The meeting kicked off at 7:15pm, slightly later than planned due to technical challenges getting the facility’s audio-visual equipment to work correctly.  Captain, Terry Donohue opened the meeting and gave an overview of the evening’s proceedings. Vice-Captain, Derek Greenough informed the group that the next scheduled offshore “Attack” will be Sunday 27 September; the Tipplers trip has been planned for Nov 21 & 22, 2026, and that this evening is the cut-off for registration for the Rainbow Beach trip (Sept 10-13).

It was very encouraging to see six new (first time) attendees at the meeting, so a warm welcome to Lee, Peter, Rod, Dan, Paul, and Ross.  We hope that you decide to join MBFG and look forward to encouraging and supporting you on your fishing journey.

Following on from his excellent, and well received presentation on ikijime (“brain spiking”) in July, Terry Hitzke returned to explain the benefits of shinkei-jime (“nerve killing” by threading a wire down the fish’s spine canal).  Terry began with a quick recap of ikijime – its major benefits and how it can be applied to local fish species, and how ikijime can be combined with shinkei-jime to get the best eating quality and longevity from your fish fillets.

Terry showed some practical examples of using shinkei-jime on typical local fish species.  Terry also shared data from Sydney Fish Markets on how handling, processing, and storage temperature affected the shelf life and eating quality of fish flesh. 

The session finished with a very active and informative Q&A session covering both his presentations.  Thanks for another great presentation, and Terry’s presentation is on our website at:  https://www.mbfg.au/meeting-presentations/looking-after-your-fish

‍Follow on from his great presentation, Terry then showed us how to perform ikijime on a MBFG raffle by drawing his own ticket out of the hat and winning the first prize of a $150 Wynnum Marine gift voucher (Voucher 043)!  Thanks once again to Johnny at Wynnum Marine (Major MBFG sponsor) for providing this prize.  The runner up prize of 5 different lures went to Alex Wood.

Conrad gave update on the various fishing competitions which are now available in real time on the MBFG website (www.mbfg.au).  Current leaders are:

• Offshore: –       Marty W with 77points;

• Inshore: -          Terry H with 73 points;

• ‍Junior: -             Jack W with 130 points

• ‍Snapper: -         Norm with 67 cm (to tail fork, not tip)

‍ ‍

There were multiple $5 fines last month with topics covering running aground, fuel gauge discrepancies, line tangling prowess, and several others, so we will quickly cover only the most deserving.

‍Norm left his motor down while driving his boat and trailer up the boat ramp.  This not only streamlined and shortened his motor, but very kindly cleaned the moss, gunk, and seaweed off the ramp for the next user.  As we believe this is the second time this has happened (“a repeat offender”), the Committee’s engineering brains-trust have recommended that you get one of those miniature metal furniture casters welded to the bottom of your motor, and we’re pretty confident that Johnny and the boys at Wynnum Marine could install this for you Norm (and at club discount “mates rates”!).

‍Marty also gets an honourable mention for bumping the front of the vehicle whilst towing the boat out of the driveway in too much of a hurry. 

However, this month’s clear winner (and August 26 “screw-up” award nominee) is Bob Olde who copped a whopping $690 speeding fine for travelling on the plane in the dugong and turtle “go-slow” area.  However, after a significant amount of grovelling (over 4 pages worth) covering everything for his: deprived childhood; his 20 years of active service as a Green Peace warrior; becoming an emeritus professor of marine ecology and deserving recipient of numerous Sir David Attenborough awards; his recent sudden retrenchment; and his very meagre, poverty-line pension; QPWS magnanimously waivered his fine.  Well done Bob, but just letting you know that there will be no such leniency from fines by MBFG.

‍The pizzas arrived around 8:20pm (sponsored by MBFG) around and the meeting adjourned for a 15 minute break of refreshments and informal networking.

Following the break the topic of the upcoming Rainbow Beach trip was covered.  The Committee provided the following trip information update:

• ‍MBFG will be using the Carlo Boat Ramp (capable of launching 7.5-8.0m boats);

• VHF Radios: MBFG will use Channel 72;  Log on/OFF: Tin Can Bay Marine Rescue;

• A job roster will be posted on the website for members to sign up to;

• ‍Ensure your boat’s safety gear (V-Sheet/Flares/Life Jackets/EPIRB/fresh water) are all in date/full/functioning correctly;

• Ensure you keep a jack and wheel brace/spanners handy for your vehicle and boat trailer for the journey up and back;

• ‍Remember, great bait is available for purchase at Rainbow Beach (Tackle World) with great fillet tables also available for use.

• ‍ Don’t forget chair, hat, sunscreen, sun glasses, plate and metal cutlery (knife/fork/spoon); long BBQ tongs; Bunnings folding plastic table;

‍ The meeting finished just before 9pm.

‍ ‍