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Woman's heartwarming encounter with millionaire teen fisherman

<p>A mum has revealed her heartwarming encounter with Keegan Payne just moments before he caught the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/domestic-travel/this-is-crazy-teenager-goes-fishing-and-emerges-a-millionaire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">million-dollar fish</a>. </p> <p>Sarrita King, an artist from Darwin, took to TikTok to recall the moment when the teenager and his friends helped her and her family after they had crashed their car and became stranded.</p> <p>“These kids came and actually towed us back to safety,” she said in the video. </p> <p>“So it was an hour out of their time, they unhooked a buggy, they were on their way to go fishing for the Million Dollar Barra, and they were absolutely amazing.</p> <p>“They restored both my partner and I’s faith in kids these days.”</p> <p>The mum said that the group of teenagers made them feel “really safe”.</p> <p>“For a terrible situation - the car was wrecked - they were the best,” she said.</p> <p>“At the time we were like ‘I hope these guys have the best life’, they have so much going for them.”</p> <p>She then shared her surprise when she found out that Payne won the life-changing prize.</p> <p>“We have just been over the moon for him ever since,” she said.</p> <p>“And we just can’t stop smiling and thinking about it. So congratulations. Good karma.”</p> <p>King's followers shared their support for the teen and called it a "beautiful story". </p> <p>“His story just gets better and better, I think he’s going to be a full-on Aussie icon,” one wrote. </p> <p>“Darwin kids have a heart of gold,” another added. </p> <p>King later on told <em>NT News </em>about what a "wonderful young man" Payne was and how kind the teenager was. </p> <p>“He was kind, he spoke proudly about being from Katherine – where I’m from too, so we spoke about that.</p> <p>“He spoke about his family and his love of fishing. It was just what you want your own kid to be like that at that age.</p> <p>“The way he’s handled himself through everything, he’s going to be someone in the future with all the pressure and all the scrutiny, he’s got his head screwed on.”</p> <p><em>Images: TikTok/ Facebook</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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"He's a good kid": Teen fisherman's boss defends young millionaire

<p>The former boss of teenager fisherman Keegan Payne has spoken out in support of the new millionaire, just days after Peter Stefanovic and <em>Sky News</em> were slammed for a "harsh" interview. </p> <p>On Wednesday, Stefanovic made headlines after he used his <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/peter-stefanovic-slammed-for-harsh-question-to-young-million-dollar-winner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a> with 19-year-old Payne, who had just won a million dollars in a fishing competition in the Northern Territory, to quiz the young man about a petty crime he committed when he was 16. </p> <p>"There is a claim online that you stole a Polaris Ranger and Polaris quad that you and your friends stole and damaged from a business a few years back, first of all, is that true?" Stefanovic asked from his Sydney studio during the live interview.</p> <p>Payne, who was speaking from the Darwin, simply answered, "Yes".</p> <p>Payne explained he and his friends "were young", and "weren't thinking at the time" but having come up with the idea they "went for it".</p> <p>Stefanovic asked Payne if he regretted the act and he said he did "big time".</p> <p>The interview was widely condemned online, with many saying Stefanovic "ripped the carpet from underneath" Payne and chose to focus on a past mistake rather than celebrate his life-changing win. </p> <p>The backlash to the interview prompted both Stefanovic and Sky News to issue an apology to Keegan, saying he "regrets" his line of questioning. </p> <p>“An apology from me, last Wednesday we invited Keegan Payne onto our show to discuss his win in the Million Dollar Fish competition in the Northern Territory,” Stefanovic said during First Edition on Monday. </p> <p>“During that interview I asked him about a theft that had occurred several years earlier. I should not have asked him about those claims and I regret doing so. </p> <p>“I apologise sincerely to Keegan and his family.”</p> <p>Now, the teenage fisherman's former boss, Bob Cavanagh, has spoken out in defence of Keegan, saying "he is a good kid" who had a lapse of better judgement.  </p> <p>Cavanagh ran the business that Payne stole the vehicles from a few years ago, but said he does not hold a grudge and holds no ill will to the teenager. </p> <p>“He’s a good kid who made a mistake,” Cavanagh told the <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13384033/Keegan-Payne-Peter-Stefanovic-fishing-Bob-Cavanagh.html">Daily Mail</a>.</em></p> <p>“What was meant to be a celebratory moment was stolen from him. I’m glad he [Stefanovic] apologised to Keegan, he deserved that apology.”</p> <p>Cavanagh said he believes Stefanovic has learnt a lesson.</p> <p>“We all make mistakes and I bet he regrets it,’ he said. ‘The fact that he’s come out and apologised to Keegan and his family, I think he’s realised he’s overstepped the mark.”</p> <p>After his big win, Keegan offered to pay back the stolen vehicles.</p> <p>“Out of the blue this morning, his father rang me and said, ‘Keegan wants to repay you’, and you could have knocked me down with a feather,” Cavanagh said.</p> <p>“He said Keegan has always felt so terrible for what he did.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p>

