2018/19 SEQ Game Fishing Club Challenge For the Albert and Pauline Threadingham Trophy                          A challenge  to bring clubs across South East QLD together and promote camaraderie, sportsmanship, conservation as well as the future of game fishing to QGFA members. Rules Any SEQ Club affiliated with QGFA can enter, it is not exclusive to club hosting events. No cost involved to enter. (apart from tournament entry fees to host club) Two boats from your Club must enter each of the nominated tournaments below. Clubs must participate in each of the 4 rounds to be eligible. Points will be awarded based on the finishing position of the boats in each tournament and 100 points will be awards to every boat fishing a visiting clubs tournament. All rules of the individual tournament and host club must be followed. GFAA rules apply. Clubs who don’t have a round also will accrue points based on above rules. Tournament Qualification List – Sept 28th –Oct 1st  – Sunshine Coast GFC Spring Shootout November 23th – 25th – Mooloolaba GFC Garmin Billfish Bash March 3rd – 5th – Brisbane Marine Tag & Brag Marlin Extravaganza April (Dates TBA) – Gold Coast GFC Blue Marlin Classic For entry information please contact one of the clubs listed below Gold Coast GFC –  www.gcgfc.com.au  Ash Haigh – satsfactionpools@gmail.com Mooloolaba GFC – www.mgfc.com.au Steve Dahl – stevegonefishing@outlook.com Newport GFC – www.facebook.com/newportgamefishclub/  David Trask – newportgamefish@gmail.com Sunshine Coast GFC – www.scgfc.com.au Tony Cross –...

We have had a number of people asking about line backing, below will help when gearing up for the upcoming season. (a) Line   1. Monofilament, multifilament and lead core multifilament lines may be used. For line classes, see Australian Record Requirements. 2. Wire lines are prohibited.   (b) Line & Backing 1. The use of backing is permissible. 2. The catch shall be classified under the breaking strength of the first five meters of the line directly preceding the double, leader & hook. This section must be comprised of a single homogenous piece of line. (c) Double line The use of a double line is not required. If one is used, it must meet the following specifications: 1. A double line must consist of the actual line used to catch the fish.   2. Double lines are measured from the start of the knot, braid, roll or splice making the double to the furthermost end of the knot, splice, snap, swivel or other device used for securing the trace, leader, lure or hook to the double line. Saltwater species: In all line classes up to and including 10kg (20lb) the double line shall be limited to 4.57m (15ft). The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 6.1m (20ft). The double line on all classes of tackle over 10kg (20lb) shall be limited to 9.14m (30ft). The combined length of the double line and leader shall not exceed 12.19m (40ft). Freshwater species: The double line on all classes of tackle shall not exceed 1.82m (6ft). The combined length of the double line and the leader shall not exceed 3.04m (10ft). (d) Leader The use of a leader is not required. If one is used, it must meet the following specifications: 1. The length of the leader is the overall length, including any lure, hook arrangement or other device, and is measured to the bend of the last hook.. The leader must be connected to the line with a snap, knot, splice, swivel or other device. Holding devices are prohibited. There are no regulations regarding the material or strength of the leader. Saltwater species: In all line classes up to and including 10kg (20lb) the leader shall be limited to...

Just wrapped up the TGFC Billfish Challenge.  Fishing was slow but everything else made that easily forgettable, and the weather was glamorous. This year’s change to be run out of HorseshoeBay was a major and during and after the event, every single boat had nothing but positives to say. There were only 11 fish tagged from 30+ seen. After Day 1 there was only 1 Sailfish tagged by ‘The Chapel’. Day 2 saw a hot bite period (compared to what had already been seen) between 12-3pm and 5 quick tags were recorded including another 1 from ‘The Chapel’ keeping them clear of the pack on 2, with 4 other boats on 1. A shortened Day 3 meant every single boat was in the hunt still and it was anyone’s to take away! But when ‘The Chapel’ called in a successful tagging of a double header of Sailfish just before lunch they just about had it all sewn up with the fishing still relatively quiet. 3 new boats hit the scoreboard on Day 3 with 1 tag each.  A hugely successful event has made nearly certain that everyone will be back again next year,      a light tackle Billfish tournament based out of the ‘Marlin Bar’ in Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island was a big hit and the atmosphere throughout the whole event was electric. Full winners list – Champion Team – ‘The Chapel’ Champion Skipper – Ray Chappell Champion Male Angler – Jarrad Agst (The Chapel) Runner Up Male Angler – Tom Massurit (The Chapel) Champion Female Anger – Maryanne Sheens (Contagious) Runner Up Team – ‘Nautical Blue’ Champion Boat Under 7.5m – ‘Rod Rage’   Attached is photos of the winning boat and team. Sailfish tagged during the event by eventual winners ‘The Chapel’ – phot credit Jarrad Agst And a Marlin tagged and released on Day 2 by Josh Kraut on ‘Nautical Blue’...

