WAFM and bream??

[monksie]

DohDohDohDohDohDohDoh has a big bream spread this issue and so does DohDohDoh and HotbIte has Mad Phil's usual column etc.

I don't believe (possibly wrong but doubt it) that WAFM (which has been often bagged as too 'bream' focused by others) has anything at all about bream (outside of usual tournamnet info at back) in this issue.

interesting.

starting a thread about 'fish you'd like to see in a fish mag. outside of bream' on a bream site is kinda dumb, but i'll ask anyway.

besides bream (naturally) what other species of fish do WAFM readers wanna read about?

Possibly it's species like skippy/tailor obtainable from bream-type locations and accessible on bream-type gear??

is anyone able to pass on what other fish or type of fishing they'd find interesting in an artilce?

Big boat trips to Rowley Shoals and Montebello's does nothing for me.

so also, what else maybe wouldn't you be keen on seeing WAFM start focusing on?

i must say the rock stuff i'de done so for WAFM has been unconventional in compariosn to what else has filled the pages to date (don't worry i've got reef wading, beach fishing, tailor poppering etc all coming).

i personally am sitting on all types of different stuff i could write about and i'm pretty sure Kurt has a variety of people's artciles to consider going in and writers are also possibly wondering what would spark ireader's interest and worth pursuing.

any comments - fish or types fishing do/don't want to see in mag.

??? thanks for any opinions/replies in advance.

[bubba]

I know what I would like to see Monksie but Im in the process of writing an article for it anyway :P
The problem with this type of question and any fishing magazine is that the majoirt of "that fish" story have been done in any number of different formats. Thats what we get for having multiple magazines and prime species :). Things I like to see are out side of the norm. Things like Bears article on mini jigging or things like Dror and me catching redfin on metals and bass style spinner baits. Perhaps the joys of incidental catches when targetting "blah" species.
Perhaps the idea of community minded stories like taking a bunch of kids on a charter free of charge and watching them catch herring and garfish and REALLY enjoying it like we all did when we were kids.
Perhaps a story on a not so well known competition like the Kalbarri Classic. Now that some one is stealing all my ideas :mad: what about a tour of a tackle manufacturer. Something like Halco (but I think that has been done).
Its not really about being unconventional just different. Kurts story about Snapper from the stones is a perfect example.
There are thousands of bloody "How to" articles in magazines. What about "why does it work" etc. Hmmm I should just shut up now before I give everyone all my ideas for articles :confused:

[kay-c]

yes, id love to see something unconventional written. the piece of tusslign tuna with bream gear and mini-jigging were probably some of the best i've seen in a while.

just some suggestions, how about an article of offshore jigging with sps? (around reefs, etc) not just for the usual skippy, but perhaps something more.

i'd also like a little expose' on the swan and canning. sure i know a fair bit from shore and maybe off a boat, but i'd love to see someone do it from an underwater angle (dive shots, etc). to top it off, how about an underwater pic of well know bream spots like the canning bridge or spyc, to convey just how much bream hold there, and how little/many actually get caught? a mate of mine has told me that hes snorkled under some of the spyc jetties before, and there are just massive schools of bream holding there, yet theyre 'untemptable'

also, although this may alienate the general reader t osome extent, i'd love to see more technical writing being done about gear etc. jsut for rods for eg, an explanation of light medium heavy actions, how it loads differently can affect the way you fish. or a little bit more on the technique of the humble soft plastic, not jsut for bream of course (tournament angler guide 2005 had awesome technical info, but im sure that more can be done). there are times when i go to the tackle shop and i still dont know what theyre going on about ;p ;p especially when choosing new gear, not jsut the basics of what your looking for (graphite, 2-4kg bla bla bla, but what kind of action/stiffness etc suits a certain style, etc etc.... may be a bit too bream-y though perhaps)

last bit, i quite liked the info given on the 'fishing rocko flats' article. some may argue its quite general info, so maybe a bit more insights into the art (or lack of =p =p) of bottom bouncing could be done?