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Fisherman declared a hero after Tanzanian crash efforts

<p dir="ltr">After a plane crashed in Tanzania’s Lake Victoria on November 6, one fisherman who nearly lost his life trying to save the trapped pilots has spoken about his efforts.</p> <p dir="ltr">The passenger plane was carrying 43 people when the pilots attempted to land at Bukoba airport after encountering problems and enduring bad weather.</p> <p dir="ltr">Majaliwa Jackson, who was officially declared a hero and awarded 1 million Tanzanian shillings ($AU 665), told the <em><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-63540823" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a></em> from hospital of the panic he felt when he saw the passenger plane approaching from the wrong direction before crashing into the lake.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Jackson told the outlet that he rushed to the scene with three other fishermen, helping to open the rear door by smashing it with a rowing oar and allowing passengers seated towards the back of the plane to be rescued.</p> <p dir="ltr">After moving to the front of the plane and diving into the water, Mr Jackson said he and one of the other pilots communicated by making signs through the cockpit window.</p> <p dir="ltr">"He directed me to break the window screen. I emerged from the water and asked airport security, who had arrived, if they have any tools that we can use to smash the screen,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"They gave me an axe, but I was stopped by a man with a public announcement speaker from going down and smashing the screen. He said they were already in communication with the pilots and there was no water leakage in the cockpit.”</p> <p dir="ltr">But, when he dived back in and waved goodbye to the pilot after he was stopped from smashing the screen, the pilot then indicated he wanted to be rescued.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Jackson then attempted to pull the cockpit emergency door off by tying a rope from it to other boats, but he was knocked unconscious when the rope broke and struck him in the face.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The next thing I knew I was here at the hospital,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">In addition to his monetary reward, Mr Jackson was offered a job with the firefighting and rescue brigade, as well as training in rescue operations to sharpen his skills.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pilots were among 19 confirmed fatalities from the crash.</p> <p dir="ltr">Emergency crews used ropes to pull the plane, which had been completely submerged, closer to shore.</p> <p dir="ltr">Airline Precision Air previously said that 26 passengers had been rescued and taken to hospital, but has since said there were only 24 survivors.</p> <p dir="ltr">Kagera police commander William Mwampaghale said that the crash occurred at around 8.50am local time on Sunday.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When the aircraft was about 100m mid-air, it encountered problems and bad weather. It was raining and the plane plunged into the water,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Tanzania’s Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa has said an extensive investigation would be conducted to determine the cause of the crash, and that the government would cover the costs of funerals for the 19 victims.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-03395493-7fff-e56c-87e9-b77dca5d94f1"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

International Travel

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"Karen" caught on camera threatening fisherman

