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| Kings are high on Mikes List of Sydney Targets - he got this one with Clarky on 'gettin wet!' |
Mike Bamforth is the newest LRPC recruit. He is definitely what youd call an obsessed fisho – not unlike all the lrpc boys!
Mike hails from Balgowlah on Sydneys Northern Beaches – right on his doorstep lies the entrance to Sydney Harbour – hence it’s absolutely no surprise that Mike, and his mad keen brother Tom, have this waterway well and truly figured out. Whilst Mike s fishing is often focused on stealthing around chasing jewies in North Harbour at night aboard his legendary dinghy ‘old mate ’ – Mikes major passion lies in LBG fishing. Mike has conquered some incredible fish off rock ledges both in Sydney and up & down the coast – including big kings, various species of tuna, and the ultimate rock based capture a 100kg black marlin.
Although Mike is an experienced hand at LBG, he is an extremely versatile fisherman, and certainly a favourite crew member on my boat. Working at Black Pete Marine has opened up a stack of game fishing opportunities for Mike and if i trust anyone to tie a rig, a bait or lure its Mike! He is also freakishly good at catching squid…and notoriously bad luck if we’re chasing Trags…
Mike and his bro are complete tackle nuts too…The first time i stepped foot in his house i thought Fishing Tackle Australia were about to open a second superstore in Balgowah – their stash of fishing gear is fucken mind blowing! Everything I need and own to catch fish fits in one single Shimano bag – yet the Bamforths collection would just about sink an ocean liner!
When he comes out for a days fishing he not only brings knowledge, skill, and quality fishing gear – but usually a big bag of great tasting food – including the best sandwitches you’ll ever lay your hands on!
Below are a few questions I fired at him recently for our blog…
Q - Mike when did u start fishing and howd u get started?
A - Mate, I would have been about 4.My old man taught us the basics of fishing down at Sussex Inlet. Catching poddy mullet on bread and bream on light handlines.
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Marlin off the rocks represents the pinnacle of LBG - here's Mike with his 100kg Black Marlin
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Q - Your fishing styles and different gear are pretty diverse ! Whats the one type of fishing and the one outfit that your’e really loving at the moment?
A - Im really into spinning off the stones at present – with both metals and poppers/stickbaits. My new fave setup is a custom 10ft spin stick my brother Tom made me(TBC Rod Co). With a 5000sw stella and 30lb braid it’s a sick setup for longtails, mackerel, etc…it’s a north coast LB special!
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| A cool northern bluefin taken just a fortnight ago up on a north coast ledge... |
Q - For most fishing scenarios are u a Bait or Lure man?
A - I love fishing lures mostly – but theres situations where its hard to go past a good livey – you always feel confident soaking a live bait.
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| Mike's Infamous Dinghy 'Old Mate' strikes again! This time with a neat little nth Harbour Jewie!! |
Q – You are regularly out on the bluewater these days…Say on a typical day off Sydney chasing Marlin do u prefer Switch and bait or dragging lures with hooks?
A - Off Sydney id have to say dragging lures. Because the fish aren’t often concentrated like they are in other locations, you have to cover lots of water and for that you cant beat lures. Also we spend a lot of time out wider off Sydney looking for blue marlin and they crunch trolled lures!
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| Hapuka - Mike wrestled this Hapuka into the pirate ship 'Gettin wet' on the shelf off Sydney. It's hard work pressing the UP button on the Electric reel - but someone's gotta do it!! |
Q - Whats the one species you have always wanted to tangle with but haven’t crossed off the list yet?
A - Rooster Fish off the shore in Mexico….they look crazy!
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| The Rooster Fish |
Q - If you could have any fishing spot, anywhere, uncrowded, and going off, where would it be and what would you be catching?
A - Hahahaa shit?! Id say Greencape, off the rocks, spinning poppers, and theres big hungry yellowfin and kings all over the top! Keep Dreaming…!
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| Mike jumped aboard with Bonnici last year when the southern bluefin were going off at Bermagui - This fish couldn't resist a big stickbait switched through a trail of cubes....yeeeeew! |
Q – I know you enjoy a feed of fish – whats your top 3 species on the plate (in order)?
A - 1. John Dory, 2 .Jewfish , 3. Tossup between Blue Eye Trevalla and Yellowfin.
Thanks for your time moit!
1 comment:
he seems like a gun fisho, to get a 100kg black up from the rocks is pretty hardcore!
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