EVERY week Peter Decker likes to get out on the bay in his 1972, 5.8-metre MEA Easy Rider and throw in a fishing line.
For Mr Decker, it doesn’t matter if he catches anything or not.
It’s about the relaxation and sense of peace being on the bay gives him.
But most times he does bring home a fish or two, favouring seeking sweet lip and snapper.
“Yes, there are a lot that are undersize and a few grinners in between,” he said.
“And then there are the sharks which visit quickly and say, ‘Well you can have the first catch, but I’ll take the second and third’”.
Mr Decker said he fished anywhere on the bay from Amity on North Stradbroke Island to the Bay Islands.
“Catching fish isn’t essential. It’s enough to just be on the water. Where else can you relax, put a line or two in the water and sit back?” he said.
That said, Mr Decker said he put in his line where there were fish that were hopefully still feeding.
“There’s no point fishing in a desert,” he said.
“I normally fish at low light and light winds with sunrise being so special some mornings.”
It has been a lifetime passion which started at age 10 when he and his friends used to fish the small streams and creeks near Coopers Plains.
“We’d catch silver perch and catfish mostly – for sport,” he said.
Proud fishing moments for Mr Decker include catching a sailfish with two friends off Point Lookout about 10 years ago and catching a 1.1 metre threadfin salmon in the Logan River in 2025.
“You look in the murky water and wonder how you can catch such a beautiful eating fish from there,” he said.
His passion for fishing has been adopted by his son Kevin, 39, of Eumundi and a member of the Sunshine Coast Game Fishing Club.
“He likes to go deep sea fishing – sport fishing for marlin. I’ve been out with him, but there is the pounding to get out there and back and I’d rather have the peace,” he said.
Mr Decker said he and Kevin built a boat together from marine ply, which Kevin still has.
“I understand it. When he has big days working, it’s OK to chill out and relax,” he said.
“Get a crew together and go out on the boat. It will maintain your sanity.”