<p>A woman in the elite suburb of Birchgrove has been caught on video threatening a fisherman at Balmain Rowing Club by calling the police after a fish he caught died.</p> <p>Footage of the conflict was posted to YouTube on New Year's Eve and has been viewed almost 150,000 times.</p> <p>The woman has been labelled a "Karen", a popular term to describe people who often complain.</p> <p>The exchange, which occurred on a pier in Sydney's inner west, began when the young fisherman, who goes by the name Shroom on social media, was pulling on his fishing rod.</p> <p>A caption on the film says: “Despite my best efforts to release a fish that I caught it ended up floating later”.</p> <p>The middle-aged woman then walked up to Shroom and asks: “Why did you just kill that fish, and throw it back in and kill it?”</p> <p>Shroom says “I didn’t kill it,” to which the woman replies “you did so”.</p> <p>“I saw it and it’s floating, here,” she says, pointing past him.</p> <p>Shroom: “I tried to release it, but it didn’t release. I did not kill it.”</p> <p>Woman: “You did. I saw it here and it was flapping up and around. You’ve got a hide. Can I see your fishing licence please?”</p> <p>The woman then proceeds to film him on her phone.</p> <p>Shroom tells her he does have a fishing licence and that he will put her “on YouTube as well”, to which she says, “that’s okay”.</p> <p>“There’s nothing wrong that I’ve done, absolutely nothing wrong. I know my rules and …,” Shroom says as he reels in his line.</p> <p>The woman points and interrupts him as Shroom says, “that’s okay, that’s okay you can call the DPI now if you want, the Department of Primary Industries, you can give them a call”.</p> <p>The woman nods, and adds “and Balmain Police” and walks off back down the pier.</p> <p>He yells out at her, “you can do that”, to which she replies, “I will, I am, don’t you worry about it”.</p> <p>Viewers flocked to the comments to praise Shroom on his calm and collected response.</p> <p>“You handled that well mate. Some people just don’t have a clue,” one person said.</p> <p>Another wrote: “Some people just don’t get it mate. Handled well – be polite, let them call police or whatever. You knew you were in the right so may as well keep fishing.”</p> <p>Another posted: “Don’t understand what she’s trying to achieve … She’s gonna call the police &amp; say ‘old mate was fishing &amp; he released the fish but it died?!’ Cops will laugh at her.”</p> <p>One commenter joked, “she was saltier than the fish you just released. And gutted she could not ask to speak to your manager”.</p>

Legal

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Fisherman films great white shark biting boat

<p>Fisherman Tony Didio has captured a thrilling encounter with a great white shark off the coast of Nambucca Heads in NSW.</p> <p>Tony filmed the shark circling the boast as he was fishing for bait with his two sons Jason and Michael and their friends.</p> <p>They were amazed to see the shark move in and take a bite at the rear of the boat.</p> <p>“I was standing at the back of the boat myself near the outboard filming him on my phone, and I thought geez I better move my toes, I could lose them,” Tony said.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F100013248431787%2Fvideos%2F309902892794656%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=224" width="224" height="400" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>“There was no way I wanted to jump in the water with that thing".</p> <p>“He was more interested in chewing the back of my boat than the lines we had in the water."</p> <p>“We were just fishing for some livies to take fishing when the white came out of the blue.”</p> <p>Tony said the encounter with the shark happened about a kilometre from the entrance to Nambucca Heads Beach in about seven metres of water.</p> <p>Fishing out of a 5-metre long boat, Tony estimated the shark to be roughly 2.5 metres long.</p> <p>“I reckon I’ve spent 40 years fishing and seen three great white sharks in that time, never a great white in such shallow water... that’s quite alarming,” Tony said.</p> <p>Tony said the crew finished the day by getting a nice catch of snapper and parrot fish. </p>

Cruising

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Great white shark jumps into fisherman’s boat

