There are different types of life jackets required for various activities and areas. Life jackets must also meet the relevant Australian Standard. Type Use in boats Use on PWCs PFD type1 or level 275 or level 150 or level 100 • Use in smooth, partially smooth and minimum requirements for use in open waters. • Not to be used by skiers or people being towed. • Not to be used by PWC riders. Type Use in boats Use on PWCs PFD type 2 or Level 50 • Use in smooth and partially smooth waters. • Can be used by skiers or people being towed. • Use in smooth and partially smooth waters or open waters Type Use in boats Use on PWCs PFD type 3 or Level 50 special purpose • Use in smooth waters. • Can be used by skiers or people being towed. • Use in smooth waters. Life jackets must meet the following Australian Standards: ­ PFD type 1 – AS1512 ­ PFD type 2 – AS1499 ­ PFD type 3 – AS2260 ­ Level 275 – AS4758 ­ Level 150 – AS4758 ­ Level 100 – AS4758 ­ Level 50 – AS4758 ­ Level 50 special purpose – AS4758. Here are some tips on life jackets: • Make sure each person on board has one of the right size and type for the area that you are going boating. • Life jackets should be easily accessible and everyone on board should know where they are and how to put them on. • Check your life jackets before and after each trip to make sure that they are in good condition and there are no tears or frays. If they get wet, hang them up to dry before storing them away. • Do not use your life jacket as a cushion. • Inflatable life jackets also need to be maintained and serviced. Check with the manufacturer for the recommended servicing schedule. See Maritime Safety Queensland’s website for more information www.msq.qld.gov.au.

Fish of the month April 2012 winner was Tommy Ryan with 120cm Wahoo caught while trolling the 36s using skirted lures.

For his efforts Tom receives a $50 dollar voucher from Doug Burt’s Tackle World.

Outside species for April was Biggest combined Spanish and Spotted Mackerel.

We only received one entry and that winner was Peter Denaro. Peter caught his mackerel while fishing for snapper on the 27′s his preferred method is floatlining pillies.  Peter receives a $150 dollar gift voucher from Doug Burts Tackle World.

Inside Species for this month was any 5 species and Aykut won with a combined length of 261cm. This was made up with: Jew 78cm, Flathead 54cm, Trevally 63cm, Whiting 31cm, Gar 35cm. Aykut also receives a $150 voucher from Doug Burt’s Tackle World

thanks,

Danny Sands.

Following the AGM will be the Top Gun Flathead Comp auction see seprate post for details

Our trip was always going to be a bit of a flying visit, having not planned for holidays at this time of year we could not really afford to take more time. However when the invite call came through we did not hesitate in making this happen and quickly organised the logistics. Not knowing what to expect we sort the advice of our fishing guide for the trip David Green. Greenie gave me a shopping list of must have lures; Classic Barra’s, Poltergeists, Jonesy Lures amongst a few others. Friends on Facebook too were quick to add their favourite must haves and we topped up the tackle box with a few other randoms. On top of this we also threw in a good swag of the new area TT snakehead Jigheads and a range of soft plastics including Thready Busters, Z-Man, Berkley Hollow Belly’s and Squidgies all of which got a good run.

Great stories flowed out of the 2011 run off and flooded back to fishing circles, guys raved about it being the best season ever! Scores of fish had been caught and we had heard of 100 fish caught from one creek mouth by one boat. This was the fishing that dreams were made of and anybody who had fished the Daly in 2011 told the same story. Early reports coming to us before our departure had revealed that the 2012 wet season had not seen the same rise as the previous year and as such the fishing was much tougher than what folks had hoped for. However we remained hopeful and with Greenie and team Dead Fishy just being pipped at the post to finish second in the 2012 Barra Nationals we were confident that Greenie would have the river sussed.

I recall our first run down the river,  the colours and the crocs were there in their splendour. The river bared the scars of the wet vividly, you could easily picture where the water level had been. You could see where the current had eaten the bank edges and the newly the fallen trees still green now at one with the river. We were to learn the art of snag fishing both trolling and casting. I had never seen snags so thick! Underwater jungles with long lines and mazes of trees. With very little experience trolling between Tracey and I our first few runs were spent getting our lures out of the snags.

