hammocks
      • Self Inflatable
      • Air Beds
      • Foam Bedding
      • Camping Stretchers
      • Repair Kits & Acc
      • Air Pumps
    • Tents
      • Touring Tents
      • Dome Tents
      • Hiking Tents
      • Family Tents
      • Instant and Fast Pitching Tents
      • Pop Up Tents
      • Canvas Tents
      • Swags & Cots
      • Shower & Ensuite Tents
      • Tarps
      • Poles, Pegs, Guy Ropes
    • Gazebos and Shade
      • Gazebos and Shade
      • Beach Shade
      • Shelter Acc & Parts
    • Safety & Protection
      • First Aid & Sun Safety
      • Water Filter & Additives
      • Insect Protection
    • Camp Furniture
      • Camping Chairs
      • Camp Lounges
      • Camp Stools
      • Beach / Event Chairs
      • Camp Tables
      • Carts & Wagons
      • Kitchen / Stove Stands
      • Wardrobe & Cupboards
      • Kids Camping Chairs
    • Fridges & Coolers
      • Iceboxes & Soft Coolers
      • Travel Cooler & Warmers
      • Fridge & Cooler Accessories
      • Fridge Freezers
      • Fridge Covers & Slides
      • Ice Bricks & Packs
    • Cooking
      • Cookware
      • Cooking Utensils
      • Pots, Pans, & Billie
      • Food & Snacks
      • Camp Ovens
    • Gas & Fuel Appliances
      • Gas Bottles
      • Gas Hoses & Fittings
      • Portable Stoves & BBQs
      • Lantern Glasses & Mantles
      • Gas Light & Heat
      • Fire Starters & Fuel
      • Gas Spare Parts
      • Stove & BBQ Accessories
    • Hiking Gear & Packs
      • Daypacks
      • Duffle Bags
      • Hiking & Travel Packs
      • Dry Bags
      • Hydration Packs
      • Hiking Accessories
      • Hiking Boots & Socks
      • Hiking Poles
      • Hiking Clothing
      • Hiking Food & Stoves
      • Hiking Sleeping
    • Toilet & Shower
      • Portable Toilets & Chemicals
      • Camping Showers
      • Water Heaters & Pumps
      • Wash Accessories
    • Camping Storage
      • Plastic Storage
      • Water Storage
      • Storage Accessories
    • Tableware
      • Kitchenware
      • Melamine
      • Drinkware
      • Food Storage
      • Party / Picnic
    • Power & Household Batteries
      • Generators
      • Power Inverters
      • Solar Power
      • Household Batteries
      • Power Accessories
    • Lighting
      • Torches
      • Camping Lanterns
      • Spot & Worklights
      • Headlamps
      • Appliances
      • Electrical Parts & Acc
    • Camping Hardware
      • Knives & Multitools
      • Binoculars
      • Metal Detectors
    • Gadgets & Gear
      • Games & Gifts
    • New In
    • Camping Buyers Guide
      • Choose The Best Swag
      • Choose The Best Gazebo
    Get some new Gear
  • Fishing
    Fishing Rods
    • Spinning Rods
    • Baitcaster Rods
    • Overhead Rods
    • Telescopic Rods
    • Surf Rods
    • Rod Building
    • Rod Accessories
    Fishing Reels
    • Spinning Reels
    • Baitcaster Reels
    • Overhead Reels
    • Alvey Reels
    • Hand Reels
    • Reel Accessories
    Combos
    • Spinning Combos
    • Baitcaster Combos
    • Overhead Combos
    • Surf Combos
    • Kids Combos
    Line
    • Mono Line
    • Braid Line
    • Fly Line
    • Wire Line & Trace
    • Leader Lines
    Nets, Gaffs And Pumps
    • Nets & Traps
    • Gaffs & Tagpoles
    • Bait Pumps
    • Landing Nets
    • Cast Nets
    Fishing Storage
    • Tackle Boxes
    • Bags & Wallets
    • Rod Storage
    Fishing Apparel
    • Fishing Waders
    Fishing Tackle
    • Sinkers & Moulds
    • Floats
    • Lights & Bells
    • Rigs
    • Hooks
    • Swivels & Snaps
    • Terminal Tackle Accessories
    • Tackle Kits
    Fishing Tools
    • Fishing Pliers & Scissors
    • Fishing Knives & Sharpeners
    • Lip Grips & Scales
    • Misc Tools & Accessories
    All Lures
    • Hard Body Lures
    • Soft Plastic Lures
    • Jig Heads
    • Metal Lures
    • Skirted Lures
    • Spinner Bait Lures
    • Squid Jigs
    • Flies
    • Inline Spinners
    • Jig Lures
    • Surface Lures
    • Blades & Vibes
    • Lure Accessories
    • Burley
    • Bait & Burley Acc
    Spear Fishing Gear
    • Fins
    • Mask and Snorkel
    • Spear Guns & Accessories
    Media
    • Maps / Charts / Guides
    • Magazines
    • Books
    • DVD's
    Giftware
    Fishing Tech