<p>On Saturday afternoon, a 73-year-old fisherman had a close encounter with a great white shark who jumped onto his fishing boat.</p> <p>Terry Selwood was two kilometres off the coast of Evans Head when the shark launched itself onto his 5.5 metre vessel.</p> <p>The great white knocked Terry off his esky onto the deck, where they were eye-to-eye with each other as the shark thrashed about.</p> <p>"There I was on all fours and he's looking at me and I'm looking at him, and then he started to do the dance around and shake, and I couldn't get out quick enough onto the gunnel [side of the boat]," Terry <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-28/great-white-shark-jumps-into-fishermans-boat-at-evans-head/8567166" target="_blank">told the ABC</a></strong></span>.</p> <p>A Department of Primary Industries spokeswoman confirmed that fisheries had identified the shark as a great white and it was estimated to be 2.7 metres long.</p> <p>Terry was not bitten but has various cuts to his right arm from the shark’s rough skin.</p> <p>Thankfully, Terry had the opportunity to reach for his radio and make a distress call which was received by Marine Rescue Evans Head.</p> <p>Lance Fountain, a member of Marine Rescue Evans Head, explained that he and two other crew members immediately took a boat and found Terry "standing up on the port side ... covered in blood with numerous lacerations on his right forearm".</p> <p>"A large shark was also found in the cabin of the not-so-large fishing boat," Lance said.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="665" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/37258/in-text-1_499x665.jpg" alt="In Text 1 (8)"/></p> <p>Terry was transferred to the rescue boat and his injuries were treated.</p> <p>The fisherman explained to the Marine Rescue members the events that had unfolded and how the shark had launched itself from the water, cleared the engine and landed on the deck.</p> <p><span style="text-align: center;">"In the process, it knocked the stunned 73-year-old fisherman onto the deck as well," Lance posted on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MarineRescue/posts/10155192132156259" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Marine Rescue Evans Head Facebook page</strong></span></a>.</span></p> <p>"Fighting to get to his feet and as far away from the shark as possible, the fisherman was relentlessly knocked about the deck and cabin, which is where he sustained most of his injuries.</p> <p>"Eventually the fisherman was able to clamber up onto the port side gunwale of the boat where he remained while the shark continued to thrash about the deck of the boat."</p> <p>Once the rescue boat reached the shore, Terry was taken by NSW Ambulance paramedics to Lismore Base Hospital where he received stitches for his arm wounds.</p> <p>The Marine Rescue team then went to Terry’s boat and towed it to shore with the shark on board.</p> <p>The shark had died and its body was taken by Department of Primary Industries staff to do a necropsy.</p> <p>Authorities believe it would have been impossible for Terry to have caught the 200kg shark as the fishing line he had for snapper only weighs 10kg.</p> <p>A forklift removed the shark from the boat once it was brought to shore. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Marine Rescue NSW</em></p>

International Travel

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Documentary crew finds castaway fisherman

<p>In scenes reminiscent of a Hollywood feature rather than a documentary, a British film crew have happened upon a stranded fisherman off Australia's north coast.</p> <p>Jeremy Wade and his crew were exploring Barranyi North Island, about 750 kilometres from Darwin, when they spotted a bright-blue eskie floating in the water.</p> <p>The crew headed towards the eskie, only to see a man emerge from a cave.</p> <p>The man, a roofer from the Northern Territory known only as Tremine, had lost track of his boat when he went out to dig for oyster and quickly became disoriented by the high temperatures. Severely dehydrated and too weak to look for fresh water or food, Tremine was approximately 100 kilometres from the nearest township.</p> <p>Mr Wade said, “With every hour that passed his chances of survival diminished. One more day on the beach and he would have died.”</p> <p>What a lucky escape. And we’re sure it’ll make for a gripping episode!</p> <p><em>Video credit: Facebook / River Monsters </em></p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/12/life-lessons-from-grandparents/"><em>Top 10 life lessons kids learn from grandparents</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/10/quotes-about-siblings/"><em>9 heart-warming quotes about siblings</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/09/kids-addicted-to-technology/">How kids have fun today is alarmingly different to the good old days</a></em></strong></span></p>

News

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Fisherman catch wombat while out fishing

