Redland Bay Amateur Fishing Club sign-on day

The Redland Bay Amateur Fishing Club is an amateur fishing club that has something for every fisho, at any skill level.

The club is full of like-minded people who love the outdoors and fishing.

The Redland Bay Amateur Fishing Club has been established for about 30 years now and started with a few anglers at the Redland Bay Hotel – their love of having a yarn and comparing catches.

Over many years and due to the hard work of some dedicated members, the club evolved from its humble beginnings at the hotel to what it is today.

The RBAFC has its own clubhouse on the water at 247-257 Esplanade Redland Bay, on the corner of Weinam St and up the road from Wienem Creek Boat Ramp.

The club has even built a two-storey viewing deck to take in the awesome views of the southern bay.

With the fishing sector pushing for more sustainability over the past 10 years, myself and likeminded members were encouraged to include a catch-and-release competition into the club, known as the Sports Fishing Challenge.

This is a monthly comp, with the opportunity to catch-and-release fish and still have the chance to take home some awesome prizes from our valued sponsors.

While I’m all for taking home a feed as much as the next person, I love nothing more than seeing a prize fish swim away to give other anglers as much joy as it gave me – this is where this competition comes into its own.

The challenge is for members of the Redland Bay Amateur Fishing Club only, which includes an inshore section, offshore section and member’s choice prize.

Inshore and offshore sportfishing is governed by the same rules as our current competition boundaries, while member’s choice is open to catches from anywhere worldwide, though must be by a current member.

This will be explained in more detail in the rules and information handouts at sign-on day.

Entries are submitted via a photo on a brag mat with a code clearly shown in plain view and also, a photo of the member holding the fish directly after capture.

Some of the agenda items on the club’s packed calendar are Stradbroke Island and K’gari beach fishing competitions and camping trips – a four-wheel-drive is required – freshwater dam trips, artificial bait days,

social days, inshore and offshore fishing competition, monthly meetings – third Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm – and Redland Bay Hotel raffles.

This means that for three of the four weekends in the month, we have something on the RBAFC calendar.

Sign-on day at the club for 2023 is on February 5, from 11am to 3pm.

We will have a casting competition and possible cooking demonstration, and a jumping castle and face painting for the kids.

Hope to see you there on sign-on day.

Come and say g’day.
Matt Savas