Greenie explained the art of driving a lure and drawing it through the snaggy country. We were quick to learn that there is more to trolling than randomly dragging lures behind a boat. Well selected troll lines, good use of the side and down scan imaging and a sensitive touch and quick reaction on the rod. The fish were in the snags and we had to be as close as possible but being close was tough work. Once hooked up to a fish the real fun began the challenge was to get the fish from the snags without being stitched up. Early in the trip Tracey was stitched up a few times on big fish because they won the race to the snags. We did get our own back on a few who had us well and truly wrapped around trees and with patience and the use of the ‘prodder’ we managed to free them and get them to the net.

The prodder is a must have tool when fishing the snags, an extendable pole with a line spiral at the end, it is run down the taught line and prodded at the lure and snag with finesse to free your expensive fish lolly. With the cost of lures you cannot afford to fish the snags without one, we also used a ‘tackle back’ on a number of occasions in deeper water. All up for the week we only lost the one lure and that was on a fish. It wasn’t unusual to come up with more than one lure from a snag so all up for the week we came out ahead.

Tracey and I travelled up with 4 rods each 2 Baitcasters and 2 Spin Rods and all rods got a run. The challenge when travelling on flights is to make sure your rods are well protected in a tube and you must check with your airline to make sure of the length allowance. Be sure to pack all reels and line and other tackle in your checked luggage otherwise you will have issues at security.

The fishing was tough but we still managed 10-15 fish a day on our boat with the biggest going 80+cm. For every fish we got to the net another stitched us up, sometimes the hits were explosive only to end with no result. The most memorable being Greenies freight train that ran 100 metres before we could blink! We also hooked up to a few other species including sharks and tarpon. This was a great introductory trip to the Northern Territory, our learning curve was sharp and the fishing different to anything we had experienced no doubt leaving us both hungry for more! If you have ever considered a trip to the NT my advice is to do what it takes to make it happen!

 Change to format based upon feedback

There is a key challenge of meeting everyone’s expectations in delivering comps to the public. So please see this late change as an attempt to get this right and meet the majority so that we have a good turn up on the day. Please understand it is impossible to keep everyone happy in this case we have responded to the majority of the feedback received. Firstly I would like to thank everyone for their input it is appreciated. We received a lot of responses to our call for feedback coming into our website, email facebook and by phone so thanks.

The major reason I went out to you all for feedback is when I sat down to do the payout schedule based on 2 categories I wasn’t happy with the outcome. The philosophy of the Dash for Cash is to have a worthwhile payout, some of you say the comp has been too expensive to fish while others say put the price up to enhance a bigger cash pool. We have dropped the price compared to our last 3 years for this event and this was in response to the majority.

The 2 category concept was aimed at trying to attempt a broader field to the event unfortunately it made the payouts low and there was also a number of anomalies people picked up on. Which included assigning classic places to both fields  eg: someone in one category could miss out whilst some in the other gets a place with a smaller bag. We are therefore abandoning the 2 category concept as it is just  unworkable. In response to encouraging smaller boats and levelling the playing field we will be having the same boundaries as the Easter bream (see below) this again was the overwhelming majority.

It seems most people really like our Gold Coast Easter Bream format which attracts a broad range of anglers from beginners to tournie regulars, small boats to large. As a result we will be running the Dash for Cash as follows:

Cost $220.00 per team $20, entry $10 per head for Subway Lunch, Drinks and venue (this is a reduction with last year Costing $260)

Top 10% placegetters receiving Classic Grand Final places

Boundary The boundaries will be the same as the Easter Bream Russell Island Power Lines to Nerang river thus minimising the perceived advantage of bigger boats getting to the bay.  (Over 70% of our feedback specifically on the boundary supported this). This also makes it a truly Gold Coast Comp.

