In this episode, we return to Lake Macquarie for Hobie Kayak Round 4, held on 24–25 May 2025 — an event shaped by major flooding across the region in the lead-up. With the system running high, dirty, and cold, anglers were forced to adapt quickly, reading the salt wedge, adjusting lure weights, and finding cleaner water zones to stay in the game.

Andrew kicks things off by breaking down the fish activity wheel, tide times, and key bite periods for both days. He also reflects on his own weekend — including the rare decision not to fish on Day 2 — and how misreading the system initially shaped his approach.

From there, we dive into three full-length podium interviews packed with tactical gold:

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  🥉 Jared Hickman (4.01 kg total) — makes his first podium with a shallow crankbait bite on a wind-blown rock wall, using a Pro Lure F36 in matt black and carefully working rough water with 5 lb leaders and 0.6 PE braid.

  
  


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  🥈 Joseph Gardner (4.09 kg) — travelling from WA, Joseph adapts brilliantly to the salt wedge line, targeting fish in 2–3.5 m over reef edges with Bait Junkie Wave Minnows and grubs. His detailed insight into tracking the salt/fresh boundary is a masterclass in reading post-flood systems.

  
  


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  🥇 Greg Crebert (4.84 kg) — the local angler dominates Day 1 with a 2.73 kg bag on a Jackall Chubby Vibe fished deep in rough, dirty water. He locks into a handful of quality bites over a 50 m stretch, then switches gears on Day 2 to work Clone Prawns and Hurricane Fats along the drained edges to secure the win.

  
  

This episode is loaded with tactical takeaways on cranking rock walls, deep-vibe presentations, salt wedge positioning, and adjusting to post-flood systems. Whether you fish Lake Macquarie regularly or just want to sharpen your tournament skills, this is a must-listen recap.