There are 32 awards up for grabs for contributing anglers with prizes donated by supportive local businesses. Meanwhile, auction goers will have the chance to snap up some fresh catch with all money raised going to the Merimbula Marine Resue. Fish purchased can be cleaned for a small fee. 

The club’s major raffle will be drawn straight after, while the talent quest runs from noon till 2pm.

There is an open invitation for entrants in the Gala Talent Quest on Sunday 6 January, anything goes and there is a $200 cash prize as judged by Mr Alan Moyse the Town Crier.  Alan has donated his time to be MC of this heritage event.  No entry fee, all welcome to compete.  Registration at the Rotunda in Spencer Park from 11.30am.  

There will be a community barbecue and coffee van available on site. 

In regular fishing news near-shore conditions have been quite difficult for anglers. 

The East Australian Current and trending winds have meant the north east swells have stood up more than usual.

However, offshore, the club have reports of striped marlin from 50 fathoms outwards and lots of good bait fish outside the FAD at 70 fathoms.  

Ocean flathead are on the chew and there have only been a few reports of chinamen leatherjackets. Flathead are reported from off Baronda Headland at 15 fathoms, at Kianinny and SE of Turingial Headland at 20 fathoms and also Tura Headland and off the Horeshoe Reef at 24 fathoms.  There are also reports of good flathead around the shark buoy near the Merimbula Lake entrance.

Snapper are certainly on the chew at our local reefs with good catches reported from all down the coast from Goalen Head, White Rock, Long Point, Haycock, Horseshoe and south to Lennards, North Head and Boyds Tower.  Try micro jigs.  Morwong have also remained on the bite and respond to bait and soft plastics. Gummy sharks are a little difficult to find.

Kingfish are prowling both the Tathra and Merimbula wharves. At Merimbula some very large calamari squid are available just after dark, favouring prawn like jigs. Luderick are back on the bite, while Australian salmon remain patchy.

Although closed the Bega River continues to provide plentiful dusky flathead at Mogareeka and continues to fish well for whiting.

The club’s Spencer Park clubrooms will be open on Friday from 6.30pm for the competition briefing.  Any enquiries to Lindon Thompson on 0411 873 880 or visit www.mbglac.com.au.