    New In

    Shop By Species

    Clearance

    Shop All Fishing

    Buyers Guides

    • Braid Or Mono? Which one is right for you?
    • Bread & Butter Fishing
    • Fishing Rods
      • Spinning Rods
      • Baitcaster Rods
      • Overhead Rods
      • Telescopic Rods
      • Surf Rods
      • Rod Building
      • Rod Accessories
    • Fishing Reels
      • Spinning Reels
      • Baitcaster Reels
      • Overhead Reels
      • Alvey Reels
      • Hand Reels
      • Reel Accessories
    • Combos
      • Spinning Combos
      • Baitcaster Combos
      • Overhead Combos
      • Surf Combos
      • Kids Combos
    • Line
      • Mono Line
      • Braid Line
      • Fly Line
      • Wire Line & Trace
      • Leader Lines
    • Nets, Gaffs And Pumps
      • Nets & Traps
      • Gaffs & Tagpoles
      • Bait Pumps
      • Landing Nets
      • Cast Nets
    • Fishing Storage
      • Tackle Boxes
      • Bags & Wallets
      • Rod Storage
    • Fishing Apparel
      • Fishing Waders
    • Fishing Tackle
      • Sinkers & Moulds
      • Floats
      • Lights & Bells
      • Rigs
      • Hooks
      • Swivels & Snaps
      • Terminal Tackle Accessories
      • Tackle Kits
    • Fishing Tools
      • Fishing Pliers & Scissors
      • Fishing Knives & Sharpeners
      • Lip Grips & Scales
      • Misc Tools & Accessories
    • All Lures
      • Hard Body Lures
      • Soft Plastic Lures
      • Jig Heads
      • Metal Lures
      • Skirted Lures
      • Spinner Bait Lures
      • Squid Jigs
      • Flies
      • Inline Spinners
      • Jig Lures
      • Surface Lures
      • Blades & Vibes
      • Lure Accessories
      • Burley
      • Bait & Burley Acc
    • Spear Fishing Gear
      • Fins
      • Mask and Snorkel
      • Spear Guns & Accessories
    • Media
      • Maps / Charts / Guides
      • Magazines
      • Books
    • Giftware
    • Fishing Tech
    • New In
    • Shop By Species
    • Clearance
    • Shop all Fishing
    • Fishing Buyers Guides
      • Braid Or Mono?
      • Bread & Butter Fishing
  • Watersports
    Watersports
    • Bodyboards & Kneeboards
    • Tow Tubes
    • SUP Boards & Accessories
    • Snorkelling
    • Wetsuits
    • Beach & Pool
    Kayaks
    • Recreational Kayaks
    • Fishing Kayaks
    • Kids Kayaks
    • Kayak Accessories
    Watersports

