An update from the Gold Coast GFC: Due to the magnificent run of blue marlin fishing off the Gold Coast the Light Tackle Masters which runs from 19 – 22 January have been extended to include a heavy tackle component. If you have any questions about the new format, please contact the club via their website www.gcgfc.com.au.  Entry forms are also available on the website.

• Capt. Adam Jordan and the team on board Iona 2 are currently fishing the Port Macquarie Goldent Lure comp, and after three days (including the Ladies’ and Juniors’ Day that was held yesterday) are currently in first place in both the Capture and Tag & Release sections.  In addition, their lady angler also took out the honors yesterday with a 250lb blue for Leeane Wilson!    Congrats guys – keep it up. There are two more days of fishing remaining (Thursday and Friday).

And a couple of catch up reports:

• Mooloolaba GFC VP Stephen Jensen tells me they fished in the same area as Akoya on Saturday off Cape Moreton on board his boat Animal for 1-1-1 blue marlin which was caught by wife Kellie.  Stephen says the fish was a good healthy 130kg. Congratulations Kellie!
• On the Gold Coast, Mat Stehmann tells me that Murphy’s Law has broken their hoodoo after going 10-10-0 the last 4 trips, over the weekend they went 3-2-2 on blues about 150kg and 100kg then next day 1-1-1 on another blue about the 120kg mark.  Also fishing a log they had alll sort of fun chaos going on with 4 way hook ups and also dropped another blue.  Mat says a lot of boats are out there fishing and most are getting at least one bite a day–the marlin fishing season is great so far!
• Belated Jan 4 report from Anthony Dimech who headed out with Denis Harsany on Big Banana wide off Sydney to look for a few marlin.  They started in 70 fathoms off the Bait Station and zig zagged south out to 200 fathoms but headed back into the shelf as it didn’t look any good out wider. 
In 150 fathoms, a nice blue ate the short corner and tore away line quickly in typical blue fashion, grey hounding away, then charging back. Ant had almost cleared the spread when hooks pulled. Bugger! Moving in towards 80-120fa they raised two stripes in the spread right on the tide change, and were able to release one shortly after.  Lines back in and they raised another stripe in 90fa, with a clean hook up the fish was released after a stubborn slug out on 15kg. They also raised another fish in the spread which looked at the long corner, short rigger, shotgun and then did the disappearing act, finishing with 5-3-2 for the day. They also saw three free jumpers.  As Anthony says, a pretty damn good day off Sydney!