just my 2 c =D

[monksie]

bloody fantastic feedback.

but is there also the other side of the unconventional new fads (eg baby vibes) and room for back to basics like... (dare i say it) 'bait fishing for bream' for example'? or has the market/fisher moved on?

this pic of Dolly holding his spaniard sez it all - ya only have to look at Dolly's face to see how super-chuffed he is and how much it meant to him. but is there a story in the capture ('trolling along and along came a spaniard') in it for the public/reader.?

in the last few years the sudden variety of innovative tackle and techniques has been more that the 2 decades that proceeded it i reckon (and you bream buffs at the forefront most often).

However there are parametres you can't break free from. if i tried writing an article about blue groper fishing from the rocks on lure or fly i'd need 3 lifetimes to do it for example.

ps - BUBBA i can't wait to se it when it comes out cob' you've got me in hell suspense now???:confused:

[bubba]

I have one (hopefully the next issue if I get some more photos) that has seen a recent explosion over east but no one has dont it here to my knowledge.
The other one I am writing is about a place Ted Rose loves with a twist :). If you know Ted you might guess the place but if you know it keep it quite :p

[TheJigJedi]

I like reading about shore based tailor fishing on lures/poppers at places accessable by 4x4 and stuff like that. You know, the hard yards adventure kinda fishing to places like lucky bay and shark bay. Not too keen on places much further north than that cos well, its just too far. haha.

Oh, and I dont mind a bit of crash n bash through blue berry bush trout fishing as well.

But more importantly...I like 'site specific' articals. Not things like "the rocks on the south coast between denmark and albany are great fishing......" or "snapper from shore can be caught anywehre that deep water meets the shoreline...here's some we caught between Dongara and Shark Bay". I'd rather it be, "x rock, about 20kms drive east of denmark is great for fishing." Perhaps without giving away 'TOO' much.

Also, in the articals, I like seeing/hearing about rigs and what lure types. Not looking closely at pictures and trying to guess what sin the fish's mouth. Especially shore based bait fishing, I'd like to know what kinda rigs are used.

Geez..hope it doesnt sound like I want the aurthor to go n catvh me a fish. haha.

Just my 2c.

SHANE

[monksie]

Ted Rose Bubba?? - doubt it'd be Steep, Warroora, Upper Swan Bream, Long Point (Rockinham one) or Kalbarri tailor?? All money's on Augusta area (blackwood bream or beach fishing across mouth). Try and get Ted to do another goat hunting article - good stuff.

I'm nto the same stuff as you Jig Jedi but jeeez... that's too much of a wish list. Almost like cast out for me and hook the fish for me and then let me wind it in. There has to be some 'look-see' on your part.

I know what you mean, but if someone did say 'print/publish' what number post at Busso Jetty they catch all their best big winter mully when they run, do you think you'd then be able to get near that spot or that that would be a good thing?

Even on a small platform like Garths Rock there are a couple specifc spots that are a little more productive to cast from - but it only takes you a trip or two to find out for yourself where and then you're in.

one thing i love about fishing is the thrill of stumbling around a bend in a river upon a trout rapid never seen/heard of beofre, or making the effort to round that next headland to discover a rockhopping ledge from heaven - that's half what it's all about for me.

a 'general' location/diretion should be enough and just allow a little bit of extra time to suss a spot is all.

only DohDohDoh give GPS spots for sale.

[flathead_boy]

some more freshwater stuff would be cool

[Roo_Boy]

A good point you make Monks.

Perhaps a four page spread on 'Long Toms, Tackle and Techniques'.

or

'Stalking the elusive Wrasse'

That would really boost sales!!!

But seriously anything on Cobia would be great, easily the most underrated fish in our waters.

Perhaps i could post a few pics to stimulate interest? (wink wink Monks!)

[breamdreamer]

I recently came across an eastern states fishing mag which only concentrated on 3 different species of fish, bream being one of them. I thought it was a fantastic mag indeed.