    Selecting a Kayak

    Read more
    Hints & Tips

    Watersport Hints & Tips

    Read more
    • Watersports
      • Bodyboards & Kneeboards
      • Tow Tubes
      • SUP Boards & Accessories
      • Snorkelling
      • Wetsuits
      • Beach & Pool
    • Kayaks
      • Recreational Kayaks
      • Fishing Kayaks
      • Kids Kayaks
      • Kayak Accessories
  • 4WD & Caravan
    Caravan
    • Towing
    • Levelling
    • Plumbing
    • Electrical
    • Accessories
    4WD
    • Communications
    • Recovery Gear
    • Spotlights and Light Bars
    • Battery Boxes & Accessories
    • Air Compressors
    • Tyre Maintenance
    • Fuel Containers
    • 4WD Awnings
    • Roof Racks
    • Tools
    Navigation & Communication
    • UHF Communication
    • Navigation
    Maps & Books
    • Maps, Books & Guides
    • Magazines & DVD's
    Services

    Gas Refills

    Read more
    Services

    CUSTOM MADE MATTRESSES

    Read more
    • Caravan
      • Towing
      • Levelling
      • Plumbing
      • Electrical
      • Accessories
    • 4WD
      • Communications
      • Recovery Gear
      • Spotlights and Light Bars
      • Battery Boxes & Accessories
      • Air Compressors
      • Tyre Maintenance
      • Fuel Containers
      • 4WD Awnings
      • Roof Racks
      • Tools
    • Navigation & Communication
      • UHF Communication
      • Navigation
    • Maps & Books
      • Maps, Books & Guides
      • Magazines & DVD's
    New To BCF
  • Clothing & Footwear
    Men's clothing
    • Fishing Shirts & Polos
    • Shirts & Tops
    • Pants & Shorts
    • Thermals
    • Jackets & Fleece
    • Rainwear
    • Headwear
    • Ski Wear
    • Underwear
    Men's Footwear
    • Sandals & Thongs
    • Casual Shoes
    • Water Shoes
    • Socks
    Women's Clothing
    • Fishing Shirts & Polos
    • Shirts & Tops
    • Pants & Shorts
    • Thermals
    • Rainwear
    • Headwear
    • Ski Wear
    Women's Footwear
    • Sandals & Thongs
    • Casual Shoes
    • Water Shoes
    • Socks
    Kids' Clothing
    • Fishing Shirts & Polos
    • Thermals
    • Rainwear
    • Headwear
    • Ski Wear
    Kids' Footwear
    • Sandals & Thongs
    • Water Shoes
    Sunglasses
    • Sunnies
    • Sunglasses Strap
    Accessories
    • Hats
    • Scarves
    BCF Clothing & Footwear