<p>Two fisherman have captured the moment they saved a wombat struggling in a Tasmanian lake.</p> <p>Craig Wilson and stepfather Bob Wilton were out fishing on Woods Lake in central-northern Tasmania when they saw an animal flailing about 250 metres offshore. They first believed it to be a platypus but upon a closer look discovered it was a floundering wombat.</p> <p>“The wombat was trying to stay afloat above the water … he was definitely struggling,” Mr Wilson told The Advocate.</p> <p>The two men tried fishing the wombat out of the water with their net, but the wombat kept resisting their efforts to climb out. The pair were able to eventually pull the wombat abroad.</p> <p>Mr Wilson said he believes that if they had no saved the wombat, he would most like have died. He was showing signs of being “pretty worn out”.</p> <p>“If we weren't there in the lake he would have drowned for sure, the way the wind was blowing,” he said.</p> <p>“Once we got to shore, we got him out of the boat and let him go, he just went on his merry way and strolled back into the bush.”</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/lifestyle/pets/2015/09/why-do-cats-stare/"></a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/cats-are-like-psychopaths-gallery/"><strong>11 ways cats are like “psychopaths”</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/interspecies-animal-friendships/"><strong>15 unlikely friendships that will melt your heart</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/puppy-and-cat-adorable-showdown/"><strong>Puppy and cat in adorable dog bed showdown</strong></a></em></span></p>

News

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From beginner to pro-fisher in a tackle box

<p>They say a man is only as good as his tools, well the same goes for fishing. Prior to heading out for a day of casting the line, you need to ensure your tackle box is well stocked – this could mean the difference between looking like an amateur or, staying on par with the professionals. The contents may also change depending on the type of fish you’re angling to catch. But every fishing tackle box should have a few basic items. The following are the 11 things that every man’s tackle box should contain:</p><p><strong>1. Extra line</strong><br>Now every fisherman hopes he runs out of line because he gets a bite from a legendary monster fish, but either way it’s almost guaranteed that your fishing line will break or get tangled up during a fishing trip. Thus, it’s always good to have some extra line in your tackle box.</p><p><strong>2. Spare hooks</strong><br>When you’re out on the water you need to be prepared for anything, so stock your tackle box with a variety of hooks that will work for any sort of fish. Popular types of hooks include traditional J-hooks or French hooks, but no matter what type of hook you carry, make sure you have them in different sizes.</p><p><strong>3. Bobbers</strong><br>Also known as floaters, bobbers will help you to know when you’re getting a bite from a fish. When you have some action the bobber will sink and you know you’re ready to reel in your catch. There are a few options when it comes to choosing bobbers, and although most people are familiar with the round red and white plastic ones as you just have to clip them to the line, these limit how deep you cast a line. Slip bobbers let you get around this. Although they take a little more time to rig, the effort is worthwhile as you get to hook deeper into the water.</p><p><strong>4. Sinkers</strong><br>In addition to a hook and worm, you may need to attach a sinker otherwise your line will be too light and won't sink very deep. Traditionally made of lead, other options for sinker materials are brass, tungsten, steel, and bismuth.</p><p><strong>5. Plastic worms</strong><br>If you’re not really into the idea of live bait, plastic worms are great. Available in a variety of colours and sizes, worms with the long tails are probably the easiest to use.</p><p><strong>6. A couple of lures</strong><br>While a hook and worm should be enough, if you want to step out of the beginner fisherman category, you might want to bust out some more complex lures in order to up the ante. From spinner and spoons to minnow imitations and top water types, there are hundreds of types of lures to choose from. Each type is designed to work in a specific way, so selecting what you go for usually comes down to personal preference. Experiment and find out what works for you.</p><p><strong>7. Needle nose pliers</strong><br>As well as needing tools to catch fish, you’ll need a few supplies to help once you’ve caught something. Needle nose pliers are helpful to have in your tackle box to take the hooks out of fish.</p><p><strong>8. A small first aid kit</strong><br>Sounds silly, but you should always be prepared for little accidents. Small injuries, like getting a hook caught on your thumb or falling over and scraping yourself, are likely to happen. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but a small first aid kit with some band-aids, antibacterial cream, a few small bandages, and some waterproof medical tape.</p><p><strong>9. Sunscreen</strong><br>Whenever you’re out in the sun you need to be wearing sunscreen. So it makes sense that when you’re out all day that you have a supply with you. To keep protect you throughout the day, you will need to reapply a few times.</p><p><strong>10. Line cutters (nail clippers or knife)</strong><br>Sometimes you’ll get a snag that you can’t get out of and your only option is to cut the line.</p><p><strong>11. Cigarette lighter</strong><br>Not a common things found in a tackle box, a myriad of professional fishermen carry cigarette lighters because they can be used to melt the end of nylon lines to stop them from fraying.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Domestic Travel