One article concentrated on telling you how to position the boat and why, it showed diagrams of the boats, depth, shore, where the wind came from, advised on which side and where to cast to, suggested using 3 different types of lures explaining the advantages of deep divers and surface lures for the various depths and situations, where the fish could be hiding,etc. Also had things like 10 reasons why the fish could be shut down, and what to do, the psychological effect of a bad days fishing and what to do :D. It also concentrated on a particular type of sp and using a weightless hook and suggesting to use mono leader and not a sinking flurocarbon? etc etc.

Basically, how about going back to basics (on anything really). Everything they suggested they gave a reason, showed pictures, covered why not to do the other, and didn't assume that readers know the basics. It was very educational for me and will be getting the next one but cost me $10 and Kim Bain don't even mean a thing to me!

[kay-c]

whoa... id love to get a hold onto somethign like that for a good read. is it possible to share the name/ed of that mag, or some of its points? sounds veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery informative

c'mon people! if they can do it in the east, we can do it in the west :) :)

[breamdreamer]

Hi Kay-C, it was what you can only say a wicked book. I thought it was best not to mention the name as this is a WAFM site, will PM you.

Cheers

[monksie]

Barra, Bass and Bream??

i don't reckon mentioned that will dent WAFM sales - especially when we don't get bass (well, not s'pose to:rolleyes: ) or barra in SW WA and i'm sure you guys can't get enough bream material regardless.

yeah a quality mag, but useless for WA locations etc.

got a shore-based cobia piece for early next year almost ready to go now Roo Boy - even shows Bob gaffing all my big fish he couldn't catch.:D

[breamdreamer]

Didn't mean even think it may dent the WAFM sales, no way, just a courtesy, I thought ;) May be a beginner, but disagree, no not all of it is hopeless for WA locations. JMO ;)

[monksie]

too true BreamDreamer, i just meant specifc WA spots (Swan Blackwood etc).

of course mag articles about reading river structure etc can apply to anywhere in OZ and of course relevant to all breamers.;)

[Shane]

The only thing I would like to see in a mag these days is how people went about their trips, and not a 4 page article about a certain trip they went on. Althought it is nice to live vicariously through other people and the trips they went on. I would like to know what they did specifically to get the results they got, so I can try it myself when I got out.

I have kinda stopped buying mags these days because they read more like people using a different media as a brag board (I dont mean that exactly but using that as something measure against ;)). I'd like a mag that has articles that are like, we went hunting after fish Y and got X amount of them, and then a majority of the article breaking down how they went about it tackle and techniques and such so I can improve my techniques and catch rates.

In regards to what species I'd like to read more on. Bream because pretty much that is all I go for these days ;)

[monksie]

How much more can possibly be written about how to catch a bream do ya reckon Shane.

surely everything that has to be said on the subject has basically already been done (and is constantly regurgitated)?

no wonder you don't buy many mags anymore if you're mostly trying to look for new bream tips etc.

must be more written on bream that any other fish easy in last few years and there's no great mysticism involved in nailing one.

trying to come up with something novel about hunting bream would be very hard i reckon.

the 'brag board' comment i 100% agree on. nauseating and no info.

[Shane]

Yes but I am fairly new to the bream scene and I dont have the resources to gain older mags for research. Plus I can't catch bream so need more help ;)

I can see what you mean, a variety of different fish will pull in more readers and ultimately sell more mags. Depends if the mag wants to do a smattering of all species or lock into 5 or so and be known as a specialist mag. Very hard line to tread.

But I like the idea of detailed analysis of fishing spots. If I want to fish X where are the snags and over hangs, can it be fished from shore or boat, and so on.

Can you figure out where the major buyers of the mag are. Surely using that data you could tailor articles to the areas where people live. No point in writing on how to catch barra each week if the mag is not sold up north, as an example.