    New In

    Clearance

    Shop All Clothing & Footwear

    • Men's clothing
      • Fishing Shirts & Polos
      • Shirts & Tops
      • Pants & Shorts
      • Thermals
      • Jackets & Fleece
      • Rainwear
      • Headwear
      • Ski Wear
      • Underwear
    • Men's Footwear
      • Sandals & Thongs
      • Casual Shoes
      • Water Shoes
      • Socks
    • Women's Clothing
      • Fishing Shirts & Polos
      • Shirts & Tops
      • Pants & Shorts
      • Thermals
      • Rainwear
      • Headwear
      • Ski Wear
    • Women's Footwear
      • Sandals & Thongs
      • Casual Shoes
      • Water Shoes
      • Socks
    • Kids' Clothing
      • Fishing Shirts & Polos
      • Thermals
      • Rainwear
      • Headwear
      • Ski Wear
    • Kids' Footwear
      • Sandals & Thongs
      • Water Shoes
    • Sunglasses
      • Sunnies
      • Sunglasses Strap
    • Accessories
      • Hats
      • Scarves
    • New In
    • Clearance
    • Shop all Clothing & Footwear
  • Brands
    A
    B
    C
    D
    E
    F
    G
    H
    I
    J
    K
    L
    M
    N
    O
    P
    Q
    R
    S
    T
    U
    V
    W
    X
    Y
    Z
    #
    A
    Abu Garcia
    Adrenalin
    Aerial
    AFL
    AFN
    All 4 Adventure
    Alvey
    Ampfibian
    Arbogast
    Ark
    Asari
    Atlantic
    Atomic
    Atsko
    Australian Crafted Lures
    Autotecnica
    B
    Back Country
    Bagley
    Barnett
    Bassman
    Battery Link
    BCF
    Berkley
    Bestway
    Bill Norman
    BioLite
    BLA
    Black Magic
    Blackwolf
    Blueline
    Bluesteel
    Bomber
    Booyah
    Bowline
    Bundaberg Rum
    Bushmans
    Bushnell
    C
    Camec
    Camelbak
    Campfire
    CAMPMASTER
    Cargo Mate
    Caribee
    Century
    Champion
    Charmate
    Chasebaits
    Chubb
    Citer
    Classic
    COI Leisure
    Coleman
    Columbia
    Companion
    CRC
    Croakies
    Crocs
    D
    Daiwa
    Diggers
    Dometic
    Dorcy
    Dragon
    Dr Air
    Dri Screen
    DUO
    E
    Eastener
    Elemental
    Energizer
    Engel
    Escape Outdoors
    Evakool
    Export
    F
    Fifty/Fifty
    Fins
    Fish
    Fish Candy
    Frostbite
    Fuji
    Fuse Audio
    Fusion
    G
    Gamakatsu
    Gangster
    Garmin
    Gasmate
    Gerber
    Gillies
    Glide
    GME
    Go Girl
    Gotcha
    Great Northern Brewing Co
    Gripwell
    Gulp
    H
    Haigh
    Halco
    Hansa
    Hatcher
    Hayman Reese
    Heat Beads
    Hema Maps
    Hobie
    I
    Icekool
    Igloo
    Inox
    Interworld
    Intex
    Intruder
    J
    Jabsco
    Jackall
    Jarvis Marine
    Jarvis Walker
    JBL
    JJs
    Johnson Outdoors
    Jolly Swagman
    K
    Katadyn
    Kato
    Killalure
    Kookaburra
    Korr
    KT Cables
    L
    Land & Sea Sports
    Leatherman
    LED Auto Lamps
    LED Lenser
    Life Gear
    Life Jacket
    Life Straw
    Lifetime
    Light My Fire
    Liive Vision
    Lowrance
    Lucky Craft
    M
    Mad Hueys
    MagicEzy
    Magnifeye
    Mako
    Mares
    Marlin Australia
    Marttiini
    Mason
    Maxima
    Maxtrax
    Mayo
    Minelab
    Minn Kota
    Mirage
    Murray Monsters
    Mustad
    N
    National Geographic
    Navionics
    Neptune
    Nite Ize
    Nomad
    NRL
    O
    Oar Gee
    Orcon
    Oricom
    Outdoor Expedition
    Outdoor Gourmet Company
    Outrak
    Owner
    Ozpig
    Oztent
    Oztrail
    P
    Palm
    Parsun
    Penn
    Pioneer
    Plano
    Platypus
    Poles Apart
    Power Pro
    Primus
    Pro-Cure
    PRO QUIP
    Prorack
    Pryml
    Q
    QFM
    Quell
    Quiksilver
    R
    Rapala
    RAPTOR LURES
    Reidy's
    RFD
    Richter
    Ripple
    Ritchie
    River2Sea
    RMG
    Rogue
    Roman
    Roothy
    Rovex
    Rule
    S
    Salt Away
    Samaki
    Savage Gear
    SCA
    Scepter
    Schneider
    Sea Dog
    Sea To Summit
    Selleys
    Septone
    Shakespeare
    Shimano
    Shogun
    Silstar
    Slime
    Smilin Jacks
    Solution X
    Spearo
    Spotters
    Springfield
    Squidgies
    STA-BIL
    Starlite
    Staun
    Stimulate
    Stingray
    Stoney Creek
    Storm
    Sufix
    Sunline
    Sunprotection Australia
    Supapeg
    SureCatch
    Surf Life Saving
    Swim Sportz
    Swivels Original
    T
    Tackleback
    Tackle Tactics Lures
    Tahwalhi
    Thermos
    Thetford
    Tide Apparel
    Tradie
    U
    Under Armour
    V
    Verao
    Victorinox
    W
    Waeco
    Wanderer
    Watersnake
    Waxworks
    Weber
    Wigston
    Wild Country
    Wildfish
    Willow
    Wilson
    Winchester
    X
    XTM 4x4 Accessories
    Y
    Yamashita
    Z
    Zerek
    Zman
    #
    360 Degrees

