Peter,
Looking at the image, it's Cudgen Creek at Kingscliff in N/NSW.
That fella looks like he's standing on the south wall, where a good cast will see a jig or popper hit the inside edge of Kingscliff Reef.
Been there enough years ago to know the spot.
And YES, big G's (bigger than this) live around there..AKA Fido's, 9 Mile...et al..
Ditto for the 'times have changed'...a magazine (unless its a kill/grill one) would NEVER publish a bloodied up fish like that.
We all know they can do it if hooked in the gills, though PETA and other extreme groups live for this stuff as a campaign against our sport being cruel and inhumane. This bloke is livin in the late 70's!!!
Aaron.