Jonah Yick
Jonah is an experienced angler who specialises in game and deep drop fishing, particularly off the east and south coasts of Tasmania, Australia. Jonah has worked in the fisheries field for over 15 years, on both freshwater and marine fish. He still enjoys researching his target species, and especially likes tag and release fishing. Jonah is also the Scientific Ambassador for the Tuna Champions programme.
WHEN AND HOW DID YOU GET INTO FISHING?
I got into fishing when I was 7-8 years old. My father would take me down to the local jetties and piers, just catching whatever was about. After the first trip I was “hooked”, and it’s been an obsession ever since.
SHARE A FAVOURITE FISHING MEMORY OR EXPERIENCE
Setting out to get a southern bluefin tuna in every month of the year off southern Tasmania, back in 2015. Then three years later catching a 122kg tuna in November to complete this personal quest. The fish and fishing I experienced whilst attempting this was awesome, with very few boats present on most trips.
WHERE ARE YOUR FAVOURITE FISHING SPOTS?
The remote southwest coast of Tasmania, Eaglehawk Neck, and fishing over the continental shelf. I also love fishing anywhere new and different, either interstate or overseas.
WHY DO YOU LOVE TO FISH?
I love the challenge, every day is different and just when you think you’ve got it worked out, you realise you still know very little. Feeling the anticipation of not knowing what you have on the end of the line, or during long fights, the mental and physical stress of not knowing whether you will actually land the fish. Eating what I catch is also a big part of fishing for me. I like knowing where my food comes from, the preparation stage, all the way through to cooking. I enjoy trying different species of fish as well as different ways of cooking it. Also seeing the excitement and joy that fishing brings to friends is very satisfying.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE FISHING STYLE?
Trolling for tuna. In Tasmania the majority of our main tuna fishing locations are focused around spectacular locations, with towering sea cliffs and offshore islands.
I never tire of trolling around the amazing scenery, and the excitement of seeing fish busting up on the surface amongst a range of other wildlife. Then the anticipation of waiting for a reel to scream off, or sometimes multiple reels. Also not knowing the size of the fish which takes the lure, it could be 10kg or 100kg+! The big fish can be a physical and mental challenge, and of course, they are delicious and are very versatile when it comes to cooking.. (That’s if I even cook it at all!).
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE BLACK MAGIC PRODUCT?
The Equalizer® gimbal and harness. An amazing piece of engineering which allows game fishers to fight big fish effectively, and in relative comfort. Without the Equalizer® kit I would not be able to undertake a lot of the fishing that I do. I love seeing the gimbal and harness being clipped on when hooked up, because you know its going to be a big fish!
WHAT ARE YOUR FISHING GOALS FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS?
With warmer than average sea surface temperatures this year, I'm keen to catch a yellowfin tuna in Tasmania, or another "warmer weather" game fish.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM CATCH OR FISHING ADVENTURE?
Currently, my dream catch would be landing a big butterfly mackerel or as we affectionately call them a “butter pig”, an opah or a 70kg+ yellowfin tuna in my home waters off Eaglehawk Neck. Dream fishing adventure would be to chase the Atlantic bluefin tuna in Canada or a big Wels catfish in Europe.
WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE JUST LEARNING TO FISH?
Start with the basics, and master the basics. This means fishing for bread and butter species, learning how to tie simple knots, berley up, bait hooks, cast, fight small fish etc. You will appreciate the progression of fishing more if you do this, as well as become a better angler for it.
Be patient! When you see those fantastic fishing photos of dream fish on social media, more often than not that angler has put in a lot of time and effort into catching it, which may not be evident in that one photo.
