Bowling Green Bay Update

Todd O’Shaughnessy, Anthony Florence & Chris Pease took advantage of some perfect weather on the weekend and made the trip out to Bowling Green Bay aboard Todd’s new boat ‘Oi Bud’. The trio reported that the grounds were absolutely full of life with yakka’s and small tuna schools everywhere and pilchard schools the size of football fields. Todd also reported that the water clarity wasn’t the best with neap tides all weekend but the water temperature was a good 26 degrees.

Even though they didn’t see any Billfish, unconfirmed reports have been received that 2 small black marlin were caught off Salamander Reef by Mackerel fisherman.

Although it’s still early, Todd mentioned that the signs are looking very good as there is definitely allot more activity down there compared to this time last year.

I look forward to seeing everyone at this weekends Predators Tournament!!

Photo above: Heres a sailfish caught by Kaye Hatrick at last years Predator Tournament

AIBT Update

Well the 2008 Australian International Billfish Tournament is over with for another year and even though the beautiful Sunshine Coast provided us with Perfect Weather Conditions unfortunately the fishing on the weekend was extremely slow. A total of 29 Boats participated in the event with Teams coming from Dampier in the west, Cairns in the North & Port Stephens in the South. The tournament gave teams the option either to fish Light Tackle or Heavy Tackle and Team TGFC who were aboard well known Townsville Boat Reel Chase decided to fish Light Tackle. With 5-10knots conditions on Saturday morning, we were quick to arrive on the grounds (which mine you are only 19 miles offshore) to find huge schools of yakka's and dolphins and with start fishing called as you would imagine our expectations were high. Leigh O'Brien caught a 9.6kg Wahoo on 8kg which put Townsville on the scorers board and it wasn't long after that we raised a couple of little Black Marlin which weren't interested in taking the beautiful Live Yakka that we presented them. On day one, there was only 3 Blue Marlin tagged & 1 Sailfish.

Day two & the weather had increase to 15 knots and with a Strong Wind Warning forecasted for later in the day, most boats fished the inshore grounds. Once again the fishing was very slow with only a handful of Billfish tagged

The Champion Boat went to Diversion from Port Stephens who successfully tagged & released 2 Blue Marlin.

Even though the fishing was slow, great times were had by everyone & on behalf of the TGFC team we would like to thank Jim, Kelly & Brenton aboard Reel Chase for a fantastic weekend!!

Please stay tuned for the full report, including photos & exact stats which will be posted later in the week

Foley's get stuck into some Hinchinbrook barra

With most of us preferring to sleep in last Sunday morning it was Jim, Karen & Jackie Foley who were up before the crack of dawn and on there way up to the magnificent Hinchinbrook Channel. In February, Jackie was lucky enough to receive a personalised Guided Barra Charter from her Mum & Dad for her 18th Birthday and even though Jackie has already mastered the art of Bill fishing she was very excited to have the opportunity to catch her first barramundi

With the experience of Steve Jeston of Hyperspace Fishing Charters at the helm, the three didn't have to wait long before they experienced some fantastic fishing action, with Jackie landing a nice little barra which was released, Jim jumping off an estimated 80cm+ barra and then Karen's 60cm fish assuring them that they would have fresh barra fillets for dinner Sunday night.

Once again its always great to hear when our members are getting out on the water & stuck into some fish…Even if it is rough offshore

With the weather forecast looking great for the weekend…Stay tuned for some exciting fishing up dates early next week.

From Game Boats to Canoes

As the weather continues to to keep most offshore anglers land bound...It's great to see the wind doesn't deter some Club members including Alan & Anna Deaner who recently sent me an email to advise that they have swapped there outboard motor for a paddle.

Alan & Anna were amongst 12 Kayaks who participated in the full moon paddle along the beautiful freshwater reaches of the Ross River recently and even though they didn't come across any Monster barramundi's there was still plenty to Freshwater Croc's to keep them entertained. The paddle was organised by NQ Kayaking Club

It's always great to see our members get out & about on the water somewhere!!

TGFC Member finds success on the Gold Coast

With the Billfish Season still a couple of months away, well known Townsville Game Fishing Club member, Ronny Stephens travelled down to Gold Coast recently to take advantage of some perfect weather conditions and a hot Blue Marlin bite

Ron got stuck into two fantastic fish including this Estimated 180 Kgs Blue Marlinpictured) as well as another Estimated 100kg fish on 24 Kg stand up.
They successfully tagged & released 3 for the boat "Tsunami" - 3-3-3. & as most would say "Not a bad day's fishing at all"(


Fingers crossed the Blue's continue to hang around, as Team TGFC are heading down to Mooloolaba next weekend to contest the 2008 AIBT aboard Reel Chase...So stay tuned for the daily reports

Great Weather.......Apparently!!!

Well with the weather forecast including the number 10 for the first time in a few weeks, as you would imagine Club members were excited to get out on the water to wash the cob webs off their boats.

With boats heading in all directions from Cape Bowling Green to the Palms, it soon became apparent that the 15/20knot change had come through earlier then expected, which unfortuntely turned most boats around and in search for some sheltered waters.

Even though the weather let us down once again, there was still some great reports of good size mackerel & bait schools around the Cape Cleveland area, with one member successfully pulling up a full bait jig of big yakka's...

Another great report came from Todd & Kelly O'Shaughnessy, who successfully launched there new boat 'Oi Bud' for the first time and with there 2 year old son Malcolm also onboard, Todd was ecstatic at they way it handled itself in the 15 knot conditions...Look out Billfish!!!

Photo: The Team of Ken Phipps, Talina O'Brien, Ashley Cotter & Ashley's dad Dennis proved it's not just about the fishing...With the crew escaping the stiff 15 knot breeze and enjoying a beautiful lunch and a cold beer on Falcon Island

Don't forget to visit back soon for more great fishing reports

Fishing Withdrawl Symptoms

Have you ever wondered what our Members do during the off season? Here are some photos that have been sent to me recently to answer your question...

1/ Get stuck into the run of Winter Whiting

& thats exactly what Russell & Katrina O'Brien did on Sunday morning infront of their new house at Toolakea Beach...With double hook ups not uncommon it's always great fun to go back to basics and have a bit of fun with the light tackle...When asked, "Whats the difference between Whiting Fishing & Game Fishing" Katrina replied "Its definitely more relaxing & quieter as we don't have Russ yelling at the top of his lungs, MARLIN ON THE LEFT RIGGER!!! FREE SPOOL!!! FREE SPOOL!!!"

2/ Maybe you can maintain your lure collection

This photo here is part of....yes thats right, only part of, Ashley Cotter's lure collection, that he thought he would show off, pretty impressive huh!! This lot here does not include his Bluewater lures as he ran out of space on his pool table...So the question is, "Have they all caught a fish"??

Now this persons is suffering from real bad Fishing withdrawl symptoms...






3/ Paint your nails to look like fish scales

This photo here has come from an anonymous club female member (well I hope it's a female)in which they spent $ 80.00 recently to get her nails done in the pattern of fish scales...Lets hope in a couple of months time, that you'll have a reason to paint Tag Flags on there

Hopefully we get some good weather soon, so I can bring you some exciting fishing reports!!!