    Shop your favourite brands

    Shop Wanderer
    Shop Lowrance
    Shop coleman
    Shop Quiksilver
    Shop Great Northern
    Shop Under Armour
    Shop Shimano
    Shop Savage Gear
    Shop Daiwa
    Shop Mad Hueys
    Shop XTM
    Shop Dometic
  • Sale
    Catalogue Sale
    • Shop All
    • Club Price
    • Bonus Buys & Packs

    Shop by category

    • Boating
    • Camping
    • Fishing
    • Watersports
    • 4WD & Caravan
    • Clothing & Footwear

    CRACKER DEALS

    • CLUB $10 on selected Multiscarves
    • Weber Baby Q now $305
    • Up to 60% off selected Wanderer Beach Shelters and Umbrellas
    • 20% off Pool Inflatables

    READ CATALOGUE

    READ CATALOGUE
    • Catalogue Sale
      • Shop All
      • Club Price
      • Bonus Buys & Packs
    • Shop by Category
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • 4WD & Caravan
      • Watersports
      • Clothing & Apparel
    • CRACKER DEALS
      • CLUB $10 on selected Multiscarves
      • Weber Baby Q now $305
      • Up to 60% off selected Wanderer Beach Shelters and Umbrellas
      • 20% off Pool Inflatables
    • Read Catalogue
  • Featured
    In-store Services
    Price Guarantee
    Shop By Species
    Oz Fish - Powered by BCF

    NEW TO BCF

    • Boating
    • Camping
    • Fishing
    • 4WD & Caravan
    • Watersports
    • Clothing & Apparel

    Trending

    • CHECK OUT OUR BCFING COMMERCIAL!
    • A4A 'HOOKED ON ARNHEM LAND'
    • OFF THE GRID WITH THE BADGER

    FEATURED BRAND

    FEATURED BRAND
    • In-store Services
    • Price Guarantee
    • Shop By Species
    • Oz Fish - Powered by BCF
    • Shop by Category
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • 4WD & Caravan
      • Watersports
      • Clothing & Apparel
    • Featured Products
      • Wanderer Ultimate 3x3 Gazebo
      • Weber Baby Q
      • Maxtrax Recovery Tracks
      • XTM 4X4 Double Swag
  • EXPERT TIPS
CONTACT FREE CLICK & COLLECT - READY IN 2 HOURS
Price Guarantee* - We'll Match It
FREE SHIPPING OVER $99 - METRO & REGIONAL*
CONTACT FREE CLICK & COLLECT - READY IN 2 HRS
FREE SHIPPING OVER $99 - METRO & REGIONAL*
Price Guarantee* - We'll Match It
Australia Day SALE - Shop Now
Need Help?
Loading
Be a BCFing Expert Fishing Buyers Guide Mackerel trolling tips
Buyers Guide

Mackerel trolling tips

Nige Webster shares some of the best trolling tips and techniques to get you amongst mackerel this summer.

10 December 2020

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email

Author: Nige Webster

Summer currents working their way around our coastline signals an exciting time for broad sections of the Queensland and NSW coastline, with mackerel among several razor toothed gang making their presence known.

While a variety of techniques exists to catch the likes of spanish, grey and spotted mackerel, trolling remains a popular and effective strategy. It provides anglers with the ability to cover a lot of ground up and down the coastline while presenting lures among bait schools that mackerel love to chew through.

Hard bodied, dead and live bait trolling techniques are all viable approaches to catch some of these speedsters. Trolling dead baits is a method that many of our local professional mackerel anglers use to catch fish. It reduces the issue of having to catch live bait, keeping them alive, and rigging and trolling them correctly. If you are eager to troll up a few mackerel this summer, check out my tips below.