Slow day at work so have time to make crappy rplies ;)

[kay-c]

theres a trade of to revealing your 'secret spot' in an article, only to rock up there once its published to see half a dozen monkeys thrashing the place you put time and effort to find :S :S

personally, i dont blame writers for not revealing their sweet spots, in fact, i dont even expect them to. what i do expect them to write about is information of HOW to fish the spot. you dont have to reveal it, thats not important because finding it is 1/2 the fun and the less people that know about it, the more fish there is to share. selfish maybe, but hey, its just rewards for time spent on water as opposed to pickign up a mag and going 'oh THERE they are :)' id like info as to how to fish the spot, eg say you fish yacht clubs regularly, what are the secrets? where would you cast, how would you work it, and very importantly, WHY and WHY NOT? thats most important i reckon, its like the old saying, give a guy a fish and hell have dinner for the day.. .teach him to fish and hell have dinner for life. same thing... dont just say 'oh rock up here do this do that, catch fish, go home' thats pretty much just giving him the fish..... how about 'this spot, you have to notice the weed, why you have to notice the weed, work the lure this way, why you have to do that, etc etc'

sorry, i may be ranting and going off at tangents... but i reckon this is a good topic to air some of my dirty laundry :) keep it going!

p.s. i hate 'brag' articles too. sure, its an achievement, but id rather that be shared on forums/newspapers/fishing reports etc, rather than articles ive paid money to read about, only to discover someone writing a 2page essay blowing his own trumpet (this is a rare extreme case though, its great to include personal experience etc, but techniques and the why/how/when should be explained too, not just 'i went to exxy got 10gts, huge red emperors, mackies, etc ,etc, the fishing is good up north, go north if u want good fishing, the end)


hee hee sorry again for ranting :) constructive criticism this is. the end

[kay-c]

hi gavin,
i hope you'll agree as to what i've tried to say. i think you may have summed it up. its not as important as to what lure, what spot, etc, as to WHY you should do that. Theres alot of time I read a mag and go 'why?' which have mostly been unanswered. Sometimes I figure it out myself, sometimes I ask answers and get a reply that I will have to test out and ascertain its truths for myself, and other times I'm still stumped as to why it should be done this way. Especially with breaming with soft plastics, as i don't often get the chance due to our beloved local population of blowies, I have too many whys to try and answer myself with the limited testing I get in the Swan River (for it to be economical :)). Which is why I would like some guidance and direction from the mags, after all, thats why I would buy them. It should never be a shortcut for going out tin the field and testing and experimenting it out yourself though. Hope thats the same point as what you're trying to make.

P.S. I remember seeing you fishing with HBs once or twice a loooong while ago while I was still fishing with baits mostly for bream, going 'whoa, yo u can use those here???' at the canning bridge (i still dont use lures there though ;p ;p) heh heh heh.... you probably wouldnt even have an inkling, but jeez it just goes to show the metioric rise in popularity of luring for bream in the last 2 or so years.... and how ive started from being a canning b jetty rat for me ;p


sorry for going back off the topic to bream (a little hard here :()

[Shane]

Gav

I am sorry if you thought that I want to turn up to a spot and have someone hand me the fish Gav. It was not what I was trying to say. And anyway I thought the whole bream scene was meant to be about sharing the knowledge, but that neither here nor there.

This is a little hard over the net and things get taken the wrong way, this maybe a convo for the next comp. Anyway I will try an restate what I meant.

I would like to see articles rather than be a 4 pages article on, "My god what a great sess I had" I'd rather see an article on "My god what a great sess and here are the reasons why". This is my opinion and what would get me to buy a mag, if you think it is wrong then I am sorry. The 4 years I have been going for Bream I have done most of my fishing by myself, more than likely why I am still crap at fishing for them. I havent had a lot of exposure to people showing where to fish or how, hell I am generally trying to help others. Hence my original post. If we had sole articles on species and habitats that would be great but as monksie said people have done it before and they do not like redoing it for new comers to the mag.

Sorry for the arky post, but seeing as your post seemed to be aimed at mine (excuse me again if I got this wrong) but struck a nerve, because I said what I would like to see in a mag means the last 4 years of uncountable time blanking on the river meant nothing.

