C ASTfrom the past Live baiting and trolling for pelagics * from P26
hook missing its mark and wasting an opportunity on a possible trophy fish. When trolling, I have been running a combination of lures and skipping garfish, with some really good results on both billfish and other species such as the ones mentioned above. I have been running skipping gar right behind the teasers and then a third gar on the short outrigger. Other positions in the spread have been dominated by lures such as Pakula Original Hot-
heads, Black Bart El Squid Jr and Sn, and the Black Bart Pelagic Breakfast. The best colours for me lately were Yellowfin, gold/black, luminescent and the Blue Mackerel pattern. When things go quiet, I’ll often make changes to the spread of lures to try to encourage a strike, and I’m constantly amazed how often this technique works. This season alone, I’ve had so many lines ripped out of my hands when trying to band them to put onto the
outrigger poles or tie them down as flat lines. My best advice is to do this when things get slow, or simply adjust and put some live bait in the water to chase up a bit more action. We have only a couple more months of pelagic action left for the season, so now is a great time to master a few new techniques and have them in the arsenal for later in the year. I hope to see you out on the water before the sensational run of game fish comes to an end. Good fishing to everyone.
The author’s 550lb blue marlin caught on Big Business.
Sign up now for events at Redland Bay Amateur Fishing Club
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INCE the early 1980s, the Redland Bay Amateur Fishing Club has catered for members of all ages with an interest in fishing. The club has a full itinerary of scheduled events throughout the year, running three 4WD camping fishing trips during the year – two on North Stradbroke Island and one to K’gari. We encourage a family spirit and an atmosphere of friendship and fun at all our outings. In addition, RBAFC is pleased to announce that the RBAFC Sports Fishing Competition is continuing for 2024. The rules have been tweaked a little to make this competition more widespread and availa-
www.bnbfishing.com.au
ble to be fished around Australia in the people’s choice category. With this members’ competition, we will have four winners per month – two species, member’s choice senior and a member’s choice junior. This can be accomplished by capturing an image of the particular species on any brag mat, including a designated codeword, and submitting it either by emailing to sports fishing@rbafc.org or via the app upload feature. Photos will be shared on the Redland Bay Amateur Fishing Club Facebook page. As codes get released each month, they will be emailed to members, and available on
the RBAFC website, Facebook page and via the app. Prizes are awarded on the longest fish caught in each category. This competition is for the angler who loves to catch the big ones but also gets gratification from seeing them swim away. This is not to say that you can’t take home a feed, as there is nothing better than fresh fish, though you don’t have to kill some species, yet are able to still take home awesome prizes. The member’s choice category will be for every other species other than the ‘species of the month’. Again, this will be a photographed fish on a brag mat with the codeword of the month.
All the entries will be looked at and the best seven catches presented to the members at the general meeting, where the winner will be decided. Please read the rules carefully and if you have any questions, email us at sportsfish ing@rbafc.org or phone Matt on 0415 149 350. Renewing member-
ship fees for 2024 are: • Family (including partner) or Single $80 • Pensioners $40. • Juniors 16 years and under at sign-on – February 4, 2024 – are free. Sign on is available all year, however the membership years starts on February 4. For more information www.rbafc.org
RBAFC runs events throughout the year. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, March 2024 – Page 27
