Fishing Tips With The Whisperer
When fishing from a boat it is always important to place the rod carefully in the rod holder. Do not attempt to put the rod slightly to the outside of the boat, especially when you have just wound 150 metres of new braid onto the reel. If the rod holder is missed in this manner the rod and reel will disappear very quickly into the ocean.
P.S. Anyone diving approximately one kilometre off Avalon Beach who finds a rod & reel combination with a full spool of new red braid please inform the Whisperer care of Avalon Beach RSL.
Rule Changes from NSW Fisheries
There have been numerous rule changes from NSW Fisheries which our Club needs to abide by:
· Flounder size limit increased from 23cm to 25cm
· Groper size limit increased from 25cm to 30cm plus one fish only over 60cm
· Kingfish – Yellowtail size limit increased from 60cm to 65cm
· Mackeral Spotted size limit increased from 30cm to 60cm and a 5 fish bag limit introduced
· Mackeral Spanish size limit increased from 30cm to 60cm and a 5 fish bag limit introduced
· Marlin all species bag limit reduced from 2 to 1 of each
· Morwong (Grey / Rubberlip) size limit increased from 28cm to 30cm
· Pearl Perch bag limit reduced from 10 to 5
· Red Rock Cod bag limit reduced from 10 to 5
· Sailfish bag limit of 1 introduced
· Samson Fish and Amberjack bag limit of 5 in total
· Saltwater Pink Nippers bag limit of 100 introduced
· Squid and Cuttlefish bag limit of 20
Message From The President
It’s been a busy past few months. We hosted the Three Way Fishing Comp back in September. The tournament was won by Narrabeen, we were 2nd and Newport Arms came in 3rd. Congratulations to the following Club members who won awards:
· Richard Timbs won the Open and the Deep Sea divisions.
· In the Estuary Division, Michael Campbell came 1st and Andrew Wiseman 2nd.
· In the Ladies Division, Kylie Elliott came 2nd & Danielle Kinsey 3rd.
· Sikaflex II won the Estuary boat division.
I would like to thank the committee for all their hard work in putting everything together for the event, and also a big thank you to Narrabeen Bait and Tackle and Tradelink for donating many prizes for the raffles.
James Lloyd has been doing a marvellous job as Publicity Officer, writing reports after each monthly weigh-in (as you can see from the previous two pages) and regularly updating our website. We only send out written reports a few times a year, but the monthly reports can be found on the website, or you can give your email address to James and he will send the reports to you.
The meat raffles continue to be held on the first Friday night of each month, and I want to thank Bob White and Steve Pollock for doing these on a monthly basis and rasing money for our Club. If anyone can help out one Friday evening, please let Bob know.
All the best for a great Christmas and New Year. Daniel Elliott
October Report
What a great month of fishing we have had since the last report. The Luderick Cup, which at the time of going to print is yet unclaimed, saw 25.5kg of quality fish meat weighed-in, which was followed by the Nelsons Bay Competition which was a fantastic weekend. The competition was unfortunately marred by the death of a competitor from the Riverstone club whose boat was thrown onto the rocks at ‘The Looking Glass’ off Broughton Island and subsequently drowned. Our sincere condolences go out to the family, friends and club members of the deceased. A timely moment to remind all of the Avalon Beach RSL Fishing Club members about boat and rock safety; it is in our best interest that we return home after a fishing trip.
The October competition saw the elusive Luderick Cup stay safe with the beautiful glassware being dropped and shattered all over the Bangalley foreshore rocks when the authors ‘carpet layers back’ refused to allow him to get the net under a well hooked blackfish, over and over again until the fish finally took its freedom and swam away. The weigh-in saw 25.5kg of quality fish meat weighed-in. In the Juniors, Thomas Kerr has put some space between closest contenders Matt Squire and Emma Moses. In the Ladies division the contest is hotting up with Kylie Elliott maintaining a lead from Danielle Kinsey, Margaret Whiteman, Emma Moses, Jenny Harris and Michelle Kerr. Mick Campbell holds the lead in the Estuary division followed by Chris Stokes and Al Yendle. Richard Timbs is still solid in the Deep Sea division with Andrew Wiseman in second and Hing Han close behind. The Open competition is lead by Richard Timbs. Andrew Wiseman is second and Mick Campbell is third.
