The stats continue to be outstanding. This is what I have so far (billfish tags only) – Day 1, 96 tags; Day 2, 91 tags; Day 3, 103 tags; Day 4, 78 tags and Day 5, 126 tags (made up of blacks 104, blue 6, stripes 2, 14 sailfish).

I received a great mid-Gamex tournament report from Bernie Kaaks while we were out of phone range and have included the full report below (although its a couple of days behind current standings so keep that in mind when you are reading). Also at top is a shot of the scoreboard as at the end of Day 4’s fishing so you can see the diversity of the action (it’s not all about billfish!) Thanks so much to Scott Forbes for keeping us updated with the stats and the pic in Jeni’s absence (and big congrats to Jeni and Matt on the new bub!)

Scott says where else can you do this type of fishing?! And the best thing is that, so many new anglers getting their first billfish.  He also sent word of another Small Fry Pending Record, with a great capture by Will Roche (more details to come).

Mid-Gamex Report
“Gamex 2014 is away to a brisk and warm start.

While top temperature in Exmouth has hovered around 40 degrees every day, a light breeze made conditions bearable.  Flat seas have made for comfortable game fishing and returns over the first three days have been excellent.

The Sunday total was 102 billfish tags, Monday saw 90 and so did Tuesday.

Wet Dreams is top scoring boat at present with 5 species on 10 line classes for a total of 5451.6 points.

Bernie Vale’s Mahi Mahi III heads the tag & release leaderboard at this stage with 16 tags for tag & release marlin, while in the under 7 metre boats, Sea Eagle is doing well with 13 tag & release.

Individual honours for juniors goes to Hayden Michaels with 1400 points.  Top Female is Helen Levy, also on 1400 points and the leading male is Jason Hornhart who has amassed 3676.6 points on 5 line classes.

Non fishing people have been well looked after too.  A family fun day on Sunday attracted many mums and children, with a bouncy castle and other activities, all being entertained by Tod Johnston’s Peace, Love and All That Stuff.  The band also played at a lively opening gig on Friday.

Australia’s Melbourne based master chef Bart Beek conducted classes for ladies on Monday and Tuesday at the Exmouth Escape Resort, followed by a formal ladies’ lunch at the Novotel on Wednesday – a superb three-course meal.

As expected, there have been some disappointments, but the boys on On Strike II had to cop it sweet on Monday after hooking up a big blue marlin, estimated at well over 200kgs, on a spin outfit carrying a 15kilo line. After a three hour battle that took the boat 8.6 nautical miles out to sea from the hookup point, the marlin made one final lunge and broke free.”

Thanks Bernie – I think we all have Exmouth on our bucket list now if it wasn’t already there!