Teams: 2 per team and can include u/16 however u/16 cannot qualify for Classic Grand Final

Payout

1-2 Boats 100% prize pool goes to 1^st (this is an unlikely scenario)

3-20 Boats Pays 1^st to 3^rd  (this is a change based on feedback we used to pay only  1st-3rd for a 1-30 Boat Field) 1^st 50% 2^nd 30% and 3^rd 20% of Prize Pool

21 Boats and Upwards we will pay to 1^st- 5^th  1^st 40% 2^nd 30% 3^rd 15% 4^th 10% 5^th 5% of Prize Pool

This is a different distribution to previous Dash for Cashes that see a more even distribution (similar to Easter bream) rather than 1^st being ‘stacked’ this is also in response to feedback. Majority of feedback on payout wanted a 1-5 payout this is not really viable with 20 boats or less. (We previously had a 1^st -3^rd  payout for up to 30 Boats)

Most of all to keep this event going we need your support More boats = More Cash

Prize Pool Payout Schedule

2012  Gold Coast Flathead Classic

DATES: 3rd October- 6th October 2012

Sign-On, Briefing & Dinner: WEDNESDAY 3rd OCTOBER 2012 from 4.30pm

Fishing & Dinner: THURSDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2012 and FRIDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2012

Fishing,Lunch & Presentations: SATURDAY 6TH OCTOBER 2012 finish late afternoon

TOURNAMENT VENUE Southport Amateur Fishing Club, GR Thompson Park, Broadwater Parklands Southport (Entry at intersection Marine Parade & Nind Street, near Southport Pool).

 ENTRY FEES

 SENIORS : $200.00 EARLY BIRD UP UNTIL July 27 (post mark or online)

$225.00 After July 27th, $250.00 LATE ENTRY After September 14th places permitting & NO GUARANTEE OF SHIRT.

JUNIORS: $110.00 EARLY BIRD up until July 27 (post mark or online) ,

$120.00 After July 27th, $130.00 LATE ENTRY After September 14th places permitting & NO GUARANTEE OF SHIRT.

There is a 200 team cut off for the number of competitors this year, so don’t delay In sending your entry asap. (*total excludes event sponsored teams)Teams must remain the same composition on each day ie no substitutions except for Juniors.

Your Entry Fee Includes:

• Meals as indicated above professional catering service (extra meals available, please enquire)

• Event Shirt for every competitor

• Team Bag containing lots of lures and other goodies courtesy of our sponsors

• Tournament Handbook for every competitor

• Opportunity to share in a stack of prizes including a Boat, motor and trailer package

 Remember first 200 teams are guaranteed

ENTRIES NOW OPEN

Where: Southport Clubhouse next door to the Southport Pool

When:May 10th

Time Sausage sizzle 6.30pm session starts at 7.15

All going well  I hope to share some pics from ur holiday fishing Barra in the NT

I have tried my best with the modelling to ensure a decent payout and if you consider the total money is being paid over 2 categories regardless of the toal # of boats in either.

I would however welcome opinions and feedback about the suggested prize payout structure. I would deefinately like to hear form bream anglers whether they think this is worth pursing and if you would fish it for this? Please post comments via facebook post or send messages to my facebook message, the reality is we only want to pursue if this is something anglers will support, and we would rather be open and transperent about whats involved.

Please rememember this is an associated ABT Classic event and as such we have struck a deal with the ABT to offer the top 10% of each category a Grand Final place

The Dash for Cash Under 90 and Over 90 Cash Prize Modelling

Total Cost= $220

Lunch+Venue= $20 per team Subway,Drinks +VMR  Donation

Tournament Entry= $200 per team

ABT Receive 10% of Entry as it is an aligned Classic event

Club receive 30% of Entries

Prize Pool = 60% of entry fee:

• The top 10% places of each category will receive Classic grand Final places as per agreement with ABT.
• As there are 2 categories the total entry is being split 50/50 over 2 regardless of # of boats per field
• 1-10 Boats compete only first place will be paid in both categories and will receive 50% of prize pool each
• 11-25 Boats compete 1^st and 2^nd will be paid with 1^st place in each category  getting 30% of prize pool  (total 60%) and 2^nd in each category getting 20% (totally 40%)
• 26+ Boats pays to 3^{rd place.}  1^st in each category will receive 25% each (total 50%) 2^nd in each getting 15% of prize pool (total 30%) and 3^rd getting 10% of prize pool (20% total)

.