Finding mackerel

The key to taking good numbers of mackerel is to locate them first. Every year these fish seem to show up in historically happy hunting grounds: many of these places have patches of reef where the mackerel seem to show up each season.

These fish move in with the current and haunt schools of bait until they choose to keep on moving along the coast. A day searching is best spent looking for bird activity, appealing current line and water temperature signals, as well as shows of bait, bottom structure and schooling mackerel.

A sounder that shows good definition of subjects in deeper water is a must: medium to upper end units within the Lowrance and Garmin range will do this.

High speed trolling is a favourite of mine when it comes to looking for mackerel. Schools of fish can be found scattered in broad areas of water so it pays to maintain a mobile approach. The faster you can move and sound the area, the more chance you have of locating and tangling with fish. This approach makes trolling at speed with hard body lures a great option. Active fish that are intersected will quickly rise to the wash of the boat and a well-presented lure.

Locating fish doesn’t always have to involve driving around though. In the event that fish are known to be in the area, a more passive approach can be adopted. Mates and I have had great success in recent times by simply drifting through prospective waters while trying to make as much noise as possible.

School mackerel are alert to vibration as they use this sense to locate food; it stands to reason that they will investigate the sounds of idling motors, the beat of an onboard stereo and the pulse of a fish finder. Having watched fish congregate around a boat that is making noise has convinced me that they will come to investigate certain sounds.

This means that if trolling doesn’t appeal to you, simply sit and wait for fish to find you; but make sure the motor is kept running, the fish finder is on, the beats are pumping on board and if you have technology such as a Hydrowave; all the better!

High speed trolling lures for mackerel

Covering Ground

Covering Ground & Attracting Fishing

Trolling at about 6-8 knots, mackerel will rise to the wash of a boat to inspect the source of disturbance. A hooked fish will quickly attract deeper fish to rise towards the boat while 'following' a battling mackerel.

The majority of time when trolling for mackerel, I only use two rods. This is easy to manage and lends itself to the strategy of ‘holding fish’ which we will investigate shortly. I adopt the use of two spin rods in the 10 to 15kg weight range and pair them with spinning reels in 5000 sizes.

The reels are loaded with 25kg braided line and complemented with 4m of 40kg monofilament or fluorocarbon leader. I personally don’t use single strand wire to protect lures as I believe it reduces the number of bites dramatically.

Lures must be able to swim straight and true when trolled quickly which reduces the choice of lures to a degree. Chosen models must be tough with regards to solid bib, split ring and treble hook construction. I most often troll with larger lures because I want the benefit of noise and body profile within the spread. Remember that mackerel are coming into the wash of the boat looking for a feed so make it easy for them to find an apparent feed when they arrive.

I typically troll with 20 to 16 cm size lures. Popular models include the likes of Classic Bluewater, Halco Laser Pro, Cutting Edge Axe, Rapala X-Rap and River2Sea Torpedo to name a few.

Trolling at good speed is the name of the game when searching for active schools of fish: speeds of 5 to 8 knots will provide plenty of noise and wash and should have active fish looking in the spread if they are about.

Spread the lures adequately to ensure fish near and far from the boat will find a lure as well as making it easier to turn without tangling. Place a lure 10 to 15m from the boat and the other 20 to 40m behind the opposite corner. If one of the rods buckles under the weight of a fish, try to keep the boat in gear for a few moments to secure the hookup and hopefully promote a bite on the other lure. Once the boat is put into neutral, keep the motor idling and begin to retrieve the hooked fish back to the boat, BUT, this is now the time to get ready to hook more fish and keep the school with you and your boat.

Holding mackerel

Holding Mackerel

Holding Fish & Maximising Opportunity

While an angler fights a fish, other angler/s can cast a metal lure 20m behind this fish and let it sink before retrieving it at speed; this often produces a second hook-up.

The concept of ‘holding’ fish has nothing to do with picking them up. It is derived from the strategy of keeping a school of mackerel around your boat for as long as possible.

