4X4, FISHING & BOATING EXPO AN OUTDOORS HEAVEN THIS WEEKEND

Keen fishermen, boaters, four wheel drivers and outdoor lovers will be in outdoors heaven this weekend when the National 4x4 Outdoors Show, Fishing & Boating Expo hits the Brisbane Showgrounds from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March.

With more than 25,000 square metres dedicated to everything outdoor related, including caravanning, camping, four wheel driving, fishing and boating, the show will boast over 180 of the biggest name exhibitors, displaying their latest products and services.

In what will be the premier outdoors event for 2015, the National 4x4 Outdoors Show, Fishing & Boating Expo is not to be missed, with exciting special guests and activities also providing entertainment to suit all interests.

The exciting Action Arena will return to the Brisbane Showgrounds this year, featuring record-breaking stunt rider Matt Mingay, and Matt ‘Schuie’ Schubring and his FMX Team, along with The Springs 4x4 Time Trial drivers.

In a first for the show in 2015, the Eagers Holden Colorado Proving Ground will offer visitors the rare chance to test out four wheel drive products on a specialty-built track before they purchase. There will also be four wheel drive experts on hand providing safety and recovery demonstrations, towing technique training, off-road education, and advice to ensure a risk and danger-free adventure. Special guests Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes will also make appearances at the Eagers Holden Colorado Proving Ground, signing autographs from 11:00am-12:00pm on Friday and Saturday of the show respectively.

Former rocker and host of What’s Up Down Under, Frankie J Holden will make his show debut on the Waeco Outback Stage and will be letting visitors in on his secrets to caravanning. He has also promised to belt out a few tunes across the weekend!

John ‘Roothy’ Rooth, and Jase Andrews and Simon Anderson of All 4 Adventure, will also return to the Waeco Outback Stage to tell their outdoor adventure tales.

Peter ‘Spida’ Everitt and his wife, Sheree, from The Great Australian Doorstep will host the Campfire Cooking Corner, which will deliver tips and tricks to cook gourmet meals with fresh local produce while on the road. Don’t miss out on an OzPig demonstration, fish filleting, plus much more.

  The Allround Angler Fishing Stage presented by TT and Zman Lures will keep fishing and boating enthusiasts enthralled with a jam-packed schedule. Star of the iFish television programme, Paul Worsteling, will be our host for the three days, telling stories of his experiences and chatting with a range of industry experts on topics such as outdoor adventures, fishing, equipment and boating.

The little ones will be entertained with a dedicated Kids Zone, situated within the Action Arena, featuring the FMX Team signing Autographs, the Scouts showcasing a range of fun activities, Matt Mingay’s Hot Wheels Truck, and 4x4 Extreme Trucks available for viewing.

For the children there is also a Kids Marine Zone run by 2 Bent Rods in which children can enjoy marine-based activities, in addition to native animals and reptiles to get up close and personal to, and a jumping castle and loads of games for hours of entertainment.

Big name 4x4, camping, caravanning, outdoors and associated exhibitors confirmed for the show include ARB, TJM, Ironman 4x4, Opposite Lock, 4WD Supacentre and BCF – Boating Camping Fishing. They will be joined by marine exhibitors such as Allround Angler, Australian Marine Centre, Bayside Suzuki, Brisbane Marine, Cunningham Marine, and many more.

 

Visit www.4x4show.com.au for more information and stage and performance schedules. 

Thanks to the organisers, we've got 5 x double passes to giveaway - simply email giveaway@fishmax.com.au before 3pm Wednesday 18 March 2015 to go in the draw. 

 

If you're in the market for a new boat, get yourself down to the Moreton Bay Caravan, Camping and Boating Expo this weekend (Friday 13 to Sunday 15 March).

This brand new event will showcase some of Queensland and Australia’s best boat dealers, as well as caravan, camper trailer and motorhome dealers, all in the one location. Visitors can shop and compare products and services easily and event will also showcase dozens of complimentary companies, providing a whole range of products and services, including holiday and touring information, camping 4×4 and boating accessories, insurance services, bush cooking, tools and more.

The Moreton Bay Caravan, Camping and boating Expo at Redcliffe Showgrounds will provide a great day out out (or three) for the entire family, with stacks of daily entertainment, prizes, competitions and more. For more info visit www.bayexpo.com.au

We've got 10 free passes to give away to the 2015 Moreton Bay Caravan Camping and Boating Expo just email us at bayexpo@fishmax.com.au to go in the draw. (draw closes 5pm Thursday 12 March 2015.)

That's a Surprise

Checkout this gif of a shark taking a fish right under the nose of a fisherman.  There is no doubt in this guy's mind who is  the real apex predator in the ocean?

Liz Long Crab Cake Recipe

These tasty crab cakes from Liz  Long make great finger food for a party, or could form a meal if accompanied by a salad. Serve with wedges of lime – or for something more elaborate, you can make a mayonnaise with chilli and coriander.

Makes 15 crab cakes - Cooking and preparation time: 90 minutes

I N G R E D I E N T S

250 g skinless white fish fillet
sea salt
250 g potatoes, peeled and cut into large dice
1 garlic clove, crushed
grated zest of 3 lemons
1 small red chilli, finely chopped
500 g freshly picked crabmeat
1/2 bunch Vietnamese mint, finely chopped
1/2 bunch coriander, finely chopped
4 eggs
breadcrumbs
vegetable oil for deep-frying
lime wedges to serve

AROMATIC MILK

500 ml milk
1/2 carrot, finely diced
1/2 celery stalk, finely diced
1/2 onion or leek, finely diced
1/2 lemongrass stalk, bruised
1 garlic clove, bruised
2.5 cm piece of ginger, bruised
1 kaffir lime leaf
1 bay leaf
1 sprig thyme

M E T H O D

1. Season the fish with salt all over and set aside for 15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes until soft. Drain well, then transfer to a large bowl and mash until smooth. Leave to cool.

