BMFB: Weekly Sked Feb 8 » Black Marlin Blog

Club President David Granville, who caught the only billfish on the final day of the tournament I might add (a 250lb blue marlin), sent me the final results from the weekend’s Sunshine Coast Classic 2011:
– Champion Boat Overall, Over 7.5m and Heavy Tackle was Fish Whisperer – on countback from Reel Capture.
– The Champion Boat Under 6.5m and 3rd place overall was Inside Edge. The Champion Boat Light Tackle was Out Quoting.
– John Dwyer took out Champion Angler Overall and Champion Angler Heavy Tackle while Tony Cross was Champion Angler Light Tackle.
– The lucky winner of the boat, motor, trailer package in the last man standing draw was Jim McKinnon.
Capt. Tim Dean demonstrated his home advantage prowess winning the Lake Macquarie Big Fish Tournament on the weekend at the helm of Born Free. Tim tells me Saturday’s bite was the best they’ve experienced yet this year and that they went 4-4-4, all striped marlin and followed up with 2-2-2 on Sunday. Three were caught on 30lb and three on 50lb. The water is still a hot 26 degrees at the carpark, which really affects the stripes, and most of the fish were caught deep in the cooler water on live baits. Born Free’s George Trinkler took the Champion Angler T&R gong, and Greg Miles runner-up. Calypso has had a late cancellation for the NSW Interclub coming up at the end of the month and so if you are interested in fishing one of the biggest tournaments in the country, contact Tim now. On the capture side, Iona 2only fished Saturday but still managed to take out Champion Boat and Champion Female angler (Amanda Cromaty) for the second year running!
Meanwhile at the Jess Sams Tournament (Ulladulla) the final wrap up was:
– Champion T & R Non Trailer Boat – Dadsboat
– Champion T & R Trailer Boat – Lexie
– Champion T & R Sharks – Childs Play
– Champion female Angler – Sarah Meharg
– Champion Junior – Jakob Murphy (Dadsboat)
– Champion Small Fry – Jakob Murphy
– Heaviest Capture – Sarah Meharg (155kg black)
– Heaviest Shark – Childs Play (118kg whaler)
Congrats junior Jakob Murphy’s first marlin on board his Dad’s boat (Dadsboat) about 90kg on 15kg line and to Sarah Meharg on Blue Alibi who tagged 2 marlin and won heavies capture with a black marlin as well.
Glen Booth reports from Coffs Harbour:

Kestelle is visiting here at the moment, and they’re really showing us locals how to fish! Last week they caught two black marlin, lost two blacks and a blue, as well as boating some nice yellowfin, wahoo and dolphin fish.

There was at least one black tagged and a couple lost inshore on Saturday, before the nor’ easter really got into gear.

A few mackerel are poking about, although slimy mackerel for bait are a bit hard to come by, so most are being caught on lures. School yellowfin are also popping up in the same territory.

The weather for the next couple of days is looking a bit suspect, although the cooler conditions are definitely welcome. The Solitary Islands Game Fishing Club has its pointscore day this coming Saturday, so hopefully that will produce a few fish.
Glen also sent me a quick report from South West Rocks. Apparently there is no billfish or bait to speak of, but a mate of his caught 20 spanish mackerel to 15kg and a lone 4kg spotty trolling lures. Then, just as quickly as they were there, they’re gone again!
The Bega District News featured a tournament report from the Bermagui Bluewater Game Fishing Tournament.
Capt. Tom Francis on the big blue boat Ultimate Lady found some time to update his Captain’s Log. Tom you only kept us waiting a year!