Whitsunday Game Fish Club hosts light tackle tournament

 The Whitsunday Game Fish Club’s 2011 light tackle tournament was once again a huge success with 28 boats and more than 90 anglers taking part.

 “It was a fantastic weekend and we’re going to start planning for the next one straight away,” said club president Bob Spees.

 The three-day competition ran from Friday to Sunday (inclusive) last week, with weather conditions proving reasonably favorable for the event. Species caught included sailfish, black marlin, Spanish and shark mackerel, longtail and mac tuna, barracuda, cobia, wahoo and shark.

 “There were three billfish caught and probably 30 raised, but they were very shy on the bite,” Mr Spees said.

 Skipper Ashley Matthews from the overall winning team on “Reel Work” described the competition’s shotgun start on Friday morning as “quite spectacular”.

 “Boats blasting off to the horizon in search of big fish, the adrenalin pumping and of course bragging rights of winning the shotgun start are always discussed back at the club on the Friday night!” Mr Matthews said.

 Fellow competitor Bryan Harries, who came fourth overall, agreed the weekend was as much about a spirit of fun as catching fish.

 “It’s not just about the fishing – it’s about everyone at the club getting together and having a good time,” he said.

 Mr Harrie’s son Ben won the prize for champion junior angler, scoring 200 points to win this category.

 “The kids had a good time – they loved it,” Mr Harries said.

 For Scott Grigg and the crew of Bonejara the competition was a win-win event, with the boys taking out the prizes for champion team (under 7 metres) and largest tuna (caught by Jason Bourke), as well as coming third in the Calcutta and winning the “Renegade” raffle prize worth $2,750.

 “We didn’t expect to win that much but we knew we had a chance. We put a lot of work in. We worked out a plan before the competition and stuck to it and it paid off,” Scott said.

 Mr Spees said organisers took great satisfaction in the tournament’s success.

 “Everyone wants to come back next year and that’s a big thrill,” he said.

Ex Aussie Cricket Captain goes fishing in the Whitsundays

Former Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor visited the Whitsundays last week, squeezing in a return trip with Sea Fever Sportfishing during his stay.
Taylor had previously fished with Ashley Matthews, owner/operator of Sea Fever Sportfishing two years ago and was eager to head to the reef again.
"You are given expectations when you go on a charter, but those expectations are not always met. Fishing here on the Great Barrier Reef there are so many species on offer and teamed up with Sea Fever Sportfishing my expectations were exceeded," Mr Taylor said.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of this week's Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available now, from leading news agencies, service stations, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.

Whitsunday Fishing

To read all about fishing in the Whitsundays see 'Creek to Coast' our new on-water section in the Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available now at leading newsagencies, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.

Whitsunday Fishing Tips

For all the latest in hot Whitsunday fishing see this week's 'Fish 'n' tips' brought to us by Lindsey Dobe of Proserpine Bait, Tackle and Fishing Charters and Ashley Matthews of Sea Fever Sport Fishing.

'Fish 'n' tips' is a new feature on our Whitrsunday creek to coast pages; pages 26 and 27 of the current edition.

For more information see this week's Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available from leading newsagancies in the area, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.