3. Make the aromatic milk by bringing the milk and other ingredients to boil in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat and add the fish. Leave the fish in the milk for around 8 minutes, until just cooked through (check by inserting the tip of a small knife into the thickest part of the fish to see that the flesh is no longer translucent). Remove the fish from the milk and leave to cool.

4. Stir the garlic, lime zest and chilli into the cooled mashed potato. Flake the fish on top, removing any bones, and add the crabmeat and herbs. Stir well and add salt to taste.

5. Put some plain flour in a bowl. Add the eggs to another bowl and beat well with a fork. Put some breadcrumbs in a third bowl.

6. Use your hands to shape the fish and potato mixture into small torpedoes (otherwise known as croquettes). As you finish shaping each one, roll it in flour, dip it in egg, then roll it in breadcrumbs, and set aside on a plate as you continue making croquettes with the rest of the mixture.

7. Pour vegetable oil into a large saucepan to one-third full and place over medium–high heat. Heat to 180°C (if you don’t have a thermometer, test the temperature by dropping in a small cube of bread – it should start frying rapidly). Fry the crab cakes in batches for around 3 minutes, until golden brown. Drain on paper towel.

8. Serve the hot crab cakes with lime wedges.

About Elizabeth Long
Having been in the industry for over 25 years, Liz’s knowledge of hospitality and catering is unparalleled. She nurtured her enthusiasm and developed her skills at London’s  Cordon Bleu, then at  The Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School. In 2011 Liz was awarded the school’s 20-Year Anniversary Entrepreneurship Award. In 2013 her debut cookbook, The Junior Gourmet (Five Mile Press), was awarded first place at the coveted Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in the category of ‘World’s Best Children and Family Cookbook’. Liz is a born foodie and proud of it! She strives to share her passion daily - whether she is running a culinary tour around Europe, a cooking class for kids, or delivering a catering order to a corporate client. For more, visit www.lusciousaffairs.com.au

Italian Catches Monster Catfish

Just recently a couple of us have been taking the little kids down to the river to catch catfish. Plenty of fish but nothing worth writing home about. The same can't be said for one Italian fisherman, Dino Ferarri, who recently landed a 2.67m monster!

According to his sponsor's facebook page, the enormous catfish caught on the famous Po River, weighed in at over 127kg. Check out the photos:

While arguably a record catfish caught on rod and reel, this isn't even the biggest catfish on record. That honour goes to a 144kg 2.78m monster, also from the Po Delta.

SAVAGE RELEASES BRAND NEW CABIN MODEL - THE 575 BLUE WATER

Savage, Australia’s oldest aluminium boat brand, has released the new 575 Blue Water - now the largest in the cabin range offering the perfect boat for the family or the keen fisherman.

                                                                          

With new 4mm bottomsheets, 3mm smooth side sheets the 575 Blue Water has a spacious cuddy cabin while still maximising deck space and fishing room.

Featuring a soft riding new hull design the 575 Blue Water handles offshore conditions with ease providing a smooth and reliable ride every time.

The 575 Blue Water includes a 95L fuel tank, rod holders and folding rear lounge all as standard but keen fishermen can option up with a burley bucket, live bait tank in the back deck, bimini & envelope and a rocket launcher to create a mean fishing rig.

Savage Director of Sales and Marketing Damien Duncan said the 575 Blue Water was added to the existing cabin range after requests from the dealer network for a larger model rated to a larger horsepower.

‘We saw an opportunity to expand our cabin range to include the 575 after our dealer network informed us they were receiving increasing requests from customers for a larger cabin model, ’ Damien said.

‘The 575 Blue Water has a rating of 150hp so it perfect for customers who are looking for a boat to travel longer distances and need the extra power,’ Damien added.

The 575 Blue Water is available as a complete boating package including boat, trailer and motor complete with a 3 year limited warranty.

For more information on the 575 Blue Water or the entire Savage Range head to www.savageboats.com.au

 

MAKE A STATEMENT IN STACER’S NEW 539 EASY RIDER

 

Featuring a new sleek, moulded dash and a larger bow and cockpit area than ever before the 539 Easy Rider is one stylish and comfortable ride.

The 539 Easy Rider built with the EVO Advance Hull offers a smooth ride, cutting through swell with ease and with a ski locker, rear ladder and 95L underfloor fuel tank included as standard the 539 Easy Rider is perfect for water sports action.

If you also enjoy a bit of fishing then the 539 Easy Rider has you covered with a sounder, rod holders and an optional convertible front casting platform.

Stacer National Account Manager Drew Jackson said the 539 Easy Rider now offered more room to relax with the larger bow area and rear lounge.

‘The 539 Easy Rider is perfect for the whole family with room for up to seven people and can still be easily towed behind your average family SUV or 4WD.’

‘The new rear lounge now has a wrap-around design  over the back rest improving comfort and can be folded flush with the transom when you need a bit more space,’ Drew said.

Complete with a bimini and envelope for cover from the sun and a sound system included as standard the 539 Easy Rider will be a favourite with the whole family.

Even with a massive list of standard features there is still room to option up your 539 Easy Rider with a live bait tank, cutting board, vinyl wrap, transom door, ski pole and front and side clears for little bit of extra protection.

The 539  Easy Rider is available as a Stacer Ready 2 Go package complete with boat, motor, trailer and 3 year limited warranty for peace of mind.

For more information on the 539 Easy Rider or the entire Stacer Range head to www.stacer.com.au