DEEP SEA FISHING GROUP

The Deep Sea Group generally fishes the reefs between the top of Moreton Island (Deep Tempest) to south of Point Lookout (The Cathedrals). The depth of water fished normally ranges from 50 to 100 metres with the main species caught being Squire/Snapper, Parrot, Pearl Perch and Amberjack.

Meetings are held at 2000 hours on the third Wednesday of each month. The dates, check-out times, weigh-in times, points of assembly and points of weigh-in for all club trips, which count towards end of year trophies are published in "Trailer Boating".

Trips are not run when wind strengths over 15 knots are forecast or when the bar/sea conditions are considered unsafe. To confirm if a club trip is a "go" or "no go", members should ring either the Deep Sea Captain, Vice Captain or Secretary.

An annual Offshore/Inshore fishing competition is also run on the May Day long weekend by the Deep Sea Section and this is our main event for the year. Trophy presentations are carried out in conjunction with the Commodore's Dinner in June at the Clubhouse.

Club Trips
These trips are usually run out of the South Passage Bar. All participating boats must be at the point of assembly (normally east of the Reader's Point area) by check-out time. All members weighing-in must have their catch "in the circle" at the point of weigh-in (normally the weigh-in station at the MBTBC Clubhouse) by the weigh-in time. If wishing to accompany other boats across the bay on the morning of a points trip, it is common for section members to leave the Club about an hour before check-out time.

For safety reasons, boats generally cross the Bar in groups, both on going out and coming back in. Radio contact is maintained on 27.94 whilst outside with 27.90 being used for bar crossing and Coast Guard communication. Sea sick tablets should always be taken because if you or your crew become ill, you will have to wait until near weigh-in time if you require guidance back in through the Bar. The regulations governing points trips are contained in the Deep Sea Section Rules.

Boat & Equipment
It is generally considered that boats should be a minimum of 5 metres in length, providing that they have been designed with some thought for off-shore use. Most deep sea members have boats in the 5.5 - 6.5 metre size range with power varying from around 100 to 200 hp. Boats and motors must be reliable and in good condition.

Essential equipment carried should include the following:

28 Meg radio in good working order.
Safety equipment as required by Queensland Transport - Maritime Division for "open waters" operation.
Minimum of 200 metres of 8mm silver rope for off-shore anchoring.
Reef pick with at least 5/16" prongs, preferably with a shaft filled with lead, fitted with a minimum of 3 metres of chain (6mm or better). An anchor retriever float system is also required.
Good depth sounder capable of reading to at least 100 metres (preferably much more).
Fuel capacity of around 6 to 8 hours of running.
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).