QGFA TROPHY WINNERS – 2017-18 ALL PORTS INTERCLUB TROPHIES:  DONATED BY BRIAN (SPIKE) KIRKBY   CHAMPION JUNIOR – ROUND 1        –           BRYCE BARTLESON – SCGFC  – 9000 Pts   CHAMPION JUNIOR – ROUND 2        –           BRYCE BARTLESON – SCGFC  – 7350 Pts   CHAMPION CLUB –    ZONE 1                        –           WEIPA BILLFISH CLUB – 3100 Pts   ZONE 2                        –           TOWNSVILLE GFC – 13950 Pts   ZONE 3                        –           SUNSHINE COAST GFC – 75725 Pts   ZONE 4                        –           NOT CONTESTED   CHAMPION MALE ANGLER –             DARRYL LUND – SUNNSHINE COAST GFC – 5250 Pts   CHAMPION FEMALE ANGLER – DEE COX – SUNSHINE COAST GFC – 9450 Pts   CHAMPION ANGLER OVERALL – DEE COX – SUNSHINE COAST GFC – 9450 Pts   CHAMPION BOAT OVERALL – POLE DANCER – SUNSHINE COAST GFC – 20850 Pts   CHAMPION CLUB OVERALL – SUNSHINE COAST GFC – 75725 Pts   OTHER QGFA PERPETUAL TROPHIES:   JUNIOR ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD – DONATED BY BRIAN (SPIKE) KIRKBY WINNER – HARRISON BILLING – MORETON BAY GFC   CHAMPION JUNIOR T & R OVERALL – DONATED BY PETER PAKULA WINNER – BRYCE BARTLESON – SUNSHINE COAST GFC – 35050 Pts   CHAMPION ANGLER T & R OTHER SPECIES OVERALL – (Excluding Billfish) DONATED BY DAWN EARLE WINNER – GAVEN ROBERTS – WEIPA BILLFISH CLUB – 3750 Pts     CHAMPION BOAT  T & R ALL SPECIES OVERALL – DONATED BY DAWN EARLE WINNER – POLE DANCER – SUNSHINE COAST GFC – 129000 Pts   CHAMPION ANGLER T & R ALL SPECIES OVERALL – DONATED BY DAWN EARLE WINNER – CHANNON ARBUTHNOT – SUNSHINE COAST GFC – 48750 Pts   CHAMPION CLUB T & R OVERALL – DONATED BY COLIN EARLE WINNER – SUNSHINE COAST GFC – 547925 POINTS...

The 26th Annual Billfish Bonanza hosted by the Mooloolaba Game Fishing Club was held mid-April from the Mooloolaba Yacht Club at the Wharf Mooloolaba. The light tackle bite off the Sunshine Coast has been unbelievable the past few months and because of that 16 boats from seven different Game Fishing Clubs and 50 keen anglers ventured off Mooloolaba in search of Billfish. Average weather conditions were forecasted for Saturday so the bulk of the fleet decided to fish the light tackle grounds. The bite was slow at first but by mid-morning the fish had started to fire. By the second sked 5 Back Marlin and a Sailfish had been tagged with other boats still hooked up.  Two Under 7 meter boats remained hooked up for over two and a half hours on fish as the conditions made the battle challenging. By days end 8 Black Marlin and 2 Sailfish had been tagged.  Sunday saw the conditions deteriorate with a handful of boats retiring early.  Persistence paid off for ‘’Release’’ scoring a Billfish and a weigh-able Wahoo on 8kg which gave them the overall win. Peter Mintzas aboard ‘’Deep Blue’’ tagged a late Black Marlin to win the Champion Male and Light Tackle angler while Sarah Postan fishing on ‘’Reel Lady’’ took out Champion Female and Other Species with a 12.15kg Mahi Mahi. Bryce Bartleson scored 2 tagged Billfish on ‘’Pole Dancer’’ which saw him take out Champion Junior. The presentation on Sunday night was a fantastic event, enjoyed by all who attended. Thank you to all our sponsors and everyone who supported the Garmin Billfish Bonanza...

In total we had 18 vessels entered and 55 anglers participating in both sections. In the gamefish section, 11 Vessels and 34 anglers entered. Weather Friday was pretty ordinary, with some vessels deciding not to attempt to cross South Passage bar due to the poor conditions. There were 21 Strikes, 14 hook-ups and 7 tags recorded, 2 blue marlin, 1 black marlin tagged, a Spanish and a Yellowfin and 2 Mac Tuna. In the reef section a number of snapper, spanish mackerel and jewfish were recorded. On Day Two the breeze did not come in early as expected, which affected the fishing to some degree, although the reef guys had a great time, some fishing in the bay and others heading offshore. Grassy sweetlip, Amberjack, Spanish Mackerel and Pearl Perch were all measured. On the gamefish side, the totals came in at 11-7-3, 1 Blue marlin was tagged and released along with a Wahoo and Dolphinfish. Gamefish results, 32 Strikes, 21 Hookups, 10 Tags, 3 Blue Marlin, 1 Black Marlin, 1 Wahoo, 1 Dolphinfish, 1 Spanish, 1 Yellowfin Tina and 2 Mac Tuna   RESULTS: GARMIN Reef Rumble:   Champion Team Snapper: Predator Champion Team Grassy Sweetlip: Garmin Bottom Bashers Champion Team Spangled Emperor: Spanyid Champion Team Pearl Perch: Suzuki Double or Nothing Champion Team Yellowtail Kingfish: Spanyid Champion Team Amberjack: Sea Hawk Champion Team Jewfish: Spanyid Champion Team Spanish Mackerel: Spanyid Fish of the Tournament: Champion Junior: Jacob Mirosch Champion Senior: Richard Love Champion Cruisecraft: Predator Champion Reef Rumble Boat Overall: Suzuki Double or Nothing   Garmin Gamefish Classic:   Highest Points Day 1: Black Habit, Shannon Zammit. Day 2 Wellcraft, Peter Watts Runner-up Male: Peter Watts, Wellcraft Champion Angler Heavy Tackle: Shannon Zammit Champion Riviera Boat: Site Office Champion Cruisecraft Boat: Predator Champion Vessel Over 8m: Site Office Champion Junior Angler: Brea Thomsen Champion Female Angler: Amy Richards, Site Office Champion Male and Overall Champion: Shannon Zammit   CHAMPION TEAM NAUTILUS MARINE INSURANCE INTERCLUB SHIELD Black Habit Moreton Bay Game Fish...