▲TopNew Products

▲TopTWO NEW BOOKS!

During 2005, Starlo released two new book titles; one a sole-effort, and the other written in partnership with his good mate, Kaj 'Bushy' Busch. Both of these titles are available at good book stores around the country, and from some selected tackle and outdoor supply retailers. If you can't find a stockist in your local area, contact the publishers directly (details provided at end of each review):

▲TopOn Soft Plastics

By Steve 'Starlo' Starling and Kaj 'Bushy' Busch
Two of Australia's best known and most respected fishing writers, TV presenters and tackle designers - Starlo and Bushy - have joined forces once again to produce the definitive reference work on soft plastic fishing in this country. Published by Bill Classon's Australian Fishing Network, "On Soft Plastics" is a full-colour, 170-page book with hundreds of great photographs and crisp illustrations accompanying its clear, concisely-written text. "On Soft Plastics" is the complete guide to choosing, rigging and using soft plastic lures to catch all species of Australian fish, in both salt & freshwater. It includes:
A detailed look at soft plastics and how they're manufactured Analysis of what makes a good soft plastic and why they work Descriptions of all the major and minor styles and families of plastics A thorough look at jig heads, hooks, weights and other accessories Descriptions of the best tackle for fishing with soft plastics
Information on

• How to rig and present soft plastics for better fishing results
• A species-by-species guide to Australia's favourite soft plastic targets
• Tips and hints on how to manage, repair and customise your plastics
• A fascinating look at the likely future of soft plastic fishing in Australia

Best of all, this refreshing book is written in an honest, open and easily accessible style, free of complex jargon, insider-talk and excessively convoluted Americanisms. It's a down-to-earth guide to some of the most productive and exciting fishing methods ever devised, and the authors claim that reading it will make you a better, more successful soft plastics fisher. In fact, they guarantee it!
With a recommended retail price of $29.99, "On Soft Plastics" is available from good book stores and selected tackle outlets, as well as by mail order direct from AFN in Melbourne by phoning (03) 9761 7780 or e-mailing Trade enquiries are also welcome.

▲TopHooked on Adventure

By Steve Starling
"Blue salmon smacked mullet high into the air and great, fat, burnished silver barramundi boofed anything they wanted to boof - including the salmon. This place was electric."
One of Australia's most recognised and respected fishing experts, Steve Starling and his good mate Bushy have produced three TV series of Hooked on Adventure. The highlights are presented in this book - a selection of Starlo's favourite hot spots. Now you can share his experiences as he travels to some of Australia's most breathtaking locations and tells his story of spectacular angling and adventures along the way. "My real aim in writing this book is to start you thinking about that next big fishing holiday; to pique your interest concerning new places worthy of exploration, or to remind you of old, familiar ones you may have forgotten."
Join Starlo as he recounts his breathtaking journeys: those special fish landed (or lost) along the way, magical moments experienced and the difficult challenges he had to overcome. From teasing orange-speckled saratoga in the Top End wetland to chasing barramundi in Western Cape York, it's all narrated in Starlo's trademark laidback style, providing many laughs and several nail-biting moments.
Hooked on Adventure also includes: Useful maps locating every fishing hot spot. Trip tips providing information on getting there, where to stay, when to go, what to catch and other attractions and facilities. Practical tips and hints for anglers. Invaluable 4WD, camping and cooking advice. Full colour photographs.
A brilliant, evocative guide to our country's best fishing spots, Hooked on Adventure is an enthralling journey jumping with wild tales of aquatic life and a unique portrait of Australia's vivid landscape.
About the Author A popular television and radio personality, 'Starlo' has appeared on Rex Hunt Fishing Adventures, The Great Outdoors and The Australian Fishing Show. A professional angler, Starlo has won numerous awards and is the holder of several national and world records. He has also written over a dozen books and thousands of magazine articles and produced a CD Rom and instructional videos for anglers.
Hooked on Adventure was published in June 2005 by Hardie Grant Books/Explore, RRP $29.95. For more information or to arrange an interview with Steve please contact Georgie Graham at Hardie Grant Books, Tel (03) 8520 6444 or email

▲Top- and Don't Forget THE Bream Book!

Although it has been on the market since 2001, "How To Catch Bream on Lures & Flies" by Starlo and Bushy remains, in the opinion of many, THE definitive work on this subject. You'll still find it in many tackle stores and book shops, or copies can be obtained directly from AFN in Melbourne by phoning (03) 9761-7780, or e-mailing

▲TopFISHING DVD SERIES

John Haenke, of Offshore Productions, has changed the face of fishing publishing in Australia with the release of his unique FISHING DVD series. Starlo is a regular segment presenter on these popular and highly-informative magazine-format DVDs, and has been a great supporter of the concept.
Currently hitting the news stands (alongside the standard fishing magazines) on a twice-yearly basis, there are plans afoot to increase the frequency of these brilliant "D-vazines" over coming seasons. To find out more, or back order any of the early FISHING DVDs, visit: www.fishingdvd.com.au
Starlo's segments on FISHING DVD #3 (due for release in late November) include the following stories:
Drummer in the Wash with Steve Starling Starlo takes us rock fishing near his home town of Gerringong, on the south coast of NSW, and shows just how easily a little bread berley and some simple techniques can produce a delicious meal or two of fresh seafood, in the form of rock blackfish or black drummer. There's an important safety message in this story, too.
Estuary Perch on Plastics with Steve Starling Starlo's chasing one of his favourite estuary species on soft plastics, but the techniques he explains in great depth and detail are equally applicable to a host of other salt and freshwater targets. This one is ESSENTIAL viewing for any angler who loves to tweak plastics!
Full Boar Boats with Steve Starling Starlo shows off his brand new, personalised sportfishing rig and explains exactly why he made the shift to an Aussie-made Full Boar. Along the way, he dispels some tired old myths about the 'weaknesses' of fibreglass hulls? This segment is a real eye-opener!