Trolling hard body lures will attract plenty of mackerel and having hooked one, the school travelling with that fish will nearly always follow it for some time. Underwater video we have captured clearly shows this to be the case in many instances. Once you understand this behaviour it is easy to formulate a plan to cash in on what can often be frantic fishing. A crew that fishes with me is primed once we have a hooked fish returning to the boat and all begin to reach for spin rods pre-rigged with heavy lures.

Spin rods loaded with metal jigs (slugs) are a great option when targeting the school of mackerel that follow a hooked fish; the school often swims up to and beneath the boat. While the angler with the fish hooked on the troll is left to manage and gaff their own fish, the remaining crew cast slugs 15 to 20m behind the boat and let the lures sink for a 10 to 30 second count before retrieving them as fast as possible.

If you can visibly see fish swimming behind the boat, then slugs do not have to be dropped into deeper water; on the other hand, if the sounder shows a school swimming through the transducer beam in 20 to 30m of water, then your lures are going to have to be left to sink for a longer period. Lures that will sink relatively quickly are handy to have on board: slugs in the 50 to 80g range satisfy most of my mackerel jigging requirements.

Speed is key when hooking school mackerel on metals; aim to choose spinning reels capable of high speed retrieves when choosing a suitable model. In many cases, two anglers dropping metal lures behind a hooked fish will encounter a double hook-up. The key is then to keep hooking fish for as long as possible and thereby keep the school of fish close to the boat.

Trolling with chin weighted baits

While lures are a deadly weapon for chasing mackerel, bait can also be just as effective.

Your standard trolling equipment will do the job of trolling chin weighted baits. These baits do not cause excessive drag or behave differently to many other lure choices on the market so there is no need to drastically change your equipment.

Spin rods or overhead outfits with braid or monofilament lines suffice nicely. Many anglers I fish alongside are using outfits in the 10 to 20kg range with braided lines of 30 to 50lb and monofilament or fluorocarbon lines in 40 to 80lb.

Trolling Tactics

It is easy to establish optimal trolling speeds when trolling weighted baits. The swim trial beside the boat will let you know how the bait swims at different speeds. The moment the bait begins spinning or swimming poorly, you know it is time to change the speed. The advantages of using a weighted dead bait over a live bait includes the flexibility to be able to troll faster. This means you can test a variety of troll speeds until you find one that the fish respond to on any given day.

I typically employ a standard spread behind the boat, mixing the distances behind the boat that baits are being trolled. Vary distances from a rig just behind the motor wash to baits swimming 30 or 40m behind the boat.

Strategies which can increase strike rate on some days include rising bait and “wogging” strategies.

The rising bait involves free spooling a bait while you are at idling speed. Allow the bait to sink deep into the water column before engaging the reel and increasing troll speed. The bait will gradually rise up as the boat moves thereby covering a wide range of the water column. The visual of a bait appearing to be escaping to higher water is sometimes too much for the predators to resist.

The “wogging” technique is a jigging style trolling method. The approach involves jigging the rod back and forth while the bait is being trolled. The speeding lift and slow drop of the bait will often produce strikes when just a consistent trolling speed is applied to the bait. Combining this method with a skirted bait will combine to provide seductive fluttering movement to the bait. This is a definite winner on some days!

Baiting for mackerel

chin weighted bait

Chin Weighted Troll Bait for Razor Gang Brigade

  • Wire inserts protruding from the chin piece are pushed through the head of the bait and downturned to hold in place. Make sure to measure the bait and rig hooks before pushing head onto wire inserts.
  • A short length of wire or heavy mono is rigged through coloured skirt. The squid like skirt provide fluttering movement to the bait and make the bait more attractive when it is "wogged". Wogging is a technique used by pro mackerel anglers and involves jigging a rod or line. The speeding up and drop back of the troll bait enables fluttering of the skirt and often encourages fish to strike.
  • Chin piece adds weight to troll bait to swim attractively.
  • Rig gang hooks to chin piece eye and set up hooks so lower hook is downturned.
  • Downturned lower swing hook increases hookup.

