Tag and Release

It came right down to the wire on the final day of fishing with the Sydney GFC team 2 (Ambition, Casey, Gale Force, Tenacious, Smartbill) just edging out Broken Bay GFC team 1 (Murrifin, In a Meeting, Vengeance, Rukus, Shakara) for the Champion Club Team award. This is a significant win for Sydney and perhaps even more satifsying because its the first time in many years that a club team other than Newcastle/Port Stephens have won (9? NPS club team had won the last 8 in a row). But not far off the leaders, Newcastle/Port Stephens team 2 (Born Free, Gunrunner, French Look III, Seaka, Akuma) held on for third place.

In the individual boat category, congratulations to Capt. Scotty Thorrington and team on board Freedom whose 6 marlin, 6 dolphin fish and 1 yellowfin tuna put him into first place – a deserved prize for the veteran and his team who always fishes extremely well, but his first time at the top of the podium. Runners Up were the Broken Bay GFC boys on Murrifin who made a late charge and even better,  I heard they converted all 6 of their marlin strikes (6-6-6) for the comp!

Photo above of the third fish for the day on Day 1 for junior angler Brodie Smith (13yrs ) – 2 on 10 kg and one on 8 – fishing on Lake Macquaries’ Finjitsu which gave him Chamption T&R Angler for the day and contributed to his Jac III Trophy for the most tag / release points male angler and the Peter Bennett Trophy for the most tag / release points by junior/small fry. Well done Brodie!

Capture

Broken Bay GFC team 2 (Rampage, Carnage, Chasing Tail, Facilitator, All Business) came storming back into contention from their position at the end of Day 3 just out of the placing to take the win for the club in the Capture category.

Junior angler Riley Page on Rampage more than pulling his weight taking out the Bill Heyward Trophy – highest point scoring capture – junior/small fry as well as the Botany Bay GFC Trophy – highest point scoring junior/small fry angler overall. Likewise Pascale Paton on Carnage who took out the Tom Roche Trophy – highest point scoring capture adult female.

In second place the Central Coast composite T1 (Dark Horse, Sirocco, Topaz, Reel Trouble, Althaldo) from Lake Macquarie GFC team 1 (Redemption, Glorianna, Blue Blooded, Baja, Bundy 1) in third.

In the individual boats category, Rampage took out first place Champion Boat Capture from Newcastle GFC’s Tycon.

Some more significant captures on the final day included a 184.7 kg blue marlin on 24 for lady angler Alex Nuttal fishing on Sydney GFC’s Tantrum which is a pending NSW record and also scored Alex the Heaviest Marlin trophy. Alex also took out the Heaviest Other Gamefish award with a 23.5kg yellowfin on Day 1.

Shaun Thornton on Lake Macquarie GFC’s Bundy won the award for the heaviest shark, a 359 kg tiger, which also won him the Peter Goadby Trophy – highest point scoring capture by adult male trophy and George Besoff Trophy – highest point scoring angler.

Congratulations to all who competed in trying conditions! Read the full list of winners here.