Family Bassin is a lure only catch and release tournament that promotes kids and families getting together to fish.

The fish on the weekend were mainly caught using Jackal Charablades, surface lures and curly tailed gulps.

The majority of fish were caught using Gulps, with black the preferred colours from between 40 and 60 foot of water.

Session one was a Saturday afternoon fish and was won by Belinda and David Hedges from Singleton with four bass weighing 4.8kg.

Session two was Sunday morning.

A cool change came through and the fish shut down. It was won by Brad and Warren Gardiner and Neil Hodges with four fish weighing 3.8kg.

Local father and son team Jared and Justin Kermond had a solid competition, catching three fish in each session. Jared was fishing the weed edges with Jackal Charablades.

Fishing in deep water between 30 and 60 foot involves slow rolling a curly tailed gulp on a ¼ ounce jighead.

The trick is to fish very slow. If you think you are going to slow, slow down some more.

A sensitive rod with a soft tip is needed as the bites can be very faint.

When bringing fish up from the depths if the fish are going to be released they need to be needled (venting) to adjust air pressure.

One of these fish that had been caught in deep water was put in the tank at Aberdeen Fishing and Outdoors. The fish is fine.

Venting does work and fish can be needled after being bought up from the deep. If you don’t know how to do this, drop in and ask at the shop.

The next Family Bassin round is this weekend (March 25 and 26) at Lake St Clair. Family Bassin is a great way to meet new people and learn new fishing techniques.