The controversy surrounding the competition front runners did not abate this month. After heated discussions concerning boat communication systems, last years champion Richard Timbs found himself outside alone and overboard after his boat was rocked by a large swell. Bridesmaid Andrew Wiseman allegedly was heard to quip ‘pity the engine wasn’t running’. Steve ‘Squid Lips’ Pollock was sporting an unusual welt mark from his chin to his forehead hairline as he attended his BBQ duties at Sunday afternoon’s weigh-in. After playing a large manta-ray for a few hours and finally bringing it to the side of the boat, his rod bent over double, the ray got a look at Steve and promptly spat the hook. The rod gave Steve’s face a severe caning. ‘It was like being hit by a broom handle’ he told me which left me wondering how he knew what that was like.
Tim Jackett was also sporting an injury after he fell on the rocks fishing for groper. He was teaching Mick Campbell the finer points of groper fishing when he fell. Tim’s generosity with his knowledge was rewarded when Mick weighed-in a nice fish. A rumour has been circulating around the clubrooms concerning Al Yendle considering imposing a $5 mooring fee to any boat that ties up and fishes the productive ‘Tooheys Reef’ after several club members again weighed-in fish taken there. Avalon Beach RSL Fishing Club was proudly represented by 20 of our fishermen at the Nelsons Bay Fishing Tournament. A salubrious weekend was enjoyed by all with some good catches being recorded. Unfortunately no fishing prizes were won by our club members but Paul Sinclair was the first drawn in the giant raffle and he chose the large esky which the Flying Ant may have trouble floating. Other raffle winners were Bob White and myself who both scored rod and reel combinations. This was a great weekend spent in the magnificent locality that is Nelsons Bay. The hospitality from the Nelsons Bay RSL Fishing Club was superb.
Some questions to ponder concerning the weekend:
- Who was into their 4th beer at 12:09 Friday morning?
- Who got lost returning to their accommodation on Saturday night and wandered the streets aimlessly all night?
- Who forgot the GPS and returned from outside to gather it only to realise once they arrived back at the reef that they had also forgotten the rods?
- Who had their first of a days worth of up and unders on the ramp at 4am on Saturday before the boat had entered the water?
As usual, the end of year Christmas Party will be held in conjunction with the last weigh-in of the year on Sunday 23rd December. There will be seafood for all members. Please inform Chris Elliott or Bob White if non-member family members are coming so we can cater for them.
Mark from Narrabeen Bait & Tackle has started a draw for all club members who make a purchase during each month. You will be given a ticket with your first monthly purchase (one ticket per member per month) which will go into a draw with the chance to win prizes from Wilson and Ugly Stick. Tell the guys at the store you are Avalon Beach RSL Fishing Club members and keep supporting our major sponsors. Don’t forget to log into the website and leave some comments. The website address is: http://avalonrslfishingclub.com.au/
We have been allocated more space at the RSL Club for our weigh-ins. We will now be able to use all the deck area allowing the smokers area to be used by those that do. It has been noted that some missed out on food at the last BBQ. Please enjoy a sandwich and then wait until everyone has eaten before returning for seconds. The BBQ cooks are right onto it so just be patient and let everyone have a fair go. We have also increased our catering order as we continue to gain more Club members. The BBQ at each weigh-in will now start at 2pm, so people can eat prior to the weigh-in starting at 2.30pm.
On behalf of the committee I would like to thank everyone for being active in the fishing club, for all those that have helped out at the various functions and making the club such a vibrant one.
Enjoy the festive season.
James.
This report was brought to you by Travelcalm.
One Sleep To Go
Good luck to all intrepid adventurers heading up to Port Stephens in the morning.
Welcome Roving Reporter
Please welcome to the site our newly appointed roving reporter, Paul Sinclair. Paul is no stranger to the writing game serving as senior staff writer on the now defunct hunting rag, Pleasurekill.
Paul in the ‘Flying Ant’
Xmas Santa
News just to hand is that Jason Brown has been offered a $10 beer voucher to play Santa at the December 23rd Xmas Party weigh-in.
Mark Boyle & Paul Sinclair are on a short list to play the elf.
Roving Report by Paul Sinclair (Adults Only)
As you know James it is important as a team (regarding nelsons bay) we follow the strict rules set by the marine park authorities. Fishing in restricted zones may prove not only monetarily taxing but also a discredit to the team and it’s organisational skills. As well there are other burdens that may befall an ignorant fisher-person gripped with the desire to catch the illusive prize.