Tackle Tactics » Pro Anglers » Nicholas Thompson aka Nickfish

Nicholas Thompson aka Nickfish

Nicholas Thompson aka Nickfish is just "a kid that loves fishing", so much so that he also loves to share the sport with others through his magazine articles, radio show appearances and kids fishing clinics. Forget the gaming box... it's all about the tackle box and getting out on the water.

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

I got into fishing when I was 2 years old. My Mum and Dad took me to fish at Coorooman Creek, to a grunter spot where I still get some massive grunter today. After about ten minutes I landed my first fish, a juvenile grunter and ever since that day I've been hooked on fishing and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. I mostly fish in Central Queensland for flathead, whiting and bream, or the mighty Fitzroy River for barramundi and threadfin. I fish with a mixture of both bait and soft plastics.

What are a few of your favourite species and why?

1. Flathead - The reason they are on this list is because they were a dream fish of mine for a long time and I spent hours reading articles and hours watching videos on how to catch them, spending days on the water with no success. Then I finally landed my first flatty drifting across a sand bank and I've been in love with them since that very day. My next mission is a flathead on fly.

2.  Grunter - This fish is on the list because of many reasons, one being the way they taste. I will give away a fillet of any fish to get a feed from a grunter. If you're continually putting these things back, then you're missing out. Number two is because of that fight you feel. That big donk on your rod and then it starts peeling line with massive head shakes, before a 3kg beast rises up and then it takes another dive. There is nothing like it.

3.  King Threadfin Salmon - A live prawn and the classic bump. Then the rod starts peeling and you hold on and pray that you don't get spooled. Then you start making ground, bring it up to the boat and it runs again! That is the king salmon.

What are some of your most memorable captures?

My first black jewfish was over 1.2 m and weighed over 20 kg. This fish was caught on a herring about the size you would use for bream. It was caught on a 20 pound leader, an 8 to 10kg rod and you should have heard the reel. Epic! The fish wasn't even trying. We were targeting grunter that night, so the net was too small and the head could hardly fit in the net!

Another memorable catch, well almost catch, was a beast of a blue salmon. This thing was over 80cm. We were fishing up a little creek, where we often catch smaller blue salmon, the 40cm models. In amongst them we were also landing some big bream, so I was fishing for some bream. Meanwhile we had a rod in the rod holder with a pilchard and it then it started screaming.

The fish was heading straight toward the snags, then changed direction and started heading toward the boat. As we pulled the fish up and we saw there was more than one. There was a second salmon, just as big if not bigger, following it. The landing net was in the water and then snap... the leader broke. Lesson learnt, it pays to always check for leader fraying before using it.

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

ZMan 3.5" EZ ShrimpZ - Flick under logs or along the flats and this thing always produces.

ZMan 2.5" GrubZ - Another allrounder that catches bream to big barramundi and salmon.

TT Lures Ghostblade / Switchblade - One of the best hardbody presentations for flathead. You just can't go past it.

TT Lures Jigheads - Place a cast right up in the snags, allow a nice slow drop to get the tail action and then bang a jack comes in and smashes it!

What species are on your bucket list?

Cobia - Huge fish that will often nail anything that is dropped in its face and then peel the line off your spool. This fish has beaten me a few times.

80cm+ Flathead - My Dad is one up on me. He caught an 80cm and looking at the sheer girth and mouth on that fish, I can't wait until one gets on my line!

Dorado (Dolphinfish) - A bright green flash takes your lure and then the rod and reel starts screaming while the fish is jumping everywhere. That's the Dorado for you and I can't wait to hook one.

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

Get local advice. Find out general information from the local tackle store, or chat to locals fishing the banks, to find out what is biting and where. This will give a much better success rate.

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

Match the Hatch - This tip is as old as time but it almost always works. This tip is also so easy to follow. All you need to do is use your eyes and if you see something chasing prawns, put a prawn lure on, such as a ZMan EZ ShrimpZ. If fish are smashing 2" herring put on a small baitfish intimation.

Be Patient - If you know the fish are there, then they will likely bite eventually. If bait fishing and the fish are taking the bait but you're not hooking up, let them take the bait. Let them eat it and don't set the hook right away.

Have Fun - Even if you don't catch fish, have a good time. It's called fishing not catching. We are lucky to have some amazing waterways around us.