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The best fishing spots in Australia

<p>Whether you’re a beginner or pro-fisher, setting out for the day with your tackle box and line and making a success of the fishing expedition can often depend on where you plan to go. Not only can fishing be a relaxing and rewarding experience, it is a great way to see the beauty of this amazing country of ours. For the ultimate fishing adventure pack your gear and head to one of these not-to-missed spots.</p><p><strong>South West Rocks, NSW</strong><br> This quaint fishing village in New South Wales is only about 450km north of Sydney. The South West Rocks is the perfect place to throw a line in because while some fishing spots are bustling with holiday-goers or the weekend crowd, here it remains untouched and largely undiscovered by tourists.<br> <br> <strong>Gippsland, Vic</strong><br> Complete with coastal lakes, rivers, estuaries and the breathtaking Ninety Mile Beach, this spot offers year-round fishing. You can expect to find Australian salmon, bream, garfish, snapper and trevally.<br> <br> <strong>Kimberley Coast, WA</strong><br> This isolated coast is known as one of the country's last fishing frontiers. As well as being a beautiful area, it is known for its barramundi, red emperor, sailfish, queenfish and trevally all in impressive sizes.<br> <br> <strong>Gove Peninsula, NT</strong><br> From the remote location to the pristine waters and even the endless horizons, the fishing in these parts in nothing short of legendary. Plus, the size and quality of the fish combine to make it an unforgettable experience. What are you waiting for?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Domestic Travel

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Fisherman accidentally reels in a crocodile with his salmon

<p>Picture this: You’re out for a relaxing day on the water when you get a bite. As you reel your catch in you notice it’s a nice big salmon. Pleased with yourself you continue to reel in your catch and then notice there’s something a little, well, fishy going on. Pardon the pun. It’s not just a salmon – THERE’S A CROCODILE ATTACHED TOO!&nbsp;</p><p>This is what happened to 40-year-old fisherman, Ben Stack, who managed to take some incredible pictures of the moment he accidentally pulled in a crocodile that was taking a bite out of a salmon he had hooked.</p><p>He has warned other Far North Queensland fishermen to be wary while out on the water after he came face-to-face with the salt-water crocodile on a recent trip.&nbsp;</p><p>Mr Stack was fishing in a small creek in Cape York when the Threadfin salmon he had just caught suddenly felt like a “heavy dead weight”.&nbsp;</p><p>Mr Stack thought the fish was stuck under a log, so he leaned over the side of the boat and started pulling in the line.&nbsp;</p><p>“I was hanging right over the side of the boat because I was trying to look in the dirty water to see what the fish was caught on,” he said.</p><p>Describing the close call,&nbsp;Mr Stack said what happened over the next few seconds “felt like a lifetime”.&nbsp;</p><p>“First, I saw a bit of silver, then I saw my lure with the fish’s mouth wide open,” he said.</p><p>“I lifted the leader some more and leaned over further to see what the fish was hooked up on. It was at this moment, I realised I was staring eye to eye with a solid salt-water crocodile.</p><p>“We were face-to-face and no more than 20 inches (51cm) apart. Fright kicked in, I released the leader and flew backwards into the boat.”</p><p><strong>Related links:&nbsp;</strong></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/news/news/2015/03/14-foot-stingray/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Is the 14-foot stingray the largest freshwater fish ever caught?</strong></em></a></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/news/news/2015/03/penguin-the-magpie/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Meet “Penguin” the magpie who thinks he’s human</strong></em></a></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/news/news/2015/03/koala-wrestling-match/" target="_blank"><em><strong>Koalas caught in a sumo-wrestling match</strong></em></a></span></p>