Anyway, crap day at work, sorry to post but I felt it needed to be said. All I will say about this.

[kay-c]

agree with you there also ;p
boy am i free today, i should be out fishing instead of posting on the forums ;p ;p

HOW MANY TIMES does an article saying 'to catch mroe fish, use a light graphite rod, use braided lines, use leader, use small reel, use this use that' things DO WE NEED? I ABSOLUTELY SH!TZ me to have to read ANOTHER article that says it covers breaming or other fish by going over those topics time after time after time. Sure, it cant be stressed enough.... NOT! So there you go, i'm all with ya. Theres a particular mag that really annoys me because it does this almost every month or second month, only with a rotation of species.... maybe its changed now and i havent noticed cause i stopped BUYING it....

[monksie]

my post is a little controversial guys.. sorry. remember we all want different things from fishing mags and all have different levels of experience. there needs to be a blend of 'basics' and 'specialist' type articles to cater for that in a mag i reckon.

i also reckon as far as giving locations go, as either a writer or just chatting on a forum or in person, that you should give a general guide to get a person started. eg - if asking about trout then divulge spot No32, which gets a bit of fishing pressure but should see the person catch a small fish or two is all - just enough to wet their appetite and after that it's up to them. a start.

[monksie]

What a RISK and how UNCONVENTIONAL is Geoff Anderson's piece on 'BLUBBERLIPS' this WAFM issue.

get every WA fishing mag/paper/site etc and try and find any info about 'em at all, let alone an article dedicated to 'em - disclosing a whole new target species (and they go like the clappers).

i must say when Kurt told me what was gonna be on the cover i said 'what the...' and recoiled in disbelief. but i was wrong.

you can tell by the pic's that there are certainly enough numbers of this species available and from a variety of inshore habitats and definitely targetable - more that tripletail etc.

Well done WAFM and WELL DONE GEOFF. A Big FIRST!

Also, no info gleamed from mag's is gonna make up for the experience of getting out there and going fishing... even with a secret treasure map in hand.

FRESHWATER is well in hand Flattie - next most stuff sitting there after 'bream' is sweetwater stuff, there's tonnes of trout/perch (bass/cod/goldens:rolleyes: :rolleyes: ) stuff coming.;)

ps - WAFM ideas -???

[Pacer_XS]

What I loved was the "Sewellys Winning Ways" article in the first issue of WAFM. The interview format with WAFM asking Sewelly questions on behalf of us was extremely informative. It covered all types of things like pre fishing tips, but mainly how to fish bream on different types and depths of rock. This format could be used covering all types of terrain and many types of fish.

Food for though

BTW "Pon de Replay" is a sik song (listening to it now) :rolleyes: :p

[Pacer_XS]

And one last thing....... Id like to see a few designated 'picture' pages for some of the catches that WE (peeps of WA) have caught through the two months between issues. A little like the picture page in the last mags' article "Breamers Day".


.......maybe

i think there should be more info on the techniques, gear, reels, rods with catching bream.
there has to be more info on how to use different lures for bream. this way it will help begginners learn about bream fishing beyond the basics. this might bring more people entering comps and enjoy catching bream

cheers :)

[dave__lindsay]

i would definately benefit from a detailed breakdown of retrieval methods. there are so many different types of hard bodies that are proving successful bream lures these days, that it becomes too easy for them to be grouped together and given the "very slow retrieval with pause" tag. there must be retrievals that will really work one lure whilst having no positive effect on another.
And maybe something to do with lure selection based on conditions and surroundings on the day

[Richo]

I know this is definitley something in the planning and a high priority with WAFM - there are articles being prepared on a range of techniques by a few different writers at the moment which will be in WAFM in future issues. Keep your eye out for them.

cheers

[dave__lindsay]

No worries richo

[adidaspeteman]

I like the underground topic of Illegal aliens and the behind the scenes talk on Eastern states natives and how we can build a freshwater impoundment fishery....... keep on that subject in the mag...... i would like to know more on this issue.

pete