Well after postponing the event twice due to weather, the Gold Coast GFC had the pick of conditions over the weekend for their annual Garmin Blue Marlin Classic.

With results yet to come — although my count some great fishing with close to 20 fish tags in the two days mostly blue marlin – the leaderboard was tight with a couple of boats on three tags a peice. (Tournament report will be update here when its available!)

Leigh Holtsbaum fished on Sea Eagle on Saturday unable to take part in the comp due to commitments on Sunday. Leigh reports they went 1 from 3 on blues for just a few hours trolling. They also deep dropped for blue eye and gemfish most of the day got a 10kg and 15kg blue eye.

They were unlucky to bust off a solid blue 250-300kg on the way out in the morning after 15mins. Redeeming themselves in the afternoon on the way home hooking a double on blues managing to tag one about 160kg to marlin virgin Shannon Muridge. Congrats Shannon!

Gold Coast Garmin Blue Marlin Classic Results

Tournament stats were 52 strikes, 41 hook ups, 25 tags and 1 capture (pending Junior Record).

Champion boat over all went to Nga hua tagging 3 blue marlin early on and hard to beat.

Champion Boat over all 2nd place went to Special K tagging a 2 blues and stripe.

Champion boat 3rd place went to Redonkulous tagging 3 blues late in the comp.

Champion boat over 8m went to Special K

Champion boat under 8m went to Nga hua

Champion boat heaviest billfish over 150kg went to Viking 2

Champion angler junior went to Sam Capel off Nga hua for 2 blue marlin.

Champion angler junior runner up went to Riley Dunbar off  Just Looking

Champion angler junior 3rd went to Jordan Butler off Viking 2

Champion angler male went to Steve Bracken on Special K

First billfish day 1 Steve Bracken on Special K

Last billfish day 2 Kevin Ballantine on Old Mate

Redonkulous lure hour
Day 1 Shaun Whale
Day 2 Cheyne Sales

Best dressed crew Mexican theme Special K , Mazara, Redonkulous

Iceytek photo comp Nathan Wakefield

Good Samaritan Adam and crew from Redonkulous” for towing in another boat.

Best tag person John Burke off Special K