News

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Stingray comes on land and steals fisherman’s salmon

<p>While stingrays normally feed off small fish, snails, clams and prawns, one stingray emerged from the water to steal and devour a whole salmon.</p><p>The stingray is no stranger to the locals in Northern Territory’s Anson Bay. They’ve named him Raymond and we’re guessing affectionately nickname him “Ray” as well.</p><p>The footage captured by Helifish saw Raymond surface from the murky water and slide on the sand where a blue salmon lay.</p><p>Helfish posted the video on their Facebook page with the explanation: “Our guide Ben had a salmon that got caught and didn't survive the release. So when our resident friend Raymond showed up he gave him a little treat....amazing creatures.”</p><p><iframe width="500" height="281" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IEnJyyo0Djk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p><em>Credit: Helifish Facebook&nbsp;</em></p><p><strong>Related links:</strong></p><p><a href="/news/news/2015/03/man-finds-snake-in-cereal-box/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Man finds 2 metre python in his Corn Flakes box</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="/news/news/2015/03/fox-fire-control-centre-in-narrabri/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Fox caught sneaking around Fire Control Centre in Narrabri</strong></em></span></a></p><p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2015/03/kangaroo-sneezing-fit/">Video: Bless roo! Little Kangaroo has a sneezing fit</a></strong></em></span></p>

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Video: A mammoth crocodile steals a fish off the line of shocked fisherman

<p>A group of fisherman in Townsville, Queensland thought they had landed a massive catch but were given a nasty shock when a mammoth crocodile stole their fish off the end of the line.</p><p>The men were reeling in a barramundi when something massive hooked on.</p><p>The fisherman were thrilled with one saying off camera: “Here’s a good fish, mate.”</p><p>Sean Evans, who filmed the catch, asked: “Did you get it yet, Dad?”</p><p>But then the croc made its grand entrance. With one swift swipe the prehistoric creature had stolen the catch from the fisherman. The video ends with the crocodile swimming away, no doubt to eat its dinner in peace.&nbsp;</p><p><iframe width="500" height="281" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ZX8Y1rxq0KE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p><strong>Related links:&nbsp;</strong></p><p><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/news/news/2015/02/burmese-locals-rescue-baby-dolphin/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Video: Burmese locals rescue baby dolphin stranded on beach</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/news/news/2015/02/koala-driving-car/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Schoolboy finds a koala trying to drive a car</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="http://oversixty.com.au/news/news/2015/02/orcas-rubbing-stones/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Amazing footage of orcas rubbing their bellies on stones in shallow water</strong></em></span></a></p>

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The best fishing spots in Australia

<p>Whether you’re a beginner or pro-fisher, setting out for the day with your tackle box and line and making a success of the fishing expedition can often depend on where you plan to go. Not only can fishing be a relaxing and rewarding experience, it is a great way to see the beauty of this amazing country of ours. For the ultimate fishing adventure pack your gear and head to one of these not-to-missed spots.</p><p><strong>South West Rocks, NSW</strong><br> This quaint fishing village in New South Wales is only about 450km north of Sydney. The South West Rocks is the perfect place to throw a line in because while some fishing spots are bustling with holiday-goers or the weekend crowd, here it remains untouched and largely undiscovered by tourists.<br> <br> <strong>Gippsland, Vic</strong><br> Complete with coastal lakes, rivers, estuaries and the breathtaking Ninety Mile Beach, this spot offers year-round fishing. You can expect to find Australian salmon, bream, garfish, snapper and trevally.<br> <br> <strong>Kimberley Coast, WA</strong><br> This isolated coast is known as one of the country's last fishing frontiers. As well as being a beautiful area, it is known for its barramundi, red emperor, sailfish, queenfish and trevally all in impressive sizes.<br> <br> <strong>Gove Peninsula, NT</strong><br> From the remote location to the pristine waters and even the endless horizons, the fishing in these parts in nothing short of legendary. Plus, the size and quality of the fish combine to make it an unforgettable experience. What are you waiting for?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