One of the simplest rigs for trolling dead baits is the chin weighted bait. Chin guards are a product which enables you to rig a bait on to a weighted chin piece. The chin piece facilitates an upright and straight swimming action in any dead fish bait. There are several brands on the market, but one of my tried and tested varieties includes the Citer Chin guard which can be found in most good tackle stores. Chin guards will come in varieties of weights and sizes and come equipped with one to two head rigging pieces of wire.

These flexible and pre- set wires are used to fix the head of the bait to the chin guard. By pushing a thawed bait on to the wire, the metal can be flexed downward to firmly hold the bait in place. Choose a chin guard which suits the type of baits you wish to use. A selection of chin guards including ones with and without gang hooks can usually be found. The hookless models enable anglers to rig chin guards with differing numbers and sizes of hooks. This gives anglers the flexibility to rig chin weights to suit a variety of baits, fish species and trolling conditions.

Other inclusions to the chin guard rig include the rigging of a plastic skirt and short length of single strand wire above the chin guard. The wire can be used to prevent bite off when a predator strikes at the head of the bait. Many anglers are choosing to fish with heavy leader material (80 to 100lb) these days to prevent wire shy fish baulking at it’s addition to the rig. Placing a skirt above the chin guard adds a lot of movement (and colour) to the rigged bait and can be the catalyst for increasing the number of strikes the rig encourages.

There is no limit to the type of bait that can be chin weighted and trolled. The beauty of chin guards is that rigs can be adapted to suit most sizes of bait. The key to rigging the bait correctly involves laying the bait alongside the complete chin guard rig prior to rigging. Aim to rig the bait so it swims belly facing down as if it were the living and swimming real thing. Identify the locations where the wire and gang hook points must pierce the bait.

Rig the bait by starting with the tail hook and work towards the head as per standard gang hook rigging practices. The flexible chin guard wires can be bent towards the bait prior to rigging to enable easier rigging of the head of the bait. Too much flexing, pushing and pulling of the bait can result in a damaged bait that refuses to swim well or stay correctly attached.

The final stage of rigging involves some quality assurance. Lay the bait in the water beside the boat and swim the bait to ensure it is swimming seductively. If the bait is swimming like a live one, you are ready to put it out to see some action!

Mackerel magic

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to get your gear ready for an all-out assault on the myriad mackerel that are on their way.

By adopting some of the trolling techniques outline above, you’re going to put yourself in the best position to ensure your date with the razor gang is a successful one.

You Might Also Like

Livebaiting for Pelagics

13 May 2020

3 ways to cook up Spanish Mackerel

24 January 2020

Find more Fish with your Fish-Finder

30 March 2020

Product Recall: Crewsaver Inshore and Offshore Flare kits - 060/061

Contact Free
Click & Collect

From BCF
to your boot!

Contact Free
Delivery

Spend $99
Get Free Shipping*

Club BCF

Club
BCF

Login or sign up,
it's FREE to join!

Store Locator

Find
a Store

Find your local BCF
& shop in-store

⚠ An important message for our BCF Community on COVID-19 ⚠

Ways To Shop

  • Club BCF - Free to Join
  • Price Guarantee
  • Catalogue
  • Gift Cards
  • Click & Collect
  • About Zip
  • Afterpay

Popular

  • Gas Refills
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Watersports
  • 4WD & Touring
  • Clothing & Footwear

BCF Australia

  • About us
  • Find a Store
  • Our In-Store Services
  • Ozfish - Powered by BCF
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Product Recall
  • Customer Notices

Customer Service

  • Contact Us
  • COVID-19 Latest Update
  • Help Desk
  • Track my Order
  • FAQs
  • Shipping & Delivery
  • Returns & Refunds
  • My Account
  • Payment Options

Social

  • Blog
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
^DISCLAIMER: Discounts apply to most recent previous ticketed advertised price. Some products will have likely been sold below ticketed advertised price in some stores prior to the discount offer. Prices displayed inclusive of discount. Some in-store prices may vary
BCF CLEARANCE EVENT: Limited stock In-store and Online. Stock may vary from store to store. No rainchecks.
Visa Mastercard Afterpay PayPal AE Zip Pay Digicert
1300 880 764
© 2020 BCF Australia
Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Site Map