Tackle Tactics » Pro Anglers » Paul Chew

Paul Chew

How did you get into fishing?

Started out fishing with the grandparents on Shelly Beach, Hervey Bay every year chasing whiting and gar off the beach. In later years with the Blackley boys from home, with their dad Merv taking me under his wing and it was there I did my first lure fishing. Haven't looked back since.

What inspires you about fishing?

Fishing keeps me thinking and no two days are ever the same. Just when you think you have a species sorted they throw you a curveball. I love getting out early, doing the miles and getting away from the crowds. I love early morning sunrises, especially if it involves piscatorial surface action.

Where in Australia do you fish and what are your main target species?

Mainly Hervey Bay and the surrounding areas. Blessed to have a great crossover over Southern and Northern species here. Main target species is a hard question, with barra, bass and mangrove jack, along with all the bread and butter species thrown into the mix. We also have a huge variety of pelagic species available in the bay.

What are 3 of your favourite species and why?

1. Sight casting big salmon (threadfin and blues) in under a metre of water is by far my favourite form of fishing. They can be super frustrating but there is no better fish to hook in the estuary shallows in my opinion. The rooster tail these guys leave behind them has to be experienced to be believed.

2. Barra are always a good fall back when I am struggling for Mojo. We are lucky here to have a few places close by that will normally throw up a couple of barra, regardless of the time of year and we have both fresh and saltwater options nearby.

3. In a similar vein to the salmon, there are few things I love more than chasing Fraser Coast grunter on light gear. They hit hard, their first run is brilliant and as a bonus they are good on the table. Seeing a school of 200 odd grunter gets the heart going.

What are a few of your most memorable captures?

Late last year we had an epic few sessions casting to barra, with good mate and fishing buddy Pete Jones and I both getting our PB barra (113 & 117cm) casting hard bodies on the one morning.

A lot of the places we target threadies are shallow drains leading into the mangroves and so every second hook up results in a monumental bust off as the fish launch through the roots. On one occasion that this happened, I free spooled as normal and the fish tired quickly. Pete could see deep in the mangroves so he climbed in and grabbed the fish by hand. Gotta get lucky sometimes.

What are your go-to Tackle Tactics products and some tips for fishing them?

Estuary is a no brainer, ZMan 2.5" GrubZ. Everything eats them, barra, threadfin, grunter. If I had to pick just one lure to catch fish on to subsist, this would be it. Fished slow hopped along the bottom this plastic has caught more fish than any other lure. Rigged on a 1/4oz 1/0 TT Lures HeadlockZ HD jighead and just fished along the edges of the creeks should see you with plenty of action for the morning.

The Bagley range have been my go-to since I got my hands on a few sample Rattlin' Finger Mullet a couple years ago. They accounted for over 100 barra for that season, and more recently the Rumble B09 and DDS07 have proved themselves to be great barra hard bodies, with the Rumble B09 proving itself a big fish lure, accounting for a 117 and 120cm barra before the close of the 2018 season.

What are your go-to Okuma products and why?

Bang for the buck, I love my Cerros baitcasting combo. The little baitcaster has accounted for a stack of barra in the last 18 months, surviving a couple of dunkings into the water off the kayak and still going strong. The Cerros reel and Cer-C-601MH 6' 3-6kg accounted for my PB 120cm salty barra and did it with ease. It's a great combo and light to use also.

What species are on your bucket list and why?

Probably not one I give a lot of thought to. I just fish, with my mantra being 'my best fish is my next one'. I live to fish, amongst other things and am happy just out casting a line.

One day I will hopefully cross paths with a jungle perch. They just look like a cool fish to target in some spectacular places.

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

Fish slow. If I am fishing plastics and struggling for a bite I have to remind myself to slow down. Mostly you want your plastic contacting the bottom every couple of seconds. And the beauty of the ZMan plastics is that they are buoyant and fish will eat them off the bottom.

3 tips for somebody new to fishing?

As above, Fish Slow.

Fish early or late. The fishing is generally easier at first and last light.

Fish with gear that suits you and is comfortable to use. There is nothing worse than using a cumbersome heavy rod all day when there is no need for it. You can catch some mighty fish on light gear if you take your time.