HOW TO: Catch Estuary Fish On Lures Without Using An Electric Motor!

Starlo & Jo compete in the 2022 Pirtek Fishing Challenge, and decide to "challenge" themselves a little further by deliberately removing the bow-mounted electric motor from their vessel for the day! How will they fare? And how can YOU effectively fish lures without a 'lecky? Watch this and find out!
www.buymeacoffee.com/starlo

[@StarloGetsReel]

If you like this video and want to help Starlo make more, shout him a beer at: www.buymeacoffee.com/starlo

[@feartheduck6664]

Fishing for a good cause! Well done. I learnt to fish rivers, estuaries and the open sea at Tuross Head and surrounds. One year some holiday makers dug a trench to open the estuary to the sea. It led to an amazing session with flathead up to 16lb caught. A great part of the world. Where you were catching duskies out front of the cafe is where I used to catch tailor. I now fish the Yorke Peninsula in SA and catch blue swimmers, salmon, whiting, tommies, gar, snook, flatties, leather jackets and snapper (snapper must be released). Lots of good memories triggered from this vid.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Glad you liked it.

[@PeachyFlyFishing]

Very enjoyable Steve & Jo, couple of nice fish there!

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks Peachy!

[@joshdfishing]

Loved this one Starlo. Was a beautiful day on the water with some cracker fish landed. Was a pleasure to watch👌🏼

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks, Josh!

[@waynemee8920]

I got Covid for this Pirtek Fishing Challenge. I've entered every one but fished less than half. Some kind of curse going on there. Ben's secret sauce definitely works a treat, the S factor. Handy to know the bloke and receive gifts.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Bugger about the Covid, Wayne! Hope you're over it now. Oh yes, the old "sinister sauce" as I call it sure works! ;)

[@kevdimo6459]

I really enjoyed that video Steve and Jo. Beautiful part of the world down on the coast! I lived in the Bay for years before moving to WA. That little Jewie proves that sometimes owner’s can look like their pets. Sorry it was the beard that clinched it for you. Tight Lines mate. 👍🏻

[@StarloGetsReel]

Love it! Thanks, Kev.

[@bleakersfishing3749]

Cracking video as always Starlo. Great to see that mulloway hit the deck. Trolling for them is a super underrated way of targeting them I think!

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks mate! I don't do a lot of trolling (I think my attention span is too short!), but you're right. It can be VERY effective at covering and probing water.

[@PebblesChan]

Mrs Starlo fishing in uggboots. That's the way!

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yep, being a Darwin girl she feels the cold. Loves those uggs!

[@kennethgordon7885]

Great video! Thanks Starlo and Jo for sharing. Some quality fish and really good tips.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thank YOU, Kenneth!

[@PurplePatchFishing]

What a great video Steve and Jo such a beautiful day, some quality fish and some great tips. The WRFL Merch looks fantastic Jo, great to see it being worn out fishing I can't wait to get mine. 💜🎣

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks so much, Purple Patch!

[@joeimbesi99]

Love catching Tailor on minnows and we're lucky that they're so voracious.

[@StarloGetsReel]

For sure.

[@6knots6]

Thanks Steve your videos really help my fishing all the best and tight lines

[@StarloGetsReel]

I'm so glad to hear that! Thanks for the feedback, 6 knots.

[@ontourfishingaustralia7208]

Starlo, really loved the video and your material over many many years. In particular this one as I fished Tuross heavily when I lived in Canberra for 14 years and you may recall me seeking your thoughts on a Tuross article I wrote for Fishing Monthly Mags a few years ago. I also still wear your SFF outfits done through Mad Keen with pleasure as best fishing outfit I have. As a fishing writer today I have taken my inspiration from you, Rex and Bushy, but particularly your writing and now video production. Greatly appreciated and likewise too I love Jo’s great input to these videos as well. I’ll follow the link and get you a beer and a coffee. Love to catch up properly for a fish one day. Regards, Sean (Skip) Thompson.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks heaps for that great feedback, Sean! I'm sure we'll catch up one day. Cheers.

[@Ozzierob]

I second this :).

[@Ozzierob]

Man S-Factor gets the bites. I’ve proven this time after time on Murray cod on big plastics to the point I’ve had them hit 4 times on the same retrieve.

[@StarloGetsReel]

So true!

[@stevennaumovski8477]

Awesome video

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thank you, Steven!

[@deriserudder5098]

Great vid live at Tuross and have never fished coila l don't have electrici motor I'll try your method is there anything I need to look out for on that water love your work new to plastic ?

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks! Any structure you can find: - logs, rocks or weedbed edges - are worth fishing.

[@alleycat8483]

How different was you Pirtek weekend to ours in SE QLD, 35 klph winds and showers both days, had to head west to the dams just to get a fish to measure, maybe next year the weather will be better..

[@StarloGetsReel]

Sorry to hear that. Yes, we were very lucky this year.

