Tackle Tactics » Pro Anglers » Jarryd Parkinson
Jarryd Parkinson
HOW DID YOU GET INTO FISHING?
As a kid growing up, some of my best memories were getting the boat ready with my Dad. The night before a fishing trip I would always get hardly any sleep as I’d be too excited to head out for the day. We’d always leave at the crack of dawn, and we’d be out there almost every weekend. From there my passion for fishing grew. Now I’m out every chance I get to wet a line!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU ABOUT FISHING?
The thing that inspires me about fishing is the thrill of the bite. There is nothing better than feeling that clunk or big bite, after hopping or slow rolling your lure. When you hook up and catch a new personal best fish, that you have put so many hours into, it is so rewarding.
WHERE IN AUSTRALIA DO YOU FISH AND WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN TARGET SPECIES?
The main area that I fish is South East Queensland. You’ll often run into me around the Jacobs Well / Gold Coast areas. I mainly chase flathead, jewfish, threadfin salmon and mangrove jack, but this doesn’t stop us from road tripping up North to chase barramundi, GT and coral trout.
WHAT ARE 3 OF YOUR FAVOURITE SPECIES AND WHY?
My 3 favourite species would have to be barramundi, flathead, and threadfin salmon.
Barramundi are such a great fish to chase. I can’t think of another fish that hits your lure so hard that it almost rips the rod out of your hands. The acrobatic manoeuvres that barramundi exhibit just adds to the fun!
Flathead are also one of my all-time favourite fish to chase with soft plastics. When these fish grow to 80+cm they are just a totally different fish and must be seen to be believed.
My third favourite, the threadfin salmon! The fish that never gives up and probably one of the quickest estuary fish there is. When they start running and the reel starts screaming, there’s no stopping them!
WHAT ARE A FEW OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE CAPTURES?
My first 85cm+ flathead caught at the Jumpinpin.
A 118cm threadfin salmon caught at the Port of Brisbane.
A 110cm queenfish caught at Airlie beach.
My first metre jewfish at the Jumpinpin.
GO-TO TACKLE TACTICS PRODUCTS AND SOME TIPS FOR USING THEM?
You honestly cannot go past the ZMan DieZel MinnowZ. These plastics just catch everything! Hopping them for large flathead in the deep or on the flats, slow rolling them past pontoons and weed beds and getting smashed by barramundi and jacks. This versatile lure has to be the jack of all trades.
GO-TO OKUMA PRODUCTS AND WHY?
Okuma ITX spin reel range has a super smooth drag, that handles anything I throw at it. One of my all-time favourite reels! Perfect for chasing large flathead and jewfish. Its never let me down!
WHAT SPECIES ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? WHY?
The one metre flathead on a soft plastic. It may be on just about every fisho’s bucket list, but that illusive one metre fish has to come my way soon… and I’m not going to stop casting until I find it!
WHAT IS A PIECE OF FISHING ADVICE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN THAT STILL STICKS WITH YOU?
Persistence pays off. You may not get a hit or a touch for hours at a time while fishing, but some days you just need to grind it out. When you get that hit and land that trophy fish, after a hard day on the water, there is no better feeling!
WHAT ARE 3 TIPS FOR SOMEONE NEW TO FISHING?
Start out chasing your bread and butter species; bream, whiting and flathead.
If you’re new to fishing, you don’t always have to fish with lures. Sometimes changing it up and using baits can be a better option.
Use light tackle. You can feel the hits and bites a lot easier and get a better feel for fishing.
ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me. It’s time to smash some PB’s and make awesome memories. Thanks for having me on the team at Tackle Tactics, I can’t wait to get stuck into some fish!