After a recent visit to K’gari (Fraser Island), I have decided to rename the jetty at Kingfisher Bay ‘The Murder Jetty’.
If you have been to K’gari, you’ll know the spot. If not, then just imagine the quintessential Queensland timber jetty that stretches out lazily into the calm blue ocean – an ideal spot to watch the sunset and take in the tranquillity.
But that was not the case on the day our family decided to go fishing with friends. On that day, the idyllic structure was the scene of dozens of murders.
One of my best mates, Natty, was chief instigator of the blood and gore.
“Let’s take the kids fishing for live bait. Then we can stay and go squidding,” she exclaimed.
The kids were excited. The parents were, too (an afternoon with no screens – hallelujah!).
The light was golden, the sea breeze was gentle. It was like a movie.
Yeah, a horror movie!
Natty started showing the kids how to put hooks into the spines of the little fish that were wriggling around as they were flung into the ocean on hooks. I nearly passed out when I saw this.
Ten-year-old Millie tried to cast her rod, hit the jetty pylon and then ‘thack!’: a little wriggling fish hit the concrete pole and its eyes went through its little body.
Nine-year-old Harrison pulled up a tuna. I heard the five kids yell “Cool”, as it lay on the jetty and vomited up a whole little fish. I nearly vomited, too.
My eyes were the size of dinner plates as the kids pulled in little fish after little fish to catch big fish after big fish.
It was the circle of life in murderous surround sound.
The sun set and Natty decided it was time to squid. Any caught squid is placed on to the murder jetty so you can karate chop them under the neck to kill them. At what age do you learn the karate-chop kill move? Not at 50, I can assure you of that.
I blame my single mum for not educating me growing up on the ways of fishing. Given what I witnessed, I am actually glad she didn’t.
When squidding was over, we all regrouped at dinner where I skipped the calamari and went straight for the chicken.
Sami Muirhead is a radio announcer, blogger and commentator. For more from Sami, tune into Mix FM.