 If you are the successful bid at the auction you will team up with the top gun on their boat in a one day Flathead comp with cash prizes on June 17. The 2 or 3 person team’s comp is open to all comers whether you choose to chase a top gun or fish with your mates.

 Who will take out the honor of Top Gun team?  Do you need a ‘top gun’ angler to finish on top?

 You and your wing men can join in the fun in 2 ways.

 Join the fun at the auction on June 14^th and bid to score a Top Gun for you or you and a mate to compete with on comp day June 17^th. All anglers have a reserve price of $60 which covers entry to the comp.

or

Enter a 2 or 3 person team with your mates to take on the top guns and other teams on June 17th

 Top Gun Angler Auction:

When: Club Meeting Thursday 14^th June.

Where:  Southport Clubhouse, next door to the Southport Pool.

Time: ‘Sausage sizzle’ from 6.30, Meeting will start from 7.15pm.

Process: Top Gun Auction will see top guns randomly drawn and then auctioned off throughout the evening. Starting bids are at $60 which covers team entry and lunch. All winning bids must be paid on the night. Remember 2 or 3 people can fish from one boat, so you can bid for a top gun solo or pool your $ with a mate to improve your chances.

Silent Auction Bids will be accepted to fishofthemonth@hotmail.com up until 3pm on June 14^th silent bids are made only with a firm commitment to honor (those who don’t will be named and shamed). Subject line of email must include: Auction Bid: Angler name. Email must include name and contact details to be valid and the bid total.

 Top Gun Flathead Comp

When: June 17

Where: Volunteer Marine Rescue Base Seaworld Drive, The Spit. Put in at the boat ramp at the spit enter VMR from the side gate near the beach.

 Time: Registration from 6.00am, Briefing 6.30am, Field underway between 6.50-7.00am, Back to Base by 2.30pm.

Cost: $60 includes lunch and a drink, covers 2 or 3 people teams.

Comp Rules: It is a catch, photograph and release comp chasing best 5 legal Flathead. You will need a digital camera, blank SD card and a Brag Mat. The comp is Lure and Fly only and trolling is permitted. The ‘captain’/boat skipper is responsible for boat safety and ensure operation within the law including PFD’s.

 The comp is a cash prize comp and will pay to third. A ‘prize’ will also be given for biggest Flathead. Boundaries are the same as the Flathead Classic power lines Russell Island to Nerang River

Prize Pool: Is dependent on the total # teams entered + the selling price of Top Gun anglers. 80% of entry money will be returned to the field. Conservatively a 30 boat field will have a $2000 prize pool but could be much more! Great Value Comp!

Top Gun Anglers

• Ross McCubbin (Champion Senior Angler 2010,Team Hi-Seas, Team Atomic, Champion Team2010, 2009 plus lots more! Local Flathead icon and charter operator!)
• David Green (Team Dead Fishy 2 Champion Team 2011)
• Ben Job (Team Hi-Seas, Team Atomic, Champion Team2010
• Danny Sands (Team Sands, Runner-up Champion Team 2011
• Keith Stratford ( Team Bush & Beach 2010 Runner up Champion Team, 5^th Senior Angler 2010
• Nic Whyte (Whyte Boys Can’t Jig 8^th 2010, Top 10 2011)
• Kevin Ballantine ( Gold Coast fishing Tackle, various top 10 finishes)
• Shayne McKee ( Runner-up Champion Senior Angler 2010, Team Fishing Monthly 5^th 2010)

Plus some other great anglers yet to be confirmed

 It is a condition of entry to this competition that all anglers compete at their own risk and that the boat ‘captain’ takes responsibility for boat insurance and safety. By competing in this event you explicitly agree that The Gold Coast Sportfishing Club Inc the organising committee and their associated sponsors will not be responsible for any loss, damage or injury to any person entering into this competition.