Fire Brigade Captain Alex Leonard spoke with great enthusiasm of Gala Day and the club’s efforts in raising such a large amount of cash for the brigade.  MBGLAC president John McKay congratulated the brigade’s members for their outstanding assistance during Gala Day.

He also passed on the club’s thanks to its local business sponsors whose unstinting support made it all possible. Gala Day is a heritage event for Merimbula and has been organised by the club since its inception.

Over the years it has featured in the life of Merimbula in many ways including the exciting canoe races down the lake to Spencer Park as well as the fish auction.  The club intends to maintain this popular event and make it even more popular in coming years with a focus now on sustainable fish species such as ocean flathead.

Striped and blue marlin are on the bite, regularly tagged and released off Merimbula and Eden, generally at the first drop off and where bait patches can be identified.  Mako sharks are widespread and can be taken in waters as shallow as 12 fathoms.

Morwong are biting well over our local reefs and off Turingal with snapper making a welcome return.  Best area for snapper looks like Horseshoe Reef south of Haycock, Hunter Reef and Long Point.  For bottom droppers the main catch remains ocean flathead and the occasional gummy shark.  Good sized sand flathead are plentiful in the area off the Tura Beach Golf Club, Tura Headland, Bournda, and north from Kianinny; try 18 to 20 fathoms.   

Salmon remain patchy, probably best at Haycock Beach.  Some good sized tailor are reported from Tura Beach; fish the top of the tide at evening.

In the estuaries dusky flathead will respond to soft plastics as well as pilchards, and poddy mullet.  Bream remain active around the oyster racks, here soft plastics are also the way to go.  Good whiting remain on the flats at Mogareeka and in Merimbula Lake.  Try the edges of the channel about low tide near the Merimbula Marina.  Squirt worms are the ideal bait although there is often a fight to see whether trevally or whiting get it first. 

Bream and now trevally are both active around the oyster racks; here soft plastics are the way to go.  Lots of mullet are in the lakes which are a delight to catch for juniors using a small float and prawn bait.  Keep them excited with bread burley.     

The club’s next event is the catch and release “Dusky Dash for Cash” open to all comers and scheduled for the weekend  of March 25-26.  The Club is open every Friday evening from 6.30pm.  Visitors are very welcome.  Come and enjoy the fishing report, the ambience, friendship and lovely views with very competitive bar prices.   Darragh Reynolds is your scheduled host.

All inquires to John McKay on 0427 639 585.  Membership Application, Membership Renewal and everything you need to know about local fishing is on the club’s website www.mbgalac.com.au.