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From beginner to pro-fisher in a tackle box

<p>They say a man is only as good as his tools, well the same goes for fishing. Prior to heading out for a day of casting the line, you need to ensure your tackle box is well stocked – this could mean the difference between looking like an amateur or, staying on par with the professionals. The contents may also change depending on the type of fish you’re angling to catch. But every fishing tackle box should have a few basic items. The following are the 11 things that every man’s tackle box should contain:</p><p><strong>1. Extra line</strong><br>Now every fisherman hopes he runs out of line because he gets a bite from a legendary monster fish, but either way it’s almost guaranteed that your fishing line will break or get tangled up during a fishing trip. Thus, it’s always good to have some extra line in your tackle box.</p><p><strong>2. Spare hooks</strong><br>When you’re out on the water you need to be prepared for anything, so stock your tackle box with a variety of hooks that will work for any sort of fish. Popular types of hooks include traditional J-hooks or French hooks, but no matter what type of hook you carry, make sure you have them in different sizes.</p><p><strong>3. Bobbers</strong><br>Also known as floaters, bobbers will help you to know when you’re getting a bite from a fish. When you have some action the bobber will sink and you know you’re ready to reel in your catch. There are a few options when it comes to choosing bobbers, and although most people are familiar with the round red and white plastic ones as you just have to clip them to the line, these limit how deep you cast a line. Slip bobbers let you get around this. Although they take a little more time to rig, the effort is worthwhile as you get to hook deeper into the water.</p><p><strong>4. Sinkers</strong><br>In addition to a hook and worm, you may need to attach a sinker otherwise your line will be too light and won't sink very deep. Traditionally made of lead, other options for sinker materials are brass, tungsten, steel, and bismuth.</p><p><strong>5. Plastic worms</strong><br>If you’re not really into the idea of live bait, plastic worms are great. Available in a variety of colours and sizes, worms with the long tails are probably the easiest to use.</p><p><strong>6. A couple of lures</strong><br>While a hook and worm should be enough, if you want to step out of the beginner fisherman category, you might want to bust out some more complex lures in order to up the ante. From spinner and spoons to minnow imitations and top water types, there are hundreds of types of lures to choose from. Each type is designed to work in a specific way, so selecting what you go for usually comes down to personal preference. Experiment and find out what works for you.</p><p><strong>7. Needle nose pliers</strong><br>As well as needing tools to catch fish, you’ll need a few supplies to help once you’ve caught something. Needle nose pliers are helpful to have in your tackle box to take the hooks out of fish.</p><p><strong>8. A small first aid kit</strong><br>Sounds silly, but you should always be prepared for little accidents. Small injuries, like getting a hook caught on your thumb or falling over and scraping yourself, are likely to happen. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but a small first aid kit with some band-aids, antibacterial cream, a few small bandages, and some waterproof medical tape.</p><p><strong>9. Sunscreen</strong><br>Whenever you’re out in the sun you need to be wearing sunscreen. So it makes sense that when you’re out all day that you have a supply with you. To keep protect you throughout the day, you will need to reapply a few times.</p><p><strong>10. Line cutters (nail clippers or knife)</strong><br>Sometimes you’ll get a snag that you can’t get out of and your only option is to cut the line.</p><p><strong>11. Cigarette lighter</strong><br>Not a common things found in a tackle box, a myriad of professional fishermen carry cigarette lighters because they can be used to melt the end of nylon lines to stop them from fraying.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

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