Tackle Tactics » Pro Anglers » Daniel Hutchinson

Daniel Hutchinson

How did you get into fishing and what are your main target species / fishing styles / general locations?

My family introduced me to fishing at a young age. I do a range of fishing and fishing styles, including shallow inshore for snapper, kings, tuna and mackerel on lures, lake and estuary for flathead, bream, whiting, tailor and jewfish on lures. I'll fish off the beach for jewfish using lures and baits, and fish dams and rivers for bass. I also enjoy inshore game fishing for marlin and tuna when in season. Coming from Newcastle I fish Lake Macquarie, Newcastle Harbour and Port Stephens/Nelsons Bay.

What are a few of your favourite species and why?

I love snapper fishing using light gear. The battle of pulling a horse snapper out of a shallow, clear reef on a light plastic rod is incredible. Stickbaiting for kingfish is also an incredible rush. The raw power and the tug of war fighting style of both fish on inshore reefs and wash systems is addictive.

What are some of your most memorable captures?

Snapper - I've caught hundreds of big snapper but one that comes to mind is a 12kg model that I pulled right out of the wash, when I cast from the boat back to a headland and hooked the fish only a metre from shore. The next 15 minutes was utter mayhem.

Kingfish - Drifting a livebait on a float around the tip of a breakwall. A 20kg kingfish decided to smack it. The amount of tide, waves, obstacles and structure that I needed to overcome made it very memorable.

I have caught one flathead that was just over a metre and a few close to that, all on soft plastics. The metre model I was fishing solo and caught it on my lightest bream rod and moving the boat around, fighting and netting the fish made that a memorable one. Some big jewfish I have caught on plastics in estuaries and also off the beach I'll never forget also.

What is some of your go-to Tackle Tactics gear?

For snapper - ZMan Lures - 5" Scented Jerk ShadZ in Electric Chicken or Nuked Pilchard Glow with a 1/4oz or 3/8oz TT Lures jighead.

For Kingfish on headlands and jewfish in the surf - Fish Inc. Wing 120mm Sinking Stickbait.

For Flathead - ZMan GrubZ.

What species are on your bucket list?

I'd love to travel to North America to catch a tarpon and a big Atlantic salmon in a river system.

What is a piece of fishing advice that you have been given that still sticks with you?

Cast out in front of the boat when using soft plastics. Do not drive over shallow areas and spook areas that you intend on fishing. Avoid busy areas.

What are three tips for someone that is new to fishing?

Good quality and the lightest leader possible are more important than lure choice.

Use the least amount of weight possible.

Fish dawn and dusk. Avoid busy days and areas.

Anything you would like to add?

Feel free to message me through Facebook for any tips/questions.

Facebook - Daniel Mark Hutchinson