QLD Weather scores 1 point, MBFG beer and fishing wins with a score of 2 points
Summary
The wet weekend may have stopped the Moreton Bay Fishing Group from sitting on a beach around a fire at Tipplers campground, but it did NOT stop the group’s social drinks and fishing activities at home base.
Event Report 16/17 May 2026
The poor Queensland weather continued, and whilst the wind was reasonable, the forecast heavy rain meant camping at Tipplers on South Straddie, and drinking around the open fire, was not going to be as much fun as last year.
The call was made instead to meet at the MHBC for some afternoon drinks . With diaries already clear the crew were super keen and easily assembled.
It was great to see so many members join the party and we were all pleased to meet some new faces and welcome them into the group. The timing was perfect and we managed to get grab a few tables in the rooftop bar and admire the view of the harbour and bay beyond.
Talk soon turned to fishing opportunities for Sunday and some plans were hatched.
As the night worn on the plans for future adventures become more exotic, as did the colour of our captain’s drinks.
Some of us, who had to get up early in the morning to go catch fishes, departed in the early evening to head home for some sleep; fortunately, our fearless leader was there to ensure the festivities continued into the night for the rest of the team.
Next morning at the boat ramp we saw Hydrostatic with Jason and Derek; Blue Pearl with Pieter de Beer and Good Lyf with Norm. Conditions were good and no rain could be seen, so it was surprising how quiet things were on the water.
After dropping a few crab pots and fishing the shallow without luck it was time to head to the middle of the bay. As we headed deeper we heard Norm had been busy and already had 2 nice snapper on board, great news we thought – the 5 star fishing day was producing.
Not long after anchoring Derek’s reel was screaming, the little 4000 size spin reel was not prepared for this action in the shallow water but did well to get a nice 75cm snapper to the boat. Whilst Jason continued to catch the babies and with the current now raging Derek decided time to try the offshore floatlining technique – well it paid off and another 75cm knobby came aboard.
Soon after that Jason decided he’d have more luck placing a 4th line in the water, but having munched his way through a banana earlier that morning it was clear he’d have no chance.
Not wanting to miss the action Blue Pearl came over but he too was favouring the baby snappers and a few undersize schoolie.
It was time for a move and with Pieter managing to snag his anchor line and now balancing precariously on the front of his boat to free it we knew the camera needed to be to hand for when, not if, he fell in the water….. on this occasion we were disappointed.
All pretty quiet after that, but Pieter persevered with some trolling which delivered a nice mackerel so at least he had some dinner for that night. And Norm did well to broaden his species catch with a flathead and bream.
