Safety must always come first

This time last year we were predicting that Moreton Bay would be producing some cracker fish. Well… we were right!

With some great boating weather being probable over the next few months, get everything ready now and not later. Check your trailer, get your motor serviced and, most importantly, check your safety kit.

‘Professional’ anglers Jase and Bailey. Jace endured the workout of a lifetime bringing a cracker giant trevally to the boat. The GT was safely returned after a few well-deserved photos for the brag board.

Flares run out of date and life jackets can rot or even make a nice nest for rats and mice.

Nothing is worse than getting out there and filling the Esky only to be pulled up and have someone empty your wallet.

Twenty minutes spent going through everything will save not only money but potentially your life, a friend’s life or that of a family member.

So, a bit of a heads up:

• Out of date flares or no flares carries a fine of $287

• No life vest, unserviceable or unsuitable is $287

• Not having your 360 light on while underway or at anchor after dark is $287.

Keep the 'service history' filled out on inflatable life jackets.

I spoke with the Queensland Water Police and asked what the two most common offences were.

Their response:

• Not having the ‘service history’ filled out on the inflatable life jacket

• Not having your 360 light on, as previously mentioned.

To fill out the service history, disconnect your gas cylinder, use an accurate set of scales and compare the weight to the required weight stamped on the cylinder. If it does not match, replace the cylinder.

Most tackle shops carry replacements or can get them for you. Use a permanent marker to record the weight and date you checked it on the inside of the flap, where the gas cylinder is.

Two minutes saves $287.

If you need further information or if you want to check a requirement you are not up to speed on, give your local water police a call.

Harvey showed the author how it’s done with a cracker bream catch.

My call took under a minute, and it might hopefully save a life.

One thing that is regularly overlooked is a well-stocked first aid kit.

You can pick them up ready to go from a vast range of outlets, in various sizes and formats, and some are very reasonably priced.

Make sure that the perishable items are in date.

A couple of boaties I know actually carry a range of cable ties – these are great for a quick fix to get you home and can also be a critical piece of first aid equipment – as an example, for securing a bandage quickly to prevent blood loss if you lose a digit to a shark or one of the other countless species that can remove fingers or toes.

We saw the early arrival of tailor in the Brisbane River and some out in the bay, with longtail tuna in good numbers and above average sizes too.

Plenty of mack tuna were caught, though a larger number were lost as fishos were not expecting the razor gang!

The author with a nice little mackerel.

A few weeks ago, I decided to grab a pack of white bait, turn off the phone and hit the Shorncliffe Pier – such a great way to clear the head and take stock of what matters.

I even made a new fishing buddy – Harvey. Such a cool dude, and he can fish too!

We had a few in-depth conversations between losing bait and hooking fish.

Harvey even came to my rescue to help hook and pull a cracker bream up for me. Thanks Harvey – I would have been lost without your help.

Harvey went on to show me how it was done with a cracker bream catch of his own.

I enjoyed chilling for a few hours with a group of customers.

I even managed a bag full of bream – a few legal ones too – a nice little mackerel, a tarwhine and a decent 1m bronze whaler – all safely returned.

Shaz was ecstatic with her first ever fish – a nice bream, backed up with a moses perch.

I met Shaz out there too – she was ecstatic to say the least when we witnessed the catching of her first ever fish – a nice bream, backed up with a moses perch.

Shaz also pulled up a decent stonefish, to which everyone yelled “Don’t touch it!”

Great to see fishos looking after those starting out!

I found a bit of serenity with the mobile phone turned off, and enjoyed the beautiful weather, plus made a new friend who looked after me –thank you Harvey!

If you’re out trolling around Moreton Bay or dropping a few livies and you get smashed by something travelling at warp six or your gear disappears or you witness a mini ballistic missile launching near you… it could be a wahoo monster.

Andrew managed to land a cracker before it did any real damage to his gear!

Bailey’s snapper was safely returned to the water after some photos.

Well done Andrew –great feed for the family there!

On another trip, Andrew put his gear away and played skipper and deckhand to a couple of professionals who were onboard.

Determined to show them what Moreton Bay could produce, he wasted no time hitting the grounds off Moreton Island.

Before long, Jace endured the workout of a lifetime as a cracker giant trevally refused to get in the boat.

Andrew landed a cracker wahoo before it damaged his gear.

But, as with all professionals, he didn’t let up and won the battle, bringing the beast onboard with the aid of his trusted decky.

The GT was safely returned to the water after a few well-deserved photos for the brag board, as was the snapper his friend Bailey landed!

Top job there – a great day on the water and good memories too.

How often can you say you’ve met two cracking young anglers both named ‘Harvey’?

Well, I had this pleasure.

Harvey loves catching crabs and is so dedicated he checks his pot before and after school.

One fished at Shorncliffe Pier and the other at Cabbage Tree Creek.

Harvey two loves catching crabs and is so dedicated that he checks his pot both before and after school.

Harvey has been doing very well at Cabbage Tree Creek and has taken home a few good meals, including a beautiful estuary cod he caught in the pot.

Harvey’s mum sent in a couple of photos of the mud crabs and one was incredible – it’s of Harvey showing a local trawler his catch at sunrise.

Please check your safety gear, do your maintenance on your trailer and motor, and prepare yourself for what you hope does not happen when out on the water.

Be safe out there, lose lots of lures and make memories.

Maintain the passion!