Committee changes and competition scores . . . . . . . . . . by Mick Clutterbuck

Above: Helaine Wilesmith and a decent grass sweetlip.

Committee changes and competition scores

SEPTEMBER saw the swearing in of the new Power Boat Anglers committee, with Darren Blackburn taking on the role of Commodore, ably supported by Dale McClurg in the role of Vice Commodore.

Tim Tilbury has accepted the role of Club Secretary and Graham Bell loved last year so much that he’ll have another round as Treasurer.

Supporting the team will be the committee of Jeff Sorrell, Brendon Tait and Dave Alexander.

Congratulations to the new team and many thanks to the outgoing members who can now join the fun at the front of the big table and heckle their hearts out.

It would be remiss of me to not give special thanks to the outgoing Commodore and Vice Commodore, Rob Schomberg and Helaine Wilesmith.

Brad’s heaviest snapper win.

Rob held the position of Commodore for about 17 years – probably 15 years longer than he had initially anticipated, and 16 and a half years longer than his wife had hoped.

During all but the last year of his time in the role, he was supported by Secretary Daryl Burgess, who himself stepped down last year after 22 years in his position.

Alongside Rob for many years too was Vice Commodore Helaine Wilesmith, who Rob said was a tremendous support and kept him going.

In their time leading the club, we’ve seen the introduction of family fishing days, beach competitions, numerous rule changes to get us out fishing more often and, possibly my absolute favourite, Rob’s innovative ways of winning prizes at the annual trophy night – in particular the magnet fishing, though it did need a bit of work at the start.

Anyway, we all owe big thanks to not only these individuals but also to their long-suffering families, who allowed them to come out to play – thank you all.

Rob Schomberg scored a solid snapper.

Rainbow Beach Interclub Shield

September saw some of our members compete in the Rainbow Beach Interclub Shield Invitational, run by the Rainbow Beach Amateur Anglers club.

The competition is a team’s event with points being awarded across three size brackets per species in a 3, 2, 1 distribution, with a maximum of five points going towards the team total per species and the highest combined total winning.

Conditions were brilliant and with the wind under 10 knots and fish on the chew, most were left pinching themselves because that combination doesn’t usually happen.

Competition was fierce all weekend and one of the highlights was the discovery of a new mark – ‘3 dogs’ – which held a bounty of good-sized snapper.

Team PBA came a very respectable third place at the Rainbow Beach Interclub Shield Invitational.

It seemed to be a bit of a magnet, as the PBA boats hung round the show for most of the day, landing good snapper, tuskfish and grass sweetlip.

A few of the team mentioned that, if nothing else, it was worth the effort to attend just to find some new marks and fish a new area.

In the wash up, the PBA club came a very respectable third place.

A great effort given they only fielded seven members, while the scoring system allowed for the best 10 scores being added together to give your club score – so, not a bad effort being three scores down.

Next year, we’ll get a bit more organised, as you can fish offshore or inshore, with whiting, flathead and bream all counting towards the scores.

In the wrap up, Brad brought home the heaviest snapper trophy along with $50 and Dave, who actually landed the biggest snapper at 81cm, won a Wilson Live Fibre fishing rod for his efforts.

Many thanks to the Rainbow Beach Amateur Anglers club, who put on an excellent weekend starting with nibbles and drinks on the Friday night briefing, then again on the Sunday for the presentation and weigh-in.

Dave with his Wilson Live Fibre prize.

A band was there on Sunday afternoon, along with a sausage sizzle and beverages for everyone to enjoy.

Redland Bay Amateur Fishing Club won the weekend and the $1000 prize again this year.

Other clubs that participated were the Virginia Nundah Fishing Club who came second and the Landsborough Fishing Club who came fourth.

All in all, it was a great weekend away and we’re very keen to do it again next year.

Meetings

Please note that the meetings occur on the first Wednesday of every month at ‘The Club Manly’ bowls club, 26 Faine St, Manly from 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Upcoming meetings are Wednesday November 2, then Wednesday December 7.

Note, the first meeting for 2023 will be Wednesday February 1.

Until next month, safe boating.