[@justinadams5159]

I think Jo was using one.of those T- Curve rods and that fish that you so casually discounted as a Pir-Tec challenge eligible entry. That fish one cm bigger than my best ever Bream. A 42cm kicker from the Spit Bridge. I’d like to know what you think of the Kris Hickson and Tom Slater designed Daiwa Double Clutch lures, I got myself one this morning and caught my first, albeit undersize Giant Trevally up at what I call the Boats at Harbour in town at Yamba. Anyway I like the look of these lures and how they swim.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Hi Justin. Yes, a T-Curve rod. Love 'em! Jo's bream was a cracker, for sure, although we know from previous experience that something over 45 is usually required for a top three finish in the Pirtek. That proved to be the case again this year. I'm familiar with the Double Clutch and have heard very good things about it, but I'm not sure if I've ever chucked one myself. They look the goods, though!

[@justinadams5159]

At least I think they designed these lures. It may be another group of Bream baits in the Daiwa range that they put their combined not inconsiderable Breambo fishing knowledge into the project. Regardless they look bloody well gun lures and swim magnificently.

[@garydahler6513]

Ripper video Mr And Mrs Starlo

[@StarloGetsReel]

Thanks Gary!

[@DCJiuJitsuGeelong]

that was a cracking bream had some shoulders on it :)

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yes, it was a ripper! Very heavy.

[@deanwatt]

I have trailer envy.....

[@StarloGetsReel]

Yes, it's a nice bit of kit!

[@anthonycox1870]

Great video mate, what weight jig heads were you using, and is there any advantage using the round head over a T T style jig head,

[@StarloGetsReel]

2 and 3 gram heads. No real advantage in the round heads -- I just like the fine gauge hooks they're on.

[@anthonycox1870]

@@StarloGetsReel thanks champion,

[@frasercoastfishing]

Hey mate what combo you using for this type of fishing ?

[@StarloGetsReel]

We use a few different ones, mainly based on 2500 and 3000 size Shimano reels (Vanfords, Stradics and the like) matched to light and medium Shimano spin rods, primarily from the Anarchy, T-Curve and T-Curve Premium ranges. Hope that helps!

[@nathansoutbackfishing]

I did the same tournament only got two fish

[@StarloGetsReel]

Better than none! 👍

[@nathansoutbackfishing]

@@StarloGetsReel so true

[@Ozzierob]

Hey Starlo. How do you find the Adrena JDM vs the Zodias or Expride ?.

[@StarloGetsReel]

All three ranges are really nice. Not a lot between them, in my opinion.

[@Ozzierob]

@@StarloGetsReel cheers mate. I haven’t fished the Adrena poison etc but I have zodias’s, expride’s, and soare’s. Would be interesting how it sits in with them.

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@Ozzierob the Poison Adrena range is definitely top end. gear Superb hardware and cosmetics and a wonderful "feel" and sensitivity... I can detect a definite step-up in performance from Zodias, but whether that justifies the fairly significant price difference will very much depend on how keen and dedicated you are, I guess!

[@davidparker667]

Haha.."been a couple of good spawnings here" (whilst zooming camera on her chest)

[@StarloGetsReel]

Love it! :) But I was seriously talking about the large number of smaller fish we've been encountering recently.

[@davidparker667]

Good on you Starlo. Always loved your videos and articles!

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@davidparker667 thanks mate!

[@StarloGetsReel]

pirtekfishingchallenge.com.au/

[@darrylmackie9184]

Can't Fish without all the Electronic Stuff HOW SAD IS THAT.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Um. You might have missed the point? This one was about fishing WITHOUT an electric motor, to see if it made much difference. Sure, it was harder, but we still caught fish.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I'm sure Starlo doesn't need a sounder. 😂 But in a dirty lake a sounder sure is a great invention.

[@easemailboxes]

Never anchor a boat from the stern (unless perhaps in a mooring while anchored to several cleats and bow). It may be safe for u as you know the lake but doing so in a video without a caveat or warning.... cmon I am sure u know better.

[@StarloGetsReel]

Fair point but the use of a small “plonk” anchor to slow or hold a drifting boat while fishing is an extremely common practice - one I’ve seen many fishing guides use (from the stern), especially in tropical waters or on the flats. When casting from the bow, it’s really the only practical approach. It’s the “poor man’s” version of a hydraulic power pole set-up and poses no more (or less) safety issues than such a device.

[@easemailboxes]

@@StarloGetsReel an anchor at the stern if properly anchored can cause the boat to swamp. This is only a small boat so the fact it is a small anchor is a mute point. There are occasions for use of a double anchor by experienced people like yourself but cannot ever think of a good reason for rear anchor only. Only takes a big wash from a fast moving boat passing and you can swamp. We all know you are very experienced and I am sure that you would be observing and capable of avoiding any calamity.... But its the example set. Doing this is very very dangerous. Edit: besides swamping there is risk to being caught in the prop also. Just because u have done it 100 times successfully doesn't mean it won't happen next time. I love your videos and am learning a lot from you... but cmon you know better.

[@StarloGetsReel]

@@easemailboxes 👍