▲TopSTARLO'S NEW BOAT!

Starlo's latest sportfishing rig was unveiled at the 2005 Sydney International Boat Show. It's a 5 metre "FineSSe" fibreglass bass/bream/barra tournament-style boat from Full Boar, powered by an F115 Yamaha four-stroke outboard and fitted with Lowrance electronics throughout and a Minn Kota 80 pound Riptide AP bow-mounted electric motor.
"There's a quiet revolution underway on the Australian fishing boat scene today," Starlo explained at the launch of his new rig. "It's a swing towards faster, slicker, purpose-built sportfishing rigs that are also stealthier, and offer a smoother, softer ride. One Australian company at the cutting edge of this revolution is Full Boar; makers of some of the most exciting fibreglass sportfishers on the market today. "These are computer-designed craft that make use of the most sophisticated construction materials available in the 21st Century," Steve continued. "Yet, they're also an absolute joy to fish from, especially when lure or fly casting for fresh and saltwater fish? on both smooth and rough waters. As a bonus, they're easily launched, recovered and towed by the average family sedan. That's important, especially as the price of fuel continues to skyrocket.
"In the past," Starlo explained, "fibreglass boats have been perceived by many Australian anglers and boaties to be less robust and more prone to damage than alloy hulls. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Modern glass-reinforced plastic or fibreglass is an incredibly tough and durable material. Better still, it's easily and cheaply repaired if damaged or marked. In my opinion, the combination of quiet, smooth, economical four-stroke outboards and sophisticated fibreglass hulls is definitely the way of the future in stealthy, 'finesse' fishing applications in this country. "Currently available in 5, 5.5 and 6.1 metre configurations, the Full Boar range of fibreglass sportfishing boats already has something for every serious angler? But be sure to watch out in 2006 for the release of a new range of smaller, entry-level Full Boar craft that will completely change the face of fibreglass sport-fishers in this country!" Starlo concluded.
And also be sure to watch this site for updates on the performance and specifications of Starlo's personalised and customised Full Boar FineSSe rig. While you're at it, don't forget to visit the Full Boar site for more information: www.fullboarboats.com (www.fullboarboats.com)

▲TopTHE SQUIDGY PHENOMENON CONTINUES!

Steve 'Starlo' Starling and his mate, Kaj 'Bushy' Busch, are two of Australia's best known and most respected anglers, especially in the field of soft plastic lure fishing. In June, 2002, after two years of extensive design and field-testing, the pair released their revolutionary SQUIDGY range of soft plastics onto the local market via the Shimano Australia tackle distribution network.
"The Squidgy range has been specifically developed to suit Australian conditions, Australian fish and Australian anglers," Starlo explained at the time. "These are not lures that were originally developed for catching largemouth bass, walleye, zander, pike and crappies in North America or Europe. Squidgies were conceived, evolved, tested and thoroughly fine-tuned in our home waters and on our local fish before being released onto the Australian market. This makes them unique amongst soft plastics."
"Steve and I have lost count of the fish we've caught on the prototypes and production samples of these lures," Bushy added. "They've been phenomenally successful." The initial release of Starlo & Bushy's Squidgies included three innovative tail designs: Squidgy Wrigglers (SQW), Squidgy Fish (SQF) and Squidgy Shads (SQS). Each tail design was originally offered in five or six sizes and up to six colours, with models suited to everything from bream, trout, bass and flathead to barramundi, snapper and mulloway.
In addition to tails, the original Squidgy range included two jig head styles; plain, ball-shaped lead-head jigs with an innovative keeper prong, and deluxe fish-shaped heads with detailed paint jobs and eyes. Both jig designs were offered in a range of weights and hook sizes to complement the different Squidgy tails.
The 2002 launch of Starlo & Bushy's Squidgies was accompanied by the installation of innovative point-of-sale material in specialist tackle shops and the release of an informative free leaflet detailing productive strategies for fishing with soft plastics. A few months later, this was followed up with a how-to video called "Squidgy Secrets Part 1: the Basics". At the same time, the guys also hit the road for an exhaustive series of Squidgy Seminars that took them from Hobart to Darwin, speaking to packed houses on the finer points of soft plastic fishing. Nearly four years later, the Squidgy phenomenon continues to roll on, and shows no sign of losing momentum. The Squidgy range has been gradually and carefully expanded over time to include several more tail and jig head designs, and the colour and size ranges are constantly being tweaked to ensure they match the specific needs of Aussie anglers. Two more instructional DVDs have hit the shelves, too.
If you haven't already joined the Squidgy Revolution, check it out soon, and be sure to visit the Squidgy website at: Squidgy.com.au (www.squidgy.com.au)